Fairfax County activates heat plan
Fairfax County has activated its Heat Plan for today, June 12, in response to the National Weather Service heat advisory in effect from 11 a.m to 8 p.m. When Fairfax County’s heat plan is activated, cooling centers will be available during normal operating hours for individuals who need relief from the heat. Cooling centers in the Annandale/Mason District area: The cooling centers … Continued
New resources available for invasive plant management
The Fairfax County Park Authority has launched an apprenticeship program to train new Invasive Management Area site leaders, enabling the IMA program to expand to more local parks across the county. Removing invasives leads to better stormwater management, more birds and other wildlife, an improved tree canopy, and better water filtration, says Whitney Redding, one … Continued
Speed reduction pilot in the works for Mason District roads
The Board of Supervisors on June 9 greenlighted an ordinance to reduce speed limits on certain roads in each magisterial district from 25 to 20 miles per hour. Fairfax County will launch a pilot study to test the concept in the Mason, Providence, and Dranesville Districts. The Fairfax Department of Transportation is considering the following … Continued
Local man to compete in international freediving event
Carlos Villamar, a 67-year-old patent attorney and inventor from Bailey’s Crossroads, is preparing to compete for an Ecuadorian national record at a pool freediving competition in Tampa Bay, Fla., in December. Villamar’s mission is more than a personal athletic challenge, he says. He has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover both his basic costs with … Continued
Supervisors approve expansion of the St. James Academy
The Board of Supervisors on June 9 approved a zoning special exception to allow a major expansion of the private school for elite student athletes at the St. James sports complex in Springfield. The St. James Performance Academy offers an online college preparatory educational program on-site starting with grade 5, along with athletic training, coaching, … Continued
Express bus planned for Leesburg Pike
While the Envision Route 7 project to bring a Bus Rapid Transit system to Leesburg Pike moves forward, an interim effort for an express bus could be implemented by the end of the year. The plan for the express was announced at an open house on Envision Route 7 hosted by the Northern Virginia Transportation … Continued
An art installation is aimed at sparking conversation
It can be difficult to have a meaningful conversation. And how much do you really know your partner or friend? How do you even start? A new public art installation at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, at 7200 Columbia Pike in Annandale, is aimed at making it easier. The “Conversation Bench,” installed by Community … Continued
Firefighters respond to lawnmower fire
A fire that started in a lawnmower spread to the backyard deck of a home in the 5800 block of Glen Forest Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads on June 8, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported on Facebook. All occupants exited the home before firefighters arrived at about 2:40 p.m. No one was injured. … Continued
Pride celebration is all about love, visibility, and community
By Julia Key Rainbow flags, bags, shirts, and shoes took over the Mosaic District in Merrifield for its fifth annual Pride Celebration on Saturday. Strawberry Park was filled with Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton music, as over a hundred people danced and cheered for Pride Month. Drag Queen Tara Hoot took to the stage to … Continued
The community is invited to a free America at 250 concert on June 13
By James Albright, chair of the Mason District Arts Council Cellos, violins, and a euphonium take center stage this Saturday at a community event in honor of our nation’s semiquincentennial, also known as the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence. The Mason District Arts Council’s Mason Arts 250 program is presenting “America the Beautiful … Continued
School news roundup – June 2026
Thank you, firefighters – The PTA at Bren Mar Park Elementary School coordinated a thank-you event for Fairfax County firefighters and the FCPS facilities team who responded to a fire at the school on April 19. One month later, hundreds of students, teachers, and parents lined the sidewalks, cheering, holding up signs, and yelling “thank … Continued
Where to watch the World Cup
There are plenty of places to watch a FIFA World Cup game on a big screen starting this week in venues not too far from the Annandale/Mason District area. Here are a few options: There will be large indoor and outdoor viewing areas with high-quality broadcasts, live DJs, entertainment, food and drink specials, and giveaways. … Continued
An urbanist shares thoughts on Annandale
After taking one of Mina Kim’s Virginialicious tours of Annandale’s Korean restaurants, a writer focusing on the built environment found Annandale culturally interesting but challenging for pedestrians. The following article is reprinted from “Greater Greater Washington.” How to appreciate an aging suburb, one bite at a time By Addison Del Mastro I was the only person there for … Continued
Annandale seniors visit Columbia ES, where their education began
Students at Columbia Elementary School in Annandale lined the hallways, cheering and high-fiving as dozens of high school seniors walked by in caps and gowns for the annual graduation walk, where their K-12 journey started. Nearly all of the high school students on the June 5 grad walk went on to Annandale High School, but … Continued
Styrofoam banned for food sellers
Beginning July 1, all food establishments in Virginia are required to eliminate the use of Styrofoam containers. This ban applies to restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, and other food service operations, regardless of size. A law passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021 banned single-use Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam, for food vendors … Continued