Article Text
Comunidad will attempt to raise $200,000 in a single day on Wednesday, April 30, through its HopeToGrow: 24 Hours of Impact campaign.
The Falls Church nonprofit plans to direct the money toward elementary literacy programs, teen mentorship, computer training for adults, English-language classes and other services for residents ranging from age 5 through adulthood.
Founder and Executive Director Maralee Gutierrez said the campaign gives donors an opportunity to strengthen the community and change lives. Residents, businesses and other supporters can contribute, share the campaign and encourage others to participate.
Lobster-roll restaurant plans West Falls celebration
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls will hold a grand-opening celebration at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at 243 West Falls Station Blvd.
Mayor Letty Hardi, Del. Marcus Simon and members of the Falls Church City Council are expected to attend the ribbon cutting, organized with the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.
The restaurant will also announce the winner of its free-lobster-rolls-for-a-year promotion. Customers who purchase a roll during the celebration will receive a free fountain drink.
Owner and operator Boniface Tsimi said the restaurant has enjoyed welcoming the Falls Church community since opening March 19.
The menu features Maine- and Connecticut-style lobster rolls, shrimp salad, New England clam chowder, lobster bisque and lobster macaroni and cheese. Founded by former seafood buyer Dan Beck in 2014, Mason’s has expanded to more than 30 locations.
The West Falls restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Customers who make a purchase can receive parking validation.
Meridian High School to open peace garden
A new garden honoring Marian Costner Selby, the first Black student to attend George Mason High School and its first Black graduate, will be dedicated at Meridian High School on Sunday, May 18.
The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the school’s fifth floor. Enclosed by glass on four sides but open to the sky, the Marian Costner Selby Peace Garden gives students and employees an outdoor space during the school day.
Selby entered George Mason High School in 1961 and graduated in 1964. An accompanying exhibit places her life within the broader history of segregation and integration in Falls Church, Virginia and the United States.
The space includes a mural depicting Selby as a determined student, a life-size steel silhouette, historical panels, sunflower window decals, benches, a table and green-roof plantings. Cedar boxes made by a Meridian teacher and students hold plants propagated in the school’s vivarium.
Forum will explain how to run for local office
Citizens for a Better City and the League of Women Voters of Falls Church will host a public forum on becoming a candidate and running a campaign from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at the American Legion Hall.
The session comes ahead of Falls Church’s November local elections and the June filing deadlines for City Council and School Board candidates. Filing has already closed for commissioner of the revenue, treasurer and sheriff.
A panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session will feature City Registrar David Bjerke, City Treasurer Jody Acosta, City Council members Justine Underhill and Erin Flynn, former School Board member Erin Gill and recent City Council candidate John Murphy.
The event is open both to prospective candidates and residents who want to understand the city’s election process.
Stuffed animals get a second chance at Fix-It Clinic
Children brought damaged stuffed animals to Mr. Brown’s Park on Saturday, April 26, for Falls Church’s first Teddy Bear Fix-It Clinic.
The Learning Quest and The Toy Nest organized the event as part of the city’s Earth Day activities and in recognition of Brown’s Hardware’s legacy. The project encouraged families to repair toys instead of sending them to landfills.
Volunteer “doctors,” including senior citizens and students in Years 7 and 8, admitted each stuffed patient, assessed its injuries and carried out repairs with thread, cloth, wool, buttons and crochet needles. A bell rang whenever a repaired toy was ready to return to its owner.
Clock Tower Thrift Shop also brought toys originally donated through Northern Virginia Family Service. Once repaired, those stuffed animals were set to return to the shop for another life.
The Toy Nest founder Lisa Bourven contributed her own childhood bear, which her grandmother made and which traveled from Texas for repairs. Some of the restored toys prompted emotional reactions from their owners.
The Toy Nest operates as a toy library and pre-owned toy exchange and was named Small Business of the Year by the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. It is one of three full-time toy libraries in the United States.
Following the clinic, The Learning Quest plans to explore additional Fix-It Clinics or Repair Cafes in Falls Church. Its longer-term ideas also include a community tool-lending library.