Man charged with vehicular death of 8-year-old boy
An 8-year-old boy, Brian Hernandez-Chavez, died after being struck by a car while he was standing on the side of Duke Street in Lincolnia Jan. 15, and the driver, Victor M. Aldana, 22, was charged by Alexandria Police with DUI manslaulghter, DUI maiming, reckless Driving, and not having an operator’s license, WJLA reported Jan. 16. … Continued
Free tax preparation available
Lower-income people will be able to take advantage of free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Known locally as the Northern Virginia CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign, the program is available to working families and individuals who earned less than $50,000 in 2011. A coalition of public agencies, businesses, … Continued
Target, other stores in Merrifield’s Mosaic District to open next October
A model of the townhomes If you haven’t been to the new Mosiac District multi-use project in Merrifield, you’ll be surprised at how much progress is going on. Target, the Angelika Film Center, and some of the other stores are scheduled to open in October 2012. The sales office for the 112 townhouses developed by … Continued
Neighborhood groups hope to engage people from diverse cultures
Annandale residents took part in a dialogue on diversity last spring at Annandale High School With Fairfax County becoming increasingly diverse, neighborhood groups are finding it sometimes difficult to recruit volunteers that reflect their communities. As George Klein, vice chair of the Braddock District Council of Community Associations, put it. “We need to better engage … Continued
Public input sought on environment
By Elizabeth Kirchner On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) will hold a public hearing seeking a citizen’s-eye view of the “state of the environment in Fairfax County.” It starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Building. The hearing gives citizens an opportunity to … Continued
Improvements considered for Annandale Service Center
Moe Moin-Amin wants to make improvements to the Annandale Service Center, the gas station/auto repair shop he owns at 7029 Columbia Pike, but there are complications. Because the business is in the Annandale revitalization area, the renovations must incorporate approved streetscape guidelines, and the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee (ACBDPC) must approve the redesign … Continued
Annandale Bloom will close
The Bloom grocery store in Annandale will close due to underperformance, Washington’s ABC affiliate reported Jan. 12. Six other Blooms in Virginia and one in Maryland will also close. Another 42 Blooms in those states will be converted to Food Lion. The Annandale Bloom, at 7000 Columbia Pike, always seemed kind of empty since it … Continued
Park board update: Green Spring renovation to start in May
The greenhouse at Green Spring Gardens By Marie Reinsdorf The Fairfax County Park Authority Board’s votes at our final meeting of 2011 included these items of interest to the residents of the Annandale area and the county in general: The board approved a renovation project at Green Spring Gardens, funded by the Friends of Green … Continued
Joseph’s Coat moving to central Annandale
The former site of Fairfax Auto Parts Joseph’s Coat Joseph’s Coat, the thrift store run by Bethany House of Northern Virginia, is moving from its Falls Church location on Annandale Road near the Arlington Boulevard intersection to central Annandale. Its new home will be the building at 7219 Columbia Pike formerly occupied by Fairfax Auto … Continued
Falls Church HS in dire need of renovation, parents tell school board
A light fixture ready to fall A Fairfax County school board hearing on the school system’s capital improvement program (CIP) Monday night was dominated by parents and students who spoke about the urgent need to renovate Falls Church High School. A parent advocacy group, UPROAR (United Parents to Renovate our Academic Resource), was formed to … Continued
Annandale ‘Village Center’ kiosk needs updating
As of Jan. 7, 2012, the kiosk at Toll House Park on Little River Turnpike in the heart of Annandale was displaying a flyer for the Annandale Fall Festival and Parade, which took place last October. Not many people walk around central Annandale, but still . . . What does this say about our community? … Continued
Proprietor of Braddock yard sales considering shutting down
Michael Tyrone Suggs told the Annandale blog he is “disappointed” in his neighbors for complaining about the frequent yard sales in front of the house he leases at 4500 Braddock Road, Lincolnia. Neighbors have complained that the yard sales are unsightly and that the traffic is a nuisance and unsafe. There is nowhere to park … Continued
Public hearing to seek input on Annandale bike routes
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting in February to hear recommendations on the “Annandale subarea” for a proposed bicycle master plan. The countywide bicycle plan is aimed at designating a system of roads and trails throughout the county. The date and place for the meeting haven’t been determined yet. The … Continued
Falls Church HS not scheduled for renovation until 2024
A sink in a chemistry lab Falls Church High School hasn’t had a major renovation since it was built in 1967 and isn’t scheduled be upgraded until 2024. More than 100 parents came to a meeting at the school on a bitter cold night Thursday to express their frustration with school officials for failing to put … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Major environmental issues on the agenda
By Del. Kaye Kory Next week the 2012 legislative assembly convenes in Richmond, and the governor will deliver his State of the Commonwealth Address. His themes will include the laudable economic performance of the commonwealth as compared to other states, as well as the responsible fiscal policy and pragmatic management accomplishments of his administration. Beauty … Continued