Free outdoor concerts in full swing
The NOVA Annandale Symphony Orchestra in the amphitheater at Mason District Park. After going all virtual in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, the Spotlight by Starlight free concerts in Mason District are back live this summer. More than 200 people enjoyed classical, jazz, and ragtime selections performed by the NOVA Annandale Symphony Orchestra in … Continued
Police report: assault, robbery, burglary
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area: There was an assault/bias crime July 14. The victim was walking in the 6200 block of Arlington Boulevard in Seven Corners at 8:45 p.m. when a man approached, made derogatory statements, and assaulted her. Gabriel Gomez, 36, of Alexandria, was … Continued
Explore a Park: The woods in Poe Terrace Park draw homeless campers
Poe Terrace Park as seen from Hillbrook Drive. This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The last piece in this series explored Pine Ridge Park in Annandale. Poe Terrace Park is a 14.3-acre undeveloped park at the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Hillbrook Drive in Annandale across … Continued
Youths invited to sports camp at Annandale High School
The Annandale Atoms Athletic Boosters are hosting a youth sports camp for rising 2nd to 9th-graders at Annandale High School July 19-22. The camp features an Olympics theme, and campers have an opportunity to win medals. The camp will use nearly of the Annandale athletic fields, from the gyms to the baseball field, to the … Continued
FCPS Superintendent Brabrand announces departure
Brabrand Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced July 15 that he will be leaving FCPS at the end of the 2021-22 school year when his contract expires. Brabrand, a career changer who was inspired by doing volunteer work in the schools, began his career in FCPS as a social studies teacher in 1994. … Continued
Supervisors approve rezoning to allow Heritage Mission Center to expand services to Annandale residents
Bags of food at the Heritage Mission Center for families in need. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 13 approved a rezoning application to allow the trustees of Annandale United Methodist Church to expand services at their Heritage Mission Center at 7901 Heritage Drive. The property had been split-zoned C-5 and R-20. The … Continued
Board of Supervisors reauthorizes Park Authority for 30 years, despite complaints from Justice Park advocates
Justice Park, where the Park Authority wants to pave over parkland for a parking lot. Nearly all of the community members who spoke at a Board of Supervisors hearing July 13 urged the board not to approve a 30-year extension of the Park Authority ordinance. They cited the lack of accountability and transparency around the … Continued
Bunnyman Brewing prepares to open
With just one more county permit approval to go, Bunnyman Brewing co-owner Sam Gray says, “There’s a 99.9 percent chance we’ll open by the end of July.” Bunnyman Brewing is located at the rear of an industrial building at 5583 Guinea Road in Burke. It’s close to the woods where the Bunnyman – a man … Continued
Board of Supervisors appoints task force to consider renaming roads that honor Confederates
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 13 appointed a 30-member task force to examine renaming Lee Highway (Route 29) and Lee Jackson Memorial Highway (Route 50). The Confederate Names Task Force, chaired by Evelyn Spain, includes residents and representatives of civic organizations, homeowner associations, faith groups, historical groups, and the business community. The … Continued
COVID vaccine clinic at Justice High School July 14; students age 12 and up need to get vaccinated as soon as possible
A school-based COVID vaccination clinic in Fairfax County [WJLA] The Fairfax County Health Department and school system are hosting three vaccination clinics for youths age 12 and up this week, including one at Justice High School, 3301 Peace Valley Lane, Falls Church, on Wednesday, July 14, 2-7 p.m. Schedule an appointment at a school clinic … Continued
Public can have a say in Virginia redistricting effort
The Redistricting Commission could redraw gerrymandered districts like this one. Members of the public are invited to provide input into Virginia’s redistricting process at a hearing July 27 at George Mason University in Fairfax. The hearing, at 4 p.m. in Dewberry Hall in GMU’s Johnson Center, will help guide the Virginia Redistricting Commission’s work to … Continued
County hosts community meetings on new Zoning Ordinance
The Fairfax County Planning and Development Department is hosting a series of public meetings on zMOD, the overhaul and modernization of the Zoning Ordinance. The Board of Supervisors adopted zMOD in March, and the new zoning rules took effect July 1.
New Bloomingdale’s concept store, Bloomie’s, coming to Mosaic
A rendering of the future Bloomie’s store in the Mosaic District in Merrifield. Bloomingdales’ plans to open a new store concept, called Bloomie’s, in the Mosaic District Aug. 26, the company announced. According to a July 7 press release, Bloomie’s will be “a smaller, highly curated, ever-evolving store concept filled with top brands, a new tech-enabled stylist … Continued
More than 3 percent of all Mason District residents are in deportation proceedings
The Immigration Court at 1901 S. Bell St. in Crystal City handles deportation, asylum, and related cases from all over Virginia. [A. Baros/VOA] In Mason District, 3.6 percent of the total population are in deportation proceedings. That number reflects the huge backlog of deportation cases in Virginia, as well as the large immigrant population in … Continued
Public officials failed to inform public on Justice Park land negotiations
During the past few months, advocates for Justice Park repeatedly sought answers about the plans by the Park Authority to give a portion of land to the school system for a parking lot. During that time, public officials never mentioned their discussions on a leasing arrangement or a land deal involving a recreation center in … Continued