150 at 19th Annual News-Press Holiday Party
The 19th Annual Falls Church News-Press Holiday Party drew another festive crowd on Dec. 15, continuing a tradition of live music, great catering and good company at the fellowship hall of the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, formerly the Falls Church Congregational Church, the Falls Church City Hall and the Women’s Club. 
Teams of instrumentalists from George Mason High School kept the atmosphere lively with tunes of the season, and Anthony’s Pizza catered for the first time, to the great delight of all.
State Delegates Jim Scott, Bob Hull and Adam Ebbin led the long list of celebrities who attended, including Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner, City Manager Wyatt Shields, Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton, Treasurer Cathy Kaye, City Council members Hal Lippman, Nader Baroukh, Dan Maller, David Snyder and Lawrence Webb, The Hill editor Al Eisele, F.C. School Superintendent Dr. Lois Berlin, Dulin Methodist Pastor Dave Kirkland, F.C. Housing Commission heavies Dr. Steve Rogers and Carol Jackson, Planning Commissioners Lindy Hockenberry and Melissa Teates, former F.C. Dem Committee honchos Edna Frady and Ed Strait, F.C. Chamber of Commerce bosses Sally Cole, Paul Barkley, Mark Werblood, Deborah Thompson, Gary LaPorta, Hap Day, Ralph Perrino, Bob Young, Judge Karen Hennenberg, former F.C. City Manager and City Attorney David Lasso, “Flower Building” Architect Jack Wilbern, the F.C. League of Women Voters’ Sara Fitzgerald and Joan Lewis, Entertainers Miles Butler and James Jelasic, News-Press columnists Tom Whipple, Richard Barton and Kevin Mellema, F.C. busy bodies Bob Burnett, Stacy Hennessey, Phil Duncan, Roger Neighborgall and Tom Devlin, FIRSTfriday’s Tom Gittins, the Education Foundation’s Donna Englander, F.C. Arts’ Eileen Levy and Shaun Van Steyn, F.C. Film Festival’s Simon Van Steyn, Creative Cauldron’s Laura Hull, business owners Matt Smith and Joe Smith, the F.C. Historical Commission’s Ric Terman, the Veterans Commons’ Len Michalowski, School Board member Susan Kearney, former member Jerry Barrett, the whole News-Press crew including alum Lucas Hardi with Letty and baby Oliver, and a big bunch of other happy people.
FIRSTfriday of New Year To Include Much to Do
The City of Falls Church’s monthly FIRSTfriday activities will ensue this Friday, Jan. 2 at an array of Falls Church locations. Art and Frame (111 Park Ave., Falls Church) will host a calendar signing by the winners of the 2009 Falls Church City Calendar Art Contest. Pick up a free calendar and enjoy the art work of all the entries submitted to the contest this year from 6 – 8 p.m. at this Cabot Creamery-catered reception.
For budding rock stars, Clay Café Studios (101 N. Maple Ave., Falls Church) will have an Xbox set up from 6 – 9 p.m. for an evening of Rock Band fun, along with light fare. After that, keep the party going at Red, White & Bleu Wine and Gourmet (127 S. Washington St., Falls Church), which will be hosting a wine tasting between 5 – 8 p.m. However, these are just a taste of the events and dining deals planned for the FIRSTfriday of 2009. For a full list of Friday’s festivities – from morning tea to dinner discounts – visit www.firstfridayoffallschurch.com.
Falls Church Seniors ‘Walk’ it Out
The Falls Church Senior Center will host their weekly walking group on Monday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The group, as usual, will visit different trails and parks in the metro area.
Those who wish to participate are advised to bring a bagged lunch with them. For more information, call 703-248-5020.
Free Yoga Class: New Way to Kick Off New Year
Kick off the New Year by trying out something new – yoga. On Sunday, Jan. 4, Sacred Well Yoga Studio will offer a free introductory yoga class for new students. All levels of experience and ability are welcome to attend. Mats are provided and while the event is free, registration is required. To register or to find out more information, call 703-989-8316 or email swyoga@gmail.com. The class will be held at the studio (450 W. Broad St., Suite 320, Falls Church) from 2 – 3:15 p.m.
Mary Riley to Get Back Into ‘Story Hour’ Groove
Though it may be closed on New Year’s Day and the Friday following, Mary Riley Styles Public Library will be getting back into the groove starting on Monday, Jan. 5 with a children’s Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. Additional Story Hours will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 6 and Thursday, Jan. 8 at 10:30 a.m., as well as on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. inside the library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). For more information, call 703-248-5030.
Our Savior Lutheran to Host English Christmas
Armonia Nova, a medieval to early baroque ensemble of instruments and voices, returns to Our Savior Lutheran Church (901 S. Taylor St., Arlington) on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. to perform “Twelfth Night” – a concert celebrating epiphany and winter solstice – featuring music from 12th – 17th-century England. Centuries of evolving sacred and secular rituals with processions, dances, singing and instruments created many well-known and loved traditions of the English Christmas.
Armonia Nova is an ensemble of instruments and voices based in the Washington, D.C. area. Its members perform medieval, renaissance and early baroque music of Europe on instruments that are re-creations of historical instruments. For more information on the event, call 703-892-4846.
Naturalist-Hosted Hike Takes in the Sites
Take in Mother Nature this New Year during a hike with a naturalist. The outdoor event will take place at Riverbend Park (8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls) on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 8:30 – 11 a.m. Participants will scan for waterfowl and raptors. This day out in the wilderness is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, call 703-759-9018.
Kittens to Be Smitten at Adoption Extravaganza
A Kitten and Cat Adoption Extravaganza will take place on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Oakton Library (10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton). All of the feline adoption candidates are socialized, de-wormed and vaccinated prior to the event and are able to be taken home that same day. For more information, call Chris Haslam of Commonwealth Cat Rescue, Inc. at 703-568-3600.
Aurora to ‘Roar’ in Laughter at Comedy Club
The Comedy Club at Aurora Hills Senior Center (735 18th Street S., Arlington) will meet on Friday, Jan. 2 at the center for a viewing of a classic comedic performance at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-228-5722.
McLean Community Center Hosts Auditions
The McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean) will be holding audtions for children ages 10 – 16 who are interested in playing a role in the center’s presentation of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” To register for auditions, visit www.mcleancenter.org. For more information, the center can reached by calling 703-556-0547. McLean residents are also reminded that the center will experience scheduled holiday closings on Thursday, Jan. 1 and Friday, Jan. 2.
Old Firehouse Teen Center Hosts Member Events
The Old Firehouse Teen Center (OFTC), a satellite program of the McLean Community Center will be hosting their weekly Community Service Tuesday on Jan. 6 at Sunrise Senior Living. These Tuesday events are for middle-school-aged students who need community service hours, or who simply wish to lend a helping hand in their community.
Transportation is provided by OFTC to and from the service events, though participants must be registered members of OFTC. Those interested can register at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean). Members are also reminded that there will be no “Club Inferno” dance night on Friday, Jan. 2. However, middle-school-aged members are invited to kick off the New Year at the regularly-scheduled dance night the following Friday, Jan. 9 from 7 – 10 p.m. For more information on either of these events, call 703-448-TEEN.
Marshall H.S. Alumni Shows Football Fever
A few former Statesmen football players proved their magic hasn’t dwindled on Friday, Dec. 19. The five George C. Marshall High School graduates represented their red, white and blue pride as members of the National Champion Richmond Spiders football team with a victory over Montana.
Class of 2003’s Tim Silver, Class of 2007’s Ryan Goss and Frank Howell, and Class of 2008’s Doug Howell and Chris Hurlburt played football for Marshall when they attended the high school and have continued to play pigskin with each other as part of the Spiders team.
