School news roundup: escape room, vaccine clinics, and more
Students solve a problem in Jackson Middle School’s Escape Room. [FCPS] The following news items about schools in the Annandale/Mason District area are from Fairfax County Public Schools and individual schools. COVID vaccine clinics – Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Fairfax Health District and Fairfax County Public Schools will offer the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children … Continued
Community center coming to Annandale
Plans are moving forward for the establishment of a community resource center in the Heritage Shopping Center in Annandale. Construction is expected to start in early 2022, said Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock). Fairfax County signed a lease with the Webb Cos. for a 1,200-square-foot long-vacant space formerly occupied by CrossFit Annandale.
Seven Corners towers are getting a makeover
The two 13-story office buildings at 6400 and 6402 Arlington Boulevard in Seven Corners are being renovated and have been rebranded as “Lookout 6400.” BoundTrain Real Estate acquired the buildings in 2019 for $38 million.
Local residents concerned about climate change
Flooding at the Sleepy Hollow Bath & Racquet Club on Sleepy Hollow Road in July 2019. Close to half – 45 percent – of Fairfax County residents are “extremely concerned” about climate change. That’s one of the key findings in a survey conducted this summer to inform the county’s first-ever Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan, … Continued
Recent crimes: robbery and assault
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Mason District area: A group of men committed a robbery at Vista Drive and Glenmore Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads at about 5 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Retro video game store, Super Bit, is moving to Annandale
The future home of Super Bit at 7887 Heritage Drive. Super Bit, a shop specializing in retro video games, is moving from Falls Church to the Heritage Shopping Center in Annandale. Super Bit will take up two empty storefronts next to Hmart on Heritage Drive. Owner Chris Jackson is aiming for a soft opening on … Continued
Safe Streets for All program could save lives of pedestrians
The intersection of Columbia Pike and Gallows Road presents a challenge for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All initiative could potentially make some of the most dangerous roads in Mason District safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. At a community meeting Nov. 8, Lauren Delmare, an active transportation engineer at … Continued
Once again, volunteers clear trash and construction debris from Americana Drive
Trash bags line Americana Drive after the cleanup. [Amy Gould] About 30 people spent Veterans Day picking up trash along Americana Drive in Annandale. The volunteers – including many residents of the Vistas of Annandale – filled 95 large trash bags and also collected construction debris and other large items, including an entire engine block.
Community members express concerns on redistricting
The Mason District Government Center. As the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors prepares to redraw the boundaries of the supervisory districts, community members weighed in with suggestions at a board hearing Nov. 9. The board is scheduled to approve a redistricting plan on Dec. 7. It is considering 64 plans submitted by the Redistricting Advisory … Continued
Fairfax County to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers
Gas-powered leaf blowers [Quiet Clean NOVA] The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a measure to phase out the county’s use of gas-powered leaf blowers. The measure also calls for updating Fairfax County’s procurement process to incentivize electric leaf blowers by landscape contractors working for the county.
Congressional School breaks ground for new pool
Head of School Edwin Gordon speaks during the groundbreaking. [Congressional School] Congressional School broke ground Nov. 5 for a new aquatic center. The aquatic center will have a heated swimming pool with a water slide and diving board, a splash zone with water features, and a graduated beach entrance. It is expected to open in spring 2022.
Public feedback sought on Seven Corners transportation improvements
The Seven Corners conceptual street network. Click here for details. [FCDOT] The Fairfax County Department of Transportation seeks public input on the Seven Corners Phasing Study, beginning with pop-up events on Saturday, Nov. 13. FCDOT is considering a plan to relieve congestion around the Seven Corners intersection at Leesburg Pike, Arlington Boulevard, and Wilson Boulevard … Continued
Supervisors consider allowing more seniors and people with disabilities to qualify for tax relief
The Fairfax County Government Center. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering expanding the property tax relief program for seniors (age 65+) and people with disabilities. At its Nov. 8 meeting, the board agreed to hold a public hearing on the proposal on Dec. 7.
FCPS launches Covid vaccine program for kids at the first school to pioneer the polio vaccine
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and First Lady Jill Biden visit the Fairfax County school where the first kids got the polio vaccine in 1954. [Donnie Biggs/FCPS] Fairfax County Public Schools kicked off the national rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 Nov. 8, when First Lady Jill Biden visited the school … Continued
Terry Lavoie honored for volunteer work
SOAR! President Sister Kathleen Lunsmann (left) presents an award to Terry O’Hara Lavoie. Terry O’Hara Lavoie, co-founder of the Culmore Clinic, received an award from SOAR! (Support Our Aging Religious) at the group’s annual awards gala Nov. 5. The nonprofit Culmore Clinic provides healthcare to uninsured adults in the Bailey’s Crossroads area.