Grab a bag and stuff it full of books — the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library’s quarterly sale is this weekend.

The book sale will take place today (Friday) from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 7584 Leesburg Pike. The sale will also run tomorrow (Saturday) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday (June 2) from 1-4 p.m.

Throughout most of the weekend sale, non-fiction hardcovers are $3 and paperbacks are $2. Fiction hardcovers are $2 and paperbacks are $1. For mass-market, people can buy five smaller paperbacks for $1.

On Sunday, it’s $10 for however many books you can fill a bag with or half off other products.

Janella Blanchard, the president of the Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, previously told Tysons Reporter the book enthusiasts usually show up on the first day for the widest selection, while the sale hunters come on Sunday.

If you’re looking to get some books out of the house, donations are also accepted. Volunteers are also needed to help manage the sale.

Photo via Fairfax County

Fairfax County and the Town of Vienna are working together on a plan to potentially replace the Patrick Henry Community Library (101 Maple Ave E).

The rebuilding is part of a $91 million bond referendum planned for this fall to upgrade the County’s aging libraries. The Patrick Henry Community Library was originally built in 1971.

In September, the Town Council unanimously agreed to finance part of a feasibility study with Fairfax County to look at adding a new parking structure to the building in addition to potential renovations to the library itself, according to InsideNova.

According to the FY 2020 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the Town of Vienna will be working in a joint partnership with Fairfax County to determine whether to renovate or completely replace the building.

Photo via Google Maps

Fairfax County is planning an LED lightbulb giveaway to brighten local homes and help residents save on their monthly electric bill.

Throughout the spring, libraries across the county will host LED giveaways. All households can get a free LED bulb during the giveaway and are eligible for up to four more, in exchange for turning in incandescent or compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

The Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) will host a giveaway on Thursday, May 2 from noon-2 p.m.

According to a press release, residents could save up to $75 a year in their electric bill by replacing the five most frequently used incandescent bulbs with LEDs.

“We wanted to help residents use LEDs in their homes, so we will be offering information and one free LED for anyone passing,” said Jessica Lavender, program manager for Energy Action Fairfax, said in a video. “We’ll have a couple tables right when you walk in and displays showing different lighting available.”

In last year’s giveaway, 8,000 LEDs were distributed to roughly 1,6000 people, resulting in nearly 200,000 kWh and $22,000 saved.

The giveaway is part of the LED exchange program, a partnership between Fairfax County, Energy Action Fairfax, and the Fairfax County Public Library. Here is the full list of giveaway location, via Fairfax County.

• Saturday, April 6, 2-4 p.m., Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria
• Wednesday, April 10, 10 a.m.-noon, Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke
• Tuesday, April 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston
• Thursday, May 2, noon-2 p.m., Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
• Monday, May 13, 4-6 p.m., Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville
• Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.-noon, George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale

Photo via Facebook

The Fairfax Library Foundation is hosting a 25th Anniversary Jubilee look at the foundation’s past they hope will help fund its future.

The foundation is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike).

The event will include cocktails, a silent auction, and a “wall of donuts.” Attendees will have a chance to network with foundation staff and its Board of Directors.

“All net proceeds benefit the Fairfax County Public Library,” the foundation says.

Tickets are $45 per person or $80 for a pair of tickets. A local librarian’s ticket can also be sponsored for $40.

“Libraries are a great equalizer,” Lisa Bryant, executive director of the Fairfax Library Foundation, said in a promotional video. “Individuals can come and expand their mind on any level of things. It’s important that as a foundation we are driving the funds that continue to move the innovation and the library forward so the next generations can continue to enjoy all that we have to offer.”

Photo via Facebook

As part of a countywide “Maker Day” celebration, honoring inventors and encouraging teens to pursue technology goals, the Tysons-Pimmit Library will host a pair of free lessons for teens on 3-D printing and building a gaming-focused PC on March 9.

The 3-D printing class will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and will help run teens through the basics of TinkerCAD, a free utility that allows users to craft 3-D objects. Guests are encouraged to bring a charged laptop if possible, though some laptops will be available at the library.

The class is followed by one from 2-4 p.m. that will walk teens through the basics of building a gaming PC. The class covers every part of the process, including the fundamentals of which parts to get and what to consider when buying parts.

Photo via Facebook

The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.

We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!

Monday (March 4)

• McLean CBC Study Task Force — 7-9 p.m. at Fairfax County McLean Government Center (1437 Balls Hill Rd) — Tonight the task force developing policy recommendations for downtown McLean’s future will continue looking at where the rural transitions to urban in McLean. Staff is also scheduled to present potential land use scenarios.

Tuesday (March 5)

• McLean Citizens Association Meeting with Superintendent Scott Brabrand — 7 p.m. at Mclean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave) — At an MCA-hosted meeting, the Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent is scheduled to discuss priorities and challenges facing the schools, particularly regarding the overcrowding at McLean High School. Residents will be able to ask Brabrand questions.

Thursday (March 7)

• 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show — 6:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave) — The McLean Community Center will be hosting an all-day trip to Philadelphia to see 10 acres of landscapes and gardens. The trip is $138, or $133 for McLean residents, and includes transportation, tickets to the show, a morning snack and driver’s tip.
• 2019 Shape of the Region Conference — 8-11:45 a.m. at Valo Park (7950 Jones Branch Dr) — The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia will host a conference looking at the economic inequality in the region and how closing that divide can help businesses. Registration is $65.
• Adventures in History: Ancient Egypt — 4:30-5:30 at Dolley Madison Library (1244 Oak Ridge) — Library staff will host a class for kids ages 6-12 on ancient Egyptian history, featuring games, stories and skill-building exercises. The event will include a costume contest.

Sunday (March 10)

• Jazz Brunch at Blackfinn — 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Blackfinn Ameripub Merrifield (2750 Gallows Road) — The bar and eatery near the Mosaic District is hosting a relaxing Sunday brunch featuring live music from the Blue Dot Jazz Troupe. Seating is first come, first served with free admission.
• 2019 Trombone Summit — 2 p.m. at Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E) — University of North Texas’ “U Tubes” and the Capitol Bones will host a trombone festival at Jammin Java.

Photo via Facebook

It’s a good weekend for local foodies.

Roll Bär is a new egg roll, sushi burrito and poke fusion restaurant coming to the Scott’s Run development, but the restaurant is making it’s debut at a pop-up event in the Tysons Biergarten.

From 1-3 p.m., the restaurant will host a tasting in the Biergarten at 8346 Leesburg Pike.

And if you sample Roll Bär early enough, you can make it across town to TenPenh Tysons‘ cooking demonstration at the Tysons Pimmit Library (7584 Leesburg Pike).

Chef Erick from the restaurant near the Tysons Galleria (7900 Westpark Drive) will teach guests how to make grilled shrimp and Vietnamese rice noodle salad. The demonstration runs from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Photo via Facebook

As the days start getting colder, the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library is inviting the public to come find a value-priced used book with which to curl up at home.

Starting on Friday, Nov. 30, the Friends of the Tysons-Pimmet Regional Library will be hosting its quarterly book sale. The sale will run through Sunday.

According to Janella Blanchard, President of the Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, the book sale will fill one large room of the library and a smaller side room will be set aside exclusively for children’s books. In addition to books, the sale will have used CDs and DVDs for sale.

Throughout most of the weekend sale, non-fiction hardcovers are $3 and paperbacks are $2. Fiction hardcovers are $2 and paperbacks are $1. For mass-market, smaller paperback books they are five for $1.

Timing at the sale can be crucial because while Blanchard said enthusiasts often show up early in the weekend to browse the widest selection of books, on Sunday the sale offers a special discount: $10 for a bag full of books.

“We generally have enough that people come in on Sunday and find lots that they’re happy with,” said Blanchard. “I often hear people [on Sunday] say ‘wow, I’m surprised you still have this.'”

Blanchard said the books sold are all donated to the sale rather than books sold from the library stock. Sale proceeds go towards supporting the library programs since the library itself cannot fundraise. These include ESL programs, children’s programs, a scholarship fund and more.

“We do things for the library like buying materials and paying for programs the library sponsors,” said Blanchard. “We also do things with books that don’t sell, like we donate them to schools or to prisons or homeless shelters. We don’t just throw them away.”

If you’d rather add to the book sale, donations can be placed in the donation bin near the circulation desk during library hours.

Photo via Friends of the Tysons-Pimmit Library

Put down the controller and pick up some dice, this upcoming Saturday (Nov. 24) is Board Game Day at the Tysons-Pimmit Library.

The event is hosted by the Northern Virginia Board Game Group, which describes itself as “small group of passionate board game enthusiasts.” The NOVA Board Game Group says the event will be relaxed and casual, catering to all levels of interest and experience in board games.

The event will run from 1-5 p.m.

The board games played aren’t the traditional staples like Monopoly or Life. Instead, the group tends to favor modern games like Pandemic. Most are traditionally easy to learn games, while a separate group meets to play the more complicated strategy games.

Players are requested to bring their good sportsmanship but leave the electronic devices away from the table. Players are also asked to avoid bringing greasy or oily foods as they may damage the games. Children under 16 must have a parent present.

The group hosts board game days at libraries across the region and is scheduled to return to Tysons on Dec. 29, in case you can’t make it out this weekend.

Photo via Flickr/Jamie McCaffrey

If you want to help make your community a better place, VolunteerFest 2018 is the place to get started.

VolunteerFest is an annual week of community service throughout Fairfax County and the Washington, D.C. area on Saturday, Oct. 27. Hundreds of volunteers are mobilized to help nonprofits on projects they would not have the time or resources to handle on their own.

In McLean, volunteers are requested to help plant hundreds of native plants at the Marie Butler Leven Preserve.

Over the last year, Buddhist-environmentalist group Earth Sangha has worked to remove invasive plants from the forest’s edge. Now, Earth Sangha is requesting help from volunteers to restore native plants that local wildlife relies on to survive.

The event runs from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The maximum number of volunteers for the effort is 25, with ten spaces remaining. Parking is available at the site but it is not Metro or wheelchair accessible.

Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Work gloves and a bottle of drinking water are also encouraged. Earth Sangha will provide tools, gloves for those that don’t have them, a water cooler for refills and snacks.

In Tysons, volunteers are requested to beautify the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library. The event will run from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday.

Outside, volunteers will improve the outdoor landscape by trimming plants around the parking lot and doing general litter pick-up. Inside, volunteers will clean the meeting room tables and chairs. 

Volunteers are requested to wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes.

Photo via Earth Sangha