School board approves later high school start time
Advocates for later school start times pack a school board meeting last month. [Photo from SLEEP.] The Fairfax County School Board by a vote of 11 to 1 Oct. 23 approved later start times for high schools, beginning in the 2015-16 school year. High school would start between 8 and 8:10 a.m. and end between … Continued
Community leaders invited to disaster preparedness sessions
Volunteer Fairfax has received a grant to facilitate community collaboration to prepare for disaster and is hosting a pilot program in the Mason, Braddock, and Sully districts. Leaders of community association, HOAs, community-based organizations, nonprofits, PTAs, faith-based groups, and first responders in Mason District are encouraged to attend a seminar and table-top exercise. The seminar … Continued
Fire damages Annandale condo
A fire in a condo at 4653 Logsdon Drive, Annandale, Oct. 22 caused an estimated $40,000 in damages, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports. Firefighters responded to the fire at approximately 3:50 p.m., encountering smoke and fire coming from the front of the ground-level, two-bedroom unit. The occupants were home at the time … Continued
Annandale Atoms: ‘most unique’ high school mascot in the region
The Atoms of Annandale High School came in first in the “most unique mascot” poll sponsored by WUSA News Channel 9. The voting was a sweep for AHS, with 2,169 votes for the Atoms. The Maret Frogs came in second with just 285 votes. Other mascots in the running included the Richard Montgomery Rockets (12), … Continued
New details emerge on Southeast Quadrant project in Bailey’s Crossroads
A rendering of the proposed apartment building calls it “Columbia Crossroads.” Plans under discussion for the “Southeast Quadrant” of Columbia Pike include a five-story apartment building and a new urban-style elementary school. This 7.4-acre site lies between Moncure Avenue and Radley Acura. Part of that site, currently occupied by the Bailey’s International Center office building, … Continued
Celebrate Halloween early at Parklawn Spooky 5K/1K Saturday
The race t-shirt. Everyone in the Annandale/Mason area is invited to get in the Halloween spirit and come out to the first annual Parklawn Spooky 5K/1K Saturday, Oct. 25, sponsored by the Parklawn Civic Association. The wearing of costumes by runners and spectators is encouraged. The organizers have already reached their goal of 100 runners, … Continued
Maggiano’s brings Italian classics to Springfield Town Center
By Mark Heckathorn Maggiano’s Little Italy opened at the new Springfield Town Center, formerly the Springfield Mall, on Oct. 17. This is Maggiano’s 49th restaurant and joins others in Tysons Corner and D.C. The Springfield restaurant seats 279 in two dining rooms and the bar and another 28 on the patio. It added about 150 … Continued
Gross seeks input on creation of large-area Community Parking District
Do you want trucks, recreational vehicles, and boats banned from residential streets in Mason District? Mason Supervisor Penny Gross is gauging public interest in creating a large-area Community Parking District. If your neighborhood would support being part of a large-area CPD, let Gross know by sending an email to [email protected] with “large-area CPD” in the … Continued
MS-13 gang members indicted for murder in Northern Virginia
Thirteen members of the La Mara Salvatrucha gang (MS-13) were indicted for three murders, one attempted murder, and other charges in Northern Virginia, states a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on whether this case is connected with the extensive FBI … Continued
Help Stuart HS boosters raise funds for artificial turf fields
A Stuart football game. [Turf Stuart photo] The JEB Stuart High School Athletic Boosters Club is reaching out to the broader community to help raise funds for artificial turf football and baseball fields. Turf fields cost more than $1 million to install but cost less to maintain than grass fields and are more durable in … Continued
Jim Webb urges Democrats to focus on income inequality
Webb Former Sen. Jim Webb may or may not be actively contemplating a run for the presidency but he certainly sounded like a candidate in a brief speech at a brunch sponsored by the Mason District Democratic Committee Oct. 18. When asked if he is running for president, Webb told the Annandale Blog, “not at … Continued
Lotte international grocery will replace Safeway in Ravensworth Shopping Center
A rendering of the shopping center after remodeling. The Safeway at the Ravensworth Shopping Center will close this winter and will be replaced with a Lotte Plaza international grocery store. That change is part of a project to renovate the shopping center outlined at a community meeting Oct. 16. “We want to create a warm, … Continued
Shoppers converge on new Springfield Town Center
Several hundred people gathered for the grand opening of the new Springfield Town Center Oct. 17. It replaces the old Springfield Mall, which opened in 1973 and had declined in recent years as an increasing number of stores became vacant. The new 1.3 million square foot shopping structure is still a mall, although it boasts … Continued
Pedestrian fatality in Seven Corners
A woman crossing Leesburg Pike near Row Street in Seven Corners was struck by a car at about 9:45 p.m. on Oct. 16, the Mason Police District reports. The pedestrian, Irma Taracena, 61, of Munson Hill Road in Falls Church, was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Taracena was struck by a … Continued
Bailey’s principal sued for discrimination and harassment
Principal Marie Lemmon greets students on the first day of school at the new Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. The complaints about Bailey’s Elementary School Principal Marie Lemmon outlined in a lawsuit charging her with discrimination and harassment are similar to the experiences of other current and former employees. “I can’t attest to the facts in … Continued