Students bring positive messages to community
The Sleepy Hollow Woods and Columbia Pines neighborhoods in Annandale are filled with messages of kindness and caring, thanks to a project by three Justice High School students. Incoming seniors Sofie Edwards, Evie Garces-Foley, and Renee Grutzik painted upbeat messages – such as “be kind,” “you are amazing,” and “we can do it” – on donated wooden … Continued
New Annandale shopping center will have about 12 stores
The renovation of the exterior of the former Kmart on John Marr Drive in Annandale appears to be nearly complete. The 125,000-square-foot building has been divided into a dozen separate storefronts, each one with a different street address, ranging from 4231 to 4369. Work is proceeding on the interior of many of those spaces, according … Continued
School news: FCPS guidance for a virtual school start
Annandale HS staff members are ready to help students register for classes. [FCPS] Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand has issued some additional guidance on the new school year, which starts virtually on Sept. 8. Attendance – Teachers will take attendance. Parents are expected to call or email the school if their student is unable … Continued
GMU hosts in-person classes, opens dorms for fall semester
George Mason University [Keith Pham]. As George Mason University in Fairfax opened for the fall semester Aug. 24, university officials expect a series of health rules and recommendations will prevent an outbreak of COVID-19. GMU students can take a mix of in-person, online, and hybrid courses. When students moved into the dorms at GMU in … Continued
Fairfax County property taxes due Friday
The Fairfax County Government Center [Keith Pham] Fairfax County property taxes are due Friday, Aug. 28. That’s a month later than usual, as the Board of Supervisors approved a one-month delay to accommodate people facing hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. The board also reduced the late fees for taxes. For 2020 only, the penalty for … Continued
Protesters object to postal service cutbacks
Dozens of people attended a rally on Lee Highway in front of the Merrifield Post Office Aug. 22 to protest efforts to curtail mail service. “We’re here to support the right to vote safely by mail,” said organizer Mary Farrell of the Vienna Postcard Group. “Mail is deliberately being slowed, and postal workers are concerned about … Continued
Crime report: shooting, assault, robbery
The crime report from the Fairfax County Police Department for the past week includes these incidents in the Annandale/Mason District area: There was a shooting in the 4900 block of Americana Drive, Annandale, at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 16. The victim was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries that were later downgraded to stable. … Continued
Annandale Giant to temporarily close for renovations
The ceiling at Giant appears to have a mold problem. The Annandale Giant, at 7137 Columbia Pike, will close for renovations Aug. 23-31. The work will focus on redoing the floor tiles and ceiling. While the store is closed, prescriptions will be sent to the pharmacy at the Giant in the Bradlick Shopping Center in … Continued
Mason task force agrees two amendments in Seven Corners should move forward
The Gibson house is in the center, and the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center is on the left. The road is Leesburg Pike. The Mason District task force charged with reviewing nominations to amend the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan approved two overlapping development proposals in Seven Corners Aug. 19. This is a preliminary step in a … Continued
Lidl to host a pop-up market the weekend before it opens
Construction of the new Lidl store in Annandale is almost finished. The grocery new Lidl grocery store coming to Pinecrest Plaza will host a pop-up market outside the store on Sept. 5 and 6 ahead of the grand opening on Sept. 9. The pop-up market will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on both days in the … Continued
Annandale family beset by tragedy needs help from the community
From the left: Liza, Clara, Jaime, and Humberto Diaz. The Diaz family of Annandale has been ravaged by several forms of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the economic fallout from COVID-19. Jaime Diaz – the sole breadwinner who is supporting eight family members in his townhouse, ranging in age from 5 to 83 … Continued
Indoor classes to resume at Fairfax County park facilities this fall
The horticulture center at Green Spring Gardens hosts workshops and lectures on gardening topics. In-person, indoor classes and other programs will resume this fall at Fairfax County parks and historic sites. That includes Green Spring Gardens, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, and the Audrey Moore RECenter in the Annandale/Mason District area. Classes had been moved to … Continued
Deer hunting approved for several Annandale-area parks
Signs like this one, in Holmes Run Stream Valley, are posted in parks approved for deer hunting. Fairfax County’s annual archery program to cull the deer population starts Sept. 12 and runs through Feb. 20, 2021. Bow hunters who meet certain qualifications are allowed to shoot deer from temporary deer stands installed in trees in … Continued
Fairfax Connector, Metrobus to ramp up service
Connector route 401 on Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Fairfax Connector will resume full service on all routes starting Saturday, Aug. 29, and Metrobus will ramp up service Aug. 23. Service on both systems had been curtailed to promote passenger and operator safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. All Connector and Metrobus routes will continue to … Continued
Virginia governor proposes improvements in absentee voting
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced a series of proposals Aug. 18 to ensure people have safe access to voting in the Nov. 3 election amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These measures, to be considered by legislators during a special session of the General Assembly, include the following: Northam’s proposed budget includes $2 million for … Continued