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

Help make Annandale Pyramid Back-to-School Resource Fair a success

Volunteers are desperately needed to help make the second annual Annandale Pyramid Back-to-School Resource Fair a success. The fair takes place Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2-7 p.m., at Annandale High School. More than 10,000 students and family members are invited. Fair organizers are putting out an urgent call for volunteers—adults and students—to help out during the … Continued

Vietnamese cultural heritage celebrated at Ossian Hall Park

Nguyen Dinh Nghia About 200 people packed Ossian Hall Park in Annandale Saturday evening for Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Night, a free variety show supported by the Fairfax County Parks Foundation and various corporate sponsors. Among the performers was the group Nguyen Dinh Nghia, which played traditional Vietnamese music using a flute, large bamboo xylophone, guitar, … Continued

Woman assaulted in Falls Church

Fairfax County Police are investigating a reported sexual assault that occurred in the Falls Church Area of Fairfax County near the lake by Fairview Park Drive. The victim, a 20-year-old woman, was working at the pool at the Carr at New Providence condos by Yarling Court. Around 7 p.m. a man approached the woman at … Continued

Catch a free concert in Annandale

Ken and Brad Kolodner brought traditional folk music to life at Mason District Park July 23. The video below, by Bob Kovacs, features the group’s performance of “Reuben’s Train.” Ken Kolodner, a hammered dulcimer player and old-time fiddler, was joined by his son, Brad Kolodner, on clawhammer banjo and Alex Lacquement on bass. Kovacs is … Continued

Environmental group outraged by award honoring beltway construction co.

The beltway project dumped sediment into Accotink Creek. [Photo by Friends of Accotink Creek] Every year, the Fairfax County Park Foundation bestows Eakin Philanthropy Awards to individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to the community. The announcement that one of the recipients of this year’s awards is Transurban-Fluor has met with disbelief, … Continued

Neighborhood get-togethers planned for National Night Out

Firefighters talk about their work at a 2013 National Night Out event on Hirst Street in Annandale. On Tuesday, Aug. 5, neighborhoods across the Mason District – and throughout the nation – will be holding evening gatherings for National Night Out, an anticrime initiative aimed at promoting productive relationships between communities and local police departments. … Continued

One community pool helps another

Parklawn Pool [Photo by Daren Shumate] Two years after the derecho, when the area was hit by widespread storm damage and power outages, the Parklawn Recreation Club was able to stay open with a generator and invited members of the closed Dowden Terrace Pool to use their facilities for swim team practice. When the Parklawn … Continued

Police arrest man for gas station robberies

Fairfax County police have arrested a man in connection with two recent gas station robberies in Mason District and are investigating whether he is involved in two other similar incidents in the vicinity. Michael Emmanuel Joyner, 51, was charged with two counts of robbery and one count of “unauthorized use of a vehicle,” a police … Continued

Supervisors approve expansion of shelter for women abuse victims

An illustration of the expansion project. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed July 29 to allow Bethany House of Northern Virginia to expand a shelter for women victims of domestic abuse in the Barcroft Hills neighborhood. The expansion plan has generated controversy in recent weeks, as some neighbors who oppose it put up signs … Continued

Back-to-school tax holiday this weekend

School doesn’t start until Sept. 2, but if you want to take advantage of Virginia’s back-to-school tax holiday, you’ve got to start shopping this weekend. Shoppers won’t be charged sales tax for eligible clothing and school supplies purchased on Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3. To qualify for the tax break, articles of clothing … Continued

Fairfax County supervisors to consider proposal to expand women’s shelter

A yard sign broadcasts the resident’s opposition to a shelter for abuse victims. A proposal to expand a shelter for victims of domestic abuse in the Barcroft Hills neighborhood has generated some opposition among the immediate neighbors, although others who live near the 1950s-era house support the project. Bethany House of Northern Virginia is requesting … Continued