Annandale house fire displaces 10
An accidental fire at a single-family home in the Pinecrest area of Annandale Feb. 24 was caused by “an unidentified electrical event in the basement,” the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported. No one was injured. Four adults and six children have been displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross. Firefighters encountered … Continued
ACCA Child Development Center relies heavily on volunteers and donations
The ACCA Child Development Center in central Annandale depends heavily on contributions from its corporate and nonprofit partners to carry out its mission—providing high-quality, affordable care to young children. The center serves 183 babies, toddlers, and preschool-age children in the ACCA (Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) building on Columbia Pike. ACCA, an alliance of … Continued
Virginia lawmakers approve major bill to overhaul transportation funding
Traffic congestion on Columbia Pike in Annandale. After years of gridlock on transportation funding, the Virginia General Assembly approved a landmark bill Feb. 23 that significantly overhauls the way the state will pay for highways and mass transit. The $3.5 billion package eliminates the 17.5 cents per gallon gasoline tax and instead imposes a 3.5 … Continued
Fairfax County Planning Commisstion approves Brightview project
The architectural concept for the Brightview facility. The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted Feb. 21 to approve a request for a special exception to allow the Shelter Group to build an assisted living facility on a 6.36-acre property on Gallows Road in Annandale. The proposal now must be approved by the Board of Supervisors. Four … Continued
Mason District Council urges county to take action on litter
Litter by a parking lot in central Annandale. The Mason District Council (MDC) passed a resolution Feb. 21 calling on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Police Department to enforce the state law banning litter and to “adopt more stringent standards in litter prevention by increasing litter enforcement throughout the year.” … Continued
Fewer people using beltway express lanes than anticipated
The express lanes run through Annandale. A survey of “frequent beltway drivers” finds 46 percent do not have an E-ZPass, so they cannot take advantage of the express lanes. During the first six weeks after the express lanes opened in November, use of those lanes was “a little less than anticipated,” resulting in $11.3 million … Continued
Walgreens, BB&T Bank coming to Westlawn Shopping Center
The expanded Bill Page Honda as seen from Annandale Road. Bill Page Honda has inked deals for Walgreens and BB&T Bank at the Westlawn Shopping Center it is developing on Annandale Road next to its dealership. Those stores will be on pad sites in the shopping center parking lot. Walgreens will occupy its site in … Continued
Annandale business implicated in real estate fraud
Two employees of Ace Title & Escrow of Annandale have pleaded guilty to real estate fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice reported Feb. 19. A total of four individuals have pleaded have pleaded guilty to conspiring to fraudulently taking over the titles of homes in Washington, D.C., without the homeowners’ knowledge, selling those homes, and … Continued
Bob’s donates funds to Belvedere and other Fairfax County schools
Belvedere students at the opening of the new Bob’s furniture store. Bob’s Discount Furniture donated $1,500 to Belvedere Elementary School, in the Annandale area, to complete the school’s outdoor classroom project. The funds will help support the Belvedere’s efforts to become an “Eco-School,” a green schools initiative sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. The check … Continued
Outdoor natural play area planned for Westlawn Elementary School
Westlawn Elementary School Westlawn Elementary School is developing plans for an “outdoor discovery area” where children can play and climb on natural features like boulders, logs, and tree stumps. The area would have some raised garden beds for children to learn about growing plants and healthy food choices. The play area would also be available … Continued
Annandale resident promotes health benefits of Xocai chocolate
We usually value chocolate as an indulgence savored as a special treat. But chocolate can also be thought of as a health food, as it has natural antioxidants that can help the body fight disease. That’s the message promoted by Annandale resident Diane Ditzler, who sells the Xoҫai line of chocolate products. Xoҫai (pronounced “show … Continued
Goodwill store opens in Annandale
The opening of the Goodwill store on John Marr Drive Feb. 16 greatly increases the amount of retail space in Annandale—along with the options for thrift shopping. The new Annandale Goodwill, with 25,000 square feet, is the largest of the 14 Goodwill stores in the Washington, D.C., region, said Brendan Hurley, senior vice president for … Continued
Aging water mains under Columbia Pike in Annandale to be replaced
Construction equipment for the water main project on Columbia Pike, Annandale The cast iron water mains under Columbia Pike between Gallows Road and Little River Turnpike in Annandale are being replaced because they are 40 or 50 years old and have been starting to leak. Water mains can last up to 100 years, but “if … Continued
Virginia Senate passed bill to raise gas tax
More state transportation funds are needed for projects to relieve traffic congestion, including roads like Little River Turnpike as shown here. The Virginia Senate passed a transportation package this week that would generate $900 million in new revenue for annually and enable localities to put in place additional funding to meet their transportation needs. The … Continued
East County office building coming to Bailey’s Crossroads
The temporary Bailey’s Crossroads fire station is on the future site of the East County office building. Once the East County office building project is completed, it will spur further revitalization in Bailey’s Crossroads, said Carey Needham, director of the building design and construction division in the Fairfax County Department of Public Works Environmental Services. … Continued