Meridian Music TAG Day is this Saturday

Scores of Meridian musicians perform their way across The Little City for their annual TAG Day fundraising event on Saturday, September 14, from 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. The musicians are raising funds toward their March 2025 performance trip to Atlanta, GA. Donate directly to one of the musicians wherever you may see them making music. More at bandboostersfcc.org.

A Registration Record for N.Va Senior Olympics this Month

Over 1,000 senior adults aged 50 and above have registered to participate in the 2024 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, which begin September 14 in Arlington — a 15 percent increase over last year. The public is invited to attend NVSO events, which run through Sunday, Sept. 29 and take place in 28 different venues throughout Northern Virginia. For a full schedule and details, visit nvso.us.

VPIS Installs New Presidents’ Garden Sign

On September 4, the City’s urban greenspace staff installed a new sign for the Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) Presidents’ Garden — located under the trail bridge on W. Broad St. The sign replaced the original one, which had become dilapidated.

VPIS funded the original garden many years ago, and worked with city staff on its rehabilitation during the pandemic. The new VPIS-funded sign is part of this ongoing effort. The VPIS Garden Committee worked with F.C. based DS Metal Works on the sign’s design and fabrication.

New Public Art Brightens Falls Church Storm Drains

F.C. has some exciting new public art right under your feet! Six beautifully painted storm drains have been added to our streets, thanks to the creativity and hard work of local artists, including FCCPS students and families and other civic-minded individuals — who came together to bring the crosswalks to life.

The vibrant murals were created over the summer, following a design competition organized by the Arts & Humanities Council. Submissions were carefully reviewed to ensure that each design would bring a unique burst of color and meaning to the community.

The murals can be seen on storm drains along Maple Ave. near the intersection with S. Washington St.

Dr. Jennifer Jacobs Wins AARP Purpose Prize

Last week AARP announced Dr. Jennifer Jacobs, co-founder and CEO of 501(c)(3) nonprofit Connect Our Kids, based in the City of Falls Church, as a winner of the AARP Purpose Prize award, which recognizes extraordinary nonprofit founders ages 50 or older who are using their knowledge and life experience to make a difference.

AARP will award each Purpose Prize winner $50,000 for their organization. Honorees will also receive a year of technical support to help broaden the scope of their organizations’ work. Recipients and their organizations will be honored during an in-person celebration in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 1, 2024.
Read Dr. Jacobs’ story at aarp.org/about-aarp/purpose-prize/winners/jennifer-jacobs.html.

Three F.C. Students Selected for ‘Keep VA Beautiful’ Program

Keep Virginia Beautiful selected 48 teens — including three students from Falls Church — from across the Commonwealth to be Student Ambassadors for Virginia’s Environment (SAVE) for the 2024-25 school year. Selected students will conduct litter cleanups, develop a community education project, and other activities that make a positive environmental impact. Among the students selected are 15 from Piedmont, nine from Northern Virginia, eight each from Tidewater and Southwest Virginia, six from the Valley and two from Blue Ridge.

“I am lucky to have so many opportunities to enjoy the natural environment and want to ensure that the next generation will have the same experience, if not better,” a selected student from Falls Church said.
The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve the natural and scenic environment.

Annual “Scenes in the City” Plein Air Festival Returns

Artists from the Mid-Atlantic will take to the streets to paint in historic Falls Church when the 2024 “Scenes in the City” Plein Air Festival begins on September 13. The festival concludes on September 28 with competition judging, a Quick Draw contest, and an awards ceremony.

This annual event celebrates the art of plein air painting, where artists work quickly outdoors to capture the ever-changing light and atmosphere. Participating artists have fifteen days to paint their artworks for the competition.

This community-building and family-friendly event is free and is open to the public. To learn more or register, visit fallschurcharts.org.

F.C. Dems Chair Visits White House For ADA Anniversary

On Monday, City of Falls Church Democratic Committee (CFDC) Chair Jeff Person was a guest at the White House for an event honoring Disability Pride Month and the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), both of which took place in July, when President Joe Biden signed a proclamation marking the anniversary.

President Biden delivered remarks at the event, which took place on the South Lawn on September 9, with several hundred disability leaders gathered in attendance.

“[I am] honored to play a small role in access and inclusions for Americans with disabilities across the country,” Person said.

Cauldron Receives over $75k in Grants from ArtsFairfax, VCA

Creative Cauldron informed the News-Press Tuesday that they are recipient of a FY 2025 Operating Support Grant in the amount of $41,056 from ArtsFairfax, as well as a second grant for $34,968 from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.