FRIDAY 9/3: Sunset Cinema in the Park Begins with ‘Tooth Fairy’

The City of Falls Church Recreation & Parks Division presents the 7th Annual Sunset Cinema in the Park three Fridays this September: September 3, 17 and 24. The screenings begin at 8 p.m. and are free to the public. Moviegoers are invited to bring blankets, bug spray and picnics and watch three great movies under the stars. Popcorn, drinks and ice cream will be available for purchase.

The screenings will be held at Cherry Hill Park, located at 312 Park Avenue. In the case of inclement weather, the screenings will be moved inside the Falls Church Community Center Gymnasium. For more information, call 703-248-5027 (TTY 711) or visit www.fallschurchva.gov . The movies are:

September 3: “Tooth Fairy” (PG, 2009)

September 17: “Princess and the Frog” (G, 2009)

September 24: “Where the Wild Things Are” (PG, 2009)

SATURDAY 9/11: Annual Fall Festival and Taste of Falls Church

The City of Falls Church Recreation & Parks Division presents the City’s 35th Annual Fall Festival and Taste of Falls Church on Saturday, September 11, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Cherry Hill Park at 312 Park Avenue. Bring in the fall with live entertainment, amusement rides, pony rides, crafters, businesses, and civic organizations.

The Fall Festival highlights the area’s top restaurants with the Taste of Falls Church. Sample cuisine from City restaurant kitchens for $3 per “taste” or 10 “tastes” for $25.

A children’s activity tent sponsored by MoBu Kids will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. featuring free craft projects.

Admission is free, and the event will be held rain or shine.

Stage Entertainment Lineup:

10 a.m. Blue Sky Puppets Presents Pig Tales

11 a.m. The Great Zucchini

12 p.m. Ice House Road

1 p.m. Andrew Acosta and the New Old Time String Band

2 p.m. The Dimitri Nassar Trio

3 p.m. Bad Hair Day

SATURDAY 9/11: Recycling Extravaganza for Electronics, Clothing, Bicycles, Eyeglasses and More

The public is invited to bring unwanted items to the City of Falls Church Semi-Annual Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, September 11. This is an opportunity for the residential community to recycle used electronics, cell phones, clothing and textiles, bicycles, printer cartridges, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and medical supplies. All items will be recycled, reused or donated to charity. For a complete list of acceptable items, visit www.fallschurchva.gov.

The Extravaganza will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Falls Church Property Yard, across from the Recycling Center, located at 217 Gordon Road. The event is cosponsored by the City of Falls Church Department of Environmental Services and the Falls Church Environmental Services Council.

For more information, please call the Environmental Programs Specialist at 703-248-5176.

SUNDAY 9/12: ‘Run for the Schools’ 5K Race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk

This year’s Run for the Schools 5K race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk will be held on the same weekend as the Fall Festival. Competitive runners, joggers, and walkers are invited to participate in the race featuring a course that winds through the streets of Falls Church City.

An anonymous donor to the Falls Church Education Foundation has made a challenge pledge to surpass last year’s field of 300 runners and walkers. For every runner or walker exceeding 300 who signs up to participate, the donor will contribute $10.  The pledge is applicable to competitive runners, recreational joggers, and walkers.

The 5K race and 1 mile family fun run/walk will begin on Park Avenue near the intersection of Little Falls Street in the City of Falls Church. After completing the courses participants are invited to Cherry Hill Park for the awards ceremony and other activities.

Registered participants will receive a race packet including a bib number and t-shirt, and they are eligible to win prizes. Packet pick up will be available to registered participants throughout the weekend, including Saturday, September 11, at the Fall Festival in Cherry Hill Park.

Proceeds benefit the Falls Church Education Foundation.

INDIVIDUAL RUNNER REGISTRATION: Go to www.fcedf.org, click on Activities and go to “Run for the Schools”

TEAM INFORMATION:

• a minimum of four (4) runners per team, there is no maximum for teams;

• no gender restrictions for team members — you may organize co-ed or single sex teams;

• registration fee of $30/runner or walker

• runners are encouraged to wear something that identifies them as a team member-distinctive hats, t-shirts, etc;

• Team captains and/or team members may pick up race packets for team members at packet pick up; packets include a race t-shirt for every team member: Friday, September 10, at Road Runner Sports in Falls Plaza East from 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, September 11, at Fall Festival at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church from 9-4 p.m. There will be no team registration on race day

• Team Captains: To create and join a team, go to http://www.active.com/running/falls-church-va/run-for-the-schools-5k-2010. Click the Register Now button and choose the Team Captain category. Create your team at the same time you register. BE SURE TO NAME YOUR TEAM AS TEAM NAME – CAPT’S NAME. This makes it easier for your team members later on. Finish your registration and pay.

• Team Members: To join your team go to http://www.active.com/running/falls-church-va/run-for-the-schools-5k-2010, click on the Register Now button and select the Team Members category. Select your team name from the drop down box on the registration form near the top. Finish your registration and pay.

Team awards:

• Fastest team: The average time of the first four finishers from each team will constitute that team’s finish time;

• Largest team: the largest number of registered runners;

• Team awards will be given immediately following the run in Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church

The Falls Church Education Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization established in 2003 to provide supplemental support for the Falls Church City Public Schools. The FCEF is engaged in a campaign to build a $10 million permanent Endowment Fund to help ensure that our students are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. For more information on the Foundation  go to www.fced.org.

FRIDAY 9/24: Entry Deadline for Bob Morrison Student TV Photo and Video Contest

Students with a still or video camera can compete for one of two, $250 Bob Morrison Prizes. This first annual contest was created by the TV station’s Cable Access Board in memory of longtime board member Bob Morrison.

“Falls Church City lost a great talent when Bob passed away last summer,” Cable Access Board President Barbara Cram said. “He never left home without a camera, and as a result, he left us a treasure trove of golden memories. Through this contest, we hope to encourage young artists, as Bob often did, to take their best shot and capture the spirit of The Little City.”

The contest is open to students in grades K-12 (during the 2009-2010 school year) who live or attend school in Falls Church City. Students may submit photographs or videos illustrating the theme of “Falls Church City – My Hometown.” Entries will be judged on theme, quality and creativity by a three-person judging panel. The first place winner in each category will be awarded the $250 prize during the Falls Church Cable Access Corporation Annual Meeting in October.

“We wanted to get the word out now so that students could focus on the many local events and activities that take place in Falls Church City during the summer months,” Cram said. “Of course, photos taken or videos produced prior to June may also be entered, so long as they conform to contest rules.”

Entry requirements can be found on the Falls Church City Television Web site, www.fcctv.net.

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, September 24.

Bob Morrison’s extraordinary photographs were often showcased in art shows, schools and businesses throughout Falls Church City. From athletic events to city festivals, Bob could often be seen capturing the spirit of The Little City, and he encouraged others to do the same with a still camera, or via video by becoming involved with Falls Church City Television. He was also an avid wildlife photographer, and often donated his time to photograph charitable events, such as the DC Central Kitchen’s annual Food Fight.