Massive cicada emergence not happening in Annandale
If you’re excitedly anticipating a plague of cicadas, don’t get your hopes up. The Annandale area won’t see a massive load of the bugs. The bulk of Brood II will emerge south of here, says Michael Gates, a USDA research entomologist based at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He’s seen only about 15 … Continued
Community forums will address needs of older population
Evergreen House, a residence for the independent elderly in Annandale. Fairfax County is planning a series of community forums to gather public input on how to address the needs of a dramatically increasing population of older people. Between 2005 and 2030, the county expects the population of folks 50 and over to increase by 40 … Continued
Mason summer concerts begin June 1
Vietnamese Cultural Night at Ossian Hall Park last summer. Free summer concerts start this weekend at two locations in the Mason District: Mason District Park and Ossian Hall Park. The Spotlight by Starlight concert series opens in Mason District Park Sunday, June 2, with the City of Fairfax Concert Band. There will be shows Sundays, … Continued
Mason land use committee supports Parklawn cell tower
A full house at the May 28 Mason District Land Use Committee meeting. The Mason District Land Use Committee (MDLUC) voted 3-2 May 28 to recommend the Fairfax County Planning Commission approve AT&T’s proposal for a cell tower on property owned by the Parklawn Recreation Association (PRA). The recommendation is for a “mono-pole” with a … Continued
Alexandria Planning Commission to consider Landmark Mall project next week
The central part of Landmark Mall would be demolished. The City of Alexandria Planning Commission has scheduled a hearing for June 4 on a rezoning and special use permit application to clear the way for a mixed-use redevelopment project at Landmark Mall. The City Council will consider the proposal June 15. The Dallas-based developer, the … Continued
County grants available for neighborhood improvement projects
A Mason District Little League game at the Bailey’s Community Center. Park benches, trails, pavilions, tot lots, community-building social events: These are the types of projects funded by Neighborhood Enhancement Partnership Program (NEPP) grants. Community associations, HOAs, and recreation clubs should definitely consider applying for these Fairfax County grants aimed enhancing the quality of life … Continued
Bring kids to Hidden Oaks Nature Center for lots of drop-in activities
Nature Playce, an all-natural play area. Annandale’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center offers lots of nature programs for kids (such as science lessons, animal encounters, campfires, tea parties, and nature-related crafts) that require advanced registration and fees. But there are also a variety of drop-in activities at Hidden Oaks: Nature Playce – An unstructured woodland play … Continued
Cold water greets swimmers on the opening day of area pools
Adrianna Romano, a student at Poe Middle School, dives into the Annandale Swim & Tennis Club pool. It felt more like March than Memorial Day weekend on the opening day for community swimming pools May 25, but that didn’t stop a few brave souls from taking the plunge. Despite a dearth of actual swimmers, local … Continued
We love our team!
Thank you, Blue Jays, the AA Division baseball team in the Mason District Little League, for the beautiful plaque presented to the Annandale Blog in recognition of our sponsorship. Most of the boys on the team attend Bailey’s Elementary School or Columbia Elementary School. The photos here are from the game they played May 21 … Continued
Changes in store for iconic Annandale newsstand
Nothing says “Annandale” around here as much as Anna N’ Dales, the newsstand at 7025 Columbia Pike. It’s become sort of rundown in recent years and there are hardly any customers, except for a few regulars, butthere are indications that things could be changing for the better. According to sources close to the … Continued
Home invasion robbery in Mason District
3700 N. Rosser St., from Google Maps Fairfax County police are investigating a home invasion robbery that occurred on Wednesday, May 22, at around 2 a.m., in the 3700 block of North Rosser Street in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, According to a police bulletin, a 24-year-old Maryland man told police he was sleeping … Continued
Community meetings on East County Government Center to occur this summer
The proposed site for the East County Government Center now houses the temporary Bailey’s Crossroads Fire Station. When public outreach meetings on a proposal for county office building and apartments on Moncure Avenue in Bailey’s Crossroads happen this summer, the potential impact on school overcrowding and traffic are expected to be major concerns. The project … Continued
Students honored for achieving IB Middle Years Program certificates
More than 320 high-achieving 10th-graders from Annandale, Mount Vernon, South Lakes, and JEB Stuart high schools were honored at a ceremony May 20 at Stuart for completing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP). The Annandale High School Strings Ensemble entertained visitors as they viewed displays of students’ projects. Principals presented certificates to 89 Annandale … Continued
Man arrested in shooting, arson incident
Note: This article been updated Sept. 2, 2013, to reflect a request from the man arrested, who reports that the case has been dismissed by the general district court. Officers from the Franconia Police District arrested an Alexandria resident for shooting in public, arson, entering an alarmed building, damaging public property, and use of a … Continued
Armed robbery in Annandale
A man was robbed at gunpoint as he took his toddler out of his vehicle at around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17, in a parking lot in the 4500 block of Commons Drive in Annandale, according to a news release from the West Springfield Police District. The incident occurred near Braddock Elementary School. Two … Continued