School board approves scope of boundary study for Parklawn
The Fairfax County School Board on March 13 approved the scope of a boundary study to relieve overcrowding at Parklawn Elementary School in Lincolnia. The boundary study will include these elementary schools: Parklawn, Annandale Terrace, Bailey’s, Bailey’s Upper, Beech Tree, Belvedere, Braddock, Bren Mar Park, Columbia, Glen Forest, Mason Crest, Sleepy Hollow, North Springfield, and … Continued
Reducing nighttime lighting protects migrating birds
Fairfax County urges commercial building owners and residents to turn off unnecessary outdoor lights during bird migration season. The Board of Supervisors recently approved a board matter calling for the county to promote the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance’s “Turn Lights Out for Birds” spring campaign. The Bird Alliance encourages residents and businesses to reduce excessive … Continued
Annandale-Mason Roundtable supports the Atoms Boosters
The Annandale-Mason Roundtable, the nonprofit that hosts the annual Taste of Annandale, has donated $1,000 to Annandale High School’s Atoms Booster Club. The funds are from the proceeds raised at the highly successful 2024 Taste of Annandale last October. The Roundtable is in the process of distributing grants to community organizations that benefit local youths … Continued
Registration open for FCPS summer programs
Registration is underway for summer education programs run by Fairfax County Public Schools. Most of the following programs are held at Lake Braddock Secondary School, with transportation provided from select high schools and middle schools. Here’s what’s available: There are three sessions: July 7-11, July 14-18, and July 21-25. Students take four classes a day. … Continued
Annandale Safeway gets a makeover
The Annandale Safeway celebrated a grand reopening on March 14 following an extensive remodeling. The store, at 7414 Little River Turnpike, has an upgraded and expanded produce section with more organic fruit and vegetables. The bakery, seafood, and floral departments have been expanded. There are more hot, prepared items and pre-made sandwiches, and the entire … Continued
New restaurants, shops coming to Mosaic
Several new restaurants and shops are coming to the Mosaic District in Merrifield in the next few months. District Candle Lab, a hands-on candle-making experience at the Union Market District in D.C., plans to open a second location at Mosaic this spring. Customers choose their favorite scents and work with a “candle tender” to craft … Continued
Weekly crime report
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area are reported by the Fairfax County Police Department on CityProtect: March 11 March 10 March 9 March 8 March 7 March 6
NOVA offers free job training to unemployed federal workers
Northern Virginia Community College on March 13 announced a free training program to help unemployed federal workers and contractors transition to new careers. The NOVA New Employment, Exploration and Transition (NOVAnext) program will provide scholarships to allow approved participants to enroll in one of 14 courses at no charge and access NOVA-sponsored online workshops on resume-writing … Continued
Upgrades in the works for pickleball and tennis courts at Wakefield Park
The Fairfax County Park Authority plans to renovate the tennis and pickleball courts at Wakefield Park in Annandale and expand the number of dedicated pickleball courts. Construction is expected to begin in early April. The project will be completed in two phases. Phase 1 will include converting tennis court 11 into four dedicated pickleball courts, … Continued
School news roundup
Funding cuts – The 2026 advertised budget for Fairfax County under consideration by the Board of Supervisors proposes the elimination of some key programs that benefit students. The advertised budget would eliminate the $3.9 million Middle School After School Program, which is particularly important for lower-income families in Mason District. The budget also targets … Continued
Vietnamese coffee shop opens in Annandale
Annandale has lost one coffee shop but got a new one. Manoa Bakery Café, which has been at 7326 Little River Turnpike since 2015, permanently closed in late February. The shop is relocating to Centreville. DRiP Cà Phê, an espresso bar at 4239 Annandale Road, specializes in Vietnamese coffee drinks. Examples include coffee with sea … Continued
Restaurant to open in former bank building
The operator of a food truck is developing a restaurant in the former Wells Fargo Bank branch at 4260 John Marr Drive in Annandale. Basim Mansour, one of the co-owners, said he hopes to open in June. He asked us not to reveal the name of the restaurant or the type of food, only that … Continued
Lacrosse league protests field cancelations
Annandale Youth Lacrosse, a program under the umbrella of the Annandale Boys & Girls Club, had already had a game schedule approved for this spring, then learned three of their dates were canceled without warning. The league is fighting back. The league submitted their permit applications in September and were given a schedule on Feb. … Continued
Cold Stone Creamery coming to Lincolnia
A Cold Stone Creamery ice cream shop is coming to Pinecrest Plaza. Cold Stone specializes in house-made ice cream mixed with candy, cake pieces, fruits, or nuts on a frozen granite stone. They also sell ice cream cakes, shakes, smoothies, and ice cream alternatives. The shop, at 6549 Little River Turnpike, Lincolnia, is located in … Continued
Community center opens at Fairmont Gardens
A new community center has opened at the Fairmont Gardens apartment complex in Annandale. The center is a project of FACETS, the nonprofit that operates the Opportunity Neighborhoods-Annandale program for the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Located in a former apartment, the FACETS Cares Community Development Center will offer after-school tutoring, access … Continued