Principal selection process underway for Poe Middle School
Fairfax County Public Schools is beginning the search for a new principal for Poe Middle School, but many teachers and parents already know who they want for the job – Interim Principal Sarah Eqab. They say Eqab, a former assistant principal at Annandale High School, has made a positive difference at Poe, with one … Continued
Summer concerts scheduled
The Fairfax County Park Authority has posted a preliminary schedule of summer concerts in the Spotlight by Starlight series in Mason District. The following free concerts will be held at the amphitheater in Mason District Park on Friday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.: June 20 – City of Fairfax Concert Band. June 22 – … Continued
Jimenez has a new chief of staff
Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez has a new chief of staff. Devin Pharr succeeds Amir Abu-El-Hawa, who has returned to his previous position as chief of staff for Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay. Pharr started his new role in Jimenez’s office on May 12. He had previously been chief of staff for Providence Supervisor … Continued
Failing to stop for a school bus will net drivers a $250 ticket
Drivers who pass a school bus stopped to let children on or off can now be fined $250. Fairfax County Public Schools installed cameras on 50 school buses to catch drivers who violate the law against stopping when a bus’s stop arm is extended. Related story: Cameras will catch drivers who don’t stop for school … Continued
The Eagle Online Academy offers a lifeline to women refugees
Hundreds of Afghan and Ukrainian women and girls across the world are getting an education and are on the path to a better life thanks to the Eagle Online Academy. The Springfield-based school offers English language classes and skills training in such areas as cybersecurity, software development, business, entrepreneurship, and program management, said founder and … Continued
The arts are alive and well in Mason District
By James Albright Many different groups are starting to recognize the real cultural experience that is Mason District. We have festivals, art openings, concerts, individual projects, and so much more happening right in our community. With so much going on in so many different places, it is essential to keep our art calendars up to … Continued
Street festival brings Thai culture to Annandale
The food and culture of Thailand were featured at a festival on Sunday at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space in Annandale. There were about 20 Thai street food vendors and a dozen other vendors, traditional Thai dance performances, a Thai massage demonstration, and a Muay Thai boxing exhibition. The event on Mothers’ Day was … Continued
Festival features Asian arts and culture
A community celebration featuring the traditions and arts from Asia and the Pacific Islands drew hundreds of people to Mason District Park on April 10. There were dance groups from Vietnam, China, Nepal, and Hawaii, a Korean percussion group, martial arts, a Korean children’s choir, a Vietnamese lion dance, K-pop crews, a children’s art contest, … Continued
Schools warn parents about the ‘Chromebook Challenge’
Luther Jackson Middle School Principal Raven Jones is warning parents about the “Chromebook Challenge,” a recent TikTok trend that encourages students to physically damage their school-issued Chromebooks. The Chromebook Challenge has popped up across the country. The TikTok prank challenges students to jam metal objects, such as paper clips, into the charging or USB port, … Continued
More meetings scheduled on school boundary study
Fairfax County Public Schools scheduled eight community meetings this spring on the district-wide school boundary study. There will be a meeting at Annandale High School on May 28, 7-8:30 p.m., and another one at Glasgow Middle School on June 6, 6:30-8 p.m. Phase 1 has been completed, and the study is moving into Phase 2, … Continued
Man arrested for Black Rose shooting
Fairfax County Police have arrested a Maryland man for a shooting on May 1 outside the Black Rose Lounge in Bailey’s Crossroads. Through their investigation, detectives determined Evangel McNeill, 35, was arguing with another man outside the nightclub on Seminary Road. He discharged a firearm shortly before 1 a.m., striking the victim multiple times, the … Continued
Annual Korean festival postponed
Update: The KORUS Festival has been postponed to Oct. 4-5 due to a prediction of stormy weather next weekend. The 2025 Korus Festival had been scheduled to bring live entertainment, food, and games to Annandale on May 17-18. The annual event was planned for the K Market parking lot, 4251 John Marr Drive, 11 a.m.-9 … Continued
Yard art: Splendor in the grass
The arts are truly alive and active throughout Mason District and throughout the eastern end of Fairfax County, says James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Advisory Council (MAAC). In collaboration with artists and local arts organizations, MAAC is inaugurating a new, creator-focused series in Annandale Today, with information on show openings, artist opportunities, and … Continued
State Sen. Pekarsky announces run for Congress
Stella Pekarsky, a Democratic state senator, has joined the race to succeed Rep. Gerry Connolly in Virginia’s 11th congressional district. Connolly, a member of Congress since 2008, announced earlier this year that he won’t run for re-election, citing health reasons. James Walkinshaw, a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (Braddock) and a former … Continued
Jimenez’ chief of staff returns to McKay’s office
Amir Abu-El-Hawa is leaving his job as chief of staff for Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez to return to his previous position as Board Chair Jeffrey McKay’s chief of staff, McKay announced May 6. Amir grew up in Annandale and graduated from Annandale High School. He previously held multiple roles in the chairman’s office, gaining invaluable … Continued