LWV to Hold ‘Lunch & Learn’ on Swine Flu

The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Falls Church will host an informational luncheon program on strategies for managing the swine flu/H1N1 virus on Tuesday, Oct. 20, beginning at noon at the Bear Rock Café (2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington). The program will feature short presentations by Dr. Lois Berlin, superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools and Dr. Claire Oifalogio, an official with the Arlington County Department of Public Health.

The session is the first in a new “Lunch and Learn” series of programs planned  to reach out to daytime audiences on timely issues as part of its mission of citizen education. The program is free and open to the public, but because space is limited, interested persons are asked to RSVP by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CINDY N. AND JOHN E. MASON of Falls Church celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Oct. 11. The Masons were married at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, in 1969. Cindy has enjoyed many years managing a dental office in Washington, D.C. before joining Neiman Marcus. John, an Arlington native, has worked for the EPA since 1979. Cindy is a talented painter and John is an avid history buff. Together, they enjoy traveling and watching classic films. (Photo: Courtesy Chris Mason)

Rotary Club Charity Art Tent a Success

The Rotary Clubs of McLean and Bailey’s Crossroads raised public awareness and financial support for under-served children in Swaziland at the third annual McLean Project for the Arts’ MPAartfest held last Sunday at McLean Central Park.

Combined, the clubs raised nearly $1,000 through the sales of original Swazi jewelry and the collection of financial contributions for the MicheLo Project, an international humanitarian project developed by local Rotarians. Lois Wilson, Michelle “Meesh” Peters and local jeweler, Tom Mangan, hosted the tent that featured information about the initiative with original Swazi bracelets and pendants.

The monies raised will assist in funding a summer 2010 exchange program during which six individuals from Northern Virginia will travel to Swaziland to help educators.

‘Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout’ Launches

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Prevention Services and its partners are raising awareness on how to appropriately monitor, secure and dispose of unused and/or expired medication with “Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout.”

During the week of Oct. 19 – 24, coinciding with Substance Abuse Awareness Week in the Fairfax-Falls Church community, anyone may take advantage of medication drop-off locations for those wishing to clean out their medicine cabinets.

For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/prevention or call 703-324-7000.

McLean Pet Expo Set to Mingle Fur-Loving Friends

The upcoming McLean Pet Expo is offering pet owners a place to get valuable information and tips on a variety of products and services that can enhance the lives of their pets, as well as their own experiences as pet owners.

Free activities for children will include a petting zoo, pony rides, performances, a carousel, mini-ferris wheel and a moon bounce.

FIRE STATION K-9 “FANY,” a bomb-sniffing dog (left) is a bit hesitant as Sparky the Fire Dog kneels down to say hello at last weekend’s open house for the Falls Church and Arlington Volunteer Fire Departments. Firefighters were on hand to meet and educate the community. They also opened their station, and fire trucks, up to local little ones and their families. (Photo: Courtesy Frank Bellavia)

The event, headed up by the McLean Community Center, will be held from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at McLean Central Park (1468 Dolly Madison Blvd., McLean). Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 703-790-0123.

Greater Merrifield Kicks Off Fall with Seasonal Festival

The Greater Merrifield Business Association invites all families out for the 5th Annual Merrifield Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Rides, inflatables, over 50 vendors and exhibitors, live entertainment, raffles, caricatures, balloon artists, face painters and food are expected. Numerous educational booths, including the Fairfax County Health Department, Inova Health Services (administering flu shots) and Inova Blood Services will also be on location.

The event takes place in the front and side parking lots of Luther Jackson Middle School (3020 Gallows Rd., Falls Church) from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

McLean Orchestra Hosts Chair Adoption

The McLean Orchestra invites all to be part of a musical experience by adopting a chair to benefit the community orchestra. Those who have adopted will be acknowledged in concert programs and will be given the opportunity to have a photo taken on stage with the symphonic seat with the musician who currently occupies it. For more information about taking home a chair, visit www.mclean-orchestra.org or call 703-893-8646.

St. James School Hosts Annual Bazaar

The St. James Catholic School welcomes all thrifty individuals to their Annual Bazaar and White Elephant Sale.

The community sale runs from Oct. 21 – 25, starting daily at 6 p.m. at the school (905 Park Ave., Falls Church). Clothes, house wares, books and toys will all be available for purchase. On Friday and Saturday night, the school will also host a haunted house, bake sale, cake walk, snack bar, bingo and gaming booths.

For more information, visit www.stjamescatholic.org.

SPENCER DONLEY (left) AND SARAH VALLEY put the finishing touches on their “High Ghoul Musical” painting outside Doodlehopper’s 4 Kids in downtown Falls Church. The girls took part in Monday’s first installment of “Paint the Town Orange,” a Halloween paint-in designed to deck the Broad Street corridor in festive imagery for the approaching holiday. (Photo: News-Press)

‘Meet the Candidates’ Event To be Held for F.C./Fairfax

Voters residing in the 53rd District of the Virginia House of Delegates are invited to a “Meet the Candidates” event on Oct. 21. The gathering will provide two of the Nov. 3 balloted candidates, Christopher D. Merola (R) and James M. “Jim” Scott (D), an opportunity to speak to local voters and to respond to informal questions from area residents.

The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church) and is being sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Falls Church and Fairfax Area.

For more information, visit www.lwvfallschurch.org or www.lwv-fairfax.org.

Holistic Moms Network Chapter Meeting

The Holistic Moms Network Arlington/Alexandria Chapter is hosting a specialized monthly meeting. Honi Boren of Holeco Wellness MediSpa will present “Holistic Skin Care: Nourishing Your Body’s Largest Organ” for both youthful and seasoned skin types.

The meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Arlington United Methodist Church (716 S. Glebe Rd., Arlington). Moms, dads, caregivers and children are all welcome

For more information, visit arlalexva.holisticmoms.org or call 703-824-6167.

Fair Oaks Mall Hosts Job/College Fair

The Fair Oaks Mall would like to invite area students to their 18th Annual College Fair, the largest independent college fair on the east coast, with school recruiters from nearly 400 colleges and universities providing information and answer questions. The event, hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools, provides a great venue to speak with college representatives from Virginia, Maryland and D.C. as well as nationwide. The event will be held Sunday, Oct. 18 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Grand Court, as well as in tributaries of the mall (11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax).

Additionally, the mall is hosting its 6th Annual Holiday Job Fair, Oct. 16 – 18, featuring representatives from the mall’s stores. Both full and part-time employment is available in an array of positions, from entry level to management. For more information, visit www.shopfairoaksmall.com or call 703-359-8302.

Arlington Artists Open ‘Harvest Reflections’ Exhibit

AMONG OVER 3,000 attending the 13th annual national dinner of the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C. last Saturday night, an event addressed by President Obama, was a table of 12 hosted by News-Press Owner Nicholas Benton. Shown around the table (left to right): Brandon Breaux, Josh Limbaugh, Ruben Rodriguez, Simon Van Steyn, Benton, Brett Roth, Dean Edwards, Eileen Levy and Dennis Copertino. Not shown: Johnny Booze, Geof Lewis and Max Blachman. (Photo: News-Press)

The exhibit and sale opens Friday, Oct. 23, with preview sale hours noon – 6 p.m. Come meet the artists at the reception from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Arlington United Methodist Church (716 S. Glebe Rd., Arlington). The show and sale continues on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.arlingtonartistsalliance.org.

The Congressional Schools of Virginia Celebrates Fall

The Congressional Schools of Virginia Fall Festival & Carnival will celebrate the Fall in a variety of ways set to the live music of Jazzwerx and friends. A range of food and drinks will be available with offerings from area businesses, including Boardwalk Pizza, Lazy Sundae Ice Cream and Beanetics Coffee. Entertainment will include carnival games and rides, races, raffles, face painting and much more.

The event will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the school’s campus (3229 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church). Admission is free with nominal charges for activities, food and drinks.

For more information, visit www.congressionalschools.org or call 703-533-9711.