THE STRIKE OF MIDNIGHT called in the New Year in downtown Falls Church Sunday night, and scores of the original 1,500 attendance at the annual Watch Night event were not deterred by the hour or the light rainfall to join those on the stage in the countdown to 2007. Among those on the stage leading the count were Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner, Vice Mayor Lindy Hockenberry, Councilman David Snyder, the Tinner Hill Foundation’s Ed Henderson and the News-Press’ Nicholas Benton. More photos from Watch Night on the adjacent page. (News-Press photos)
Mason High to Honor Rye
Dr. Leslie Rye, President of the George Mason High School Athletic Booster Club, will be honored on Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 7 – 8 p.m. with the installation of a commemorative plaque naming the concession stand in her honor. The school board approved the naming last year after Dr. Rye announced she was stepping down as the Boosters’ president. Rye served in the post from July 204 to June 2006. She also served as the organization’s vice president for the two school years prior to that time.
She is credited with leading numerous projects, including the renovation of the school’s weight room, installing field lighting at Moore Cadillac Stadium, developing plans for the new Mustang Gym and creating a permanent home for the GMHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Mental Health Support Group to Meet
NAMI-Arlington will hold its support group meeting for individuals who have a parent or sibling diagnosed with a serious mental illness — depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder — Thursday, Jan. 18 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Meeting location is TBA. For more information and the future location, contact Christina Kozyn at 703-892-2197 or ckozyn@gmail.com.
The Falls Church Invites You to Dinner
The Falls Church will hold a series of home-cooked meals for interested parties to attend and share, observe or challenge faith issues. The series, known as ALPHA, will run every Wednesday from Jan. 24 – April 4 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at The Falls Church (115 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church). For more information, visit www.thefallschurch.org/alpha or e-mail alpha@thefallschurch.org.
Meditation Classes Offered
The Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers classes in Buddhist Meditation on Monday evenings from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Griffin Center (Suite 5, 3800 Fairfax Dr., Arlington). The cost is $10 per class. No registration is required. For more information, call 202-331-2122. Classes begin after Jan. 15 and continue through the end of April.
Student Council Seeks SWAG
George Mason High School’s student council is looking for items to use as “SWAG” (Stuff We All Get, essentially goodie bags) for competitors and judges of the Mr. and Ms. Mason competition scheduled for Feb. 2 to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Interested parties should contact Marybeth Connelly at connellym@fccps.org or 703-248-5691.
Shelter Seeks Weekend Staffers
The Falls Church Emergency Homeless Shelter is seeking adult volunteers to help staff the premises during its four months of operation on weekends. The shelter cannot open on Saturdays and Sundays without volunteer assistance. If you are willing to spend the night or evening helping to staff the shelter, contact Grace Rissetto at 703-241-0442 or gracerissetto@yahoo.com.
Litte League Registration This Weekend
Think warm thoughts of spring at the Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church) this Saturday as Falls Church Kiwanis Little League registers kids for the 2007 baseball season. Registration runs from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. From tee-ball through Majors, FCKLL has six levels of play for children ages five through 12, allowing each boy and girl to participate at a level appropriate for his/her maturity and ability. Coaches emphasize training in baseball fundamentals, teamwork, and good sportsmanship, all in a kid-friendly environment. Other registration times at the Community Center are Wed., Jan. 17 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 20 from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Register online at www.FCKLL.org. For more information, call 703-893-4619.
CAPTION: (USE PIC OF KID HOLDING WATCH NIGHT SIGN) THE STRIKE OF MIDNIGHT called in the New Year in downtown Falls Church Sunday night, and scores of the original 1,500 attendance at the annual Watch Night event were not deterred by the hour or the light rainfall to join those on the stage in the countdown to 2007. Among those on the stage leading the count were Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner, Vice Mayor Lindy Hockenberry, Councilman David Snyder, the Tinner Hill Foundation’s Ed Henderson and the News-Press’ Nicholas Benton. More photos from Watch Night on the adjacent page. (News-Press photos)
