County drops plans for temporary homeless shelter
A new homeless shelter will be built on this site. The Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter will not be temporarily relocated to a field behind the Lincolnia Senior Center, a plan bitterly opposed by residents who live near that field. “The temporary relocation is no longer necessary because the county recently bought land for a new … Continued
FCPS superintendent resigns
Garza Fairfax County School Superintendent Karen Garza announced her resignation Sept. 19, to take effect Dec. 16. Garza is taking a job as president and CEO of Battelle for Kids, a nonprofit education organization based in Columbus, Ohio. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served this world-class school system since June 2013,” … Continued
Police seize 80+ cats from home of cat hoarder
A cat at the animal shelter rescued from a cat hoarder’s house in Falls Church. Police officers from the animal protection unit removed more than 80 cats from a home in the 7200 block of Westmoreland Road in Falls Church on Sept. 17. The home is owned by a 52-year-old man, the Fairfax County Police … Continued
Bailey’s Crossroads Rotarians convert toy cars for children with disabilities
Young children with disabilities are now able to move themselves around their environment, thanks to the Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club’s support of the Go Baby Go program. Go Baby Go transforms the lives of children with mobility challenges by adapting Barbie cars and other battery-powered ride-on toy cars and four-wheelers for them. Several Bailey’s Crossroads … Continued
Naked bike rider spotted in Annandale park
Fairfax County Police are investigating a report of a naked man riding a bicycle on the 5000 block of Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale at around 3:44 p.m. on Sept. 15. He was observed in Canterbury Woods Park by a 63-year-old woman. The suspect was wearing a bike helmet and had a shirt covering his … Continued
“Pop-up park” will promote community engagement at Taste of Annandale
An example of a “pop-up park” from the Urban Land Institute report on revitalizing Annandale. The Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) is creating a tiny, temporary “pop-up” park in a parking lot at the Taste of Annandale to provide a relaxing place to hang out. “The pop-up park will be a tiny oasis … Continued
Volunteers collecting donated food Saturday at three local Giants
The ACCA food pantry needs to be replenished. [ACCA] On Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., volunteers from several faith communities will be collecting canned goods and other foodstuffs at three Giant stores for local food pantries. This effort is part of the annual Day to Serve project. The volunteers will be accepting donations … Continued
Staples at Pinecrest Plaza closing next month
The sign on Staples’ door. [David Siegel] The Staples store at the Pinecrest Plaza shopping center is closing on Oct. 8. Some items are already marked down, and “everything is going to be on sale,” says store manager Jonathan Wilson. All 10 employees will be transferred to other locations. According to the Wall Street Journal, … Continued
Taste of Annandale is aimed at building community and engaging youths
Taste of Annandale Steering Committee Chair Rev. Clarence Brown (right) speaks at the 2015 festival. Also on the stage are (from the left): Rep. Gerry Connolly, state Sen. Dave Marsden, Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova, and Mason Supervisor Penny Gross. “The Taste of Annandale was created to bring neighbors together to meet and greet … Continued
Little Italy will close in November
Little Italy owner Bob Kochar Little Italy, a neighborhood bar and restaurant that’s been in the Bradlick Shopping Center in Annandale since 1987, will close Nov. 23. The owner, Bob Kochar, plans to retire before his lease expires at the end of November. “It’s time to enjoy life,” he says. Little Italy is a lot … Continued
Support Stuart HS music programs on Tag Day
The Stuart marching band By Nancy Witkowski Here’s your chance to support music in the public schools: Next Saturday, Sept. 17, JEB Stuart High School will be holding its annual Tag Day to raise money for the school’s award-winning band, orchestra, and choir programs. Once a year, on Tag Day, student and parent volunteers spend … Continued
Fairfax County officials push for passage of meals tax
FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza speaks in support of a meals tax. Additional resources are essential if Fairfax County is to maintain a high-quality school system, said Schools Superintendent Karen Garza at a fundraiser Sept. 11 in support of a meals tax. “I’m profoundly proud of our school system and also deeply concerned about its future,” … Continued
Annandale HS Marching Atoms need your support
Annandale HS marching band members Nicky, Ben, and Noah perform for shoppers at the Bradlick Shopping Center. Annandale High School band members have been entertaining shoppers at various locations around the community in an effort to encourage the public to contribute to the school’s music programs. Band members also went door-to-door seeking donations on Tag … Continued
Green Spring Gardens hosts fall garden club for kids
A garden at Green Spring. Green Spring Gardens is offering a Garden Club for kids ages 6-10 this fall. There are three monthly Saturday sessions. The first meeting of the Let’s Grow Garden Club, on Sept. 24, is on the topic salad days. Kids will help harvest the vegetables that grew in the summer to … Continued
Commonwealth’s attorney: Police not criminally culpable in Gianelos’ death
Gianelos Fairfax County Police officers “committed no wrongdoing” in the death of Paul Gianelos, reported Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh in a ruling released by the Fairfax County Police Department Sept. 8. Gianelos, a 45-year-old Annandale resident with autism and an intellectual disability, had wandered away from his caretakers April 20 during an outing at … Continued