Tag: holidays
Help ‘Gary Claus’ bring holiday gifts to kids
Mason District residents are invited to help “Gary Claus” (Det. Gary Moore) bring holiday joy to local children. For the past few years, Moore has donned full Santa gear to deliver toys and pajamas to kids in some of the area’s neediest communities. This year, Gary Claus will be at the Culmore Community Center, Wadsworth … Continued
Fire stations are collecting Toys for Tots
How about picking up a toy or two for needy children while doing your holiday shopping? The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is again participating in the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign to “bring holiday joy and deliver a message of hope to children.” All Fairfax County fire stations – including those in … Continued
Help those in need enjoy Thanksgiving
FACETS, a nonprofit that aids lower-income people, is seeking donations to help provide Thanksgiving meals to those in need. Since the start of the Covid pandemic, “thousands of our neighbors have suffered devastating physical, financial, and emotional impacts,” FACETS says. “For many of us, the effects of the pandemic are finally subsiding. However, this crisis … Continued
Fairmont Gardens kids celebrate Halloween
Halloween came early to the Fairmont Gardens apartments, as families brought their children to a Trunk & Treat event organized by Opportunity Neighborhoods–Annandale. There was a long line of decorated cars in the parking lot, with costumed adults – including several teachers – handing out candy and other goodies to the children. Children voted for … Continued
Halloween creepy creatures fill this yard
Many people put out skeletons and graveyards for Halloween, but Cat Tallant’s decorations are so over the top, people wait in line to walk through her front yard. This year’s theme is a haunted pumpkin patch, so Tallant’s display, on Carolyn Drive by Sleepy Hollow Road, includes animatronic scarecrows, a huge pile of pumpkins, a … Continued
Halloween 2022: Eight things to know
Here are some tips for a fun and safe Halloween: (1) The traditional time for trick-or-treating is after the sun sets on Oct. 31. Some apartment complexes or HOAs may set a different day, however. (2) Visit Fairfax posted a list of some of the best-decorated Halloween houses, although none of them are in Mason … Continued
Fireworks safety tips for the 4th of July
Planning to shoot off your own fireworks on the Fourth of July? Here are some tips to keep you, your children, pets, and neighbors safe. • Keep all bystanders at least 25 feet away from fireworks. • Light one fireworks device at a time, then go back to a safe distance immediately. • Never have … Continued
More school holidays next year
The Fairfax County School Board adopted a calendar for the 2022-23 school year that adds four religious holidays. Schools will be closed next year on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Orthodox Good Friday, and Diwali. (Eid and Lunar New Year fall on a non-school day in 2022.) There will be 14 professional work days for educators. … Continued
Join a virtual service project on MLK Day
Martin Luther King Day is traditionally a time for community service projects. Volunteer Fairfax lists several virtual activities the public can join on MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 17, or this weekend. Visit the Volunteer Fairfax website for more information on these projects: The Valentine’s Challenge project calls for volunteers to handcraft Valentine cards from home … Continued
New Year’s Eve – Celebrations for all ages
[UPDATE, Dec. 23 – First Night Alexandria is canceled due to soaring Covid cases.] Got New Year’s Eve plans yet? Here are some events in the Annandale/Mason District area or close by: NYE Pajama Party – The Block, 4221 John Marr Drive, Annandale, 10 p.m.-2 p.m. DJ, Champaign flutes, raffle. $20.22, supports nonprofit organizations. Wear … Continued
Beyond snowmen and reindeer
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, front lawns throughout the area are full of Santas, reindeers, and brightly-lit trees. We found a few homes in Annandale that mixed in some unusual creatures along with the traditional decorations. How about a holiday octopus, a cow, or a hedgehog?
County facilities announce holiday schedule
Officers and recruits from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Criminal Justice Academy handed out donated pajamas to Culmore residents Dec. 19. [FCPD] Here’s the holiday schedule for Fairfax County facilities: Fairfax County government offices – Officially closed at noon on Dec. 23. Closed Dec. 24 and 31. Libraries – Open 10 a.m.-noon on Dec. 23. … Continued
These Annandale homes light up the neighborhood
3912 Lincolnshire Street There are two houses in Annandale tied for the biggest, brightest Christmas decorations. Both homes attract a steady stream of visitors as soon as it gets dark.
Santa Paws photo event at Chico’s this weekend
After skipping a year due to Covid, Santa Paws will be back this weekend at Chico’s Natural Pet Market Bring your pet to Chico’s Dec. 11 and 12, 1-5 p.m., for a professional photo with Santa. Chico’s is located at 6349 A Columbia Pike in Barcroft Plaza.
Hundreds of children make holiday crafts at ON-Annandale event
Kids decorate ceramic bowls with decoupage paper and glitter. More than 300 children and families made gifts for their families and friends Dec. 4 at the Fairmont Gardens apartments hosted by the Opportunity Neighborhoods-Annandale program. The event was organized by FACETS, a nonprofit that serves families and individuals affected by poverty, hunger, and homelessness.