F.C. Teens Available to Shovel Snow

With more snow due over the winter, the City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department announced this week that it maintains a “Teen Work List” of high school-aged youth interested in occasional jobs including snow shoveling, dog walking, yard work and babysitting.

Residents who are looking for teen workers can call 703-248-5077 to request assistance, with the rate of pay for jobs to be worked out between the youth and the person looking for assistance. Teens who would like to register to be on the list, with parental approval required, can also call 703-248-5077 for a registration form. The Recreation Department staff coordinates the teens and the jobs to keep the youths’ contact information private.

F.C. City Hall Clarifies Snow Removal Effort

In a letter to the News-Press received late Tuesday, City of Falls Church’s Director of Communications Barbara Gordon clarified the efforts of City crews dealing with the record “Blizzard of ’09” on the weekend of Dec. 18-19. She stressed that the City’s crews are responsible for clearing streets, beginning with emergency snow routes that have first priority for salting, sanding and plowing to make way for police, fire and emergency vehicles. Clearing all other streets may take 1-2 days with deep snows, she said, adding “clearing snow from driveways and entrances is the responsibility of the resident or business. Plow operators focus on clearing streets. They do not have control over the snow coming off the edge of the blade, and their plows cannot be adjusted for the sharp turns required to clear driveways.”

2 Armed Robberies Reported in F.C. Area

Last week, two incidents of armed robberies were reported in the Falls Church area. On Wednesday, Dec. 23, just before 11 p.m., a 40-year-old Falls Church man was robbed at gunpoint while walking to his truck in front of the 7-Eleven at 7222 Arlington Blvd. A man displaying a handgun demanded money. The victim handed over an undisclosed sum, and the assailant fled to an adjacent parking lot where he got into an unidentified vehicle and headed east on Arlington Blvd. On Thursday, Dec. 24, at 10 a.m., two men entered at check cashing store at 3823-B S. George Mason Dr. One produced a gun and demanded cash from the clerk. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken and the suspects fled. There were no injuries in either incident. Anyone with information in either case is urged to contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), by email to www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or by calling Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

F.C. Curbside Leaf Program Extended to Jan. 8

Due to the inclement weather, the City of Falls Church’s curbside vacuum leaf collection has been extended through Friday, Jan. 8, City officials announced Tuesday. That excludes Jan. 1, New Year’s Day. After Jan. 8, residents should place any remaining leaves in brown bags for normal Monday brown bag/yard debris collection.

Correction: Robert Not Rick Goff

In its edition last week, the News-Press incorrectly identified the director of the Falls Church Environmental Services division as Rick Goff. The director’s name is Robert Goff.