Carmello’s and Monza of Historic Manassas, Va. are asking the public to drop off non-perishable foods at their restaurants to support SERVE of Manassas, Va., a local homeless shelter, now through Nov. 30. Each person that brings in at least five cans, will get one voucher for 10 percent off their next individual meal at Carmello’s or Monza, good through Dec. 31, 2018. Voucher is only valid for food, beverages excluded. For information, go to www.carmellos.com or www.eatmonza.com.

“Thanksgiving for us, is a time to give back,” said Alice Pires, owner of Carmello’s and Monza of Historic Manassas, Va. “We appreciate the public helping us make Thanksgiving that much more abundant for those in need,” said Pires.  

Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Alexandria, Va. will present their annual MSA Nutcracker on Fri., Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 2 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.at the Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Cultural Center, Annandale Campus at 8333 Little River Turnpike. Nutcracker ticket prices range from $26 to $28 and can be purchased online at www.metropolitanarts.org.

Audiences can join Clara and her Nutcracker in a magical journey from her Victorian home through the Land of Snow and into the Land of Sweets. The performance features a larger-than-life Christmas tree, more than 100 dancers, and Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.

BASIS Independent McLean (BIM) debuted its new mascot as the Red-Tailed Hawk. Staff and students voted on five mascot candidates and the winning selection was the Red-Tailed Hawks. Two BIM students helped create the draft design for the Red-Tailed Hawks for their communication journal: Kelley Wang, an 11th grader representing upper school, and Grace Araya, a 4th grader representing the lower school. For more information on the school go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com or call 703.854.1253.