Preliminary schedule set for Mason District summer concerts
The first concert, June 1 at Mason District Park, features the Toast Big Band, seen here performing at the park last summer. [Photo from a video by Bob Kovacs.] The preliminary schedule for free Spotlight by Starlight concerts this summer has been set. The shows are presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority and Friends … Continued
Medical building under construction in Merrifield
The design for the new building from Avison Young. A medical office building is under construction at 8120 Gatehouse Road, Merrifield, on the site of a long-closed Sir Walter Raleigh Inn restaurant. (The one-time local restaurant chain is down to just one location, in Berwyn Heights, Md.) Construction under way at 8120 Gatehouse Road. The … Continued
Q and A: New housing projects and the impact on school overcrowding
Construction has started on a multifamily housing complex in Seven Corners. With lots of new development under way or planned in the Annandale/Mason area, lots of people are wondering how that will affect the already overcrowded public schools. We asked Fairfax County Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Platenberg, who’s in charge of the Department … Continued
Woodson community comes together to focus on suicide prevention
A poster on a Woodson High School hallway has photos of Woodson alumni holding signs showing their support for the school and current students. Following the presumed suicide of two Woodson High School students in recent days, hundreds of parents, students, and educators packed the school’s auditorium last night to comfort one another and learn … Continued
Two women sexually assaulted in Bailey’s Crossroads
Note: Scroll to the end for a surprising update. Police are investigating two incidents in which women were sexually assaulted near commercial businesses in the Bailey’s Crossroads area, a bulletin from the Mason Police District reported on March 5. The most recent incident took place on Friday, Jan. 31, around 6 p.m. A 28-year-old woman … Continued
Residents urged to clear sidewalks
Nice job, neighbor. With schools reopening Wednesday (two hours late), Fairfax County Public Schools urges residents to remove snow and ice from sidewalks to ensure safety for children who walk to school and bus stops. “Neither the Virginia Department of Transportation nor the county clears snow and ice from public walkways,” a message from FCPS … Continued
Board of Supervisors to consider two-cent increase in tax rate
The Board of Supervisors The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted March 4 to advertise a fiscal year 2015 real estate tax rate of $1.105 per $100 of assessed value. That’s a two-cent increase from the current rate of $1.085. “Advertising a higher rate sets an upper threshold as budget decisions are considered,” said BoS … Continued
Seven Corners mosque offers assistance to needy community members
Dar Al-Hijrah is at 3159 Row Street, close to Leesburg Pike, in Seven Corners. The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Seven Corners is way more than just a place for prayers. The mosque has an active social services agenda that serves those in need throughout the community. Tahani Jabarin of the mosque’s social services department … Continued
Tips for getting through another snowstorm
The snowstorm seems to be winding down, after dumping about five to seven inches on Annandale. It’s better to avoid going out but if you must, call 511 or visit the traffic information section on the VDOT website to check road conditions and review the snow driving tips on the Fairfax County Emergency Information blog. … Continued
Just World Festival brings cultural awareness to Annandale community
Peter Ter urges Annandale HS students to give back. Students and community members gathered at Annandale High School Friday afternoon to share cultural experiences and showcase organizations and projects aimed at creating a better world. The highlight of the school’s Just World Festival was an inspiring talk by Peter Ter, one of the Lost Boys … Continued
Woodson community mourns two students
The Woodson High School community is reeling after the death of two students this week. Jack Chen, a 10th-grader, was struck by a VRE train at about 5:30 a.m. on Feb. 26. On Feb. 28, it was revealed that Majid Albaiz, a junior, had died. It is generally believed that both students committed suicide. There … Continued
Plans under way for Lincoln monument at Northern Virginia Community College
A replica of the Lincoln monument. The effort to have a monument to commemorate President Lincoln’s Grand Review of the Troops in the Bailey’s Crossroads area is back on track and gaining momentum, although there are still a lot of issues to resolve—and a lot of money that needs to be raised—before it becomes a … Continued
Police conduct drug search at Annandale High School
UPDATE: No drugs were found during the search, reports School Resource Officer J.W. Levan. A joint drug search and lockdown drill took place this morning at Annandale High School, with Fairfax County Police officers and drug-sniffing dogs, the online edition of the student newspaper, the A-Blast reports. “It was a school operation and was requested … Continued
Sen. Marsden’s Richmond report: My legislative agenda
By Sen. Dave Marsden The 2014 General Assembly session has hit the crossover point, where all the bills passed by the Senate cross over to the House of Delegates and vice versa. This is traditionally thought of as the halfway point for the session. Transition of power The 2014 session will be remembered for many … Continued
Author recounts stories of WW II heroes
Historian and diplomat Robert Dorr gave a lively talk at George Mason Regional Library Feb. 26 about the firebombing of Tokyo during World War II and the atomic bombing that brought the war in the Pacific to a close. He also signed copies of his latest book, Mission to Tokyo: The American Airmen Who Took … Continued