Task force fails to reach a consensus on a meals tax referendum
An anti-meals tax sign at Silverado’s in Annandale. Many restaurant owners oppose a meals tax, while advocates for more funding for schools, libraries, the arts, and social services support it. A task force appointed by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova to consider whether a meals tax referendum should be put on the … Continued
New dining options under consideration for Columbia Pike
Botanica Pombagira, the small shop at 7025 Columbia Pike, Annandale, that sold candles, incense, and religious items, has closed. A representative of the owners said they are moving to Maryland where the rents are lower. That shop opened just under a year ago in a building that formerly housed Anna ’N Dales Newsstand. Other tenants … Continued
Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club distributes funds to local charities
From the left: Mary Anne Lecos of ACCA; Nan Monday, Homestretch; Maria Demarest, Helping Hands; Jasmine Witcher of Bethany House; Kevin Holland, Rotary; Ian Charles, youth football, and David Feld, Rotary. The Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club distributed checks to several local charities at the group’s June 13 breakfast meeting. Organizations receiving funds include Helping Hands, … Continued
Celebrate with us at Blogapalooza!
Blogapalooza!, the Annandale Blog’s five-year anniversary party and community-building event, is less than two weeks away. We’ve got four local bands lined up—Space Junk Jammers, Swell, RootzBoyz, and Big Hot Mess—plus a Zumba dance-off hosted by Pro Maxx Fitness. Blogapalooza is happening June 28, 7 p.m., at the pavilion at the Broyhill Crest Recreation Club, … Continued
FCPS Superintendent responds to leadership crisis at Stuart HS
Following weeks of turmoil within the JEB Stuart High School community over concerns about the competence of the school’s leadership, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza is taking action to bring in administrative support. Among the problems cited at several recent meetings of parents and community members and in letters to FCPS administrators: Stuart’s … Continued
Ossian Hall Park showcases world cultures
Young performers at Chinese Cultural Heritage Night at Ossian Hall Park. Enjoy a musical experience featuring a different culture Saturday evenings all summer long at Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale. The first show of the year was June 7, featuring music and dance from China. Tonight’s show, at 7:30 p.m., offers a glimpse … Continued
Clayton Joyner Scholarship awarded to FCHS swim captain James Sturges
Joyner (left) and Sturges The first Clayton Joyner Scholarship was awarded to Falls Church High School senior James Sturges. The award honors FCHS swim coach and FCHS alum Clayton Joyner, who died May 5. Known as Coach CJ, Joyner also coached the swim team at Holmes Run Pool. Sturges is an outstanding scholar and athlete. … Continued
Renovations to start soon at Kings Park Shopping Center
The new look for the Kings Park Shopping Center. Renovations are beginning soon at the Kings Park Shopping Center, which is west of Annandale between Braddock Road, Burke Lake Road, and Rolling Road. The Giant grocery store will be expanded from its current size, 28,000 square feet, to just over 50,000 square feet. The new … Continued
RSU committee disbands after failing to reach a consensus
The RSU Committee in charge of developing a recommendation for a new zoning ordinance allowing residential studio units has been unable to reach a consensus. The group passed a motion at its June 9 meeting requesting the committee be disbanded. That doesn’t mean the issue is dead; the Fairfax County Planning Commission could always draft … Continued
Former Annandale HS students arrested for Craigslist robberies
Left to right: Lotongo, Williams, Obripau, and Haddou. [Channel 4 News photo] Fairfax County police have released the names of four people arrested for participating in robberies and brutal assaults in the Annandale area that started with ads on Craigslist, Channel 4 News reports. The suspects are Wendy Lotongo, 19, of Alexandria; David Williams, 20; … Continued
Public encouraged to comment on Seven Corners Task redevelopment proposal
Fairfax County planner Bernie Suchicital presents the draft Seven Corners plan text at the June 10 task force meeting. The public will have a chance to weigh in on a proposal for guiding future development of Seven Corners at the next meeting of the Seven Corners Land Use and Transportation Task Force June 23. The … Continued
Don Beyer wins Democratic primary
Beyer Don Beyer easily won the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District June 10 with 46 percent of the vote. Beyer hopes to succeed Rep. Jim Moran (D), who’s represented the 8th district since 1991. Beyer, 63, is the owner of nine dealerships in Northern Virginia, is a former Virginia lieutenant governor, former Democratic … Continued
Lincolnia cemetery for indigents nearing completion
The cemetery for indigents under construction in Lincolnia. The existing graves are in the background. The cemetery for indigents under construction at 6217 Lincolnia Road is expected to be completed by the end of June or early July, says Ken Lim of the Construction Management division in the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and … Continued
Stuart HS community unhappy with school’s leadership
Stuart High School There is growing concern among parents and community members about what they see as inadequate leadership and declining morale at JEB Stuart High School—along with frustration that neither Stuart Principal Prosperanta Calhoun nor the FCPS leadership have satisfactorily responded to the complaints. The school got low rankings compared to other Fairfax County … Continued
Local residents weigh options for later high school start times
People hash out the pros and cons of various school schedules at a meeting at Poe Middle School in Annandale. The majority of parents, teachers, community residents, and students who came to a meeting at Poe Middle School June 7 on later high school start times seemed to favor an option calling for high school … Continued