Bowlero will become Lucky Strike
The Bowlero bowling alley in Annandale will soon be renamed Lucky Strike. The change follows the move by the Bowlero Corp. last December to rebrand as Lucky Strike Entertainment, reflecting its expanded mission to offer more than traditional bowling. Meanwhile, the Annandale location, at 4245 Markham Street, will carry out improvements to enhance the customer … Continued
Lane closures this week on Wakefield Chapel Road at Little River Turnpike
The Little River Turnpike/Wakefield Chapel Road intersection in Annandale will have nighttime lane closures on Aug. 11-13. The closures are needed for a culvert replacement, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. These lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug 12: Drivers will still be … Continued
Sign up for the Taste of Annandale 5K
Registration is now open for the annual Taste of Annandale 5K. The 5K starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, before the opening of the Taste of Annandale at 10:30 a.m. Sign up for the 5K here. The 5K is going to be different this year. The race will start and end within Mason … Continued
Toxic algae mats appear in Lake Accotink
Don’t wade or swim in Lake Accotink and don’t let your children or dog play in the water, the Virginia Department of Health warns That’s because there’s a toxic blue-green algae bloom in the lake. “Exposure to algal toxins may cause illness,” states a notice posted by VDH at the marina. “Call your doctor or … Continued
Test your eating prowess at the Taste of Annandale
On your mark, get set, eat! The person who can scarf down a bahn mi the fastest will be declared the winner of the first-ever eating contest at the Taste of Annandale. A banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich consisting of a baguette filled with cold cuts and vegetables, such as cucumber and carrot slices, … Continued
ArtsFairfax supports local art groups
ArtsFairfax has distributed a total of nearly $592,000 to support the operations of 56 arts organizations in Fairfax County and Falls Church. The following five arts organizations based in Mason District are among the grant recipients: The Operating Support Grants, announced by ArtsFairfax on Aug. 5, provide critical funding for the basic operation of local … Continued
Culmore teens explore nature
Teens from Culmore got a chance to experience nature this summer thanks to volunteer Jo Doumbia, who organized weekly field trips for them. The teens went kayaking at Riverbend Park, took a nature walk at Huntley Meadows, went fishing at Lake Fairfax, and took part in a “forest bathing” exercise at Wolf Trap. Forest bathing … Continued
More details emerge on Annandale fire
The fire at the Vistas garden apartments in Annandale on Aug. 3 was caused by an electrical event involving a surge protector, according to an update from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Fire and smoke were visible when the fire units arrived at about 9 p.m. at the apartment building in the 7900 … Continued
Middle schools to get weapon scanners
Fairfax County Public Schools is expanding the weapon scanning program at all high schools this fall to also include all middle schools, Superintendent Michelle Reid announced on Aug. 4. FCPS launched a pilot program for weapon detectors in April at randomly selected high schools. In June, the devices were implemented on a permanent basis at … Continued
Padaek owner named Restaurateur of the Year
The DMV’s premier Laotian chef Seng Luangrath, the owner of several restaurants, including Padaek in Seven Corners, was named Restaurateur of the Year by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. The award was presented on Aug. 3 at the 43rd annual RAMMYS Gala at the Walter Washington Convention Center. The RAMMY awards recognize the “exceptional ability … Continued
Blazin Halal hosts a block party
Blazin Halal, a fast casual eatery in Annandale, is hosting a NYC to NOVA Block Party on Sunday, Aug. 10, 4-8 p.m. The event is billed as “NYC flavor meets NOVA energy with early 2000s throwback vibes.” Blazin Halal, located at 4367 John Marr Drive, Annandale, in the East Gate Shopping Center, specializes in “bold … Continued
Annandale High School has a secret chamber
By Shane Gomez Annandale High School has a secret underground chamber that stems from its establishment in 1954, the height of the Cold War. That history lives on in the school’s nuclear age iconography, like its mascot, the Atoms, red and white colors, and newspaper, the A-Blast. Annandale also has a lesser-known feature from that … Continued
Last call at The Block
The Block food hall has scheduled a few final events before it shuts down for good at the end of the month. The venue is hosting an “everything-must-go thrift pop-up” every Tuesday, 5-9:30 p.m., on Aug. 5, 12, 19, and 26. On Aug. 16, it’s “Last Call at The Block,” featuring Arylia, DJ Knom, and … Continued
Gas company to impose a surcharge
Washington Gas customers in Virginia will pay higher bills from August through October 2025 to make up for warmer weather last winter. Due to above-average temperatures from October 2024 to May 2025, Washington Gas says it collected lower revenues than approved by the State Corporation Commission. As a result, the utility will impose a surcharge … Continued
Pet dies in apartment fire
A fire at the Vistas of Annandale affected 14 units in the garden-style apartments in the 7900 block of Charles Thomson Lane, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. The two-alarm fire started at night on Aug. 3. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and fire coming from the third floor. One pet was found … Continued