School board approves budget that raises employee pay but cuts teaching positions
The Fairfax County School Board has approved a $2.8 billion budget for FY 2018 that raises employee pay but includes more than $50 million in cuts. The budget raises class sizes, resulting in fewer positions. The budget includes $44 million for an average step increase of 2.5 percent for eligible employees and an additional $26.6 … Continued
Lincolnia residents celebrate pool opening in style
Fun times in Lincolnia. [Photos by Loretta Principe] Lincolnia residents, dressed in crazy costumes, took part in the third annual “world’s smallest parade” Saturday to celebrate the opening of the pool season. They marched to the Lincolnia Park Recreation Club, where the kids competed to be the first to jump in the pool. “It’s a … Continued
Plans dropped for townhouse project on Gallows Road
This wooded stretch along Gallows Road will remain as is for the time being. The proposal for a 66-unit townhouse project on a wooded 9.5-acre property on Gallows Road is not going forward. A report by staff from the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning recommends against an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan … Continued
Grand opening of Princessland today
The entrance to Princessland is on Maple Place. The public is invited to the grand opening of Princessland, a spa for girls, at 7224 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Saturday, May 27, at 3 p.m. Coupons, door prizes, and raffles will be available at today’s event. Princessland offers hair styling, manicures, pedicures, facials, and makeovers for girls … Continued
Annandale man arrested for attempted bank robbery
Richardson [FCPD] Officers from the Mason Police District arrested Montrell Richardson, 41, of Annandale May 25, at around 11 a.m., following an attempted bank robbery, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Richardson is suspected of trying to rob the BB&T Bank at 6120 Arlington Blvd., in the Willston Shopping Center in Seven Corners. Police were … Continued
Improvements planned for Barcroft Plaza
Barcroft Plaza is getting a facelift, the Washington Business Journal (WBJ) reports. Federal Realty Investment Trust plans to spend $3.2 million on new facades, improvements to standalone building that houses Bank of America, outdoor seating for Starbucks, and a better connection between Harris Teeter and the stores at 6464 Lincolnia Road. Federal Realty purchased the … Continued
Traffic roundabout planned for Ravensworth Road
How traffic moves in a roudabout. [VDOT] The Federal Highway Administration and Virginia Department of Transportation are planning to install a traffic roundabout at Ravensworth Road and Jayhawk Street in Annandale. The public is invited to a meeting on the project June 5, 7-8:30 p.m., at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 4801 Ravensworth Road in Annandale. … Continued
We’re taking a break
The Annandale Blog is taking a little vacation. Check back later. We should be up and running again by May 27 or so.
Get in shape now for the Taste of Annandale 5K
The start of the Taste of Annandale 5K in 2016. Plans are shaping up for the Taste of Annandale 5K, to take place Saturday, Oct. 14. It’s the opening event of the third annual Taste of Annandale. The race starts at the Kmart on John Marr Drive at 10 a.m. The course, not yet finalized, … Continued
Summer concert series starts in June
A summer concert at Mason District Park. The lineup has been set for the free Spotlight by Starlight concerts at Mason District Park and Ossian Hall Park. The shows are part of the summer entertainment series in parks throughout Fairfax County. The concerts in the amphitheater in Mason District Park are on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 7 p.m. … Continued
Fire damages mattress store
A two-alarm fire heavily damaged the Overstock Mattress store at 5912 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads Friday afternoon, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. Units from the Alexandria and Arlington fire departments assisted. [Photos: FCFRD] The fire was discovered by an employee who called 911. Four people were in the store at the time. … Continued
Bailey’s Crossroads redevelopment in the works
This property, seen from Moncure Avenue, is slated for redevelopment. The Weissberg Co. is going ahead with a rezoning application for a 7.4-acre property at Columbia Pike and Moncure Avenue in Bailey’s Crossroads, even though it has not yet secured a developer. The project, called Columbia Crossroads, would include a 378-unit apartment building. John McBride, … Continued
Youth art inspires dialogue on community
Students display the art they created in the Youth Re-Imagining Community initiative. “Most people think we’re different, but we’re all human.” That’s the message Susy Virgas, a 9th-grader at Falls Church High School, wanted to convey with her artwork – and it’s also one of the key themes that emerged from a community dialogue May … Continued
Crowds gather for opening of Annandale Aldi
The eagerly awaited Aldi grocery store at 7006 Columbia Pike opened to the public May 4. People started lining up outside as early as 6:45 a.m., reports store manager Matt DeBenedetto. The crowd had grown so large by 8:30, the store ran out of shopping carts. Aldi officials handed out coffee, donuts, and tote … Continued
Board of Supervisors adopts budget for 2018
The Fairfax County Government Center. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors formally adopted a $4.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2018 that maintains the real estate tax rate at $1.13 per $100 of assessed value. Some homeowners, however, might see their real estate taxes go up next year due to a slight increase in the … Continued