Developer cuts off water to 96-year-old homeowner who refused buyout
Jeanne Simmons After AvalonBay purchased the Hillwood Square community in Falls Church earlier this year, all the residents met the Aug. 23 move-out deadline—except for one. The remaining holdout is Jeanne Simmons, a 96-year-old former teacher who has lived in the development for 57 years. On Aug. 28, the developer gave Simmons a five-day notice … Continued
Police search for missing Falls Church man
Scott Police detectives are searching for information leading to the whereabouts of a missing 27-year-old man from the Falls Church area. Eugene M. Scott, of the 600 block of Roosevelt Boulevard, was reported missing on Aug. 27. He did not show up for work, and his employer became concerned and called the police. It is … Continued
FXCO Board of Supervisors sets hearing on Parklawn cell tower
A sign at the entrance to the Parklawn Pool advertises a Board of Supervisors hearing on the cell tower. After the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals rejected an application for a special permit exception to allow a cell tower on property owned by the Parklawn Pool, people who live closed to the proposed site … Continued
Healthway closes after 35 years in Annandale
Annandale lost another long-time business Aug. 24 when Healthway Natural Foods shut its doors after 35 years at 4113 John Marr Drive. The owner, Elizabeth Dicks, blames the landlord for refusing to fix needed repairs to the building. The roof was leaking, causing ceiling tiles to become bloated and fall down, and the landlord refused … Continued
FXCO orders community to plant 400 trees and shrubs – or be penalized
The site in dispute is between the Glen Forest Pool and Long Branch Creek. When residents of Glen Forest in Bailey’s Crossroads decided to clean up a vacant area next to the community pool—clearing out poison ivy and other vines—to provide a nice, safe space for picnics and children’s recreation, they had no idea they … Continued
Braddock Elementary has a new principal
Jackson-Muir Keesha Jackson-Muir has been appointed principal of Braddock Elementary School in Annandale, effective Aug. 28. Braddock has 588 students in prekindergarten through grade 5. Jackson-Muir has served as an assistant principal at Parklawn Elementary School since 2010. Before that, she was a gifted and talented specialist at Fort Belvoir and Beech Tree elementary schools, worked … Continued
Library staff, supporters battling plan to overhaul library system
George Mason Regional Library. With a crucial library board meeting approaching, library employees and “friends” groups are mobilizing support from officials, community groups, and patrons to urge the board to roll back plans to restructure the library system and downgrade the professional qualifications of employees. The Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees will consider major … Continued
Buenos Grill to close Aug. 30
The Buenos Grill when it opened last fall. Another Annandale business is shutting down: Buenos Grill is closing Aug. 30 after just 10 months in operation. “It wasn’t financially feasible for us to stay open. It wasn’t working out,” said General Manager Christina Lee. “We had high hopes when it opened. Some days were really … Continued
Festival celebrates Vietnamese culture
The lion dance. Culture, arts, and cuisine of the three regions of Vietnam were showcased at VietFest 2013 at Landmark Mall this weekend. The second annual celebration was aimed at reaching out to the younger generation of Vietnamese Americans and the broader community, said the organizer, Daniel Albert. The first VietFest last year drew 6,000 … Continued
Annandale Boy Scout achieves Eagle status at age 14
Michael Paladino (right) recites the Eagle Promise with Scoutmaster Larry Wood. Very few Boy Scouts make it to the Eagle Scout level and it’s much rarer to achieve that distinction before entering high school. That makes Michael Paladino’s accomplishments that much more remarkable. He was just 14 when he achieved Eagle Scout status, the highest … Continued
Peruvian cultural heritage showcased at Ossian Hall Park
The cultural heritage celebration at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale Aug. 24 featured traditional music and dance from different regions of Peru. The program was organized by Centro Cultural Peru, a nonprofit organization that promotes Peruvian dance and folklore. Tinkuy uses a mix of traditional and modern instruments. Marinera Nortena, a dance from the … Continued
Fairfax County hosts free workshops for business owners
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority starts its third annual Marketing Communications Strategies and Tactics workshop series for entrepreneurs and business owners next month. There are five sessions, and they’re all free: Sept. 18: Promoting Your Startup—Musts and Mistakes Nov. 20: Affordable Ways to Advertise Your Small Business Jan. 15, 2014: LinkedIn for Marketing Pros … Continued
VietFest this weekend at Landmark Mall
Lion dance. Celebrate all things Vietnamese—food, entertainment, contests, culture, and much more—this weekend at the second annual VietFest at the Sears parking lot at Landmark Mall, 5801 Duke St., Alexandra. This year’s theme is “Beautiful Vietnam.” Highlights include a pho-eating competition (1 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25), a crawfish eating competition (12:30 p.m. both days), … Continued
Vanessa Pham’s killer gets 49 years
Vanessa Pham A jury recommended a 49-year prison sentence for Julio Blanco Garcia Aug. 22, just two hours after they found him guilty of first-degree murder for killing Vanessa Pham, age 19, three years ago. Pham’s body had been found in a car in a ditch on the side of Route 50 in Merrifield with … Continued
Opponents of I-95 ramp continuing to press for pollution monitoring
Pylons for the ramp are under construction. After months of trying to get government officials to halt construction of a ramp on Interstate 95 between the Edsall Road and Route 236 exits, members of the citizen advocacy group Concerned Residents of Landmark are disappointed that the ramp is being built, but “we haven’t given up,” … Continued