December doings with Mason Arts
By James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Advisory Council December is packed with local arts events, including the following: My goal is to make it to all of these events, because I am happiest supporting my friends and my community. There are many more exhibits and holiday events, so if I missed yours, please … Continued
State withdraws $60.5 million in loans approved for Lake Accotink dredging
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has withdrawn $60.5 million in construction loans previously allocated for dredging Lake Accotink, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced. “DEQ confirmed that this action does not affect Fairfax County’s ability to reapply in the future,” states a Dec. 5 email from Lake Accotink Project … Continued
Scouts collect food for local pantries
Thanks to the generosity of community residents, Scout Troop 150 and Pack 150 of Annandale collected 9,049 pounds of food in November during the Scouting for Food drive. That’s the largest haul in the past five years and more than 3,000 more pounds than they collected last year. The Scouts and Webelos distributed the food … Continued
Streamlined rules proposed for accessory living units
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is considering changes to make it easier for residents to establish accessory living units (ALUs). The Zoning Ordinance Work Program approved by the Board of Supervisors for fiscal years 2026-27 includes consideration of new standards for ALUs as a first-tier topic. The board’s Land Use Process Review Committee will discuss … Continued
Cannabis retail market could open next year
A cannabis retail market in Virginia is a little closer to reality. At a Dec. 2 hearing convened by the Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market, members of the General Assembly reviewed the latest changes to legislation that has been under consideration for years. The General Assembly … Continued
Police arrest juveniles for vape shop burglaries
A heavy police presence shattered the calm of a quiet street in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood in Annandale on Tuesday morning. Armed with a search warrant, police found evidence in a home on Bradley Circle tying a juvenile to burglaries at nine vape shops, said Det. Courtney Young of the Mason Police District. The crimes … Continued
Rep. Beyer has another Republican opponent
Luke Nathan Phillips, a freelance tour guide, is running as a Republican against Rep. Don Beyer in Virginia’s 8th congressional district. In launching his campaign on Dec. 1, Phillips said his main priority is protecting the National Park System and other public lands. Phillips is running in the Republican Primary in June 2026, where which … Continued
Celebrate the season at the Annandale Winter Festival
Celebrate the season next Saturday at the annual Annandale Winter Festival and Tree Lighting hosted by the Fairfax County Community Revitalization Section. The family-friendly event is Dec. 6, 3:30-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike. There will be live carolers, children’s crafts, a festive photo backdrop, hot drinks and snacks from … Continued
Parents air views on an AAP Center proposed for Poe Middle School
Parents who spoke at a Dec. 1 school board hearing on a proposal to establish an Advanced Academic Program at Poe Middle School were split on the issue. An AAP Center in Mason District has long been sought by Mason School Board member Ricardy Anderson. Region 6, which includes the Annandale High School pyramid, is … Continued
New restaurant concept to replace O’My ChiQ
O’My ChiQ & Bar, at 7023 Columbia Pike in Annandale, has a new owner and will reopen soon with a new name, Pike Kitchen, and a new concept. The new owner of the chicken restaurant also owns Pike Kitchen on Rockville Pike in Maryland, an employee confirmed. The Pike Kitchen in Rockville describes itself … Continued
New native garden graces Columbia Pike
Volunteers spent hours this past weekend creating a native plant garden on Columbia Pike in front of the ACCA Child Development Center. The garden is the first project in the “Greening the Greenway” pilot program, which is aimed at enhancing the Annandale Greenway, a five-mile trail between Annandale Community Park and Green Spring Gardens. On … Continued
School news roundup – December 2025
The following information is from Fairfax County Public Schools unless otherwise noted. AI for schools – Fairfax County Public Schools, working with OpenAI, will be in the first cohort of school systems that will help guide how ChatGPT for Teachers will be rolled out across the United States. “We are, in essence, trailblazing a path … Continued
Fairfax Water proposes a rate hike
Fairfax Water is proposing a rate increase, which it says should add about $1.93 per month for most customers. According to Fairfax Water, the increased rates are necessary to cover rising costs for electricity, water treatment supplies, pipes, and project materials. Inflation is increasing capital and operational costs for water utilities nationwide, the company states. … Continued
Fairfax County gets back 50 cents for every dollar it sends to Richmond
For every dollar of revenue Fairfax County produces for the state, it receives just 50 cents in return. That’s the key finding in a report by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Matt Scheffel, an economist at the Cooper Center, presented the report to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Economic … Continued
Anti-vape law is a buzz kill for retailers
A new law enacted by the Virginia General Assembly that restricts the sale of vape products is already claiming at least one casualty; the House of Vape in the Eastgate Shopping Center in Annandale is expected to close by the end of the year. The Virginia Code prohibits the sale, distribution, or resale of any … Continued