The John & Margaret White Horticultural Gardens: What happened to the bond money?
The meadow at the White Gardens. By Marie Reinsdorf The family of John and Margaret White deeded their property, at 3301 Hawthorne Lane in the Falls Church area of Mason District, to the Fairfax County Park Authority in 1999. They wanted their land to be preserved as a horticultural park, rather than developed with houses, … Continued
Boy Scouts ask community to bring food donations to church
Scouts at the ACCA Food Pantry. [Troop 875] Boy Scout Troop 875 urges the community to participate in this year’s Scouting for Food campaign by bringing food to Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, at 3435 Sleepy Hollow Drive, on Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. “More than ever, food pantries are looking to restock their … Continued
Volunteers tackle trash along Americana Drive
Despite the rain, 15 volunteers put in two hours of work on Veterans’ Day to clean up trash and construction debris along Americana Drive in Annandale. The event was sponsored by Friends of Accotink Creek and the Fairfax County Restoration Project (FRCP). Conrad Mehan of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services … Continued
Boy Scouts seek food donations for the needy
Troop 150 at a pre-pandemic Scouting for Food event. Boy Scout Troop 150 will be gathering food donations for a local food bank Sunday, Nov. 15, 11:3 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Annandale United Methodist Church parking lot. “Scouts usually go door to door in November collecting food for the needy, but the current public health … Continued
COVID cases trending upwards in Fairfax County
COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County are on the upswing, while the economic challenges are mounting. There were 205 new cases on Nov. 11 and 131 new cases on Nov. 10, the Fairfax County Health Department reports. There were two deaths since yesterday, for a total of 624. As of Nov. 11, the county had a … Continued
Granddaddy’s Skillet opens on a limited basis
A new soul food restaurant is in the spot formerly occupied by Flippin’ Pizza. Granddaddy’s Skillet, the new soul food restaurant in Pinecrest Plaza, had a limited soft opening on Nov. 9. But if you want to check it out, you’ll have to wait a little longer. Granddaddy’s Skillet will be closed Nov. 10 as a … Continued
New Annandale thrift store promises to be community partner
The racks are filling up at the new B-Thrifty store in Annandale. Budget-conscious community members will have a new source of clothing and household goods when the B-Thrifty store opens later this month. The store, at 4223 John Marr Drive, Annandale, is in the new retail center that replaced the Kmart. The store will offer … Continued
Annandale clinic offers free flu shots
The Inova Cares Clinic for Families in Annandale is offering free flu vaccines for uninsured people, while supplies last. The clinic is located at 7617 Little River Turnpike, Suite 850. Flu shots are available 3-5 p.m. on Nov. 11, 13, 18, and 19. Appointments are required. Call the clinic at 571-665-6636 to schedule a vaccination. … Continued
Bystander shot in Bailey’s Crossroads
A woman was accidentally shot after being caught in the crossfire between two people shooting at each other in vehicles in Bailey’s Crossroads shortly before 2 a.m. on Nov. 8. The victim, who was in a third vehicle, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The incident happened … Continued
Pet Valu is closing due to the challenges of COVID
The Pet Valu store at Graham Park Plaza. The Pet Valu store at Graham Park Plaza on Arlington Boulevard is closing. The company announced on Nov. 4 that it is beginning “a wind down of its operations due to severe impact from COVID-19.” Graham Park Plaza, formerly known as Loehmann’s Plaza, is in the Falls … Continued
Justice High School musicians and vocalists are keeping the music alive
Justice students present a concert at a senior living facility. By Tara Rethore So many things have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for appropriate health and safety protocols. With public school buildings closed and learning conducted online, ensemble music groups are especially feeling the impact. Playing or singing together in person … Continued
Fairfax County police chief announces retirement
FCPD Chief Roessler speaks at a Black Lives Matter rally hosted by the Fairfax County NAACP in June at the Fairfax County Government Center. Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler Jr. has announced plans to retire in February 2021. Roessler was hired by the Fairfax County Police Department as a police recruit in 1989, rose … Continued
Annandale Treasure Trove closes permanently
The Treasure Trove consignment shop in the Annandale Shopping Center on Columbia Pike has closed permanently, Inova announced Nov. 4. The challenge of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the temporary closing of the three Treasure Trove stores run by Inova, meant “our charitable dollars, supported by your generous purchases, donations, and consignments, … Continued
Beech Tree student tests positive for COVID-19
A student at Beech Tree Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19, Principal Karim Daugherty announced in an email to families Nov. 4. Beech Tree is in the Falls Church area of Mason District. The Fairfax County Health Department “will initiate contact tracing and work to identify close contacts of this individual and give them … Continued
Volunteers needed for Americana Drive cleanup
Volunteers collect trash on American Drive in 2018. Americana Drive in Annandale is a magnet for litter and discarded construction debris, but periodic cleanups help keep the trash from overwhelming the area between the road and the beltway sound wall. The next cleanup is scheduled for Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.-noon. Local residents and … Continued