Encore Learning Celebrates Twenty Years

Encore Learning, an Arlington, VA based nonprofit that provides college-level, noncredit courses, special events and clubs, is celebrating 20 years of bringing world-class courses, events and clubs to lifelong learners over age 50.
The celebration is on Monday, September 12, 2022 from 2:30-4:30PM in Van Metre Hall, George Mason University’s Mason Square at 3351 Fairfax, Drive, Arlington, VA. The event is free and requires advance registration. The celebration will include a short, exciting program (begins at 3:00 PM) and recognition of 20 years of accomplishments. They will also honor special volunteers and salute a vibrant future. A social hour with light refreshments will follow the program.
Encore Learning is now in its 40th semester and has over 900 active members. Over the past 20 years, they’ve served over 3,500 members with courses, clubs and Special Events in Fine Arts, Theater & Music, Health and Wellness, History, Law, Politics, Literature & Writing, Science & Technology and Social Sciences, all at a reasonable cost.
The organization is located on George Mason University’s Arlington Campus, which is where most of the in-person classes and events are held, although many of their offerings are virtual via Zoom.

Bethesda Arts Festival Accepts Three Falls Church Residents

On Saturday, October 8, Bethesda Row’s Arts and Entertainment District will transform into a massive outdoor art gallery featuring ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, printmaking, jewelry, metalwork, painting, photography, sculpture, and other disciples from over 160 carefully jury-selected artists around the country. The 25th Annual Bethesda Row Arts Festival, which has been recognized as one of the most important art events in the country by Art Fair Sourcebook and Sunshine Artists, will run from Saturday, October 8 (11am-6pm) to Sunday, October 9, (10am-5pm).
This year the Bethesda Row Arts Festival has accepted three Falls Church residents into the show. We thought you may be interested in featuring them in an article. One is not only a silversmith but an internationally recognized operatic tenor. Please find more about the festival in the release below plus more about the FC artists.

Body Dynamics Inc. Hosts Open House

Body Dynamics Inc. is hosting an open house on Saturday, September 254 and Saturday, September 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 410 South Maple Avenue Suite #100, Falls Church.
The open house event will showcase Body Dynamics’ services and allow participants to ask questions. Light refreshments will be served.
New clients, who attend the Open House, will receive 50% off their first fitness, massage, or nutrition session or 10% off their first PT session!

Personal Property Tax Rate Lowered as Bill Increases 

Vehicle owners in the City of Falls Church will likely see an increase in the Personal Property Tax (also known as the Car Tax) when bills are delivered to mailboxes this week. In April, City Council approved a 14 percent temporary decrease in the personal property tax rate to help with the expected increase. The rate for this year is $4.30 per $100 of assessed value (down from $5.00).

The decrease in the rate will not cancel out the total increase in all vehicle values. The increase varies widely from year, make, model, and type of vehicle. This year about 85 percent of vehicles owned by City residents increased in value, compared to 15 percent of vehicles increasing in value last year.
The tax is due October 5 and can be paid online at www.fallschurchva.gov/Payments. Payment can also be mailed or placed in the yellow drop box outside the City Hall main entrance; please include payment and the bill stub. The mailing address is Treasurer, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046.

National Public Lands Day: Volunteers Needed

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Join FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole on the last stop of her 420 parks tour for a community stewardship celebration at Lake Fairfax Park. Activities run from 9:15 a.m. until noon on Saturday, September 24.
Volunteers will enjoy a light breakfast, followed by remarks from local officials. Expert naturalists will be on hand to help volunteers plant trees, remove invasive plants and contribute to the overall beautification of the grounds at Lake Fairfax. This event is ideal for school service hours and corporate group projects. Volunteers 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is generously supported by the Fairfax County Park Foundation. For more information and to sign up, check the PSA.

Oak Hill Manor Open House Event Returns In Person

The historic Oak Hill Manor in Annandale, Virginia, holds a special, once-a-year open house, allowing visitors to take a closer look at local history. This private residence will once again open its door on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 12 — 4 p.m. Parking will be off site at 4414 Holborn Ave. at the Nancy Sprague Technology Center in Annandale; a free shuttle bus service will provide visitors with transportation to the Manor. Limited onsite handicapped accessible parking is available at the site, located at the side entrance at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Rd. The Manor, done in a Georgian style of architecture, was constructed circa 1790 on the historic Ravensworth tract by Richard Fitzhugh, a descendant of one of the first land-grant holders in Northern Virginia. The 1940s brought renovations to the house by restoration architect Walter M. Macomber, done in the Colonial Revival style. The name “Oak Hill” is derived from two large oak trees on the property. In 2004, Oak Hill was listed in the National Register of Historic Places; that same year, the Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and Seville Homes agreed to a historic and conservation easement to preserve the privately owned Oak Hill home and its property, including 200-year-old boxwoods. In addition to the tour of the first floor and grounds, outdoor interpretive programs help educate visitors about what life was like at Oak Hill, also highlighting the experiences of the enslaved people who lived on the property before and during the Civil War. For more information about Oak Hill and this year’s event, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/oak-hill.

Outdoor Movies Return to Falls Church’s Cherry Park

Falls Church City’s Sunset Cinema will be held on three dates this fall — Friday, Sept. 23, Friday, Sept. 30 and Friday, Oct. 7. The first movie will be “Encanto,” sponsored by Welcoming Falls Church, an organization supporting refugees and immigrants. The next two movies on the schedule will be “Sing 2” and “The Goonies.” Sunset Cinema takes place at Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Avenue) and is sponsored by the City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and a picnic along for the movie. Drinks, popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase. In the case of inclement weather, screenings will be moved into the Community Center as available. For more information, visit fallschurchva.gov/sunsetcinema.

Tickets On Sale for Tina Turner Musical

Tickets are currently on sale for “Tina — the Tina Turner Musical” at Washington, DC’s National Theatre, located mere steps from the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. “Tina” will play for three weeks only, from October 4 — October 23. Tickets can be purchased online at broadwayatthenational.com or in person at the box office located at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC. Box Office hours are Monday — Friday, 12 — 6 p.m., with extended evening and weekend hours during performance days. The performance runs approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, with one intermission.

Annual Food Drive

Welcoming Falls Church is partnering with Columbia Baptist Spend Yourself Food Pantry again to begin collecting for our annual food drive starting on Sunday, Sept 11th.
The most needed list of items are: Canned Fruit (100% Juice), Canned Meat (chicken, tuna and salmon), Dried Beans-1 or 2lb bags, Hearty Soup (Progresso, Healthy Choice, Chunky Soup), Macaroni and Cheese, No Sodium Added Canned Corn, No Sodium Added Canned Tomatoes, Non-Instant Oatmeal, Unsweetened Cereal, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, White Rice-1 or 2lb bags, Feminine Hygiene Supplies (individually wrapped pads and panty liners).
You can drop off these items at our Ice Cream Social, as well as locations around Falls Church throughout Welcoming Week. Sign up here to host a location for food drive drop offs in your neighborhood. We will stop officially collecting on September 16, but direct donations to the food pantry are always welcome and appreciated.

Founders Row II Project Site Approved

The Founders Row II mixed-use development project recently received site plan approval from the Planning Commission. The building layout and vehicle entrances are conditionally approved pending a City staff final administrative review of the Site Plan to clean up any remaining details.
After which, the developer can apply for a demolition permit followed by a building permit. Construction should start later this year.

Here Comes The Senior Olympians

The opening ceremonies of the 40th Northern Virginia Senior Olympics will take place, Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2 nd St. Arlington. NVSO Chair Herb Levitan, Arl., said, “The public is invited to attend the opening starting at 9:30 a.m. and stay for seven track events that will follow.” Competition will take place at 25 different venues throughout Northern Virginia and continue through Saturday, Sept. 24. Chair Levitan reported that 831 senior adults are participating, a 20% increase over last year. They will be competing in 70 plus events. “Pickleball, track, field and table tennis have garnered the most registrants. The oldest participant is Vera Punke of Arlington, age 107 who is registered to play duplicate bridge. The complete schedule of events is on the NVSO website, www.nvso.us . Results of each event will be posted on the website as the competition continues. All events are open to the public.
For more information, check the website or email nvso1982@gmail.com.

Annual Civil War Books, Relics and Memorabilia Show

The Annual Civil War Books, Relics and Memorabilia Show will be held at the Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge on Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25. The event will run from 10:00 – 6:00 both days. Admission is $5.00 per person. Vendors are welcome.
For additional information, please call Bud Mayo 703-389-1505 or mayo5304@cox.net