Time Running Out for F.C. Police ‘Toys for Tots’ Drive
Only one week remains for donations to be made to the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots drive being sponsored by the City of Falls Church Police Department and members of the Falls Church Police Association. A collection box has been set up in the F.C. Police Department lobby, located on the G2 level in the East Wing of City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). Donations of new unwrapped toys will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 17.
Time Running Out for F.C. Police ‘Toys for Tots’ Drive
Only one week remains for donations to be made to the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots drive being sponsored by the City of Falls Church Police Department and members of the Falls Church Police Association. A collection box has been set up in the F.C. Police Department lobby, located on the G2 level in the East Wing of City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). Donations of new unwrapped toys will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 17.

A delivery of all toys will be made the morning of Dec. 18 to central distribution point in Quantico, where the donations will be given to children in need this holiday season. This is the eighth-consecutive year the F.C. Police Department has participated in the Toys for Tots Campaign. For more information, call 703-241-5053.
F.C. Chamber Hosts Holiday Party & Mixer
The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce invites the public to its annual holiday party, complete with refreshments.
The mixer is Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Sunrise Senior Living (330 N. Washington St., Falls Church) from 5 – 7 p.m. For more information, call 703-534-2700.
The Chamber’s luncheon and member meeting will be held earlier the same day at The Italian Café (7161 Lee Hwy., Falls Church) at 11:30 a.m. New members are welcome.
Choralis Presents ‘A Classic Brass Christmas’
Choralis will close its 10th anniversary concert season with “A Classic Brass Christmas,” its traditional Christmas performance with guests.
The classical brass quintet will perform at Westminister Presbyterian Church (2701 Cameron Mills Rd., Alexandria) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 and at Falls Church Presbyterian Church (225 E. Broad St., Falls Church) at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13. Tickets are $40 for premium seating, $25 for general admission, $5 for students and free for children under 12. For more information, visit www.choralis.org or call 703-237-2499.
Children’s Author Tells Tales of Animal Tails
The Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church) will showcase original tales by Barbara Witucki, titled “Rabbit Rabbit.” Youngsters will enjoy stories of animals from the imaginative mind of a children’s author. Readings are appropriate for ages 4 – 6 years.
The free event will be held Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. For more information, call 703-248-5034.
1-2-1 Mentoring Program Calls for Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to participate in an after-school program created by the Falls Church City Alliance for Youth in partnership with the Northern Virginia Family Service. Adult men are especially needed, as youth males are currently on a waiting list.
Mentors should be at least 21 years of age and be able to volunteer for a minimum of one year, once a week, on Thursdays, from 4 – 6 p.m. The next mentor orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 16. Call coordinator Monica Arispe to register at 703-219-2106.
Arlington Man Wins Photography Competition
The 2009 ViewShed Photo Competition announced Gary Anthes of Arlington as the winner of the Open Space/Farmland Category for his depiction, “Farm Pond, Sunrise.” Anthes shot a bayou in Rappahannock County.
His photographs, with the other winning pieces, will be displayed at the General Assembly Building during the 2010 Session and on the Scenic Virginia’s Web site, www.scenicvirginia.org.
Photographer Opens Studio For Viewing
Huguette Roe Photography will host its 3rd Annual Home Show for the public to view Huguette Roe’s award-winning works depicting recycling in infancy, travel, architecture and more.
The open studio will be accepting patrons Dec. 12, 13 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the gallery (7008 Aronow Dr., Falls Church). For more information, visit www.hroephoto.com.
Teen Dance ‘Escapes to Paradise’
The Old Firehouse Teen Center (OFTC) will be throwing a 7th- and 8th-grader dance party, themed “Escape to Paradise.” A DJ will play music and videos while the game room will be open for ping-pong, pool and arcade games. Vending snacks and drinks will also be available.
The dance will be held 7 – 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 at the OFTC (1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean). Entry is $5 for OTFC members and $10 for non-members. A parent/guardian must check their teen in and out of the center.
For more information, call 703-448-8336.
‘Santamobile’ Rolls Through Falls Church
Curry’s Auto Service of Falls Church will be sponsoring the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department’s annual “Santamobile.” This decorated fire truck will transport Santa and his helpers while they pass out candy and pamphlets on fire safety.

Nightly rounds through the streets begin Tuesday, Dec. 15 and will run until Wednesday, Dec. 23 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. For the first five days, the locomotive will be in the City of Falls Church City. For more information or to track Santa in real time, visit www.fallschurchvfd.org.
Library Celebrates with Holiday Open House
People of all ages are invited to celebrate a year’s worth of literary enlightenment at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Holiday Open House.
Join the staff and friends of the library for music and light refreshments. Children may make a homemade gift for the holiday season at the stocked crafts table in the children’s section.
It will be held Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). For more information, call 703-790-8088.
Lyon Park Hosts Family Holiday Fest
Arlington County will celebrate the different traditions of the season with both children and families this year. A visit from Santa, children’s games, caroling, sing-alongs, a potluck delights table and a variety of holiday music will combine to create a festival of cheer.
Feel free to bring a traditional holiday dessert and share the story of how it became a part of family history. A party has been planned for Friday, Dec. 11 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Lyon Park Community House (414 N. Filmore St., Arlington). To volunteer, contact Renee Gutshall at renee@gutshall.net. For more information, call 703-527-9520.
Art Workshop Explores the Animal Kingdom
The McLean Project for the Arts invites all families to reinvent the animal world during a Family Art Workshop. Participants will draw their favorite animals, cut them out and color them with pastels. Animal lovers may also bring in pictures of their favorite creature to revive it artistically.
The event will be held Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean) and is $10 per family. For more information, call 703-790-1953.
Senior Book Discussion Group Gathers
The Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church) monthly Senior Book Discussion meeting will delve into Franklin and Lucy: Mrs. Rutherfurd and the Other Remarkable Women in Roosevelt’s Life by Joesph Persico.
The meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public. For more information, call 703-248-5030.
Library Hosts Preschool Movie Night
The Patrick Henry Library (101 Maple Ave., Vienna) invites preschoolers and their parents to a “PJs and Popcorn” movie showing of “The Polar Express.” The G-rated screening will be supplemented with free popcorn and drinks.
The film begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Registration is required. For more information, call 703-938-0405.
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