THE THOMAS JEFFERSON Elementary School chorus performed at Tuesday night’s art show and ice cream social. (Photo: Vicki Coe, News-Press)

N-P, Diener to Sponsor Annual Food Drive

For the 19th year, the Falls Church News-Press is teaming with Diener and Associates, CPAs, to organize a food drive in Falls Church. Citizens are urged to bring contributions of non-perishable foods to the News-Press booth at the Memorial Day Parade and Festival, and to continue contributing at special collection boxes that will be placed at seven downtown Falls Church establishments between Memorial Day and July 4.

The locations of the collection boxes will be: the Falls Church Community Center, Falls Church Art and Frame, Anthony’s Restaurant, the Unity Club, Point of View eyewear, and the offices of the News-Press and Diener and Associates.

In next week’s edition of the News-Press, grocery bags will be inserted into all home delivery editions in the 22046 zip code to encourage participation. The food collected will be delivered to the Food for Others non-profit that feeds needy persons at 14 locations around Northern Virginia daily.

Fallen F.C. Soldier to Be Honored

Specialist Stephan L. Mace, a soldier killed in Iraq last October, will be honored during the City of Falls Church Memorial Day commemoration at the F.C. Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 31, it was announced earlier this week. The event will begin at 11 a.m. in front of the F.C. Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church) and Mace’s family will be on hand to speak about their son and to receive a “Plaque of Honor.” State Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple will express appreciation for his service on behalf of Virginia citizens.

Mace was one of eight soldiers killed on October 3, 2009, when about 300 insurgents mounted an attack on two remote military bases in the Kamdesh District of Nuristan Province, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. He was a member of the 4th Brigade Combat Team stationed at Fort Carson, Co. Mace grew up in Lovettsville and Purcellville, Va., but he was born in Falls Church.

Ann Miller-Griffiths, Executive Director of the National League of POW/MIA Families will also speak at the Fallen Veterans Ceremony.

The Memorial Day Fallen Military Veterans Ceremony is presented by the Greater Falls Church Veterans Council and the City of Falls Church.

The ceremony is part of a full day of Memorial Day activities planned in Falls Church, including the Don Beyer 3K fun run, a parade, on-stage entertainment, craft, food and business booths. For more information about the Memorial Day festivities, visit www.fallschurchva.gov or call 703-248-5027.

TWO GOOD-WILL ambassadors from BJ’s Wholesale Warehouse, a unit now under construction in Falls Church, spent the week in F.C. visiting with leaders of civic, education and non-profit organizations, tasked with reporting back to headquarters how the company might best become a helpful member of the community it serves. Carlie Cross and Rosemarie Pearson, both Community Relations Specialists for BJ’s, are shown here attending a luncheon of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Tuesday. The pair also visited the offices of the News-Press. There, the N-P learned that the name, BJ’s, is after the daughter of the original owner of the chain, Barbara Jean. The two plan to be back numerous times before the opening of the F.C. store in mid-September (Photo: News-Press)

Local Tinner Hills Blues Fest Plans Underway

Plans are underway for the annual Tinner Hill Blues Festival scheduled for June 10 – 13 in the City of Falls Church. Many of the events will be free, with all being held at Cherry Hill Park and Farmhouse (312 Park Ave., Falls Church), Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church), and the Farmers Market (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). Ticketed events are planned for Thursday night, June 10 and Sunday, June 13 at the State Theatre (220 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church) and Bangkok Blues restaurant (926 W. Broad St., Falls Church).

Scheduled performers include Pura Fe` and the “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown, Bobby Parker & the Blues Night Band, Phil Wiggins & Corey Harris, Patty Reese and Miss Nadine Rae. Other entertainment will include Choo Choo Charlie harmonica workshop, panel discussion; Red, Black and Blues; exploring the influence of Native and African American on blues music and American culture; blues poetry reading at the library; children’s activities; BBQ cook off and the premiere of an original theatrical performance, “Tinner Hill: Portraits in Black and White,” at Creative Cauldron.

The Tinner Hill Blues Festival is a tribute to the late John Jackson, Piedmont blues icon, and is presented by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation and the City of Falls Church. For complete event details visit www.tinnerhill.org or call 703-241-4109.

8th Annual Wacky Hat Showdown Approaches

The 8th Annual Falls Church News-Press Memorial Day Wacky Hat Showdown is approaching. All are challenged to don their craziest, funniest, freakiest and just-plain-wackiest hat and stop by the News-Press booth at Falls Church City’s Memorial Day celebration on Monday, May 31 for a chance to win a Falls Church dining gift certificate.

The owners of the three craziest hats will win a $50 gift certificate from Argia’s, Ireland’s Four Provinces or Ledo Pizza. In addition, all participants in the Wacky Hat Showdown will get their picture in the News-Press.

THE WINNERS OF the May 11 Pearson Square Affordable Dwelling Unit lottery were Lidia Saavedra and Oscar Icabalceta. There were a total of two rental units assigned that night. Pictured are (left to right) Don Brobst, Falls Church Housing Commission Chair; M.T. Gutmanis, Housing Commissioner; Lidia Saavedra, lottery winner; Alexandra Saavedra, daughter; Oscar Icabalceta, lottery winner; Lawrence Webb, City Council member; Jaimee Nix, Pearson Square Management; and Amina Amisi, City Representative to Arlington CDCAC (Community Development Citizen’s Advisory Committee). (Photo: Courtesy Barbara Gordon)

F.C. Pub Crawl Raises Money For Cancer Fighter

This Saturday, May 26, from 5 – 8 p.m., the City of Falls Church Beermuda Poker Pub Crawl will raise money to help Lina Shoobridge fight cancer. Participating restaurants are Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad St., Falls Church), Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church), Argia’s (124 N. Washington St., Falls Church) and Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church).

There is a $10 entry fee for participants. The crawl will start and finish at Ireland’s Four Provinces. Prizes will be given away and a 50/50 drawing will take place. Complimentary hor d’oeuvres will also be on hand. For more information, visit www.friendsoflina.org.

VPIS Membership Meeting Announces Updates

The Falls Church Villiage Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) held its spring membership meeting last Sunday, where board members presented on the society’s community efforts in the past year. An expert panel also presented on Habitat Restoration, Backyard Habitat certification and participation in the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist Program. During the meeting, VPIS provided updates on its popular community outreach programs.

This summer, the organization will again sponsor free summer concerts in Cherry Hill Park for the 18th year. The concert schedule is posted online at www.vpis.org. VPIS will also continue sponsoring the 4th of July readings of the Declaration of Independence and other historical documents.

A RECEPTION WAS held at Fall Properties for last Sunday’s Falls Church Elementary PTA Home & Garden Tour. Approximately $15,000 was raised by the tour for new SmartBoards, teacher grants and improvements to the Outdoor Classrooms at Thomas Jeffersion and Mt. Daniel Elementary Schools. Among those at the reception were (left to right) tour docent Regina Alexander, F.C. Mayor Robin Gardner, F.C. Elementary PTA President-Elect Jeanne Duross and Duross’ children Mac Duross and Evelyn Duross. (Photo: Courtesy Mary Fletcher Jones)

$250 Prize Offered to FCA  ‘Plein Air’ Winner

A cash prize of $250 is being offered for the first-place winter in the “Scenes in the City” Falls Church Arts (FCA) Plein Air Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 29. Entries are being accepted now through May 28. Participating artists will have their supports (canvas, paper, etc.) stamped with an FCA festival stamp for $5 this Saturday, May 22 from 9 a.m. – noon at the FCA tent near the F.C. City Farmer’s Market (300 Park Ave., Falls Church).

Works will be judged and winners will be chosen on May 29 on the City Hall grounds (300 Park Ave., Falls Church), after which works will be moved to City Hall for exhibit through June 11, Mondays – Fridays between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Entry forms and more information can be found at www.fallschurcharts.org.

Local Girl Wins Advertising Award

Falls Church resident and Virginia Tech senior, Helen Li, was awarded the Student Judges Choice Award Winner for her Ribitobitz 2008 Annual report at the Advertising Federation of the Roanoke Valley (AD FED) Student ADDY awards.

For her entry, Li designed an annual report, for a fictional toy company, which mimics a picture book and follows the journey of toy characters while also telling the history of the toy company. Li’s entry also won a gold Roanoke Valley award and a silver District award.