Annandale has a parade
Columbia Pike was closed for a while this morning for the annual Annandale Parade sponsored by the local chamber of commerce. Scout troops, schools, businesses, a marching band, Bolivian dancers, local clubs, fire trucks, politicians, and more made their way down the street. Many paraders handed out candy to kids in Halloween costumes. [There are … Continued
School board changes the name of Jeb Stuart High School to Justice High School
The audience at the school board meeting. The Fairfax County School Board voted Oct. 26 – after a lengthy, emotional, and at times confusing discussion – to change the name of Jeb Stuart High School to Justice High School. The name “Justice,” as put forth by Sandy Evans (Mason), is meant to honor the three … Continued
New memory care facility will have a 1950s theme
A rendering of the memory care facility being built on Braddock Road in Annandale. The Renaissance Senior Living facility under construction on Braddock Road near the Backlick Road intersection will have 47 apartments for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Construction could be completed as early as fall 2018, says Barry Ray of … Continued
Public invited to grand opening of AAA store
The new Triple-A store in Seven Corners invites the public to a grand opening celebration on Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The shop, at 6290 Arlington Blvd., offers car repair services; travel agent services; auto, life, and home insurance; and travel accessories, including guidebooks and maps. The store opened for business on Sept. 9. … Continued
Proposed redevelopment project at Graham Park Plaza downsized
The new project is shown in yellow. [Federal Realty] Federal Realty Investment Trust has downsized its plans for transforming the western half of Graham Park Plaza into a mixed-use development. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors had approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment last December allowing construction of 248 multifamily housing units on top of community-serving … Continued
Local restaurateur wins big money in lottery – for the second time this year
Haj-Assaad [Virginia Lottery] Less than five months after Annandale resident Hussein Haj-Assaad won $250,000 in the Virginia Lottery, he bought another winning ticket netting him $200,000. The first time he won, Haj-Assaad said he planned to invest the winnings in the restaurant he owns, Raouche Café, on Gallows Road in Merrifield. This time, he told … Continued
Spooky happenings in Sleepy Hollow
Halloween is a big deal at Cat Tallant’s house – a really big deal. More than 100 lifelike figures, many of them animatronic, cover the entire front and backyard. There are skeletons, witches, Dracula, monsters, ghouls, graveyards, and much, much more. Many are lit by individual spotlights, and some are sound activated, have moving eyes, … Continued
Former antiques center could be redeveloped
This building has been vacant for months. The status of the Antiques & Art Emporium at 7120 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, is uncertain as the building has been declared unsafe by the Fairfax County fire marshal and all the shop owners have had to leave. The landlord, Matt Riesett of Maryland, has not informed the … Continued
New bus shelters are being installed
A brand-new bus shelter on Columbia Pike. Bus riders in the Parklawn area have two new shelters to relax in while waiting for their trip toward Arlington or D.C. One is in front of Barcroft Plaza; the other is between Arcadia Road and Chaco Road. Four more shelters along Columbia Pike are expected be replaced … Continued
New residents of Oak Hill enjoy ‘owning a piece of history’
Oak Hill is all that’s left of the 23,000-acre Ravensworth Tract. Joe Braceland, the new owner of Oak Hill, the oldest house in Annandale, didn’t even know the mansion existed six months ago. Joe, his wife Laura, their two daughters, ages 9 and 13, and their two cats moved into the historic property this … Continued
Annandale Burger King temporarily closed
The Burger King on Columbia Pike in Annandale closed Oct. 23. People concerned the fast food restaurant is following in the footsteps of Wendy’s can relax – Burger King is just temporarily closed for remodeling. The Wendy’s at 4042 Little River Turnpike closed permanently in August. Burger King is going to be completely redone, with … Continued
Holmes Middle School celebrates 50th anniversary
The Holmes Middle School orchestra performs during the 50th anniversary celebration. Students, teachers, alumni, and community members celebrated the 50th anniversary of Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School in Lincolnia Oct. 21 with musical performances, reminiscences, a 5K run/walk, dedication of a new Little Free Library, and cake. School board member Sandy Evans presents a school … Continued
Falls Church HS brings Homecoming to the streets
The Marching Jaguars lead the Falls Church High School Homecoming Parade. [Photos by Jason Anderson] Falls Church High School brought some school spirit into the community Oct. 20 as the annual Jaguar Homecoming Parade wound through the neighborhood. The cheerleaders and volleyball players. After the parade, the FCHS community came together for a tailgate celebration … Continued
Planning Commission approves townhouse community in Seven Corners
The new townhouse would be built in the area labled “subject property.” The Fairfax County Planning Commission agreed Oct. 19 to endorse a rezoning application to permit the construction of 37 townhouses in Seven Corners on the site of a medical office building. The next step is a hearing before the Board of Supervisors Oct. … Continued
Section of Holmes Run Stream Valley Trail to close for emergency sewer repair project
Holmes Run Stream Valley. [City of Alexandria] A short section of Holmes Run Stream Valley Trail will be closed, starting the week of Oct. 23, for an emergency project to repair a sanitary sewer line, the Fairfax County Park Authority reports. Depending on the level of repairs required, an approximately 1,500-foot section of trail could … Continued