Animal visitors lighten the mood at school
Stressed-out students at Glasgow Middle School were able to take a break with Teddy, a cute miniature horse. Glasgow is one of several schools inviting animal guests to help students reduce stress and calm down so they can focus on their studies, reports a feature story by the Fairfax County Public Schools’ communications office. “Right … Continued
Pike sculpture going up in Arlington
The huge spear-like piece of “The Pike” sculpture at the Arlington border on Columbia Pike has been installed. The rest of the monument is still a work in progress. The Pike is on the southwest corner of S. Jefferson Street at the edge of Bailey’s Crossroads in Mason District. The statue, created by artist Donald … Continued
Design revealed for Patrick Henry Place
Plans are moving forward to replace the Patrick Henry Emergency Shelter in Seven Corners with a larger facility. The new building will provide permanent supportive housing for families facing homelessness. The project had been delayed while Fairfax County worked out land acquisition and other issues with the Hollybrooke II Condominium Association, which owns the property. … Continued
Recent crimes: several robberies reported
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area. There was a commercial robbery at the 7-Eleven at 6545 Little River Turnpike across from Pinecrest Plaza on May 20. Two men entered the store, implied they had a firearm, and took merchandise. No one was injured. A man was … Continued
Eileen Garnett dies from injuries in crash
Eileen Garnett, one of the four pedestrians struck by a car in Annandale May 20, died from her injuries on May 25. Garnett, 83, was a longtime advocate for revitalizing Annandale. On the day of the crash, she was with a group of county and state officials on an inspection tour of Annandale hosted by … Continued
Annandale teacher volunteers at refugee center for Ukrainians
After volunteering to help Ukrainian refugees, Annandale High School teacher Meredith Hedrick has a better understanding of the issues students face in her English-as-a-second-language classes. Hedrick, the ESOL department chair, worked with World Central Kitchen May 6-17 in a Polish border town, where she helped distribute food and other supplies to newly arrived Ukrainians fleeing … Continued
Wakefield Skate Park to get a makeover
Demolition of the Wakefield Skate Park in Annandale is set to start soon to make way for construction of a new skate park, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced. A phased renovation of the skate park includes a new layout design, demolition of the unsalvageable equipment, and installation of new equipment. The new layout will … Continued
Man assaults juvenile at Lake Accotink
A 42-year-old man is facing charges after sexually assaulting a juvenile at Lake Accotink Park, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Officers were called to the park in Springfield on May 21 for a report of an assault. The victim was on the playground around 6 p.m. when a man approached the victim, engaged in … Continued
Woman killed in crash at Skyline
Updated May 25: A woman was killed in a crash May 24 in the 3700 block of S. George Mason Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. She was later identified by police as Gladis Suyapa Deras, 54, of Falls Church. Deras was a passenger in a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The car … Continued
New historic marker honors Vietnamese immigrants
A new historic marker unveiled May 24 on Wilson Boulevard in front of the Eden Center honors Vietnamese immigrants as an important part of Northern Virginia history. The marker was approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 2021. Nomination for the historic marker was made by two students – eighth-grader Oliver Hardi and … Continued
Environmental group hopes to prevent developers from buying Annandale land
Fairfax County has again put up for auction seven undeveloped properties in Annandale in a flood plain next to Accotink Creek. The land owner, the Al Root Memorial Foundation, hasn’t paid taxes in years, so according to state law, the county has to auction off the properties to the highest bidder. The auction ends Tuesday, … Continued
RAMP offers fitness training
Pablo Amaya, former co-owner of PR Performance Fitness in Annandale, has ramped up his fitness training work since PR closed. Amaya had previously trained professional soccer players and was recently named the official performance coach for D.C. United. He also opened a new fitness center called RAMP (release, activate, mobilize, perform). RAMP provides fitness training … Continued
Granddaddy’s Skillet closed
Updated: Granddaddy’s Skillet, the soul food restaurant in Pinecrest Plaza, permanently closed on May 14. A recorded phone message says, “We are working very hard on reopening in a new location.” Roxanne and Andre David opened Granddaddy’s Skillet in early 2021 at 6544 Little River Turnpike. The Davids want to stay in the Annandale/Mason District … Continued
Pedestrian struck by hit-and-run driver
The Fairfax County Police Department reports a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian on Little River Turnpike and Oasis Drive in Lincolnia Sunday night. A female was taken to the hospital with injuries considered life threatening. The vehicle involved in the crash is possibly a white or silver SUV with damage to the driver’s side. Witnesses … Continued
New retail center planned for Annandale
The retail center planned for the former Wendy’s property in Annandale will be bigger than previously reported. A site map on the leasing document by the Willard real estate company shows spaces for at least eight stores. The building, identified as Eastgate Square, will have 13,600 square feet. Willard touts the site’s “abundant surface parking … Continued