GrandInvolve school volunteer program to expand in Mason District
GrandInvolve volunteers help classroom teachers. GrandInvolve, a volunteer program that arranges for older adults to provide individual help to students in local elementary schools, is gearing up to expand to all schools in Mason District. The volunteers help students with reading and math in the classroom and provide whatever other assistance the teacher needs. The … Continued
Annandale village in the 1950s
Anne Sansbury’s former home on Walton Lane was between Hummer Road and Annandale Road. Click to enlarge. By Anne Sansbury, a resident of Annandale. There are many theories about the origin of the name Annandale, but a likely one is that it was named after the valley of the Annan River (i.e., Annan Dale) in … Continued
Virginia delegate wants to allow denser housing on single-family lots
Stanley Martin, a homebuilder active in Northern Virginia, offers multi-generational homes, like this one, with a private living space inside – with its own entrance, kitchenette, family room, bedroom, and one-car garage. The concept is being marketed to families who want a separate apartment in their home for an elderly parent. [Stanley Martin] The lack … Continued
New preschool planned for Annandale church
A new preschool is planned for Hope Lutheran Church on Ravensworth Road in Annandale. The church had hosted the Hope Montessori School, a preschool, for nearly 50 years but it closed in July when enrollment dropped to fewer than 20 students, says Stanley Moore, property chair for Hope Lutheran. The church now plans to lease … Continued
Man in critical condition after being shot in restaurant
Lopez Rivas [FCPD] A man is in critical condition after a shooting inside the Viva Tequila restaurant at Landmark Plaza on Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. When officers responded to the report of a shooting at about 9:30 p.m., Jan. 1, they found a man inside a bathroom with … Continued
Dog dies in Annandale house fire
A house fire on Banf Street in the Wakefield area of Annandale. [FCFRD] A fire at a single-family house in the 4500 block of Banff Street in Annandale on New Year’s Eve claimed the life of a family dog, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. When firefighters arrived shortly after 5 p.m., they … Continued
Annandale memories: Columbia Pines’ first residents
Linda Hollis at Annandale Elementary School in 1958. This is the third article in the Annandale Oral History series. These stories, about what it was like growing up in Annandale when it was still a semi-rural community, are based on interviews conducted on Oct. 5 in the Pop-Up Park during the 2019 Taste of Annandale. … Continued
Amazon to start construction soon on HQ2
An illustration of Amazon’s HQ2 [WUSA9] Amazon plans to start construction on its new headquarters building (HQ2) in National Landing, the newly renamed area that encompasses Crystal City, in early 2020, the company announced in its Day One blog. Amazon has already hired 400 people who are working in leased office space on Crystal Drive, … Continued
Work to start on day center/banquet hall in 2020
This building will become an adult day center and banquet hall. Work on the Sunflower adult daycare center and banquet hall on the site of the now-closed Kids’ Choice indoor sports center on Ravensworth Road in Annandale should begin within the next few months. The Board of Supervisors approved the project in March 2018. The … Continued
Stabbing incident in Bailey’s Crossroads
Benitoe [FCPD] There was a stabbing incident Dec. 30, at about 4 a.m., in the 5800 block of Seminary Road in Bailey’s Crossroads, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. After a man was escorted out of a restaurant, he began to argue and then stabbed the victim. Timothy Benitoe, 34, of Alexandria, was arrested and … Continued
Restaurants, stores opened and closed in 2019
Dozens of restaurants and stores opened or closed in the Annandale/Mason District area in 2019, and new ones are scheduled to open in 2020 or beyond. Here’s the rundown: What opened New restaurants in Annandale include El Habanero, Iron Age, Lima District, Casa Grande, Gong Cha, Kimen Ramen & Izakaya, O My Hot Pot & Bar, and Hansin … Continued
2019: The year in review
Big plans for Inova Here are some of the top Annandale Blog stories of 2019. Winter Candidates announce plans to run for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including Gary Aiken who is challenging Mason Supervisor Penny Gross. A Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurant is proposed for Annandale. The Planning Commission defers indefinitely a proposal for an … Continued
Annandale memories: Mom and pop shops, Topps, and donkey baseball
Eighth-graders at Annandale High School in 1954 or 55. This is the second article about what it was like growing up in Annandale when it was still a semi-rural community. We invited people to share their stories for the Annandale Oral History Project, and the interviews were conducted on Oct. 5 in the Pop-Up Park … Continued
Christmas trees will be picked up in January
If your live Christmas tree has dried out, it’s time to dispose of it to avoid a fire hazard, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department warns. Christmas tree fires aren’t that common, but when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Dried out trees … Continued
Bowlero Annandale now open
Bowlero Annandale, the totally redone version of the old Annandale bowling alley on Markham Street, is now open. It has 48 bowling lanes, an arcade with dozens of games, all new seating for bowlers, a huge bar, expanded food menu, extensive restaurant seating, and private party rooms. Games are $7.69 per person; bowling shoes are … Continued