Planning Commission recommends approval of Parklawn cell tower
Planning Commission members (from the left) include James Hart (at-large), Janet Hall (Mason), Chairman Peter Murphy (Springfield), and Frank de la Fe (Hunter Mill). The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended the Board of Supervisors approve an application for a cell tower at the Parklawn pool. The cell tower issue has been extremely divisive for … Continued
Woman assaulted and robbed in Annandale
A 73-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed in the 7900 block of Heritage Drive in Annandale July 9, reports a bulletin from the West Springfield Police District. The woman was walking from a bus stop at around 8 p.m. when she was approached by a group of young men. One of the suspects reportedly came … Continued
Man exposing himself in Landmark area
A man has been reported to the police for exposing and groping himself while watching women at a bus stop on Little River Turnpike and Oasis Drive near Landmark Plaza. The most recent incident occurred July 9 at around 7 a.m., according to officers from the Mason Police District, but there have been reports that … Continued
Cost-cutting measures mean reduced services at Fairfax County libraries
George Mason Regional Library In an effort to cut costs, the Fairfax County library system is implementing major changes that will result in reduced services for local residents—and it’s all being done without public hearings or other input from library users. The professional staff is being downgraded, so new employees won’t need to have a … Continued
Pedestrian and bicyclist accidents rising in Fairfax County
A bicyclist on Columbia Pike in Annandale. Accidents involving pedestrians and bicycles in Fairfax County are rising, according to statistics from the Police Department. The number of cyclists involved in crashes increased from 85 in 2011 to 106 in 2012. There have been 45 so far this year. There were 201 accidents involving pedestrians in … Continued
Honda Fits and Civics targeted by car wheel thieves
The wheels were stolen from this Fit parked on Stuart Street in Annandale a few weeks ago. The Honda Fit is a great little car with terrific gas mileage—but there’s a downside to owning one, as people in the Annandale/Mason area are finding out. They are being targeted by thieves who are stealing the wheels … Continued
Proposed bond includes funds for new elementary school
A $250 million school bond on the ballot in November includes $20.877 million for a new elementary school in the eastern part of Fairfax County. A new school is desperately needed. Bailey’s and Glen Forest elementary schools are severely overcrowded, and most of the other schools in that area are over capacity or projected to … Continued
Central plaza proposed as a ‘quick fix’ to encourage Annandale redevelopment
Annandale banners designed by students at Westwood College. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of interest in a major redevelopment project in Annandale, at least for the time being, so Jeffrey Levine, an architect/urban planner with Levine Design Studio, came up with an idea for creating a town center plaza in the heart of … Continued
After sale of Hillwood Square, residents struggling to find affordable housing
The interior of the Hillwood Square community is accessible by paths, not roads. The sale of the Hillwood Square community in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County means some longtime residents are struggling to find an affordable place to live. The new owner of the nearly 20-acre property, AvalonBay Communities Inc., plans to build … Continued
Indonesian dancers charm the crowd at Ossian Hall Park
The Santi Budaya dance group brought graceful moves and lavish costumes to Ossian Hall Park in Annandale July 6 for Indonesian Cultural Night. Members of the audience were invited to the stage to join in with bamboo musical instruments. The shows at Ossian Hall Park continue every Saturday evening through Aug. 31. Next … Continued
Skyline precinct to be split into two
The Skyline Center. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve proposal July 9 to divide the overly large Skyline precinct into two smaller ones. Having a new precinct would alleviate some of the problems in the last election that resulted in some voters standing in line for up to four hours. The … Continued
New shop on Columbia Pike sells incense, candles, religious items
A new and different kind of business has opened in Annandale in the spot that used to house Anna ’N Dale’s Newsstand and assorted subtenants. The good news: It’s not another thrift shop, title lender, or Korean restaurant. It’s an awesome shop called Botanica Pombagira that sells incense, herbs, religious statues, charms, candles, perfumes, oils, … Continued
Happy 4th of July!
Lake Barcroft residents celebrate the 4th of July with an annual parade.
Holmes Run Crossing project will expand trail access
An easier way to cross Holmes Run. When the Holmes Run Crossing project is completed later this summer, people will have an easier way to walk or bicycle along a trail between the Heywood Glen/Lincolnia Hills community in Fairfax County and Dowden Terrace and Dora Kelly Nature Park on the other side of Holmes Run … Continued
Gross agrees to strengthen community input on land use issues
In advance of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ hearing on Fairfax Forward next week, representatives of the Mason District Council of Community Associations (MDC) met with Mason Supervisor Penny Gross to express their concerns with potential changes to how land use decisions are made. Fairfax Forward revises the procedures for updating the county’s Comprehensive … Continued