We're on a break

The Annandale Blog is taking a much-needed winter break. We’ll be back the first week of February. We know we’re going to miss some big stories, but we’ll catch up when we get back. Enjoy the winter weather, but stay safe and warm!

Lots of resources available for furloughed federal government employees

Furloughed workers protest the government shutdown in front of the White House (Greg Nash/The Hill)

As the shutdown of the federal government reaches its 26th day – and federal workers have now missed a paycheck – companies, nonprofits, and individual volunteers are stepping in to offer assistance.

The Virginia Employment Commission estimates nearly 178,000 federal employees live in the state, and more than 64,000 of them work for agencies affected by the shutdown. Click here for information on how to file for unemployment compensation.

Drop off unneeded prescription drugs at Mason Police Station - any time

You don’t have to wait for a national drug take-back event to get rid of your expired or unneeded prescription medications.

Drug collection boxes are now at all eight Fairfax County police stations, including the Mason station at 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale.

Lots of turnover expected on school board

Abrar Omeish

Big changes are expected in the makeup of the Fairfax County School Board next year.

Three school board members – Sandy Evans (Mason), Pat Hynes (Hunter Mill), and Jane Strauss (Dranesville) – are not running for re-election.

Ryan McElveen (at-large) and Dalia Palchik (Providence) are not filing as candidates because they are running for the Board of Supervisors. McElveen is running for board chairman, and Palchik is running for the Providence position on the BoS.

McKay lauded as the most experienced candidate for Board of Supervisors chair

Jeff McKay address supporters at his campaign kickoff event. 

Jeff McKay has the experience and competence it takes to be an effective chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Rep. Gerry Connolly said at McKay’s campaign kickoff event Jan. 12 in Springfield.

McKay has represented the Lee District on the board for the past 12 years.

Our first snowstorm of 2019: Be careful out there

With about 5.5 inches of snow blanketing the Annandale/Mason area – and more snow coming – just about any event you were planning to do today is probably canceled.

Surprisingly, Fairfax County Public Schools has not yet announced that schools will be closed on Monday, Jan. 14.

Middle schools get artists-in-residence

Chitra Sharma

Students at three middle schools in the Annandale/Mason District area will have a chance to work with professional artists as part of ArtsFairfax’s Artist in Residency Program.

Chitra Sharma, a screen printer, visual artist, and designer, will work with Glasgow Middle School art students on “The Glasgow Print Society” Feb. 11-28.

Sharma will integrate social studies, language arts, poster design, and printmaking. Posters created by students illustrating their ideas about the community and environment will be displayed at the school.