Paved over lawns allowed if done before 2002
If you’re tired of mowing the grass or want to turn your yard into a parking lot, think twice. A county ordinance passed in 2002 prohibits a house on property zoned R-1 or R-2 from having more than 25 percent of the lawn (front and back) paved over. If the property is zoned R-3 or … Continued
Oak Hill, Annandale’s historic gem, welcomes visitors once a year
Oak Hill Once a year, Amanda and Dave Scheetz open their house for public tours, while county leaders greet visitors. While the Scheetz’ are gracious hosts, the event is a county requirement: It’s part of the easement they must comply with for living in Oak Hill, the oldest house in Annandale, in the midst of … Continued
Concerns raised on toxic chemicals in synthetic turf fields
A soccer game on the turf field at Pine Ridge Park in Annandale. Every day, kids and adults throughout Northern Virginia play soccer, football, and lacrosse on athletic fields with artificial turf. Yet few people are aware of the toxic materials in these fields. A group of parents, several of whom are scientists, have formed … Continued
Tysons Corner redevelopment plan incorporates environmental elements
The McLean Metro station on Chain Bridge Road, one of four stations under construction in Tyson’s Corner. Most of the attention on the Tysons Corner redevelopment plan focuses on the Metro Silver line, expected to open in 2014, and the many mixed-use projects that have been proposed, but the plan also would incorporate several environmentally … Continued
Thousands of books on sale at George Mason Library this weekend
If you’d would like to curl up with a novel, plan a vacation, try some new recipes, or learn something new in just about any subject, the used book sale going on now through the weekend at the George Mason Regional Library has what you need, and much, much more. There are enough books (plus … Continued
Stuart HS community launches project to clean up Stuart Park
J.E.B Stuart High School teacher Lauren Kinne, along with students and volunteers, will be spending three mornings during the next few weeks cleaning up Stuart Park, and the public is invited to join them. The first activity of the J.E.B. Stuart Park Rejuvenation Project takes places Saturday, Sept. 29, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Stuart students in … Continued
Betsy Washington of Lake Barcroft honored for environmental activism
Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova presents an Environmental Excellence Award to Betsy Washington Lake Barcroft community leader Betsy Washington is among several conservation advocates presented with a Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Award by the Board of Supervisors Sept. 25. The awards recognize county residents, organizations, businesses, and county employees who dedicate time and energy … Continued
Community meetings address tax options for funding transportation
Biesiadny Fairfax County can no longer county on state funding for transportation projects to relieve congestion. The county needs $3 billion over the next 10 years, while state funding has dropped to zero and federal funding for transportation has been allocated through 2018. So the county either has to come up with a new revenue … Continued
Fall Garden Day at Green Spring Gardens
Asters, winterberry, lilac, butterfly bushes, and Montauk daisies were among the biggest sellers at Fall Garden Day at Green Spring Gardens Sept. 22. The annual event, featuring 21 plant venders, non-profit organizations, a silent auction, crafts, and musical entertainment, benefits Friends of Green Spring (FROGS). Pitcher plants from the Carnivorous Plant Nursery of Derwood, Md.
This is the week to safely dispose of unneeded medications
If you’ve got unused, expired medications clogging up your medicine cabinet, you can dispose of them safely by dropping them off at Fairfax County police stations Sept. 24-29. Operation Medicine Cabinet promotes proper disposal of unwanted medications to prevent accidental poisoning, prevent them from being abused by the wrong people, and protect the environment. This … Continued
‘Skate Annandale’ to take place Oct. 6
Photo from American Inline Last spring, when a group of local business owners put forth the idea of developing a skate plaza on a small unused lot between the Annandale Volunteer Fire Station and the Annandale Christian Community for Action building on Columbia Pike, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross suggested hosting a temporary “skate event” to … Continued
Pedestrian killed in school bus accident in Annandale
A dangerous intersection. A man struck by a Fairfax County school bus in Annandale has died, the Mason Police District reported Sept. 21. Falls Church High School students were on the bus at the time of the accident. Joon Seok Ahn, 89, of 6925 Columbia Pike, was walking westbound and entered the crosswalk at Columbia Pike/Gallows … Continued
Community input sought on how to pay for transportation as state funding runs out
Fairfax County will be holding a series of community outreach meetings over the next couple of months to explore what the public thinks should be done about paying for transportation in light of diminished state funding.Various options are on the table, including a meals tax. The meeting for Mason District residents will be Oct. 1, … Continued
Scene around A-Town: A peace sign on the AHS football field
Annandale High School students in the Peer Mediation program organized a human peace sign on the football field Sept. 21 to commemorate the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, the online edition of Annandale A-Blast reported.
ReBuild founder Paul Hughes remembered as advocate of sustainability
ReBuild Warehouse founder and executive director Paul Hughes, who died suddenly of a heart attack Sept. 15 at age 68, is being remembered as a champion of sustainability and environmental activism. “He had an environmental vision which is sorely needed, and he devoted his life to promoting this cause, as well as many others,” states … Continued