Obama campaigns in Fairfax County
At a campaign event at Centreville High School Saturday afternoon, President Obama clearly differentiated himself from his Republican opponent. “They believe all the benefits will trickle down,” Obama said. “We tried that before. It did not work.” As a result of those failed policies, “we went from surpluses to deficits,” he said, and experienced “the … Continued
FXCO sues EPA over stormwater runoff rules for Accotink watershed
Accotink Creek Fairfax County and the Virginia Department of Transportation filed a joint lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) July 12 charging that federal regulations aimed at protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed would impose an unfair, costly burden on the county and homeowners. The regulations impose limits on stormwater runoff aimed at reducing … Continued
Burying utilities in Fairfax County: prohibitively expensive
The intersection of Old Dominion Drive and Chain Bridge Road in McLean, where the wires will be buried. The most recent storm—and extensive power outages—in Annandale have gotten people wondering why we can’t bury the power lines here.s “amazingly expensive,” says W. Todd Minnix, chief of the Transportation Design Division in the Fairfax County Department … Continued
‘Annandale Arbors’ proposed for sprucing up streetscape
Little River Turnpike, not the best place for walk. Have you ever walked around downtown Annandale? Strolling down Little River Turnpike isn’t all that pleasant. There are a ton of cars whizzing by and a lot of open parking lots in front of and between the buildings—and good luck trying to cross the street. Jeffrey … Continued
Fairfax County Executive Ed Long reports on response to storm
Trees knocked down on Masonville Drive in Annandale. At the July 10, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, County Executive Edward L. Long Jr. presented a report about how the county responded to the derecho thunderstorm that struck the area Friday, June 29, at approximately 10 p.m. The county activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) … Continued
Construction on Annandale Walgreens to start in September
Construction on the new Walgreens in central Annandale is expected to start by mid-September, if all approval processes go smoothly, Elizabeth McKeeby of Walsh and Colucci told members of the Annandale Commercial Business District Planning Committee July 10. The new drug store will occupy a key position in central Annandale, bordered by Little River Turnpike, … Continued
Annandale Acres seeks long-term solution to flooding problem
This ditch on Elizabeth Johnson’ yard is supposed to capture stormwater runnoff. Elizabeth Johnson has seen a lot of flooding since she moved to her house on Beverly Street in Annandale Acres in 1950. The county put in a rock-lined ditch on the corner of her lot decades ago, but it overflows with water during … Continued
Farmers markets offer ‘goat shares,’ along with locally grown produce
You can find plenty of locally produced, high-quality but common items at the Fairfax County farmers markets, like just-picked peaches and tomatoes, but there are also some more unusual things, like “goat shares.” At a recent trip to the market at Wakefield Park, the most popular items at the Lois’s Produce and Herbs were green … Continued
Be an ‘Olympic’ contender at Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield
Can’t get to the London Olympics but still want to do something sort of Olympics-related right here in Annandale? You can participate in one or more of the events in the “Audrey Moore Olympics” at the Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park. You won’t get a gold medal—or cereal endorsement—but if you complete all the … Continued
Neighborhood Spotlight: Broyhill Crest
Broyhill Crest features brick homes with large lots. A brand-new school in Broyhill Crest is expected to boost community engagement in one of Annandale’s oldest and largest subdivisions. Mason Crest Elementary School, to open in September, will be “a shot in the arm to the community,” says long-time resident Eileen Garnett, noting it will encourage … Continued
Woman sexually assaulted in Target at Skyline Center
The suspect Fairfax County Police are investigating an alleged sex offense that occurred on July 19, shortly before 8 p.m., inside the Target store at 5115 Leesburg Pike in the Skyline Center in Bailey’s Crossroads. The victim, a 38-year old Arlington woman was shopping when she felt someone or something touch underneath her skirt, near … Continued
Pool with generator reaches out to pool without power
Dolphins and Piranhas practice together As Annandale/Mason residents cleaned up after Friday’s rare derecho storm—removing tree branches, clearing out and restocking refrigerators—we suspect there were plenty of examples of neighbors helping one another get through the long, hot days without power. If you’ve got a good story to share, please let us know. Here’s one … Continued
Annandale celebrates the Fourth of July
A bike/stroller decorating contest is an annual tradition at the Broyhill Crest pool in Annandale . . . as is the greased watermelon challenge. The winner must capture the prize and take it out of the pool. The winner of the flag race must beat the other swimmers and keep Old Glory dry.
Dominion expects full restoration of power by Saturday
As of about 3 p.m., Dominion Power has restored electricity to 85 percent of customers and hopes to reach 100 percent by Saturday, state Sen. Dave Marsden reports. “The remaining 15 percent will be difficult to complete quickly due to fallen trees and poles.” Among the areas still without power is a section of Annandale … Continued
Movie theatre to open in September in Merrifield
An artist’s rendering of the new theatre. The eight-screen Angelika Film Center and Café is slated to open in September at the Mosaic development in Merrifield. According to Reading International, the company that operates the Angelika theatre chain, the new cinema “will showcase the best in independent, foreign, and specialty film in auditoriums featuring plush … Continued