Wilson Library reopens March 21
The newly renovated Woodrow Wilson Library will reopen March 21 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. followed by a series of children’s entertainment and craft activities. Opening-day festivities include a lion and dragon dance at 11:30 a.m. featuring Au and Thieu doan Trung Vuong Girl Scout Troop 2016 and a puppet show at 3 … Continued
Proposed Fairfax County budget would impose huge cut in library staff
George Mason Regional Library in Annandale (above) would be affected under a budget proposal to cut library staff. The following statement from a Fairfax County resident was originally published in the Fairfax Library Advocates blog. Even though Fairfax County Public Libraries consume barely seven-tenths of 1 percent of the county budget, they are being asked … Continued
Working Group agrees on reduced residential density for Sears site
The Working Group’s final meeting, at Bailey’s Elementary School. The Seven Corners Special Working Group on Opportunity Area C (the Sears site) endorsed a plan for redeveloping the Sears site with less residential density than its earlier draft. The group’s final recommendation, approved March 4, calls for 275 multifamily units and 60 townhouses. That’s a … Continued
Board of Supervisors defers vote on Spectrum shopping center
“Lot 8,” the home of Concetta Difalco, whose family opposes the Spectrum development. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a motion March 3 to defer a decision on the Spectrum shopping center proposal until March 24. The project, to be built by Spectrum Development, would be on a 2.7-acre property on Leesburg Pike between … Continued
Beautify your yard with native plants
Silky dogwood The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is selling packs of seedlings in an effort to spread native plants throughout the region. Native plants use less water, attract wildlife, protect air and water quality, and bring beauty to your landscaping. They are also more disease resistant than imported plants. There are two … Continued
Swanson to challenge Gross in Democratic primary
Swanson Jessica Swanson, a Ravenwood Park resident who works for the District of Columbia Public Schools, announced her candidacy for Mason District Supervisor March 2. Swanson will face off against Supervisor Penny Gross in the Democratic primary on June 9. Gross has been supervisor for the past 19 years and launched her re-election campaign last … Continued
Gross considering having all of Mason covered by a Community Parking District
Boats like this one on Terrace Drive in Annandale would be banned in a Community Parking District. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross plans to decide by this summer whether to go forward with a proposal to create a Community Parking District (CPD) to cover the entire Mason District. Within a CPD, boats, motor homes, campers, trailers, … Continued
Missing black cat in Annandale
Tom, a 9-year-old neutered male cat, has been missing since 7 a.m. Feb. 28 from Kenwood Drive in Annandale. That’s in the neighborhood near Braddock and Ravensworth roads. He is timid but enjoys the sound of a shaking bag of food. He has his claws and a distinctive overbite and is not wearing the blue … Continued
Annandale High School students show they care at Just World Festival
Annandale High School students involved in organizations aimed at making the world a better place showcased a variety of initiatives promoting environmental activism, social justice, and cultural understanding at the 10th annual Just Word Festival Feb. 27. The Bag Monster, a.k.a. Annandale High School junior Ismail Ahmad, is wearing 500 plastic bags to show the … Continued
Men arrested for breaking into cars in Broyhill Park
Stolen items [FCPD] Officers from the Mason Police District charged two men Feb. 25 with larceny in the Westlawn community, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Officers on the midnight shift responded to a call for service from a resident who saw people rummaging through his van in the 7600 block of Camp Alger Avenue … Continued
Mason Republicans planning ‘firehouse primary’
A couple of local Republicans have talked about the possibility of running against Mason Supervisor Penny Gross this year, says Curtis Anderson, Mason District chair on the Fairfax County Republican Committee. No one has come forward but if there are more than one candidate, the committee will hold a “firehouse primary” to select a candidate. … Continued
Homeowner charges HOA is failing to address safety issues
Ashton Commons. When Shirley Thompson bought her home in the Ashton Commons community two years ago, she had no idea what she was in for. She discovered numerous property code violations, lax enforcement by the homeowners’ association (HOA), and safety hazards. When the HOA manager refused to fix the problems, she took her complaints to … Continued
Cat perishes in Falls Church fire
FCFRD photo A single-family home at 3040 Holmes Run Road in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County was totally destroyed in a fire on Feb. 24, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. A cat perished in the fire and one resident who was home at the time escaped unharmed. When firefighters arrived … Continued
Free tax help available
Need help with your taxes? Eligible taxpayers are encouraged to take advantage of free tax preparation assistance in the Annandale/Mason area. Volunteers from the AARP Tax-Aide program will be stationed at the Mason District Government Center (6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale) through April 15 to help taxpayers on a walk-in basis. The program is free for … Continued
Community celebration shines spotlight on Annandale restaurants
“The Taste of Annandale,” a major community event showcasing local restaurants – and much more – is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., in downtown Annandale. This multicultural celebration, organized by Mason District residents and stakeholders, is designed to spotlight the Annandale business district, engage young people, and build community spirit though music, … Continued