Man gets 40 years for human trafficking
Haskins [NBC4] A man who pimped girls in Falls Church, Alexandria, and Tysons Corner, as well as other locations in Northern Virginia and other states, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for sex trafficking of a child, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Virginia announced May 2. Lenny Paul Haskins, 34, … Continued
Taste of Merrifield brings crowds to Mosaic District
Lots of people flocked to the Mosaic District May 2 for the Taste of Merrifield. The event, hosted by the Greater Merrifield Business Association, featured live entertainment; a few Mosaic District restaurants; other vendors and organizations; a beer garden for adults, and pony rides, fire truck tours, and other activities for kids. The Split String … Continued
NV Rides helps Annandale seniors get to medical appointments
Judy, an NV Rides client from Herndon. Do you know a senior who can’t drive and needs help getting to a medical appointments? NV Rides is now serving the Shepherd’s Center of Annandale-Springfield. The NV Rides program enables older adults to “age in place” by supporting organizations that recruit volunteers to drive seniors to doctors’ … Continued
Pedestrian struck and killed on Route 7
Police activity on Route 7 after a pedestrian accident. A pedestrian was struck and killed last night while trying to cross Leesburg Pike in front of the Crossroads Shopping Center in Bailey’s Crossroads. The victim, Abdullah K. Sheikh, 36, of no fixed address, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing dark clothing and … Continued
Annandale is getting a new coffee shop
The Manoa bakery and café on Little River Turnpike in the Annandale Plaza Shopping Center could open as early as May 15, says Eun Ji Kim, who owns it with her husband, Min Kim. Manoa is in the space formerly occupiedby another bakery, Le Matin de Paris, which closed last fall. New floors … Continued
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