Falls Church News-Press 9-23-2021

FOUNDED 1991 • VOL. XXXI NO. 32

F.C. City Council Returns In Person

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Last year’s bold move by the Mary Riley Styles Public Library in Falls Church to eliminate fines for overdue materials is the biggest step cited so far in the City of Falls Church’s comprehensive “Equity Review” that was engaged by the City Council at its work session last Monday.

The meeting was notable for being the first in-person gathering of the City Council at City Hall since the Covid-19 pandemic struck in March 2020. In person meetings of the Council and other key City bodies will proceed henceforth, with attendees required to wear masks and sit six feet apart for the time being.

Monday’s review was the first comprehensive look by the Council at what it had requested from all City boards and commissions this last March. Then, a memo was sent out to all City boards and commission members asking to “bring to life”

Continued on Page 4

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Members of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce got their first opportunity to meet the organization’s first new executive director in 17 years this week.

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The City of Falls Church has faced a shortage of affordable housing as the city has grown. The League of Women Voters and Citizens For a Better City have recently held three forums in an attempt to change that and work to create more affordable housing in the area.

SEE STORY, PAGE 9

With the conclusion at the end of this month of Sally Cole’s 17 years as the head of the Chamber, Cole’s replacement Elise Neil Bengtson has already been on the job for a week.

The Tuesday luncheon of the Chamber outdoors at the

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After a short season in the spring, the Meridian High School football team is back on the field with fans filling the stands. The Mustangs have a team of 32 players who are excited to be back on the field and preparing to take on their district rival, Brentsville, on Friday.

SEE STORY, PAGE 18

mittent rainfall (no worries, the area was well covered by canvas tent material), short greetings by F.C. Mayor David Tarter and Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly, the introduction of Chamber sponsors FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA • WWW.FCNP.COM • FREE

on Page 5

INDEX

Sept. 23 – 29, 2021 Editorial 6 Letters 6 Comment 7,12,13 News & Notes 8,10,11 Crime Report 12 Calendar 16,17 Classified Ads 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword 21 Critter Corner 22 Business News 23

FCEDF Events to Support Our Schools!

City Meetings Return In Person

life” reviews of “duties and goals to ensure that the City is equitably serving the needs of all” with an aim at recommending policy changes and prioritization of work to “more effectively achieve the goal of equitably serving our entire community.”

In the memo sent from City Hall on March 1, 2021, it was suggested that all City boards and commissions ask the following questions in an internal review:

“Does a policy or work have an equal impact among all that we serve?

“Does it benefit those under stress?

“Does it reduce current community disparities?

“Does it correct organizational inequalities that developed over time?”

The memo cited the library fines case, stating that “a recent change to library policy is a good example of a board considering equity in services, communicating a need to the City Council, and changing a policy to provide more equitable service to all.”

In the library fines case, the

memo noted, research determined that late fines for overdue items “were disproportionately borne by low-income users” and “it was ultimately determined that the public would be better and more equitably served by eliminating these fees.”

So, a memo has been added to the City’s website for the library stating, “In an effort to remove barriers to service, we will no longer charge fines for overdue materials... All previously assessed fines for overdue materials will also be forgiven.”

At Monday’s meeting, City Manager Wyatt Shields offered a brief review of some of the 60 pages of suggestions from the boards and commissions that, he said, function like forms of think tanks for the City government. Three summary areas, he said, relate to funding, program designs and policy reforms.

Of them, Council member Letty Hardi suggested that timely priorities include a change to the City Charter to allow non-residents to serve on boards and commissions and occupy City affordable dwelling units.

She also proposed a stand-alone new City commission focused on racial justice.

Shields summarized the work of the City Police Department’s Use of Force Review Committee, in which over 800 citizen responses focused on the need for more training in the area of mental health, and the now widely advocated body cams. They also are advocating for youth “restorative justice” programs to avoid the criminal justice system.

The mental health training, Shields said, could have saved lives in recent months. He also cited a 21-day “equity habits building” program for City employees.

Shields noted the Arts and Humanities Council’s eagerness to develop murals with matching grants, the achievement of civil rights “history panels” to placement on S. Washington, and to review the art on display at City Hall.

The Citizens Advisory Council on Transportation focused on walkability issues and a review of bus shelters for their highest use.

The Housing Commission suggested the formation of a housing panel with equal representation from stand-alone home owners, rental tenants and the homeless

The Historical Commission suggested a review of street and location

Vote Ilya Shapiro for School Board

place names.

The Human Services Advisory Council is proposing a communitywide racial equity workshop.

The Library Board proposed in addition to eliminating fines , no charges for use of copiers.

The Planning Commission is proposing a speaker series on land use and special exceptions.

The Recreation and Parks board is proposing scholarships for its

camps and hobby groups and a review of handicap accessibility to parks.

The Retirement Board proposes a review of benefits programs and investment opportunities.

The Storm Water Task Force suggests a review of priorities of citizen submission of complaint.

The Urban Forestry Commission proposes a review of accessibility of all citizens to parks.

IN THE F.C. CITY COUNCIL’S first in-person meeting since March 2020, there were still faces on the wall being beamed in, with the Council members to the right and Deputy City Manager Cindy Mester (far left). (Photo: News-Press)

Cole Leaving Chamber of Commerce After 17 Years; Neil Bengtson Takes Over

by current Chamber board president Barbara Benson, the brief self-introductions of everyone there, the month’s formal presentation by representatives of the Falls Church-based Arc of Northern Virginia on the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities, and the cheerful eventconcluding raffle of the table centerpieces.

Many lingered after the formal adjournment to continue conversations, and through it all, Elise Neil Bengtson seemed totally in her element. This comes as no surprise because she has a lifetime of experience working with groups just such as this one, including for the Chamber of Commerce for neighboring McLean, the National Symphony Orchestra and offshoots, the Volunteer Fairfax outfit, the Fairfax Partnership for Youth and the regional Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra. She is also active in her Alexandria-based Episcopal church. From 1983 to 1998 she worked in the White House under three presidents.

“I love Chamber life,” she told the News-Press in a short conversation after the event this Tuesday. “I am big on community, and Falls Church has a great, strong community.”

She recalls working with the Falls Church Chamber during her time with its McLean counterpart, noting Falls Church’s more aggressive commitment to economic development that began around 2000 and has resulted in a continuing growth of new large-scale mixed use projects now leading up to the really big one, the combined development of over 40 acres by the West Falls Church Metro linking the properties there of the City of F.C., Virginia Tech and WMATA.

That one will require more cooperation with forces in McLean that will surely put Elise’s talents to the test.

Among the memorable Falls Church figures she recalls working with from before is the late Falls Church Chamber executive who preceded Sally Cole, the unforgettable World War II Pacific Theater U.S. Submarine Commander Robert S. ‘Hap’

Day, the good natured burly man, a lineman on the U.S. Naval Academy football team in the late 1930s, who served the local Chamber from the mid1980s for 14 years until the end of the 1990s, and who passed away at age 93 in December 2013.

A natilve of Charlotte, North Carolina, but having spent most of her life in this area, Ms. Neil Bengtson says she likes to keep both her names because her many years of service in this region has involved her using one or the other of them many times, and this way she’s more likely to connect with former friends and associates from across her wide range of experiences.

In a farewell guest commentary published in this week’s edition of the News-Press , Sally Cole noted that “so much has changed since 2004. Falls Church has grown, as has the Chamber which doubled its membership.” Cole’s guest commentary appears on Page 7 of this edition.

The City has grown, indeed, from about 10,000 when she

came on board the Chamber to over 14,300 now in just her 17 years at its helm, and the boom is fully expected to continue that will challenge the Chamber to be on top of all the issues of development and business best interests. Its active legislative committee will continue to evaluate all the development proposals that come before the City Council and to make recommendations, and it will continue an active role on the City’s quasi-independent Economic Development Authority, always looking to represent the best interests of the lively business community here,

whether it is weighing in on an outdoor dining ordinance, sound ordinance or trying to strike a balance between the interests of large scale new developments and local merchants and restaurants.

Sally Cole says she will continue to author the weekly “Business News and Notes” section of the News-Press until her successor is ready to take over, and there will continue to be a lot of demand for the remarkable talents she has to offer.

She will have to insist on that time she’s promised herself to go volunteer at that famous elephant refuge in Tennessee.

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• City of Falls Church

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McAuliffe, Ayala & Herring: No Doubt

There is no doubt in our minds that the Democrats on the ballot for Virginia’s three statewide officers are vastly preferred over their Republican counterparts. If for no other reason, the release this week of the Woodward/ Costa book, “Peril,” should remove any doubt that to the extent any Republican holding or seeking public office in the U.S. that does not explicitly denounce and distance themselves from Donald Trump is patently disqualified from being elected.

This goes all the way up and down any tickets in U.S. elections for the foreseeable future. To the extent anyone identifying as a Republican in this highly precarious moment in our national history fails to clearly and without ambiguity denounce and repudiate Trump and his ongoing plans for a rightwing coup against our democracy, such person is considered personna non grata as far as seeking public office is concerned in the eyes of this newspaper, and we urge our readers to adopt a similar posture.

The Trump coup agenda is operative to this day, as “Peril” makes clear. What form it takes over the coming period will depend on the force of the national will, and that means each and every one of us, to reject it.

No, there is no room for equivocating on the fact that the Republican candidates for statewide office in Virginia -- gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin, lieutenant governor candidate Winsome Sears and attorney general candidate Jason Miyares -- to the extent they have not gone on record publicly repudiating Trump and his coup agenda are not only unfit, but morally (if not legally) disqualified from being considered for election.

Now, in this election the Democratic candidates are truly superior. Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, lieutenant governor candidate Hala Ayala and attorney general candidate Mark Herring all bring proven track records of smart and compassionate leadership deserving of widespread support. By contrast, the highest profile GOP challenger Youngkin is a failed chief executive and devotee of typical anti-woman rightwing GOP policies. Yes, he would bring the Texas model of anti-abortion laws to Virginia if given the chance.

By contrast, in our view, McAuliffe and Herring have track records from past performances in the offices they now seek that are stellar and in the best interest of Virginians. Both have been outstanding and Ayala will be, too. They have been responsible for this state’s advancement into the ranks of our nation’s truly great entities, breaking any and all from old ties to the pro-Confederacy deep south’s backward and racist sentiments and aligning with the promises of tomorrow grounded in science, technology, democracy and equal rights for all.

We have been truly heartened to be part over the last two decades of this state’s growth economically and morally into a leadership role nationally and worldwide. It is our great pleasure to heartily endorse McAuliffe, Ayala and Herring in this fall’s election.

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Falls Church Education Foundation

Thanks Runners

The Falls Church Education Foundation (FCEF) thanks the more than 850 runners and walkers who participated in the 17th Annual FCEF Run for the Schools on Sunday, September 12th.

Our runners ranged in age from newborn to eighty!

It was such a great feeling to be in person again and to witness community spirit in action.

We are grateful to the many organizations who help ensure this is a fun and safe event year after year as well as to our sponsors of the event.

The Falls Church Police Department and the Falls Church Sheriff’s Department were instrumental in ensuring a safe path through the beautiful, tree-lined winding course as was the Falls Church City Department of Public Works.

We thank the City Manager, Wyatt Shields, and his staff for assistance in planning and execution. The Meridian High School (MHS) cross country

Got Beef?

team provided course marshalls and inspiration at every corner and the MHS volleyball team volunteered their time to entertain our youngest runners at the family activity stations at the end of the race.

We thank Falls Church Boy Scout Troop #895 for providing the on-course water station for the 16th year.

We thank the Falls Church School Board members as well as the full City Council for joining in this great community event. We thank the volunteer FCEF board of directors for your leadership throughout the year.

We are also grateful for our Falls Church City Public Schools’ administration and staff who showed up early on Sunday morning to join with their students and families in celebration of our stellar schools.

Lastly, but not leastly, we ran this year’s race in memory of its founder, Jerry Barrett (1932-2020). Jerry was one of the finest examples of a lifelong community volunteer, having served Falls Church City in many capacities through his late eighties.

Debbie Hiscott Suzanne Hladky Falls Church

take in.

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

Cole Says Her Goodbyes Before Chamber Departure

It has been my great honor to have served as the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director for the last 17 years. So much has changed since 2004. Falls Church has grown, as has the Chamber which doubled its membership while creating new networking and promotional opportunities, redeveloping the Chamber’s brand and online presence, and establishing the organization as an important partner and resource to local businesses, government, and the community. As many have done during the pandemic, I have decided I am ready for change and, more importantly, that the Chamber is in need of a fresh perspective and new energy.

I owe a debt of gratitude to many. First and foremost, thank you to Dr. Steve Rogers who was the Chamber Chairman. He has been a consistent source of information, ideas, and support. I am grateful for the trust he, along with Architect Paul Barkley, Attorney Mark Werblood, and Clay Café founder Helene Safford, and the Chamber Board at that time put in me all those years ago.

I am also grateful to Nick Benton and the Falls Church News-Press. Nick quickly and easily invited me into his inner circle and offered me the opportunity to write the Business News column for the paper. He has done an exceptional job covering Chamber events and issues

while also providing businesses targeted advertising and serving as a Chamber board member and sponsor.

Thank you to everyone who has served

Sislers Stone, Dougherty DDS, Beyer Automotive, PNC Bank, Body Dynamics, John Marshall Bank, John Rodock of Baker Donelson, John Marshall Bank, June Beyer Art, and Staples. Our event sponsors have been generous as well –thank you to ROCK STAR Realty Group, Brenda Schrier Photography, Family Medicine in Falls Church, Lemon Lane Consignment, Jefferson Falls Park, and many more.

on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, especially to those who served as Board Chair and who continued to participate, fund, and volunteer after their service. I am especially indebted to Barbara Benson, the Chamber’s current chair, as she selflessly offered to continue her service an extra year because of the pandemic, only to find herself leading a search committee and hiring a new director. Thank you also to our committee members and to my Chamber colleagues as well. Deb Thompson, Andrea Alder, and Cathy Soltys helped grow and strengthen the Chamber and were wonderful teammates.

Thank you to the Chamber’s loyal annual sponsors including Diener & Associates, Eden Center, Falls Church News-Press, Hilton Garden Inn, The Kensington, New Editions Consulting, the Young Group, Burke & Herbert Bank,

Thank you to the Falls Church City Council. Over the years, a number of Council members have made efforts to support the local business community, but this current Council is more involved and active in that area than ever. Their attendance at ribbon cuttings , proclamations designating Shop Small Day and Live Local month, efforts to highlight women and minority entrepreneurs, and their personal support of local businesses is noteworthy. Special thanks are due to Phil Duncan for serving as the Chamber’s Council liaison for many years. His participation and has been invaluable.

Thank you to Falls Church City government and school staffs, particularly Marybeth Connelly and Becky Witsman. Both have worked tirelessly to support our business community while also being wonderful resources and advocates. Their insights, guidance, and contributions have benefitted the Chamber in a myriad of ways. Wyatt Shields, Cindy Mester, and Jim Snyder have also been great allies.

Thank you to the many Chamber members who have inspired and motivated me through the years. Falls Church has truly amazing nonprofit organizations and businesses that are exceptionally supportive of them and the larger the community. There are too many to name but I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with, and gotten to know, the late Barb Cram and Gary LaPorta. Both served on and off on our Board and were consistent sources of help, guidance, inspiration, and manpower. I would also like to thank BioPrep Solutions for guiding us and our members through the pandemic.

Finally, thank you to the residents of Falls Church for supporting our local businesses. Falls Church is so very special largely because of our small business community and their success is largely thanks to you.

I am leaving the Chamber in exceptional hands. Cathy will stay on and Elise Neil Bengtson is the Chamber’s new Executive Director. Elise brings strong experience in nonprofit leadership, including executive director positions with the McLean Chamber and Volunteer Fairfax, that will benefit the Chamber and wider community. I will remain in Falls Church and continue to support the friends I have made through the years and patronize our small business community. I will continue to Live Local and I hope you will too.

Hicks Named National Merit Semifinalist

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has announced those seniors who qualified as a Semifinalist in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program, which is in its 67th year.

Meridian High School senior Hunter Hicks is one of approximately 16,000 high school seniors announced today across the nation as Semifinalists.

High school juniors entered the program by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), an initial screen of program entrants.

The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Hunter will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships to be offered next spring.

The administration team, faculty, and staff from Meridian High School wish Hunter luck and success in the competition this year.

Students Accepted into Honors College

Over 280 students have been accepted into the College of Charleston Honors College for the Fall 2021 school year. The Honors College at the College of Charleston was recently recognized as one of the top 40 public university honors programs in the country by Inside Honors. Additional information can be found at honors.cofc.edu. The following local students will be attending the College of Charleston Honors College: Timothy Heck of Alexandria (22307) plans to major in International Business at the College of Charleston. Emma Welther of Alexandria (22301) plans to major in Undecided at the College of Charleston. Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities, cutting-edge programs and accessible faculty attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world.

Vaccination Required for FCHS Athletes

Beginning November 8, Falls Church High School will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for any student participating in Virginia High School League (VHSL) winter and spring sports seasons.

More info to come from FCHS on how to submit your vaccination information.

Clare Heaney Named to Dean’s List

Clare Heaney of Fairfax Station has been named to the dean’s list for the winter/spring term at Centre College, an honor reserved for students who maintain at least a 3.60 grade point average.

A graduate of Bishop Ireton High School, Heaney’s parents are Brion Heaney and Theresa Heaney of Fairfax Station.

Centre College, founded in 1819, has been named a Forbes top15 college/university in the South seven years in a row, and is included in Colleges That Change Lives.

Brian Parke to Take Over As Meridian Athletic

Meridian High School athletic director, Marvin Wooten, recently accepted a position to serve as the athletic director at South County High School. Marvin’s last official day with the school is Wednesday, September 22nd.

FCCPS are pleased to announce that Brian Parke will be the next Athletic Director. Brian is currently the athletic director at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, VA, where he is responsible for programming over 1000 students.

In addition, Brian provides leadership and support to over 40 student clubs and activities. Before his work at Forest Park, Brian served as the Assistant Athletic Director at Stone Bridge HS in Loudoun County. He has an administrative endorsement in leadership and supervision and curriculum and instruction. Previously, he served as a school test coordinator, physical education and health teacher, and head Basketball and Lacrosse coach at Stone Bridge and Heritage HS.

During Brian’s interview process, what came through was his student-first mentality, commitment to the program and community, and willingness to embrace the multifaceted aspects of this position.

Brian is tentatively scheduled to start with the school on Friday, October 1st, just in time for homecoming. The school looks forward to welcoming Brian to the Mustang community.

PICTURED ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT — Peter Noonan, Superintendent; Sia Knight, Asst Dir of Secondary School Counseling; David Serensits, Assoc. Principal Meridian; Hunter Hicks, Brad McAdam, School Counselor; Valerie Hardy, Head of Secondary Schools; Matt Sowers, Dir. of Secondary School Counseling. (�����: FCCPS)

BRIAN PARKE (pictured here) will take over as the new athletic director for FCCPS. He is scheduled to start his new position on Friday, Oct 1 for homecoming. (P����: FCCPS P����)

F.C.’s CBC, LWV Present Affordable Housing Options

by Allison brown And

For decades our City has faced a severe shortage of affordable housing – a situation that became even more troubling given the current racial reckoning and lack of diversity in Falls Church. Prompted by this confluence of past history and present developments the League of Women Voters-Falls Church and Citizens for a Better City recently organized and held three public forums.

How We Got Here: In the first forum, panelists explained that over the decades, Falls Church City citizens had organized in support of projects to increase affordable housing. Yet, other citizens opposed these efforts, leading to the failure of numerous proposed projects over the years and exacerbating the shortage. Panelists also emphasized that some investments made over the years are coming to the end of their lives. A key example is The Fields, which is currently the City’s largest standalone affordable apartment building, with 96 units.

Recent Developments: Our City has experienced a number of encouraging developments in the last year – the focus of the second forum. Recent building approvals will add more than 60 affordable apartments in the next three years and affordable apartments in the Founders Row and Broad and Washington projects will be “permanently affordable,” rather than time-limited, per previous practice.

The City obtained a $3.75 million Amazon grant that will be used to preserve existing affordable units in the Reed building and support home ownership opportunities. It also purchased several quadplex properties in Virginia Village, which will preserve their affordability and could facilitate the building of a dedicated affordable housing development on that site in the future. Finally, the City has acted to facilitate affordable housing projects by allocating $100,000 into its Affordable Housing Fund in 2021 and budgeting another $100,00 for next year.

What Lies Ahead: In the third forum the discussion indicated that the City needs to be proactive in

its affordable housing efforts, with zoning and planning changes, as well as dedicated funding, being critical.

Zoning and Planning: Panelists pointed out that most land in our City is designated for single family development, which encourages large houses that are out of reach financially for most people. In fact, panelists asserted, local officials initially created these zoning restrictions to preserve racial segregation. Yet, these restrictions remain. They cited the need to enact changes to our land use plans and zoning codes, for example, to allow multi-family homes in areas that are now zoned single family and to ease restrictions on accessory dwelling units.

Additionally, panelists said making affordable housing a priority in the planning process is important, pointing out that the City has recently updated its Comprehensive Plan and Affordable Living policy. Near-term work, they added, must ensure that site plans include policy goals for affordable housing; such as in the case of the forthcoming Eastern Gateway (Seven

Corners) project. Also mentioned were changes to the planning process to provide regulatory relief for any standalone affordable housing project, which could result in an increase in the hundreds of units.

Funding: Multiple panelists emphasized the need for a longterm, dedicated funding stream; for example, by allocating some of the $18 million the City has already received from federal and state recovery and relief legislation. Other nearby local jurisdictions, panelists added, have created dedicated affordable housing funding in different ways. Arlington puts money into its affordable housing investment fund every year and Alexandria implemented a meals tax in 2019, which has raised millions of dollars for this purpose.

Strategies for Increasing Diversity: Panelists highlighted several strategies to ensure that housing policy initiatives bring more racial and economic diversity to our City. Providing affordable units targeted on lower income households (40-60% of area median income), should be a key part of any such strategy. Pointing out that

our City is the least racially diverse community in the region, panelists emphasized the importance of changing its policy of prioritizing allocation of affordable units to those who live and work here. Preserving existing housing stock, including small single-family homes, panelists added, should also be part of our strategic thinking.

Conclusion: The City of Falls Church is growing and changing and affordable housing opportunities are a key part of promoting this growth and managing change in a sustainable way. At the same time, the legacy of its early history of segregation and long-term failure to respond to affordable housing needs have been leading factors in its being the least racially diverse community in the region. In effect, to continue to meet the challenges of sustaining growth and promoting a more economically and racially diverse community, a significant expansion of affordable housing opportunities in our City is essential.

Allison Brown is President of the LWV-Falls Church, Hal Lippman is President of CBC.

The Annual Rowell Court Block Party is back!

For current, new and prospective members: Learn more about the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce

Make the most of your benefits Find out how to add Events/Hot Deals and edit your Member Page Network with other Chamber members

Register by scanning the QR code, or registering through the event page on our website. The Zoom link will be included in event registration confirmation email.

The block party hosted by Mark Werblood of Tesler & Werblood is back! Join us for a great evening of friends, fun, networking, refreshments from a variety of restaurants, door prizes, and more. Say hello to our new Executive Director, Elise Neil Bengtson, and wish Sally Cole the best in her next chapter.

The event is free to chamber members, colleagues, and friends of the chamber. Please register by scanning the QR code, or registering through the event page on our website.

Community News

Arlington National Guard Soldier Receives New Rank

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional respon sibility and leadership.

Ava Sodergren from Arlington, Va., and assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation received a promotion to the rank of sergeant on May 25, 2021.

Army National Guard promo tions are based on overall per formance, attitude, leadership ability, and development poten tial. These promotions addition ally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com

MCC Celebrates LGBTQ+ Ally Week

LGBTQ+ Ally Week is a national celebration of friends and families who support LGBTQ+ people and it culminates in National Coming Out Day.

This year, the McLean Community Center (MCC) will celebrate this week by offering a variety of enjoyable and educational events, including an interfaith panel discussion. All events are free; however, participants are required to preregister. The registration form is linked on the center’s website, www.mcleancenter.org. The center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave.

The celebration has been planned by the MCC’s Governing Board and staff members as a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community locally, as well as their larger commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of MCC’s activities.

MCC Governing Board Chair

Barbara Zamora-Appel said, “The Board and staff encourage respectful and safe spaces for civil dialogue and invite you to join us in making MCC and greater McLean a welcoming space for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, friends and families.”

Recycling Extravaganza Returns Oct. 2:

The City of Falls Church’s annual Recycling Extravaganza returns on Saturday, October 2 from 9:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. at the Recycling Center, located at 217 Gordon Rd.

Residents can drop off materials that are not allowed in their curbside collection carts, including Hazardous Household Waste (HHW), and bring specified items for donation.Residents will be required to show ID or proof of City of Falls Church residency in order to drop off items and materials at this year’s Recycling

Extravaganza.

Residents will also be asked to stay in their vehicles and allow event staff to remove items and materials.

“Prismatic” Art Show Opens in Falls Church

Thirty-three area artists are in the spotlight at the Falls Church Arts Gallery’s new show “Prismatic.” The colorful art show opened Sept. 19 and will be on display until Oct. 31 at the gallery located at 700-B W. Broad St. in Falls Church.

Curated by noted McLean artist Joan Bixler of Bixler Studios, the show features 40 works in various media – oil, watercolor, acrylic, photography and collage. The art work can be viewed and purchased online at https:// fallschurcharts.org/product-category/prismatic/.

The non-profit art gallery in downtown Falls Church is open Wednesday—Friday 11 a.m. — 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.

and Sunday 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. Visitors are asked to practice social distancing and wear masks.

Solo Show of Works by Barry Barnett Keith

Gallery Underground presents Water, a solo show of largescale acrylics by artist Barry Barnett Keith. Keith is a native of Alexandria, VA and a product of Alexandria City Public Schools.

After graduating from TC Williams High School in 1978, Keith went on to the University of Delaware art school, where he majored in Painting, Drawing and English. Keith developed a drawing style over the years by producing portraits for local patrons, but landscapes are his first and continuing love. Keith’s goal in landscape painting is to translate what he sees and have the painting be indicative of the medium, rather than a photographic picture with brushes. Keith has taught the arts in the Prince Georges County, Maryland, Public School

system for the past 15 years. He is presently Lead Art Teacher at Mattaponi Elementary School in Upper Marlboro and Rose Valley Elementary School in Fort Washington, MD.

11th Annual Red Shoe 5k Coming Soon

The Red Shoe 5k is back on Sunday, October 3rd with options for In-person and virtual registration! Local, state and federal guidelines surrounding group gatherings will be monitored.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC eases the hardship of children’s illness on families through programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children. The Red Shoe 5k Run and Walk is an annual event held to raise critical funding for its programs and the families that it serves.

The Red Shoe Run team is excited to announce their first ever hybrid event. This year, run-

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Run Park, but also across the country virtually.

Early Voting Now Open for November 2, 2021 Election. Early in-person voting began on Friday, September 17 for the November 2, 2021 General Election. The ballot includes contests for state office (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and House of Delegates) and local office (Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, Treasurer, City Council, and School Board). The deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration is Tuesday, October 12. Citizens can apply, update, and check their voter registration status on the Virginia Department of Election’s Citizen Portal: vote.elections.virginia.gov.

MPAartfest Returns to McLean Central Park

MPAartfest will return to McLean for its 15th year on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

During MPAartfest, McLean Central Park is transformed into a lively landscape of mini art galleries showcasing and offering for sale the work of juried artists from throughout the midAtlantic region. This free event features contemporary art, live music throughout the day from some of the DC-area’s best musical talents, a Children’s Art Walk, food vendors, and much more.

MPAartfest 2021 is made possible with the help of the McLean Community Center, and through partnerships with community and corporate sponsors, Fairfax County Park Authority and The Mather.

Albert Castro Awarded Gold Stars at The Citadel

Albert Castro of Arlington, Virginia is one of the nearly 550 cadets and students recognized for their academic achievements during the spring 2021 semester. Gold stars are awarded to cadets and students at The Citadel who achieved a 3.7 grade point average or higher. Cadets and students who achieve gold star recognition are also placed on The Citadel’s dean’s list.

AHC In Search of Volunteers for Students

AHC of Alexandria is looking for volunteers to help tutor teenagers in both academic and life skills, as well as helping elementary schoolers with math and literacy skills. Volunteers for teens are needed one hour a week from 6 — 8 p.m. and for elementary students from 4 — 6 p.m. A virtual orientation for volunteers will be held Monday, September 27, from 6:30 — 7:30 p.m. For more information about our programs, locations, Covid protocol and more, please visit https:// www.ahcinc.org/get-involved/ volunteers/ or email volunteer@ ahcinc.org.

Oktoberfest Is Coming to Vienna

Oktoberfest will take place in Vienna on October 2 from 11 a.m. — 7 p.m. on Church Street. The event will feature live entertainment on three stages, two beer and wine gardens, free kids activities and games, vendors and more. Volunteers are currently needed for the event.

Those who sign up for a 5 hour shift or more will get a free meal voucher. Nonprofit organizations that bring 10 or more volunteers for at least two shifts will be eligible for a donation from the foundation, or a free booth space. Contact info@viennabusiness.org for more information.

It’s Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week

Today’s kids are tomorrow’s drivers. This Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week (September 19 - 25), Transurban is promoting quick tips and engaging resources, compiled from the Virginia Department of Health and U.S. Department of Transportation, to make sure that all drivers and their little ones are well-equipped for the road ahead. Check out drivingwillpower. com for more information.

Folklore Society of Greater Washington’s Getaway

For the second year, the Folklore Society of Greater Washington (FSGW) will pres-

ent The Getaway, its weekend of musical exploration and fellowship, online. Imagine a party with some of the finest singers from the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia and the farthest parts of the globe—that’s the Getaway!

Scheduled for the long Columbus Day weekend (Friday, October 8 — Monday, October 11), the Getaway will feature a plethora of song circles, folk song styles, singers, instruction, concerts, storytelling and much, much more. The schedule includes a ballad track, an Irish track, a Scottish track, a storytelling track and children’s programming. There will be instructional sessions on singing, instrumental accompaniment, Slide Guitar Basics, and “What Makes It the Blues.” Concerts will include folk music luminaries.

Presentations will highlight contemporary issues such as the lives of LGBT people in Appalachia, and historical topics such as the Civil War, the multicultural roots of Sea Chanties, the life of singer Emma Dusenbery, and the roots of the Blues. There will also be “how-to” sessions that include doing online research using Library of Congress collections, and getting the most out of Zoom.

Visit http://wff.fsgw2.org/ for more information.

Prepare to Vote with Candidate Forums

The Falls Church League of Women Voters and the Village

Preservation and Improvement Society are hosting a virtual candidate forums on separate nights: one for City Council candidates and one for School Board candidates.

The Falls Church School Board Candidate Forum will take place on Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 pm. To attend that forum, please register online.

THE NEW NEWS EDITOR at the Falls Church News-Press taking over for Matt Delaney this week is Amanda Snead, a George Mason University graduate Class of 2021 with a B.A. in Communication. (N���P���� �����)

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Disposable plastic bags were castigated and praised at a public hearing last week as the Board of Supervisors considered a new ordinance to impose a five-cent-per-bag tax in the county. Enabling legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020 authorizes localities to adopt such an ordinance; two cents of the tax is retained by the retailers, with that amount dropping to one cent in January 2023. The bag tax would be collected by the state, essentially in the same manner that the retail sales and use tax is collected. The bag tax would not apply to plastic bags used to wrap or package ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, and perishable items, nor to dry cleaning and prescription drug bags. Multiple plastic bags sold in packages (e.g., for garbage, pet waste, etc.) also are exempt.

Nearly 40 speakers were signed up for the hearing, with various approaches to the proposal. A former Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency spoke against the bag tax, while members of environmental organizations spoke in support of it. Some speakers pointed out that no one has to pay the tax. Reusable bags are readily available (most of us probably have a few in our vehicles already), and you don’t need a single use plastic bag for every purchase. Changing a habit or behavior, bringing your own bag, or asking for a paper bag won’t incur the tax. After a couple hours of testimony and discussion, the measure passed by a vote of 9 to 1, Supervisor Herrity (R-Springfield) voting against it. The new Code amendment goes into effect on January 1, 2022, which allows plenty of time for adjusting behaviors now.

Mason District lost an angel last Friday, with

the passing of Carmen Fernandez, a founder of Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN) and a longtime resident of the Bailey’s Crossroads area. Carmen created HACAN in 1985, and was the guiding light of the non-profit that focuses on strengthening immigrant families in Northern Virginia through parent education and out-of-school activities that serve and support youth. One of those activities is my favorite, the Morningstar program that, prior to the pandemic, met on Saturday mornings at the Woodrow Wilson Library. Under Carmen’s direction, girls from early elementary to high school age learned skills through activities designed to build self-esteem and have fun at the same time. Across the years, it was heartwarming to watch the girls grow into young women, and help their younger sisters (and sometimes, brothers) get involved in Morningstar.

Physically, Carmen was an elegant, tiny woman, but her reach was huge. She lived a positive life, always believing that a problem could be resolved by working together, and she usually was right. Many times, I tried to convince her to let me nominate her as Mason District’s Lady Fairfax, a designation that honors volunteer service, but she always refused. Carmen never wanted the attention to be on her, but on the families and children she worked so hard to help. Carmen was 88 when she passed peacefully with her immediate family at her bedside. Her extensive community family, including me, mourns with them.

 Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Larceny from Vehicle, Wilson Blvd, between Sept 9, 3 PM and Sept 13, 5 PM, unknown suspect(s) removed license plates from a vehicle.

Identity Theft, W Broad St, Sept 14, 9:36 AM, an incident of identity theft was reported.

Larceny from Vehicle, Wilson Blvd, between Sept 11, 9 PM and Sept 12, noon, unknownsuspect(s) removed license plates from a vehicle.

Aggravated Assault/Destruction

of Property/DUI, Hillwood Ave, Sept 14, 11:56 PM, a male of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for Aggravated Assault, Destruction of Property and Driving Under the Influence.

Commercial Burglary, Wilson Blvd, Sept 14, 2:30 AM, unknown suspect broke a window and removed items of value. Suspect described as male, 45-50 years old, wearing a gray Under Amour baseball hat, white face mask, a dark or brown t-shirt (with a possible cross logo in the center chest), with a white long undershirt, dark jeans, and a brownish backpack.

Shoplifting, S Washington St, Sept 15, 8:57 PM, unknown suspect took items of value without payment. Suspect described as a male 5’6”-5’10” height, 25-40 YOA and a muscular build. He was last seen wearing a blue baseball hat, gray sleeveless shirt, gray pants, black slides and a blue backpack.

Shoplifting, W Broad St, Sept 18, 8:54 PM, unknown suspect took items of value. Suspect described as a male, approximately 35 years old, black beard, wearing a black shirt and black backpack.

Drunk in Public, E Broad St, Sept 19, 9:32 AM, a male, 29, of Scarborough, ME, was arrested for Drunk in Public

The Peril? Trump Is A Russian Asset

“Peril remains.” These are the closing words of the Bob Woodward/Robert Costa co-authored blockbuster out this week, “Peril,” an instant bestseller by one half of the journalistic team that brought down President Nixon half a century ago.

Nicholas F. Benton

The insider stories of President Trump and the tireless work of Gen. Mark Milley of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to keep an unstable Trump away from the nuclear button in his last weeks, in the book’s very last part is the most troubling. It describes Trump as a man who will not yield even now, more than half a year after leaving office in the settling dust of the riot he engineered on January 6 that came far closer than most are willing to admit to actually executing a coup against American democracy.

It wasn’t a coup against America alone, but against all the things that democracy is supposed to represent, especially protecting the interests of minorities in our nation.

It was a rightwing coup on behalf of white male supremacy and everything that Trump rode into office trying to represent, exercising extreme prejudice against Muslims to begin with, and inclusive of all the racial and social minorities that his legions of violent protesters hate.

After the January 6 riot, the authors write in the last pages of their book, the question is raised if the riot was a mere “dress rehearsal?,” quoting one of the book’s major figures, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark Milley, remarking to senior staff, “What you might have seen was a precursor to something far worse down the road.”

By this summer, the authors note, Trump was out holding campaign-style rallies across the country, with one in Ohio drawing 10,000.

“We didn’t lose. We didn’t lose. We didn’t lose,” it quotes Trump exclaiming repeatedly. “We won the election twice!” He concluded his speech, “We will not bend. We will not break. We will not yield. We will never give in. We will never give up. We will never back down. We will never, ever surrender. My fellow Americans, our movement is far from over. In fact, our fight has only just begun.”

And that’s where things stand right now.

But what the book omits, for all its 200 firsthand witnesses and interviews, is the amazing fact that Trump is more than a dangerously demented egomaniac, he is a fully committed agent of a hostile foreign power, Russia, just as James Clapper, former director of U.S. National Intelligence, said publicly in 2017.

The importance of this cannot be overstated, and yet avoiding that fact seems to have become the dominant mode of assessing him even in the most negative sense these days. I don’t know why, except that maybe it’s to assuage the ongoing grave concerns of the Chinese about what’s happening to our country.

It also may stem from a deep failure to appreciate for how Russian foreign intelligence has operated here for the last 50 years, a great ignorance about their role in the U.S. fringe political counterculture involving sophisticated techniques of mind control that we see manifested in the stubborn insistence of anti-vax radicals in our midst.

The Russians are using their assets like Trump to tear down America any way they can, including by encouraging the spread of the Covid-19 virus and the wider modes of distrust by citizens in our democratic system and themselves.

Tons of evidence points to this, even the indictments this week of Jesse Benton (no relation) and Douglas Wead, GOP operatives accused of channeling Russian money to the Trump campaign. When convicted of this earlier, they were pardoned by Trump.

But that’s not nearly as important as the history of Russian insinuation into the U.S. political process and their identification of Trump as their primary aspiring presidential asset back in 1988, as I document in my new book, “The January 6, 2021 Capitol Sacking: Putin’s Role.”

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

In these pandemic times, the pressure on everyday folks to “pitch in” during the emergency reminds many of the Cold War. The 1950s-‘60s air raid and “duck and cover” drills required of schoolchildren left a disturbing imprint on my generation raised near the nation’s capital.

Curators at the Arlington Historical Museum (home to an air raid siren once at Kenmore School) showed me an array of once-commonplace instructions on how average citizens should behave if the Russians dropped a 20-megaton bomb in our suburban vicinity.

A pocket-size evacuation locator warned that “A steady blast for five minutes” from sirens, whistles or horns meant: Evacuate. A rising and falling wail for 3 minutes meant: Take Shelter.

A 1955 Civil Defense Administration pamphlet gave Arlington evacuation routes out Route 7 (one-way only) to Clarke, Loudoun, Frederick, Buckingham and Shenandoah counties. “Don’t forget emergency rations, clothing, supplies,” it said. “Do not use the telephone. Check your AM radio (640 or 1240) for detailed instructions” from the emergency station CONELRAD. A brochure gave grim facts about the radioactive fallout you can’t taste, touch or see.

All this federal and local planning wasn’t enough for the

Arlington Civic Federation. In March 1958, its public safety chairman John Heckman implored the county “to step up emphasis on the construction of civil defense shelters,” according to the Northern Virginia Sun. “Mass evacuation has been outmoded by late developments in weapons and carriers.”

A 1968 Northern Virginia Regional Planning Commission map located 150 shelter sites, among them: First National Bank of Arlington, Cherrydale Cement Block Co., elementary schools, and more.

My schoolmates recalled neighbors’ cinder-block bomb shelters that doubled as pantries packed with water and supplies.

Mary Lynn remembers “the dire warning not to look at the sky so you wouldn’t go blind from the nuclear attack. Even in 4th grade, I was torn between fear of what seemed an inevitable attack and my suspicion that all the tactics were ludicrous.”

Bob said the 1962 Cuban Missile crisis “freaked out my already fragile psyche. When the special bulletins came on the news, I would run into the bathroom, close the door and cover my ears.”

At Nottingham school, “We had to have a gallon jug of water in our lockers,” recalls George Maughan. “Where we were wouldn’t have mattered anyway but made everyone feel better. John recalls a teacher assigned to operate the Geiger counter.

“At Tuckahoe Elementary we

had drills to get under our little wooden desks,” said Jesse. “One kid was upset because the teacher did not get under hers. Thinking back, I don’t think she could.”

While a Claremont Elementary student, Pam remembers “packing a suitcase of books, food and candy that I could grab from my bedroom and take downstairs to our basement in case I was at home when the bombs fell.”

At Catholic St. Agnes, recalls another Bob, “drills were timed to see how fast we could move. The one difference from our public school counterparts is the instruction to clutch our rosary, water thermos and blanket as our nun went to the windows to draw the shades.”

Because Arlington was known as “the crater zone,” recalled Fred Gosnell, “even as a kid, I don’t remember having illusions about survivability.”

***

A demolition permit has been granted the owner of the 130-year-old Fellows-McGrath home at Washington Blvd. near Sycamore St. It’s disappointing to Tom Dickinson and other preservation activists who had filed an application to protect it.

The Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board opted Sept. 15 to stick to its recommendation that county staff research the property history.

Manassas realtor Masum Kahn, who bought the house after eight months on the market to build modern homes, has not set a demolition schedule. Though he would consider selling “for the right price.”

F.C. School Board Candidates Respond To F.C. Education Association

Introduction by Farrell Kelly, President, Falls Church City Education Association:

The Falls Church City Education Association (FCCEA) is an organization which independently represents members throughout the Falls Church City Public Schools. While FCCEA is not able to, nor would it want to, make any endorsements for specific School Board Candidates, we wanted to take an opportunity this year to give candidates a chance to share their feelings on issues and questions that might be important to both our members and the larger community. To this end, we have put together a short questionnaire which School Board candidates were eager to complete. We will share these responses with our members, and the Falls Church News-Press has agreed to help us share these responses with the community at large. These are responses to three of the questions asked by the Education Association. All five questions and answers can be viewed on fcnp.com.

Q. Describe how your professional and community experiences qualify you to be on the FCC School Board.

Kathleen Tysse

I have a Master of Teaching and am a former teacher. I am passionate about education and literacy and have spent my nine years in Falls Church City supporting our community’s educational and literary institutions. While staying home to raise my four kids who now attend three FCCPS schools, I consistently volunteered as a room parent for each of my four children. I then served as the elementary PTA President-elect and President. In the role of PTA President, I served on the 2019-2020 Calendar Committee and on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council in the summer of 2020. I have served on the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Board of Trustees since 2018, while the Board oversaw the library’s recent renovation and expansion. I also helped create the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation’s Development Committee which fundraises for and celebrates our beloved library. These experiences have helped me build strong relationships across our community and given me a deeper understanding of how our public institutions work and what they need to thrive.

Lori Silverman

My professional career has focused on working with different people from various backgrounds and different viewpoints, helping them come together, collaborate, and working toward a common goal. I’m a good listener and a thoughtful voice. As a (non-practicing) lawyer, I’m trained to ask questions, advocate, and effectively communicate. In my career, I work closely with organized labor and have a deep commitment to workers’ rights and ensuring they have a collective voice (I even spent a summer union organizing while in college!) I’m confident I can bring these skills and passion to the Board in order to benefit our teachers, staff, community, and most importantly, our children.

Tate Gould

I strongly believe my 25+ years of experience in the field of education qualifies me to be on the FCC School Board. I have been a high school math teacher as well as a mentor teacher, teacher educator,

and teaching instructor, which has been a critical perspective often missing in many education policy discussions. I was also an educational researcher, focusing my graduate degrees on various topics from teacher empowerment and pedagogy to teacher leadership and school transitions (e.g., middle to high school). I have extensive experience in education policy, from working at the US Department of Education on a variety of federal policy reforms to becoming CEO and founder of an education company that has supported numerous school districts and states across the country. Aside from my well-rounded professional experiences in education, I care deeply about our community and schools and would be excited to serve our community through listening and accountability, as an elected School Board member.

Courtney Mooney

As a two-year team captain for UNC Women’s Basketball, representative on the Student-Athlete Council, and speaker for the Educational Foundation I gained immense leadership experience while also understanding the value of working within a diverse team to achieve success while still in college. I went on to leverage that experience into a top performer in Medical Sales for some of the most prestigious companies in the country. For the past 12 years I have worked within the diagnostic testing industry which requires the daily use of skills such as people management, education, troubleshooting, crisis management, being responsive and service oriented, project management/implementation, workflow optimization, consultative partnership, understanding and educating others on guidelines/policies/procedures, team building, proper prioritization and time management, assessing revenue and growth numbers/projections, and strategic planning all within an incredibly large and diverse team of colleagues and with equally diverse clients who all have different needs/motivations/priorities/questions/ concerns.

I have been a very active coach for many kids in this community within FCC Rec Basketball. Additionally, I offered a free basketball clinic throughout most of last year to provide kids a chance to be active and interact with their peers while in a structured environment.

Lastly, I devoted enormous energy this past year organizing families who were truly struggling with the school building closures in order to have a more systematic and effective way for the concerns and

questions to be heard and responded to by our school system and to offer information and potential pathways forward in dealing with Covid and safety. I watched every school board meeting, met with the mayor, city council, the superintendent and school board members, I wrote weekly newsletters, created an advisory board, led bi-weekly advisory and team meetings, spoke to numerous families to understand their needs, reached out to teachers, had open lines of communication with the PTA, former board members… there is not much I haven’t done this past year when it comes to trying to understand what has been going on within our school system, particularly at the board level, and being an effective representative for many families in this community. All of which has led me to feel extremely prepared to tackle being an effective, empathetic, proactive, transparent representative on the school board for all people in this community.

Jerrod Anderson

I have worked in educational technology implementation in Memphis, TN, in economic development in rural Arkansas, and, currently, on a large health survey. All these roles have involved taking input from multiple stakeholder groups (with a variety of concerns) to come to a final decision. While working in the Memphis public schools, in particular, I gained a great appreciation for the necessity of teachers’ ability to provide feedback on the administration’s policies and priorities. In addition to allowing for more effective implementation and targeting of educational technology, creating the space for feedback increased teacher buy-in. This experience lends itself well for productively engaging with members of the school community and allowing the appropriate space for them to provide feedback and express concerns.

Ilya Shapiro

As a constitutional lawyer, I have unique experience understanding how legal policy can make a subtle but significant impact in people’s lives. My professional background, including filing Supreme Court briefs and testifying before congressional and state legislative committees, has made me familiar with a variety of complex questions in education law, which will help Falls Church navigate state and federal regulations. I’m also a member of our state’s advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

I make a living debating and advocating in front of powerful people, so won’t shy away from difficult situations. More locally, I’ve volunteered at Dulin Cooperative Preschool (where my wife is now the president) and have participated in the Run for the Schools every year since we moved here. Finally, one credential has a special place in my heart: my naturalization in 2014 (having immigrated from the USSR and Canada) symbolizes the extraordinary opportunity that our country offers -- and I’m committed to preserving and expanding that promise of opportunity. I was an ESL learner and now speak Spanish in addition to Russian and other languages, so can appreciate the linguistic and cultural challenges many in our community face.

David Ortiz

I am running for a seat on the Falls Church City School Board to build on my family’s personal experience of excellence with the Falls Church City Public Schools. I have over 20 years of experience executing the core functions of the School Board: strategic planning; budgeting; setting policy; and performance oversight. I have worked with communities to develop a shared vision for the future and put it into practice. These community experiences include: leading the Leadership Development Initiative as we worked with an underserved community in Pittsburgh to bring it the attention it deserved; sitting on the board of Creative Cauldron, helping it to meet its mission of “providing affordable, enriching, and diverse experiences in the performing and visual arts”; and helping my children launch carebasket. org to deliver care baskets to children in hospitals. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the School Board and the community to help all students achieve their dreams, develop a vision for the future of our schools, and perform effective oversight of the administration of our schools.

Q. As a School Board member, you are tasked with hiring a superintendent. In addition, however, you oversee an organization of over 450 employees. What ideas do you have to increase transparency and communication between the Board and staff at the schools?

Kathleen Tysse

I would like to see more options for clear communication between the Board and staff at the schools and believe this could be achieved in a variety of ways. I support the newly-announced community office hours held by the School Board Chair and Vice-Chair; perhaps additional office hours for staff would be helpful. I am open to exploring a liaison or advisory role for a staff member during school board meetings, similar to the student representative role. I think informal town hall style meetings with members of the school board and smaller groups of teachers and staff could be productive. Above all, I believe creating a climate of trust and safe, open dialogue is imperative to a healthy school culture and a leading contributor to employee satisfaction and retention.

Lori Silverman

I strongly believe in open communication and giving an authentic voice to our teachers and staff. I would work to ensure teachers and staff have an authentic voice up the chain of command, and feel comfortable presenting issues and concerns. I want to ensure that teachers and staff could bring up their issues and concerns in a way that feels safe, and that they feel truly heard. If this isn’t happening, for whatever reason, I would want teachers and staff to feel comfortable coming to me as a last resort. I understand and respect the chain of command, but at the same time, if teachers and staff for whatever reason don’t feel as if they are being truly heard, I would be available to them. As stated above, I applaud Dr. Noonan, Chair Litton and Vice Chair Downs for holding office hours. I will do that from Day 1, my virtual door via email will always be open, and if my scheduled office hours don’t work for some people, I would find a mutually convenient time to talk or meet. Teachers and staff will always receive a timely response from me. Finally, I would want access to the schools to be able to see our fantastic teachers and staff in action!

Tate Gould

The following three focus areas can help increase the communication between the Board and staff at schools. First, we should improve the use of longitudinal satisfaction surveys to gauge the staffing climate. There are a number of low cost/free school and staff satisfaction surveys that are valid and reliable that FCCPS can bor-

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

row from other districts. I would advocate for both the implementation of an annual or semi-annual staff survey, as well as the sharing of these results with the community in a way that promotes discussion and continuous improvement. Second, I would focus on promoting a positive and productive collective bargaining agreement with our teachers and staff. I am supportive of our teachers and staff entering into a collective bargaining agreement if they vote to move forward. I have significant experience with understanding successful bargaining agreements with various localities and states, and at the heart of this success is the partnership formed with the School Board and the local representatives to develop an agreement that is successful for our teachers and staff, and continues our community’s focus on ensuring a positive student experience for every child. Third, we should revisit our existing FCCPS advisory committees to ensure alignment and engagement from the Board, the community, and teachers and staff. We should do an inventory of each committee to understand their effectiveness, engagement of the members, and optimize alignment. I would also advocate for the School Board to provide a general sense of direction for the committees where it makes sense, to ensure they are purposeful and effective, similar to the approach the SB adopted during the 2020-2021 school year, through “charges.”

Courtney Mooney

I want the environment in our schools to be one where teachers and staff feel empowered to voice their questions, concerns, and needs. I also believe the board, while respecting chain of command, needs to consider providing forums to have those discussions directly with staff when appropriate. I am not interested in a yes men mentality, wasting people’s time with ineffective activities/ trainings/committees, or pulling people in too many different (potentially unnecessary) directions that take them away from devoting time to be excellent in their daily responsibilities. I would like to have an open door to staff when they feel they need it. I would also like for us to openly evaluate current trainings/committees/meetings/daily tasks and get honest feedback from teachers as to what they feel is helpful and adds value to their day and professional growth vs. what does not. Teachers need the time to lesson plan, manage their day-to-day, and focus on being excellent in the classroom. As a board we should be asking if they are getting that vs. being spread too thin. Is their time being properly prioritized in a way that best serves them and our students?

How are we assessing and communicating with our staff at the administrative level and is it effective? Do administrators feel they have the things they need to be good managers and stewards of their schools?

I want to foster an environment of constructive debate and discussions without fear. Periodic blind assessments for staff

to anonymously provide honest feedback on various topics could be a good starting place. Proactive communications to staff when the board is weighing and discussing topics that have direct impact to staff so they can tune in should also be happening if it isn’t already. Additionally, the board needs to be sure it is providing strong management and professional development opportunities for the Superintendent. The Superintendent is responsible for day-today management, operations, budgeting, and execution of our boards adopted policies and guidance. That position reports to and is overseen by the board. The board should provide strong oversight of the Superintendent role and help that person develop both managerially as well as being diligent in ensuring they have the tools they need to be successful, beyond simply asking.

Jerrod Anderson

Currently, the only way for members of the school community to provide feedback to the school board is either via email or through public comment, and both methods can only convey a small part of what the community wants to say (and possibly in a biased direction, as well). Increasing both systematic and informal methods for teachers to communicate with the board would allow for communication to be more akin to a conversation rather than sporadic one-way statements). I think we should institute an annual staff survey (developed with the help of school staff) so that the board has a broad source of information, from a staff perspective, about what is going well in the schools and what can be improved. Additionally, after talking to some teachers, I learned that board members used to regularly meet with school staff at each school. This type of communication (which is possible due to our small size) would allow board members to gain an appreciation for teachers’ joys and concerns that cannot be expressed well in a survey. Obviously, gathering data is only one step in increasing transparency and the quality of communication, but it is an essential step.

Ilya Shapiro

The superintendent speaks for staff at school board meetings, but that doesn’t mean the board always hears every side of every issue or that the interests of administrators and staff always align.

I’d like the superintendent to be less of a communications filter/bottleneck for staff concerns, while respecting his role as chief executive of the school system. Every single member of FCCPS faculty and staff should feel free to approach board members directly; I’m thrilled that the chair and vice chair of the current board have adopted my “office hours” idea. I will personally guarantee that all such communications are treated as confidential (unless it’s reporting a crime

or other mandatory-disclosure trigger). Public employees should never be penalized for trying to keep elected officials fully informed.

David Ortiz

I believe in direct and frequent communication among the School Board, teachers, and staff. To parents, teachers are the most visible and present aspect of our schools. They are also the ones with the most insight into the needs of our students and a source of innovation. It is hard for me to imagine making educational decisions without their direct input. In addition to formal mechanisms for communications, there is also significant value in informal interactions. If elected to the School Board, to increase transparency and communication, I would seek to ensure that School Board members regularly visit the schools without FCCPS administrators. During these visits, School Board members would receive direct feedback regarding how the policies it approves are put into practice. In my professional experience, corporate and agency leaders often meet directly with staff, allowing staff to communicate their success, challenges, and needs. Additionally, as key stakeholders, I would seek to have teacher input into items that the School Board is considering.

Q. What are your top three school board budget priorities?

Kathleen Tysse

I understand there have been significant gains in employee compensation over the past several years, but I would like to see FCCPS consistently lead the region in this department at every level of the salary schedule. In addition, I strongly support the piloted program to open school enrollment to our employees’ families and would like to see that program eventually expanded to eliminate any tuition – and without lotteries or caps. I also strongly support our small class sizes, but have concerns about the caseloads of our specialists and support staff. I would like to ensure that our specialists and support staff across the system, such as social workers, guidance counselors, Special Education teachers, Enrichment teachers, ESOL teachers, etc. have smaller caseloads in order for them to most effectively serve their students.

Lori Silverman

Ensuring that teachers are adequately compensated for summer school so we can be properly staffed and offer summer school to any family who wishes to enroll in summer school. During Covid, this is especially important, but this

should be offered every year.

I know this falls under Capitol Improvement Plan, but updating Oak Street Elementary to a level that meets the needs of students, teachers, and staff is a priority.

We need to ensure that our diversity, equity and inclusion policy puts money in the classroom to implement the curriculum. I would want the teachers to help and be heavily involved in the process, given their expertise, to determine what exactly that looks like to them. But now that we passed the policy, we need the curriculum in the classrooms and the money to implement the programs.

Tate

Gould

Increase efforts to mitigate the academic delays/losses experienced with students from Covid, particularly for those students at learning risk: We must ensure all learners who were academically impacted by the virtual learning experience are provided resources and adequate support to get caught up to their potential. Evidence-based strategies, such as those outlined by the Institute of Education Sciences, advocate for the use of onsite school-based tutors, specialized remediation curriculum, and increased in-class supports. These low-cost/high impact methods provide support for all students who are struggling to catch up.

Continue our focus on adequately compensating and incentivizing our FCCPS teachers and staff. Along with continuing our city’s strides on ensuring competitive pay for our teachers and staff, we have the ability to provide support for voluntary teacher incentive programs that help encourage teachers who pursue leadership opportunities in their field, such as National Board Certification or other distinctions that go beyond the basic certification of licensing. Our FCCPS teaching core are talented, experienced, and continual learners and as such, should be afforded the opportunity to be recognized and rewarded for going above and beyond.

Maintaining fiscal accountability and responsibility: As school board members, we must ensure we are fiscally responsible with the budget decisions and financial planning. I fully understand the role required to ensure working with other school board members, the superintendent, as well as other city leaders to balance needs and wants in a community with finite resources and the purchase of the new school.

Courtney

Mooney

Learning loss/ Mental Health budgeting, Math/ Science support and ensuring that portion of our curriculum is where it needs to be, Professional and technical training exposure/ opportunities for students. College is not for everyone nor should that be the only expectation.

From a general budgeting perspec-

tive, I think it is imperative the board has a strong understanding of whether or not we are maximizing our tax dollars and spending money in places and for programs and people that are effective and make sense. This past year the school budget accounted for 41 percent of our overall city budget. As board members we must be accountable and responsible stewards of our community members’ money and spend it wisely.

Jerrod Anderson

Priority 1: ensure that staff compensation (both pay and benefits) remains competitive with surrounding districts. School staff are our number 1 educational resource, and compensation makes up 85 percent of the schools budget, Priority 2: as capital improvement projects arise (for example, Oak Street Elementary is scheduled for capital improvements in 2026), we should ensure that improvements or additions address the needs of the school community at those locations and that these projects are also used to increase the sustainability of our physical plant, Priority 3: explore the feasibility of expanding on the current pilot project for non-resident employee student tuition waivers.

Ilya Shapiro

Greater transparency regarding the use of federal and state Covid-relief funds, particularly in light of recent drops in standardized test scores. We must be using that money as long-term investments in improving educational opportunities, rather for short-term operational spending, 2. Work with the city council to ensure that educational needs are properly respected given that FCCPS represents nearly half of the city budget. Council members can give valuable advice, and have final authority over the budget, but sometimes pushback might be needed if there are attempts to influence what are properly school board decisions. At the same time, the school board shouldn’t simply rubber stamp and advocate before the city council for the budget that the superintendent proposes. The board is an independent body with a fiduciary responsibility to our community and a responsibility to oversee the central FCCPS office, 3. Make sure that the secondary campus is properly insulated from the development and future operation of the commercial property on the old high school site. I wholeheartedly welcome that development -- we need to broaden our tax base and keep more consumer dollars in Falls Church -- but it shouldn’t disrupt students and staff.

David Ortiz

My top three budget priorities are:

(1) competitive compensation and professional development for teachers; (2) sufficient resources to support the mental health and emotional growth needs of our students; and (3) resources to promote equity among all students.

Baby Storytime. Parents and their babies are welcome to join TysonsPimmit Library for songs, rhymes, stories and activities. Space limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration, customers will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Check in at the Children's Information desk for tickets. This class is best for babies 0-18 months and their caregivers. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 10:30 — 11 a.m.

Woodrow Wilson Storytime. Parents can bring their children to Woodrow Wilson Library to read stories, move their feet and have fun. Attendees will also be learning Spanish words as they fit with the theme of each program. For the month of September, all storytimes will be for ages birth to 4 years old. (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church) 10:30 — 11 a.m.

Sunset Cinema: Cars. Those interested can join the City's Recreation and Parks Department for Sunset Cinema in Cherry Hill Park. This week’s movie will be Cars. A hotshot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. Visit www.fallschurchva.gov/ SunsetCinema for more details.

(312 Park Ave., Falls Church). 7:45 — 10 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-MarketTo-Go.

Saturday Morning Stories. Parents and children are welcome to join in person Saturday Morning Stories event with Ms. Nancy at Woodrow Wilson Library. Guests will hear 3 to 4 stories and select a free book from the Friend's group donated collection. All ages are welcomed. (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church) 10:15 — 10:45 a.m.

Family Storytime. Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers are welcome to participate in music, movement and song in this program that promotes bonding and highlights the natural rhythms in language at TysonsPimmit Library. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 10:30 — 11 a.m.

Paws to Read with Lucy. Read aloud to Lucy, a trained therapy dog at Thomas Jefferson Library. Kids can bring their own book from home or choose a book from the library to share with Lucy. Walk-ins welcome. Ages 6-12. (7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) 2 — 3 p.m.

Storytime Fun for Preschoolers

Parents and their children can visit Tysons-Pimmit Library for storytime. Space limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration, customers will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 10:30 — 11 a.m.

Gold Leaf Picture Frame Making. Interested teens and adults can visit Tysons-Pimmit Library to try gold leafing crafts. You will add a distressed gold look to picture frames to take home and keep! Registration required. Ages 16+. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 6:30 — 8:30 p.m.

City Council Meeting. The City Council meets in-person in City Hall’s Council Chambers. In-person capacity may be limited due to Covid-19 safety protocol, and all attendees must wear a mask and stay socially distant at all times. The meeting

can be viewed live online (fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings) or on FCCTV (Cox channel 11, RCN channel 2, Verizon channel 35). Public comment can be made in-person or via Microsoft Teams on any topic; sign-up by noon on the day of the meeting, fallschurchva.gov/ PublicComment. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) 7:30 — 11 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Pajama Storytime. Children ages 0-7 and their caregivers can join TysonsPimmit Library for storytime. Come in your pajamas and bring your teddy bear. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 7 — 7:30 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Quixote Nuevo. This inspired adaptation—set to the spirited sounds of Tejano music—reimagines Cervantes’ beloved knight Don Quixote as a brilliant, bilingual professor whose fantasies take center stage in a Texas border town. Along with his trusty sidekick, this modern-day Quixote journeys

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

through the desert, tilting at patrol drones instead of windmills as he searches for longlost love. With humor and pageantry, Quixote Nuevo breathes new life into one of literature’s most vibrant characters to ask the classic question: When times are tough, how do we keep dreaming? Quixote Nuevo is sponsored by Doug and Lorraine Bibby. Quixote Nuevo runs approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. Patrons must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination upon entry and wear masks while attending performances at our theatre, with limited exceptions. https:// www.roundhousetheatre.org/ On-Stage/Explore/QuixoteNuevo. In person Wednesday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Oct.3. Streaming on Demand beginning Thursday, September 23. $60+.

LIVEMUSIC

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

International Soundclash. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 7 p.m. 703-237-0300.

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

The High Kings . The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.

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

The Avett Brothers. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $50+. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

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

Who’s Bad. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 7 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Brook Yoder. Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 7 p.m. 703-5348999

The High Kings (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.

The Avett Brothers. (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $50+. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.

Nirvana + Red Hot Chili Peppers Tributes. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 –$25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Acoustic Soul Show. Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703241-9504.

Kreek Water Band. Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Karl Stoll. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Smokin’ Lounge. Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-858-9186.

Steve & Jess Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703241-9504.

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

Sonar Rock. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 7 p.m. 703-2370300.

Willem Dicke. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 7 p.m. 703-5348999

Skinny Wallace Band Live and In Concert. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Calendar Submissions

The Avett Brothers. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $50+. 8:30 p.m. 703-255-1900.

Be Our Guest: Disney DJ Night. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 9 p.m. 703-255-1566.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

The Claire Show. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 4 p.m. 703-5348999

Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-8589186.

A Bowie Celebration With Bowie Alumni. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St.,

Falls Church). $35-195 6 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Wicked Jezabel with Shirleta Settles, Carly Harvy & Allison Broadbent. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Danger Bird. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Five for Fighting. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $39.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Tom Saputo & Friends. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Open Mic. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Robert Cray Band. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $49.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

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

Tyler Waters. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186. Eli Lev. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20. 7:30 p.m. 703255-1566.

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

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

(Photo: Twin Spire Photography)

Meridian Football Starts Off Season With Wins Over Rivals

by Julie Felgar Falls Church News-Press

On Friday September 24, the 3B Mustangs will take the field with the hopes to extend their strong season start with a win over district rival Brentsville High School.

This will be the first home game since school has been back in session and attendance is expected to be large.

With only 4 home games this season and after a spring season with no fans in the stands, the Mustangs want to make every single home game count.

Senior Captain and quarterback Evans Rice reflected on having the fans back this year, “We’re so pumped to be back in front of the home crowd again. The energy we get from them is unmatched. The spring season simply wasn’t the same without them.”

The Mustangs have had early wins over much larger rivals, Falls Church High School (37-7) and Langley High School (28-7).

The football team, which has only 32 players on the roster, boasts 23 seniors. It is one of the largest senior classes in recent program history and many of them have been playing together for 4 years.

The Mustangs’ one loss came at the hands of a talented, and deep bench, 4A Kettle Run team.

The game was tied until late in the third quarter, but ultimately Kettle Run was able to pull away for the win. Kettle Run also beat Brentsville.

Coach Adam Amerine is confident his team has what they need to succeed against Brentsville and the rest of the conference opponents, but takes a week to week approach to the season. “Our goal is to go 1-0 each week and each contest presents a new challenge and new hurdle for this program.” states Amerine.

After the unusual Covid spring 2021 season, which was only 6 games, the Mustangs ended as codistrict champions.

The bar is set higher this year according to senior captain Graham Felgar, “We don’t plan on just a district championship, we want to go further, a regional championship, even states. Obviously, that will take a lot of effort and energy, but we can do it if we stay healthy and continue to stay focused and work hard.”

On offense, senior runningback Patrick Whitaker has had a strong start with four touchdown passes and over 500 yards rushing, followed by senior George Papadopoulos with 199 yards

with an average of 33 yards on the receptions.

On defense, Senior Josh Stillwagoner is leading the team with 23 tackles followed by

improved significantly this year

and 6-7 players are rushing the ball each game. This year, the Mustangs have one of the largest and most athletic JV teams the school has had for almost a decade.

Losing 23 seniors will not be easy next year, but the team will be set up for success in coming

years through strong participation and talent in the lower grades. Kickoff for the varisty game against Brentsville will be at 7 p.m. this Friday, September 24 at Meridian High School.

The homecoming game against Skyline will take place the following Friday, October 1. Admission is five dollars.

Mustang Volleyball Remains Upbeat After A Rough Start

by Mike Abler Falls Church News-Press

The Meridian Mustangs volleyball team suffered another loss, this time at an away game against Thomas Jefferson High School with a score of 3-1. This loss now puts the Mustangs at 0-7 before their next game against Warren County.

While many teams would scramble for answers, Head Coach Derek Baxter remains calm. “Our morale is fine, we just need to keep fighting and stay in control,” he said.

Meridian’s struggles have been inconsistent. They always show some fight in them but it seems like whenever they get something going, the other team easily overpowers them.

In the third set, the game went on past the game point because Meridian continued to fight. Meridian would win that set

26-24, only to get trounced in the final set of the game.

The Mustangs were blown out in the 2nd and final set but kept it close in the opening set. They were down 4-1 but quickly tied the game at 5 and kept it close

Head Coach Derek Baxter attributes his team’s struggles to the players rotating and learning their new positions.

Time is running out for Meridian this season. But there’s still time to take a stand to win some games to salvage what they

Senior Natalie Burke agrees that team unity is strong, “We’ve had a lot of team bonding moments off the court.” But she added that “Something isn’t clicking and we’re trying to figure out what will work for us.”

Burke also mentioned that the team needs to mix things up in order to find something that works

for them and focus on the mental components of the game in order to work as a team and secure a win.

However, Burke mentioned that it’s easier to do this, “When you’re winning instead of losing.” Sports can be as much of a psychological affair as it is a physical one.

Not only would Meridian need to figure out a helpful recipe, but they also need to find ways to foster strength on the court to get this right.

The fact that the team feels closeness and a willingness to solve this mystery is helpful.

The Mustangs are committed to finding answers instead of giving up.

The Mustangs may not have a shot at the playoffs, but to them, team unity and progression will be their championship this season. As long as they keep their heads up, things may slowly improve.

MERIDIAN SENIOR RUNNING back Patrick Whitaker takes the ball up field behind a group of blockers. (Photo: david werth)

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NEWS BRIEFS

F.C.’s David Meredith

Wins CEO World Award

Everbridge, Inc., the critical event management leader, announced this week that Chief Executive Officer David Meredith received a distinguished Globee Award in the Visionary category as part of the 9th Annual 2021 CEO World Awards. The award, a press release states, showcases Meredith’s leadership and commitment to forward-thinking innovation, organizational performance, and corporate social responsibility.

Under Meredith’s leadership, as a visionary leader in the industry of critical event management, Everbridge recently announced the first Critical Event Management (CEM) Certification program for assessing an organization’s enterprise resilience. Developed from 20 years of professional services engagements across tens of thousands of projects in over 150 countries and facilitating tens of billions of critical interactions, Everbridge’s proprietary CEM Standards Framework and related certification process offer organizations an end-to-end methodology for evaluating and benchmarking enterprise resilience preparedness.

Meredith, a Bishop O’Connell and James Madison University graduate, grew up with his family on W. Columbia in Falls Church, and was a frequent participant in pick-up basketball games at the nearby F.C. Community Center. He was also a frequent guest of the News-Press’ Nicholas Benton at local Chamber of Commerce and White House Correspondent Association dinners.

With Meredith at the helm, in the past year, Everbridge brought together top government leaders, C-level executives and healthcare and security experts to shape the dialogue around a post-pandemic road to recovery. Everbridge created a symposium series offering global leaders a valuable forum to exchange best practices on how to protect people and business assets; build back and grow revenue streams; increase business resiliency; and mitigate potential threats like IT outages, cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and many other critical events.

The Everbridge Global Executive Leadership Summit engaged 40,000 senior executives, government, and health officials from 150 countries. Notable leaders interviewed by David Meredith include Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Anthony Fauci, MD, U.S. General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Co-Founder of Apollo Global Management and Co-Owner of the Philadelphia 76ers Josh Harris, and William Shatner.

David Meredith recently ranked Top 50 in the largest company category by Comparably for Best CEO (2020) and Best CEO for Diversity (2021), earning a CEO rating of A+, measured across 60,000+ companies. Numerous media outlets and industry organizations have hosted, recognized, and quoted Meredith from CNBC’s Mad Money with Jim Cramer, CNBC Squawk Alley, UK-based Sky News Live, Nasdaq Trade Talk, and NPR’s Morning Edition, among others..

Sens. Warner, Kaine Boost Low Income Homebuyers

Virginia U.S. Senators. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined other members of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committee, Chris Van Hollen, Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff introduced the Low-Income First Time Homebuyers (LIFT) Act to establish a new program to help first-time, first-generation homebuyers – predominately Americans of color – build wealth more rapidly. By offering new homeowners a 20-year mortgage for roughly the same monthly payment as a traditional 30-year loan, LIFT will allow them to grow equity twice as fast.

“The number one way that middle class Americans build wealth is through homeownership, an opportunity that due to racism and structural inequality has been denied to too many families of color. Today, Black families in this country have an average net worth just one-tenth the size of their white counterparts,” said Warner. “The LIFT Act will help close the racial wealth gap by allowing qualified home buyers to build equity and wealth at twice the rate of a conventional 30-year mortgage.”

F.C. Council Mulls Outdoor Dining Rules

As the special allowances for the Covid-19 pandemic begin to terminate, the F.C. City Council faces the challenge of a more permanent revision to the outdoor dining rules for local restaurants.

So far, there are 11 locations where outdoor dining operations have been permitted under special Covid-19 conditions that take up existing parking spots. The question will be whether those parking spaces are really needed.

The cases are currently at 107 Rowell Court, 124 N. Washington and 130 N. Washington, 132 W. Broad, 200 W. Broad, 205 Park, 220 N. Washington, 442 S. Washington, 441 W. Broad, 450 N. Washington and 6795 Wilson Blvd.

The Council will also be considering more permanent rules for the operation of food trucks.

www.SkyliteComm.com

Thank you, Sally Cole, for your tireless advocacy for small businesses, your love of the Little City, and your dedication to connecting people. You make our lives so much richer!

Welcome and congrats, Elise Bengtsonwe can't wait to meet you in your new role as Executive Director of the Chamber!

ABC NOTICE

Flik International Corp, trading as Flik International Corp., 2941 Fairview Park Dr. Falls Church, Virginia 22042-4522. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Mixed Beverage Caterer license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Scott Davis, Ceo. 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 two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

ANTIQUES SHOW/SALE

BIG ANTIQUES & VINTAGE SHOW/SALE, Oct. 8-9, 67th Fishersville Antiques Expo, Expoland, Fishersville, VA (I-64, Exit 91), 300+ dealers, four buildings & outside. Friday & Saturday 9-5. www. heritagepromotions.net. 434-846-7452.

AUCTIONS

Real Estate Absolute Auction! Saturday, Oct 2nd 10:30am. House & Outbuildings on 4.1117 Acres. Wooded Tract 32.152 Acres. 15771 Highlands Pkwy, Whitetop, VA. C&F Auction, INC. (276)233-3238 www.cf-auction.com.

VAAF#280 NCAL#5530

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SERVICES

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Estimated completion time twenty-one days.

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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 longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-608-4974

YARD SALE

Sept. 18, 7:30am-6pm

Estate and Contractors Tool Sale

Antiques, pottery, linens, china, artwork, books,

By Eileen Levy

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 Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-614-6667

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

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.

SPORTS QUIZ

By Ryan A. Berenz

1. What Atlanta Braves outfielder won consecutive National League MVP honors in 1982-83?

2. What pro golfer turned TV analyst mistakenly left a check for $40,000 -- his prize for winning the 1975 Pleasant Valley Classic -- behind in a bar?

3. Former Philadelphia Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol was named as the first head coach in the history of what NHL franchise?

4. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Franco Harris caught the famous “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 AFC divisional playoff game, but who was quarterback Terry Bradshaw’s intended receiver?

5. What WNBA franchise, one of the league’s original eight teams, folded after the 2006 season?

6. What conservative pundit was hired by ESPN as an NFL commentator in 2003 and resigned four weeks later after making controversial remarks about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb?

7. What athletic footwear and apparel company’s name is derived from a Latin phrase meaning “sound mind in a sound body”?

Last Week’s Answers Answers

1. “Walk of Life • 2. North Korea • 3. Baltusrol Golf Club.

4. Wyatt Russell • 5. Alvin Harper.

6. A towel • 7. The Zips.

(c) 2021 King Features Syndicate, Inc

Last Weeks answers!

JOHN DEERING

BACK IN THE DAY

Falls Church News-Press

Vol. VI, No. 27 • September 19, 1996

Alert! Third Rabies Case Found Here

Emergency rabies clinics will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. this Saturday at two local animal hospitals in response to a report of the third confirmed case of an animal with rabies found in the City of Falls Church. Falls Church Animal Control confirmed the third case, a raccoon found in the 700 block of Lincoln Ave., yesterday.

Falls Church News-Press

Vol. XXI, No. 31 • September 22, 2011

‘Cautious Optimism’ at F.C. City Hall as Final FY11 #s Show $4 Million Surplus

City of Falls Church officials said they are “cautiously optimistic” at Monday night’s City Council work session, based on a final unaudited wrap up of Fiscal Year 2011, completed last June 30, which showed numbers $4.1 million more than projected. $2.1 million less in expenditures than expected.

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Sammy moved into the Winter Hill Community over the summer, along with his family, including, Avery (10) and Evelyn Russell (6), who started a new school year in August!

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

Falls Church Business News & Notes

The Original Pancake House Hosting Dine Out for People with Disabilities

The Original Pancake House is hosting Dine Out for People with Disabilities on Thursday, September 23 from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. and donating 15 percent of sales that day to The Arc of Northern Virginia and its programs, services, and advocacy education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in the Northern Virginia area. The Original Pancake House is located at 7395 Lee Highway in Falls Church. For more information, visit www.thearcofnova.org.

Dominion Wine & Beer Offering Little City Pils on Tap and In Cans

Dominion Wine & Beer is offering Little City Pils on tap and in cans, while supplies last. The Czech style pilsner is brewed by Vibrissa Beer, formerly Front Royal Brewing, and is available exclusively at Dominion Wine & Beer. The wine and beer shop and restaurant is located 107 Rowell Court in Falls Church. For more information, visit www.DominionWineandBeer.com or their social media pages.

Body Dynamics, Inc. Offering a Pelex Webinar

Body Dynamics, Inc. is offering a Pelex webinar, More Than Bone Deep: How Sports Endocrinology Can Help You, on Friday, September 24 from noon to 1 pm. The session is designed for athletes who have symptoms that may indicate Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports, which is often misdiagnosed as an orthopedic problem. Visit www.BodyDynamicsInc.com for more information. For a free Pelex consultation, call or text (703) 215-2467 or email info@pelexmed.com.

Mark Werblood Hosting Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Mixer

Mark Werblood, of the law firm Tesler & Werblood, is hosting the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Networking Mixer on Tuesday, September 28 from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. The Annual Rowell Court Block Party is free for Chamber members and friends of the business community. Food and beverages from several local restaurants and door prizes from a number of local businesses will be offered. The event will take place in the Old Brickhouse Square courtyard located on Rowell Court in Falls Church. For more information and to register to attend, visit the Events page at www.FallsChurchChamber.org.

The Little City Scramble Golf Tournament Will take Place September 29

The Little City Scramble Golf Tournament will take place Wednesday, September 29 with a 1 p.m. start at Westfields Golf Course in Clifton. Participants can win a car from Beyer Auto Group with a hole in one or other prizes. All proceeds benefit the Falls Church Education Foundation’s Family Assistance Fund and the Mustang Athletic Boosters’ Bill Rose Fund, providing equitable access to food/shelter/supplies and athletics. For more information, visit www.FCEdF.org.

The Kensington Falls Church Hosting Ask the Expert Virtual Discussion

The Kensington Falls Church is hosting Ask the Expert Virtual Discussion on Difficult Dementia Conversations on Wednesday, September 29 from 6 – 6:45 p.m. This presentation will feature tips for breaking the ice with your family to address some of the most common issues that are difficult to discuss. For more information, visit www.theKensingtonFallsChurch.com.

VPIS and the League of Women Voters Hosting Two Virtual Candidate Forums

The Village Preservation and Improvement Society and the League of Women Voters are hosting two virtual candidate forums leading up to the November elections. A City Council Candidate Forum will be held on Thursday September 30 at 7:30 p.m. and a School Board Candidate Forum will be held on Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. To secure an “Evites” invitation to make a reservation for either event, visit www.VPIS.org.

 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.

Mike Laub Services Saturday Morning In Arlington

A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life will be held for former Falls Church City resident P. Michael “Mike” Laub at Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ, 5010 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA 22207, on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 10:00 a.m. Call the church 703538-4886 to register. The service will also be live streamed (www. rockspringucc.org/worshiplivestream). If you are not able to watch the service live, you

will be able to access it through the church service archive, https://www.rockspringucc.org/ sermons.

Interment immediately following at Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rock Spring UCC or the Falls Church Education Foundation, 150 S. Washington St., Suite 400, Falls Church, VA 22046. A tribute is also online at adventfuneral.com.