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

Community meeting scheduled on short-term rentals

This guest bedroom in Annandale is available on Airbnb for $50 a night. Local residents are invited to attend a meeting on the growth of short-term lodging/rentals, such as Airbnb, in local neighborhoods. The meeting, hosted by the Mason District Council of Community Associations, is Oct. 5, 7-9 p.m., at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, 3333 Sleepy … Continued

An open letter to Mason District residents on the homeless shelter relocation

The following open letter to the residents of Mason District was written by Deborah Fraser, Kathy Hoyt, Lynn Bostain, Christine Trapnell, and Carol Turner, who oppose Fairfax County’s plans to relocate the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter to a site at the Lincolnia Senior Center. This piece reflects the views of the authors, not the Annandale … Continued

County officials respond to concerns about Lincolnia homeless shelter

The field where the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter will be temporarily located. The Charleston Square community is the rear, and the Lincolnia Senior Center is to the right. Fairfax County officials attempted to reassure Lincolnia residents at a community meeting April 11 that a temporary homeless shelter planned for their community will have effective security … Continued

School funding is main issue at supervisor candidates forum

NARFE members packed the room at the Mason Government Center to hear candidates running for the Board of Supervisors. The top priorities of Mollie Loeffler, independent candidate to represent Mason District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, include alleviating overcrowded schools, bringing more life to the area’s commercial centers, and giving neighborhoods more of … Continued

Supervisors approve Community Parking District for all of Mason

This boat, on the end of Valley Crest Drive in Annandale, hasn’t been near the water in decades. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed June 23 to create a Community Parking District (CPD)  covering all of Mason District. That means boats, campers, trailers, RVs, and related vehicles can no longer be parked on residential … Continued

Loeffler, candidate for supervisor, vows to listen to neighborhood concerns

Mollie Loeffler outlines her priorities. Mollie Loeffler, the independent candidate running for Mason supervisor, told supporters at a fundraiser June 14, “I want to make sure the community has a voice and that there is accountability at the supervisor’s office.” Loeffler, a neighborhood activist, says she is running because, “our district needs responsive leadership, new … Continued

Gross supports community school concept

Ernie Wells looks at maps of proposed Seven Corners redevelopment concepts at a community meeting at Bailey’s Elementary School. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross told the audience at a community meeting on Seven Corners redevelopment Feb. 19 that she supports the concept of a community school and that the Willston Center is a possible a location. … Continued

Trapnell’s advice to next Mason supervisor: Listen to the community

Trapnell Tina Trapnell, the former Mason District supervisor who served before Penny Gross was first elected in 1995, has some advice for the next supervisor: “Listen to the community and respect your constituents.” Trapnell hopes this election season won’t be as negative as past campaigns. “Elections should be about issues, not personal attacks on opponents,” … Continued

Public invited to Feb. 10 forum on ‘the State of our Schools’

Parents, local residents, Fairfax County officials, and county supervisors are invited to take part in a State of our Schools Forum Feb. 10, 7 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School. The forum, hosted by the Mason District Council of Community Associations (MDC), is open to the public. “With most of our schools currently at or overcapacity … Continued

Gross reports on the state of Mason District in 2014

The Main Street Clarinet Quartet brings holiday cheer to the Mason District Government Center. “Overall, 2014 was a pretty good year in Mason District,” said Supervisor Penny Gross at her annual holiday gathering Dec. 8. The event included a performance of holiday songs by the Main Street Clarinet Quartet, refreshments, and door prizes, as well … Continued

Julie Strandlie to succeed Janet Hall on Planning Commission

Strandlie Mason Supervisor Penny Gross is expected to announce the appointment of attorney Julie Strandlie as the Mason representative on the Fairfax County Planning Commission today. Strandlie would replace Janet Hall, who has served on the Planning Commission for 20 years and plans to focus on teaching skiing to people with disabilities, including the blind, … Continued