18 minute read
Comment .........................................7,8 Crime Report ...................................... 8 Calendar
PAGE 10 | DECEMBER 30, 2021 - JANUARY 5, 2022
CALENDAR
Advertisement
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FALLS CHURCH CALENDAR
LOCALEVENTS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30
Baby Storytime. Join TysonsPimmit Library for songs, rhymes, stories and activities for you and your baby. Build an early literacy foundation while enjoying time together in your lap. Space limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration, customers will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Check in at the Children’s Information desk for tickets. This class is best for babies 0 — 18 months and their caregivers. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.
Five & Under Storytime. Join Thomas Jefferson Library for stories, songs, and activities that build early literacy skills. Age: 0-5. Space is limited to ticketed attendees for in-person events. Tickets are free and first-come, first-serve at the information desk 30 minutes before each program. (1545 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.
Confetti Launchers. Come make some DIY confetti launchers to help you welcome in the New Year at Tysons-Pimmit Library. All supplies provided. Ages 6 — 16. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 2 — 4 p.m.
Family Storytime. Share the joy of playful learning together at Tysons-Pimmit Library. Children and their caregivers participate in music, movement and song in this program that promotes bonding and highlights the natural rhythms in language. Ages 0 — 5. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.
Storytime Fun for Preschoolers.
Space limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration. Please check in at the information desk at Tysons-Pimmit for tickets. Masks are once again required at the library regardless of vaccination status. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.
Maker Mondays. Let your imagination run wild as you build and create with Thomas Jefferson Library’s Lego, Keva Planks, Squigz, Mega Magnets, Magna-Cars, Marble Run, Gears, and more. For school-age children. (1545 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 5 — 6 p.m.
Red Cross Blood Drive. Give the gift of life! To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit the Red Cross website at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code CityOfFallsChurchVA. (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). 8:30 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.
Baby Lapsit Storytime. Books, songs and bounces for TysonPimmit’s littlest friends. Babies will be in their caregiver’s lap while the grownup actively participates. Ages birth — 18 months. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.
Needlecraft Circles. Want to get crafty? Each Wednesday Thomas Jefferson Library teaches a new needlecraft! Supplies provided. This event is intended for adults. (1545 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 — 2 p.m.
After School Activities and
Adventures. Introducing After School Activities and Adventures: the after-school activity of the week at Woodrow Wilson Library. It might be games, activities, or crafts! It’s always a surprise and fun. Ages 6 — 12. Limited to the first 12 participants. (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church). 4:30 — 5:30 p.m.
Pajama Storytime. Come in your pajamas and bring your teddy bear for a bedtime story at Tysons-Pimmit Library. Ages 0 — 7 and their families. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 7 — 7:30 p.m.
Bela Donna Band. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1
MONDAY, JANUARY 3 TUESDAY, JANUARY 4
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5
THE LEGWARMERS will be performing at the State Theatre on New Years Eve for an ‘80s dance party to celebrate the new year. (Photo: Mike Stone)
LIVEMUSIC
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30
Shakin’ Woods Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-2419504.
Latent Defect. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31
Wicked Jezabel Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-2419504.
DJ D: New Years Eve 80s Glow
Party. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $30 — $40. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.
The Seldom Scene + Eastman String Band + Wicked Sycamore:
Live and in Concert. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $40.50. 8 p.m. 703-549-7500.
The Legwarmers: New Years Eve
Dance Party. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $50. 9:30 p.m. 703-2370300. Curtis Knocking. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1
Broke Superstar. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Last Train Home + Thomm Jutz.
The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $29.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.
Kreekwater Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Dan ‘N’ Friends. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2
Ivy & Cramer Live and in Concert.
JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703241-9504.
Hot Buttered Elvis + Alpha Dog Blues + Monster Madhouse.
Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $12 – $25. 7:30 p.m. 703255-1566.
Wolf Blues Jam: Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-2419504.
MONDAY, JANUARY 3
Tom Saputo Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-241-9504. Open Mic. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Open Mic. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5
Bachelor Boys Band. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 7:30 p.m. 703-2551566.
THEATER&ARTS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30
Rent. La Vie Boheme! The iconic rock musical’s pure rush of adrenaline, passion, energy and joy is boldly and immersively reimagined in Signature Theatre style for a triumphant reopening. At the end of the millennium, a group of bohemians in the East Village of New York City struggle with gentrification, love, loss and legacies amidst the HIV/AIDS crisis. Through songs such as “Seasons of Love,” and more, they embrace hope, find strength and survive. Winner of the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize, Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking phenomenon defined a generation as it redefined the American musical and has never been more essential in today’s world. November 2 — January 2. Performance times vary. (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington). 703-820-9771.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
LOCAL
DECEMBER 30, 2021 - JANUARY 5, 2022 | PAGE 11
Cindy Mester’s Impact on Local Falls Church Government
Continued from Page 1
As Deputy City Manager, Mester takes on a wide range of responsibilities and various projects including the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which “identifies capital needs of the community and indicates how these needs will be funded over the five year period” according to the City government website.
Overseeing the CIP includes “everything from developing the plan through the planning commission and Council, working with staff to implement and get grants,” she said. “Capital could be facilities like the library and City Hall or deal with transportation such as South Washington, and parks.”
Legislation is also a huge part of Mester’s day-to-day function. The City of Falls Church does not have a full-time legislative liaison so it has become one of the duties of the Deputy City Manager. She does this work predominantly at the state level with local politicians but during the pandemic this work now involves more at the federal level due to the pandemic and federal relief money.
Additionally, she works as the Pension Plan Administrator for the City, overseeing pension plans and other post-employment benefit plans for current and former City employees. She also serves as the Risk Manager for the City, overseeing insurance and claims as well as training staff to operate as safely as possible.
She also works to make sure ADA and Title VI are followed, has the IT department report directly to her, works on environmental sustainability in the City and has helped with a variety of special projects in Falls Church.
“Where I get seen in the community a lot is through special projects,” said Mester. “I get to work on a lot of special projects and that’s what I love doing. I get to work with affordable housing, ARPA, the Smart City partnership with Virginia Tech and more.”
The Smart City Partnership “aims to analyze the needs of the community, select technologies that can address these needs, and implement them in a Smart City test bed for evaluation in a realworld environment.”
This includes several technologies being implemented including adaptive lighting, smart parking and payment, smart intersections, data access and evaluation tools, and roadway and infrastructure development.
One of her passions is working with the arts community in Falls Church. She has worked with Creative Cauldron, the Falls Church Arts & Humanities Council and the Little City CATCH Foundation on a variety of projects including helping Creative Cauldron get into their current theater space for shows and camps.
“That isn’t because I’m an artist or actively involved in the arts community,” she said. “It goes back to facilitating and negotiating contracts, leases, partnerships with the City and getting Council approval on things.”
She was heavily involved in City Hall expansion and renovation, a project that was 12 years in the making and completed in 2019.
“It’s really fun, it’s diverse and no day is ever the same, which is something I love,” said Mester about her job.
She always knew she wanted to work with people but originally saw herself in a “more structured” program until she spent a semester-long internship with Loudoun County in college.
“What I found was that I really liked being out in the community,” she said when asked about how she became interested in local government. “This internship gave me a cool opportunity of being a counselor in a group home and learning how to adapt recreational activities and events for persons with disabilities so that they were inclusionary.”
After seeing what a difference she could make on people’s lives at the local level, she decided to stick with local government and work in Loudoun.
Mester has many exciting projects coming in the future, including working to bring more affordable housing options to the city and much more, particularly as things move back to being in-person.
Next time you see Cindy Mester around the city, make sure to thank her for all of her hard work.
Help Wanted/P-T Sports Writer
The News-Press seeks a part time sports writer who will be compensated on a pay-per-word basis to cover Meridian High School sports. Inquiries with resumes can be sent to NGatz@fcnp.com.
PAGE 12 |DECEMBER 30, 2021 - JANUARY 5, 2022
LOCAL N���-P����
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
C�������� N��� � N����
City Advises on Hypothermia Risks and Shelters
As temperatures drop, the risk of hypothermia rises. If you see an unsheltered person in the City of Falls Church at night or on a weekend, call the police non-emergency line at 703-241-5053; if during the weekday, call Housing & Human Services at 703-248-5005. The person will be helped to a shelter. If you see an individual in distress, please call 911.
Watch Night Statement on Event Cancellation
The following statement is from the volunteer organizers of the Watch Night event:
“Watch Night, the New Year’s Eve event, is being canceled this year by its organizers the CATCH Foundation. Local Covid-19 case counts are increasing significantly just before family holiday gatherings — which presents an unpredictable scenario in the ability to have an event in 10 days that is safe for all.
“While there was a ground swell of support earlier to celebrate Watch Night this year, the situation has now changed for us, our partners, and ultimately the potential visitors that may or may not attend such an event, even if outdoors. Modified plans for the event were underway, but there have been significant increases in the in the number of local COVID19 cases in Arlington and Fairfax Counties in the last 10 days. That in turn is having multiple secondary impacts on our vendors, performing bands, and our sponsors. The universe is telling us to wait for a better year.
“We appreciate our partners and the City staff that have been planning with us.
“Watch Night is organized by the Little City CATCH Foundation, a non-profit organization, financially supported by local businesses and non-profits - and supported by the City of Falls Church. See you next year, and stay safe.”
NOVA Central Farm Markets Every Weekend
NOVA Central Farm Market, formerly Mosaic Central Farm Market, is a year-round farmers market located on Beulah Road at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Vienna, Virginia.
The market features fresh local pork, chicken, fish, cheeses, produce, dairy, baked goods, prepared foods to go, eggs, flowers, and ice cream. The market also has table seating, live music each week, kids club activities, chef demos, special events and much more!
The event takes place every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. at 543 Beulah Road in Vienna.
Chamber Networking Lunch on January 18
Join the Chamber of Commerce in person at the Italian Cafe. This is a great opportunity to mix and mingle and meet other business owners and decision makers.
Attendees will celebrate the outgoing Board of Directors members and welcome the new Board members. There will also be a recap of 2021, which was full of the unexpected, both challenging and inspiring.
The price for lunch is $30 for members, $35 for non-members. Luncheon tickets included with sponsorship.
Registration is required for this event. Please register online at fallschurchchamber.org.
Italian Cafe is located at 7161 Lee Highway in Falls Church.
Solace Outpost Hosts Trivia Twice Weekly
Join Solace Outpost for live trivia every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 — 9 p.m. presented by Pour House Trivia. Come drink, eat and win prizes. First place teams $30 gift card. Second place teams $20 gift card and it’s free to play. Solace Outpost is located at 444 W. Broad Street.
Passport to the World of Music Next Weekend
Join Creative Cauldron on a musical tour of the world in our intimate cabaret space, with a diverse musical line up specially curated by Ken Avis and Lynn Veronneau of the WAMMY Award-winning jazz samba group Veronneau. Enjoy blues, jazz, Latin, fusion, bluegrass, folk and a musical experience only the well travelled know. The 11th installment of the “Passport to the World” concert series promises another first rate music festival that allows you to travel the world without ever leaving Falls Church.
Weekend one will focus on bluegrass, folk and country traditions with performances by Shenandoah Run, No Part of Nothin’ and Raymi.
Weekend two will include artists who are new to Creative Cauldron with performances by Nataly Merezhuk, the Joshua Walker quartet and Alex Martin Quintet.
Weekend three will focus on world traditions. This will include Sheyda Do’a Band, Project Locrea and Sean Heely Trio.
Weekend four includes performances by Alison Crockett, Dave Kline Band and Laura Tsaggris for jazz and song performances.
The final weekend of the event will conclude with performances by Irene Jalenti and Veronneau.
For more information about this event and to purchase tickets for inperson performances or live streaming, visit creativecauldron.org/passport.html.
Bull Run Festival of Lights Closes This Weekend
Every year from November until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow.
The 2021 Festival of Lights is the season’s best, brightest and socially distant activity to enjoy with your family and friends!
The festival is open every night through January 2, opening at 5:30 p.m. every night and closing at 9:30 p.m. Monday — Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday — Sunday and holiday nights.
Tickets are $30 per vehicle online and $40 per vehicle at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at https://www.novaparks. com/events/bull-run-festival-oflights.
WRAP SoberRide Offers NYE Transportation Home
Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s SoberRide, called one of the nation’s most successful free safe ride programs for would-be impaired drivers, has helped to ensure greater Washington, DC residents have a safe way home on high-risk holidays. Since 1991, WRAP has provided 80,047 safe rides home. Currently, SoberRide operates during the December/January holiday season, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day and Halloween.
WRAP’s SoberRide provides a free Lyft ride home for up to $15. Users are financially responsible for anything over $15.
You must be 21 or older to use the SoberRide service. Valid in Lyft’s Washington, D.C. coverage area.
You cannot reserve a SoberRide or schedule a pickup in advance.
The Mary Riley Styles Public Library temporarily suspends room reservations and moves all programming to virtual.
Due to concerns about the recent increase in Covid-19 transmissions in the area, all
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
in-person library programs and use of library conference rooms are suspended until mid-January 2022. Group study rooms may still be reserved, but are limited to groups of three or less. All visitors aged two and over, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask in the library and all other City of Falls Church government buildings.
The 2021 Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is open nightly through Sunday, January 2, 2022, including all holidays. Enjoy even more lights this year as Meadowlark Botanical Gardens sparkles with displays of flowers, animals, wrapped trees, and winter holiday scenes.
Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite by searching “2021 Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights”.
Library Foundation Shirt and Tote Fundraiser
Support the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation by ordering your “Little City Big Readers” t-shirts and tote bags! You’ll have a choice of several different colors for the t-shirts: be sure to explore them all!
This fundraiser will help support the library’s mission to enhance library materials, services, programs and equipment, increase our endowment, and provide a future guaranteed stream of income for the library.
Visit bonfire.com/store/maryriley-styles-public-library-foundation/ to make your purchase or visit mrsplfoundation.org/ to find out more about the foundation.
Donate Gift Cards for Families in Need
The Housing and Human Services team can give gift cards to clients to help buy necessities. Target and Walmart are preferred.
Mail or hand-deliver to City of Falls Church, Attn: Housing and Human Services, 300 Park Ave, Suite 102 West, Falls Church, VA 22046 or drop in the yellow drop box outside City Hall, Attn: Housing and Human Services.
City Council Meetings Return Jan. 10
The City Council meets inperson in City Hall’s Council Chambers. In-person capacity may be limited due to COVID-19 safety, and all attendees must wear a mask and stay socially distant at all times. The meeting can be viewed live online (fallschurchva.gov/ CouncilMeetings) or on FCCTV (Cox channel 11, RCN channel 2, Verizon channel 35). Public comment can be made in-person or via MS Teams on any topic; sign-up by noon on the day of the meeting, fallschurchva.gov/PublicComment.
LOCAL
Virtual Addiction and Mental Health Care Now Available
Workit Health, the nation’s leading virtual substance use disorder treatment provider, recently expanded into Virginia. The B-corporation has opened an outpatient clinic in the Richmond area at 3001 Hungary Spring Road, Suite C in Henrico. The clinic now offers 100 percent virtual services to the entire state for substance use, mental health and other common co-occurring conditions like hepatitis C. Virginians can connect with licensed clinicians and counselors via live chat and video through the Workit app and receive medication e-prescribed to their local pharmacy.
Workit Health uses a medicinefirst, evidence-based approach to addiction treatment. Only 30 percent of treatment centers nationwide offer medication, and most people have to drive hours every week to receive it. Clinical evidence supports that FDAapproved medication plays a critical role in recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders, cutting overdose death rates from opioids in half. When it comes to freeing people from the grasp of addiction, Workit Health prioritizes evidencebased practices that are proven to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, provide necessary emotional support and ultimately reduce the risk of relapse or overdose.
After McIntosh and co-founder Lisa McLaughlin personally experienced the dated traditional recovery system and found it lacking, they co-founded Workit Health in 2015. Their mission is to make it easy to access the gold standard of addiction care from home. Giving people the opportunity to receive evidence-based clinical care—including medication for substance use and mental health—leads to improved outcomes, evidenced by Workit Health’s 73 percent retention rate at the 90-day mark.
“Focusing on the individual, Workit Health allows members to dictate their end goal, whether that is complete abstinence or moderation,” said Lisa McLaughlin, Workit’s coCEO. “Personalizing addiction treatment through telemedicine opens our services to all who need help, no matter where they fall on the addiction spectrum.”
DECEMBER 30, 2021 - JANUARY 5, 2022 | PAGE 13
Parkinson’s Foundation Club Meets Jan. 3
Parkinson’s Communication’s Club is held every Monday and led by Susan I. Wranik, Board Certified Speech-Language Pathologist. The Club establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, with a focus on maintenance of communication skills.
The club is not therapy, rather, it is an exercise group designed to improve volume. The approach helps people speak loudly and clearly in order to make themselves heard. Most importantly, this club is designed in a group setting — one for all and all for one — a team effort to be loud. If people can’t hear you, they assume you don’t know. Make your voice heard!
This group is appropriate for anyone desiring to improve volume or verbal expression.
This event meets virtually, register online on the Chamber of Commerce website. at fallschurchchamber.org/events.
A Happy & Healthy New Year to All!
