Traffic stop leads to drug, weapons charges
Carpenter [FCPD] A traffic stop in the eastern end of Mason District led to narcotics and weapons charges, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. When police stopped a Volkswagen sedan in the 4900 block of Oasis Drive just after 1 a.m. on Sept. 7, the officer detected a marijuana odor. As police started to search … Continued
Ending DACA would hurt Virginia’s economy
Dreamers and their allies protest the ending of DACA in Washington, D.C. [NAKASEC] President Trump’s decision to cancel DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) would have a devastating impact on Virginia’s economy. It would cost Virginia taxpayers more than $711.4 million annually in lost GDP, reports the Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC), an immigrant rights … Continued
Taste of Annandale 5K course revised to accommodate stream restoration project
Runners prepare to start the 5K at the 2016 Taste of Annandale. The course for the Taste of Annandale 5K had to be revised to accommodate stream restoration work by the Fairfax County stormwater department in Mason District Park. That means the race had to be recertified by USA Track & Field. The new certification … Continued
House fire caused by electrical malfunction
A fire at a house in the Camelot neighborhood in Annandale Sept. 4 was caused by an electrical malfunction within the main electric panel in the garage, the Fairfax CountyFire and Rescue Department reports. When fire units arrived on the scene at about 5:30 p.m., they saw smoke showing from the two-story home in the … Continued
Support the Annandale High School bands
Members of the Marching Atoms. [Band Boosters] Tag Day for the Annandale High School bands is happening next weekend, and the Band Boosters and student musicians hope the community will be generous. Band members wearing the Marching Atoms uniform will be knocking on doors and playing at local grocery stores Sept. 9 and 10 to raise … Continued
Ara to reopen under new ownership
A new Korean restaurant is slated to open within the next few weeks at 7137 Little River Turnpike, in the spot formerly occupied by Ara Fusion Restaurant. The new place will be called Ara Kitchen and Lounge, says the owner, Mina Cho. The menu will have traditional Korean dishes, such as bibimbap, bulgogi, and galbi … Continued
Fairfax County team in Texas helping Hurricane Harvey victims
The Fairfax team brought seven boats to Texas. [FCFRD photos] The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team is in the Houston area helping with the emergency response to the severe flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. So far, the team, VA-TF1, helped evacuate six residents in the Kingwood, Texas, area, and … Continued
Neighbors complain developer ignores proffers
A neighbor took this photo of construction during Eid. Just because a developer promised to comply with certain proffers – like avoiding construction on holidays – doesn’t mean the neighbors can trust that those rules will be followed. When the Board of Supervisors approved Spectrum Development’s application for a shopping center project on Leesburg Pike … Continued
Vote for your favorite restaurant
The nominations are in, and the public’s choices for best restaurants in Annandale have been narrowed down to three or four choices for each category. Annandale Blog readers were asked to fill out an open ended survey as the first part of a process to select the “Annie Awards,” honoring the best places to eat … Continued
New owner of Mark Center plans to renovate garden apartment communities
The Hillwood apartments at the Mark Center Morgan Properties, a fast-growing real estate company based in suburban Philadelphia, has acquired the Mark Center portfolio in Alexandria’s West End for $509 million, the company announced Aug. 30. The Mark Center consists of 2,664 apartment units and a 63,320-square-foot retail center on more than 150 acres. The … Continued
In the moment: ‘A Little Night Music’ at Signature
Holly Twyford as Desiree Armfeldt, Will Gartshore as Carl-Magnus Malcolm, and Bobby Smith as Fredrik Egerman. [Photos by Christopher Mueller] By David Siegel Opening in 1973, “A Little Night Music” was part of the muscular turbulence of those well-remembered primal days of rage – rage that bred inhaled cynicism like a needed eye-opening drug into … Continued
Community invited to the Taste of Annandale
Have you seen the Taste of Annandale signs popping up all over the community? This one is on Columbia Pike in front of United Baptist Church. The Taste of Annandale is just a few weeks away – and lots of plans are falling into place to make this festival a must-attend event for everyone in … Continued
Keys-Gamarra wins big in special school board election
Karen Keys-Gamarra (in blue) flanked by Virginia lieutenant governor candidate Justin Fairfax, candidate for governor Ralph Northam, Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova (left), and members of the school board. Karen Keys-Gamarra won a resounding victory for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board in a special election Aug. 29. Keys-Gamarra, who … Continued
Chico’s Natural Pet Market invites the community to a free ice cream social Sept. 3
Chico’s offers natural, healthy food for pets. Celebrate the last dog days of summer at an ice cream social at Chico’s Natural Pet Market in Barcroft Plaza Sunday, Sept. 3, 1-4 p.m. Bring your dog, as there will be fee frozen treats for dogs, as well as free ice cream and gift bags for people. … Continued
New baseball field dedicated to Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez
Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez speaks at the dedication of the ballfield named for him. [Vivianne Couts] Several local students were late for the first day of school Monday, but they had a good excuse: They are members of the Mason District Little League and attended the dedication of a new baseball field at Mason District Park, … Continued