Bigger, better nature center reopens
The newly expanded and renovated Hidden Oaks Nature Center reopened to the public on June 25. The nature center, at 7701 Royce St. in Annandale, had been closed for the past two years, first because of the Covid pandemic, then due to construction. The center continued to host classes and other activities, but only outdoors. … Continued
Rotary Club honors best landscapes
The Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club on June 24 awarded businesses and other facilities with Blooming Best Awards for excellence in landscaping. The winners are: • City Diner — frontage and side landscaping, Route 7 and Rock Spring Avenue. • McDonald’s — entrance, Route 7 and Carlin Springs Road. • Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse — … Continued
Jollibee draws big crowds on opening day
Hundreds of people waited in line for hours at the new Jollibee Filipino fast-food restaurant that opened June 26 on N. Beauregard Street in Lincolnia. There was even one couple, Naomi and David Session, who showed up at midnight Saturday for the 9 a.m. opening Sunday morning, reports Ricky Esquivias, marketing director at Jollibee USA. … Continued
Virginia leaders react to the end of Roe
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, local elected leaders vow to support efforts to protect women’s reproductive rights in Virginia. Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he will work to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. Abortions in Virginia are legal up to about 26 weeks. Youngkin had refused to reveal … Continued
Sports bar to open in Seven Corners
A bar and grill called Ruta 50 is coming to the former Fish Basket space at 6142 Arlington Blvd. at the Willston Shopping Center in Seven Corners. Ruta 50 will basically be a sports bar, and manager Rodrigo Martinez hopes it can open in late July or August – in time for the runup to … Continued
Recent crimes: shooting, stabbing, robbery
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area: There was a shooting in the 6000 block of Bellview Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads shortly after 7:30 p.m. on June 20. Two men approached the victim in his vehicle. One of them fired multiple shots into the vehicle and walked … Continued
Squalid conditions at Fairmont Gardens aired in court
The Fairfax County Circuit Court heard a case today that shined a light on the filthy and inhumane conditions at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale. Dean Sanchez, a former leasing agent, is suing the Donaldson Group, the company that owns the apartment complex. While Sanchez’s case alleges the property manager discriminated against him, his suit details … Continued
Enjoy an outdoor show four days a week
What better way to spend a summer evening than enjoying a free outdoor show in a local park? The summer concert series in Annandale parks is in full swing. There are Spotlight by Starlight performances three nights a week at Mason District Park and once a week at Ossian Hall Park. All shows start at … Continued
Police seek public’s help in ID’ing burglar
Fairfax County Police are asking the public to help them identify a burglary suspect, pictured above, who stole items from the Annandale Dollar & Gift Store at 7253 Maple Place in Annandale on June 19. The suspect smashed the window with a cinder block and reached in to open the door. He took $100 in … Continued
Bradlick Dollar Tree prepares to reopen
The Dollar Tree at the Bradlick Shopping Center in Annandale is going to reopen “soon,” according to a sign on the storefront. Another sign says the store is hiring people for all positions, including cashiers, stockers, part-time associates, and full and part-time managers. A third sign says people interested in applying for a job there … Continued
Here’s what West End will look like
Foulger-Pratt, the company developing West End in Alexandria, shared illustrations of some of the proposed buildings at a community meeting June 14. West End is the residential and commercial section of the redevelopment project on the site of the former Landmark Mall, which is being demolished. A huge area of the 51-acre property will be … Continued
Free Metrobus passes will be available at two more local high schools
Students at four additional high schools will be able to ride Metrobuses for free, beginning in September. The schools are Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall high schools and the Davis Career Center. A free Metrobus pilot program for students started in 2018 with Justice High School. About 50 percent of the students at Justice have … Continued
Beyer wins Democratic Primary
Rep. Don Beyer cruised to an easy victory June 21 in the Democratic Primary in the 8th Congressional District. Unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections show Beyer getting 77.4 percent of the vote and Victoria Virasingh with 22.6 percent. In the parts of Fairfax County in the 8th District (including most of Annandale … Continued
Health Dept. offers vaccine to kids under 5
Fairfax County Health Department sites are providing Covid vaccinations to children age 6 months to age 5, as of June 21. Appointments are not necessary. The vaccinations are available at Health Department clinics, including the one at 7611 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Only the Moderna vaccine will be available for the youngest children at … Continued
Explore a Park: Backlick Park
This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The last piece in the series explored Green Spring Gardens. Backlick Park, at 4516 Backlick Road in Annandale, provides recreational opportunities for residents of nearby single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments. Features: The 9.9-acre park has two playgrounds, one for children ages … Continued