Park Authority drops plans for a resident curator at the White Gardens
The Fairfax County Park Authority dropped plans to install a resident curator in the house at the John C. and Margaret K. White Gardens, park officials announced at a virtual public meeting on Feb. 27. Instead, the house will be torn down, and the horticultural treasures and meadow will be restored and maintained as a … Continued
Walkinshaw launches re-election campaign
At his re-election campaign launch Feb. 26, Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw acknowledged the challenge of saving Lake Accotink and said, “I still want to find a way to move forward.” “When I was elected [in 2019], I thought we had a plan to save Lake Accotink at a cost of $30 million,” Walkinshaw told a … Continued
Speech pathologist opens an office in Annandale
Speech-language pathologist Louise Chamberlin and her husband Omer Al Khanchi celebrated the opening of their new office Feb. 25 in Annandale. The practice, called Get Talking, is at 7535 Little River Turnpike, Suite 101B. Chamberlin offers speech therapy to clients of all ages. She specializes in assistive technology and augmentative-alternative communication for non-verbal children. … Continued
Model homes open at Graham Park Plaza
The model homes at the Townhomes at Graham Park officially opened on Feb. 25. The community, developed by EYA, will have 172 homes. It is expected to be completed in fall 2024, although 72 homes have already been sold and three are occupied. The community is located on Arlington Boulevard in the Falls Church area … Continued
Rest in peace, Bob Kahane
Annandale Today and the Taste of Annandale planning committee mourn the loss of our friend Robert “Bob” Kahane. Bob died on Feb. 18 after a lengthy battle with health issues. He was one of the founding members of the Annandale-Mason Roundtable and, as the former chair of the Taste of Annandale Planning Committee, ensured the … Continued
Seniors Helping Seniors will help older people live independently
Older people who want to continue to live independently in their homes have a new option for making that happen. Kurt Gray, the former director of driver education for the AAA Club Alliance, is launching a Seniors Helping Seniors franchise in mid-March serving Annandale, Springfield, and other areas in Fairfax County. The program recruits active … Continued
Police Department to install new, more effective license plate readers
The Fairfax County Police Department is upgrading its technology for reading license plates, which it says will be helpful in catching criminals and stolen vehicles. The FCPD began using license plate readers in 2008. It’s now replacing its antiquated equipment with the Flock Safety license plate reader (LPR) system, which has been successful during a … Continued
Man dies from injuries in Annandale crash
The passenger in a truck involved in a crash on Little River Turnpike in Annandale on Jan. 27 has died from his injuries, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Bayron Hernandez Castellanos, 27, of Annandale, was riding in the bed of a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado at about 2:13 a.m. when the driver, Jamie Hernandez Castellanos, … Continued
Beer garden to open in Annandale
The last empty storefront at the EastGate Square shopping center on John Marr Drive is going to be a beer garden. That was confirmed by workers fixing up the interior space. It is unclear whether “Beer Garden” will be the official name of the place, but it has been added to the shopping center’s sign … Continued
House-hunting TV show to feature Annandale
The public TV program “If You Lived Here” will air an episode on Annandale on Monday, March 6. It will be shown at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS, Channel 26. Each episode of “If You Lived Here” explores the types of homes available in a particular neighborhood in the D.C. region, while also shining a … Continued
Supervisors approve Skyline redevelopment
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a rezoning measure on Feb. 21 to allow the conversion of two vacant office buildings at the Skyline Center to a live/work concept. Developer Robert Seldin, CEO of Highland Square Holdings, will create 510 flexible units that tenants could use for living, working, or a combination in … Continued
Sen. Saslaw will not run for re-election
Longtime Virginia state Sen. Dick Saslaw has confirmed the rumors about his retirement. Saslaw, currently the Senate Majority Leader, announced Feb. 23 on the Senate floor that he will not run for re-election in November. The 83-year-old Democratic leader was first elected to the General Assembly in 1980. Saslaw will retire when his term is … 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: Feb. 22 Feb. 21 Feb. 20 Feb. 19 Feb. 18 Feb. 17 Feb. 16 Feb. 15
Supervisors approve affordable housing in Seven Corners, despite stormwater concerns
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an affordable housing project on land owned by First Christian Church in Seven Corners. Wesley Housing will build an independent living facility with 95 units for seniors earning 60 percent of the area median income or less. The L-shaped building would be four stories tall with a … Continued
‘Lots of interest’ in vacant bank building
There is “lots of interest” in two vacant spaces in the former Bank of America building at 7220 Columbia Pike in Annandale, says real estate agent Michael Falcone of Century 21 Commercial New Millenium. There are two spaces in the building. A 3,952-square-foot space on the first floor with a 22-foot ceiling is available to lease … Continued