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
Construction to cause major delays on Columbia Pike
An illustration of a sculpture to be installed on Columbia Pike at the western gateway to Arlington. [Arlington County] If you commute toward D.C. on Columbia Pike, you might want to rethink your route. Arlington County is beginning work on the westernmost section of the road, resulting in lane reductions throughout 2020. “Starting on or … Continued
Man arrested after police pursuit
Cordon-Mejia [FCPD] The latest crime report from the Fairfax County Police Department cites an incident involving a traffic pursuit on Leesburg Pike/Rio Drive in Mason District. A police officer saw a Lexus sedan stopped in the middle of a traffic lane at about 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 26 with a man asleep in the driver’s … Continued
Casual Pint to open in early January
The Casual Pint, a bar/restaurant specializing in craft beers, is expected to open Jan. 9, according to the Tysons Reporter. It’s on the first floor of the Loren apartments at 6410 Arlington Blvd. in Seven Corners. A grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for Jan. 17, with prizes and free growlers for the first … Continued