In the mood for a culinary adventure? Try Annandale’s other ‘fast food’
By James Moon When it come to fast food, Annandale has many of the major chains. But if you’d rather have something that doesn’t come with fries, you might want to give Korean-style fast food a try. Which brings us to a small house-turned-cafeteria next to Fairfax Auto Parts and behind the Giant. (The street … Continued
Craft Gallery: Annandale’s hidden gem
The Craft Gallery of Artisans United at the Fred M. Packard Center in one of Annandale’s hidden gems. The tiny shop has jewelry, ceramics, woodcarvings, knitted items, fabric art, pottery, photography, and other high-quality crafts on display and available for purchase. Artisans United is a nonprofit organization that serves as a network for local artists … Continued
Re-enactment of Lincoln’s Grand Review to take place in Bailey’s Crossroads in November 2011
Big plans are underway to stage a re-enactment commemorating the 150th anniversary (the sesquicentennial) of President Lincoln’s Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac on Nov. 12, 2011, in Bailey’s Crossroads. The goal is to “put the spotlight on Northern Virginia to commemorate something of enormous importance to this country,” says Maria Elena Schacknies … Continued
Support local farmers – Shop at a farmers market
Stock up on freshly picked fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheese, and homebaked breads and pies at your local farmers market, which open for the season the week of May 2. There are two in the Annandale area: The Annandale Farmers Market at Mason District Park on Columbia Pike is open Thursdays, 8 a.m.-noon, and the Wakefield … Continued
Annandale volunteers needed for Invasive Plant Removal Day this Saturday
Annandale residents are invited to join the effort to wipe out invasive plants that are taking over our parks and streams. A series of events is planned statewide on May 1, Virginia Invasive Plant Removal Day, including two in Annandale: Annandale Community Park, Lafayette Village Drive, off Hummer Road. Volunteers will focus on removing porcelainberry plants, … Continued
Three Mason District schools to receive additional resources
A new Fairfax County Public Schools program will target additional funds to about 30 underperforming elementary and middle schools to help them raise student achievement over the next three years. Schools in the Mason District expected to part of the Priority Schools program are Beech Tree Elementary School and Poe and Glasgow middle schools. Each … Continued
Firefighters might hold training exercise at Lacey Center
If you see a bunch of firefighters and police officers swarming all over the Lacey Center this summer, don’t freak out; it’s probably just a training exercise. Before the Lacey Center is demolished—in preparation for building a new elementary school on that site—the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy might want to use the building … Continued
Northern Virginia streetcar plans bypass Annandale
There are streetcar and other mass transit projects in the works all over Northern Virginia. Unfortunately, nothing is planned near Annandale. Alexandria and Arlington are moving forward with ambitious plans for streetcars. Fairfax County’s transit plans are focused on the Silver Line under construction, which will extend Metro from Tysons Corner to Dulles airport. Transportation chiefs from … Continued
Fairfax County approves five-cent increase in property tax rate
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a marked-up budget April 20 for fiscal year 2011 that raises the real estate tax rate by five cents—from $1.04 to $1.09 per $100 of assessed value. The board take a final vote to adopt a budget on April 27. The board also approved a vehicle registration license … Continued
Community meeting scheduled on Annandale redevelopment plan
The Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization and Reinvestment is seeking community input on proposed changes to the comprehensive plan for the Annandale Community Business Center. Local residents are encouraged to attend a meeting Thursday, April 29, 7-9 p.m., at the Annandale High School auditorium. The proposed plan would transform Annandale into a pedestrian-friendly “urban … Continued
Redevelopment plan proposed for Bailey’s Crossroads
Try to imagine heading to Bailey’s Crossroads and strolling along tree-shaded streets, looking at the shops, and having a meal at a sidewalk café. That’s the vision for turning an area of busy highways, apartments, strip malls, big box stores, and vast parking lots into an urban town center. Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross; Deana Rhodeside, … Continued
You are warned: Backups expected on Little River bridge over beltway
On Sunday evening, April 18, all traffic on Little River Turnpike over the beltway will be shifted from the old bridge to the new one. The shift is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and be completed by 5 a.m. Monday morning. You can expect delays now as crews prepare for the shift. The shift … Continued
Annandale’s Korean-Chinese restaurants put their own twist on traditional cuisine
By James Moon Annandale is known for its own microcosm of Korean civilization and, like any great civilization, that includes a flavor of Chinese. Whether they are run by Chinese immigrants or Chinese-inspired restaurateurs, Chinese restaurants around the world reflect their host culture. That goes for Korea, too – and Annandale. In a Korean-Chinese restaurant, … Continued
Transportation options outlined for Beauregard corridor
The infusion of about 4,000 jobs to the Mark Center in Alexandria as part of the so-called BRAC 133 Project is accelerating other development in that area, which will create a traffic nightmare unless steps are taken to create more through streets. The Defense Department’s BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) plan approved in 2005 called … Continued
BP station robbed at gunpoint
A man robbed the BP gas station on the corner of Columbia Pike and John Marr Drive at gunpoint at about 8:30 a.m. April 12. “The 52-year-old man working as a cashier handed over an undisclosed amount of cash and was not injured. The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction,” the Mason District Police … Continued