June 17, 2026
Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Above the beltway, protestors call for fair elections

#community events

By Julia Key If you drove on the beltway under the pedestrian bridge in Annandale near the Audrey Moore Rec Center on Sunday afternoon, you would have seen American flags and signs calling for free and fair elections. This event, organized by local chapters of Indivisible and members of the Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, was … Continued

Penny Gross: Summer concert cutbacks are ‘heartbreaking’

#arts, #culture, #entertainment, #Gross, #Mason District, #parks
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Former Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, the driving force behind the creation of the Spotlight by Starlight outdoor summer entertainment series, says it’s a “great disappointment” that the Fairfax County Park Authority has significantly cut back the number concerts this year. There will only be eight Spotlight by Starlight concerts at Mason District Park this … Continued

A Mason Arts concert celebrates America’s 250th anniversary

#Annandale High School, #arts, #entertainment

By Julia Key The hum of violins and the booming of a euphonium could be heard alongside powerful poetry at the Mason District Arts Council’s community celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. ​Founded in 2024, the Mason District Arts Council is a volunteer-based organization that aims to celebrate the multicultural community by organizing visual and performing … Continued

Softball fields at Wakefield Park improved

#parks, #sports, #Wakefield Park

The softball fields at Wakefield Park have been upgraded, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced on June 11. The improvements include renovated playing surfaces and amenities, upgraded LED lighting, new dugouts, new fencing, new batting cages, and new picnic tables and bleachers. Field 8 has been converted into a state-of-the-art synthetic turf surface. Wakefield Park … Continued

Fairfax County activates heat plan

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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

#environment, #nature, #parks, #trees, #volunteers
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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

Local man to compete in international freediving event

#sports

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