Local writer hosts poetry workshops
By James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Council Community members are invited to a pair of poetry workshops here in Annandale this month led by local writer Lisa Lowry. The Poetry for All workshops will be held on subsequent Thursdays (Feb. 19 and 26) 10-11:30 a.m. at the John Calvin Presbyterian Church, at 6531 … Continued
Don’t flush wipes in the toilet
Fairfax County urges residents not to flush wipes in the toilet, including those labeled “flushable.” A major regional sewer line that carries wastewater from Fairfax County is currently undergoing emergency repairs. During maintenance work, wipes clogged several pumps along the line, reducing capacity and contributing to a wastewater overflow, the county states. Crews are working … Continued
Woman arrested for carjacking
Police arrested a woman for carjacking in Bailey’s Crossroads on Feb. 12. The victim reported that a woman approached his vehicle shortly before 2 a.m. in the 5900 block of Seminary Road and asked for a ride. When the victim refused, the suspect opened the door and pulled the victim out of the vehicle. The … Continued
Bill approved by Senate committee doesn’t limit a casino to Tysons
A substitute version of the casino legislation (SB756) approved by the Virginia Senate’s Finance and Appropriations Committee removes language that required a casino to be located in Tysons. The original bill pushed by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) included restrictions on the location of a casino in Fairfax County that meant the only place it … Continued
Pennino Building closed until further notice
Fairfax County’s Pennino Building remains closed since it was damaged by flooding caused by a water leak on Feb. 6. The building, at 12011 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, will remain closed until further notice, according to Fairfax County’s emergency blog. Walk-in services are unavailable. The county urges people who need to drop off documents … Continued
Relax at a Sensory Zone at the library
For residents who need a place to decompress, relax, and recharge, the George Mason Regional Library and three other branches offer a Wellness and Sensory Zone twice a month. Activities could include interactive sensory elements, puzzles and brain games, loose parts and building materials, art and craft supplies, soothing music, and self-care and wellness books. … Continued
TD Bank at Pinecrest Plaza has closed
The TD Bank on Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road next to Pinecrest Plaza has closed. The bank opened in 2017 in a space previously occupied by an Exxon gas station. A sign on the building directs customers to other TD branches, on Little River Turnpike in Annandale, at the Willston Shopping Center on Arlington … Continued
Democratic agenda advances in the General Assembly
These are some of the bills moving through the General Assembly: Clean energy – SB225 (Sen. Scott Surovell – Mount Vernon) creates a Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank to provide grants and loans to greenhouse gas emission and other clean energy projects. Passed by the Senate Feb. 10. Water rates – HB770 (Del. Charniele Herring … Continued
Bennett-Parker elected to the Virginia Senate
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, a Democrat who represents Alexandria in the Virginia House of Delegates, easily won a special election on Feb. 10 for the 39th District in the state Senate. Bennett-Parker got nearly 83 percent of the vote, compared to 17 percent for her Republican opponent, Julie Robben Lineberry. Bennett-Parker will complete the term of Sen. … Continued
Justice HS evacuated due to a gas leak
Justice High School was evacuated this morning due to a gas leak. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded shortly before 9:30 after a general fire alarm went off. FCFRD and Washington Gas crews discovered a leak in a gas line. No one was injured.
Culmore Church will host programs for the Culmore Library
Now that the Culmore Community Library is closed for an HVAC replacement project – and isn’t expected to reopen until January 2027 – library programs will be held at the Culmore Church in Bailey’s Crossroads. According to updated plans for the pop-up library, it won’t have books, said FCPL Marketing and Communications Director Sara Prohaska. … Continued
Virginia Democrats release redistricting map
A congressional redistricting plan developed by Democrats in the General Assembly would split Fairfax County into five congressional districts. Currently, Fairfax County voters are represented in Congress by Don Beyer (8th District), Suhas Subramanyam (10th District), or James Walkinshaw (11th District). Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation passed by the General Assembly calling for a … Continued
Affordable housing project to include space for nonprofits
An affordable housing project coming to Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads will include space for two local nonprofits, Neighborhood Health and Second Story. The five-story building will have around 160 apartments – mostly two and three-bedroom units – along with community space reserved for organizations that serve area residents. It will be located on the … Continued
The Greening the Greenway initiative is growing
By James Albright The Greening the Greenway initiative is expanding its efforts to bring native plantings to Annandale. The project started last November with plantings in front of the ACCA Child Development Center on Columbia Pike. The organizers are now identifying new locations along Columbia Pike for a spring planting project. The goal of Greening … Continued
The Walk for Peace will bypass Annandale
The Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace are in Northern Virginia and nearing the end of their journey. The group consists of 24 Buddhist monks from the Theravada tradition, representing Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Cambodia, along with their dog, Aloka. They are walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to spread a message … Continued