Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Falls Church’s new HAWK crosswalks sometimes trigger with nobody there

Coming up: New Year's Eve Family Gala on the Falls Church Patch calendar

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Good morning to you Falls Church! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Falls Church’s new HAWK crosswalks sometimes trigger with nobody there
  • Why new books may arrive slower at Falls Church’s library
  • How Falls Church alumni authors plan to mentor today’s students

Also on today's calendar: New Year’s Eve Family Gala and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Tuesday: Windy and much colder, with a high of 36 and low of 27 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Some sunshine, temps: high: 41, low: 28.
  • Thursday: Cloudy, flurries; colder, with a high of 32 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Falls Church's new pedestrian signals sometimes seem to go off on their own (arlnow.com) — New HAWK pedestrian signals along Broad Street in Falls Church are occasionally activating with no one visibly waiting to cross, puzzling some drivers. City transportation staff say delayed activations and pedestrian behavior likely explain the mystery, and they’ve already updated the firmware after checking the equipment. All three federally funded signals, installed this spring, remain in normal operation.
   

2. Demise of major book wholesaler impacting Falls Church's library (arlnow.com) — Falls Church’s Mary Riley Styles Public Library is warning residents to expect delays in getting new physical books after longtime wholesaler Baker & Taylor shut down. Library director Megan Dotzler says the city is shifting to new vendors while managing a tight materials budget and an ongoing shift toward e-books, even as most funding still comes from local taxpayers.
   

3. Falls Church HS to launch mentorships with alumni authors (annandaletoday.com) — Falls Church High School alumni authors are launching a new mentorship program to connect published graduates with current students, starting with an April event of readings and discussions. Organizers hope the Alumni Author Mentorship Program will inspire teens, support English teachers and student publications, and highlight the school’s long tradition of writers with dozens of books penned by former Falls Church students.
   

4. Meals tax coming to Fairfax County on January 1 (wusa9.com) — Falls Church diners will soon see a new 4% Fairfax County meals tax added to their restaurant checks, including at local favorite Chay. County leaders say the tax, starting January 1, helps close budget gaps and avoid higher real estate taxes, while some restaurant owners and officials worry it unfairly burdens a struggling industry and could drive customers away.
   

📸 Around Falls Church

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Piano Teacher Needed
    Local reputable Music lesson company seeks Piano) instructor for in-home lessons as well as lessons in your studio – whichever is preferable to you. (More info)
  • Neighbors Helping Neighbors ❤️ Let's Keep Our Kids Safe
    School Crossing Guards Needed in Falls Church... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Squinky is here somewhere — Fairfax Main Street PetSmart/Ross.
    Please help me find him. He bolted when we came for vaccinations. Update: Squinky is still missing as of 6 pm. I have gone home for some catnip and… (Nextdoor Pimmit Hills)
  • This kitty visited our garage yesterday in East Falls Church.
    Friendly & talkative but no tags. I’ve asked around my immediate neighbors and am posting here in case someone is missing this cutie! (Nextdoor Timber)
  • Ulta Beauty, Inc. posted a job opening for Beauty Advisor in Falls Church. Apply here.
  • The TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Cleaning Associate Seasonal 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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