City of Fairfax Government

05/02/2019

Fairfax City Minute, May 2

FREE CULTURAL EVENTS, THE SPLASH PAD, DOG PARK, AND MORE. Get all the details here in the 60+ seconds. Thanks for watching, and please feel free to share!

05/02/2019

TONIGHT: MAKE A NIGHT OF IT IN OLD TOWN. The Hometown Thursdays Summer Concert Series begins this evening in Old Town Square. FREE and kid-friendly: 6:30-8:30 pm.

To kick off the series, we have TWO local bands performing - Cinema Hearts + Abby Rasheed and the Sundry Collective.

Cinema Hearts sings dreamy rock & roll and doo wop pop reminding you of days long gone, while Abby Rasheed and the Sundry Collective gives you a folk-rock taste of the slower days in the mountains.

Come take a stroll in Old Town, roll out a blanket or chairs, bring a little food (or buy locally) and listen to these great bands!

05/01/2019

Rust Curve: What You Need to Know

RUST CURVE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (watch this — and share). A major project will begin next week on Chain Bridge Road at Rust Curve, which will fix major erosion and crumbling sidewalks close to Old Town.

The north-bound lane will be closed for roughly 12 months. South-bound lanes through Old Town will remain open. The good news? When the project is complete, this area will look amazing and offer NEW pedestrian and bike access to the city.

Project updates: Rt123sidewalk.com

05/01/2019

WOOF. HENRY THE WONDER DOG APPROVES. The Fairfax City Dog Park is now open for (doggie) biz! It's located at 11000 Berry Street, former home of Westmore Elementary.

Owners and their pooches will find a great place to run around with other dogs, water, benches and, yes, doggie poop bags. Have a blast!

NOTE: We'll have the official ribbon-cutting for the dog park on June 15 during Fido Fest.

04/29/2019

Rock the Block 2019!

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE READY FOR ROCK THE BLOCK! Let the countdown begin: Friday, May 24th is the first Rock the Block of the season, but to see the ENTIRE season in 25 seconds, check this out — and share with friends. Fairfax City Parks and Recreation

Rock the Block is generously sponsored again this year by HB Home Services

04/29/2019

TERRIFIC STORY ABOUT A GREAT YOUNG MAN AND AMAZING TALENT. Happy Monday morning. Here's a wonderfully uplifting story to begin your week...it's about Eddie Adams, a student at GeorgeMasonUniversity. (Pictured here at Old Town Hall Friday night during the opening reception for Spotlight on the Arts.)

This young man, 20, with a big talent has had a impoverished past, moving around Northern Virginia with his mom and five siblings — including a homeless shelter. At Mason, he couldn't even afford to rent a cello.

His fortunes changed changed recently, as you'll read in this Washington Post story: https://wapo.st/2INoT0F

Want to see MORE great talents around the city? Spotlight on the Arts rolls through May 12. Here's the complete schedule of shows, many FREE: FairfaxSpotlight.org

04/28/2019

CONGRATS TO #FHS GRAD NICK SCOTT! Feeling lots of pride today after this #football standout at FHS and #PennState was drafted by the LA Rams! #RebelPride Fairfax High School Athletic Department FCPS

04/27/2019

FAIRFAX HISTORY DAY HITTING ITS STRIDE RIGHT NOW. Come on over to Historic Blenheim for hayrides, music, historic re-enactors, kids games, tours of the historic Civil War-era house...and did we mention the mounds of steaming, yummy kettle corn?

The day runs through 5! (Free shuttle bus from Fairfax High School, too.)

04/25/2019

Fairfax City Minute, April 25

WHY THIS WEEKEND PROMISES TO BE THE BEST OF THE MONTH. Hint: So many great events, including Fairfax History Day, Spotlight on the Arts begins ("Good News" at FHS), an Earth Day bash ... and more. Details here in 60+ seconds. (Please share.)

04/24/2019

Lanier Middle School Green Flag Award

A BIG DAY FOR LANIER MIDDLE SCHOOL! This will make you feel great about our schools and our kids... (Please share.)

Earlier today, the National Wildlife Federation awarded its Green Flag Award to Lanier Middle School for its incredible environmental efforts — which is why the school earned the FIRST PERMANENT green flag status the organization has given to ANY school in the country. Here, we talk to Science and Algebra teacher Faiza Alam about her efforts to change the world one great student at a time.

The school's many environmental programs are led by students and teachers, including:
* Outdoor living classroom with various ecosystems, where students are able to connect content learned to an outdoor setting
* Environmental stewardship and watershed projects
* Student-led programs in recycling, bio-retention, reduction of plastics and lighting surveys
* First hybrid windmill (with solar panel) installed on school grounds, leading to experimentation with wind turbines

We're incredibly proud of our kids and our City of Fairfax Schools! Fairfax County Public Schools Carolyn Pitches for School Board David Meyer City of Fairfax Sustainability Michael DeMarco Janice Miller

04/23/2019

Renaissance Housing, Fairfax City

NEED TO RENOVATE YOUR HOME? Watch this quick video to learn more about a great program here in Fairfax City to help residents ... and how it can help you do the project with *no interest* paid by you for 2 years. (Please feel free to share!)

The program is available to owners of duplexes, single-family detached homes, condos and townhomes. If you'd like to chat with our program administrator directly, she's love to help out. Her name is Tina Gillian, and her email is [email protected]. Her phone is 703.385.2494.

04/22/2019

Fairfax City Beekeeping

WATCH HOW TWO CITY RESIDENTS LIVE THE SWEET LIFE. Spring has sprung in Fairfax City, and the city's honeybees are thrilled! And so are the city's beekeepers, who love this backyard hobby.

In this short video, we focus on Jim Mollenkopf and Kathy Lund Hackshaw ... they provide a great story and awesome guidance on getting into beekeeping. (Please share!)

More info: Northern Virginia Beekeepers, novabees.org. Also, if you want to start a hive in Fairfax City, the process is easy. Visit fairfaxva.gov, and search "bees."

This is another video collaboration between the city and George Mason University ... Film at Mason. Great work, Kiki Cowan and Billy Ferguson!

Brenda Young

04/19/2019

Fairfax City Minute, April 19

HAPPY FRIDAY, HERE'S THE LOWDOWN ON SOME WEEKEND FUN (and a free discussion at Old Town Hall on Wednesday).

Reminder: The Easter Egg Hunt is set for 10 am tomorrow at Van Dyck Park, rain or shine! For up-to-the-minute info, please visit: http://bit.ly/2IGBZfn

04/18/2019

GREAT CAUSE, AWESOME WOMEN, AMAZING POLICE SUPPORT. This morning in front of the City of Fairfax Police Department, members of the city Commission for Women donned their favorite shade of blue for a TEAL OUT...in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The city's police officers have shown support to this cause all month by wearing teal ribbons on their uniforms and posting teal-ribbon magnets on squad cars.

A big thanks to the city-resident volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to the Commission for Women and, of course, our terrific police officers who strive every day to keep our city safe and support our wonderful community.

City of Fairfax Commission for Women

04/17/2019

DOGWOOD AFTERNOON. We were on the grounds at Historic Blenheim late this afternoon and spotted these dogwoods — perfectly framing the house. Remember, not only does Blenheim have a terrific interpretive center, but the grounds are perfect for strolling until dusk. Enjoy the evening, everyone!

04/16/2019

PICTURE-PERFECT AFTERNOON. Fountains optional. Gorgeous evening in Old Town Square...and it serves as a reminder that this lovely space will be a pit stop for **DC Bike to Work Day** Friday, May 17.

So, spin on over and hang out with us between 6-9 am and receive a t-shirt, snacks, bike tuneup and more (we'll have great prizes, too.)

REGISTER FOR FREE HERE: FairfaxVa.gov/BiketoWork

Hope to see you then! PLEASE share this with friends!

04/15/2019

MOTHER NATURE'S CLOUD DISPLAY IN OLD TOWN TONIGHT. Crazy 24 hours of weather, but the payoff is a gorgeous shot like this. Thanks to city resident Anne Hoffman for the vantage point and this image. Enjoy the evening, everyone!

04/11/2019

Fairfax City Minute, April 11

WEEKEND FUN...despite the unsettled weather. Let's see, options include a free concerts at Sherwood and a history double-feature this weekend. Check out the details here in the 60+ seconds. Enjoy! George Mason University George Mason University School of Dance

04/10/2019

ALL THE BUZZ ACROSS FAIRFAX CITY. This morning, our George Mason University interns from Film at Mason shot a mini documentary about some of our city's beekeeping residents, Jim Mollenkopf and Kathy Hackshaw.

Honeybees are out in force right now, as spring rolls and flowers pop. The lady honeybees are busy collecting pollen, nectar and water — it's truly an amazing process and so important to our environment and our food chain (1 out of every 3 things we consume is pollenated by a honeybee).

Want to learn more about this cool and important hobby? Visit the Northern Virginia Beekeepers Association at novabees.org.

(And yes, getting a permit for beekeeping the city is easy. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/2GemwS6)

Enjoy this gorgeous evening!

04/09/2019

Pickleball Takes Over the World! (Sort of...)

SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A MASON STUDENT LEARNS PICKLEBALL FROM THE PROS. Cody, one of our George Mason University interns, decided to learn pickleball at our Young at Heart Senior Center from, among others, council member Janice Miller ... did he hold his own?! Find out by watching this short video!

Want to play? The indoor and outdoor courts at Green Acres are
hopping Mondays through Fridays from 1-3 pm. (There's also open play on Wednesday evenings.) Stop by and give it a try!

Would you rather take lessons first? No worries. Ron Tugwell offers lessons on Tuesdays. Check out the current issue of Parks & Rec Connected for details (see page 41): https://bit.ly/2WXkmf6

Fairfax City Parks and Recreation

04/08/2019

Fairfax Little League Opening Day Parade

A VIDEO POSTCARD FROM FAIRFAX LITTLE LEAGUE OPENING DAY PARADE. Here's some of the (too cute) highlights from Saturday and Fairfax Little League. Thanks again to @citCity of Fairfax Fire Department and City of Fairfax Police Department. (Please share.)

Lots of fun from the kids, and thanks to our elected officials for hanging out and tossing out first pitches...thanks go to David Meyer Sang Yi Jennifer Passey Janice Miller Michael DeMarco Jon Stehle Chap PetersenDavid Bulova Sharon Bulova

04/06/2019

LITTLE LEAGUE OPENING DAY IN FAIRFAX CITY. Play ball! On cue, the sun parted through the clouds as the Fairfax Little League parade began this morning. We had hundreds of kiddie marchers and parents on hand at historic Chilcott Field! What day. What a game. What a community. (Please share!)

Our mayor David Meyer, council members Jennifer Passey, Sang Yi, Jon Stehle, Michael DeMarco, Janice Miller, and school board members Carolyn Pitches for School Board and Mitch Sutterfield threw out first pitches, along with David Bulova, Sharon Bulova, and Chap Petersen. Thanks to City of Fairfax Fire Department and City of Fairfax Police Department

04/05/2019

THIS WILL ONLY TAKE 30 SECONDS. PROMISE. For this month's online survey (results go in the May Cityscene newsletter), we'd love to hear what you love to do OUTSIDE on a warm spring or summer night around Fairfax City. (Lots of great options!)

Please go to this link to take the survey: https://bit.ly/2OPUA9P

Thanks, and enjoy the weekend!

04/04/2019

Fairfax City Minute, April 4

A GREAT WEEKEND IN 60+ SECONDS. The weather looks great, and we have lots on tap this weekend. Details here. Please watch — and share. Fairfax Little League @littleleague

04/03/2019

PERFECT AFTERNOON, PERFECT SETTING. What a glorious afternoon today at Historic Blenheim! We shot this on the front lawn. Haven't explored this city gem? The property is worth roaming, and you can find terrific programming most weekends in the interpretive center.

REMINDER: Blenheim hosts **Fairfax History Day** on Saturday, April 27. There will be 25 living-history groups, 100+ artifacts, old-school kids' games, workshops, live music, dance AND...175 bales of hay for a MASSIVE pyramid for (you guessed it) climbing. A little slice of heaven for kids :)

More details about Fairfax History Day here: https://bit.ly/2I6BpY6

04/02/2019

WELCOME, OFFICER! Today, the City of Fairfax Police Department welcomed Maurice Anderson to its family. This terrific young man is pictured with Police Chief Erin Schaible just after his swearing in. Welcome to this great community, Officer Anderson!

04/01/2019

VALOR MAKES A STATEMENT. Meet the city's K-9 stars, City of Fairfax Police Department Officer Vann Sayasithsena and his partner, Valor. The 5-year-old German shepherd is incredibly well trained and has assisted our friends at other law-enforcement agencies in the region, including Fairfax County Police Department George Mason University Police Department Town of Vienna Police, among others.

Want to learn more about this incredible team? Check out the April issue of the *new* Cityscene here: https://bit.ly/2FJh9KB

03/28/2019

Fairfax City Minute, March 28

THE WEEKEND IS ALMOST HERE...and we have some nice options around town. There's a big children's book sale, the most talented dancers in the region, and an important reminder about all of the yard work you might do this weekend ;) Enjoy the night, and please share.

George Mason UniversityFairfax County Public Library

03/28/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY IN FAIRFAX CITY. City Hall under construction in 1961. No windows, no cupola and no great front porch. (The city annex was added 10 years ago and includes lots more space for public meetings, event and engagement.) Enjoy this gorgeous day! :)

03/27/2019

Strong Fairfax City Women, Strong City Businesses

STRONG FAIRFAX CITY WOMEN, STRONG CITY BUSINESSES. Here's a really nice snapshot of women-owned businesses in our city. Two weeks ago, the city's Commission for Women and Fairfax City Economic Development Authority hosted a Fairfax City Women Business Owners' Luncheon to showcase the great ideas and entrepreneurial spirit here in the city — it was a PACKED house with terrific networking!

Watch...and share :)

Coyote Grille KBella Spa & WellnessCameron's Coffee & ChocolatesTaschler Spine & RehabMary [email protected] Long Volunteer FairfaxPets Bring Joy RescueCity of Fairfax Commission for WomenSHEEO AcademyFairfax City Economic Development Authority

03/27/2019

FHS PROUD. This month we've been celebrating Fairfax City women who have changed history. Meet second lieutenant Simone Askew, a graduate of Fairfax High School who became the first black woman to lead the West Point Corps of Cadets as First Captain. #womenshistorymonth #FFXcityCFW

03/26/2019

Saving Our Gorgeous Spaces

FEELING PROUD OF OUR FAIRFAX HIGH STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY. You'll love this (PLEASE share). Check out this short video about Katie Lau, a senior at FHS, who helped organize a recent event to clean up invasive species along the stream near Daniels Run ES. She got lots of community help. Invasives are a major problem throughout the region, but there are great ways to dive in and eradicate them.

Want to get involved? Come out to Daniels Run for the city's Earth Day event on Sunday, April 28, 2:30-5 pm. A booth will be set up (yes, Katie will be there!), where you can learn more.

City of Fairfax Schools Fairfax County Public Schools

This film is another collaboration between city's communications department and George Mason University's Film and Video Studies program.

Katie Lau Judy Fraser

03/25/2019

Connect2FairfaxCity.com

CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT? No worries. Stay connected, and WATCH this...

There's a new way for you to lend your voice to the discussion — and let the mayor and council know how you feel about a range of issues. It's called Connect2FairfaxCity.com ...

It's easy to sign up and comment on any issues facing the city — everything from the budget to a particular development being discussed. Please use this great new tool, and feel free to comment often. Our mayor and city council will see EVERY comment.

03/23/2019

IN A PICKLE. Yesterday, our George Mason U intern Cody (second from right) got a crash course from the pros at our Green Acres Young at Heart Senior Center in one of America's fastest-growing sports: pickleball. (City council member Janice Miller, far left, was Cody's ambassador for the afternoon.)

We filmed the fun, so stayed tuned for a video in the next week or two. By the way, there are now 3.2 million pickleball players in the United States and roughly 15,000 in Northern Virginia. Who knew?! Well, these folks.

Want to join the fun and give it a try? Come on out! You can play at Green Acres. Visit FairfaxVa.gov and search "Young at Heart Senior Center."

Fairfax City Parks and Recreation

03/22/2019

FIELD TRIP. Some of our city staff visited Providence Elementary School and Lanier Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools yesterday to learn about the incredible work being done by students and faculty at each school — including a hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) lab at Providence and a mind-blowing Maker Space (think robotics and more) at Lanier.

Stay tuned for more big news about our schools in the coming weeks and months, including some impressive accomplishments for our talented kids!