College in the age of COVID
A screenshot of a Zoom conversation the Justice High School Scholarship Fund hosted for the JHS Scholars from the Class of 2020. By Jean King COVID-19’s impact on the Justice High School class of 2020 was almost immediate: The play was canceled a week before its premiere, sports did not get past the first round … Continued
Residents offer diverse views on flag restrictions
A flag in a residential neighborhood in Annandale. At a Fairfax County Planning Commission hearing on proposed zoning changes for flags and flagpoles, residents presented a wide range of reasons why flags, in general, should be restricted even more and why American flags should be exempt.
FCPS offers more details on the return to in-person learning
School staff prepare for the return to school. [Photos from an FCPS video] Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand offered more details on the return-to-school process at a town hall on Feb. 10. Groups of students will return to school buildings on a phased-in schedule, starting with certain special education and career and technical … Continued
Planning Commission to vote on zMOD next week
zMOD would ease the rules for home-based businesses. The Fairfax County Planning Commission had been scheduled to make a decision on zMOD Feb. 10, but instead agreed to defer a decision to Feb. 24. zMOD is a massive modernization and streamlining of the county’s Zoning Ordinance. The two most controversial provisions address Accessory Living Units … Continued
CVS COVID vaccination rollout poorly coordinated
This store in Annandale has begun providing COVID vaccinations to people 65+. The CVS COVID vaccine rollout in Virginia has been confusing and frustrating, Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccine coordinator, acknowledged. As part of a federal vaccine partnership, CVS is providing 26,000 doses a week to 36 pharmacies across the state, including the CVS … Continued
Annandale church plans to expand services to the community but needs a rezoning first
The food pantry at the Heritage Mission Center operated by Annandale United Methodist Church. The church building next to Heritage Mall in Annandale has been distributing food to needy families in the surrounding community for years. The Annandale United Methodist Church, owner of the 1.7-acre property at 7910 Heritage Drive, has submitted a rezoning application … Continued
Opinion: Park Authority funding priorities address community needs
The following opinion piece, by William G. Bouie, chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, was submitted in response to Jan. 19 article by Marie Reinsdorf raising concerns about the board’s decision-making focus on revenue generation. We live in an age when relying on solid facts is more critical than ever. Just part of the … Continued
Flowers for your vase: Go local
Elegance Formula Sweet Pea Mix from Johnny’s Seeds catalog. By Marie Reinsdorf Spring is on the way, and Culpeper County flower grower Bob Wollam is starting his sweet peas in a hoop house. They go in now to beat the heat but must be undercover where the soil won’t freeze. Sweet peas have a heavenly … Continued
Public urged to comment on revised Annandale design guidelines
Toll House Park on Little River Turnpike. The Fairfax County community revitalization staff seeks public comment on an updated version of the Annandale Urban Design Guidelines. The document provides recommendations for multimodal streets, landscaping, streetlights, and other design elements. There will be a virtual presentation on the new guidelines on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. … Continued
Fairfax County Health Department to provide more information on COVID vaccine effort
PatientTrak is assisting the Fairfax County Health Department with vaccine messaging. [PatientTrak] If you registered for a vaccine with the Fairfax County Health Department, there’s no way to know where you stand in the queue or when you’ll be able to receive your appointment. That may change. The Fairfax County Health Department is developing a … Continued
Plan to turn park space into parking lot angers residents
Local residents and environmental advocates are concerned about a plan to create a parking lot inside Justice Park as part of the upcoming expansion of Justice High School in Seven Corners. The park is on Peace Valley Lane across the street from the school. Under a plan under discussion by Fairfax County Public Schools and … Continued
Zoning change proposed for flagpoles
Fairfax County zoning staff are proposing new rules regulating flags and flagpoles. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the rules Feb. 10. After that, the flag regulations will be added to zMOD, the modernization and streamlining of the zoning ordinance. The Planning Commission will vote on zMOD Feb. 10, and the Board … Continued
CVS expands COVID vaccination program to Northern Virginia
CVS to provide COVID vaccinations. [CVS] CVS Health has expanded its list of COVID-19 vaccination sites to 36 stores in Virginia, including stores in Fairfax, Alexandria, and Arlington, reports company spokesperson Amy Thibault. CVS has earlier announced plans to offer vaccinations in 11 states, including 28 stores in Virginia but not Northern Virginia.
Granddaddy’s Skillet opens in Pinecrest Plaza
Granddaddy’s Skillet, the soul food restaurant in Pinecrest Plaza, has finally opened Feb. 3 after yet another setback. The restaurant was initially supposed to open in late 2020, but installing a new ventilation system took longer than expected. The owners, Roxanne and Andre David, had to replace the ventilation system and remove the pizza oven … Continued
New commander named for Mason Police District
Capt. Adcock [FCPD] Capt. Shawn Adcock has been named the commander of the Mason Police District, succeeding Capt. Brooke Wright. He starts the new position on Feb. 13. Wright, who has led the station since April 2018, is moving on to a new position, not yet announced, at the Fairfax County Police Department headquarters. Adcock, … Continued