The calendar says June, but it seems more like April showers this week. Nonetheless, high school graduations and community picnics are filling schedules as summer gets a foothold in Mason District. Falls Church and Annandale High Schools graduate today, followed by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology on Saturday, and J.E.B. Stuart on Tuesday. Congratulations to all our Mason District graduates!
Spotlight by Starlight, the free summer concert series sponsored by the Friends of Mason District Park, is underway. Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, enjoy outstanding musical performances at the Newton Edwards Amphitheatre at Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Bench seating is provided; bring a lawn chair for the “loge” seating area. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Tomorrow night’s concert features the jazz group Veronneau. Sunday’s show is country-themed Honky Tonk Confidential.
Saturday night concerts are featured at Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, across the street from the Annandale High School track. Most of the concerts are international in flavor, although this Saturday night features the popular United States Navy Band “Cruisers.” Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on the grass. Ossian Hall concerts also begin at 7:30 p.m. You can view county-wide concert schedules at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances. Be a patron of the arts! Tax-deductible contributions to support the free concerts may be sent to the Fairfax County Park Foundation, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 404, Fairfax, VA 22035. Simply earmark your favorite concert series in the memo line.
Diversity is a hallmark in Mason District, a positive aspect to be celebrated. The art and culture of many neighbors is rich and ages-old, but sometimes misunderstood. An opportunity to learn more is available on Sunday, June 16, with a screening and discussion of the documentary, “Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World,” at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Sponsored by Bridging the Gap, a non-profit organization, the event is scheduled from 3 – 7 p.m. All are welcome, and refreshments will be served. RSVP to rsyeed@aol.com, or call 703-256-2207.
A Virginia House of Delegates member once dismissed local elected officials as doing little but “cutting ribbons and going to civic association events.” What he failed to recognize is that ribbon-cuttings indicate business reinvestment in the community, and civic events are among the best ways to interact with constituents on a broad range of local concerns. Last Saturday, I cut the ribbon at Collector’s World, a baseball card and sports memorabilia shop in the Annandale Shopping Center, 7030 Columbia Pike. The shop has been there for a couple of decades but, when the owner retired, a trio of younger men purchased the name, the shop, and the inventory, to continue the popular business. Steve Weber, Damon Hudson, and Doug Steele have upgraded the store, which is clean, brightly lit, and worth a visit just to gaze at the many historical sports items, as well as comic books, new and vintage.
Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
