VDOT open house features traffic management and safety agencies
Dozens of trucks on display at VDOT’s Incident Management Open House. Although traffic congestion is a way of life in the D.C. metro region, imagine how much worse it would be without the dozens of agencies from multiple jurisdictions that work to keep things running as smoothly as possible. Many of those agencies took part … Continued
In ‘Billy Elliot,’ a boy finds his way through dance
From the left: Chris Genebach (Dad), Liam Redford (Billy Elliot), and the ensemble from Billy Elliot at Signature Theatre. [Christopher Mueller] By David Siegel Billy Elliot the Musical at Signature Theatre in Shirlington soars with expressive, youthful dance energy and a liberating message: Do what you need to do to be who you want to be. … Continued
Bed/health store opens in Annandale
Caresys, a Korean company that sells beds with heated mattresses, massage chairs, and health products, opened a branch in Annandale Nov. 9 at 7300 Maple Place. In the United States, Caresys has outlets in Los Angeles; Englewood Cliffs, N.J.; and Queens, N.Y. Sales associate Christina Chee tries out a bed at Caresys.
Culmore Clinic will relocate
Nurse Juan Ramirez at the Culmore Clinic The Culmore Clinic, which provides free basic healthcare to lower-income residents of the Culmore community, is losing its space at Columbia Baptist Church. The church, on Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads, is reclaiming the clinic’s space so it can expand its early childhood development center. The Culmore … Continued
Neighbors launch letter-writing campaign against Gallows Road development
Dozens of people turn out for meeting on a high-density development in their community. Residents of Holmes Run Acres, Windy Ridge, Lafayette Village, and Raintree are urging county leaders to reject plans for a 55+ housing development on Gallows Road across from Woodburn Elementary School. About 40 neighbors gathered at the school Nov. 8 for … Continued
Volunteers needed for Ossian Hall Park cleanup
The playground at Ossian Hall Park. The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the community to join a “fall blitz” to spruce up Ossian Hall Park in Annandale Saturday, Nov. 10, 8 a.m.-noon. Volunteers are needed to help spread mulch in the landscaping beds, spread tot lot chips in the playground, prune vegetation, and pick up … Continued
Virginia voters reject Trump agenda
Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to supporters after easily winning re-election. Voters in Virginia solidly rejected the Trump agenda by re-electing key Democrats to Congress, including Sen. Tim Kaine, Reps. Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer, and in a closely watched Northern Virginia race that got national attention, replacing Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock with Democratic challenger Jennifer … Continued
Annandale man arrested for reckless driving
Amaya-Amaya [FCPD] A 21-year-old Annandale man, Eusebio Amaya-Amaya, was arrested Nov. 2 for speed to elude, child endangerment, driving without a license, and reckless driving following a police pursuit, the Fairfax County Police Department states in its weekend crime report. The incident happened at about 8:20 p.m. on Commons Drive, Annandale, when a police officer heard … Continued
Police identify bomb threat suspect
Velasquez [FCPD] Fairfax County Police Department announced the suspect responsible for a bomb threat at the Starbucks in the Yorktown Shopping Center Nov. 3 is David Velasquez, age 28, of Fairfax. Velasquez was drunk and passed out inside the Starbucks, at 8104 Arlington Blvd, when an employee woke him and asked him to leave, the … Continued
Performance Bicycle store is closing
This 4,800-square foot storefront is available for lease. The Performance Bicycle store at 5817 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads will close for good on Nov. 20. The repair shop at the back of the store is already closed. All bikes are 30 percent off; everything else is 50 percent off, although much of the inventory … Continued
Supervisors ease repurposing of vacant stores
The Annandale Kmart will close later this month. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a policy plan amendment Oct. 30 to make it easier to convert empty retail buildings for other uses. The policy applies to commercial buildings, such as stores, gas stations, auto service centers, daycare centers, and low-rise banks. Babies R Us … Continued
Man arrested after bomb threat at Starbucks
Police investigate bomb threat at s Starbucks. [Photos by Alexander Gutierrez] Fairfax County Police arrested a man at the Starbucks at 8104 Arlington Blvd., in Merrifield, after he allegedly made a bomb threat at about 3:45 p.m. on Nov. 3. A tweet from FCPS said officers were on the scene and believe the man who … Continued
School news: a Parklawn success story
On Halloween, Annandale High School faculty dressed up as minions and Principal Tim Thomas was Gru from “Despicable Me.” “School news”is an occasional series highlighting programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information and photos here are from Fairfax County Public Schools and individual schools. Excellence at Parklawn – The National … Continued
County will repave part of Cross County Trail
The Cross County Trail The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin construction to improve the surface of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail between King Arthur Road and Woodburn Road in Annandale this month. The trail will be repaved with asphalt and concrete, and several culverts will be replaced. The project is expected to be … Continued
Blame the weird weather for the #FallFail
Fall foliage in Seven Corners on Nov. 1, 2018. October has come and gone and we still haven’t seen the blaze of color in our trees that make the fall landscape in Northern Virginia so dramatic. Don’t hold your breath. While a few trees have turned yellow, “fall color is not going to be great … Continued