F.C. Resident Named Bowdoin Scholar

Nicholas Iver Simon of the City of Falls Church was recently named a Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholar for his exceptional grade point average (GPA) at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, a small, highly-selective liberal arts college about 25 miles north of Portland.

Simon, Class of 2009, was included in a handful of chosen students, all of whom fall in the top 20 percent of their class for the previous academic year. Those scholars who earned a GPA of 4.0 are designated Sarah and James Bowdoin Book Award winners.

The designation of Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholars honors James Bowdoin III and his wife, Sarah. James Bowdoin III was the earliest patron of the College and was instrumental in its founding in 1794. Sarah Bowdoin also gave many gifts to the College, including most of the Bowdoin family portraits in the collection of the Bowdoin College Museum of Art.

Culinary Honors in Alexandria

One local is cooking up some recognition on the heels of his latest accomplishment. David Ivey-Soto of Alexandria, has earned the Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA) designation from the American Culinary Federation. Ivey-Soto is managing partner at Chef David Industries and a member of ACF Nations Capital Chefs Association. A certified culinary administrator (CCA) is an executive-level chef who is responsible for the administrative functions of running a professional foodservice operation. This culinary professional must demonstrate proficiency in culinary knowledge, human resources, operational management and business planning skills. A CCA must supervise the equivalent of at least five full-time employees. CCA certification includes a 400-word, written narrative describing job duties and responsibilities, and a one-hour, written exam containing 100 questions. Chefs must also have certified executive chef certification.

State Theatre Set to ‘Rock For Kids’

State Theatre will host the 3rd annual “Rock for Kids” event benefiting the Children’s National Medical Center’s Dr. Bear’s Closet, which provides toys for children in the hospital over the holidays, this Saturday, Dec. 20, with doors opening at 7 p.m. In the spirit of the holidays, anyone interested is invited to come out and help make a difference for the medical center’s children.

Unopened and unwrapped gifts for Dr. Bear’s Closet will be collected the night of the show. Those who are stumped on what to get are advised that some of the toys in need include, but aren’t limited to: crayons, Play Doh, hand-held electronic games, cars, footballs and soccer balls. Those unable to attend, who still wish to give a little extra, are invited to visit the Children’s National Medical Center’s web site and fill out a donation form. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 if purchased on the day of show. For more information, call 703-237-0300.

F.C. Government Offices Experience Closings

The following City of Falls Church government offices will experience holiday closings, some of which start this week, including: the Courts from Dec. 24 – 26, Sheriff’s Office from Dec. 31 – Jan. 2, Falls Church City Hall at noon on Dec. 24, DMV Select Office from Dec. 25 – 26, the Senior Center from Jan. 1 – 2, and Mary Riley Styles Public Library at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and closed from Dec. 25 – 26 and again Dec. 31 – Jan. 2.

For local travelers, the George Bus will be out of service from Dec. 25 – Jan. 1. Refuse and recyclable items will be collected Tuesdays, Dec. 23 and 30 for the Tuesday and Thursday collection areas, and Wednesdays, Dec. 24 and 31 for the Wednesday and Friday collection areas. There will be no pick-ups of either kind on Dec. 25 – 26 and Jan. 1 – 2. For more information about collections, call 703-248-5316 or 703-248-5176.

MPA Exhibits to See Last Hurrah This Week

Three exhibits will be rounding out their time on display at McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean) this Saturday, Dec. 20. George June Goldberg’s “Light Shadow and Air,” on display in the Emerson Gallery focuses on making the unseen seen through etched glass and more. Aimee Helen Koch’s “Undressed” was created at a residency in Paris and Michael Mendez’s “Photograms” explore the message surrounding issues of illicit substances through photography, with Koch’s taking center stage in the Atrium Gallery and Mendez’s in the Ramp Gallery. For more information, call 703-790-1953 or visit http://www.mpaart.org/exhibitions.php for a preview of these exhibitions.

Clay Café Fundraiser Success

Clay Café Studios (101 N. Maple Avenue, Falls Church) recently held their 8th annual fundraiser to benefit the Falls Church Winter Emergency Homeless Shelter. Falls Church families joined together and enjoyed a fun and creative evening of pottery painting, refreshments and prizes while making a significant contribution to the community.
Owner, Helene Safford announced “For the 8th year in a row, the local community joined together with Clay Café Studios and local businesses for this important cause. Clay Cafe donated all profits from the event and was able to raise $1,100 for the Shelter during the two-hour event.”
Safford and Clay Café gave special thanks to the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce for their help promoting the event and Mike’s Deli @ Lazy Sundae for their generous and delicious food donations.

Vantage Fitness and Homestretch Unite

Vantage Fitness is sponsoring the second annual Homestretch Holiday Adoption Program by collecting holiday gifts, clothes and school supplies for families that need a helping hand this holiday season. Donations are being accepted now through Dec. 20. Gifts or funds that are contributed will be used to purchase holiday presents and can be dropped off at Vantage Fitness (402 West Broad Street, Falls Church). Gifts should be wrapped and labeled.