It was a smooth opening day for Mason Crest Elementary School
Mason Crest staff give students tags to ensure they get on the right bus at the end of the day. It was a historic day in Annandale, as Mason Crest Elementary School opened its doors to students for the first time this morning. “We want to get them into class, starting a routine right away,” … Continued
Braddock District explores formation of aging-in-place network
A group of civic leaders in the Braddock District are in the early stages of forming an “aging-in-place” network aimed at providing services to make it easier for senior citizens to stay in their homes. The Aging-in-Place Committee, led by Bruce Wallachy, held its first meeting last week and will meet again Wednesday, Sept. 5, … Continued
FROGS supports Green Spring Gardens
Plant sales support FROGS projects. Green Spring Gardens is one of the nicest parks in the Annandale area—if not the entire region—and for that, we can thank the tireless and generous volunteers in Friends of Green Springs Gardens (FROGS). FROGS raises funds through year-round plant sales, spring and fall garden festivals, dues from its 1,400 … Continued
Groups formed to continue discussions on future of Seven Corners
Route 50 at Seven Corners The Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization is forming three groups to continue the discussions on the future of Seven Corners, following two “visioning workshops” last spring. A Land Use and Transportation Task Force will review the history of the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan for the Seven Corners area and … Continued
Annandale man keeps Heritage Drive free of signs and litter
Ed D. on patrol We’ve heard from a lot of people complaining about litter, illegal signs, and other property maintenance failures here in the Annandale area. But there are a few dedicated citizens here who are taking action to clean up their communities. A case in point is “Ed D.,” as he prefers to be … Continued
Neighbors raise concerns about Brightview senior housing project
The conceptual plan for Brightview. The main road to the left is Gallows. At an Aug. 28 meeting of the Mason District Land Use Committee (MDLUC), several people who live near a proposed assisted living facility planned for Gallows Road raised concerns about increased traffic on an already-busy thoroughfare. Other issues brought by residents include … Continued
Entrance for Inova Fairfax Hospital moved to Woodburn Road
There’s a new entrance for Inova Fairfax Hospital on Woodburn Road in Annandale. The former “gray entrance” on Gallows Road is closed to through-traffic and is accessible for emergency vehicles only. Instead, traffic is being directed to a new main thoroughfare, “Wellness Boulevard,” accessible from Woodburn Road. A traffic light has been installed at the … Continued
Computer Core provides skills training leading to a good job
Students in a Computer Core class. For people out of work or struggling to make ends meet with a low-paying, menial job, basic computer skills can lead to a more secure future. That’s the premise of Computer Core, a non-profit organization that provides job skills training to lower-income residents of Northern Virginia. Computer Core … Continued
Annandale real estate market strong in July
This house, at 8433 Briar Creek Drive in the Wakefield Chapel neighborhood, is on the market for $699,999. By Vivianne Couts The dollar volume of homes sold in Annandale (zip code 22003) was up nearly 21 percent in July 2012 compared to the same month a year ago. More units sold in July 2012 (58) … Continued
Scene around A-Town: Aliens in Annandale?
Thanks to an alert reader for sending this photo of what appears to be an alien spacecraft in an Annandale yard. Anyone see any more of these things?
Local nonprofits flooded with calls from immigrants seeking ‘deferred action’
A volunteer at Just Neighbors helps a client apply for deferred action. Since the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Aug. 15 that is opening the door a crack to let undocumented youths apply to work here for two years without fear of deportation, the phones have been ringing nonstop at Annandale/Mason-area nonprofit organizations … Continued
Rescue dog lost in Sleepy Hollow area
Phillip, a 20-pound beagle/lab puppy, ran away from his foster family, at 6541 Oakwood Drive in Falls Church, Aug. 24. His home is in the area near Sleepy Hollow Road and Columbia Pike. He was wearing a leash and a collar from Lucky Dog Animal Rescue when he slipped out of his yard. Anyone who … Continued
Verizon, Dominion address derecho failures at Town Hall
A tree crashed into the roof of this house on Terrace Drive, Annandale, during the derecho. At a Town Hall convened by Del. Kaye Kory Aug. 23, a Verizon executive blamed the epic fail of 911 emergency services during the derecho storm June 29 on “multiple failures cascading.” 911 service was completely out from 7:36 … Continued
Annandale’s image marred by outdoor furniture sales
Some of the sofas for sale in the Fuddrucker’s parking lot. Thriving urban neighborhoods have “pop-up” shops—temporary retail outposts—with trendy clothes, home goods, or high-quality artistic items. Annandale has impromptu bazaars with people trying to sell rugs or assembly-line paintings in a parking lot or electronics from the trunk of a car. A case in … Continued
Columbia Pike animal hospital annex will house boarding and grooming services
The annex to the Columbia Pike Animal Hospital in Annandale will be open “within the next six months, hopefully sooner,” reports Alex Walz, a manager at the veterinary clinic. The new building, facing Columbia Pike, will house grooming and boarding services, while the existing building, at 4205 Evergreen Lane, will be used purely for medical … Continued