Treasure Trove takes over Bloom space for temporary ‘sidewalk sale’
The former Bloom store in the Annandale Shopping Center remains empty since the grocery store closed in winter 2012. There are still no plans for a new occupant, but at least the space is sometimes put to good use, reports a volunteer with the Treasure Trove shop. An empty store was transformed into a … Continued
Local school celebrates Shakespeare
Unicorns made an appearance at the Westminster School’s Shakespeare Festival May 21. The mythical creatures, named Sparkle and Twinkle, gave children rides, while the school celebrated the bard in a big way, with costumed jugglers and mimes, a “fire fairy dance,” a maypole dance, crafts, sonnet recitations, and performances of scenes from “Julius Caesar” and … Continued
Volunteers are working hard to make Annandale beautiful
The median between Little River Turnpike and the service road. There might be lots to complain about in Annandale (see the viral video, for example), but some residents are working hard to make the community beautiful, including the Annandale Women’s Club and local shop owners who have planted flowers done some nice landscaping. On Friday … Continued
Annandale video goes viral
Dodging traffic in Annandale: a screen shot from the video by Angelo Mike. Angelo Mike doesn’t actually hate Annandale – despite the hilarious video he made titled “Welcome to the Shithole of Annandale VA,” which got to the top spot on the video page on Reddit a couple of days ago. And that’s a big … Continued
Pedestrian killed on Leesburg Pike
A screen grab from a video of the crash scene. A pedestrian trying to cross Leesburg Pike in the Culmore area was struck by a vehicle and killed at about 3:40 p.m. on May 18. Click here for a video of the crash scene from the Culmore Neighbors Association’s Facebook page. Medardo Carrillo Arias, 71, … Continued
Bicycling improvements considered for Little River Turnpike
A service road on Little River Turnpike by Medford Drive. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has $7.35 million to spend on bicycling improvements along Little River Turnpike and is seeking public input on what should be done. Currently, bicyclists along the LRT corridor traverse a mix of paved shoulders, sidewalks, trails, parking lots, and … Continued
Residents discuss options on future of Lake Accotink
About 100 people attend a meeting at Kings Glen Elementary School in Springfield on the future of Lake Accotink. Members of the public heard about five options for dealing with the silt build-up in Lake Accotink, including the possibility of severely limiting the size of the lake or even transforming it into wetlands. Dozens of … Continued
Supervisors to vote on meals tax referendum on June 7
A sign in Silverado. On June 7, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on whether a meals tax should be put to voters on the Nov. 8 election ballot. If the board approves the referendum, Fairfax County citizens will be able to vote yes or no on a meals tax on … Continued
Trail project planned for McWhorter Place
McWhorter Place. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is planning to construct a trail on McWhorter Place in Annandale. There will be a community meeting on the project May 25 in the cafeteria of Annandale High School. The agenda includes an open house with a display of proposed improvements at 7 p.m. and a presentation … Continued
Gross names Charles DeSeve and Debo Burk Lord and Lady Fairfax
Debo Burk Deborah “Debo” Burk and Charles DeSeve have been designated Mason District’s 2016 Lady and Lord Fairfax, respectively. The two were named by Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross for their efforts to improve the quality of life for local residents, Gross wrote in her “A Penny for Your Thoughts” column in the Falls Church … Continued
Former Annandale fire chief dies
Joseph Paul Gura Sr., former chief and life member of the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD), died May 9, at the age of 70 at ManorCare Health Services-Alexandria. Known as “Metro Joe,” Gura was born in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Annandale High School in 1966. He worked for Metro for 40 years, first as … Continued
New ped bridge installed in Broyhill Crest
A new pedestrian bridge was installed over a creek in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood on May 14 – just 52 days after the old decaying bridge was removed and Mason Supervisor told the community there was no money for a replacement bridge, and just 24 days after Gross reported the Park Authority found the money. … Continued
Crime report: assault by mob
The following recent crimes in the Annandale/Mason District area were reported in the Fairfax County Police Department’s daily blotter: Assault by mob: A 21-year-old man was walking home on the 6000 block of Bellview Drive in the Culmore area at about 2:50 a.m. on May 12 when he was assaulted by five males wearing black … Continued
Federal grant supports public art project in Seven Corners
A public art project is planned for the area between Arlington Boulevard and Sleepy Hollow Road in Seven Corners The Arts Council of Fairfax County’s “Image Art Here” initiative, calling for the creation of temporary public art in Seven Corners and Springfield, has been approved for a $40,000 grant from the National Endowment for the … Continued
Brewery coming to Mosaic District
The tasting room at the Caboose Brewery in Vienna. [Caboose] Caboose Brewing Company is opening a new brewery in the Mosaic District in Merrifield. To celebrate the announcement – and the first anniversary of its brewery and restaurant in Vienna – Caboose is hosting a beer fest Sunday, May 15, noon-4 p.m., in Mosaic’s Strawberry … Continued