‘Freedom Summer, 60 Years Later’ at Dulin on Sunday

Dulin United Methodist Church, located in the city of Falls Church, is hosting “The Pivotal Role of a Mississippi United Methodist Church in the National Struggle for Civil Rights” on Sunday, October 6, at 4:00 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary (513 E. Broad St., Falls Church). Church member Miss Jewel McDonald and the Reverend Eddie Hinton, pastor of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church located in Philadelphia, Mississippi will share a recorded message of hope and love. This event is free and open to the public, and offered in-person and livestream.

For more information, visit Dulinchurch.org.

‘The Beauty of Diversity’ Opens at FCA on Saturday

Fifty-three artists explore the beauty and strength of diversity, whether of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, experiences, or abilities, at “The Beauty of Diversity,” an all-media exhibit at Falls Church Arts. The show will open on Saturday, October 5, from 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. with a “meet the artists” reception.
The Juror’s Choice Award will be announced during the event. The reception is free and is open to the public.

Sixty-seven works on display feature a wide range of media, including painting, photography, mixed media, textiles, origami, pastel, and bronze.

Anthony Nsofor, juror for the show, shares his insights about the selected works. “In selecting the works for this show, I viewed the Beauty in Diversity exhibition as a uniting umbrella for gathering experiences, and other ways of being, of identity, of being seen. In this cycle America decides who will become president, this show takes a bold stand for the richness and merits of an inclusive society. Art now, and succinctly, comes to the rescue by telling truths with mimes, humor, and exuberant color.”

The juror highlighted six works, including “The Armadillo’s Song” by Christine Cardellino, “Searching for Freedom Part 3,” by Isabella Merlos, “Entwined” by Tinu Prakash, “Mosaic of the Clitoris” by Aurore Regal, “Portal 1” by Bob Tieman, and “Rebirth” by Ashley Whitley.

“The Beauty of Diversity” will be on view, with free admission, through November 17. Artworks may be viewed or purchased in the FCA gallery (700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church) or online at
fallschurcharts.org.

Rally for Completion of Ffx. Youth Crisis Center Draws 450

At least 450 people turned out at Fairfax High School on Sunday to support calls by VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) for funding to complete a regional youth mental health crisis stabilization center and to expand opioid education and Narcan availability in Fairfax County schools.

The event, held in partnership with the Inova Health System, included more than 20 tables staffed by organizations providing addiction recovery, mental health, and drug education services.

“Our children need us to stand up for them now,” said Rev. Rebecca Messman, pastor at Burke Presbyterian Church. “While we welcome the steps already taken to help them deal with mental health and drug use challenges, our communities nonetheless find themselves in a crisis that demands more of us as elected and community leaders.”

According to the Fairfax County Health Department, hospital emergency department visits for opioid overdoses increased 115 percent between 2022 and 2023, among youth under age 18 in the Fairfax Health District (which covers Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church).

Of the fatal overdoses across all age groups in 2023, 95 percent involved fentanyl.

From 2016 to August 2024, 132 youth under age 18 in the Fairfax Health District suffered opioid overdoses, and at least 16 died from those overdoses, the Health Department reported. The vast majority involved fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances.

While the 2022-2023 Fairfax County Youth Survey showed 8th, 10th and 12th grade students reporting depressive symptoms at a lower rate than in 2021, nonetheless almost 30 percent reported feeling so sad or hopeless that they stopped engaging in regular activity for two weeks or more. Eleven percent reported seriously considering suicide within the previous year.

With these findings in mind, VOICE partnered with the Inova Health Foundation for its sixth annual Act on Addiction Summit, held in September.

“In listening sessions with hundreds of community members, our VOICE leaders heard the pain of students, parents, educators, and others who have had to deal with opioid drug overdoses and deaths, as well as continuing strong concerns about youth mental health,” said Shellie McKinney, Executive Director of Mothers of Muslims Network.

Learn more about VOICE at voice-va.org.

Hundreds of Seniors Compete in N.Va Senior Olympics

Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to hundreds of seniors competing in five- and ten-year age groups in the 2024 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics last month.

“We had a very successful Senior Olympics, with participants from all of our eight sponsoring jurisdictions,” said NVSO Chair Riley Geary. “We began with track events on Saturday, Sept. 14 and ended with cycling on Sunday, Sept. 29.

“There were over 70 events in between held at 28 different venues each with an experienced event director and most with volunteers.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of the events. We could never successfully execute this big of an event without them.”

NVSO spokesperson Judy Massabny revealed that this was Geary’s final year as chair, and that he and his wife are planning on retiring to Hawaii. Massabny said a wrap-up report will be released as soon as the results from all of the events are completed.

The NVSO sponsoring agencies are the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William.

Farm Day This Weekend, City Seeks Volunteers

The Recreation and Parks annual Farm Day returns this Saturday, October 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church).

Attendees of the event will enjoy a day of farm-filled fun and activities for the whole family, including a petting farm with animals, pony rides, pumpkin painting, birdhouse painting, blacksmith demonstrations, and more.

Live music will entertain throughout the day, with tours being given of the Cherry Hill Farmhouse and barn.

Farm Day was originally scheduled for the second weekend in October, coinciding with Indigenous Peoples Day weekend, but was moved to October 5 earlier this year.

Volunteers are needed to help facilitate activities and provide a positive experience for all attendees. Volunteer for a full day or half day — register for a timeslot at tinyurl.com/FCNP1024fd. Contact Holly Irwin with questions at hirwin@fallschurchva.gov.

Virginia Dream FC accepted into U.S. Open Cup

Virginia Dream FC has been accepted into the Qualifying Rounds of the U.S. Open Cup. Play begins the weekend of October 5 but The Dream has a bye for the first two rounds. The team will begin play in the third round on November 17. With a victory in that match Virginia Dream FC will advance to the fourth and final qualifying round on December 8.

The U.S. Open Cup is the oldest, most prestigious soccer competition in the U.S. In this tournament, amateur teams have the opportunity to advance and compete against teams in professional leagues, such as the MLS and USL.

With only three matches to go in the UPSL season, Virginia Dream still sits atop of the standings, despite a 1-0 loss this past weekend in a tough, spirited game against an organized and skilled DC Hyper squad. Despite several great opportunities to score, the team was unable to convert. This Sunday, October 6, at 5:00 p.m., The Dream faces Arlington SA in an away game. The team’s next home match is Saturday, October 12, at 8:00 p.m. at Meridian (121 Mustang Alley).

In other Dream news, the team’s coveted 2023 Jersey was seen out in the wild on
instagram.com/soccercooligans, a national soccer and comedy podcast. Tickets for home games cost $10 at the door, and children under 12 and all FCCPS students get in for free. For more information, visit
instagram.com/VirginiaDreamFC.