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

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

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

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 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