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
Planet Fitness reopens in new location in Seven Corners
Planet Fitness reopened in a new location in Seven Corners Nov. 1 with all new equipment. The gym moved from the Eden Center into a spot formerly occupied by Gold’s Gym in the shopping center between Arlington Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard. Gold’s closed in March. Planet Fitness is open 24 hours a day, seven days … Continued
Edsall Park Swim Club seeks community donations after pool house gutted by fire
Edsall Park pool engulfed in flames. The board of directors of the Edsall Park Swim Club is seeking donations from the community to help the board rebuild the pool house after it was destroyed by a fire on Oct. 19. The pool is in the Springfield area of Mason District. The pool house, which contains … Continued
Mason District voters favored Biden
While the national election results aren’t in yet, one thing is clear: Democratic candidate Joe Biden overwhelmingly beat President Donald Trump in Fairfax County. Biden got 69.9 percent of the vote in Fairfax County, compared to 28.0 percent for Trump, according to unofficial results posted by the Virginia Department of Elections. Biden carried the state … Continued
Election volunteers report no lines at polling places
No one is waiting to vote outside the Woodrow Wilson Library in Bailey’s Crossroads. There were no lanes at any of the four Mason District polling places the Annandale Blogger stopped by this afternoon. That’s presumably because so many people voted by mail or voted early in-person. A volunteer at Belvedere Elementary School said voters … Continued
Community members say Diamond Lounge should be shut down
A memorial to Samuel Njikang in the Diamond Lounge parking lot. Friends of Samuel Njikang, who was fatally shot outside the Diamond Lounge in Annandale Oct. 30, say the club should be shut down. Other community members have been complaining for years about unruly mobs and noise at the Diamond. According to the police, there … Continued