News & Notes: April 27th – May 3rd

Veterinary Group Opens Emergency Pet Care in F.C.

Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), the world’s veterinary emergency company that helps people and their pets when they need it most, opened its newest hospital at 7500 Leesburg Pike, Suite 11, Falls Church on Wednesday, April 19. This VEG location will provide Falls Church families with the highest level of emergency care in veterinary medicine.

VEG has revolutionized veterinary emergency medicine by completely reworking the experience so it works for people and their pets. When a pet parent calls VEG, they speak immediately with a licensed veterinarian to get their medical questions answered at no cost. Pet parents are allowed to stay with their pet through all stages of treatment.

VEG Falls Church is open for pet emergencies 24/7, even on holidays. The hospital has an open floor plan that allows pet parents to have freedom of movement and to see life-saving heroics up close.

Local winners of the annual Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest were feted at Monday’s meeting of the Falls Church City Council and included (four in front left to right), Ericia Otero-Hecht, Talia Forster (the Region 5 winner), Flynn Sheiken and Millie Owens. Teacher Jeff Buck is at the far left, and VML representative Mitchell Smiley at the far right, with four Council members in the rear. Ms. Forster’s essay will be published in next week’s News-Press. (News-Press Photo)

Recognized Spiritual Leader Coming to Arlington

As part of his current global tour, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, Spiritual Master, bestselling  author of numerous books, humanitarian and philanthropist, will be speaking on “Detox the  Mind for Lasting Happiness,” Friday, May 19 at 6:00 PM in Arlington, VA. He will be  presenting key insights and techniques from his book, the Amazon best-seller “Detox the Mind” and will share how meditation and spiritual awakening can truly transform a life — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  

Join him for this extraordinary event at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, 2800 S  Potomac Ave, Arlington, VA 22202. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji will be teaching a simple, powerful  technique of meditation that can be used daily to help us rise above the problems of the world  and connect with an inner realm of peace, strength and beauty that resides within us all. Free  and Open to All. For more information: DC Tour 2023 | Science of Spirituality (sos.org) Phone: 202-810-4105 (English) / 202-810-2401 (Espanol); dcinfo@sos.org.

Shepherd’s Center Volunteers Recognized for Service

April 18th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. the Town of Vienna hosted its 22nd annual Volunteer Recognition Day in  the Flame room of the Vienna Fire Department. Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia volunteers:  Irene Coyne, Estelle McNeil, Jill Miller, Anne Nelson, Ann Smith, and Susan Voss received  volunteer recognition awards presented by Town of Vienna (Virginia) Mayor Linda Colbert, for their  exemplary efforts and countless hours of service to the town and surrounding communities there out.

Susan Voss, a beloved volunteer of the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia had this to say,  “Volunteering at the Shepherd’s Center gives me an opportunity to help older people in the  community which brings me a lot of satisfaction and joy. It was an honor to be recognized  for doing something I enjoy.” 

On Thursday, April 20th, the Community Energy Action Plan Town Hall took place at Meridian High School. The event had poster boards and digital slides set up for people to view. The goal of the plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent in the FC area. (Photo: Ryan McCafferty)

Free Paper Shredding Event Coming Soon

A free paper shredding event will happen at the parking lot at 4600 Cherry Hill Road, Arlington on Saturday, April 29 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Long & Foster Arlington/Falls Church Sales office. For questions, call 703-522-0500.

Help Oak Street Odyssey Finalists Get to Worlds

A team of Oak Street Elementary 3rd and 4th graders has advanced to the World Finals of Odyssey of the Mind, an academic problem-solving and creativity competition, for the first time in almost twenty years. They will represent FCCPS in East Lansing, Michigan at Michigan State University from May 24-27, 2023. Please help the team offset the $3000 competition registration cost and get them to Worlds.

To donate, please visit their GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/oak-street-team-to-odyssey-of-the-mind-worlds?

McLean Art Society Hosts Spring Art Show and Sale

McLean Art Society is featuring 25+ talented artists of the McLean Art Society at this year’s “Spring Into Art” Show and Sale on May 12–14 at Church of the Covenant in Arlington. With a wide variety of art genres on display, this show is a place to find a unique and beautifully crafted gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day all while celebrating and supporting local artists.

The times of the show are as follows: Friday, May 12th, 5–8 p.m. (includes awards reception; Saturday, May 13th, 10–4 p.m.; Sunday, May 14th, 10–2 p.m.

The Falls Church Arts Gallery held its opening night for the All Member Show, an annual exhibit open to FC Arts members. Pictured above is Advisory Board member Keith Thurston. (Photo: Sue Johnson)

FC Arts Celebrates All Member Show with Opening Reception

Falls Church Arts president and one of the founding members, Joe Wetzel, welcomed a standing-room only crowd as guests celebrated the opening of the All Member Show on Saturday, April 22. Emerging and established member artists from Falls Church Arts were asked to submit their best work for the annual exhibit. The show encompasses an extensive range of media from the more traditional watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, pastel, fused glass, oil, photography, and sculpture to a wide variety of mixed media and printing techniques.

People’s Choice Awards for both sessions have been made possible by a donation from DuBro Architects + Builders, 429 S. Maple Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046. The People’s Choice Award for the A-K exhibit will be announced on May 14 based on votes from visitors to the gallery.

Victorians had a great time telling the history of the period and the characters they were portraying at the Falls Church Victorians at the Blenheim event. Children helped roll bandages and looked at artifacts from the period. (Photo: Gary Mester)

Inova Bloodmobile Returns to Falls Church

The Inova Bloodmobile returns to the City on Monday, May 29. It will be set up outside the Community Center (223 Little Falls Street) from 11 a.m. — 3 p.m. during the City’s 41st Annual Memorial Day Parade.

You can visit the donor portal at inovabloodsaves.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/32944 or call 866-256-6372 (TTY 711), sponsor code 0053, to schedule an appointment.

Volunteers Needed at Cherry Hill Farmhouse

Cherry Hill Farmhouse is a small historic house that relies on the hard work of its volunteers. They  need local help. 

Volunteer opportunities include: Farmhouse and barn docents, program and event assistants, history researchers and more. 

Interested? Contact Holly Irwin or call 703-248-5171 (TTY 711).

Learn About Composting Through Workshop

Learn how to compost at the April 30 Backyard Composting Workshop. Topics include leaf mulching in a yard, yard waste composting, hands-on composting demonstration, making compost tea, proper food waste composting, and vermicomposting. All participants will receive free backyard compost bins while supplies last. To reserve a spot, email Master Gardener Sandra Tarpinian or call 571-275-8800 (TTY 711).

Taste of Annandale Celebrates a Diverse, Vibrant Community 

The public is invited to the Taste of Annandale, a free family-friendly festival April 29, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., along Tom Davis Drive.

The Taste of Annandale features live performances, food trucks and restaurants, a 5K race, a best-dressed pet contest, a beer garden, dozens of vendors, a chili cook off, children’s entertainment and activities, and the police helicopter.

If one would like to volunteer at the Taste of Annandale, sign up here: volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/opp_details/188579.

On Tuesday, April 18th, NOVA Parks celebrated the induction of Hemlock Overlook Regional Park by unveiling a permanent sign marking the forest’s location and importance. (Photo: Jose Fernandez)

Medical Spa Is Latest Opening At Falls Church’s Birch & Broad

A medical spa offering services like Botox and body sculpting opened last week, adding to the recently renovated Birch & Broad shopping center in Falls Church.

Skin Lab Med Spa held a ribbon cutting Thursday, April 20 to celebrate its opening at 1200 W. Broad Street. Skin Lab offers medical spa treatments like Botox, chemical peels, body sculpting and microneedling as well as skin rejuvenation treatments like DiamondGlow and facials.

Another recent opening at Birch & Broad was The Little Gym in March, according to shopping center owner Federal Realty. The Little Gym is a children’s gym geared toward 4-month-olds to 12-year-olds offering children’s activities, parent and child fitness classes, and children’s dance, gymnastics, sport skills and karate.

Birch & Broad underwent a complete renovation that was completed in December 2021. A handful of new businesses have opened in the last year, including Taco Rock, Crumbl Cookies, Bolay, and Aqua-Tots Swim School.

Karma Yoga Hosts Free Committee Events

Karma Yoga is offering regular, free events. On Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m.: Sangha, Mantra & Philosophy nights are free to join, potluck style, bring food or drink to share (vegetarian and no alcohol). Sunday mornings at 7:30 a.m.: Walking Club is free to join. Meet at Karma Yoga studio to walk and talk, make new friends or connect with old ones along the W&OD, grab a coffee after or  jump into yoga class.

Cafe Kindred Celebrated 8th Anniversary

Cafe Kindred celebrated its 8th Anniversary last Saturday, April 22. The big event included live music, raffle prizes and specials.

FC Restaurants Highlighted

DC Eater recently devoted an article to the diverse restaurants in Falls Church. The local restaurants on the list were: Fava Pot, Celebrity Delly, and Thompson Italian. 

Saint James School Auction and Gala This Saturday

The Saint James School Auction and Gallery will be held on Saturday, April 29 at The Saint James School at 5:30 p.m. The annual fundraiser theme this year is “Back to the 80s” and the auction bidding is virtual.

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