Art show at Mason Government Center features Annandale scenes by local painter
A painting in the Annandale series by James Albright. The art exhibits at the Mason Government Center are back after an 18-month hiatus due to COVID. The first exhibit of 2021, on view now, features paintings by James Albright of Lincolnia. An open house with the artist will be held on Friday, Sept. 24, in … Continued
Park Foundation honors Valis family for contribution to Pinecrest Golf Center
Angela and Wayne Valis (on the right) with other family members at the unveiling of the TrackMan 4 Golf Simulator at the Pinecrest Golf Center. The Fairfax County Park Foundation has named the Valis family of Bailey’s Crossroads as one of three winners of this year’s Eakin Philanthropy Awards. Wayne and Angela Valis are being … Continued
School news roundup: excellence, fitness, and quarantine
Parklawn Elementary School [Parklawn PTA] The following news items about schools in the Annandale/Mason District area are from Fairfax County Public Schools and school emails to the community. Excellence at Parklawn – The National PTA has recognized Parklawn Elementary School and its PTA as a National School of Excellence.
Early in-person voting begins today
Voters are encouraged to use an ExpressVote machine. Early in-person voting begins on Friday, Sept. 17, at three locations for the Nov. 2 election. Voters will select a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and member of the House of Delegates. There is also a $360 million public school bond on the ballot.
Fire damages furniture store in Springfield area
Damaged goods from a furniture store in the Springfield area. [Fairfax County Fire Department] A fire damaged a furniture store in the 5500 block of General Washington Way in the Springfield area of Mason District, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. The fire was caused by the combustion of accumulated sawdust from a … Continued
Afghan refugees face big challenges; volunteers help them adjust to life in the U.S.
Newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan often have to build a new life starting from scratch. “We left everything behind,” says N, who fled Kabul with hisfamily last month as the Taliban took over the country. [We’re using initials rather than names to protect refugees’ identities.] N and his family were among several refugees at the … Continued
Annandale Greenway Alliance seeks community support for a path connecting seven parks
The Greenway would go along a pedestrian path between two sections of Alpine Drive. A group of Annandale residents is committed to the Annandale Greenway project and encourages other community members to join the effort to make it happen. The proposed Greenway is a four-and-a-half-mile-long path along existing park trails and streets through Annandale between … Continued
Public invited to visit Oak Hill virtually
Before the pandemic, people got to explore Oak Hill in person. Oak Hill Day will again be virtual this year. Oak Hill is the oldest house in Annandale. Under an agreement ensuring its preservation, the owners are required to host an open house for the public every fall. The event also typically includes presentations and … Continued
Board of Supervisors approves eminent domain for Sleepy Hollow sidewalk project
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved measures Sept. 14 allowing the county to use eminent domain to acquire land rights for two projects in Mason District. One measure calls for the county to use eminent domain to facilitate the construction of a pedestrian walkway along Sleepy Hollow Road between Columbia Pike and Leesburg Pike.
Help keep music alive at Justice High School
The Justice High School select chorus practices the National Anthem. By Tara Rethore This Saturday, Sept. 18, is Tag Day – the annual fundraising event for all music programs at Justice High School. Traditionally, students and parents from the school’s band, chorus, and orchestra programs visit every home within the Justice High School (JHS) boundary … Continued
Fairfax County board approves plastic bag tax
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags Sept. 14. The new tax takes effect Jan. 1, 2022, and applies to bags provided to customers at grocery stores, convenience stores, and drug stores.
Fire Department hosts virtual events for Fire Prevention Week
The Annandale Fire Station during a previous open house. For the second year in a row, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will not host in-person open house events at fire stations this year and instead will offer a series of virtual events during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 3-9. There is no need to … Continued
Public invited to event highlighting the hidden, Black history of Justice Park
Justice Park The community is invited to “Discover the Hidden History of Justice Park” at a special event Sept. 18 hosted by the Fairfax County NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Committee. Edwin Henderson, founder of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, will talk about the Black families who once owned land on the site and were … Continued
Body buried in backyard had multiple stab wounds
Police investigate the murder scene on Nevius Street. [WTOP] An autopsy of Truman Nguyen by the Fairfax County Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found his death had been caused by multiple stab wounds to the upper body, the police department announced Sept. 13. Truman’s son, Philip Nguyen, 19, was charged with second-degree murder.
New affordable, youth soccer club serves Seven Corners
Falls Church Soccer Association players exchange high fives after scoring a goal. Ariel Fernandez, a local soccer dad, says youth soccer clubs are too expensive. So Fernandez created a new club, called the Falls Church Soccer Association. “My intent is to provide an affordable, comprehensive, and transparent recreational program for all ages,” he says.