Explore a park: Mason District Park has something for everyone
The pond at Mason District Park. This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The last piece in this series explored Roundtree Park. At 60 acres, Mason District Park is the largest park in Mason District. It’s a great place for a nature walk, team sports, outdoor concert, and … Continued
Zoning board defers action on daycare proposal from Bailey’s Crossroads church
Columbia Baptist Church [Google Maps] The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals has again deferred a decision on an application from Columbia Baptist Church on Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads for a building addition with a childcare center. At its Feb. 10 meeting, the BZA agreed to take up the application again on Feb. … Continued
Police report shooting in Bailey’s Crossroads
“A homeowner reported that a woman broke into their home and was subsequently shot,” the Fairfax County Police Department reports. That incident happened shortly before 3 a.m. on Feb. 10 in the 3300 block of Wilkins Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. The woman was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The homeowners and the victim … Continued
Fairfax County issues new vaccine dashboard
School employees at a vaccination clinic. [FCPS] The Fairfax County Health Department has launched a COVID-19 vaccination dashboard that helps people understand why it’s taking so long for people who registered to get an appointment. The new dashboard provides information on when vaccinations are being scheduled for people who registered on a certain date, the … Continued
Zoning board approves backyard chicken coop in Annandale
Gerald Miranda’s backyard, where he plans to install a chicken coop. The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special permit Feb. 10 to allow Annandale homeowner Gerald Miranda to keep 10 chickens in his backyard. Under the zoning code, homeowners need at least two acres to keep domestic fowl by right. Miranda’s lot … Continued
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