Fairfax County taxes plastic bags
A new 5-cent tax on plastic bags in Fairfax County took effect Jan. 1. The Board of Supervisors approved the tax in September. The tax applies to disposable plastic bags from grocery stores, convenience stores, and drug stores.
We’re taking a break
The Annandale Blog is taking a short break while we implement some technical upgrades. We’ll be back in early 2022. This will be our first hiatus in over two years. You can still comment on Annandale Blog stories, but we’re not posting new articles during the break. Meanwhile, we wish all our readers a happy … Continued
2021: The year in review
Fun with cicadas. [Oxana Ware] This year has been dominated by Covid ups and downs. In the spring, it seemed like the pandemic was ending; then cases began to increase as the Covid variants took hold. Here’s a look back at the major stories from the Annandale Blog in 2021, along with lists of some … Continued
Aging storm channel restored in Annandale
More work has been done on the channel since these photos were taken two weeks ago. A major stream restoration project in Annandale’s Broyhill Crest neighborhood is virtually complete, with just a few minor loose ends to tie up. The Murray Lane Outfall Restoration Project is aimed at shoring up an existing storm channel to … Continued
New Year’s Eve – Celebrations for all ages
[UPDATE, Dec. 23 – First Night Alexandria is canceled due to soaring Covid cases.] Got New Year’s Eve plans yet? Here are some events in the Annandale/Mason District area or close by: NYE Pajama Party – The Block, 4221 John Marr Drive, Annandale, 10 p.m.-2 p.m. DJ, Champaign flutes, raffle. $20.22, supports nonprofit organizations. Wear … Continued
Beyond snowmen and reindeer
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, front lawns throughout the area are full of Santas, reindeers, and brightly-lit trees. We found a few homes in Annandale that mixed in some unusual creatures along with the traditional decorations. How about a holiday octopus, a cow, or a hedgehog?
County facilities announce holiday schedule
Officers and recruits from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Criminal Justice Academy handed out donated pajamas to Culmore residents Dec. 19. [FCPD] Here’s the holiday schedule for Fairfax County facilities: Fairfax County government offices – Officially closed at noon on Dec. 23. Closed Dec. 24 and 31. Libraries – Open 10 a.m.-noon on Dec. 23. … Continued
Unisex hair salon opens in Annandale
A new hair salon for women, men, and children opened Dec. 18 on John Marr Drive in Annandale. K’s Hair Town offers haircuts, color, highlights, perms, and straightening. Walk-ins are welcome. It’s located in the East Gate shopping center between ToBe Nails, which also opened Dec. 18, and Ben Gong’s Tea. The owner, Yeon Kim, also … Continued
FCPS will notify parents about the importance of safe gun storage
Secure gun storage could help prevent school shootings, like the recent one at Oxford High School in Michigan. [Jake May/Flint Journal] Fairfax County Public Schools will notify parents and guardians about Virginia’s secure firearm safety law, Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced Dec. 16. FCPS will also inform parents about why secure storage is essential and other … Continued
Lincolnia church opens its doors to Afghan refugees
Rev. Sarah Scherschligt of Peace Lutheran Church officially opens a refugee resettlement center at the church. Peace Lutheran Church is extending its welcome to Afghan refugees through the opening of a new refugee resettlement center in its building operated by the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). Many of the refugees evacuated from Afghanistan after … Continued
‘Shopping Cart Killer’ murdered four people he met on dating sites
A container with human remains was found next to this shopping cart in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County. [FCPD] A serial killer, dubbed the “Shopping Cart Killer,” has been accused of murdering four people, including two in Fairfax County and two in Harrisonburg. Police believe there may be more victims. The suspect, Anthony Robinson, age … Continued
Scammers impersonating church pastors request gift cards
A phishing scheme targeted members of this Annandale church. Local churches are warning their members about phishing scams in which a scammer impersonates the pastor and asks people to send gift cards for those in need. Hope Lutheran Church in Annandale was struck three times by this type of scam – a year-and-a-half ago, this past … Continued
Park Authority calls for more pickleball courts
Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw gets a pickleball lesson at Wakefield Park. Fairfax County’s Pickleball Study calls for creating more courts to meet the demand for the increasingly popular sport, including a future complex with at least six courts. The study, endorsed by the Park Authority Board Dec. 8, will guide the planning, design, and operation … Continued
Covid cases rising again in Fairfax County
A temporary vaccine clinic at a school. [WJLA] The omicron variant hasn’t been officially reported in Fairfax County, but it’s likely here and spreading. The Fairfax Health District is currently experiencing a 5.4 percent COVID-19 positivity rate. That is expected to increase as people spend more time indoors and as the more-transmissible omicron variant takes … Continued
New nail salon to open in Annandale
A nail salon, called ToBe, is expected to open Saturday, Dec. 18, on John Marr Drive, Annandale, in the East Gate shopping center.