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

Hidden Oaks adjusts to pandemic with new custom programs for families or ‘bubble groups’

Nature Your Way at Hidden Oaks. By Suzanne Holland  Even though Hidden Oaks Nature Center is not open for the public to visit the exhibits, the park is busy with children and adults enjoying outdoor programming.  Hidden Oaks, located in Annandale Community Park, is at 7701 Royce St., Annandale. In December, Hidden Oaks is offering … Continued

Under FCPS return-to-school plan, all students won’t be back until February

The Fairfax Federation of Teachers held a car rally Oct. 15 at the FCPS Gatehouse Administration Center in Merrifield.  The Fairfax County School Board has deadlocked, 6-6, on whether to endorse Superintendent Scott Brabrand’s schedule for bringing students back for in-person learning.  Under Brabrand’s plan, presented at a school board work session board Oct. 15, … Continued

Kids Give Back hosts family volunteer activities

A Kids Give Back event in August. Families interested in teaching children about the importance of helping their community are encouraged to join an upcoming Family Volunteer Day hosted by Kids Give Back. The program was founded by Denise Gavilan, a resident of the Mantua neighborhood just west of Annandale. The next event, on Oct. … Continued

Fairfax County community centers reopen Oct. 13

The James Lee Community Center [Fairfax County Government] The nine community centers operated by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will reopen on a limited basis on Tuesday, Oct. 13. That includes the Bailey’s Community Center on Summers Lane in Bailey’s Crossroads, the James Lee Community Center on Annandale Road in Falls … Continued

No trick-or-treating, no screaming advised for Halloween: COVID is scary enough

Even without traditional trick-or-treating this year, Halloween can still be fun. The Fairfax County Health Department urges people to avoid door-to-door trick-or-treating and other activities that would pose a risk of contracting COVID-19, but offers several alternatives. The recommendations are based on guidance from the CDC, which also offers recommendations for safely celebrating Día de … Continued

St. James sports center hosts learning pods for K-12 students

The St. James offers lots of sports options for all ages. [The St. James] The St. James sports complex in Springfield is launching a virtual learning program for K-12 students. The program will provide adult supervision for students participating in distance learning while schools remain closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will … Continued

New daycare center in Annandale offers safe playtime for young children, learning pods for older ones

  A classroom at My Baby Steps Academy.  A new daycare/education program, opening in Annandale Sept. 14, offers a place for children to play and learn in safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  My Baby Steps Academy, at 4602 Ravensworth Road, is based at Hope Lutheran Church. It’s operated by Wilson and Mina Marroquin, who … Continued

Fairfax County offers limited, in-person option for children this fall at six Annandale/Mason area schools

Mason Crest Elementary School in Annandale, one of 37 schools offering an in-person option this fall for a limited number of children.  Fairfax County launched a new program, called Supporting Return to School (SRS), to provide full-day, on-site childcare to children in kindergarten through the sixth grade in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the … Continued