Garza fights back against BoS’s failure to fully fund schools
Fairfax County Public School Superintendent Karen Garza issued a statement April 28 blasting the Board of Supervisors for failing to fully fund the school system. The BoS voted to formally approve a budget for fiscal year 2016 April 28, which had been agreed to last week, that leaves FCPS with a $14 million shortfall next … Continued
It’s celebration time at Congresional Schools
The Congressional Schools community gathers in front of the school’s main building. Hundreds students, staff members, alumni, and friends converged on the Congressional Schools of Virginia last weekend for the institution’s 75th anniversary celebration. The festivities began April 24 with a ceremony at the school’s campus on Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church. The keynote speaker, … Continued
Lambros Goldsmiths: bringing beauty to Annandale for nearly 30 years
Lambros and Elna Magiafas with Elvis. Lambros Goldsmiths has been selling fine jewelry in Annandale for 28 years – and that makes it one of the oldest, continually operating businesses in the community. While the shop’s owner, Lambros Magiafas, now operates five other jewelry stores – four in Alaska and one in Hawaii, catering to … Continued
Belvedere students heading to Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
The Belvedere Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind team will compete in the World Finals next month. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program for students in kindergarten through college that focuses on creative problem-solving through teamwork. Students complete projects ranging from building mechanical devices to their own interpretation of literary classics. Belvedere fourth … Continued
Bengalis celebrate New Year’s at Mason District Park
Hundreds of people converged on Mason District Park Saturday for the Bangladesh New Year’s festival known as Boaishakhi Mela. There was music, dancing, and lots of vendors selling clothing, jewelry, and food. There are about 30,000 Bengalis in Northern Virginia, most of them in Arlington, says Shafi Delwar Kajol, editor of News-Bangla. The actual Bangladesh … Continued
Emergency training class forming in Annandale
CERT trainers prepare for a simulated disaster exercise. [Joe Loong] A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) group training class planned for the Annandale area needs a few more participants. CERT training prepares residents to deal with emergencies – like severe weather disasters or terrorism, with the possibility of road closures, destruction of buildings, power outages, … Continued
Creative Aging Festival features 100+ events in May
Seniors stuck in a rut can learn a new skill, create art, try a new dance move, and have fun during the month-long Creative Aging Festival beginning May 1. The festival, hosted by Fairfax County, the Arts Council of Fairfax County, and AARP Virginia, includes more than 100 classes, performances, and events – most of … Continued
Stuart and Glasgow communities meet new principals
Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club President Harry Henderson (in the middle) presents a ceremonial check for $25,100 to FCPS during a community meeting at Stuart High School April 22. Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza told the Stuart and Glasgow communities their schools are in good hands with new leadership. Last week, Garza appointed Penny … Continued
Gross opens campaign office in Annandale
Penny Gross speaks to supporters at her campaign office. “I intend to win; I intend to win big,” Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross told supporters at the opening of her re-election campaign headquarters April 22. Dozens of local residents came to Gross’ campaign office, located in the former Healthway store on John Marr Drive in … Continued
Board of Supervisors approves budget for FY 2016
The Fairfax County Government Center. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors made a few changes April 21 in the FY 2016 advertised budget presented by County Deputy Ed Long, restoring several human service programs, adding some money for Fairfax County Public Schools, and increasing supervisors’ pay. The nearly $4 billion marked-up budget will be formally … Continued
Gross plans meeting on suicide prevention
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross is planning to host a meeting for the Korean-American community on juvenile suicide, citing growing concerns among parents. The meeting, to be conducted in collaboration with the Fairfax County Police Department and Region 2 of Fairfax County Public Schools, will focus on helping youths develop resilience and coping skills and … Continued
New group will represent Korean businesses in Annandale
Lunch at the Honey Pig. The Korean BBQ restaurant is a member of the Korean-American Chamber of Commerce of Virginia and will also participate in the Taste of Annandale. A newly formed chamber of commerce is representing Korean businesses in Annandale. The group’s first major activity is co-hosting the Taste of Annandale, a community celebration … Continued
Congressional Schools students participate in White House workshop
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to students. Eighth-grade students at the Congressional Schools of Virginia in Falls Church had an amazing experience April 14, when they were invited to an “In Performance at the White House” workshop hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. About 130 students from middle schools, high schools, and colleges from around … Continued
Gross outlines vision for community school at Willston Center
The main entrance to the Willston Center. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross has outlined a vision for a school at the Willston Multicultural Center that would be attached to a building providing a variety of community services. In her “A Penny for Your Thoughts” column published in the Falls Church News-Press April 16, Gross said she … Continued
Taste of Annandale gains widespread community support
Left to right: Officer Brendan Murphy, Lucy Caldwell of FCPD, Supervisor Penny Gross, Norma Lopez of Neighborhood and Community Services, Steve Lee, Lambros Magiafas, Rev. Clarence Brown, and Maj. Gunn Lee. The Taste of Annandale will bring the community together, highlighting the cooperative spirit among local businesses and residents in an atmosphere of fun and … Continued