Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a New Year’s Day fire upended a Falls Church plaza

Also check out Shoff Promotions Comic Book, Sports Card and Pokemon Show on the Falls Church Patch calendar

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Good morning Falls Church! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a New Year’s Day fire upended a Falls Church plaza
  • How a new Falls Church Electoral Board member could shape future elections
  • How a Falls Church leader is shaping Virginia’s transit funding fight

Also on today's calendar: Shoff Promotions Comic Book, Sports Card and Pokemon Show and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I got fired from the M&M factory. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Some sun, then clouds, with a high of 36 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 40, low: 25.
  • Monday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 39 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New Year's Day fire damages Falls Church businesses (dcnewsnow.com) — A New Year’s Day fire at Bancroft Plaza in Falls Church has damaged multiple small businesses, including a grocery, paint shop, swim school, and a martial arts studio, forcing them to close and turn customers away. Owners are working with insurance to recover, and investigators are still determining what caused the blaze that disrupted this well-used neighborhood shopping center.
   

2. Arlington Electoral Board seat to shift from red to blue after governor's election (arlnow.com) — Falls Church residents have a new Democratic representative on the city’s Electoral Board, as Judge Judith Wheat appointed Peg Willingham to fill a vacant seat previously held by Renee Bergmann Andrews. The broader piece explains how Virginia’s change in governor is shifting electoral board control in Arlington and elsewhere, and outlines ongoing debates over same-day registration and mail-in ballot deadlines that could shape future local elections.
   

3. N. Va. officials prepare to make statewide appeal for dedicated transit funding in 2026 (ffxnow.com) — Falls Church residents may soon feel the impact of a major push in Richmond for dedicated transit funding, with City Council member David Snyder helping lead the effort as NVTC chair. Northern Virginia leaders are rallying behind a proposal for $400 million annually to support Metro, VRE, and local bus systems, arguing that stronger transit is essential for the region’s economy and daily commutes.
   

4. SBA Relief Still Available to Virginia Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by March Drought (sba.gov) — Falls Church small businesses and nonprofits still have time to apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans tied to the March 2025 drought, with applications due by Feb. 2, 2026 plus a 60‑day grace period. Eligible organizations can use these Economic Injury Disaster Loans for working capital like payroll, rent, and unpaid bills, even if they suffered no physical damage.
   

📸 Around Falls Church

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My neighbor shot off fireworks about an hour ago and my sheltie bolted out the door.
    I've tried walking the neighborhood and driving calling his name but no luck so far. His name is Liam and he is a 25 lb sable and white male who is… (Nextdoor Poplar Heights)
  • Over past few days, have been working with a woman speaking little English to apply for Medicaid or the Virginia health exchange program.
    Officials in Richmond said to phone: the COVER VIRGINIA call center: 855-242-8282. She was able to speak with a representative in Spanish and apply… (Nextdoor Poplar Heights)
  • PetSmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate in Falls Church. Apply here.
  • Fairfax County Public Schools posted a job opening for Latin Language Teacher, MS in Falls Church. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Falls Church here.

Ok Falls Church! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I kept throwing out all the W’s.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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