New after-school program focuses on literacy
Kids and volunteers in the Read-Aloud program at the Wedgewood Community Center. Several dozen children who live in the Wedgwood garden apartments in Annandale gathered at the complex’s community center after school on April 18 for a literacy-based program sponsored by the Reading Connection. Volunteers read them stories, the children made maracas, they had a … Continued
Annandale traffic in real time
Annandale blog readers Kate and Jeff Howard put together time-lapse videos for rush hour traffic patterns in Annandale. The Howards, the team behind Hotels Near DC Metro, did the videos for a five-day period between 2 and 7 p.m. a few weeks ago when there were no snowstorms or other bad weather. The video shown … Continued
Cut energy costs with a thermal camera available from libraries
Thermal cameras show where energy is being wasted. Fairfax County libraries have thermal cameras available to borrow that can be used to check for air leaks and areas of poor insulation in your home. The devices, which attach to a smart phone, are available to anyone with a library card. By spotlighting those areas, homeowners … Continued
Annandale bank robbed
The suspect [FCPD] The Wells Fargo Bank at 4260 John Marr Drive, Annandale, was robbed just before 1:30 p.m. on April 18, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. A man walked into the bank, implied that he had a weapon and announced a robbery. A bank employee handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, and the … Continued
Local residents raise concerns about townhouse proposal for Gallows Road
This wooded area in Annandale, seen from Libeau Lane, could be the site of a new townhouse development. People who live near a proposed townhouse development on Gallows Road in Annandale raised concerns about traffic congestion, school capacity, parking, and quality of life at a community meeting April 17. The Christopher Companies, a real estate … Continued
Annandale HS orchestra director nominated for Teacher of the Year
Ammerman [FCPS] Angela Ammerman, the orchestra director at Annandale High School, has been selected to represent Fairfax County Public Schools in the Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year program. Ammerman has been recognized for her innovative and successful teaching methods. She believes all students have the ability to make music and tirelessly recruits students from … Continued
Shots fired outside The Block
Fairfax County Police are investigating an incident involving the brandishing and discharge of a weapon outside The Block, 4221 John Marr Drive, Annandale, at around 12:25 a.m. on April 17. Police responded to reports of a large fight in the parking lot by the collection of food vendors, states an item in the FCPD blotter. … Continued
New environmental group focuses on ridding streams of plastic water bottles
Trash in Accotink Creek. [TAWF] A new organization, the Northern Virginia Trash Action Work Force, invites the public to a peaceful demonstration to highlight the environmental damage caused by disposable plastic water bottles. The event, the group’s first civic action, will be May 8, 7-10 a.m., in front of the headquarters of the International Bottled … Continued
Registration for school-based summer program for kids starts next week
Rec-PAC staff for the Annandale area. It’s not too early to start lining up summer activities for your kids. One good option is Rec-PAC, a six-week structured recreation program for children in grades 1-6 that runs July 5-Aug. 10 at public elementary schools. Rec-PAC (Pretty Awesome Children) is operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority. … Continued
Jim Scott, former state delegate and county supervisor, passes away
James M. “Jim” Scott, former member of the House of Delegates, passed away April 13 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Scott was born in 1938 in Galax, Va. He was first elected to public office in 1971, as a Democrat, representing the Providence District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Among his accomplishments on the board: … Continued
A salon for young ‘princesses’ to open in Annandale
The future home of Princess’land. Princess’land, a spa for girls at 7224 Columbia Pike, could open within the next few weeks, says owner Melissa Ochoa. It will offer such services as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, facials, and makeovers for kids age 4-18. Princess’land will also host special events, such as birthday parties; bridal and baby showers; … Continued
Suspect arrested for hate crimes
Mahone [FCPD] Fairfax County Police arrested Dylan Mahone, 20, of Annandale, April 12 in connection with three recent hate-motivated incidents. Two incidents occurred overnight on April 11 at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia and the Little River United Church of Christ in Annandale. The other incident involved anti-Semitic flyers posted on the Annandale … Continued
Volunteers encouraged to serve on advisory council for Bailey’s Crossroads shelter
Only a handful of local residents came to an informational session April 12 about starting a new advisory council for the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter, so the people who did show up agreed to hold off on selecting officers until more community outreach is undertaken. The shelter, at 3525 Moncure Avenue, has a new director. … Continued
Community theater relocates to Mason District
The cast rehearses “Taking Sides,” [Port City Playhouse] Port City Playhouse, a community theater group that had been based in Alexandria since it was founded in 1977, has relocated to Mason District. The theater group moved into its new home at Sleepy Hollow Methodist Church, at 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, in November. Since … Continued
Jewish community center and church attacked with racist, Anti-Semitic graffiti
Defaced signs in front of Little River United Church of Christ in Annandale. [Josh Byrd] Two religious institutions in the Annandale area were hit with racist and antisemitic graffiti during the night. The Fairfax County Police Department received a call at 7:13 a.m. about “racially biased graffiti, slurs, and possibly symbols,” at the … Continued
