Falls Church students honored by Park Authority
Falls Church High School [FCPS] Falls Church High School was named a “youth honoree” for the Elly Doyle Park Service Awards, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board announced Aug. 22. FCHS was recognized for its partnership with Providence RECenter for the past six years in which special needs students carry out work-based learning experiences. Students … Continued
Former NOVA president, Richard Ernst, dies
Richard J. Ernst [NVCC] The following information is from the NVCC website and an obituary in the Washington Post. Richard J. Ernst, who was president of Northern Virginia Community College for 30 years and built the school into the state’s largest institution of higher education, died Aug. 15 at a retirement facility in Springfield. Ernst … Continued
Drunk driving campaign rolled out for Labor Day
A still from the ‘Act Like It’ ad urges viewers to act like responsible adults, not babies If you’re mature enough to drink, you’re mature enough to get a ride home. That’s the message of a new anti-drunk-driving campaign in Virginia targeting young men. The statewide “Act Like It” social media campaign, sponsored by Checkpoint … Continued
Pop-Up Park hosts Fitness & Fun Day Aug. 24
Rock painting at the Pop-Up Park’s Art Day in July. Come out and play at Annandale’s Pop-Up Park during Fitness & Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 24. There will be free family-friendly activities and games 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the park, at 7200 Columbia Pike in Annandale between the ACCA Child Development Center and the … Continued
High school students can be ‘election pages’
The Fairfax County Office of Elections invites high school students to help out on Election Day as an “election page.” Election pages will serve an eight-hour shift at a polling place on Nov. 5 under the supervision of a chief election officer. To participate, students must be (1) enrolled in a high school government class … Continued
Juveniles arrested for breaking into cars
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Bailey’s Crossroads area. Two juvenile boys were arrested for breaking into cars in the 3400 block of Charles Street at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 16. Officers on foot patrol saw the youths pulling on car handles in the parking lot, entering an unlocked … Continued
Deer season in local parks starts Sept. 7
Backyard fawns. The 2019-20 Fairfax County deer management season starts Saturday, Sept. 7 and will end Feb. 22. The county allows groups to use archery to reduce the deer population in designated parks. Archery is allowed in 113 Fairfax County parks during the 2019-20 season, including the following parks in the Annandale/Mason District area: Accotink … Continued
El Habanero set to open next month
A Mexican restaurant, El Habanero, is tentatively expected to open in Annandale on Sept. 9, says owner Milton Ortega. The restaurant is located in a completely renovated building that was formerly occupied by TitleMax, at 7321 Little River Turnpike. El Habanero will offer authentic Mexican cuisine, such as tacos, quesadillas, and burritos, along with such … Continued
Improvements under way at Heritage Mall parking lot
The parking lot at Heritage Mall is getting an upgrade. The JSI Paving and Construction Co. is putting in islands that will eventually have trees, handicapped parking spaces and ramps by the CVS and H Mart, a new sidewalk on Commons Drive, and a regraded swale along Heritage Drive, says foreman Luis Hernandez. When that … Continued
Nature Center hosts NASA Family Science Nights
Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Children, age 7-12, are invited to participate in a new NASA Family Science Nights program at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. There are five sessions, beginning Sept. 6, on Friday evenings, 6:30-8. Children will use telescopes and educational materials to explore the skies. The program also includes games, crafts, and … Continued
Pedestrian struck in Bailey’s Crossroads
A man is in the hospital with life threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle at the Columbia Pike/Carlin Spring Road intersection in Bailey’s Crossroads Thursday morning, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The driver was not injured and remained on the scene.
Ravensworth ES gets a new principal
Aspuria Ravensworth Elementary School in North Springfield has a new principal, as of Aug. 14: Erika Aspuria. Aspuria is the former assistant principal at Lynbrook Elementary School and before that held the same position at Little Run Elementary. She began her career with Fairfax County Public Schools at Forestdale Elementary, where she taught English for … Continued
Alexandria to close parts of Holmes Run Trail to fix flood damage
The City of Alexandria will begin restoration of the Holmes Run Trail this week. The trail west of the N. Ripley Street crossing has been closed since the July 8 rainstorm dumped a month’s worth of rain on the area. The storm led to widespread flash flooding and a 12-foot surge in parts of Holmes … Continued
Police dogs will help relieve stress and PTSD
Police Chief Edwin Roessler (center) at a briefing on a new K9 program. [FCPD] The Fairfax County Police Department has five new K9 recruits – Jack, Holmes, Lennie, Indy, and Sully. The dogs will be deployed to help reduce the effects of a traumatic event, including fear and anxiety, for first responders and community members, … Continued
Capitals’ PR guy buys winning lottery ticket at Harris Teeter at Barcroft Plaza
Kocharov [Virginia Lottery] Sergey Kocharov, the vice president of communications for the Washington Capitals, bought a $1 million winning lottery ticket at the Harris Teeter in Barcroft Plaza. Kocharov, a resident of Annandale, told lottery officials it was an impulse buy. He dropped by the store at 6351 Columbia Pike to pick up some groceries … Continued