Good afternoon all!

Today we are sending our first newsletter with our new system, via Buttondown. Previous emails were sent manually. I’ve spent a good deal of time trying to find the best service for a privacy-mindful, more-ethical hosting option for this newsletter, and Buttondown passed the test, so now we’re here.

If you don’t want to receive our newsletter anymore, that’s okay - you can now unsubscribe using Buttondown’s interface. You can also re-subscribe if you ever want to see it again. And, if you like our message, you can share it with a friend! You can always forward our messages to others, or send them a link. All of our regular posts will be available in our archive at https://buttondown.com/repaircafeffx, where you can freely link to them on any platform. If you want me to delete your email entirely, but you’re unable to do so yourself, let me know, I am able to do that for you.

Next event: Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Thomas Jefferson Library, Falls Church, VA

We’re getting in gear for our next event in about a week and a half. Next Saturday, we will be holding Repair Cafe at TJ Library. Doors open at 10:30am, and we stop taking new repairs at 12:30pm. Stop by anytime in that window for repairs, snacks, and conversation!

Here’s the address:

7415 Arlington Boulevard
Falls Church, VA 22042

For transit, this location is served by WMATA Metrobus F60, F61, and F62. For those arriving by car, parking is available around the library.

Here’s a link to more information about the location: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/thomas-jefferson

Looking ahead: Sunday, November 9th, 2025

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VA

We’re holding our first event in the City of Falls Church, thanks to the work of the Adult Programming librarian at Mary Riley Styles (MRSPL), Paula Hawkins. Here’s more information about the event, including the location: https://www.mrspl.org/event/draft-repair-cafe-28087

Note: This Cafe will be open from 12pm to 2pm, slightly different from our usual.

MRSPL offers “registration” for this event, but it’s not required. They do not share registrant information with us, but they have agreed to tell us about how many people have registered, just so we know how to prepare. Registration is not required, as stated in the event description, but if you’d like to register as a visitor, you’re welcome to do so. There’s no commitment involved, you’d just get an update from the library as the event approaches, and you don’t have to be a City resident to attend!

Volunteer Opportunities

For our Fairfax County events, we list all opportunities on Volunteer Fairfax. Our October sign-up is currently full, but if you’d still like to volunteer, email me at anicski@proton.me so I know to expect you.

For the City of Falls Church event in November, interested volunteers can sign up here: https://ideali.st/y7mUUH

Idealist recently merged with Volunteer Match, which hosted most of the opportunities for the City. No one gets turned away, and I tried to make the application process as short/efficient as possible. We accept volunteers of all skill levels, and I’m happy to sign off on volunteer hours for work, school, or otherwise. Again, any questions, or if you’re unable to use the Idealist form but want to volunteer, just email anicski@proton.me

We will be on the lookout for a greeter in particular, for November, someone who wouldn’t necessarily be repairing but would welcome people into the event and offer direction. If you know someone who fits the bill, let me know!

News in your neighborhood: International Repair Day + a Tool Drive

The City of Falls Church issued a proclamation to recognize Saturday, October 18th as International Repair Day! I was in attendance to represent the occasion, brought about by our neighbor nonprofit, The Learning Quest, and their petition to the city. In 2026, we’re planning to put International Repair Day on the calendar in Fairfax County, Arlington, and beyond.

For photos and more info, check out their blog post here: https://www.thelearningquest.org/blog/falls-church-declares-october-18-as-repair-day

The Learning Quest is also organizing a tool drive to support an upcoming tool library! The tool drive will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 at the City of Falls Church’s Recycling Extravaganza. This event is only open to residents of the City of Falls Church, and they will check ID. The tool library will offer tools for loan to our community, even outside the city.

If you have any used tools, or tools you’re replacing, but you are not a resident of the City of Falls Church, Repair Cafe can take donations to the Learning Quest. That doesn’t have to be in October - it can be any time you visit - but it’s an alternative to throwing things away. As we say in Repair Cafe: Toss it? No way!

For more information, click here: https://www.thelearningquest.org/blog/building-a-learning-ecosystem-one-tool-at-a-time

Where to find us

Website: https://www.repaircafe.org/en/cafe/fairfax-county-repair-cafe-va/

Social Media (Mastodon, RSS-enabled): https://dmv.community/@RepairCafeFFX

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/repaircafeffx

Idealist: https://ideali.st/tC9Rvu

That’s all for this month, thank you again for your continued support, and have a wonderful week!

Ari Nicholas

Fairfax County Repair Cafe