City of Falls Church Gov't Updates, Oct. 31, 2024

The following is based on press releases, social media and website postings from the City of Falls Church.

Election Day in the City of Falls Church

Voting Information, Road Closures, and Final Days of Early Voting  

On Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the City of Falls Church polling places will be open from 6-7 p.m. Registered voters waiting in line to vote at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Polling places are accessible to persons with disabilities.   

• Ward 1: Oak Street Elementary School - 601 South Oak Street. 
• Wards 2 and 3: Falls Church Community Center - 223 Little Falls Street. 

Voting and Election Day information is available on the City website. 

Ward 1 Voters: Additional Information and Road Closures 

Voters are encouraged to walk or bike to the Ward 1 precinct. Street parking is available in the neighborhood along South Oak Street, South Lee Street, Timber Lane, Parker Avenue, Seaton Lane, and Fellows Court. 

Voting at Oak Street Elementary School is located within the gymnasium. The entrance and exit can only be accessed through the South Oak Street Door 2 on the South Oak Street side of the school next to the gymnasium. The main entrance to the school will not be open to voters. Follow all official posted signage directing to the polling place, along with road closures and parking restrictions. 

• Ward 1 -  Road Closures: There are two 30-minute periods when South Oak Street will be closed for school arrival and dismissal. During school arrival (8:40-9:10 a.m.) and dismissal (3:40-4:10 p.m.), the regular motor vehicle road closures around Oak Street Elementary will continue. During this time, there will be intersection closures and limited parking. Intersection Closures:  South Oak and Seaton Lane, Parker Avenue and Timber Lane, and Timber Lane and South Oak Street. 
• Ward 1 -  ADA Access and Curbside Voting: The polling place is ADA Accessible and Curbside Voting is available throughout the day. When the regular road closures are in effect, motor vehicles with accessible parking placards or license plate tags, or voters who need curbside voting assistance, can access ADA spots on South Oak Street via Parker Avenue. Access during road closures: In the morning and afternoon, City safety personnel managing road closures will provide access to these vehicles only through the intersection of Parker Ave. and Timber Lane. 

Wards 2 and 3 Voters: Additional Information  

The Falls Church Community Center at 223 Little Falls Street, is the location of both Ward 2 and Ward 3.  

• Wards 2 and 3 - Parking and Building Access: The parking lots for the Community Center (223 Little Falls Street) and City Hall (300 Park Ave.) will be dedicated voter parking for Wards 2 and 3 on Election Day, November 5. The entrance and exit for voting is the front door to the Community Center. Signs will direct voters to the gymnasium.  
• Wards 2 and 3 -  ADA Access and Curbside Voting: The Community Center parking lot has ADA designated spots available. Access to the ground floor where voting will take place in the gymnasium is accessible via the elevator located directly to the right after entering the building. Additionally, voters may request Curbside Voting at arrival in front of the Community Center. 

Final Days of Early Voting  

Voters can continue to engage in early voting at City Hall (300 Park Avenue) on Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday is the last day to vote early, and City Hall will be open to voters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Resources and Further Information 

Visit fallschurchva.gov/Vote for official Election Day information, voter requirements, and ward maps. Direct questions to vote@fallschurchva.gov. 

Sherrow Avenue Bridge Public Hearing: Design

• Tuesday, November 12, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
• Oak Street Elementary School Cafeteria
• VDOT announcement
• For more information about the project, visit VDOT's project page at vdot.virginia.gov/Sherrow.

Leaf Collection Starts Monday, October 28

City crews will start collecting leaves from residential areas on Monday, October 28. Leaf collection ends Friday, January 10, 2025.

• If bagging leaves, please only use the brown kraft bags and place the required $1 yellow sticker on each bag for collection. Leaves will not be accepted in privately owned containers. 

After collection, the leaves will be processed into high-quality leaf mulch that will be available at the Recycling Center in March 2025.

2024 to 2025 Schedule

October 28 - November 1: South of Broad St. (Zones 1 and 2)

November 4 - 8: North of Broad St. (Zones 3 and 4)

November 11 - 15: South of Broad St. (Zones 1 and 2)

November 18 - 22: South of Broad St. (Zones 1 and 2)

November 25 - 29: North of Broad St. (Zones 3 and 4)

December 2 - 6: North of Broad St. (Zones 3 and 4)

December 9 - 13: South of Broad St. (Zones 1 and 2)

December 16 - 20: South of Broad St. (Zones 1 and 2)

December 23 - 31: North of Broad St. (Zones 3 and 4)

January 2 - 7:  North of Broad St. (Zones 3 and 4)

January 8 - 10: City-Wide – All zones for cleanup

The leaf collection schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions. 

How to Prepare Leaves for Collection

Residents should prepare their leaves according to the steps below. Improper preparation can cause damage to the machines or result in poor quality leaf mulch.

1. Rake leaves to the curb and don't place in the street.
2. Pile leaves away from storm drains and water meter covers.
3. Only leaves – no stones, litter, branches or other debris (they can damage the machines) and no yard waste (it can ruin the composting process that turns the leaves into free mulch).
4. Don't park your car on a leaf pile. It's a fire hazard!

Learn more about the City's compositing program and backyard composting workshops.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library: November Highlights

Toys for Tots and Oglala-Lakota Coat Drives

The Toys for Tots drive runs Monday, October 21 through Thursday, December 5. Donations of new, unwrapped toys and games for ages up to 15 years-old are welcome.

The annual Oglala-Lakota coat drive runs Friday, October 25 through Monday, November 18. Organized by the nonprofit Re-Member.org, the drive will benefit the residents of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. New and/or gently used items needed include: hooded winter coats (all sizes), new socks (all sizes), baby blankets, hoodies, toddler/kids winter clothes, bars of soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and diapers (sizes 4-5-6).

Donation bins for both drives can be found in the front vestibule of the library. Thank you for contributing!

Featured Library Events

Christine Gunderson: Friends with Secrets

Saturday, November 2, 2 - 3:30 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Registration Open. Seats Remaining: 42.

Join us for a talk by acclaimed local novelist Christine Gunderson. In a funny and suspenseful debut, Christine Gunderson explores the myth of the perfect mother, the bonds of female friendship, and the haunting impact of secrets.

Crafty Café - Cross Stitch

Monday, November 4, 6 - 7:00 p.m. Lower Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Registration Open. Seats Remaining: 19. Age Group: Teens, grades 6-12.

Relax at Crafty Café on the first Monday of the month. We will enjoy snacks and a different artsy activity every meeting. Teens in grades 6-12 are welcome!

Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life

Wednesday, November 6, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Registration Open. Seats Remaining: 20. Adults (18+).

Most of us are always on the go in some capacity, tasking ourselves to keep things running smoothly or remedying situations that aren’t going as we hoped. We come together weekly to investigate the practical application of bringing mindfulness into our daily lives.

Improv Workshop: Unexpectedly Funny

Wednesday, November 6, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Registration Open. Seats Remaining: 17.

Join us for Unexpectedly Funny, an exhilarating improv workshop suitable for all ages! Discover the joy of spontaneous creativity as we explore the fundamentals of improvisation in a fun and supportive environment.

Falls Church Fiber Artists

Thursday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Ages: Adults (18+).

Drop in for this informal weekly group to knit and crochet. Share what you're creating. Get advice from other knitters and crocheters. Or just chat while you work on your own project! All are welcome. 

NaNoWriMo - Teen Write-In

Friday, November 8, 4- 5:00 p.m. Lower Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Registration Open. Seats Remaining: 50. Age Group: Teens (Grades 6-12).

Teens are invited to join us for an hour long write-in at MRSPL to work on their drafts, meet fellow writers, and celebrate how far their stories have come along!

Sean Gaskell Plays the Kora Harp

Saturday, November 9, 2 - 3:30 p.m. Lower Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Registration Open. Seats Remaining: 34. All Ages.

Sean Gaskell features songs on the kora – a 21 stringed West African harp. The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots.

Great Books Discussion Series

Tuesday, November 12, 6 - 7:45 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Ages: Adults (18+).

A "Great Books" discussion concentrating on literary classics (both traditional and modern), usually meeting at 7 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. All are welcome. 

Event Details: The group will discuss: Richard II, by Shakespeare (1597). Available at https://folger-main-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/11/richard-ii_PDF_FolgerShakespeare.pdf.

Poetry Circle

Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Study Room, 1 & 2 Combined, at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Writing Group. Adults (18+).

If you write or just love reading poetry, you are invited to join this monthly, in-person poetry circle! Please contact Rachel Clark, the volunteer coordinator, to register: vzexw6az@verizon.net.

Wednesday Evening Book Club

Wednesday, November 13, 7 - 8:00 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Ages: Adults (18+).

The Wednesday Evening Book Club typically meets the second Wednesday evening of every other month and reads a wide range of fiction and nonfiction. Need a copy of the book...

NOVEMBER 2024 BOOK: Trust, by Hernan Diaz. Please RSVP by using the REGISTRATION. Drop-ins are welcome and will be admitted space provided. 

Author Talk - Sara Fitzgerald

Saturday, November 16, 1 - 2:00 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Registration Open. Seats Remaining: 39. All ages.

Sara Fitzgerald, author of The Poet's Girl, a novel about the relationship between Emily Hale and renowned poet T.S. Eliot, has now written the definitive biography of Emily Hale – The Silenced Muse: Emily Hale, T. S. Eliot, and the Role of a Lifetime. While Eliot destroyed all the letters he had received from Emily, Emily donated the letters she had received from Eliot to Princeton University.  These were released in 2019, 50 years after Emily's death in 1969. 

The Silenced Muse finally reveals that Hale’s story is not that of a lover scorned, but rather a woman who was herself gifted and celebrated by her students and peers.

Come join local author Sara Fitzgerald as she talks about her research and the difference between writing fiction and nonfiction.

Flowers Everywhere

Monday, November 18, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Arts & Crafts, Home & Gardening. Registration Open. Seats Remaining: 1. Adults (18+).

Have you always wanted to try your hand at floristry? Tap into your inner artist and level-up your arrangements! Explore different options in festive tablescaping. Try different tools without having to purchase them.

Armchair Travel: Greece

Tuesday, November 19, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Film. Adults (18+).

Armchair Travel at the Library

Join us at a Conference Room of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library to continue our "travels." We will meet the third Tuesday of September, October, November, and December.

MRSPL Mystery Book Club

Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Lower Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Book Discussion. Adults (18+).

Join us for a discussion of the classic British mystery Smallbone Deceased, by Michael Gilbert. Published in 1950, it's considered a first-rate novel of the latter golden age, written with style, pace and wit.

New Yorker Discussion Group

Thursday, November 21, 2 - 3:00 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Adults (18+).

Article to be determined. This program will be held in-person at the library and via Zoom. Please email to request a Zoom invite. 

New Yorker Discussion Group

Enjoy reading The New Yorker but wish you had someone to chat about it with? Drop into the monthly New Yorker Discussion Group to share your thoughts on what you’ve read in a variety of articles. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 2-3 p.m. on Zoom.

City Calendar for November, 2024

City Council Financial Policies Overview Meeting

November 1, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. in the Oak Room. City Council members will gather to receive a presentation on financial policies from city staff. More Details.

City Council Work Session

November 4, 7:30 - 11:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. City Council Work Sessions are held the first and third Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues; the public is not generally invited to speak. Watch the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings or FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. More Details.

RESCHEDULED: Economic Development Authority Meeting

November 5, 7 - 10:00 p.m. in the Laurel Room. Regular monthly EDA meeting. More Details.

Electoral Board Meeting

November 5, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. More Details.

Electoral Board Meeting

November 6,  2 - 5:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. More Details.

ETG Meeting - Operation EarthWatch Activity Planning Meeting

November 6,  6:45 - 7:45 p.m. in the Lower Floor Conference Room. More Details.

Housing Commission Meeting

November 6, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Laurel Room. More Details.

Planning Commission Meeting

November 6, 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Ask the Council Session

November 6, 9 - 10:00 a.m. in the City Hall Oak Room. The public is welcome to attend this session to meet with Council members and ask questions in an informal setting. More Details.

Mayor's Agenda Meeting with Staff

November 6, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. in the Oak Room. The Mayor will meet with staff to determine the agenda schedule for future City Council meetings. Other members of City Council may also participate in this meeting. More Details.

Quarterly Meeting of the Retirement Board

November 7, 5 - 8:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. More Details.

Aurora House Girls Group Home Citizens' Advisory Committee Meeting (In-person with Virtual Option)

November 12, 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the Laurel Room. More Details.

City Council Legislative Committee Meeting

November 12, 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. in the Oak Room. More Details.

City Council Meeting

November 12,  7:30 - 11:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. The City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. The public is welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the public comment period. Sign up to speak at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. Watch the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings and FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV.More Details

Architectural Advisory Board Meeting

November 13, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks

November 13, 7 - 9:00 p.m. in the Art Room. Regular monthly meeting of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks. More Details.

Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation Meeting

November 13, 7:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. More Details.

City Council Appointments Committee Meeting

November 13, 8 - 9:30 p.m. in the Oak Room. The City Council Appointments Committee will meet to interview candidates for boards and commissions and conduct exit interviews. More Details.

Mayor's Agenda Meeting with Staff

November 13,  8:30 - 9:00 a.m. in the Oak Room. The Mayor will meet with staff to determine the agenda schedule for future City Council meetings. Other members of City Council may also participate in this meeting. More Details.

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Meeting

November 14, 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

City Council Budget and Finance Committee Meeting

November 15,  8:30 - 9:30 a.m. in the Oak Room. More Details.

City Council Work Session

November 18, 7:30 - 11:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. City Council Work Sessions are held the first and third Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues; the public is not generally invited to speak. Watch the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings or FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV.More Details

Library Board of Trustees Meeting

November 20, 6 - 8:00 p.m. in the Upper Floor Conference Room. Regular Library Board Meeting. More Details.

Planning Commission Meeting

November 20, 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting

November 20,  7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. Regular monthly meeting of the Urban Forestry Commission. More Details.

Mayor's Agenda Meeting with Staff

November 20,  8:30 - 9:00 a.m. in the Oak Room. The Mayor will meet with staff to determine the agenda schedule for future City Council meetings. Other members of City Council may also participate in this meeting. More Details.

Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church Meeting

November 21, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. Regular meeting of the Arts & Humanities Council of Falls Church. More Details.

Environmental Sustainability Council & Energy Transition Subcommittee Meeting

November 21,  7:30 - 9:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Human Services Advisory Council Meeting

November 21, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. More Details.

City Council Meeting

November 25,  7:30 - 11:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. The City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. The public is welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the public comment period. Sign up to speak at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. All members of the public may view the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings. The meeting may also be viewed on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV.More Details

City Council Economic Development Committee Meeting

November 26, 1 - 2:30 p.m. in the Oak Room. More Details.

City Council Government Operations Committee Meeting

November 27,  9 - 10:00 a.m. in the Oak Room. More Details.

Mayor's Agenda Meeting with Staff

November 27, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. in the Oak Room. The Mayor will meet with staff to determine the agenda schedule for future City Council meetings. Other members of City Council may also participate in this meeting. More Details.

Historic Architectural Review Board Meeting

November 28, 7 - 9:00 p.m. in City Hall, Dogwood Room A and B. More Details.

Historical Commission Meeting

November 28, 7 - 9:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Room, A and B. More Details.

Citywide Notices

Court Day (General District Court)

November 6,  8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Veterans Day Holiday

November 11, 12:00 p.m. More Details.

Court Day (Juvenile and Domestic Relations)

November 12, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. More Details.

Court Day (General District Court)

November 13, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details

Court Day (General District Court)

November 20, 8:00 - 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Court Day (Juvenile and Domestic Relations)

November 26, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. More Details.

Thanksgiving Holiday

November 28 - November 29. More Details.

Events

Veterans Day

November 11, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Community Center. More Details.

Farmers Market

November 16, 23, 30, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the City Hall Parking Lot. Shop the award-winning market every Saturday, year-round! More Details.

By The Falls Church Independent