Child causes house fire in Annandale
A 6-year-old child playing with matches caused a house fire in Annandale Feb. 26 resulting in damages estimated at $250,000. No one was hurt, but five people were displaced, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. When fire units arrived at about 9:45 a.m., they observed fire showing from a bedroom window in the … Continued
The school year won’t end early
Remember snow? This was Annandale in February 2014. Since it’s been an unseasonably mild winter with no now and thus no school closures due to bad weather – at least, so far – does that mean the school year could end earlier in the June? The answer from Fairfax County Public Schools is “no.” Here’s … Continued
New Thai restaurant opens in Annandale
A new restaurant, called Nua Haus, opened in Annandale specializing in the spicy cuisine of northeast Thailand, sushi, and a wide variety of craft beer. It’s at 7203 Columbia Pike in the building vacated by Imm Thai Cuisine. Grace Griffith, the co-owner of Nua Haus, says Imm closed because the owners wanted to concentrate on … Continued
Volunteers help lower-income residents file taxes
AARP Volunteers provide tax assistance. [AARP Foundation] Need help filing your income tax forms? Volunteers with the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program are providing free walk-in tax assistance to low to moderate-income people at the Mason Government Center Tax Aide volunteers will be there 1-8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and … Continued
Shear Shack is latest tenant to vacate Pinecrest Plaza
Pinecrest Plaza on Route 236 and Braddock Road now has seven vacancies, since Shear Shack moved out Feb. 24. With space for 32 tenants, nearly a third of the shopping center is empty. Shear Shack relocated to 205 S. Whiting St., #306, in Alexandria, in the Landmark area. The salon and day spa has been in … Continued
The Pipeline Playwrights host readings of new plays
From the left: Patricia Connelly, Jean Koppen, Soo-Jin Lee and Ann Timmons. [Pipeline Playwrights] By David Siegel Northern Virginia is very much alive in its support for original play development by local playwrights. The diversity of the Northern Virginia demographic provides for fresh experiences to base a play on. One example is the recent launch … Continued
Truck bursts into flames on Gallows Road
A screen grab from the video of a truck fire on Gallows Roads. A tractor trailer was engulfed in flames after it was involved in an accident with an SUV on Gallows Road by the Lee Highway intersection in Merrifield at 5:43 a.m. Feb. 23, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. The drivers … Continued
School news – Lego logo
A Lego creation by professionals. An occasional series highlighting information about Fairfax County Public Schools and programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information here is from FCPS and individual schools. A representatives from the Lego company’s U.S. headquarters in Connecticut visited Mason Crest Elementary School Feb. 21 to present a … Continued
Police officer on leave after crash
A Fairfax County Police officer with the Mason station has been placed on restricted duty following a crash in Seven Corners, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. The officer, who has been with the department for two years, was responding to a call for a disorderly man in the 6100 block of Arlington Boulevard at … Continued
Task force to focus on future of Lincolnia
Traffic congestion at the Beauregard Street/Little River Turnpike intersection on a weekday evening. The key issue for the newly formed Lincolnia Planning District Study Task Force is to determine whether a “community business center” (CBC) should be established in Lincolnia and, if so, where it should be. In a CBC, the focus is on mixed-use … Continued
Police arrest robbery suspect
Canales [FCPD] Recent arrests reported by the Fairfax County Police Department include an incident in Bailey’s Crossroads involving robbery and malicious wounding. Police believe the suspect may be responsible for 11 recent street robberies. Police officers and detectives were at the intersection of Bellview Drive and Glen Carlin Drive investigating a recent string of robberies … Continued
The soundscape of MetroStage’s ‘The Gin Game’ Rocks!
Fonsia (Roz White) and Weller (Doug Brown). [Photo by Christopher Banks] By David Siegel I love being surprised when I go to the theater. Recently, I went to a play, “The Gin Game” (at MetroStage in Alexandria through March 12) and became totally smitten with the textures of its music design. It was a soundscape … Continued
Neighbors reach out to victims of hate, public officials at postcard-writing party
Local residents send messages of support, gratitude, and advocacy. A few dozen local residents gathered on Friday evening for a postcard-writing party to commemorate Random Acts of Kindness Day. They sent messages of support to victims of hate crimes, thanked public officials for doing positive things, and urged other officials to focus on human rights. … Continued
Home assessments are up 1.3 percent in Annandale
Real estate assessments rose an average of 0.68 percent from 2016 to 2017 for residential homes in Fairfax County. The average home is assessed at $533,168. Residential assessments in Annandale rose an average of 1.32 percent, the second highest increase of any area except Burke. The average home value in Annandale is $451,164. The biggest … Continued
In the Moment: the Jewish Plays Project at the JCC
Sarah Berry [JPP] By David Siegel We in the D.C. theater community are constantly on the prowl for new voices with diverse mindsets and new plays on emerging issues. There are many ongoing efforts to bring new playwrights and plays to the attention of theater leadership, current patrons, and a new generation of theater-goers. One … Continued