Palin Due at Pricey Tyson’s Corner Fundraiser Oct. 13

Republican Vice Presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin will appear at a pricey fundraiser in support of the McCain-Palin ticket on Monday, Oct. 13, at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, it was announced yesterday.

A VIP reception with a photo op will go for $10,000, and a private dinner for $25,000. The general reception will go for $1,500 a person, or $2,500 per couple. In addition, a form included in a mailer to top supporters advertising the event this week urges contributions to the McCain-Palin campaign of up to $135,000 per household, which, it explains, would be split up as follows: $57,000 to the Republican National Committee, $74,000 to Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania state party organizations, and $4,600 the McCain-Palin Compliance Fund.

The Winner: Ireland’s Four Provinces

Four celebrity judges proclaimed Ireland’s Four Provinces the “winner” of the annual Taste of Falls Church last Saturday. The Irish-themed restaurant, located at the intersection of Rt. 29 and Rt. 7, with proprietor Colm Dillon on hand, won by offering generous samples of lamb chops, seafood stew and shepherd’s pie. Second place went to the Asian fusion-themed Huong’s, located in The Broadway in the 500 block of W. Broad, for its surf and turf salad, spring rolls and sushi, and third place went to the Bolivian-themed La Caraquena in the 300 block of W. Broad, for its fajita-like tortillas with rice, bean, beef and pork options and peanut soup. Despite being a vegetarian, Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner, one of the judges, gave top billing to the Ireland’s 4P’s for the quality of its seafood stew. Fortunately for the restaurant, her brand of vegetarianism permits consumption of seafood. According to City officials, a total of 6,287 meal tickets were sold, and attendance at the event, which enjoyed mild weather throughout and was run in conjunction with the City’s annual Falls Festival, was estimated at 6,000 to 8,000. In addition to Mayor Gardner, judges were F.C. City Treasurer Cathy Kaye, Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton and Recreation and Parks Board Chair Rob Meeks. (See photos, elsewhere this edition)

Region’s Top “Celebrity Runner” at F.C. 5K Run

The Falls Church Education Foundation announced this week that it has secured the Washington, D.C. region’s premiere “celebrity runner,” even if best known for his lack of success, to greet and have his picture taken with participants in its third annual five kilometer race, and one kilometer fun run, scheduled Sunday, Sept. 28. “Teddy,” one of four “presidential mascots” of the Washington Nationals baseball team, will be on hand at 8 a.m. for the start of the race at the intersection of Park Avenue and Little Falls St. in front of City Hall. “Teddy,” bearing a resemblance to former U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt, has gained national notoriety for his flawless record running a race with fellow mascots, “George,” “Tom” and “Abe,” between the fourth and fifth innings of Nationals home games. In four years, “Teddy” has yet to win a single race, but he promises to bring his enthusiasm and “gamer” attitude to the Falls Church race. His presence is being sponsored by the Falls Church News-Press. Registration is still open, $25 per person or $50 for a family, through the foundation’s web site, www.fcedf.org, or by calling Donna Englander at 703-538-3381. Proceeds go to the foundation’s on-going effort to provide supplemental support for programs of the Falls Church City Public Schools.

F.C. Treasurer: City’s Investments Safe & Sound

In a statement by City of Falls Church Treasurer Cathy Kaye, requested by the News-Press this week in light of the deepening global financial instability, she said that due to “conservative and safe fund management, the City’s accounts are safe and secure.” She noted that Virginia law mandates that the City’s investments be kept in very specific and conservative investment vehicles. As a result, she said, 90 percent of the City’s operating investments are placed with the Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP), managed by the Treasurer of Virginia, which invests primarily in obligations to federal treasury bonds. “Not only was this fund voted the best managed fund in the county,” Kaye noted, “But the return rate is comparable to a private sector investment pool.” The City’s water funds are, she said, “in various accounts managed by BB&T bank and invested in U.S. treasury and agency bonds, in accordance with state code.

F.C. Council Moves on “Arts District” Initiative

The Falls Church City Council, at its work session Monday, resolved to respond to an initiative from three City arts groups, Creative Cauldron, Falls Church Arts and the Tinner Hill Foundation, to designate the City, or part of it, as an “Arts and Cultural District” as permitted by state law. Action to establish a task force to review the idea and make recommendations will come at this Monday’s Council business meeting.