Fairfax County forced Black families to vacate land for Justice Park

Edwin Henderson (right) at Justice Park. On the left is Spanish translator Fernando Ferrufino. 

Long before Justice High School and Justice Park were built on Peace Valley Lane in Seven Corners, the land was owned by a handful of Black families. 

The community learned about that “hidden history” at an event at Justice Park Sept. 18 hosted by the Fairfax County NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Committee.

Art show at Mason Government Center features Annandale scenes by local painter

A painting in the Annandale series by James Albright.

The art exhibits at the Mason Government Center are back after an 18-month hiatus due to COVID. 

The first exhibit of 2021, on view now, features paintings by James Albright of Lincolnia. An open house with the artist will be held on Friday, Sept. 24, in the small conference room. 

Park Foundation honors Valis family for contribution to Pinecrest Golf Center

Angela and Wayne Valis (on the right) with other family members at the unveiling of the TrackMan 4 Golf Simulator at the Pinecrest Golf Center. 

The Fairfax County Park Foundation has named the Valis family of Bailey’s Crossroads as one of three winners of this year’s Eakin Philanthropy Awards.

Wayne and Angela Valis are being recognized for their active involvement in various county parks during the past decade. 

School news roundup: excellence, fitness, and quarantine

Parklawn Elementary School [Parklawn PTA]

The following news items about schools in the Annandale/Mason District area are from Fairfax County Public Schools and school emails to the community.

Excellence at Parklawn – The National PTA has recognized Parklawn Elementary School and its PTA as a National School of Excellence.

Early in-person voting begins today

Voters are encouraged to use an ExpressVote machine. 

Early in-person voting begins on Friday, Sept. 17, at three locations for the Nov. 2 election. 

Voters will select a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and member of the House of Delegates. There is also a $360 million public school bond on the ballot.

Fire damages furniture store in Springfield area

Damaged goods from a furniture store in the Springfield area. [Fairfax County Fire Department]

A fire damaged a furniture store in the 5500 block of General Washington Way in the Springfield area of Mason District, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports.

The fire was caused by the combustion of accumulated sawdust from a milling machine in the warehouse area of the two-story building. 

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’ identities.]

N and his family were among several refugees at the Homework Club Sept. 11 at Peace Lutheran Church in Lincolnia, where they met other Afghanis who’s been in the U.S. longer, learned about resources available to newcomers, and collected donated goods.