“Pop-up park” will promote community engagement at Taste of Annandale
An example of a “pop-up park” from the Urban Land Institute report on revitalizing Annandale. The Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) is creating a tiny, temporary “pop-up” park in a parking lot at the Taste of Annandale to provide a relaxing place to hang out. “The pop-up park will be a tiny oasis … Continued
Volunteers collecting donated food Saturday at three local Giants
The ACCA food pantry needs to be replenished. [ACCA] On Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., volunteers from several faith communities will be collecting canned goods and other foodstuffs at three Giant stores for local food pantries. This effort is part of the annual Day to Serve project. The volunteers will be accepting donations … Continued
Staples at Pinecrest Plaza closing next month
The sign on Staples’ door. [David Siegel] The Staples store at the Pinecrest Plaza shopping center is closing on Oct. 8. Some items are already marked down, and “everything is going to be on sale,” says store manager Jonathan Wilson. All 10 employees will be transferred to other locations. According to the Wall Street Journal, … Continued
Taste of Annandale is aimed at building community and engaging youths
Taste of Annandale Steering Committee Chair Rev. Clarence Brown (right) speaks at the 2015 festival. Also on the stage are (from the left): Rep. Gerry Connolly, state Sen. Dave Marsden, Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova, and Mason Supervisor Penny Gross. “The Taste of Annandale was created to bring neighbors together to meet and greet … Continued
Little Italy will close in November
Little Italy owner Bob Kochar Little Italy, a neighborhood bar and restaurant that’s been in the Bradlick Shopping Center in Annandale since 1987, will close Nov. 23. The owner, Bob Kochar, plans to retire before his lease expires at the end of November. “It’s time to enjoy life,” he says. Little Italy is a lot … Continued
Support Stuart HS music programs on Tag Day
The Stuart marching band By Nancy Witkowski Here’s your chance to support music in the public schools: Next Saturday, Sept. 17, JEB Stuart High School will be holding its annual Tag Day to raise money for the school’s award-winning band, orchestra, and choir programs. Once a year, on Tag Day, student and parent volunteers spend … Continued
Fairfax County officials push for passage of meals tax
FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza speaks in support of a meals tax. Additional resources are essential if Fairfax County is to maintain a high-quality school system, said Schools Superintendent Karen Garza at a fundraiser Sept. 11 in support of a meals tax. “I’m profoundly proud of our school system and also deeply concerned about its future,” … Continued
Annandale HS Marching Atoms need your support
Annandale HS marching band members Nicky, Ben, and Noah perform for shoppers at the Bradlick Shopping Center. Annandale High School band members have been entertaining shoppers at various locations around the community in an effort to encourage the public to contribute to the school’s music programs. Band members also went door-to-door seeking donations on Tag … Continued
Green Spring Gardens hosts fall garden club for kids
A garden at Green Spring. Green Spring Gardens is offering a Garden Club for kids ages 6-10 this fall. There are three monthly Saturday sessions. The first meeting of the Let’s Grow Garden Club, on Sept. 24, is on the topic salad days. Kids will help harvest the vegetables that grew in the summer to … Continued
Commonwealth’s attorney: Police not criminally culpable in Gianelos’ death
Gianelos Fairfax County Police officers “committed no wrongdoing” in the death of Paul Gianelos, reported Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh in a ruling released by the Fairfax County Police Department Sept. 8. Gianelos, a 45-year-old Annandale resident with autism and an intellectual disability, had wandered away from his caretakers April 20 during an outing at … Continued
Library system needs to evolve, consultants report
A full house at George Mason Regional Library. A community engagement study conducted for the Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees found widespread public support for the libraries but called for a strategic planning process to figure out how the library system can continue to provide core services while evolving to meet changing community needs. … Continued
Capt. Rogers appointed commander of Mason Police District
Rogers The Mason Police District is getting another new commander, just seven months after Capt. Christian Quinn started the job. The new commander, Capt. Thomas James Rogers, was previously the staff duty officer in charge of nighttime patrols for the Fairfax County Police Department. Before that, he was commander of the helicopter unit and had … Continued
Ready or not, school starts Sept. 6
And so it begins – the 2016-17 school year is now in session. It’s the last time Fairfax County Public Schools will start after Labor Day. Next year, school will start Aug. 28. Superintendent Karen Garza made an appearance at Holmes Middle School, one of four sites she visited on the first day of school. … Continued
ReelAbilities film festival promotes understanding of different lives
Scenes from some of the films in ReelAbilities. ReelAbilities, a film festival dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different abilities, takes place in several venues in Northern Virginia Sept. 18-24. The festival is hosted by the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia with support from … Continued
NV Rides provides free rides for seniors to Jewish Community Center
The JCCNV NV Rides, a program that recruits volunteers to transport non-driving senior adults to medical appointments, is expanding. Beginning in October, the program will launch J Rides, a free volunteer-supported program to help seniors attend exercise classes and educational and social events at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. J Rides is aimed … Continued