VIDEO: Santa Claus Stops by Terra Centre Elementary

Kids lined up Tuesday to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

Students, teachers, administrators and parents waited Tuesday outside Terra Centre Elementary School in Burke while Santa and his helpers from the Fairfax County Police Department spoke to them about their holiday wishes. Rudolph, one of Santa's elves and Mrs. Claus were also in attendance to remind the children to be nice. Santa Claus rode through the streets of Fairfax County on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle Tuesday as part of an annual county event, followed by a motorcade of his helpers in law enforcement. He made his way to several other Fairfax County Public Schools, including Groveton Elementary School and Clermont Elementary School.  In addition to meeting with area school children, the team was also picking up toys donated to those…

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Rolling Sleigh Bells: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Santa Claus will be visiting students across Fairfax County on Tuesday.

Santa Claus will make his way to a few Fairfax County Public Schools on Tuesday. Santa Claus will ride through the streets of Fairfax County on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle Tuesday, followed by a motorcade of his helpers in law enforcement.  This is the 26th year local law enforcement agencies will participate in Santa's Ride for Children. The officers will collect presents and donations at police stations and other areas around the county which they will drop off to children at INOVA Fairfax Hospital Child Life Center and Georgetown Hospital Lombardi Cancer Center. The toys will also go to the Ronald McDonald House and Reston F.I.S.H. As a "thank you" to children in some FCPS schools who collect toys, the officers, many of whom will ride …

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Santa Visits Burke on a Fire Truck

Santa will be visiting several neighborhoods across Burke beginning Monday.

Santa will visit Burke neighborhoods throughout December atop Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Engine 414B. The 2012 Santa Runs begins Monday, Dec. 3.  The following list of neighborhoods and subdivisions includes street directions to help describe where and when Santa will visit. The box numbers refer to the map used by Station 14 (attached as a pdf). If any of these times and dates below change, Burke Volunteer Fire Department will be posting updates via their website, www.bvfrd.org and their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BVFRD). Monday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m. (Box 1403) – Santa will visit the neighborhoods of Edge Water and Spring LakeFarms. Neighborhoods and streets off of Lake Meadow. Also neighborhoods and streets off of Spring Lake Drive …

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Santa Tours I-495 Express Lanes With Ride to Tysons Corner

St. Nick took a quick ride through rush-hour traffic in a Tesla convertible roadster on Friday morning.

There was at least one jolly passenger who didn't have to inch his way through traffic on Interstate 495 in Northern Virginia on Friday morning. At around 8:30 a.m., Santa Claus commemorated the opening of the I-495 Express Lanes with a 14-mile ride from Braddock Road to Tysons Corner in an Arctic-white Tesla Roadster convertible. "It was a smooth ride — wonderful," said Santa, when he arrived at the Westpark Bridge ramp near the Tysons Galleria. "It didn't take but 10 minutes... Almost as good as a sleigh." The Express Lanes, which officially open on Saturday, offer riders with an E-ZPass an option to pay for less traffic, with trips costing upwards of $6 one-way. The speed limit is 55 miles per hour, and costs will fluctuate. "The 495 …

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Weekend Planner

Carriage Rides, Light Displays, and Ebenezer Scrooge

Weekend Events from Friday, Dec. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 25

A selection of events to enjoy with family and friends this holiday weekend. George Mason University Men’s Basketball Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides The Ice Palace Festival of Lights Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol 13th Annual Gingerbread Village Outdoor Hanukkah Festival Dec. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Lake Anne Plaza, Reston. Gather with the community at Lake Anne and take part in the lighting of a giant ice menorah by Reston founder Robert E. Simon. The celebration will continue at Reston Community Center-Lake Anne  for family entertainment, prize drawings, Hanukkah donuts, latkes, chocolate gelt, a family Hanikkah film and fun. Free admission. Family Chanukah Music Service Dec. 23, 6:45 pm.  Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle …

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Weekend Planner

Holiday Concerts, Chanukah Shopping and More This Weekend

Local Weekend Events from Friday, Dec. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 18

Whether you’re interested in sports, concerts, or having breakfast with Santa Claus, Patch has found a wide variety of events for you to choose from this weekend. High School Varsity Basketball Home Games Friday, Dec. 16. Boys: Girls: Please click on the links provided for information about locations, start times and admission. Christmas Concerts and Shows: Holiday Themed Events: Santa Sightings: If you know of other events this weekend, please add them in the comments section.

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Susan Larson

9:40 am on Friday, December 16, 2011

Saturday, Dec. 17 Ballroom Social Dance: Dancing, food and fun! Led by an instructor (with a pre-dance mini lesson available, $5/person.) Complimentary refreshments and cash bar available. All skill levels are welcome. Dress is casual. Doors open at 7 p.m., mini-lesson from 7:30 to 8 p.m. and open dance from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton. $10/person. Tickets available online. For …   more ›

Motorcycle-Riding Santa Claus Brings Holiday Fun to Local Schools

Twenty-fifth annual Santa's Ride benefits sick children in local hospitals.

Santa Claus rode through the streets of Fairfax County on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle Tuesday, followed by a motorcade of his helpers in law enforcement.  This is the 25th year local law enforcement agencies have participated in Santa's Ride for Children. The officers collected presents and donations at police stations and other areas around the county which they dropped off to children at INOVA Fairfax Hospital Child Life Center and Georgetown Hospital Lombardi Cancer Center. The toys will also go to the Ronald McDonald House and Reston F.I.S.H. As a "thank you" to children in some FCPS schools who collect toys, the officers, many of whom were riding motorcycles, escorted Santa to each location on his list. The route included Crossfield…

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Weekend Planner

Holiday Concerts, Breakfast with Santa, and More This Weekend

Events for the Weekend of Friday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec.11

The holiday season is in full swing, and we’ve got a weekend planner full of local events for you to choose from. High School Varsity Basketball Home Games Boys: West Springfield HS, Lake Braddock SS Girls: Lake Braddock SS, Falls Church HS, Annandale HS Falls Church High School Craft Show Concerts and Shows: Holiday Themed Events:

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Weekend Planner

Weekend Fun in Burke, Springfield and Beyond

Weekend Events from Friday, November 25, through Sunday, November 27.

You’ve had your turkey and all the trimmings, and now it’s time to plan your weekend activities. Here are some ideas to get you out and about. Black Friday at the Workhouse Arts Center Classical Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker” Robinson Secondary School Christmas Tree Sale KMT Musical Theatre presents “Seussical the Musical” Drumstix Dash 8K and Family Fun Run Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas

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