The community celebrates Earth Day at Annandale’s Garnett Park
Dozens of representatives of public agencies and nonprofits shared information about their programs and services at the Earth Day celebration on April 27 at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space in Annandale. Volunteers with Hands On Harvests planted vegetables at the demonstration garden in the park, located at 7200 Columbia Pike, between the ACCA Child Development … Continued
Wonder Wagon takes nature on the road
The Fairfax County Park Authority has a new way to help residents experience nature in their communities and schools. The new Wonder Wagon is a mobile nature center that brings environmental and nature-based educational programs to underserved areas. The brightly painted Wonder Wagon van makes the rounds of afterschool programs, Head Start centers, and … Continued
Schools get new trees for Arbor Day
Two Annandale elementary schools celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees. On April 26, the Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division helped students plant 12 trees at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. Supervisors Andres Jimenez (Mason) and James Walkinshaw (Braddock), Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid, and school board member Ryan McElveen (at-large) participated in the Arbor … Continued
Metro fares to increase 12.5 percent
Metro rail and bus fares will increase by at least 12.5 percent, according to a budget approved by the Metro Board of Directors on April 24. The base fare will increase from $2 to $2.25. The maximum rail fare will increase from $6 to $6.25. Late-night and weekend fares will rise from a flat $2 … Continued
New restrictions proposed for data centers
Draft guidelines proposed by Fairfax County staff tighten the requirements for data centers, as directed by the Board of Supervisors. The guidelines, part of a Zoning Ordinance amendment, would limit the locations for by-right data centers, require noise studies, and require generators to be enclosed. Applications for a zoning special exception require a public hearing; … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are from the Fairfax County Police Department as reported on CityProtect: April 24 April 23 April 22 April 21 April 20 April 19 April 18
Police arrest seven burglary suspects
Fairfax County Police arrested seven out-of-state suspects for a burglary at Lake Barcroft on April 21. Police believe the suspects could be linked to other burglaries across the country. Officers responded to the 6000 block of Columbia Pike at about 9 p.m. on Sunday for a report of a burglary. The suspects stole jewelry, handbags, … Continued
The Taste of Annandale set for Sept. 21
The Taste of Annandale will be back in 2024 – at a new location and with extended hours. The community festival will be on Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at Annandale’s newest park, the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike. The Garnett Park is located between the ACCA Child Development Center and the Annandale … Continued
White Gardens show signs of neglect
Over a year ago, the Fairfax County Park Authority dropped plans for a Resident Curator to maintain the John C. and Margaret K. White Gardens and agreed to preserve and enhance the park’s natural and horticultural resources. The White Gardens are a hidden oasis in the midst of the Falls Church area of Mason District. … Continued
Former law office will house a restaurant
A small restaurant and an office will share a building undergoing renovation on the corner of Annandale Road and Poplar Street in Annandale. The restaurant will be Shawarma Taco, a casual eatery featuring a mashup of Middle Eastern and Mexican food. There is a Shawarma Taco in Springfield Mall; this will be the second location. … Continued
Glasgow counselor assaulted a student
A counselor at Glasgow Middle School has been charged with assaulting a student, the Fairfax County Police Department reported on April 23. Detectives from the FCPS Child Abuse Squad began investigating an incident at the school on April 16 involving Craig Small, 44, of Lorton, a counselor at Glasgow since August 2021. Related story: FCPS … Continued
Funding available for EV charging stations
Community and homeowner associations can apply for technical assistance and partial reimbursement for installing electrical charging stations for residents. The application period for the Charge Up Fairfax Program opens on May 1. Communities accepted into the program will receive a site visit and a free assessment from an engineering firm. If the community association decides … Continued
Preschool celebrates 75th anniversary
Hundreds of people with ties to Sleepy Hollow Preschool came back April 20 to celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary. The celebration drew current and former students, family members, and staff to the school, currently located at John Calvin Presbyterian Church on Columbia Pike in Annandale. The event also honored Debbie Brown, who has been with … Continued
Another arrest in the ‘street takeover’ event
Fairfax County police have charged an additional man for his role in the “street takeover” last month in the Springfield area of Mason District. On April 19, Baltimore County Police, in coordination with FCPD, arrested Brandon Extecoc Santos, 20, of Parkville, Md. Santos was charged with abduction, assaulting a law enforcement officer, wearing a mask … Continued
Fairmont Gardens residents worry about crime, drugs, and children’s safety
Residents of Fairmont Gardens are concerned about crime, drug abuse, keeping children and teens safe, and fear of retaliation if they call the police. Those are the major themes that emerged at a Town Hall convened on April 18 by the Opportunity Neighborhoods–Annandale program. Nearly 70 people showed up to hear from county, school, and … Continued