‘Famous Couples’ Performs 2nd Act

On Sunday, July 26, Carl Randolph and Cheryl Felicia Rhoads of Falls Church will present the comedy version of “Famous Couples Through History” for the second week in a row at the Comedy Spot’s 2nd Stage (4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). The show will begin at 6 p.m. and there is a $15 suggested donation. For tickets, call 703-294-5233. For more information, visit www.comedyindc.com/couples.htm.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its subcontractor construction firm, Fluor-Lane LLC, walked through plans to stabilize and replant areas near Shelby Lane residences effected by the construction of the High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on I-495 last week, after being called to the site by Falls Church Attorney Janine Benton (left). Chris Collins and John Roddy of Fluor and Roger Booth of VDOT assured Benton that when completed, there will be better storm water control and landscaping than there was before the work began. Del. Jim Scott made a brief appearance at the gathering, as well. (Photo: News-Press)

National Rehabilitation Hospital Holds Super Walk

On Sunday, September 13, the Super H 5K Walk & RunWalk & Wheel Race will be held at the Tysons Corner Sport & Health Club (1800 Old Meadow Rd., McLean). Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. The post-race party/awards ceremony, featuring Chicken Out Rotisserie cuisine, plus entertainment and prizes begins at 9 a.m.

The event raises substantial funds for the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH)/D.C. Chapter of BlazeSports America, a national, community based sports program for children and adults with physical disabilities. This year, the race proceeds will provide financial support for adaptive equipment, facilities rental, competition travel and other expenses. In addition, the Super H race will enable NRH Blaze Sports teams to host regular clinics to open the world of sports to individuals with disabilities. To learn more about how you can get involved as a participant or about sponsorship opportunities, go to www.nrhrehab.org.

Concerts in the Park Continues

Bring a blanket and picnic dinner and sit back, relax, and enjoy live entertainment from local musicians and artists as Falls Church Concerts in the Park continues in Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church) Thursday, July 23 with bluegrass band Randy Barrett and the Barretones performing. Also, painter Kathleen Rogers will have her works on display. The concert is free and is set to begin at 7 p.m. For more information, call 703-248-5077 or visit www.fallschurchva.gov.

Ms. Virginia Senior America to Hold Pageant

Ms. Virginia Senior America will celebrate its 25th annual pageant Friday, July 24 at the Lee Center Kauffman Auditorium (1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria). The doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and the show starts at 2 p.m. A reception will immediately follow. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

The pageant will be co-hosted by Pinky O’Neil and Jim Seeley. Ruth Barnett, the 2008 Ms. Virginia Senior America, will be crowning the new 2009 Queen, who will go on to compete at the national level in Atlantic City, N.J. later this year. For further information, call 703-425-7258.

Registration Now Open for W&OD Race

VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TIM KAINE (right) took the stage to participate in a meeting with hundreds of religious leaders from all over Virginia at T.C. Williams High School Monday night to hear concerns about the lack of dental care for the poorest of Virginia’s residents and the persistent federal delays in processing naturalization applications of Northern Virginia residents. The meeting was organized under the auspices of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), and a representative from the office of U.S. Senator Jim Webb was also present. (Photo: News-Press)

The event will continue its tradition as a “green” race with exhibits from environmental organizations including the Green Spring Master Gardeners, League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. To register, visit www.marathoncahirtypartners.org/friends.

Volunteers for Change Hosts Orientation

Volunteers for Change, a unique volunteer program for adults, is holding orientations for interested community members. The program features a flexible calendar of fun weekend and weekday evening projects to fit busy schedules. After orientation, volunteers can choose from more than 50 monthly community service projects throughout Northern Virginia.

Projects include planting trees, bagging food for homeless families, tutoring adult ESL students, playing bingo with the disabled, special community-wide events throughout the year and more.  Orientation will be held Sunday, July 26 at Volunteer Fairfax (10530 Page Ave., Fairfax) from 2 – 3 p.m. To register, contact Annie Duffield at 703-246-3895 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

July 30 Book Signing to Benefit ‘Challenge Days’

At the Falls Church News-Press’s summer mixer featuring White House correspondent Helen Thomas July 30, News-Press owner Nicholas Benton will sign copies of the newly-published anthology on the early years of gay liberation in exchange for a $20 or more contribution to the diversity-affirming “Challenge Days” program at George Mason High School, which will also be presented at the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School for the first time this fall. Benton launched the “Challenge Days” by establishing with a large donation the Diversity Affirmation Education Fund under the non-profit Falls Church Education Foundation. Benton has contributed an essay to the new book, published by City Lights Books, entitled “Smash the Church, Smash the State: the Early Years of Gay Liberation.” The free event at the News-Press office, 450 W. Broad St., Suite 321, Thursday, July 30, begins at 5:30 p.m.

Student Exchange Program Seeking Host Families

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (407 N. Washington St., Alexandria) will participate in the State Department sponsored Congress/Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX), which brings high school students from Germany to the United States. ASSE (American Scandinavian Student Exchange) was founded in 1976 by the Swedish Government to organize student exchange programs. ASSE is currently seeking qualified host families to welcome these scholarship students to the United States so they may acquire an understanding of American values, build leadership skills and learn about American civil society. For more information about the CBYX program, call 1-800-677-2773 or visit www.asse.com.

IT WAS ANOTHER REUNION for many of the hundreds of volunteers who worked for the Obama presidential election last fall in the 360 S. Washington St. campaign space in downtown Falls Church last Saturday. This time the crowd was gathered under the auspices of the Democratic National Committee’s grassroots project to support President Obama’s agenda called “Organizing for America.” It was billed as a “listening tour” meeting to find out how to best organize neighborhoods across the U.S. to better “see the change they voted for last November to become a reality.” (Photo: News-Press)

Local Graduates and Awards

Jonathan Robinson Sarver of Arlington was named to the dean’s list for the spring 2009 semester at Denison University.

Lindsey Huizenga, a resident of Falls Church and a senior at Southern Methodist University (SMU), is listed on the honor roll. Jefferson Pham of Falls Church, Jaime Bosserman of Alexandria, Katrina Hasbrouck of Yorktown and Rebecca Melone of Burke  were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2009 semester at the University of Findlay.

Peter Henry Slattery of Annandale and Mike Coutts Long of Arlington were selected for honors admission to the University of Mary Washington.

Taking Action for Animals Comes to Arlington

Taking Action for Animals, an animal advocacy conference, will be hosted by the Hyatt Regency Crystal City (2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington) from Friday, July 24 – Monday, July 27. This year’s theme is The Art of the Possible: Change Animals Can Believe In. For more information or to register, visit www.takingactionforanimals.org.

Live Music at Clare and Don’s

Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church) will host live music on their beach shack patio from 7 – 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. Lena Seiklay, a vocalist for six bands in the Washington, D.C. area, will perform her musical talents.

Columbia Baptist Hosts Concert

Columbia Baptist Church will host contemporary and original Christian music performed by the Beth Cole Trio Friday, July 31 at Columbia Crossroads (3245 Glen Carlyn Rd., Bailey’s Crossroads) at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but all donations will benefit Columbia’s Spend Yourself World Hunger Fund. For more information, call 703-534-5700 or visit www.columbiabaptist.org.