News / Articles

The Greenbriar Civic Association is offering a $3,000 scholarship to a local high school senior. To apply, applicants must be Greenbriar residents and GCA members or have a parent/guardian who is. The scholarship supports students pursuing higher education. Submit applications by April 21, 2025. For more details, visit our Scholarship Page. Apply today!

The *Greenbriar Flyer* has been our community’s trusted news source since 1967, but we need a new editor-in-chief to keep it thriving! If you have basic desktop publishing skills and a passion for local journalism, this is your chance to make an impact. We’re also looking for volunteers to fill key roles, including operations manager, business manager, and ad manager. With more hands on deck, we can keep the Flyer strong. Interested? Read the full article to learn how you can help!

The Lunar New Year, celebrated across East and Southeast Asia, is a 15-day festival filled with rich traditions, family gatherings, and symbolic customs for prosperity and renewal. In Greenbriar, our East Asian neighbors honor these traditions while blending them with modern celebrations, bringing vibrant cultural festivities to our community.

The Greenbriar Civic Association (GCA) is a volunteer-driven organization focused on enhancing life in our neighborhood. As we prepare for the 2025-26 term, it’s time to elect new District Representatives and Officers who will guide our community efforts. These roles are vital to organizing events, maintaining common spaces, and fostering a sense of connection among residents. Your participation is crucial—whether by voting, running for office, or engaging in the election process. Together, we can ensure Greenbriar remains a vibrant and welcoming community for everyone.

With the winter storm arriving please follow these tips to safely make it through.

Fairfax County officials have released important safety guidelines for protecting pets during the holiday season. The advisory highlights two major categories of potential hazards: holiday decorations and festive foods. Common decorative items like tinsel, glass ornaments, lit candles, certain holiday plants, and even Christmas tree water can pose serious risks to pets if ingested or accessed. The guidance also warns about numerous holiday foods and drinks that can be toxic or dangerous to animals, including chocolate, xylitol-containing products, fatty foods, cooked bones, alcohol, grapes/raisins, and foods containing onions or garlic. The county emphasizes that by being aware of these hazards and taking appropriate precautions, pet owners can ensure their furry companions remain safe while still enjoying the holiday festivities.

After teaching 31 years, Mrs. Giglio is retiring from Greenbrier West elementary school.

Fairfax County is in the process of developing a multi-year update to its Countywide Policy Plan through the **Plan Forward** initiative, and community members are invited to provide input to help shape the future of the county.

The Park Authority Board is seeking public comment on the proposed budget recommendations. Beginning Aug. 28 through Sept. 11, the board will accept written comments submitted via U.S. Mail and email. Additionally, the Park Authority Board will hold a special public input session at the Sept. 11 meeting of its Budget Committee.

Chantilly H.S. student Arushi Surve set up a nonprofit addressing environmental issues and featured in county newsletter article.

Fairfax County seeks feedback on Community Health Improvement Plan.

Take advantage of this weekend's annual sales tax holiday

What a pleasure it was to attend the GCA-sponsored concert in Greenbriar Commons Park on the evening of June 29. A popular local band, Scaramanga, performed.

The Fairfax county public schools website recently featured a call for qualified applicants to join the facilities, planning council for the Springfield district as well as others. This would be a great opportunity to get involved in volunteering in our community. Application deadline is August 13.

August highlights from Greenbriar Civic Association President.

During the GFWC Western Fairfax County Woman’s Club meeting on May 20, former GFWC Virginia Northern District President Mary Driver-Downs installed the club’s newly elected officers for 2024-2025. The new officers are Karen Johnston, president; Lynn Green, 1st Vice President; Mary Jane Hasselkus, 2nd Vice President; Marion Brown, treasurer; and Regina Meade, secretary. Marion and Mary Jane (better known as MJ) are Greenbriar residents, and Marion also serves as District 2B Representative on the Greenbriar Civic Association’s board of directors.

Greenbriar Civic Association President Rebecca Gotwalt presented Colin Fendley with this year’s $2,500 scholarship award during the GCA Annual Meeting at the Cale Community Center on June 4, 2024. When presenting the award, Rebecca noted how impressed she was with Colin’s volunteer and extracurricular activities, while maintaining a 3.78 GPA and working as a part-time cashier at the Greenbriar Giant over the past year.

Attendees at the Greenbriar Civic Association’s Annual Meeting at the Cale Community Center on June 4 honored and congratulated Robert G. “Bob” Callahan on receiving this year’s Greenbriar Citizen of the Year award. GCA President Rebecca Gotwalt noted that Bob exemplifies the criteria for the award, having served our community and the county with various volunteer activities over the past 13 years.

Looking for a job, internship, or volunteer opportunity? The Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs and Career-Building Workshops are back! Hosted by Supervisor Pat Herrity and local partners, these free events connect teens with employers and provide valuable career resources.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is hosting the 2025 Family Summit: Beyond Labels – Nurturing a Culture of Belonging on March 15 at South Lakes High School. This event provides families with valuable resources and expert-led sessions on topics such as special education, college and career readiness, family-school partnerships, and more. With a focus on inclusion and support for students of all backgrounds and abilities, the summit is an opportunity to connect, learn, and advocate for every child’s success. Learn more and register today!

Your January board meeting for the Greenbriar civic association has been rescheduled for January 14 due to inclement weather. Please plan to attend if you are a member. We have a lot of opportunities for community involvement and ongoing changes.

The Western Fairfax County Woman’s Club (WFCWC) will host a mental health awareness event with NAMI Northern Virginia's Executive Director, Rebecca Kiessling, on October 21, at the Cale Community Center. This program will highlight mental health resources in Fairfax County and promote self-care tips for community members.

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Winter may still have a firm grip, but the first signs of spring are starting to emerge—early shoots breaking through the soil and gardeners planning for the season ahead. In this issue, we highlight the 2025 Perennial and Herb of the Year, share expert-recommended native plants for the Mid-Atlantic, and offer tips on selecting and planting trees wisely. Whether you’re preparing your garden, exploring new plant varieties, or dreaming of warmer days, there’s plenty to dig into. Read on for inspiration and practical advice to kickstart your spring plans!

The summer garden can be laden with fragrance and color. Butterflies and hummingbirds have been actively sipping away in the flowers, and the bees are continuously busy. In northern Virginia, long days and warm to hot temperatures bring our mid-summer gardens into full bloom. Trees and shrubs are clothed in a rich mantel of leaves. Home-grown vegetables are beginning to ripen. We have to care for and maintain our gardens and lawns through the hot and dry season.