Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

First-aid kits collected for the needy

The Annandale Christian Community for Action is collecting first-aid kits for local families. Members of the public are encouraged to assemble a first-aid kit or buy one already packed and drop it off at the ACCA Food Pantry, 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, between 10 and 2 p.m. on Sept. 17. That’s the date of Fairfax … Continued

Community invited to Truck & Toss event

Grace Christian Academy invites the community to the sixth annual Truck and Toss Sept. 10, a festival featuring food trucks a cornhole tournament, and craft brew tastings. The event, 4-8 p.m., is on the grounds of Grace Lutheran Church at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church. It’s a fundraiser for the academy. Food trucks include DC … Continued

ON-Annandale to host Neighborhood Safety Day

The community is invited to Neighborhood Safety Day, a free event hosted by Opportunity Neighborhoods-Annandale, on Saturday, Sept. 10, It’s at Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The local art group called Café will lead children in a project to repaint and beautify a cardboard house. Related story: ‘Opportunity Neighborhoods’ formed … Continued

Assisted living facility honors NFL pro

Renaissance of Annandale will host a ceremony Sept. 14 for resident Ron McDole in honor of him being named to the Nebraska Hall of Fame. McDole, nicknamed “the Dancing Bear,” has had a notable 18-year career in professional football. He played for the Cardinals, Oilers, Bills, and Redskins. McDole played in two American Football League … Continued

Gas station plans to replace repair shop with a convenience store

The Fairfax County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider an application Sept. 14 to transform the vehicle repair facility at the Ravensworth Shell gas station into a convenience store. The Shell station is located at the Ravensworth Shopping Center on the corner of Braddock Road and Port Royal Road in Annandale. The applicant, Capital Services … Continued

Man tries to abduct female at knifepoint

The Fairfax County Police Department reports an attempted abduction in the 7200 block of Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church. A man armed with a knife grabbed a woman in the early hours of Sept. 4. She was able to break free. Police describe the man as Hispanic, 5 feet seven inches tall, and of medium … Continued

Recent crimes: robbery at Target, assaults

The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area: The Target at 5115 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads was robbed on Aug. 27. A man and woman exited the store with merchandise without paying shortly after 6:30 p.m. When confronted by a store employee and a community member, they … Continued

Hidden Oaks gets a new gate

A major expansion and renovation project was just completed at Hidden Oaks in July, and now the nature center has something else new. Chainsaw artist Andrew Mallon created a new gate for the outdoor Nature Playce play area featuring local animals – an owl, snake, frog, dragonfly, skink, butterfly, and more. Related story: Community celebrates … Continued

Youngkin attacks public schools

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other Republican state leaders came down hard against public education at a back-to-school rally for GOP congressional candidates Aug. 31 at Mason District Park in Annandale. The key message at the event is that parents, not school administrators, teacher unions, or “radical politicians,” should have control over their children’s education. … Continued

Animals like bedtime stories, too

Kids can practice their reading skills while providing a comforting voice for animals, thanks to the Reading Tails program at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Fairfax. Participants first take a tour of the Animal Shelter, then children can choose which animal they want to read to – a dog, cat, guinea pig, snake, or … Continued