Concerts in the parks continue this summer
The Spotlight by Starlight concert series is still going strong with many more shows coming up this summer. There are free shows at Mason District Park Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings and international performances at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale on Saturday evenings. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. The Spotlight by Starlight series, one … Continued
Latino Festival focuses on conservation
The extreme heat likely discouraged some people from going to the Latino Conservation Festival at Justice Park on Sunday, but those who braved temperatures in the upper 90s found a wealth of information about nature, outdoor activities, and much more. The event was the centerpiece of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s celebration of Latino Conservation … Continued
County explores new ways to remove signs
Now that the Community Labor Force is going to stop collecting signs along roads and in medians, Fairfax County is exploring other solutions. The Community Labor Force consists of inmates at the Adult Detention Center. The Sheriff’s Office informed the Board of Supervisors that the CLF won’t be able to participate in the sign removal … Continued
Culmore kids explore the watershed
Friends of Holmes Run hosted 22 kids from the Culmore/Bailey’s Crossroads area last week for a watershed exploration at the Holmes Run Stream Valley Park east of Columbia Pike. The kids got a close-up view of the watershed and wildlife and carried out various science activities. They learned why Holmes Run is so important for … Continued
Field named for women’s soccer leader
The Fairfax County Park Authority Board voted July 13 to name rectangular field 6 at Pine Ridge Park in Annandale in honor of Wanda Rixon, as requested by the Fairfax Women’s Soccer Association (FWSA). Rixon has been involved with the development and administration of FWSA since 1978 and has served in many capacities, including multiple … Continued
Church leader charged with sexual assault
A 61-year-old former youth leader at St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Annandale was arrested July 20 for multiple sexual assaults against a juvenile, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. A member of the victim’s family notified police last month that Thomas Weaver assaulted a juvenile. Detectives executed a search of Weaver’s residence in Fairfax, … Continued
Woodburn Village residents suffering for days without AC
With temperatures in the upper 90s and extreme humidity, it’s so nice to come home to an air-conditioned home. Now imagine how miserable it would be to live with indoor temperatures at 95 degrees. That’s the situation at Woodburn Village condo on Woodburn Road in Annandale, where the air conditioning hasn’t been working since Sunday, … Continued
Planning Commission endorses Justice HS expansion with limited parking
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on July 20 endorsed a rezoning application to permit the construction of a badly needed addition at Justice High School. The Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal on Aug. 2. The major issue for the project is the need to reduce the county’s parking requirement in order to fit … Continued
Supervisors streamline the development review process
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 19 approved a revised method for considering development proposals, including a shortened timeline. The change affects the Site-Specific Plan Amendment process (SSPA) under which developers and others can submit proposals that require amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan. A shorter timeline The new process retains the three-step … Continued
County seeks more funding for Seven Corners ring road
The failure of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to fully fund the Seven Corners ring road will not delay the project, says project manager Nanditha Paradkar with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. The ring road is a massive effort to reduce congestion by creating a road around the Leesburg Pike/Arlington Boulevard/Wilson Boulevard intersection. Funding … Continued
Libraries to cut hours in August
Once again, all Fairfax County public libraries will reduce their hours, as of Aug. 14, due to staff shortages. As library employees quit or retire, the library system is having trouble recruiting new staff. Under the new schedule, libraries will only be open two evenings a week. Libraries will be open Monday and Tuesday 9 … Continued
Police liaison to build relationships with LGBTQ community
Fairfax County police officer Brian Lawton is reaching out to the LBGTQ community to ensure they feel safe and respected during interactions with the police. He also plans to improve police officers’ awareness of the LBGTQ community. PFC Lawton took over as the police department’s second LGBTQ liaison June 15 from Lt. Jane Burns. “The … Continued
Music fills the air at local parks
There are just a few more weeks left in the Spotlight by Starlight concert series. There are free shows at Mason District Park three nights a week and international performances at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale on Saturday evenings through the third week of August. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. If it looks like … Continued
Community celebrates newly expanded Hidden Oaks Nature Center
The Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale welcomed the community to a grand reopening celebration July 16 featuring remarks by local leaders, live performances, children’s activities, and nature demonstrations. The celebration introduced the public to the newly expanded nature center. There’s a big new classroom with a kitchen area, renovated bathrooms compliant with Americans with … Continued
Seven Corners project not fully funded
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) has approved more than $330 million for six transportation projects in Fairfax County. While five of the projects are fully funded, the NVTA is only allocating $4.2 million for the $94.8 million Seven Corners ring road project. That project would improve traffic flow and pedestrian and bicycle safety around … Continued