F.C. Bulletin: Comunidad; Meridian, West Falls Ribbon Cuttings; Citizens for a Better City, League of Women Voters; Teddy Bear Clinic
Comunidad Launches Campaign to Raise $200,000 in One Day, on April 30
Comunidad, a local nonprofit and community development organization, is excited to announce the launch of HopeToGrow: 24 Hours of Impact, a one-day fundraising campaign on Wednesday, April 30.
The campaign aims to raise $200,000 in just 24 hours to support Comunidad’s vital programming, including elementary literacy, teen mentorship, adult computer literacy, adult English language classes, and more. Every dollar raised during the campaign will directly impact the community and ensure families have the tools they need to thrive.
“Your gift is more than a donation,” said Founder and Executive Director Maralee Gutierrez. “It’s a chance to impact the community and transform lives. On April 30th, we invite everyone to help us grow hope in Falls Church.”
Local residents, businesses, and supporters are encouraged to participate by donating, sharing the campaign, and spreading the word to help Comunidad reach its ambitious goal.
Comunidad is a local nonprofit and community development organization that equips and engages locally-rooted community leaders in Falls Church, Va., through children’s literacy, teen mentorship, and community engagement. Comunidad offers programs for people from ages five through adulthood.
If you're interested in volunteering or donating to support Comunidad, you can find more information at comunidadva.org, or follow Comunidad on social media at:@comunidadva.
For a more in-depth story on Comunidad and its founder, Maralee Gutierrez Cruz, see our recent article here:
Christopher Jones
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls Celebrates Grand Opening at West Falls Development May 6
Mayor Letty Hardi, Delegate Marcus Simon and City Council Members will be in attendance for the ribbon cutting at the new West Falls location.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, now open in West Falls, will be hosting the Falls Church community for its Grand Opening Celebration on Tuesday, May 6, per a restaurant press release this morning, April 29.
In partnership with the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Opening will kick off starting at 5:00 p.m. on May 6, at 243 West Falls Station Blvd. in West Falls.
The event will include a ribbon cutting, the selection of the winner for their FREE LOBSTER ROLLS FOR-A-YEAR promotion and all Grand Opening Day guests will receive a FREE fountain drink with purchase of a roll.
“Since opening in March, I’ve had the great privilege of welcoming the Falls Church community into our restaurant where they’ve been able to enjoy good company, great conversation and, of course, fresh and flavorful lobster rolls,” said Boniface Tsimi, owner and operator of Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls at West Falls. “We’re eager to celebrate with this community and can’t wait for our grand opening event.”
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls opened on March 19 offering Falls Church an authentic taste of New England with a focus on sustainably sourced seafood, led by lobster rolls – including both Classic Maine and Connecticut styles. Each roll is prepared with care, utilizing straightforward, traditional recipes that emphasize the freshness of the ingredients. Other menu items also include Shrimp Salad, New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Bisque, and Lobster Mac & Cheese.
Founded in 2014 by Dan Beck, a former restaurant seafood buyer who spent time with Maine lobstermen learning the importance of quality sourcing, Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls brings the traditions and flavors of Maine lobstering communities to locations across the U.S. The company’s dedication to honesty and excellence is why the restaurant has become the largest brick-and-mortar lobster roll chain in the U.S. that boasts the widest variety of rolls.
The new Mason’s location is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Parking validation is available to all guests who make a purchase at the restaurant. For more information, please visit masonslobster.com/fallschurch.
About Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is the largest fast-casual, brick-and-mortar chain in the U.S. with the broadest variety of 100% Maine lobster rolls. The company was founded in 2014 and began franchising stores in 2016 with a focus on quality and authenticity, growing to more than 30 locations in less than ten years. To learn more about Mason’s, visit masonslobster.com.
About West Falls
West Falls is a 10-acre community in Falls Church, Virginia, that offers modern condominium residences at The Oak, apartments at The Alder, The Reserve at Falls Church senior living, lively dining, personal care, wellness and education concepts, active outdoor spaces, The Wellness Center, a medical office, Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church and more. The community offers unparalleled connectivity, with easy access for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as proximity to the West Falls Church Metro and major thoroughfares such as I-495, the Dulles Toll Road and I-66. West Falls will include more than 150,000 square feet of open space, including The Commons. At the heart of West Falls, The Commons provides more than 18,000 square feet of central outdoor green space that will feature artful landscaping, ample outdoor seating, two retail concepts, flexible spaces with moveable furniture, a fire pit and pop jet fountains, while also serving as a welcoming space for seasonal community events.
For our most recent story on what's new at the West Falls Development – the City's largest in history – see below:
Christopher Jones
Ribbon Cutting for Marian Costner Selby Peace Garden at Meridian H.S. Set for May 18
Ribbon Cutting, Sunday, May 18, 1:30 p.m.
Falls Church City Public Schools and Meridian High School are proud to announce the opening of a new space on the fifth floor of the high school, the Marian Costner Selby Peace Garden. The garden is surrounded by glass on all four sides, and is open to the sky, offering students and staff an opportunity to be outside during the school day.
Marian Costner Selby was the first African-American student to attend George Mason High School (1961), and the first Black graduate in 1964. The garden and exhibit tell her life story, amidst the history of segregation and integration in the United States, Virginia, and Falls Church. Marian’s story challenges students to learn from the past, and do better in the future. Elements in the exhibit are designed to make the garden a welcoming place for all to experience a moment of peace in their busy days.
Marian Costner Selby Peace Garden elements include:
- Mural picturing Marian as a determined high school student;
- A life-size steel silhouette of teenage Marian;
- History panels that tell her story through words and photographs;
- Sunflower window decals using images from the mural;
- New park benches and a table;
- Sedum green roof plantings;
- Cedar planter boxes made by Meridian High school teacher and students;
- Plants propagated in the Meridian High School vivarium.
The ribbon cutting for the garden will be Sunday, May 18, 1:30 p.m. on the 5th floor of Meridian H.S.
For more information about the ceremony, contact: Marybeth Connelly, Director, Strategic Planning and Community Engagement, Falls Church City Public Schools, (office) 703-248-5691.
Here's an inspiring YouTube video from Meridian H.S. honoring Marian Costner Selby:
Citizens for a Better City (CBC) and League of Women Voters of Falls Church (LWVFC) to Host 'How to Become a Candidate Forum' May 1
Thinking about throwing your hat into the ring?
"The CBC/LWV's How to Become a Candidate Forum is this Thursday night! Local Elections are coming up in November and filing deadlines are in June," Citizens for a Better City (CBC) Correspondent Sally Ekfelt announced. "Come to find out how to become a candidate for local offices."
Citizens for a Better City (CBC) and the League of Women Voters of Falls Church (LWVFC) are jointly hosting a public forum on:
HOW TO BECOME A CANDIDATE AND CONDUCTING A CAMPAIGN in the City of Falls Church. The forum will consist of a panel discussion followed by Q&A between panelists and the audience.
The event will take place: At the American Legion Hall, Thursday, May 1, from 7 – 9:00 p.m.
"Anyone contemplating running for the City Council or School Board (the deadline for filing has passed for the other local offices to be voted on this year; Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer, and Sheriff) or having an interest in simply learning about the election process and getting elected in our Little City is welcome," the forum's sponsors announced.
The forum panelists include: 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.
Questions/comments regarding the forum should be addressed to Edie Snyder (LWVFC edithholmes@aol.com) and Sally Ekfelt (CBC ekfelt@gmail.com)
Teddy Bear Fix-It Clinic: An ER for Stuffed Animals
By Belen Quellet, Executive Director, The Learning Quest
The first-ever Teddy Bear Fix-It Clinic in the City of Falls Church was held at Mr. Brown’s Park, the morning of Saturday, April 26, honoring the legacy of Brown’s Hardware and supporting the city’s Community Vision for 2040.
Organized by The Learning Quest and The Toy Nest — the city’s beloved toy library and pre-loved toy exchange — the event took place as part of the City's Earth Day celebrations. Instead of tossing out old stuffed animals and filling up landfills, isn't it better to teach kids how to care for, mend, and preserve their snuggly creatures?
The Toy Nest is one of only three full-time toy libraries in the United States and was recognized this year as Small Business of the Year by the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. In their words, "We can’t solve the world’s problems, but we can move the needle in the right direction." And indeed, at this event, the needle literally moved — as families showed up, rain forecast and all, bringing their stuffed animal "patients" for repairs.
Volunteer "doctors" — a mix of senior citizens and students from Years 7 and 8 — greeted each child and patient, asking "admission questions" and conducting triage before beginning treatment.
Questions such as “critical injury?,” “lost his eye and nose?,” and “lost his arm?,” could be heard as each beloved stuffed animal was carefully examined and diagnosed. Instrument trays were set with thread, cloth, wool, buttons, and crochet needles, ready for the delicate work.
Stuffed animals, largely made of textiles, buttons, beads, and cotton, can take generations to decompose in landfills. Aware of this, Clock Tower Thrift Shop, transported some patients in for treatment who had originally come from Northern Virginia Family Service which accepts community toy donations. After their recovery, these beloved toy companions will return to the shop for a second — or even third — life.
The event served not only as a heartfelt moment of restoration, as The Toy Nest’s founder and owner, Lisa Bourven brought her own childhood bear, made by her grandma and transported all the way from Texas for much tender loving care. A few stitches went a long way — preserving memories, saving stuffed companions for another generation, and bringing some owners to tears with the miraculous recoveries.
The event was also a proof of concept: The Learning Quest now plans to expand the initiative, holding more Fix-It Clinics or Repair Cafes in The Little City to match the community’s needs. The creation of a Tool Lending Library, as part of a vision for a larger learning ecosystem for the city, is also in their wish list!
While volunteers stitched and mended, families mingled, children made new friends, and a celebratory bell was rung each time a "patient" was discharged and ready to return to play.
The Teddy Bear Fix-It Clinic proved that small acts of care can ripple outwards — keeping cherished toys out of landfills and keeping love alive for years to come.
For a more in-depth article on The Toy Nest, see our recent article here:
Christopher Jones
By Christopher Jones
Member discussion