Former Marine helps vets adjust to life after war
Travis Hall Travis Hall has faced some challenges adjusting to civilian life after serving in the Marines in Afghanistan – and he wants other veterans to know there are organization out there are bringing vets together to help them cope. Hall was able to get his life back on track after attending workshops presented by … Continued
Annandale’s got a new bear
Happy July 4th [SJ] There’s a new bear at the corner of Ravensworth Road and Davian Drive in Annandale. His name is Felix, and he replaces the old bear who had been standing watch over that corner for the past 10 years or so. Bartholomew, the Annandale Bear, was a local landmark, delighting passersby as … Continued
Fireworks: Where to see them
The biggest and best fireworks show in the area is on the National Mall, of course, but there are several other options that are a bit easier to get to. The City of Falls Church is hosting a fireworks show at George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike. There’s live music at 7 p.m., and … Continued
Local church considering plan for affordable housing
First Christian Church in Seven Corners is considering various options for using some of its vacant property for projects to serve the community, such as affordable housing. First Christian has a total of 6.8 acres, including the church building, at 6165 Leesburg Pike. The church is preparing to send out an “invitation for proposals” to … Continued
Mason land use committee votes against homeless shelter relocation
Lincolnia residents who oppose a temporary homeless shelter in their neighborhood stage a protest in front of the Lincolnia Senior Center June 24. [Mark Fraser] Lincolnia residents who have been fighting a Fairfax County plan to move the Bailey’s Crossroads homeless shelter to a field behind the Lincolnia Senior Center achieved an interim victory June … Continued
County bond referenda will be on November ballot
Bond would fund Metro improvements and maintenance. Three Fairfax County bond referenda are expected to appear on the ballot on Election Day, Nov. 8, totaling $312 million. A $120 million transportation bond would be used to pay for the county’s share – $30 million annually over the next four years – of the Washington Metropolitan … Continued
Compost Livin’ helps local residents recycle food waste
Sarah Stakes If you regularly put your recyclable paper, cans, and bottles on the curb every week, do you wish there was a way to also keep food waste out of landfills? That was something Annandale resident Sarah Stakes, who has embraced the “green” lifestyle, was trying to find. There are businesses that collect and … Continued
Fitness camp for kids starts in July in Annandale
Rachel Martin (left) of PR Performance. A new fitness camp for kids age 6-12 is being launched this summer in Annandale. The “PR Fun, Friends &Fitness” camp, hosted by PR Performance Fitness, offers activities aimed at encouraging confidence and teamwork, while kids get some exercise and learn about the value of fitness and wellness. The … Continued
Volunteers sought for Wedgewood Community Center
The Wedgewood Community Center hosts an afterschool program during the school year. Children who live in the Wedgewood apartments in Annandale can participate in a free program this summer run by FACETS, a nonprofit organization based in Fairfax that oversees the Wedgewood Community Center. FACETS would like to host a kick-off party on July 8, … Continued
Free meals served this summer at local schools
The summer meals program at Glasgow Middle School. [FCPS] Children from lower-income households in Fairfax County needn’t go hungry when schools are closed this summer. Fairfax County Public Schools is participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s summer food service program, which ensures that students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals during the school … Continued
Working group proposed to study Stuart High School name change
School board member Sandy Evans (Mason) plans to ask the board to create a working group to consider changing the name of JEB Stuart High School and report back with a recommendation by July 2017. “After reading historical documents and arguments on both sides, considering all the community input to date, and discussing this with … Continued
Police set up ‘exchange zone’ for safer online purchasing
People who buy things online – from Craigslist or eBay, for example – and arrange to pick up their items in person from strangers are taking a risk. Instead of a simple transaction, these sales become an opportunity for criminals. “Police respond to numerous reports of robberies, assaults, and thefts throughout the year, as people … Continued
Bailey’s ES lunch lady arrested for embezzlement
Sarsaur [FCPD] A Fairfax County Public Schools employee, Fadwa Sarsaur, 51, was arrested for embezzling money from student lunch accounts at Bailey’s Elementary School, at 6111 Knollwood Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. Fairfax County Police detectives began an investigation on June 16 after staff in the FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services discovered discrepancies in … Continued
Information sought in attempted robbery at Seven Corners pharmacy
[FCPD] Fairfax County Police detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect who tried to rob the Millennium Pharmacy at 6305 Castle Place in Falls Church June 22. The man entered a store, implied that he had a weapon, and demanded prescription medication from two employees. He fled on foot without taking anything. … Continued
Board of Supervisors approve townhouses behind Heritage Mall
Residential development approved for this site. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on June 21 unanimously approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment to pave the way for a 68-unit townhouse project behind a shopping center on Heritage Drive in Annandale. No one from the community spoke at the public hearing. The homes would be built on … Continued