Lake Accotink regatta features boats made of cardboard
The annual Cardboard Regatta drew crowds to Lake Accotink in Springfield June 2 as kids raced boats they made out of cardboard. Not all of the boats turned out to be seaworthy. Watch the video by Bob Kovacs, on his Annandale Arts channel on You Tube:
Bank robbed in Bailey’s Crossroads
The Suntrust Bank at 5821 Crossroads Center Way in Bailey’s Crossroads was robbed June 7. According to a notice from the Mason Police District, a man entered the bank at approximately 12:15 p.m. and presented a note to a teller demanding cash. The suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash in an … Continued
Fairfax County school board rejects strong language on parent notification
Steve Stuban speaks to the school board. Despite emotional pleas from parents to strengthen parent notification requirements in the student discipline policy handbook, the Fairfax County school board voted last night to reject the language recommended by an ad hoc committee to require principals to call parents when their child is accused of violating school … Continued
Free concerts in Annandale parks depend on public support
John Carroll (second from left). The weather was perfect last night for the Jon Carroll Band, the first 2013 show in the Spotlight by Starlight concert series at Mason District Park. Actually, the first performance had been scheduled for Sunday but it was rained out. The free concerts are totally funded by Friends of Mason … Continued
Del. Watts urges NOVA to reconsider student parking fees
Del. Vivian Watts believes the solution to the traffic/parking problem on Wakefield Chapel and surrounding streets in Annandale is to change the way parking fees are charged to students at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). For years, local residents have complained about NOVA students parking on their streets, causing safety problems as they walk to … Continued
Annandale carnival opens Thursday
The 2013 carnival features a ferris wheel. The carnies are setting up the rides for the Annandale carnival, opening tomorrow at 5 p.m. The carnival is back in its traditional spot in the Kmart parking lot, after moving to the bowling alley parking lot last year. The carnival is open June 6-14, Mondays-Thursdays 5-11 p.m., … Continued
Crane falls on roof of Canterbury Woods Elementary School
Crane hits the roof of Canterbury Woods Elementary School [photo from WUSA]. A small crane crashed onto the roof of Canterbury Woods Elementary School in Annandale at about 8:40 a.m., June 4, just before students were scheduled to arrive, according to news reports. Staff members were in the building at the time; no one was … Continued
Meet former NBA star at Collector’s World Grand Re-Opening
Sports memorabilia collectors, comic book fans, and everyone else is invited to the Grand Re-Opening of Collector’s World Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Annandale Shopping Center. Enjoy free food, prizes, raffles and meet special guest Gheorghe Muresan, who played for the Washington Bullets from 1991 to 2006. At 7 feet, 7 inches, … Continued
VA lt. governor candidates Chopra and Northam square off in debate
Left to right: Aneesh Chopra, moderator Rex Simmons, and Ralph Northam. The two candidates running in the Democratic primary for Virginia lieutenant governor—Aneesh Chopra and Ralph Northam—agree on a lot of key policy issues, such as women’s access to healthcare and the need to curb gun violence. One area where they differ is campaign tactics. … Continued
Korean community center task force has challenging agenda
Plans to establish a Korean community center in Fairfax County are proceeding despite conflicts over leadership within the task force set up to organize the project. The task force members include representatives of several Korean social service and business organizations. William Hwang, former president of the Korean American Association of Virginia, is serving as … Continued
Farewell to Annandale Sport & Health Club
Annandale Sport & Health Club (4317 Ravensworth Road) is closing June 30 “in response to changing market conditions,” states a May 30 letter to members from President and CEO Mark Fisher. The fitness center has been at that location for some 37 or 38 years, an employee says. The facility opened about 50 years ago … Continued
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