Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

School news: Big winners

Weyanoke students dressed up for the annual Heritage Festival. An occasional series highlighting programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information and photos here are from Fairfax County Public Schools and individual schools. A cultural celebration – Nearly 100 nationalities were represented at Weyanoke Elementary School’s annual Heritage Festival, which took place … Continued

Lawmakers urge environmental advocates to get more active in politics

A full house at an environmental advocacy workshop. Elected officials urged people concerned about the environment to take a more active role in politics at a workshop at Green Spring Gardens March 18. At least 100 people attended the meeting, which was sponsored by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and other organizations. “The environmental community … Continued

Local governments can regulate Airbnb rentals

This Annandale house is listed on Airbnb for $75 a night. The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that would allow local governments to regulate short-term home rentals, such as those arranged through Airbnb and similar companies. The legislation, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, also sets up a statewide mechanism for collecting taxes … Continued

Marie Monsen nominated for Volunteer Fairfax Lifetime Achievement Award

Marie Monsen (second from left) at a Rebuilding Together project in Annandale. Marie Monsen, a longtime community activist in Mason District, has been nominated for a 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from Volunteer Fairfax. Monsen was recognized for her work with the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), Rebuilding Together, Shelter House, Faith Communities in Action, … Continued

Three men arrested for using skimming device

Left to right: Osvaldo Bello Villanueva, Enrique Franco, and Abrahan Noa. [FCPD] Three men have been charged with fraudulently obtaining credit card numbers using a financial skimming device hidden inside gas pumps in Bailey’s Crossroads, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. A fraud investigator from an undisclosed bank contacted FCPD’s financial crimes section on March … Continued

Native seedlings on sale

Sassafras The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting orders for its annual native tree and shrub seedling sale. The theme for this year’s sale is “Fall Color.” Native plants promote clean water and air, prevent soil erosion, provide valuable habitat, and add beauty and resilience to the landscape. Two seedling packages are … Continued

Scene around A-Town: Wacky weather

Rhododendrons in early March. A late snowstorm hasn’t been kind to these flowers, who probably thought, like the rest of us, that we were done with winter. Despite a mild winter and early spring, it’s not quite time yet to put away the snow shovels. The kids finally get a snow day.

‘Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing’ at Signature Theater

Debra Monk as Mrs. Miller. [Margot Schulman] By David Siegel With gentleness and clear affection for an unexpected heroine, Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner James Lapine has written and directed with a disarming touch an endearing new play “with music” called “Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing.” In its premiere at Signature Theatre, the production … Continued

Immigration policy has huge impact on local community

Government leaders and representatives of nonprofit organizations are reaching out to calm fears following the Trump Administration’s hard-line approach to immigrants and travelers, which is encouraging a rising tide of hate crimes. Panelists at March 11 forum hosted by the Fairfax County NAACP at the Kings Park Library spoke about how children are afraid to … Continued