F.C. Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner of 1863

The City of Falls Church invites all those interested to join costumed reenactors portraying Falls Church residents of 1863 as they hold a Civil War Thanksgiving dinner and entertain friends and soldiers.

F.C. Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner of 1863

The City of Falls Church invites all those interested to join costumed reenactors portraying Falls Church residents of 1863 as they hold a Civil War Thanksgiving dinner and entertain friends and soldiers.

FALLS CHURCH PRESBYTERIAN’S confirmation class prepared the Falls Church Winter Shelter for its Dec. 1 opening. Class members include Nina Kusterbeck (left to right), Erica Schneider, David Link, Eric Link, Anna Carlson, Jamie VanValkenburg, Max Verhagen, Andrew Skomra, Vincent Camacho, Owen Miller, Shayne Ensign and Adam Barth. (Photo: Courtesy Ronald Brousseau)

“Abraham Lincoln” will lead the evening with a reading of the Gettysburg Address, including Honest Abe’s proclamation of a National Day of Thanks. The supper will be held at the

Cherry Hill Farmhouse (312 Park Ave., Falls Church) on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. There is no fee to attend, but donations will be accepted.

For more information or to request accommodations, call 703-248-5171.

Vienna Chef Earns Culinary Educator Certification

Denise D. Baxter of Vienna has earned the Certified Secondary Culinary Educator designation from the American Culinary Federation, Inc., the largest professional chefs organization in the United States.

Baxter is a culinary arts instructor at Stafford County Public Schools and a member of the ACF Nationals Capital Chefs Association.

Gov. Kaine Declares Winter Preparedness Week

Gov. Tim Kaine is reminding Virginia citizens of the havoc winter can cause to home and business life, and has thus declared the week of Nov. 29 – Dec. 5 Winter Preparedness Week.

This signifies a time to get ready for the cold season ahead and to ensure the safety of Virginians. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management suggests residents and visitors arm themselves with an emergency kit, a plan and safety information.

For a list of area events, supply kits pick up areas and information on H1N1, visit www.readyvirginia.gov. For information on severe weather conditions and driving instructions, call 703-996-2223 or visit www.weather.gov/lwx.

Santa Strolls Through the Streets of Vienna

Santa is arriving early for Vienna’s annual Street Stroll to greet children at the Historic Freeman Store (131 Church St. NE, Vienna). Mayor Jane Seeman will light the Holiday Tree and various local musical groups will perform throughout the evening.

The event will take place Monday, Nov. 30 from 6 – 9 p.m. For more information, call 703-938-5187.

McLean’s Holiday Homes Tour Inspires Celebration

CITIZENS FOR A BETTER City (CBC) president Deb Gardner (left) is shown with the award she presented to Falls Church News-Press Owner Nicholas F. Benton at Sunday’s 50th anniversary meeting of the CBC. Benton and the News-Press were honored by the CBC for their service since the paper’s founding in 1991. (Photo: News-Press)

The Women’s Club of McLean is hosting its 43rd Annual Holiday Homes Tour & Marketplace, a fundraiser that features three expansive and unusual homes. Each one will be innovatively ornamented for the holidays, meant to inspire onlookers wishing to decorate their own surroundings.

The tour will begin at Trinity United Methodist Church (1205 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean) on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 the day of and may be purchased at Mesmeralda’s Gifts of McLean, Karin’s Florist of Vienna, Stifel & Capra of Falls Church and Great Dogs of Great Falls. To purchase tickets through the mail, send a check to The Woman’s Club of McLean, Attn: Holiday Homes, P.O. Box 7282, McLean, VA 22106.

For more information, visit www.mcleanwc.org.

Holistic Mom’s Network Holds Monthly Meeting

The Holistic Mom’s Network of Northern Virginia invites those interested to its general monthly meeting, themed “Winter Potluck and Social.” The group asks that attendees bring a healthy, labeled dish to share. Drinks and paper products will be provided.

The dinner meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Fairfax Church of Christ (3901 Rugby Rd., Fairfax). For more information, call 703-631-2100.

Library Connects Parents With Newborns

The Patrick Henry Library (101 E. Maple Ave., Vienna) is offering a Rock-a-bye Baby connection class to parents and their newborns. The morning event will be filled with rhyme, story and song.

Children must be between 1 – 12 months old. The class will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

For more information, call 703-938-0405.

Vienna’s World War II Exposition Opens

Historic Vienna’s exhibit dedicated to the veterans of World War II, their families and loved ones has opened.

The exhibit tells the war histories of Vienna residents. Onlookers have a chance to see the roles people played during a pivotal time in history.

The exhibit will be available for viewing during museum hours, Wednesday – Saturday, noon – 4 p.m. and Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.

For more events and information, visit www.historicviennainc.org.

Annual Holiday Parade in McLean Marches On

Welcoming the holiday season with open arms, businesses and residents of McLean will march in the McLean WinterFest Holiday Parade.

The Reindog Pageant, a canine costume contest, will launch festivities, held in the parking lot of McLean Baptist Church (1367 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean) at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. The day will continue with a march from the SunTrust Bank (1301 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean) at 4 p.m., followed by a lighting ceremony of the McLean Holiday Tree. Free visits with Santa, prizes, food and live music will also take place.

For more information, visit www.mcleanwinterfest.org or call 703-917-0611.

Nature Center Promotes Tiny Tot Program

Gulf Branch Nature Center is hosting its winter Tiny Tot program, giving parents and their toddlers the opportunity to interact one-on-one while discovering the wonders of nature. This themed and educational program will engage children with hands-on learning, song, craft, finger plays and mini-hikes.

The next outing is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. Registration is $5 per child. For more information and to register, call 703-228-4747.

Senior Center Hosts Tree Decorating Party

Culpepper Garden Senior Center (2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington) invites all to help in ornamenting three holiday trees during a Tree Decorating Party. There will be apple cider and sweets.

The party is a free event and will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For more information, call 703-228-4403.

Baby Geniuses Begin with Chess Club

School-aged children of Falls Church have formed a Chess Club and are inviting all peers to flex their developing mental power at a club meeting. Ages 6 – 12 are invited to learn chess, or if they already know the game, help others.

FALLS CHURCH CITY Treasurer Cathy Kaye (second from left) was the recipient of the Wayne and Jane Dexter Award for outstanding contribution to the Falls Church community, presented at Sunday’s 50th anniversary celebration of F.C. Citizens for a Better City (CBC) at the Community Center. Other winners of the award present lined up to congratulate Kaye (to her right, left to right) Ed Strait, Lou Olom, Betty Blystone and Brian O’Connor. Edie Smolinski presented the award. (Photo: News-Press)

The meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. at the Woodrow Wilson Library (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church).

For more information, call 703-820-8774.

Library Film Odyssey Sails To France

The Patrick Henry Film Series is extending a hand to all area adults for French comedic murder mystery film “8 Women” by Catherine Deneuva. Feel free to bring a protein, as popcorn and drinks will be supplied.

The free viewing will be held in the Patrick Henry Library Meeting Room (101 E. Maple Ave., Vienna) on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.

For more information, call 703-938-0405.

Festival of Lights Brightens the Night

Centreville is launching its Bull Run Festival of Lights for the 11th-consecutive year. View the thousands of twinkling lights as they work together, transforming into holiday icons.

The nightly festival opens at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Bull Run Regional Park (7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville).

For more information and a festival coupon, visit www.nvrpa.org/parks/brfestoflights.

Volunteers Help Others to Give Thanks

Foods and Friends is reaching out to the charitable individuals, asking them to donate any hours they can volunteering on Thanksgiving day.

Volunteers may aid in the meal assembly line, help load delivery bags or deliver meals to hungry clients living in D.C., Maryland or Virginia.

There are four delivery shifts available at 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m.

For more information, call 202-269-2277.

DuPont Tour Showcases Nature in Holiday

Join members of Excursionaire and the McLean Community Center for a DuPont Holiday Day Trip to visit the decorated Longwood Gardens. Participants can anticipate an impressive conservatory display, fresh flowers, wreaths, trees, lights and lunch.

After the gardens, the group will partake in a guided tour of the DuPont estate, which includes Hagley, the first home of the DuPont family and Eleutherian Mills, the gunpowder workshop.

The full day tour is priced at $138 per person, $128 for McLean residents and takes place Tuesday, Dec. 1. To register, visit www.mcleancenter.org/calendar.

McLean Rotary Club Holds Meeting

The Rotary Club of McLean will be holding its weekly meeting with special guest John Foust discussing “The Upcoming Fairfax County Budget.”

The meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1 at noon at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (1545 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean). For more information, visit www.mcleanrotary.org.

Senior Center Holds Alzheimer’s Seminar

“Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented?” titles the most recent seminar to be held at the Culpepper Garden Senior Center (2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington). Senior adult specialist Nancy Connors will discuss the media coverage of Alzheimer’s disease, recent research and possible prevention.

This free seminar will be held Monday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. Register by Nov. 27 by calling 703-228-4403.