March 1 – 7, 2007
Town Meetings Set for Reaction to Fairfax County Budget Plan
Following the release of Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin’s proposed FY 2008 budget this week, a series of town meetings have been scheduled at locations throughout the county. In the greater Falls Church area, the meetings are set for Monday, Mar. 19, 7:30 p.m. at the McLean Government Center, for Wednesday, Mar. 21 , 7 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center and at 7 p.m. at the Belvedere Elementary School on Columbia Pike. A meeting at the county government center will be held Thursday, Mar. 22, 7 p.m. The county board of supervisors are slated to adopt the budget on April 30 at 10 a.m.
Choralis, Creative Cauldron Win County Support
Two Falls Church-based arts organizations, the not-for-profit Creative Cauldron performing and visual arts outfit, and Choralis, an 80-voice mixed chorus, were named recipients of “significant general operating support” from among over 55 organizations that sought funding from a $500,000 pool for supporting the arts established last year by the Fairfax Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Chair Gerry Connolly and Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross were instrumental in increasing the annual pool for arts support by five times over the previous fiscal year. Creative Cauldron is operated by Falls Church’s Laura Hull and Choralis by Artistic Director Gretchen Kuhrmann.
Chris Jones Heads to Japan for Janice Dickinson Show
Falls Church’s Chris Jones, 25, profiled in the News-Press last September as a leading model selected for participation in the Oxygen network’s popular Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency reality TV show, was selected last fall to tour Japan with two other models from the show and will depart for a three-month trip. Jones remains one of the most popular models on the show, which completed airing its second season this week. A “Bon Voyage Party” for Jones and the other two models making the tour was slated last night at the posh Mood Supper Club on Hollywood Boulevard. Jones is a 1999 graduate of McLean High School.
‘Healthy Habitat Month’ Launched at F.C. Library
March is “Healthy Habitat Month” at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library in Falls Church, done in conjunction with the Healthy Habitat Project in the City of Falls Church. The project calls for local citizens to certifying their yards as Backyard Wildlife Habitats with the National Wildlife Federation. When 135 homes are certified in the City, then the City will achieve the designation as a “Community Wildlife Habitat.” Currently 50 homes are certified in the City, along with Mt. Daniel Elementary and five City parks. To qualify for certification, a property needs to provide four basic elements to benefit local wildlife: food, water, cover and places to raise the young. In addition, there should be a sustainable gardening practice, such as mulching, composting or elimination of chemical yard products. Mia Musolino is the F.C. project team chair. Applications for certification are available at the Mary Riley Styles library, where “Healthy Habitat Month” events will be held throughout March, and on line at https://secure.nfw.org.
Bedo Leatherworks Lawsuit Goes to Trial
A civil suit filed by Bedo Leatherworks against the Young Group based on allegations of damage to his property from Young’s construction of the Read Building in the 400 block of W. Broad Street will go to trial next week, the News-Press has learned. Another suit by Bedo, against the City of Falls Church on grounds the City failed to stop work on the building, has been dismissed.
Stuart H.S. ‘Taste of the Town’ Fete March 11
Falls Church’s JEB Stuart High School will hold its 15th annual Taste of the Town on Sunday, March 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Sponsored by the school’s PTSA as its major fundraiser, it features tasting provided by local restaurants, musical entertainment from talent students, and hundreds of items in both a silent and live auction. For more information, contact Diane Weeks at Diane.Weeks@gmail.com
