Opinion: How the Park Authority’s increasing focus on parks-as-a-business is bad for us
The pool at the Oak Marr RECenter has a beach area and hot tub. By Marie Reinsdorf A friend returned from a swim at Oak Marr RECenter recently and proclaimed: “It’s big, beautiful! Compare it to Providence. Where Audrey Moore is the Chevy, Oak Marr is the Cadillac.” Well, I told her, that is by … Continued
Proposed rule change would allow Fairfax County developers to provide fewer affordable housing units
The Avalon Mosaic apartments in Merrifield have a few WDUs available. [Mosaic District] Fairfax County planners are proposing a new way to determine how rental workforce dwelling units (WDUs) should be calculated. The county’s WDU policy allows housing developers to receive a density bonus in the form of additional market-rate units to offset the cost … Continued
Limited COVID vaccine supply means getting group 1b vaccinated will take months
When Virginia moved into phase 1b for COVID-19 vaccinations, health officials anticipated getting much more of the vaccine than they are actually getting. As a result, it is going to take a long time – possibly until March or April – until everyone in 1b is vaccinated, said Danny Avula, vaccine coordinator with the Virginia … Continued
Bailey’s Elementary Schools gets a new principal
Satonya Dews Satonya Dews, the assistant principal at West Springfield Elementary School, has been named the new principal of Bailey’s Primary Elementary School in Bailey’s Crossroads, effective Feb. 1. She will succeed Interim Principal August Frattali. Dews began her career in Fairfax County Public Schools as a teacher at Woodley Hills Elementary School in 2012, where … Continued
Recent crimes include assault and robbery
The Fairfax County Police Department reports the following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area: A man was charged with robbery and assault on a law enforcement officer at the Exxon station at 6261 Little River Turnpike, Lincolnia, on Jan. 14. He entered the store at about 9:30 a.m., damaged property, assaulted an employee, stole … Continued
People in group 1b – 65+ and those with health risks – can schedule a COVID vaccine on Monday
Vaccinations underway in Fairfax County. [Fairfax County Health District] The Fairfax County Health Department will begin registering people age 65 and older and younger people with severe health risks for a COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Jan. 18. Eligible people will be able to sign up for a vaccination here or call 703-324-7404. If you complete the … Continued
Metro closing stations in advance of Inauguration Day
Virginia National Guard troops are assisting the inauguration security efforts in Washington, D.C. [U.S. Army] Metro is closing 13 stations and reducing bus service in advance of the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 20, for President-Elect Joe Biden. In response to concerns of further violence by Trump supporters following the siege of the Capitol on … Continued
Annandale High School graduate will represent Venezuela in a beauty pageant
Rachel Laguna Rachel Laguna, of the Annandale High School Class of 2007, is the 2021 Mrs. Venezuela and is slated to compete in the international Mrs. Globe competition in Shenzhen, China, later this year. Mrs. Globe (or Ms. Globe, as Laguna prefers) is an international beauty pageant featuring contestants age 26 to 45 of any … Continued
Italian restaurant to open next month in Bailey’s Crossroads
The future home of Nour Resto. Updated Jan. 21: An Italian restaurant called Nour Resto is under construction in a small retail strip on Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. It’s replacing Sardi’s Pollo A La Brasa, which closed several months ago. It could open in late February or early March says director of operations Aziza … Continued
Fairfax Connector seeks public comments on strategic plan
Fairfax Connector route 401 on Columbia Pike in Annandale. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is seeking recommendations from the public on how to improve the Fairfax Connector bus system. Comments from the public will help inform FCDOT’s development of a 10-year transit plan. Michael Felschow, head of transit planning for the Fairfax Connector system, … Continued
Fairfax County Schools hosts job fair for classroom monitors
Fairfax County is hosting a virtual job fair on Jan. 15 for people interested in becoming classroom monitors. Monitors will provide in-person assistance for students when a staff member remains virtual. A high school diploma or equivalent experience is required. Monitors will earn $15.42 an hour. The virtual job fair for middle and high school … Continued
Amazon Fresh to open in Bailey’s Crossroads
The former Safeway spot at the Crossroads Center in Bailey’s Crossroads is going to be an Amazon Fresh grocery store, according to a reliable source, rather than an Amazon Go store, as had been speculated in a previous blog post. Construction is expected to start in March, and the store could open in late 2022. … Continued
Fundraiser organized to save Auntie Te’s consignment shop
Kerry Creason (left) and Theresa Cizmar at Auntie Te’s. Like so many small businesses, Auntie Te’s consignment shop has been struggling during the pandemic. Longtime friend and customer Janene Corrado organized a fundraiser to help save the business. Donations can be made on GoFundMe. Theresa Cizmar opened the boutique in 1991 in Annandale. It was … Continued
Teachers, other school staff can get COVID vaccines beginning Jan. 16
A vaccine clinic at Inova Fairfax Hospital in December. All Fairfax County Public School employees will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine, starting Saturday, Jan. 16, Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced Jan. 10. The vaccinations will be administered by Inova in partnership with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS employees – not just teachers – will … Continued
Rep. Connolly calls for impeachment of Trump, describes experiences during siege of Capitol
Rioters attack the U.S. Capitol during a siege inspired by Trump aimed at overturning the election. [Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg] Following the siege on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 by an angry mob incited by President Trump, Rep. Gerry Connolly is calling for Trump to be impeached and for use of the 25th Amendment to … Continued