Native plants to be rescued before Wakefield Run restoration project starts
Mayapple, one of the native plants to be saved. Friends of Accotink Creek (FAC) is seeking volunteers to help rescue native plants along Wakefield Run before a major restoration project starts on July 24. The $440,000 project is aimed at curbing erosion caused by runoff from the beltway and stabilizing the stream bed. Wakefield Run … Continued
Mosquito traps are part of county’s West Nile Virus surveillance program
If you see a device like the one pictured above in the woods, don’t disturb it. It’s a mosquito trap used by the Fairfax County Health Department to collect samples as part of its surveillance of West Nile Virus in the community. Traps have been set up in 68 locations, more or less evenly spaced … Continued
Landmark redevelopment project to begin in spring 2014
Landmark redevelopment design by Howard Hughes Corp. The City of Alexandria has approved a rezoning plan for total redo of Landmark Mall. The Howard Hughes Corp. plans to tear down the 11-acre middle section of the mall and replace it with an open-air, mixed-use development with shops, apartments, and a movie theater. The existing Sears … Continued
Police investigating homicide/suicide at Skyline Towers
Crime scene technicians and homicide detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department are investigating an apparent murder/suicide at the Skyline Towers apartment complex in Bailey’s Crossroads, according to a report from the Mason Police District. Someone called the police saying shots had been fired. Police responded to the scene shortly before 10 a.m. today and … Continued
Video features Honky Tonk Confidential at Mason District Park
Check out this video of “High-Tech Redneck” performed by Honky Tonk Confidential, a Washington area-based country and western band, at Mason District Park June 16. It was recorded by Bob Kovacs and posted on his Annandale Arts You Tube channel. The show is part of the free Spotlight by Starlight series. Folk legend Tom Paxton … Continued
Sugg’s yard sales resume on Braddock Road
Shoppers checking out the merchandise at 4508 Braddock Road. After going away for a few months, the infamous Braddock Road yard sales are back. Yesterday morning, Michael Suggs and several of his assistants were selling washing machines, rugs, furniture, boom boxes, and other merchandise on the front yard of 4508 Braddock Road. There have been … Continued
Public invited to free film Sunday on Islamic art
The public is invited to a free screening of a documentary film, “Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World,” followed by a discussion, Sunday, June 16, 3-7 p.m., at the Mason Government Center. Refreshments will be served. The event is organized by Bridging the Gap, Connecting the Faithful, a nonprofit organization founded by Rafia Syeed, … Continued
Ferris wheel offers aerial views of Annandale
Looking toward the Annandale Shopping Center on Columbia Pike. Annandale looks so much better from the top of the Ferris wheel in the Annandale carnival, when you can see there really are lot of trees here. The carnival will be open through the evening. Admisison is $2, and tickets are $1.25 each. The Kmart parking … Continued
New task force will address student parking on streets near NVCC
NVCC students park along Wakefield Chapel Road. Northern Virginia Community College President Robert Templin plans to appoint a college task force and an Annandale committee to consider alternatives to the student parking fee system. The task force will present recommendations to the NVCC College Board in March. The proposal will then be submitted to the … Continued
Transportation systems need to evolve to accommodate urbanization
Rush hour on Route 50 in Falls Church. Fairfax County Supervisor Sharon Bulova’s “Evolution of Transportation” forum June 12 covered trends from way back—when Route 7 was an Indian trail—to the future, when we might be able to watch TV or nap while our cars drive themselves. The present state of transportation is a mess, … Continued
Major storms hitting Annandale today
Dark skies over Annandale this morning. Another storm on the way this afternoon While Annandale is being hit with heavy rain and strong winds this morning, a second, even more severe storm is expected to strike the area between 2 and 8 p.m., with winds predicted up to 80 miles per hour. To prepare, secure … Continued
New utility poles installed in Annandale
Dominion Virginia Power is replacing approximately 34 aging utility poles in the Broyhill Crest community in Annandale. Many of the old poles are cracked and could fall down at any time, said one of the linemen, who came from Alabama to work on the project. The initial work should be completed in approximately three to … Continued
Fairfax County crucial in primary wins for Northam and Herring
In a Democratic primary with extremely low turnout, Virginia voters selected Ralph Northam to run for lieutenant governor and Mark Herring as the candidate for attorney general. Northam, a state senator and pediatric neurosurgeon from Norfolk, got 54 percent of the vote statewide, beating challenger Aneesh Chopra of Arlington, the former chief technology officer in … Continued
Annandale’s ‘anti-fat pastor’ hosts 5K next Saturday
Reynolds Capital Baptist Church is hosting the sixth annual Losing to Live 5K Run/Walk Saturday, June 15, to help raise awareness about healthy lifestyles. The Annandale church has a strong focus on weight loss and health—based on scripture—as a result of Pastor Steve Reynolds’ successful struggles with obesity. After turning to the Bible in a … Continued
Video documents flooding in Annandale
Heavy rains dumped about 2.5 inches of water on Northern Virginia June 10, causing flooding throughout the region. Bob Kovacs shot this video of flooded streets in the Columbia Pines and Broyhill Crest neighborhoods in Annandale this evening, showing people walking across Murray Lane in knee-deep water. Nearby, the storm knocked a tree down, damaging … Continued