Planning Commission approves redevelopment project for Graham Park Plaza
Graham Park Plaza. The Fairfax County Planning Commission on April 5 voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approved a proposal for a mixed-use development in Graham Park Plaza. [UPDATE: The BoS approved the proposal April 10.] Federal Realty, the owner of the property, wants to build a four-story multifamily building with 210 apartments … Continued
Construction starts on new homeless shelter
Fairfax County officials and members of Congress break ground for the new Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter. A large contingent of federal and county officials gathered at a vacant lot on Seminary Road April 5 for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter and Supportive Housing. The $12 million facility, expected to be … Continued
School budget addresses teacher pay gap
School board member Sandy Evans talks about the FCPS budget. After struggling with limited budgets for years, the Fairfax County Public School is now in a good-enough financial situation that it can begin raising teacher pay to levels comparable with surrounding school systems. The FCPS budget for FY 2019, as recommended by Superintendent Scott Brabrand … Continued
‘The Pavilion’ explores the human spirit
From the left: Matt Bassett, Nora Achrati, and Helen R. Murray in “The Pavilion.” [C. Stanley Photography] By David Siegel Aching and raw, sweet and lamenting, Hub Theatre’s production of “The Pavilion” is a master class of three D.C.-area actors in command of playwright Craig Wright’s lyrical, melodic language about love, loss, regret, and mercy. … Continued
Emergency system test tomorrow
If your cell phone buzzes loudly twice tomorrow between 10 and 11 a.m., don’t be alarmed. Local governments in the D.C. region, including Fairfax County will be testing the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system. Cellphones or mobile-enabled devices located in Fairfax County will receive a test message that reads: “This is a test of the … Continued
Police release photo of robbery suspects
Robbery suspects. [FCPD] Detectives from the West Springfield Police District are asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects in a robbery that happened in Annandale around 11 a.m. on April 3. The victim arranged to meet the suspects near Patriot Drive and Heritage Drive to sell a video game. The two suspects robbed … Continued
Owners of Bawadi Mediterranean Grill charge landlord is unfairly forcing them out
Sara and Khalid Mekki in their restaurant with three of their four children. Khalid and Sara Mekki, the owners of Bawadi Mediterranean Grill & Sweets Café in Bailey’s Crossroads, say they’re being treated unfairly by their landlord, Adrienne Dominguez, and her company, Alta Enterprises 1 LLC, by forcing them out and refusing to renew their … Continued
Crime report shows mixed results
The Fairfax County statistical report on crime for the years 2016 and 2017 shows the Mason Police District has one of the highest crime rates among the county’s eight police districts. Overall, there were 7,773 victims of assault offenses (including aggravated assault, simple assault, and intimidation) in Fairfax County in 2017, up from 7,473 … Continued
Halalco is moving to Bailey’s Crossroads
Halalco will occupy the former Overstock Mattress store. Halalco Supermarket, the Middle Eastern store and Indian restaurant at 155 Hillwood Ave., in the center of Falls Church, is moving the last week of April to 5912 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. The store has to vacate its current space to make way for an Aldi … Continued
Man arrested for carjacking, abduction, strangulation
A woman waiting for a ride to work was assaulted on Arlington Boulevard at Gallows Road at about 7:30 a.m. on March 30, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. He grabbed her by the neck and physically assaulted her. She was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. During that incident, the same man assaulted … Continued
Running Festival promotes active lifestyles
Bernard Pesjak calls out raffle numbers during the Rise, Run and Shine Running Festival in the parking lot at Wakefield Park. About 140 runners – including 40 kids – got some exercise while enjoying nature at the Rise, Run and Shine Running Festival at Wakefield Park in Annandale March 31. The event consisted of a … Continued
At new Annandale restaurant, it’s all about mango love
A restaurant slated to open in Annandale later this year will feature an all-mango menu. The new eatery, to be located on Little River Turnpike, will make the most of the delicious and versatile tropical fruit, says owner and executive chef Burt Gramsey. You can expect traditional mango concoctions at Mango Tango like salmon with … Continued
Kruger’s Antiques slashing prices before the store closes April 30
Kurt Kruger (left) and Don Brightly in front of Kruger’s Antiques. Kruger’s Antiques is closing at the end of April – the date was extended a month – and the owner of the business, Kurt Kruger, is cutting prices to entice buyers. The shop has been a landmark in Annandale for nearly 40 years. A … Continued
Lost dog in Annandale
The owners of a lost dog named Elsa are seeking the public’s help in finding her. She ran away on March 28 near Monarch Lane and Tobin Road in Annandale. She was spotted on March 29 by the basketball court in Strathmeade Square. Elsa is black and brown with a red collar and leash. She … Continued
Overpass in Seven Corners to be rehabilitated
The Virginia Department of Transportation is hosting a public information meeting April 3 on a project to rehabilitate the one-way bridge linking the eastbound Arlington Boulevard service road to eastbound Wilson Boulevard in Seven Corners. The meeting is at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, 333 Sleepy Hollow Road. The presentation begins at 7 p.m., but VDOT … Continued