NOVA Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Provides Holiday Cheer

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 227 of Northern Virginia fulfilled their founding principle, “Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another,” by providing Holiday Cheer to military veterans and active-duty personnel in several ways.

For the 14th consecutive year, the Chapter provided gift cards in value from $100 for a single veteran to $475 for a married veteran with children for the Holidays. This year’s amount of $8,380 benefits 43 veterans and their families. The amount for the seven categories was increased especially for veterans with children. The recipients are in the Veterans Administration Supportive Housing program for veterans and their families to assist in their transition from homelessness. Len Ignatowski, Chapter Vice President, manages the program.

For the 12th consecutive year, three wounded warrior families with their Santa List are adopted for the Holidays, including a single parent with one child, a married veteran with two children, and a second married veteran with four children. Carolyn J. Lehowicz provides the names from her volunteer work with veterans and service organizations. Chuck Harris, Chapter treasurer, and two of his friends are shopping for the Santa List. $1,000 is allotted per veteran’s Santa List for a total of $3,000. These two veteran outreach programs make the holidays a bit more cheerful for our country’s heroes. Assistance is also given during the year for needs from car repairs to work clothes.

The Chapter is funding these financial endeavors. Donations are being accepted to assist the Chapter’s veteran outreach throughout the year, and can be mailed to VVA Chapter 227, Attn: Chuck Harris, 44020 Pandora Ct., Ashburn, VA. 20147.

For additional information, visit the Chapter webpage at vva227.org or facebook.com/VVA227.

Federal Realty’s Birch & Broad Wins ICSC Global Design and Development Award

On Friday, Federal Realty Investment Trust announced that Birch & Broad, the newly-renovated shopping destination located along Broad St. in F.C.’s West End, won a Silver Global Design and Development Award from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

The ICSC awards honor and recognize the premier design and development trends of retail projects and tenant design internationally. Recognized as a Silver award recipient in the renovations/expansions for projects under 150,000 square feet, Birch & Broad underwent a recent renovation and rebranding to strengthen the viability of the site not only as a neighborhood retail center but also as a locale that provides a unique and curated tenant mix.

The fully-leased center features food and beverage options to complement the expanded outdoor dining and amenity areas. Through the enhanced tenant mix, rebranding and design improvements, the center has become a community-focused destination with creative offerings that appeal to a broad demographic and attracts people from the local neighborhoods as well as the region.

Additional enhancements include a curated mural artwork by local artist BroCoLoco, located next to CVS and LED lighting to extend enjoyment into the evening hours. Environmentally-friendly features and practices include bike parking, green cleaning, native plants, and tenant sustainability guidelines for fitting out their spaces.

“We are proud to receive an ICSC Global Design and Development Award,” said Deirdre Johnson, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, Federal Realty. “Birch & Broad is a premier destination for residents and visitors to the City of Falls Church that hosts a vibrant combination of shopping, dining, and service providers to appeal to customers of all ages and interests. The enhanced shopping center features attractive aesthetics and thoughtful outdoor areas to encourage social gatherings and connections year-round.”
Other outdoor amenities include strategically placed gas heaters, an outdoor fireplace area, and expanded café seating.

Together, Federal and architect Cooper Carry entered the ICSC Global Design and Development submission.

Creative Cauldron Hosts “Drag The Halls: A Holiday Cabaret Fundraiser” Dec. 21

On December 21 at Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave, #116, Falls Church), Cara Lina, Tula, Evita Peroxide, and Regina Jozet Adams are gonna “sleigh” the holidays in Cauldron’s drag cabaret! Songs, stories, music and merriment are the top of the ticket in this fun filled drag queen party!

Tickets are available at creativecauldron.org, and include two drinks, light hors d’oevres, and desserts to celebrate the season.

The event is sponsored by Melbourne Jenkins, Vincent Hurteau & Steven Henry, Gary Fontaine & O’Sheyla Brown, Alan Savada & Will Stevenson, and News-Press Editor-in-Chief Nick Benton.

Funds from the evening will benefit the Juan Febles Fund, which was created to honor Juan Febles and Melbourne Jenkins and their longtime support of Creative Cauldron’s commitment to education, bold new works, and outreach to underserved populations.

​In the 2023-2024 season, proceeds from the Juan Febles Fund will support actors performing in opening production “Monarch, A Mexican-American Musical,” as well “Artes Para Todos” programs and arts workshops, camps, classes and complimentary performances for underserved children, particularly those attending area Title One Schools. ​

Opioid Abatement Authority Announces more than $470,000 in Awards Grants

On December 4, 2023, a committee of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) voted to award more than $470,000 in grants to ten Virginia cities and counties for opioid abatement and remediation efforts, including $200,000 to nearby Loudoun County.

Nine of the ten awards will support planning efforts for the recipient localities to identify community-specific needs, gaps, and possible solutions to the opioid crisis.

Senator Todd Pillion, Chairman of the OAA, said, “we encourage localities to carefully evaluate how to best use their opioid settlement funds at the local level, and the OAA’s planning grants are an important tool to help them do exactly that.” Recipients are required as a condition of the grant to publish the resulting plan, and to use that plan to explain and justify future OAA grant applications. “We are talking about opioid settlements coming to Virginia every year for 18 years, and so we recommend communities have a road map in place for how it will use those funds to save lives,” said Pillion.

Planning grants of $50,000 each were provided to Botetourt, Patrick, and Warren Counties, and the cities of Colonial Heights and Salem. Prince Edward, Buckingham, and Cumberland counties were jointly provided a planning grant for $50,000. In each case, recipient localities committed to provide a ten percent match.

Loudoun County received a planning grant for $200,000, to which it will add $160,000 in its own funding for a total program valued at $360,000. The Loudoun County effort includes not only a planning component but will also establish a county-wide opioid response program with a newly created administrator overseeing a County opioid task force.

In addition to the planning grants, the OAA announced an individual grant award to the City of Manassas to hire a harm reduction specialist within the local Department of Social Services.

The OAA began accepting Fiscal Year 2024-2025 grant applications in October, and all applications must be submitted by April 1, 2024. During this timeframe certain types of grants can be awarded on a rolling basis, but most of the grants will be awarded after application cycle has ended.

Virginia expects to receive a total of approximately $1.1 billion from litigation against manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies that were alleged to have contributed to the opioid crisis. Payments from these settlements and bankruptcies began in 2022 and are expected to conclude by 2041.

The OAA was established by the General Assembly in 2021 to oversee the distribution of 55 percent of Virginia’s total settlement funds. Of the remainder, 30 percent is distributed directly to cities and counties, and the remaining 15 percent to the commonwealth. The use of funds is restricted by court orders and state statute, with the restrictions aiming for the funds to be used for opioid abatement efforts.

The Choral Arts Society and Anthem Announce Healthcare Heroes Program

The Choral Arts Society of Washington and season sponsor Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia announced a partnership last week on a new program called “Healthcare Heroes” to offer concert tickets to Northern Virginia frontline healthcare workers. 120 tickets for the 43rd Annual Holiday Concert will be distributed to workers from area hospital systems.

“I’m extremely grateful to Anthem for this partnership and excited to uplift healthcare workers across the northern Virginia region,” remarked Tad Czyzewski, Choral Arts Executive Director. “We have done similar programs in the past to honor and give gratitude and we felt that frontline healthcare workers also deserve a night of soul-stirring music and heartfelt performances.”

The O Night Divine! Christmas Music Concert, featuring the Choral Arts Symphonic chorus and orchestra, will take place on December 18 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Honorary Patrons for the evening include Her Excellency Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, and Sir Charles Roxburgh KCB.

“We could not think of a better way to express our gratitude for all of the hard work these individuals put in to take care of Virginians,” said Monica Schmude, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia. “This critical workforce puts their own wellbeing on the line at times to provide critical care for patients and this special night is a small token of appreciation for going the extra mile for our members and families across the Commonwealth.”

“The healing powers of music should not be taken for granted. From soothing listeners into relaxation and reducing stress to its improvement of cognitive functions and abilities to express complex emotions, music is a balm for frenzied days,” said Czyzewski. “We truly believe this will be a restorative evening that is well-deserved by our local healthcare workers.”

For more information, visit choralarts.org.

Brian Benson, Jimmy Ruby are City of Falls Church Employees of the Year

Senior crew leader Brian Benson and Senior recreation program supervisor Jimmy Ruby are the 2022 Falls Church City Employees of the Year.

The community-led Employee Review Board selected Benson for guiding the purchase of new Public Works equipment, which has led to efficiencies and higher production. Ruby was selected for managing multiple Recreation and Parks programs during position vacancies.

Benson played a key role in purchasing three pieces of equipment for Public Works: an asphalt roller that increases production on patches; a hotbox, which allows the department to apply more asphalt, thereby increasing production; and a skid steer, which allows crew members to attach different asphalt equipment. The nomination read, in part, “Without Brian’s expertise, these purchases may have been ordered incorrectly, or not at all. Dedicating almost 30 years to the City, Brian has consistently achieved high results.”

Ruby received three nominations, all highlighting his dedication to the Recreation and Parks Department and how he has positively impacted hundreds of City families. To help with vacancies in the department, he pivoted from one of the most intense positions (winter youth sports), to another highly intense position (summer camps), and then back to winter youth sports in one year. One nomination read, “In every interaction I’ve had with Jimmy, he’s always led from a perspective of doing what’s best for kids’ growth, safety and enjoyment. Jimmy has set a very high bar within the City for getting multiple stakeholders moving in the same direction. He’s a gift to the Recreation and Parks Department.”

Benson and Ruby will be recognized by City Council at a January meeting.
Other 2022 nominees include David Bjerke (Elections), Nate Dupree (IT Services), Ali Khavari (Public Works), Behailu Kifle (Public Works), Rachel Kindell (Aurora House), Mike Statie (Emergency Management), and Scarlett Williams (Public Works).

Nominations for the 2023 Employee of the Year will open in early 2024.

VADOC Probation and Parole Offices Report Good Numbers for Halloween

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) findings from Halloween night 2023 indicate that proactive steps taken by Virginia’s probation and parole officers made for a quiet and safe Halloween night for trick-or-treaters across the Commonwealth.

On October 31, 2023, there were no reported crimes involving minor victims committed by VADOC supervisees.

Convicted sex offenders were put on notice well beforehand that the VADOC would increase supervision on Halloween night, including spot checks, random home visits, selective surveillance, and attendance at local activities such as “trunk or treat” events.

Probation and Parole Officers across the Commonwealth requested eight arrest warrants for probation violations and carried out five arrests.

“We would like to report zero violations on Halloween, but these warrants and arrests demonstrate the Virginia Department of Corrections’ steadfast commitment to protecting all Virginians,” said VADOC Director Chad Dotson.

“Probation and Parole Officers work proactively every day to promote long-term public safety. This was no exception.”

VADOC Probation and Parole Officers and the Sex Offender Programs and Monitoring Unit (SOPMU) collaborated with the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Investigative Unit and participating local law enforcement officials to encourage appropriate behavior in convicted sex offenders under community supervision.

Convicted sex offenders under supervision were told not to decorate their homes or hand out treats. Additionally, all probation and parole districts established Halloween curfews for convicted sex offenders. Convicted sex offenders who live in jurisdictions hosting celebratory events for children were instructed not to attend the events.

Holiday Tree Fest 2023 A Fundraising Success for Local Non-Profits

The Holiday Tree Fest 2023, now an annual tradition, produced a charming weekend for good causes at the Four Provinces Restaurant sponsored by the Village Improvement Society. The non-profits produced some amazing creations. From the open bidding process, three of the trees went for over $500 for the first time. Those trees were for Fisher House by GAMT which also won the people’s choice for “Most Beautiful Tree Award” Other high bid trees were for Falls Church Community Services and HOPE for Grieving Families. Falls Church Arts’ tree won “Most Artistic”, The Friends of Cherry Hill tree won hands down for “Most Nostalgic.” Meridian HS Robotics won “Most Representative of the Organization” with some very dedicated students supporting it. The American Association of University Women won the votes for “Best Themed” using books reflecting its mission and annual book sale. The tree that won “Most Imaginative” was Communidad supporting English literacy and leadership development. The two day event included holiday music by the Meridian Choir, the Arlington Philharmonic, and Bach to Rock. All of the trees can be seen at VPIS.Org.