Improvements to White Gardens to start this summer
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is starting work this summer on improvements to the John C. & Margaret K. White Gardens, a 13-acre park in Falls Church between Annandale Road and Sleepy Hollow Road. The Whites had cultivated rhododendrons and azaleas on the property, which they purchased in 1939. After John died, Margaret sold … Continued
New Master Plan approved for Green Spring Gardens
One of the ponds at Green Spring Gardens. A revised Master Plan for Green Spring Gardens calls for a potential expansion of the Horticulture Center, an outdoor classroom, a greater focus on historic preservation, and improved pedestrian and bicycle access. The new plan, approved by the Park Authority Board in April, serves as a guide … Continued
Mixed-use project planned for shopping center on Route 50
Big changes are coming to Graham Park Plaza, the shopping center on Route 50 in Falls Church that used to be called Loehmann’s Plaza. The owner, Federal Realty Investment Trust, wants to tear down the western half of the shopping center and replace it with a mixed-use development with 250 apartments, a parking deck, a … Continued
Reward offered for tips on burglary suspect at Annandale apartments
The Avant Apartments. Fairfax County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of $100 to $1,000 for information to help police catch suspects in a series of burglaries at the Avant Apartments in Annandale. The burglaries took place in April and May, usually between 8 and 10 a.m. Items taken include coins, cash, and jewelry. The … Continued
Annandale is getting a new Middle Eastern restaurant
The site of Al Hamra in central Annandale. Al Hamra, a Middle Eastern restaurant is coming to 7314 Annandale Road in the spot that had been occupied by Parrillas del Sur. The owner, Naseem Siddiqui, anticipates opening in June. Siddiqui owns the Al Hamra Halal Cafe in Redondo Beach, Calif., and says the menu will … Continued
Home for sale in Annandale was built by students
A brand-new home for sale in Annandale has a unique back story: It was built by youths with special needs who attend an alternative school run by Phillips Programs for Children and Families. The light green house at 6436 Holyoke Drive has four bedrooms, three and a-half bathrooms, two gas fireplaces, marble counter tops in … Continued
Scouts commemorate Memorial Day
Scout Troop 150 carries out flag ceremony. [Photos by Jason Anderson] The Boy Scouts know what Memorial Days is all about. Members of Troop 150 placed American flags on the graves of soldiers at the cemetery on Columbia Pike adjoining the Annandale United Methodist Church this morning, reports parent Jason Anderson. Some of the … Continued
Free summer concerts start June 1
The amphitheater at Mason District Park. Mason District’s Spotlight by Starlight summer concerts start Wednesday, June 1, 7:30 p.m., with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (American roots) at Mason District Park on Columbia Pike in Annandale. The first of the 2016 series of international shows at Ossian Hall Park is Saturday, June 4, 7:30 p.m., … Continued
Outdoor fitness equipment installed at Lincolnia Park
Who needs to join a gym, when you can exercise for free at the new outdoor fitness equipment at Lincolnia Park? The park, at 6295 Eighth St., Alexandria, has fitness machines similar the gear in regular gyms. The outdoor gym, designed for people 14 and older, provides a complete workout to build muscle strength, improve … Continued
McWhorter trail project will improve connectivity
The dead end at the McWhorter Place cul de sac. A trail project to connect McWhorter Place at the cul de sac in Annandale where the two parts of the road are dead ends will provide a smooth path for bicyclists and fix the drainage problems plaguing homeowners. Click on map to enlarge. [Google Maps] … Continued
Planning Commission approves townhouses at Heritage Mall
The site of a future townhouse development. The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment May 26 to facilitate a redevelopment project behind the Heritage Mall shopping center on Heritage Road in Annandale. The project, to be developed by the Webb Cos. and Madison Homes, calls for 68 single-family attached homes, a … Continued
Combination residences/office space proposed for Bailey’s Crossroads
5600 Columbia Pike. Something new and innovative could happen at the long-vacant office building at 5600 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. Novus Residences, a subsidiary of Cafritz Interests, is proposing to convert the 10-story building to a mix of residential and office spaces where tenants could live, or work, or do both. The building would … Continued
Annandale resident will be on Jeopardy! tomorrow night
Jeopardy host Alex Trebek and contestant Dan Rothfarb. Annandale resident Dan Rothfarb has always wanted to be on Jeopardy! And he finally got his wish. He appears on the quiz show Thursday, May 26, 7:30 p.m., on WJLA-TV (channel 7). The show was filmed in March, on the Sony lot in Los Angeles, but Rothfarb … Continued
Lincolnia residents speak out against homeless shelter relocation
An overflow crowd at the MDLUC meeting. An overflow crowd showed up at the Mason District Land Use Committee meeting May 24 to voice their opposition to Fairfax County’s plans for relocating the Bailey’s Crossroads homeless shelter to a field behind the Lincolnia Senior Center on N. Chambliss Street. Local residents are concerned about the … Continued
Stuart community discusses pros and cons of changing high school’s name
School board member Sandy Evans speaks at a community meeting at Stuart High School. Members of the Stuart High School community filled the school’s cafeteria Monday night to talk about whether Stuart should be renamed. This was the first step in a process initiated by the Fairfax County School Board in a community engagement process … Continued