Mason Democrats to endorse Mason District school board candidate tomorrow

Anderson

The Mason District Democratic Committee (MDDC) will decide on April 24 whether to endorse Jessica Swanson or Ricardy Anderson for the Mason District position on the Fairfax County School Board.

Whoever gets the most votes at the endorsement meeting – 7:30 p.m. at Annandale High School – will most likely be elected to the school board.

That’s because the top vote-getter will most likely win the endorsement from the Fairfax County Democratic Committee on May 21 – and thus will appear on the ballot for the general election on Nov. 5.

Swanson

The candidate who does not win the Democratic endorsement is asked to pledge not to run as an independent. No Republican candidates have come forward as yet, and if they do, a Republican would have a hard time getting elected in heavily blue Mason District.

Both Anderson and Swanson have been campaigning hard in Mason District, even though only certified members of the Mason District Democratic Committee will be able to vote in the endorsement meeting. Here’s how they stack up:

Crime report includes theft and assault

Bell [FCPD]

The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes:

Following the report of two men acting suspiciously in the 4200 block of Daniels Avenue in Annandale at 6 p.m. on April 20, police found a juvenile and Tevago Bell, 20, of Manassas, in possession of stolen property from a car.

Bell was charged with petit larceny, vehicle trespassing, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The juvenile was charged with two counts of credit card larceny.

House fire caused by improperly discarded rags

A fire damaged this house on Justine Drive in Broyhill Crest. [FCFRD]

A fire at a house on the 4000 block of Justine Drive in Annandale shortly after 2 a.m. on April 22 was caused by spontaneously combusting stain rags, investigators from the Fairfax County Fire Department found.

Glen Forest Odyssey of the Mind team to compete in World Finals

The Glen Forest Odyssey of the Mind team.

An all-girls Odyssey of the Mind team from Glen Forest Elementary School in Bailey’s Crossroads is heading to the World Finals during Memorial Day weekend at Michigan State University. 

Odyssey of the Mind is an internationally run competition that calls for students to solve problems related to science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts using creativity and teamwork.  

Justice Scholars Fund helps students get to college

Justice High School 2018 scholarship recipients.

Decorate A Vet, a local nonprofit organization that takes care of home maintenance projects for military veterans, has expanded its mission to support college scholarships for Justice High School seniors. The following article about the Justice Scholars program is by Jean King, a member of the program’s board of directors. 

A community makes college real for high school students 

The price of college continues to rise. Last year, U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey found that the average price for tuition and fees rose by nearly 2 percent at in-state schools and 3 percent at private colleges.

Help save Chico's Natural Pet Market

Chico’s Natural Pet Market, a popular store at 6349-A Columbia Pike, in Barcroft Plaza, is facing some challenges, and the company’s founder and president, Danielle Areco, is inviting customers and community members to the store on Thursday, April 25, at 8 p.m., to help brainstorm possible solutions.

There will be refreshments, including Brazilian hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

Annandale music teacher arrested for molesting children

Cummins [FCPD]

Fairfax County Police arrested Annandale music teacher Jeffrey Cummins April 16 for sexually abusing two former students.

Cummins, age 56, faces “eight felony counts of indecent liberties by a custodian,” FCPS reports.

Cummins taught private music lessons in his Annandale home. He is also the founder and artistic director of Virginia Music Adventures, a traveling music group for school-age children based in Annandale, and owns two Huntington Learning Centers, one located in Tysons and one in Springfield.