News and Notes

The Falls Church area, opened its arms to a new business recently when First Class Plumbing opened its doors for business. Owned by Mary Ann Magnolia, who hails from a long lineage plumbers, First Class performs both residential and commercial jobs such as drain cleaning, water jetting, TV camera work, pumping and more. Mary has also purchased another company in Maryland and plans to open satellite offices around the Beltway. Stop by and visit at (address?).

Licensed acupuncturists Joanne Weinman and Nancy Miller have also opened their office at 5549 Lee Highway in Arlington, near the Harrison St. intersection. Stop in and let them help you work out some of the stressful work week.

Congratulations to George Mason High School juniors Billy Gallagher, Eric Dever, Eamonn Rockwell, Charlie Himel and Bob Bumgarner, better known as the band “Ninja Slap.” Despite some stiff competition from eight other bands at last week’s Tsunami Relief Fundraiser’s Battle of the Bands, Ninja Slap took home the title. If you liked the band you can check them out online at www.ninjaslap.com.

Congratulations to Corie Ann Dean of Yorktown High School in Arlington and Julien Bucchini of Falls Church for cracking the Dean’s List at Oklahoma State University for the Fall 2004 semester.

Congressman Jim Moran (D – Va.) recently announced his nominations from the Eighth Congressional District for the Service academies. Candidates divided into their respective academies are: U.S. Air Force Academy: (NAMES!!!!!)

The United States Navy Cruisers Sailors Association is actively seeking new members. Membership is open to all ships company, marine detachment, aviation division, flag personnel and midshipmen that served or are serving aboard cruisers. Associate memberships are available to past and preset Navy men and women, reservists, widows of cruisermen and interested individuals. For information, call Ronald Maciejowski at clcanavy@aol.com.

Keeping with the military theme, veterans of all military branches who fought on, above or beside Iwo Jima will convene Feb. 18-20 to honor the fallen and all who participated in the costliest battle of the Pacific theater during WWII. The event will be highlighted by a ceremony at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Roslyn, Va. For more information on the event contact 703-212-0695.

United College Ministries in Northern Virginia is again seeking nominations for two separate awards to be presented this Spring. One award is a $650 scholarship to a student currently enrolled at either Northern Virginia Community College or George Mason University and is based primarily on the financial need of an individual looking to serve a career in social justice. The second award recognizes an individual or organization whose life and work reflect extraordinary commitment to social justice. To nominate someone, write a statement of no more than a page detailing why the person or group deserves the scholarship or award. Nominations should be sent to United College Ministries, 5000 Echols Ave., Alexandria, VA 22311. The deadline for nominations is March 31. Both awards honor the late Emmett W. Cocke, Jr. and are made possible by the Cocke Memorial Fund.

Scholarships are also the theme of the day at MCI Center Jan. 29 as the Wizards take on the Orlando Magic. During the game, AXA Achievement will be on hand to inform interested parties about the more than $1.3 million it hands out in scholarships on both the local and national levels. You can also have a chance to be an honorary ball kid for an upcoming Wizard’s game.

The University of Virginia’s Northern Virginia Center and HRD Press are offering first-year or future first-year college students to survive and thrive during the trials and tribulations of freshman year. You can check out the text of Dr. Steve Gladis’s Surviving the First Year of College: Myth vs. Reality for free at the HRD Press website www.hrdpress.com. Dr. Gladis will donate any proceeds from the print-edition of the book to education-related charities.

Ablest Staffing Services announced the hiring of Ken Buchanan as the new branch manager for its second commercial staffing offices in Northern Virginia, the new Falls Church office at 7700 Leesburg Pike, based primarily on the financial need of an individual looking to serve a career in social justice. The second award recognizes an individual or organization whose life and work reflect extraordinary commitment to social justice. To nominate someone, write a statement of no more than a page detailing why the person or group deserves the scholarship or award. Nominations should be sent to United College Ministries, 5000 Echols Ave., Alexandria, VA 22311. The deadline for nominations is March 31. Both awards honor the late Emmett W. Cocke, Jr. and are made possible by the Cocke Memorial Fund.

Scholarships are also the theme of the day at MCI Center Jan. 29 as the Wizards take on the Orlando Magic. During the game, AXA Achievement will be on hand to inform interested parties about the more than $1.3 million it hands out in scholarships on both the local and national levels. You can also have a chance to be an honorary ball kid for an upcoming Wizard’s game.

The University of Virginia’s Northern Virginia Center and HRD Press are offering first-year or future first-year college students to survive and thrive during the trials and tribulations of freshman year. You can check out the text of Dr. Steve Gladis’s Surviving the First Year of College: Myth vs. Reality for free at the HRD Press website www.hrdpress.com. Dr. Gladis will donate any proceeds from the print-edition of the book to education-related charities.

Ablest Staffing Services announced the hiring of Ken Buchanan as the new branch manager for its second commercial staffing offices in Northern Virginia, the new Falls Church office at 7700 Leesburg Pike, Suite 104. For more information you can visit Ablest on the Web at www.ablest.com.

Congratulations to Nick Hester of Pinecrest School in Annandale, a future speech writer in the making. Hester won first prize and $100 for his grade level in Weekly Reader’s “Write Your Own Inaugural Address” essay contest. The assignment was to write an inaugural speech as though they were in the President’s shoes; what would they do for the country in the upcoming presidential term? More than 9,000 students entered from grades 3-12 all across the country.

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Board named longtime chairman Walter L. Mess Chairman Emeritus in recognition of his founding role and 46-years of accomplishment and service with NVRPA. The Board honored its nationally-acclaimed leader at a special workshop session in mid-January. Only the second chairman in the Authority’s 46-year history, Mess stepped down as chair and City of Falls Church representative to the Board following his 90th birthday in December.

More on the Tsunami relief efforts front: MOMS Club of Falls Church North is announcing a joint charity venture with Pizzeria Uno at Gallows Rd. and Rte. 50 in Merrifield. Beginning Feb. 6, Super Bowl Sunday, Uno’s will donate up to 20-percent of the price of your meal to the relief efforts if you present one of the MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club vouchers at the restaurant. This effort is even good on take out orders, so whistle up so pies for the game and help a good cause while you’re at it. To obtain a voucher, you can pick up a flier at the following locations. Classic Cleaners (1120 W. Broad St., Falls Church), Doodlehopper 4 Kids (228 W. Broad St., Falls Church), Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church), Quick Copy (417 W. Broad St., Falls Church). For more information on the effort visit:www.geocities.com/fallschurchmomsclub.