VDOT official promises to do a better job with snow plowing next winter
Remember last February’s snowstorm? Whether you remember being snowbound as a nightmare or a cozy respite, some of us were trapped in our homes for days. If Northern Virginia is hit with another monster snow storm this winter, VDOT will do a much better job of clearing local streets, a VDOT official promised at a … Continued
Annandale community dialogue explores the meaning of diversity
What does diversity mean to the people of Annandale? This was the focus of a community dialogue last night conducted by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. A cross-section of people various backgrounds discussed the issue in small groups than reported back on their feelings about diversity. Many spoke about differences in … Continued
Higher education investment pays off
Del. Kaye Kory, who represents Annandale in the state House of Delegates, believes the state must not decrease its investment in higher education. In her latest Richmond Report, Kory notes that for each dollar spent on higher education in Virginia, the commonwealth receives $1.39 in increased tax revenue. While the Governor’s Higher Education Reform Committee … Continued
County honors library volunteer John Mayer
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors presented the 2010 Barbara Varon Volunteer Award to John Mayer during its Oct. 19 meeting in recognition for his extraordinary service as a volunteer at the George Mason Regional Library. Since 2007, Mayer has spent more than 440 hours at the volunteering in different capacities. He has taught people … Continued
Connolly and Finian clash over health care and the economy
The economy and health reform are two of the issues Rep. Gerry Connolly, the Democrat representing the 11th District, and Republican challenger Keith Fimian are clashing over in debates in recent days. At a debate at the Northern Virginia Community Center in Annandale Monday evening, Fimian repeatedly stressed the need to reduce the national debt, … Continued
New Annandale Petco opens Nov. 12
The new Petco pet store, at 7434 Little River Turnpike, near the Safeway, opens Friday, Nov. 12, with some special events scheduled for the Grand Opening weekend: Saturday, Nov. 13, 8:55 a.m. – Ribbon-cutting ceremony. Saturday, 9 a.m. – Free $10 gift card to the first 100 customers enrolled in Petco’s PALs program. Saturday, 9 … Continued
Group cites lack of transparency in FCPS community engagement process
Those of you following the Annandale Regional Planning Study and appreciate the opportunity for community engagement might want to look at the political machinations involving the school board’s decision to close Clifton Elementary School. The future of Clifton Elementary was part of the Southwestern Regional Planning Study, a process similar to the one going on now to … Continued
Annandale’s big event happens this Saturday: the annual Parade and Fall Festival
The biggest annual event in Annandale is just days away: The annual Fall Festival and Parade, sponsored by the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, takes place Saturday, Oct. 23. The parade runs along Columbia Pike, starting at 10 a.m. from the Annandale United Methodist Church parking lot near the Gallows Road intersection. It heads up Columbia … Continued
Volunteers sought to clean up Annandale’s Pine Ridge Park
Volunteers are needed this Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., to help Fairfax ReLeaf clean up the wooded area at Pine Ridge Park in Annandale. Volunteers will pull invasive plants and remove debris to clear the way for native species and future reforestation of the park, located at 3401 Woodburn Road. This project is part of VolunteerFest, … Continued
Take your family on a nighttime nature hike with ‘wildlife’ at Hidden Oaks
Ever wonder what goes on in the woods when the sun goes down? Creatures of the night (actually naturalists in costume) will dispel some myths about themselves during “Fear-less Fest,” Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s biggest event of the year. Fear-less Fest takes place Oct. 23, 7-9 p.m. at Hidden Oaks, 7701 Royce St., Annandale. The … Continued
Annandale facility seeks volunteers for a clinical trail on an HIV vaccine
The Clinical Alliance for Research and Evaluation—Infectious Diseases (CARE-ID), a research facility at 3289 Woodburn Road, Annandale, is seeking volunteers to take part in a clinical trial on an HIV vaccine. CARE-ID is one of 20 facilities in the United States participating in HVTN 505 study to determine the effectiveness of a vaccine that has shown … Continued
Oak Hill, Annandale’s oldest house, welcomes visitors one day a year
People lining for up for a peek inside The annual Open House at Oak Hill Saturday afternoon drew a mix of history buffs, curious neighbors, descendants of the Fitzhughs, and former residents to the oldest house in Annandale. Oak Hill, at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road, was built in 1790 by Richard Fitzhugh, a great grandson … Continued
County moves to demolish blighted house on Eighth Street
There is a house not far from central Annandale that is so blighted, Fairfax County officials want it to be demolished. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is holding a hearing next Tuesday, Oct. 19, 4:30 p.m., at the Government Center, to declare the house at 6540 Eighth St., Alexandria, a nuisance and approve a … Continued
Annandale residents invited to take part in a dialogue on diversity
The Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is sponsoring a forum aimed at improving the quality of life in Annandale by exploring the meaning of diversity. The session, “Annandale Dialogue on Diversity: What Does Diversity Mean to You?” takes place Oct. 20, 6:30-9 p.m., in the Annandale High School cafeteria. Community residents are … Continued
Mason District Council launches website with neighborhood resources
Community leaders and residents in Fairfax County’s Mason District are encouraged to check out the new website for the recently revitalized Mason District Council (MDC). The council represents community organizations and homeowner associations in the Mason District and provides a forum to address issues of common concern—everything from what to do about graffiti, to how … Continued