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

To meet local climate goals, we need a national price on carbon

The authors (left and third from left) and other Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers meet with Rep. Gerry Connolly (right) in 2018. By Sarah Karush and George Kralovec Fairfax County recently developed a blueprint to cut local greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Now there are signs that Congress is … Continued

Haven of Northern Virginia reopens for in-person grief counseling

Haven is based in a former farmhouse that is more than 100 years old. Haven of Northern Virginia, a nonprofit based in Annandale that helps people deal with grief, has reopened for in-person counseling.   Haven offers emotional support to the bereaved and their families and friends through one-on-one counseling and support groups led by well-trained … Continued

Boy Scout Troop 150 could lose its charter with Annandale United Methodist Church

Troop 150 takes part in a Memorial Day ceremony in front of Annandale United Methodist Church. [AUMC] The following piece is a lightly edited version of an article published in Braddock Buzz. By Austin Wright Boy Scout Troop 150, based at Annandale United Methodist Church, is at risk of losing its charter with AUMC over a … Continued

Families invited to ‘Costumes for Kids’ volunteer festival

Kids make cards for first responders at a Kids Give Back event. Kids Give Back, a nonprofit that encourages elementary-age students to carry out community service projects, invites families to take part in the “Costumes for Kids” fall volunteer festival.  The event is Saturday, Oct. 16, noon-3 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 8922 Little River … Continued

Church collects supplies for Haiti

In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Lincolnia is collecting much-needed supplies.  Community members can drop off items on Saturday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-noon, at the church parking lot at 6477 Lincolnia Road. Donations can also be dropped off at the church on weekdays, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.   

Afghan refugees face big challenges; volunteers help them adjust to life in the U.S.

Volunteers help children with art projects at the Homework Club. Newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan often have to build a new life starting from scratch. “We left everything behind,” says N, who fled Kabul with his family last month as the Taliban took over the country. [We’re using initials rather than names to protect refugees’ … Continued

Local churches stepping up aid for Afghan refugees

Volunteers work with children in the Homework Club.  Church members who’ve been aiding refugees from Afghanistan for years are stepping up their support as many more Afghanis fleeing the Taliban are expected to settle in Northern Virginia. A group of churches that are members of the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) formed a Homework … Continued

Here’s how to help Afghan refugees

Afghan refugees arrive at Dulles International Airport. [Washington Post] As hundreds of refugees from Afghanistan pour into Dulles Airport, local aid organizations are providing basic supplies and accepting donations from the public.  Those able to catch a U.S. military flight as the Taliban took over their country left with little more than the clothes on … Continued