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Comment................................... 5,11,16 Editorial
PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2022
EDITORIAL
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Founded in 1991 Vol. XXXII, No. 45 December 22 - 28, 2022
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Editorial
Baby, It’s Cold Outside!
As we navigate through another winter holiday season, let us all be reminded that it is going to be cold outside, even if not severe in the manner of points north and west even this week. So, everyone who is involved in being out there serving the people’s interest deserves to be shown an extra portion of consideration, patience and gratitude. Remember even the nastiest of folks are mere mortals, and we remain hopeful that for those, visits from Dickens-ish shocks to the sensibilities will turn them nicer. There is gradually a greater appreciation in our society for the fact that we don’t all fit neatly into Norman Rockwell images of the perfect holiday revelry (as much as we love Mr. Rockwell’s work), and that solace is often the most important ingredient for the season.
Don’t forget to show a little extra kindness for those who deliver your mail, and newspaper, rake your leaves, do your chores or serve you a meal at a restaurant. We all have our aches and pains, physically or emotionally, and they should not be minimized the way others may expect us to. But the best antidote to pain is to reach out beyond one’s self in a meaningful way to offer a smile and words of kindness to another person, especially if that is a person from whom one expects nothing in return.
There are two parables in the New Testament that, in our humble view, best capture the spirit of what this is all about, and they are the parables of the “Pharisee and the publican” and the “good Samaritan.” In the first one, the self-righteous religiosity of the self-obsessed Pharisee, who prays in public so that people can see him behave this way, is contrasted to the quiet self-effacing prayer of the humble publican, who seeks only the grace that can come from a sincere and private vows seeking redemption and forgiveness. While too many of today’s ugly charlatans posing as tel-evangelicals and their ilk typify the former, a true spiritual focus achieves the latter.
The parable of the good Samaritan is also self-explanatory in a similar way, contrasting the self-righteous who ignore the plight of a person in a ditch to that of the non-religious person who out of sheer compassion offers help to the disabled stranger.
To the extent anyone seeks to be in better touch with ultimate things this time of year, may we suggest a sincere focus on one or both of these parables can work wonders, not forgetting that the real publicans and real Samaritans are in our midst in droves in the here and now.
Doing what in the Jewish faith is called a “mitzvah,” a good deed, is the best “balm for the sin-sick soul,” as words to a wonderful old hymn put it.
This season should be seen as a practice field for honing an ability to behave in such a way all year around.
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Letters to Editor
Former Interim School Head’s Report
Editor,
I’ve been busy with heavy consulting studies around the nation, writing books, and enjoying semiretired life in South Florida with my wife. Our 52nd wedding anniversary is in a few days!!
As you know, I had said repeatedly that my assignment in FCCPS was my last ‘gig’ as an interim. Well, much to my wife’s dismay, I have climbed into the saddle once again as an interim superintendent of the 80,000 student Brevard County School District, which began Friday at 10 a.m. when I was appointed.
The district is in turmoil. The political and ideological split board’s (with a newly elected majority) first act upon being sworn in was to fire the superintendent (a lifer in the community and district)! He had been doing a terrific job the last 5 years.
Politics, especially in Florida with a governor who wants to be President has made life miserable for schools. six Florida superintendents of huge, county districts have been removed in the past two months. They all are hard up for superintendents, so much so that all of them have contacted me.
Dr. Robert Schiller
Former Interim Superintendent of F.C. Public Schools
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LOCAL
DECEMBER 22- 28, 2022 | PAGE 7
The Big Star is Back in the Little City of Falls Church
Continued from Page 1
beloved tradition. “It feels good to resume the tradition and provide an outlet for people to come and enjoy themselves.” says Thurston. Those interested in volunteering for the event may contact Diana Bossa with the CATCH Foundation at dfbozza@gmail.com.
Missing from this year’s festivities will be Barb Cram, whose activism and volunteerism in the arts and throughout Falls Church life brought us the Watch Party. “Barb led Watch Night for years – and it was one of her favorite events on the calendar, setting a positive mood for the new year.” recalled Thurston. Barb passed away in June 2020 at the age of 73.
Local restaurants and pubs will remain open during the event, with several offering walk-away items for those who want to keep checking out the event. Though the forecast calls for temperatures roughly 20 degrees above average, those who get chilly can enjoy warming stations set up throughout the event (or support a local business while they warm up). Returning this year is Virginia Tourism’s “Loveworks” sign, which always provides a great photo opportunity.
The 100 block of W. Broad St. will be closed (between Washington St. and Maple Ave.) from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Parking is available along Park Ave. (follow event signage). Via metro, take Orange/Silver to East Falls Church, take the WO&D bridge across N. Washington St, then head south on N. Washington St. to W. Broad.
Head to The Historic Falls Church (115 E. Fairfax St.) for guided historic church tours beginning at 7 p.m., followed by Andrew Acosta & The Electric Band performing at 8 p.m. Families with young children will want to stop by Falls Church Presbyterian (225 E. Broad St.), with activities starting at 7 p.m. including puppet shows, face painting, and Victorian-style dress-up photography (courtesy of the Victorian Society at Falls Church) – then listen or dance along to the Northern Light Dance Band Orchestra at 8 p.m. Head back to The Welcome Tent (100 W. Broad St., at Washington St.) to regroup, get information on the evening’s festivities, or thank volunteers! With W. Broad St. closed to vehicle traffic, the block is transformed into pedestrianfriendly Fun Alley (100-200 W. Broad St.), with activities ranging from a Rock Climbing Wall to Mechanical Baby Shark Rides (an all-ages take on the mechanical bull). Follow Fun Alley to Maple Ave to find the Main Stage (200 W. Broad St., at Maple Ave), with live music including Blue Ridge Sky Band starting at 7:30 p.m. on the Fairfax County Showmobile. At 11 p.m., everybody returns to the Main Stage for the pinnacle of the evening’s festivities, with Jeffrey Garofalo returning as Emcee for the countdown and big star lowering as the clock strikes midnight!
Watch Night has become a family-friendly staple of the community in and around the City of Falls Church. “Families see their friends and neighbors and are reminded of what a great place Falls Church is to live,” says Thurston, “and the event provides a welcoming charm for visitors being introduced to the City for the first time.”
THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH celebrates the Big Star lowering to ring in the New Year at a previous Watch Night. The star is a part of the long history of Falls Church, first illuminating Star Tavern at the intersection of Washington St and Broad St in the 1850s. (Photo: Gary Mester)
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PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2022
HOLIDAY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Churches Holding Christmas/Christmas Eve Services
by Kylee Toland
Falls Church News-Press
The Falls Church Presbyterian
Christmas Eve Service: 8:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 10:00 a.m.
McLean Baptist Church Christmas Eve Service: 7:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 10:00 a.m.
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
Christmas Eve Family Service: 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols: 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service: 10:30 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 10:00 a.m.
The Falls Church Episcopal Festal Holy Eucharist
Christmas Eve: 10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Christmas Day): 10:00 a.m.
Columbia Baptist Church
Christmas Eve Service: 5:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Dulin Methodist Church
Christmas Eve, Family Service: 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, Lessons & Carols: 8 p.m. Christmas Day Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.
Christ Crossman United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve Service: 5:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 10:00 a.m.
Galloway United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve Service: 5:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 11:00 a.m.
St. James Catholic Church
Christmas Mass (Christmas Eve): 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. & 12:00 a.m.
Christmas Mass
Christmas Day: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
The Falls Church Anglican Church
Christmas Eve Services: 4:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 10:00 a.m.
FALLS CHURCH PRESBYTERIAN Church’s Candlelight
Christmas Eve service. (Photo: Falls Church Presbyterian Church)
DULIN METHODIST CHURCH hosts their Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 p.m. on December 24th and their Christmas
Day Service at 10:00 a.m. (Photo: Dulin Methodist Church)
ST. PAUL’S
EPISCOPAL CHURCH BAILEYS CROSSROADS
FCNP.COM | FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
HOLIDAY
DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2022 | PAGE 9
Local Churches Open to the Public for Holiday Services
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church
Christmas Eve Services: 8:30 a.m., 5:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. Christmas Day Services: 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Citylight Church
Christmas Eve Service: 4:00 p.m.
Little Falls Presbyterian Church
Christmas Day Service: 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service: 7:30 p.m.
Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ
Christmas Eve Service: 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 10:00 a.m.
Saint Phillip the Apostle Catholic Church
Christmas Eve Mass: 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Christmas Day Mass: 9:00 a.m.,11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
St Paul’s Lutheran Church
Christmas Eve Service and Communion: 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Christmas Day Communion: 10:00 a.m.
First Christian Church
Christmas Day Service: 10:15 a.m.
Friendship United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve Service: 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 11:00 a.m.
Christmas
at The Falls Church
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Christmas Eve Service: 5:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Christmas Eve Service: 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve Service: 5:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 11:00 a.m.
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church
Christmas Eve Service: 7:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service: 9:00 a.m.
St Mary’s Orthodox Church
Christmas Eve Service: 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Service: 9:00 a.m.
St Patrick’s Episcopal Church
Christmas Eve Service: 7:00 p.m.
Victory Community Church
Christmas Eve Service: 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.
ST ANTHONY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH will have various Christmas Eve
and Christmas Day services. (Photo: St. Anthony’s Catholic Church)
COLUMBIABAPTIST.ORG/CHRISTMAS
Saturday December 24 Christmas Eve
4:30 p.m. Contemporary Church A Narrated Nativity
with Holy Eucharist
10:30 p.m. Historic Church
Festal Holy Eucharist with choral and instrumental prelude
Sunday December 25 Christmas Day
Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Historic Church
thefallschurch.org 703.241.0003 115 East Fairfax Street, Falls Church, Virginia @
thefallschurch facebook.com/thefallschurch
103 WEST COLUMBIA STREET | FALLS CHURCH 22046
PAGE 10 |DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2022
LOCAL
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
‘Wicked’ at Kennedy Center Proves Kind Entertainment for the Holidays
by Mark Dreisonstok
In “Glinda of Oz,” a classic book in Frank L. Baum’s “Wonderful Wizard of Oz” series, one reads these opening lines: “Glinda, the good Sorceress of Oz, sat in the grand court of her palace, surrounded by her maids of honor—a hundred of the most beautiful girls of the Fairyland of Oz. […] Glinda smiled, glad to see her maids mixing play with work.” In contrast to this idyllic scene, in Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the Tin Woodman warns us of “the Wicked Witch of the West [who] will enchant us and make us her slaves.” This smooth morality of the good witch Glinda versus the evil Witch of the West is called into question in the musical “Wicked,” in which one experiences life from their sides and learn that “good” vs. “evil” is too simple a dichotomy.
Like few other 1930s movies, the MGM classic “The Wizard of Oz” is widely watched by a huge swath of the US population, due to the film’s wonderful melodies, engaging characters, and a fairy tale come alive out of a wistful American setting. The twentyfirst century musical “Wicked” complicates this very world, providing the backstory of Glinda the Good Witch (played excellently that evening by understudy Jackie Raye) and Elphaba, the “Wicked Witch of the West” (Lissa DeGuzman in a wickedly good performance). The audience learns they were roommates in a Harry Potterstyle Hogwarts boarding school, with Elphaba a diligent student and capable of great kindness. Glinda is annoyingly superficial and at times vindictive. Yet Glinda and Elphaba become friends and grow. They develop their supernatural powers, although their school is not a Hogwartian school of magic. Gradually, various external circumstances as well as seminal experiences force them to take on the roles of “good” Glinda and “evil” Elphaba to the outside world, while maintaining their basic goodness and holding on to their friendship in the face of uneasy conditions. Then a girl named Dorothy with her house from Kansas (wafted to Oz by a cyclone) lands and kills Elphaba’s sister (a part enacted well by Kimberly Immanuel). The current show illustrates why “Wicked” had become such a popular Broadway musical. There are memorable tunes, such as “No One Mourns the Wicked,” itself a memorable performance by a talented Jackie Raye. Her incandescent performance and singing are all the more astonishing as she was the understudy taking on a main role the night we saw the performance. She made the part her own!
Elissa DeGuzman’s moment as Elphaba is spectacular as the witch rising from the stage into the air for a wonderful “Defying Gravity.” John Bolton has his moment as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in a much more traditional Broadway song, “Wonderful,” sung wonderfully. Natalie Venetia Belcon truly shines as Madame Morrible in a duet with Mr. Bolton in “The Wizard and I.”
This current cast with their wonderful voices and performances preserves the intent of the production and even fosters the dynamic friendship between the two leads. The show keeps its promise to convey the backstory of the original Oz books and film and engage us in the lives of Elphaba, Glinda, and their true natures as both try to discover their true purposes in life.
Audiences will relate to this performance, as most audience members know the original film, to which there is an occasional homage. A scene in the wizard’s palace of the imposing machine “Wizard of Oz” channels the original movie, but in an original way, and the arrival of Glinda in the Emerald City presents a stage set as glitzy, glassy, and emerald green as anything in the MGM movie musical. Nonetheless, there are so many plot intricacies that we must recommend familiarizing ourselves with a summary of “Wicked” before attending the show.
All in all, this is a splendid production of “Wicked,” thanks to a wonderful cast, superb direction by Joe Mantello, the settings of Eugene Lee (especially memorable is a bat-like dragon with glowing eyes which watches), and the lighting of Kevin Posner. Likewise, the costumes of Susan Hilferty especially connect us to the classic Oz narrative of our childhood while suggesting new directions in order to break the surface and go “beyond good and evil.”
The production at the Kennedy Center runs through January 22, 2023.
EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES test fast friendships as a house wafted from Kansas lands in Oz. (Photo: Joan Marcus)
Signature Theatre’s Twist on ‘Into the Woods’ Brings Magic to the Stage
by Kylee Toland
Falls Church News-Press
With the holiday season coming to a close and the new year just around the corner, Signature Theatre is finishing up 2022 with their eye-opening, tearinducing and applause-worthy production of the beloved musical “Into the Woods.”
A 1987 production, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, “Into the Woods” intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, mainly “Cinderella,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “Rapunzel.” These fairy tales tie in with the main focus of the musical: a baker and his wife, cursed by a witch, are unable to have a family and must find various items related to the classic fairy tales to break the witch’s spell.
When taking a seat for the show, the stage is designed in a way that excites the audience members and prepares them for what is to come. Branches and leaves adorning the walls and stage transport the audience into the woods with the characters, while purple and green lighting provide the illusion of nighttime — the central setting of the musical.
Signature Theatre’s cast never disappoints with a performance, and this production solidifies how talented the actors of Signature really are. Even if certain characters receive more lines or musical numbers, each character plays a pivotal role in the show and makes each performance memorable.
Although it’s very tough to pinpoint who “stole the show” based on the cast’s fantastic individual performances, Maria Rizzo’s role as The Witch is enough to make one smile, gasp, laugh and even cry. Normally playing the role of Cinderella’s stepmother in the show, Rizzo gives The Witch a humorous, yet dark edge that has the audience in the palm of her hand. Her vocal range is jaw-dropping, especially her emotional number “Last Midnight” which is comparable to Broadway legend Indina Menzel’s rendition of “Defying Gravity” in “Wicked.”
Although the runtime of the show is about two and a half hours, the story flows quickly and naturally. This production of “Into the Woods” appeals to adults, children and those who enjoy comedy, fantasy, romance or musicals in general. Even those who aren’t familiar or fond of musicals will be left awestruck due to the monologue and dialogue-heavy portions of the production.
With a wide range of musical numbers, some longer or shorter than others, there will be at least one song that sticks with an audience member. An obvious crowd favorite is the opening song “Into the Woods” that is sung throughout the musical in various scenes. This number can be a challenge for a cast to sing due to its quick lyrics and dependence on the actors to be in sync with and follow each other. The same can be said about “Your Fault” which is so fast-paced and energetic it can make one’s heart race. However, the emotional second-to-last number “No One is Alone” can bring tears to one’s eyes due to the spectacular singing of Katie Murray (Cinderella), Jake Loewenthal (The Baker), David Merino (Jack) and Alex De Bard (Little Red Riding Hood).
“Into the Woods” will be performed at Signature Theatre until January 8th, 2023. Tickets for the show can be found at https://www.sigtheatre.org/ events/202223/into-the-woods/.
“INTO THE WOODS” by the Signature Theatre cast ties in magic, humor and emotion to perform an eye-opening, smile-worthy production. (Photo: Zachary Flick)
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
COMMENT
DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2022 | PAGE 11
A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church
By Supervisor Penny Gross
For decades, perhaps centuries, children were cautioned during the holidays to “be good little boys and girls,” or else Santa Claus would put a lump of coal in their Christmas stocking instead of gifts. Children today may relate to coal only through those old stories; the coal chutes and bins that were part of home heating systems for centuries have been replaced by electricity and natural gas, cleaner fuels to be sure, but not the stuff of fairy tales. Nonetheless, a lump of coal still is an appropriate aphorism for this time of year, as we review who and what was “good or bad” in Mason District, just in case Santa reads this column! (“Good” receives a candy cane.)
Candy canes to all those residents in Northern Virginia jurisdictions who contributed coats, socks, and gloves to Ukrainian relief earlier this year. The outpouring of support for Ukraine under siege was incredible, and Paxton Van Lines delivered more than 27 tons of goods to Wilmington, North Carolina for shipment to Ukraine and Poland.
Candy canes also to the Hidden Oaks Nature Center, which re-opened in July after renovations and expansion funded by voter-supported Park Bonds. Nature Playce, where kids can explore nature, make mud pies, and get a little dirty in a safe space, is fun for parents and children alike.
A lump of coal to red light runners and STOP sign busters who seem to be increasing on our local streets. Does saving a couple of seconds by ignoring safety rules really make a difference in arrival times? Or does it make everyone else’s commute more dangerous? Pedestrian deaths have doubled in Fairfax County this year, a grim reminder to slow down and pay attention.
A lump of coal, sadly, to Fairfax County’s leaf collection efforts this year. Earlier and more abundant leaf fall, and staff and equipment shortages, combined to make some streets treacherous as piled leaves take up parking and travel lane space. Extra crews have been dispatched, but service levels defi-
nitely are not meeting residents’ expectations. A candy cane to Cathy Parr, a Mason District resident with multiple disabilities, who was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia for 2022. Cathy traveled to Michigan for the national pageant; her smile alone could win awards! A candy cane to Jake’s Ice Cream at Barcroft Plaza. Owner Robin Rinearson has a unique business plan: the manager and staff at Jake’s, named for her nephew, all are young adults with special needs, who are earning a paycheck and serving their community. The ice cream is yummy, and I’ll bet that you can get a sundae with crushed candy canes on it this week! A candy cane, yes, a candy cane, not a lump of coal, to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for its response to appeals from the Culmore community to make pedestrians, and drivers, safer in that busy stretch of Route 7. Following a bilingual community meeting this summer, VDOT extended pedestrian signal times, installed flexible bollards on Glen Carlyn Drive, and is engineering additional Largest Gun Show in Metro DC! Guns, Knives & Accessories! sidewalk improvements in the corridor. Candy canes to our public safety employees – police and fire and rescue. Last Friday’s fire Expert Vendors academy graduation assigned six of the 21 recruits to fire stations in Mason District. Their careers are just beginning; their contributions to the community & Training likely will be life-changing for many. As you celebrate the season with friends and family, you can find your own recipients of candy canes and lumps of coal. Hopefully, there will be more of 1300 TABLES! Expert Knowledge & Training! the former and few of the latter. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@ TICKETS SOLD ONLINE ONLY fairfaxcounty.gov.All CDC & VA GOVERNOR GUIDELINES MUST BE FOLLOWED!
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PAGE 12 |DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2022
LOCAL
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
News-Press Community News & Notes
AT A SWEARING IN ceremony for new promotions for veterans of the Falls Church Sheriff’s Department Tuesday held at the F.C. City Hall, the following were there (left to right: Lt. A. Verdon, Sgt. C. Ayoub, Sheriff M. Cay, Arlington-Falls Church Circuit Court Clerk P. Ferguson, Lt. G. Jones. (News-Press Photo)
AT LAST WEEK’S Falls Church City Council meeting, a formal presentation was made to announce the winner of the 2022 Chet DeLong Award for Outstanding Service to Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Beth Meadows. The award is given to a “library employee or volunteer who exemplifies the civic life of Chet Delong.” (News-Press Photo)
Winter Lantern Festival Debuts for Holiday Season
Winter Lantern Festival will debut a spectacular holiday light adventure at the Lerner Town Square in Tysons starting December 16 through February 12th. Created by Kaleido Arts & Entertainment Group, Winter Lantern Festival will feature a total of over 10,000 of LED Chinese-inspired artisan lanterns, along with live performances and on-site food vendors.
Winter Lantern Festival comes to the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia area for its first immersive DMV Winter Lantern Festival. From New York with 150,000 annual guests, 3 years in a row, this is an experience for the whole family. Running until 2/12/23, the Lerner Town Square at Tysons will be transformed into a dazzling world of light with over 1000 Chinese lanterns; all handmade by artisans with decades of experience. The lanterns and bright displays will light the night and bring warmth this holiday season.
Winter Lantern Festival will feature over ten thousand handmade Chinese lanterns created by over one hundred artists, illuminated by LED lights, that can reach up to 30 feet high across 60 acres. Located in the Lerner Town Square at 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons.
Barkley Pet Spa Taking Donations for the Holidays
Barkley Square Pet Spa is taking donations for the Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. Starting December 9th through the 23rd they will accept donations in their front lobby. Please come by any day, Monday — Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to drop off donations.
They appreciate in-kind donations of supplies to help with caring for their animals as well as helping with the administrative side of rescue. Animal needs include dog leashes, bath and beach sized towels, training treats, Martingale style collars – all sizes, Frontline for dogs and cats – all sizes, high quality canned cat food, high quality canned dog food, hot dogs, string cheese and tough toys like Kongs and Nylabones.
Office needs include white copy/printer paper, Brother toner cartridges TN-760, Brother toner cartridges TN-221 black and color and postage stamps. Gift cards needed include gas stations, Amazon, Target, WalMart, Costco, Safeway and Home Depot. Cleaning supplies needed include bleach, laundry soap, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper and nitrile gloves – all sizes.
THE FALLS CHURCH EPISCOPAL hosted their live nativity walkthrough on Saturday, December 17th. The event featured a walkthrough of the nativity scene along with live animals, carol singers and Christmas lights. (Photo: Ellie Bangay)
Hanks Williams Tribute Show Hosted by Birchmere Hall
The 25th Annual “Tribute to Hank Williams” plays the Birchmere Music Hall on Friday, December 30 at 7:30 p.m. This country, honky tonk, swingin’ extravaganza of musical friends collaborating to bring to life classic songs from the real roots of country music.
Grammy winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer host the evening with Daryl Davis and Prairie Home Companion stars Robin and Linda Williams (Staunton, VA). The Honky Tonk Band includes Patrick McAvinue on fiddle (Country Current) and Alex Lacquement on bass.
Hank Williams’ was a consummate country songwriter, with hits that included “So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Your Cheatin Heart,” “The Lovesick Blues” and “Jambalay.” He died at the age of 29, on New Year’s 1953, leaving behind a legacy of songs and performances that will not be forgotten. In the six years of his recording career, Hank Williams songs created the definition of the perfect country song. This popular show brings together an all-star cast of friends who get together just once a year to celebrate the songs of a country music idol.
On Sandy Hook Anniversary, Activists Protest at NRA HQ
On the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 14, the tenth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, survivors, and gun violence prevention activists gathered outside the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax, Va. Protests have been held outside the NRA headquarters every 14th of the month since the Sandy Hook shooting, 120 in total.
Speakers, including survivors and activists across several gun violence prevention groups, shared their stories of gun violence and urged the U.S. Senate to pass a national assault weapons ban before the end of the current session. The event comes after this year’s mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, Highland Park, Ill. and Buffalo, N.Y., where assault weapons were used in the attacks.
The demonstration began at 10 a.m., the time of the start of the Sandy Hook shooting, and an interfaith group of clergy read the names of victims of the shooting. At least several hundred participants attended the event.
City of Falls Church Holiday Closures Happening Soon
City of Falls Church gov-
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
THE 25TH ANNUAL “TRIBUTE TO HANK WILLIAMS” plays the Birchmere Music Hall on Friday, December 30 at 7:30 p.m. This country, honky tonk, swingin’ extravaganza of musical friends collaborating to bring to life classic songs from the
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DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2022 | PAGE 13
50 YEARS OF MT. DANIEL ELEMENTARY school’s former staff are shown here gathered at Anthony’s Restaurant as they do several times a year. Michele Horacek organizes the luncheons and, according to multiple sources, lots of Falls Church City Public Schools stories are shared. (N���-P���� P����)
ernment programs and services will be closed for the upcoming holidays, except for the Farmers Market, as listed below:
City Hall (300 Park Ave.): Closed Friday and Monday, December 23 and 26. Closed Monday, January 2, 2023.
Community Center (223 Little Falls St.): Closed Saturday and Sunday, December 24 and 25. Building available for Farmers Market patrons on Saturday. Closed Saturday, December 31, 2022, and Sunday, January 1, 2023. Building available for Farmers Market patrons on Saturday.
The Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave.): Closed Friday through Monday, December 23 through 26. Closed Sunday and Monday, January 1-2, 2023.
Weekly Farmers Market (City Hall Parking Lot, 300 Park Ave.): Open Saturday, December 24. Open Saturday, December 31.
F.C. Teen Receives YoungArts Award
Sophia Lin of Falls Church, Virginia from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, has received a 2023 YoungArts award in Classic Music. Lin has been recognized for the caliber of her artistic achievement and joins 702 of the most accomplished young visual, literary, and performing artists from throughout the county. Selected through the organization’s prestigious competition, YoungArts award winners, all 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12, are chosen for the caliber of their artistic achievement by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process.
YoungArts award winners join a distinguished community of artists and are offered creative and professional development support throughout their careers. A complete list of the 2023 winners is available online at youngarts. org/winners.
For the duration of her career, Lin is eligible for exclusive creative and professional development support including a wide range of fellowships, residencies and awards; microgrants and financial awards; virtual and in-person presentation opportunities in collaboration with major venues and cultural partners nationwide; and access to YoungArts Post, a free, private online platform for YoungArts artists to connect, collaborate and discover new opportunities.
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Hiring Soon
The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board of the Falls Church City Council is looking for two Falls Church City adult residents to fill vacancies on the board. The Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month (excluding July and August) at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center. Caroline Carmody and Anand Colby, recently joined the Board as youth representatives from Meridian High School and are looking forward to opportunities to provide their ideas to the Board on topics such as Special Events, hobby classes, and youth and adult sports. Joining the Board is an excellent opportunity for one to do the same as well as assist in the development of the newest park, the Fellows Property, and improvements to the existing parks, i.e., Berman Park. People are invited to the next meeting on December 14th to see if they are interested in joining them.
Goodwin Living Centers Receives Highest Ratings
On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, U.S. News & World Report released its annual “Best Nursing Homes” list for 2022-23. Both Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads (GHBC) and Goodwin House Alexandria (GHA) received the highest ratings.
To develop the “Best Nursing Homes” list, U.S. News reviewed more than 15,000 short-term and longterm nursing care centers throughout the country, covering every state and nearly 100 metropolitan areas. Out of all those evaluated, 2,426 (16 percent) centers received the “Best Nursing Home” distinction.
According to the U.S. News website, this year’s ratings were the first to feature measurements on weekend staffing and infection rates that led to hospitalizations. This newly available data provides even more information about how nursing homes rate when it comes to the safety of their residents. For the 202223 listings, GHA and GHBC each received the “HighPerforming” rating in both the Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care categories. “High-Performing” is the highest level of recognition offered.
