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

For the homeless, the Bailey’s Shelter is a stepping stone to a better life

Dana Guthrie (left) and David Marmoll are staying at the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter. None of the residents of the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter encountered on April 14 were aware that Fairfax County is planning to temporarily relocate the shelter to Lincolnia, a plan that has met with strong opposition from some local residents. The … Continued

Priest retirement home will be expanded

St. Rosa of Lima Priest’s Retirement Villa. The retirement home for Catholic priests at 4597 Ravensworth Road in Annandale is being expanded. The home currently houses seven priests, most of them in their 70s or 80s, and the addition will have six new apartments.  It is expected to be completed in October, says Sister Kathryn … Continued

Environmental education is a big deal at Belvedere Elementary School

Belvedere students at the School Environmental Action Showcase at George Mason University April 6. [Belvedere ES] Belvedere Elementary School is taking the “going green” concept to the next level. In addition to schoolwide recycling and cafeteria composting, students  grow fresh vegetables for a food pantry and engage in “food rescue,” in which unopened food and … Continued

Condo fire displaces Annandale family

Firefighters at Casimir St. [FCFRD] A fire at a townhouse condo at 4917 Casimir St., Annandale, April 11 displaced two adults, three children, and a service dog. They have received assistance from the Red Cross, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. Three occupants were home at the time of the fire. Firefighters arrived … Continued

County officials respond to concerns about Lincolnia homeless shelter

The field where the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter will be temporarily located. The Charleston Square community is the rear, and the Lincolnia Senior Center is to the right. Fairfax County officials attempted to reassure Lincolnia residents at a community meeting April 11 that a temporary homeless shelter planned for their community will have effective security … Continued

New Nando’s restaurant in Mosaic District supports Falls Church HS

Nando’s Peri-Peri, the South African-Portuguese restaurant opening in the Mosaic District this weekend, will donate 100 percent of all proceeds April 16-17 to Falls Church High School. “As newcomers to Fairfax, we wanted to be good neighbors and help raise needed funds for student programs at Falls Church High School,” says Burton Heiss, CEO of … Continued

Join the ‘Run for the Children’ April 30

Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is hosting a Run for the Children 8K Race and 3K Run/Walk April 30 in Fairfax. “This race engages and informs the community about our organization’s inspirational work, while raising funds to help train and support the work of our volunteers,” says CASA spokesperson Ana Machado-Silva. CASA volunteers serve … Continued

Volunteers clean up Oak Hill Park

Volunteers cleared a trail that had been overgrown. Oak Hill Park in Annandale is looking a lot nicer, thanks to the efforts of a group of neighbors who formed the Friends of Oak Hill Park. The group organized volunteers to clean up trash and remove invasive plants and established a working relationship with Fairfax County … Continued

Summer youth program focuses on community issues, social justice

The National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) is launching a  summer program for high school students aimed at educating youths about community issues and developing progressive leaders among the Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Participants in the first-ever Summer Youth Empowerment Program – about 10-15 youths – will meet three days a … Continued

Mason Crest packs them in at spaghetti dinner fundraiser

Crowds fill the Mason Crest cafeteria at the spaghetti dinner. [Bob Kovacs] The spaghetti dinner at Mason Crest Elementary School in Annandale April 8 was a huge success. “The place was packed. The food was a bargain and delicious,” reports Bob Kovacs. The event was a fundraiser for the fifth-graders’ end-of-year celebration, and the fifth-graders … Continued