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City of Fairfax, VA - At the March 9 City of Fairfax Planning Commission meeting, a group of creative and ambitious students from Katherine Johnson Middle School stepped forward to share their ideas for the future of two key areas in the city: Northfax and Courthouse Plaza. Their presentation, which was part of a public meeting, gave young residents a rare opportunity to speak directly to city planners, local officials, and community members about how they want their city to evolve. 

Last July, President Donald Trump ordered Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) to redistrict his state in the middle of the decade in order to carve out an additional five Republican-leaning congressional districts, which would bolster the party's odds of keeping control of the U. S. House of Representatives following the 2026 midterm elections. President Trump's demands for such gerrymandering correlate with his record low approval ratine and rising unpopularity of his signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bil. 

Families across Northern Virginia prepare for Easter, a significant Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date, which falls between March 22 and April 25, is set for April 5 this year, marking a time of renewal and gathering.

Catherine S. Read was first elected Mayor of the City of Fairfax in November 2022. She was sworn in on January 1, 2023, becoming the first woman mayor in the city's history. She was subsequently reelected in 2024. Her election marked both a personal achievement and a symbolic step forward for women in public leadership across Northern Virginia. A reflection on her career tells the story of a woman who worked tirelessly for her neighbors and her values.

Susan Catherine (Koerner) Wright was born on April 30, 1831 in Hillsboro, Virginia and died on July 4, 1889 in Dayton, Ohio. Although she was not alive to  watch her children change the world forever with their flight on the 17th of December 1903, she was fundamental in their achievements.

Soccer fans in Northern Virginia have plenty to cheer about this spring, as the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) kicks off its 2026 season on March 13. The league, home to some of the world’s best female soccer talent, promises fast-paced action, intense rivalries, and plenty of opportunities for local fans to catch games in person or online.

About fifty years ago the United States was involved in a military conflict in Vietnam which lasted many years and did not end well. There was a phrase from that era – “We had to destroy the village in order to save it” –which encapsulated its own self-defeating logic. We know better than the natives. We must force them to appreciate our values. Fast forward to 2026.

Residents in Fairfax City have been hearing a lot about the proposed Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center (WSHCC) project discussed at recent meetings, and one number in particular keeps coming up: an estimated $1.7 million annual operating cost to the city once the project is fully implemented. While the proposal’s goals include improving services and responding to community needs, many residents are understandably asking what that figure could mean for their own property tax bills and for the city’s long-term finances. This is especially important because the WSHCC is only one of four projects with the potential to increase real estate taxes substantially.

In Fairfax City, affordable housing is a frequent rallying cry among our leaders. Mayor Catherine Read has repeatedly emphasized its importance to the City’s vitality and long-term growth. She’s championed diversified housing types, supportive projects like Beacon Landing, and even sought legislative changes to help religious institutions build affordable units. Those are worthy goals — but they ring hollow if other City actions make living here increasingly unaffordable.

After the Council’s vote to increase the real estate tax rate to $1.055 last spring, many residents are taking a more critical look at which recommended capital improvements are “nice-to-have” projects, such as the extensive recreational component of the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, and which are “must-have” projects, such as replacing the high school roof and renovating the elementary schools.

Fairfax City is a special place to live and prides itself on a long history of neighbors helping neighbors. A great example of this is the Neighborhood Renaissance Program administered by the Fairfax Renaissance Housing Corporation (FRHC). This creative program adds incredible value to residents, neighborhoods and Fairfax City. It is essential that this unique home improvement and neighborhood revitalization program be funded by the City Council.

I was so excited to learn the details of the new Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center at the Feb. 10 City Council meeting. When I was on the Green Acres Feasibility Study Committee in 2015, I never thought it would be possible to have a comprehensive community center at the Willard site on Blenheim Boulevard, which is near Old Town Fairfax, the public library, Van Dyck Park, the police station, three schools, and, most importantly, public transportation.