Thomas Jefferson HS alumni demand a more equitable admissions process
TJ alumni at a protest outside the school on Oct. 4. [Photos: TJAAG] Members of the TJ Alumni Action Group (TJAAG) held a rally in front of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Oct. 4 to urge Fairfax County Public Schools to drop the test-based admissions system in favor of a merit-based lottery. … Continued
Annandale restaurant closes permanently
Dice Burger Dice Burger, a fast-casual restaurant at 7023 Columbia Pike in Annandale, has closed permanently, according to a sign on the door. The restaurant was struggling even before the coronavirus pandemic. Owner Sayed Sanaei warned the community in September 2019 that he might have to shut down if business didn’t improve. The sign on … Continued
Man dies in moped accident in Lincolnia
Columbia Pike eastbound at Lincolnia Road. [Google Maps] A man is dead following a moped crash at 2:20 a.m. Oct. 5 at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Lincolnia Road in Lincolnia, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Erwin Rodriguez, 32, of Annandale, was thrown from the 2011 TaoTao moped he was driving and pronounced … Continued
Rep. Connolly accuses opponent of hate speech
Rep. Gerry Connolly (left) and Manga Anantatmula. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th District), who is running for re-election, accused his Republican opponent, Manga Anantatmula, of hate speech during a virtual candidate forum hosted by the Fairfax County NAACP Oct. 3. Connolly, who has represented the Annandale/Mason District area in Congress since 2009, also accused Anantatmula of … Continued
Infill development planned for Annandale
Six homes are planned for Travis Parkway. One of the few remaining open green spaces in Annandale is slated for an infill development. Premier Homes is planning to build six homes on Travis Parkway between Gallows Road and Thornton Street. It’s a by-right project, so there won’t be a public hearing. The new homes would … Continued
Dog salon to open in Annandale
Bessie’s Pet Grooming is moving into the building formerly occupied by Heidi’s Nails at 7139 Columbia Pike, Annandale, accessible from the Giant parking lot. The owner, Bessie Cho, plans to open in late November. The shop will offer haircuts, baths, and toenail trims for dogs. Cho formerly worked at the Columbia Pike Animal Hospital in … Continued
Man arrested for sexually assaulting juvenile
Thomas [FCPD] Fairfax County Police have arrested a man in connection with the sexual assault of a juvenile in Mason District. Following an investigation, detectives identified a second juvenile victim and were able to identify and charge the suspect, Malachi Thomas, 18, of Woodbridge, with one count of rape and three counts of sodomy. He … Continued
No trick-or-treating, no screaming advised for Halloween: COVID is scary enough
Even without traditional trick-or-treating this year, Halloween can still be fun. The Fairfax County Health Department urges people to avoid door-to-door trick-or-treating and other activities that would pose a risk of contracting COVID-19, but offers several alternatives. The recommendations are based on guidance from the CDC, which also offers recommendations for safely celebrating Día de … Continued
Advocates urge Fairfax County to address racial disparities in policing
A use of force incident in Fairfax County in June captured on a police body camera. The officer was arrested for assault. [WJLA] The Fairfax County Police Department needs to do a better job of eliminating racial disparities in the use of force and improve relationships with immigrant communities. Those were among the key issues … Continued
Essential workers at Giant demand hazard pay
Union members speak out for extra pay for working in during the pandemic. [John Lee] Workers at Giant and Safeway are demanding hazard pay for the extra risks they’re taking as essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Giant has refused to open negotiations over hazard pay with United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 and … Continued
Acura dealership in Bailey’s Crossroads proposes an expansion
Radley Acura Radley Acura is proposing an expansion. The dealership, at 5823 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads, is seeking a rezoning and zoning special exception to allow it to build an addition to its showroom building and a three-level parking garage for storing new vehicles. The 4,192-square-foot addition, to be located at the rear of … Continued
Annandale restaurant makes its own tofu
The Stone, a relatively new restaurant in Seoul Plaza, at 4231H Markham Street, is different from most other Korean restaurants in Annandale: They make their own tofu daily. Tofu is made from soybeans in a multistep process. The Stone posted a video here. Tofu and kimchi The restaurant offers a variety of traditional Korean entrees, … Continued
Farewell to Heidi’s Nails
Now that Heidi’s Nails has closed, customers can find some of their favorite nail technicians at USVN Nails at 6653 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Vincent, Kim, Kathy, and Na have all relocated to USVN Nails. Thuy has retired. Heidi’s has been located for years in a standalone building at 7139 Columbia Pike, Annandale, accessible … Continued
Annandale Healthcare Center failed to tell patients’ families about its huge COVID outbreak
Brenda Roozen celebrates a birthday at the Annandale Healthcare Center. Since the Annandale Blog began reporting on the problems at the Annandale Healthcare Center – and its huge COVID-19 outbreak – families have reached out to us about their negative experiences. The AHC, at 6700 Columbia Pike, had the most COVID cases in Virginia (156) … Continued
Annandale’s craft gallery offers virtual shopping
The Craft Gallery of Artisans United, the unique shop in Annandale offering one-of-kind items by local artists and crafters, is offering virtual, as well as in-person shopping. Claire Gesalman, director of Artisans United Inc., will set up a Zoom call for people who can’t visit the shop in person. Contact her at 703-941-0202, [email protected], for … Continued