April 5 – 11, 2007
Is F.C. the “Harry-est” City in the U.S.?
According to Amazon.Com promoters, there were as of yesterday more pre-sale orders of the new Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” on a per-capita basis from the City of Falls Church than any other town or city in the U.S. They report that this could result in a $5,000 gift to a charitable organization in the winning city, with the contest deadline for pre-orders being July 15. Amazon.Com says it is using the most recent U.S. Census data and will include all U.S. towns and cities with a population of more than 5,000. Currently, Falls Church heads the national list, followed by 2. Fairfax City, Va., 3. Gig Harbor, Washington, 4. Vienna, Va., 5. Katy, Texas, 6. Media, Pa., 7. Issaquah, Washington, 8. Doylestown, Pa., 9. Pembroke Pines, Florida, 10. Snohomish, Washington.
Gov. Mark Warner Speaks in F.C. April 22
The Falls Church City Democratic Committee announced this week that former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will be the keynote speaker at its annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Sunday, April 22. To accommodate an expected large turnout, the event will be held at the F.C. Community Center. It will start with a reception at 5 p.m. and a potluck at 6 p.m. Invitations will be in the mail next week, and inquiries about tickets can be made to Edna Frady at ednaf@cox.net.
14 Officially Added to `Continuing Episcopal’ Ranks
With a Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in Falls Church for the first time in four years, 14 persons celebrated baptism, confirmation, reception and reaffirmation into the congregation of “continuing Episcopalians” here last Sunday. The “continuing congregation,” which numbered 110 at Sunday’s special service, includes former parishioners of the Falls Church Episcopal Church who did not vote to depart the Diocese with others last December. In new language expressed in a press release issued this week, the “continuing congregation” called itself The Falls Church Episcopal Church, saying it held Palm Sunday services “temporarily at the Falls Church Presbyterian Church, just a block away from the original Falls Church Episcopal, which is currently occupied by the ‘breakaway’ congregation of Anglicans.” Suffragan Bishop David Colin Jones from Richmond was the celebrant last Sunday. Meanwhile, “breakaway” Rector John Yates responded to the continuing group’s formal request for access to the historic church with a letter saying he “was not able to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ at this time.”
City of F.C. Again Named “Tree City USA”
The National Arbor Day Foundation has again named the City of Falls Church a “Tree City USA” for its combined efforts during 2006. It marks the 29th consecutive year that the jurisdiction has been awarded the national recognition. The city was the first in Virginia to be so recognized and has the longest record in the state for its annual award. To qualify, the City fulfilled the four required standards: 1. to have an on-going tree board or department, 2. to have a tree ordinance pertaining to preservation and replacement (the city has two), 3. a comprehensive community forestry program, and 4. an annual Arbor Day observance. Falls Church has celebrated Arbor Day every year since 1892. This year’s Arbor Day festivities will be on April 21.
Police Seek Arson/Burglary Suspect
Fairfax Police are asking for public assistance in locating Amer Ishtiwi, wanted in the case of a burglary, grand larceny and intentional burning of a meeting place that occurred on Feb. 3 when the Lacey Center in Annandale was robbed and a fire intentionally set that resulted in over $2 million in damage. Ishtiwi, 22, resided at 7000 Terrace Court in Annandale. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477 or Fairfax Police at 703-691-2131.
