Fairfax County students build houses
7005 Spingville Court A brand-new house that will come on the market in Springfield soon for $824,500 is way more than just a house. About three-quarters of it was built by students from several Fairfax County high schools as part of a course on construction technology. One of those students is Bryan Jefferson, a senior … Continued
Restoration of Wakefield Run in Annandale to start this summer
Wakefield Run [Photo by Friends of Accotink Creek] A project to restore Wakefield Run, a tributary of Accotink Creek in Annandale, is expected to start this summer. Wakefield Run begins near Heritage Drive behind Braddock Elementary School, goes under the beltway, and flows into Accotink Creek in Wakefield Park. The stream receives heavy runoff from … Continued
Stop killing your lawn
This is the second piece in a three-part series on lawns by urban forest conservationist Jim McGlone. The first piece, published April 9, explored the forces at play in the popularization of the “great American lawn.” An Annandale homeowner probably put a lot of effort into this lawn. What’s killing your lawn? Chances are, you … Continued
Firefighters burn down Annandale house for training purposes
Residents of the Columbia Pines and Broyhill Crest neighborhoods in Annandale were startled by what looked like a raging out-of-control fire engulfing a house on Murray Lane yesterday. It was actually deliberately set by Fairfax County firefighters for training purposes—with the homeowner’s permission, of course. He is planning to tear down the house and build … Continued
More regulations sought for donation boxes cluttering Annandale
A Planet Aid donation box on the edge of the bowling alley parking lot on Markham Street in central Annandale. The easiest way to recycle old, damaged or out-of-style clothes is to toss them into one of the dozens of clothing donation boxes all over Annandale. You’ll be keeping them out of landfills, and in … Continued
Join the Culmore Cleanup this Saturday
Culmore Cleanup volunteers at last year’s event. Local residents are encouraged to join the 2013 Spring Culmore Cleanup Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon. This semi-annual event has been going on for more than 10 years. It’s a huge collaborative effort that brings together teams from many organizations and companies, as well as individual volunteers, who not only … Continued
NOVA Annandale hosts Green Festival
Everyone’s invited to the Green Festival at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This free, family-oriented event focuses on environmental issues and sustainability. Parking is free, too. Activities include interactive and educational exhibits, children’s entertainment (Billy B, the “Recycling Pirates” puppet show by the Goodlife Theater), wildlife … Continued
Fairfax, Arlington counties still committed to Columbia Pike streetcar line
Fairfax County and Arlington County officials reaffirmed their support for the Columbia Pike Streetcar project even though the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has not included the project in its Small Starts program for fiscal year 2014. “The Columbia Pike Streetcar Project is vitally important to the economic revitalization of Columbia Pike and the Skyline/Bailey’s Crossroads … Continued
Treasure Trove shop celebrates 50 years in Annandale
The Treasure Trove is celebrating its 50th anniversary next weekend with a storewide sale, giveaways, and prize drawings. The consignment/thrift shop, 7010 Columbia Pike in the Annandale Shopping Center, is one of three volunteer-run shops that benefit Inova Fairfax Hospital. Last year, the Treasure Trove raised nearly $300,000 for the hospital, said manager Jodi Shannon, … Continued
Mason District Little League begins season
Dozens of hopeful young baseball players, along with their parents and coaches, gathered at Mason District Park Saturday morning for a ceremony marking the opening day of the Mason District Little League. Following a parade of teams, Rep. Jim Moran, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross, and Mason school board member Sandy Evans offered welcoming remarks. The … Continued
An outdoor classroom will enhance learning at Belvedere Elementary School
Stepping stones wind through Belvedere’s new outdoor classroom. Students, teachers, parents, and the community celebrated the completion of an outdoor classroom at Belvedere Elementary School April 12. The school’s courtyard has been transformed into a plaza with tables and chairs surrounded by trees and plantings. “Our goal is to extend academic learning to the … Continued
Mixed-use redevelopment plan proposed for Landmark Mall
The area outlined in blue would be redeveloped. Before Landmark Mall was transformed into a two-level enclosed shopping mall in 1990, it was an open-air shopping center. It could revert to that structure again, if the City of Alexandria approves a plan submitted by the Howard Hughes Corp. April 11 to redevelop the central portion … Continued
Plans drawn up for Annandale ‘skate spot’
The plan proposed by the county. Fairfax County officials have drawn up preliminary plans for a “skate spot” at the old basketball court between the Annandale Fire Station and the Annandale Christian Community for Action building on Columbia Pike. All that’s needed now to make it happen is the money. Implementing the plan would cost … Continued
Fairfax County provides funds for road projects
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors greenlighted several road projects in the Annandale/Mason area, including improvements addressing pedestrian issues on Route 50 and congestion on Route 236 at Interstate-395, Beauregard Street, and Cherokee Avenue. At its April 9 meeting, the board reallocated $11.2 million in existing funds to complete more than 12 transportation projects countywide. … Continued
Behind the Annandale newsstand: Is it a junkyard or a ‘shop’?
Yard behind the newsstand as it looked on April 6. During the Annandale Cleanup on Saturday morning, Cyra Doty and her fellow volunteers were disgusted by a huge pile of junk behind Anna ’N Dales Newsstand and Advance Electronics on 7025 Columbia Pike.What appears to be trash, though, is apparently part of a small engine … Continued