Funeral chapel proposed near Backlick Shopping Center
The Mustafa Center The Mason District Land Use Committee is expected to hear a proposal Sept. 23 from the Afghan Academy for a funeral chapel at 6839 Braddock Road, Annandale. It would be across the street from the Mustafa Center, a mosque associated with the Afghan Academy. People who live nearby are concerned that the … Continued
Providence Players invite students and seniors to free previews
The Providence Players of Fairfax, a nonprofit community theater troupe performing at the James Lee CommunityCenter, is offering a free preview performance of each upcoming production this season for local students (and their teachers and guests) and seniors. The first free preview in this series will be Thursdays, Oct. 2, 7 p.m., for “Of Mice … Continued
Annandale firefighters inspecting residents’ smoke detectors
Annandale Station 8 Capt. Ralph Pisani (left) and crew member on Bradley Circle in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood. Firefighters from Annandale Fire Station #8 on Columbia Pike were out knocking on residents’ doors on Saturday checking to see if resident have working smoke detectors. If they don’t, the firefighters give them a new smoke detector … Continued
Man charged in connection with human trafficking, abducting a teenage girl
Contreras Detectives from Fairfax County Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit have charged a Mason District resident after they discovered he had allegedly abducted a 17-year-old girl, kept her in a locked room and victimized and exploited her. According to a FCPD report, the young woman was missing for over three months, but no one ever … Continued
FCPS lauds Falls Church High School library
A discussion with authors fills the Falls Church High School library. [FCHS photo] Students at Falls Church High School, one of the smallest high schools in Fairfax County Public Schools, were some the top users of their school library during the 2013-14 school year, according to an FCPS press release. The school averaged 4.8 books … Continued
Judge upholds eviction of Pro Maxx Fitness from shopping center
Fairfax County Courthouse The judge hearing the Pro Maxx Fitness eviction case in Fairfax County General District Court Sept. 19 upheld the eviction and ordered the gym’s owners to pay $35,000 in back rent to Carol Zach Reuss, the property manager of Annandale Shopping Center. The gym must vacate by Sept. 30. Reuss later told … Continued
Free workshop on how faith communities can grow food for the needy
Members of Columbia Baptist Church raise food for the needy. The public is invited to a free workshop in Annandale on how faith communities can develop gardens to benefit local food pantries or members of their congregation. The “Community Garden Harvests that Make a Difference” workshop takes place Sunday, Sept. 28, 3-5 p.m., at the … Continued
Tysons redevelopment will transform the entire region
Part of the proposed Arbor Row development in the Westpark Drive area of Tysons. A hundred and fifty years ago, Tysons Corners was literally the intersection of two roads, with not much else. It’s now a traffic-clogged employment center poised to become a big city with a lot more residents. And its name is being … Continued
Commentary: Ray Rice incident highlights need to protect abuse victims
By Jasmin Witcher With all the recent focus on the Rice family, the NFL, and questions as to who viewed the video and knew what, and when, I believe we should stop judging and pointing fingers and start focusing on the larger issue. Domestic violence is a local and a national problem that knows no … Continued
Loehmann’s Plaza renamed Graham Park Plaza
With Loehmann’s long gone from Loehmann’s Plaza – the discount clothing company went out of business last January – Federal Realty Investment Trust, the owner of the shopping center on Route 50 in Falls Church, is changing its name from Loehmann’s Plaza to “Graham Park Plaza.” According to a Sept. 16 press release, new signage … Continued
Fairfax County seeks public feedback on bus service
The Seven Corners bus transit center on Arlington Boulevard. Do you take buses regularly to get to a job, shopping center, or someplace else? The Fairfax County Department of Transportation wants to know how you think Metrobus and Fairfax Connector bus service should be improved. FCDOT is soliciting feedback from the public through a series … Continued
Bailey’s Rotary Club auctions off classic Mustang
Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club President Harry Henderson (left) presents $5,000 to Dan Crane of the Wounded Warriors Project. The Rotary Club of Bailey’s Crossroads gave away a classic 1966 Mustang convertible at a drawing during the Wounded Warriors Car Show at Occoquan Regional Park Sept. 14. Rotary Club members with the Mustang. The winner was … Continued
Hotel going up on Route 50
The elevator shaft and stairwell. Construction is well under way on a Hampton Inn & Suites hotel between Arlington Boulevard and South Street in Seven Corners. It should be ready to open by August 2015, says an official with Baywood Hotels, which is developing the project. The building will have 160 units and will be … Continued
New traffic signal for left turns at Braddock and Ravensworth
The Virginia Department of Transportation installed a new signal display at the intersection of Braddock Road and Ravensworth Road last week to make it easier to turn left onto Ravensworth. Up to now, drivers heading eastbound on Braddock trying to turn left on Ravensworth toward central Annandale could only do so if they had a … Continued
Ossian Hall Park is first county park with a tobacco-free zone
The playground at Ossian Hall Park Ossian Hall Park in Annandale will become Fairfax County’s first park with a “tobacco-free play zone.” A ceremony marking the unveiling of a sign announcing the voluntary smoke-free policy will take place at the park Sept. 27, 1 p.m. The Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a policy in … Continued