Annandale Blockbuster closing, and Advance Auto Parts moving in
Everything is on sale. The Annandale Blockbuster is closing March 24, and Advance Auto Parts will move into that location, at 7448 Little River Turnpike in the Little River Plaza Shopping Center. The Advance Auto Parts store isn’t scheduled to open until 2014, said a spokesperson for the Roanoke, Va.-based company. There are 10 Advance … Continued
Gang leader sentenced to 17 years for extorting Annandale businesses
The popular Honey Pig was one of the restaurants targeted by the Korean Night Breeders gang. Han Sa Yu, 44, the leader of a criminal gang known as the Korean Night Breeders, was sentenced to 17 and a-half years in prison for using fear, violence, and threats of violence to extort money from Korean businesses … Continued
Fairfax County, VDOT agree on sign removal program
Signs along Route 7. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Virginia Department of Transportation have approved an agreement to allow the county to remove commercial and political signs in the VDOT public right of way. This is good news for the Annandale/Mason area, as thousands of signs advertising mattresses, furniture, cash for gold, … Continued
Mason Crest principal’s night on the roof inspires students to read
Principal Butler prepares for his rooftop camping adventure. Mason Crest Elementary School Principal Brian Butler spent the night of Jan. 31 on the roof of the school—just as had promised if students met their goal of logging 1,000 hours in reading during December and January. Students not only met the goal but surpassed it by … Continued
Home Instead to recognize senior volunteers
Home Instead Senior Care is sponsoring a competition to recognize older volunteers through its 2013 Salute to Senior Service award program, and requests the public’s help in identifying deserving seniors. “We all know seniors who do so much for our community,” said Jason Sager, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Annandale. “These … Continued
Free income tax help available in Annandale
AARP volunteers are providing free walk-in tax preparation assistance at the Mason Government Center from Feb. 1 through April 15. This service will take place on Mondays and Thursdays 1-8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. All returns will be filed electronically. Bring last year’s tax return, a photo … Continued
Police explain vehicle-related violations at Mason District meeting
An illegal car sale in Mason District. If your neighborhood is cluttered with junk vehicles or commercial trucks, Fairfax County police officers explained what they can do about it at a Jan. 26 meeting convened by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross for the heads of civic and homeowner associations. It could take a long time before … Continued
FXCO police make arrest in ATM card skimming case
Cicio Fairfax County Police detectives arrested Ioan Cicio, 39, of 2230 George C. Marshall Drive, Falls Church, on Jan. 28 in connection with the skimming of ATM cards at bank machines at local hospitals, including Inova Fairfax Hospital. Cicio was charged with three counts of possession of credit card forgery devices (skimmers), three counts of … Continued
XSport Fitness responds to negative comments on Pro Maxx Fitness
Editor’s note: Representatives from both XSport Fitness and Pro Maxx Fitness have asked us to remove negative comments in reference to articles about the recent opening of Pro Maxx in Annandale. We’re not doing that but have agreed to publish a statement from Kelly Cartwright, director of customer service for XSport Fitness, a company with … Continued
Momentum growing for federal action on gun control
A contingent from Northern Virginia at a march for gun control in Washington, D.C., Jan. 26. [Photo by Sue Langley.] With the Virginia legislature unlikely to pass more restrictive gun bills this session, gun control advocates are urging their constituents to focus on Congress. The speakers at a panel discussion on gun violence at Temple … Continued
Chinese Festival celebrates new year
The Year of the Snake was ushered in Saturday at the sixth annual Chinese New Year Festival at Luther Jackson Middle School with a dragon parade, lion dance, musical performances, food, children’s crafts, vendors, and greetings from politicians. The event was organized by the Asian Community Service Center, based in Vienna. People born in the … Continued
FCPS School Board approves scaled-back plan on AAP centers
Rather than totally restructure the Advanced Academic Program (AAP), the Fairfax County School Board voted Jan. 24 to adopt a scaled-back plan for just four new centers—none of them in Annandale or the Mason District. A FCPS staff report had recommended putting an AAP center in every middle school and adding centers to more elementary … Continued
Pro Maxx Fitness celebrates grand opening
Pro Maxx Fitness Manager Susan Hilaski is holding the big scissors, while Mason Supervisor Penny Gross cuts the ribbon with a regular pair of scissors. Pro Maxx Fitness had a grand opening celebration Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Mason Supervisor Penny Gross, Mason Police District Commander Gun Lee, and Gary Moore, deputy chief of … Continued
Citizen activists frustrated by lack of action to clean up Seven Corners
Piles of trash in a parking lot behind the Willston Center on Route 50. Kay Cooper and Nancy Vorona, residents of Lake Barcroft, would like to see the Seven Corners area cleaned up. They’ve been urging Fairfax County leaders, VDOT, and law enforcement officials to take some action to get rid of the litter and … Continued
George Mason Library to get collection of Muslim resource materials
A 15th century map of the coast of Spain. [from the National Endowment for the Humanities website] Four public libraries in Fairfax County, including George Mason Regional Library in Annandale, will be given the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf, a collection of books, films, and other resources aimed at introducing the American public to the complex history … Continued