Obama and Kaine win every precinct in Mason District
Rep. Connolly delivers an acceptance speech in Tysons Corner last night President Obama won in every single precinct in the Mason District yesterday, which contributed to Obama’s overall win in Fairfax County and ultimately, Virginia, a key battleground state that helped tip the balance in the hard-fought election. According to the Virginia State Board of … Continued
Heavy voter turnout reported in Annandale
People lined up to vote at mid-day at Mason Crest Elementary School in Annandale. Election volunteers at several Annandale precincts are reporting heavy turnout at the polls today, with long lines early in the morning. Volunteer attorneys with the Democratic Party monitoring the polls at Braddock Elementary School said there were only a few problems … Continued
It’s voting time: Here’s what you need to know before heading to the polls
Before heading out to the polls to vote Tuesday, here are some things you need to know: The polls are open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Your polling place might have changed since the last time you voted. Visit the Virginia State Board of Elections website to find out where to go. You will need to bring … Continued
Contractors and Crapscape
By Robert Schwaninger In 2000 my wife, Isabel, and I decided to move from our townhouse to a single-family detached home in Annandale. What the house is supposedly detached from is up to speculation, but along with the house we got our own half acre of land. For those who don’t know what land is, … Continued
Goodwill coming to Annandale
A Goodwill store and training center will occupy the former site of the Room Store in the Annandale Plaza shopping center on John Marr Drive next to Columbia Pike. Site preparation has already begun, and the store could open “towards the end of this year or very early in 2013,” said Brendan Hurley, senior vice … Continued
Commercial trucks parked all over Annandale are annoying but not illegal
Trucks on Daniels Avenue in Annandale. The side streets and service roads of central Annandale are often lined with large commercial trucks. They take up parking spaces for people trying to visit restaurants and shops and they make walking around less pleasant, but they aren’t illegal. There are restrictions for parking large trucks in residential … Continued
Old cemeteries offer glimpse of Annandale’s past
The Gooding-Seaton Cemetery in Annandale. Despite all the developing going on around here, remnants of the past exist in the form of small, family cemeteries, often forgotten or hidden away in suburban backyards. So far, 415 cemeteries have been identified in Fairfax County, including church, community, and family cemeteries—many of them in the Mason District. … Continued
Buenos Grill brings Mexican cuisine to central Annandale
Buenos Grill, the long-awaited eatery on Columbia Pike and Evergreen Lane is up and running – if a little late. The superstorm Sandy that knocked out the power in most of central Annandale delayed the grand opening from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31. The restaurant offers burritos ($6.95 for the foot long), tacos ($2.50 for … Continued
Diva, an exotic pet crow, lost near Green Spring Gardens
If you see a strange crow-like black bird with white markings on her chest and neck, it could be Diva the Crow, an escaped pet. Please call Catherine, 703/862-5283. Diva is an African pied crow, who has lived with Catherine near Green Spring Gardens since late July. Diva flew away Saturday morning when Catherine was … Continued
Beltway Express Lanes could open as early as Nov. 17
The Gallows Road overpass a couple of months ago. The new “Express Lanes” on the beltway could open as early as Nov. 17, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced Oct. 31. Drivers on the Express Lanes are charged a toll for a faster driving experience. The 14-mile stretch of the beltway with the Express Lanes … Continued
Annandale housing inventory way down from last year
This house on Merrimac Trail, Annandale, is listed for $649,000. If you think you’re seeing a lot fewer for-sale signs in Annandale, you are correct. The inventory of homes is way down from a year ago. “That means it’s a great time to sell your house,” says Vivianne Couts of Coldwell Banker. There were just … Continued
Video features Annandale Parade and Festival
Bob Kovacs produced a video of highlights from the Annandale Parade and Festival last Saturday. Check out more videos from Kovacs on his Annandale Arts You Tube channel.
Happy Halloween, Annandale!
A skeleton caught in a giant spider web on Murray Lane, Annandale, is one of the few Halloween decorations to survive the Superstorm Sandy If you are planning to go trick or treating tonight, be sure to stay away from downed power lines, trees, and other debris from the storm. The scene in front of … Continued
Flashing beacon to improve pedestrian safety on Gallows Road
The Virginia Department of Transportation has installed a flashing beacon at the crosswalk on Gallows Road at Aston Street in Annandale. Pedestrians attempting to cross the busy four-lane road can push a button to trigger a flashing warning light visible to drivers in both directions. Gallows Road carries about 31,000 vehicles a day. The rapid-flashing … Continued
Trees, power lines down in Annandale
A large tree brought down the power lines on Sleepy Hollow Road in front of the Sleepy Hollow Recreation Association. Last night’s storm knocked down trees and power lines throughout the Annandale area. But based on a quick drive around Annandale, we seem to have been hit less hard by Sandy than the Derecho, which … Continued