MEH & MHS Bands to Perform Rock and JazzFest April 21

Join the MEH & MHS jazz and rock band ensembles for their Rock and Jazz Fest concert on Sunday, April 21 from 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. at the Mary Ellen Henderson School Cafe (105 Mustang Alley, Falls Church). Guests will be treated to an afternoon of live jazz and rock music along with tasty mocktails and nibbles, and a special swing dancing instruction for all ages! Admission is free to this special springtime concert, with donations accepted to help fund FCCPS music programs.

F.C. Ranks Second in Top 10 Virginia Cities for Pickleball

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and Virginia is ranked no. 10 in the nation for pickleball courts (boasting 428 across the Commonwealth).

TeachMe.To compiled data from every pickleball lesson in Virginia to identify not just where it is played, but where it is flourishing.

Alexandria leads the state in pickleball enthusiasm, accounting for 49.4 percent of pickleball lessons in the state.

Falls Church came in second, representing a 20.8 percent share of all pickleball lessons in Virginia. TeachMe.To notes The Little City’s “status as a close-knit community where pickleball is more than just a game; it’s a way to connect, engage, and foster friendhips. The city’s dedication to creating spaces for pickleball is evident in its thriving scene and the growing interest amont residents.”

Arlington came in third, accounting for 7.8 percent of pickleball lessons, followed by Richmond and Fairfax each at 6.5 percent, Vienna and Henrico each at 2.6 percent, and Virginia Beach, Glen Allen, and Annandale each at 1.3 percent.

Arlington Author Wins International Writing Contest

Arlington resident Jack Nash is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, earning him a trip to Hollywood for a week-long master-class workshop and his winning story will be published in the international bestselling anthology, “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40.” In addition, he’ll be honored along with his fellow writers and illustrators on April 25 at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, CA.

The Contest is currently in its 41st year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction.
In the 39 years of the Writers of the Future Contest, there have been 547 winners and published finalists. The past winners of the Writing Contest have published 2,000 novels and nearly 6,300 short stories. They have produced 36 New York Times bestsellers, and their works have sold over 60 million copies.

The Writers of the Future Award is the genre’s most prestigious award of its kind and has now become the largest, most successful, and demonstrably most influential vehicle for budding creative talent in the world of speculative fiction. Since its inception, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contests have produced 39 anthology volumes (with this event) and awarded upwards of $1 million in cash prizes and royalties.

For more information, please visit writersofthefuture.com.

FCA Celebrates World Art Day with First Finissage April 13

Celebrate World Art Day when Falls Church Arts hosts its first Finissage (closing reception) for “Images,” a fine art photography exhibit, on Saturday, April 13 from 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. World Art Day commemorates the artistry of Leonardo DaVinci. It also honors the contributions of artists worldwide and recognizes the importance of art in our personal lives and the environment. The Finissage will give visitors an opportunity to mingle with participating artists, and see the award-winning photographs “Vietnamese Hill Tribe Woman” and “The Yellow Pot” before the exhibit closes. The reception is free and is open to the public.

Artwork can viewed or purchased online at fallschurcharts.org or in the FCA gallery.

F.C. Democrats Announce Caucus for Delegate Selection

On Tuesday the Falls Church City Democratic Committee (FCCDC) announced an unassembled caucus to be held on April 22 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the F.C. Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church) to elect Delegates to the 8th Congressional District and State conventions.

The 8th CD convention will be on Saturday, May 18 at Alexandria City High School, and the State convention will be on June 22 in Richmond.

The purpose of this caucus is to elect Delegates who will represent the 8th Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. It will also elect the Elector who will also represent the district in the Electoral College vote in December.

The FCCDC invites all Democrats from the 3rd Congressional District to participate in this important event. The caucus is an opportunity for local Democrats to have a say in who will represent them at the state and national level.

The FCCDC is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. All participants must be registered to vote in the 3rd Congressional District and must declare their intention to support the nominees of the Democratic Party in the upcoming elections. The deadline to register is Monday April 15 at 5:00 p.m.

For more information about the caucus, please visit our website or contact the FCCDC directly at
fallschurchdems@gmail.com.

F.C. Resident Wins Capital Area Magician of the Year

Drew Owen, a resident of Falls Church since 2010, has won the Dan Lacey Memorial Contest, which carries the title “Ring 50 Magician of the Year.” The contest was held at the April meeting of Ring 50, the largest chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the largest organization in the world.

Owen outscored seven other magicians to win the contest, named in memory of former Ring 50 president Dan Lacey, who died in 2000. He was also presented with a magic book copy once owned by Lacey.

For more information, visit DrewMagic.com.