Bulova ‘State of County’ Address Due Friday
With announcements of deep proposed budget cuts anticipated, Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova will make available her annual “State of the County” address via Fairfax Cable Television beginning this Friday, Dec. 18, the County’s Public Information Office said today.
The full written text of her remarks will also be available on Bulova’s web site (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/chairman) starting Friday. The telecasts on Channel 16 will be replayed on Fridays and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Falls Church Day Care Center Gets $1 Million in Stimulus Funds
Higher Horizons Day Care Center, Inc., a private non-profit that is part of Fairfax County’s Office for Children network, received $1 million in federal stimulus funds for its mental health services, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine announced yesterday. The center serves 224 low-income children and their families. The center is located on Summers Lane in the Bailey’s Crossroads area of greater Falls Church.
Santa Tours F.C. on Fire Truck Until Dec. 19
Santa’s visits through the neighborhoods of the City of Falls Church atop fire trucks manned by volunteers of the F.C. Volunteer Fire Department continues through Saturday, Dec. 19. The nightly tours began Tuesday, and tonight (Dec. 17) a tour of the neighborhood south of Broad St. between S. Oak and S. Washington will occur. On Friday, Dec. 18, the tour will cover areas north and south of Broad between Little Falls and Cherry, and Saturday, Dec. 19, neighborhoods of the City east of Cherry and Columbia Streets.
City of F.C. Best at Recycling in Virginia
According to the annual report of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the City of Falls Church led the commonwealth in its rate of recycling participation, F.C. City Manager Wyatt Shields reported Monday. The City’s rate in 2008 was 59 percent, significantly ahead of the second-place jurisdiction, the Town of Vienna, at 53 percent. The state average was 38 percent. Shields credited a network of over 100 “block captains” in the City, as the participation rate in those neighborhoods is at 90 percent. He noted the effort saves the City about $220,000 annually in its landfill use bill, cutting that bill by over 20 percent.
Shields Greets Newly-Adopted Kids Via Granicus
Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields, recently returned from Colombia having secured the adoption of two children from that country. He used his report to the City Council Monday for a brief “shout out” to his new children, who, he said, were watching live via the Granicus function on the Internet that began airing all F.C. City Council meetings in October. The two elementary school-aged children, Carlos and Leidy, are due to arrive with Shields’ wife, Patty, to their Falls Church home on Dec. 23.
Traffic Deaths Down in 2009 in Virginia
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine announced yesterday that as of Nov. 30, preliminary data indicates there were 98 fewer traffic fatalities in Virginia in 2009, compared to the same time period last year, a decline of 13 percent. The 821 traffic fatalities reported for 2009 were the lowest since 1966. Better use of seat belts, deterring impaired and aggressive driving, lowering motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and promoting awareness of risks for teen and senior drivers were given as reasons.
James H. M. Henderson Dies at Age 92
James H. M. Henderson, 92, son of Mary Ellen Henderson after whom Falls Church’s Middle School is named, died Dec. 3 at his home in Tuskegee, Alabama following a brief illness. A long-time Falls Church resident, in 2007 he was presented a “Living Legend” award by Falls Church’s Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation for his role in preserving the history of the early black basketball efforts. A full obituary will appear in next week’s edition.
F.C.’s New Unmarked Mustang Snags Motorist
The newly-unveiled unmarked, sporty black Mustang acquired and put into service by the Falls Church Police Department was sighted by the News–Press in a parking lot off W. Broad St. yesterday morning, having pulled over a motorist for an alleged violation. The car is fully loaded with police equipment, including lights and siren, only less conspicuously. There is no signage on its exterior.
N-P Holiday Party Set Monday, Dec. 21
The Falls Church News-Press has extended an invitation to all friends and supporters to attend its 20th annual holiday party this Monday, Dec. 21, at the new ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 S. Maple St., from 5:30-8 p.m. The free event will be catered by Ledo Pizza. Student musicians from George Mason High School will perform, while GMHS senior and veteran actor Miles Butler will entertain guests by milling around as Dickens’ Tiny Tim.
