April 14: A ‘Black Day’ in Annandale–and a good day for jajangmyeon
By James Moon You may think Valentine’s Day was over and done months ago, but for young Koreans, Feb. 14 was just the beginning. That’s because Koreans have a series of Valentine-themed informal traditions that go on for months, and Valentine’s Day is just the kickoff. Valentine’s Day in Korea is a day when girls … Continued
Mason District Council revived
Leaders of several area community associations got together last week to begin reviving the Mason District Council, which had become inactive about three years ago. “Many of the issues we are facing today are far different from what the organization dealt with in the past,” says Mollie Loeffler, president of the Parklawn Community Association, who … Continued
Braddock Road beltway exit closures planned
You might want to avoid the Braddock Road beltway exit this weekend, as there will be lane closures to accommodate the HOT lanes construction project. The Braddock Road eastbound exit ramp to I-495 south will be closed April 9, 9:30 p.m.-April 12, 5 a.m., to allow construction crews to relocate utilities. Police will direct traffic. … Continued
Creative Annandale residents bring personal expression to their front yards
One of the best things about Annandale is the freedom to bring your personal expression to your front yard – at least in most neighborhoods. As long as you don’t threaten people’s health or safety or turn your yard into a parking lot, you can pretty much put up any kind of outrageous, artistic display you … Continued
Annandale, a “suburb of Tysons Corner,” has potential for major growth
“Annandale is in effect a suburb of Tysons Corner,” says Gerald Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. As Tysons becomes more urbanized—and attracts major corporations—Annandale is poised to attract some of the smaller subcontractors that that will follow, he told local business leaders at an Annandale Chamber of Commerce luncheon … Continued
Volunteers needed for stream clean-up
Volunteers will be cleaning up streambeds throughout the D.C. region—including several locations in the Annandale area—this Saturday, April 10, as part of the 22nd annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. The regional effort, sponsored by the Alice Ferguson Foundation is aimed at removing trash from parks, parking lots, and fields before it enters creeks and other waterways that drain into … Continued
Hazards lurking in basements and kitchens can cause fires, Fairfax County fire marshal warns
What appears to be a normal suburban house could be hiding a dangerous powder keg ready to explode. Time after time, Captain Jim Sobota of the Fairfax County fire marshal’s office, has discovered unsafe quantities of gasoline, propane, and hazardous chemicals lurking in basements and garages—and posing significant fire hazards. Sobota described his office’s responsibilities … Continued
Volunteers need to help Fairfax County control Canada Geese population
Fairfax County is seeking volunteer “goose addlers” to help control the growing population of Canada geese. Addling is a humane practice, in which the goose eggs are coated with oil to prevent them from hatching. Anyone interested in joining this volunteer effort is invited to attend a hands-on training session Monday, April 5, 1:30-3 p.m., … Continued
Maps show plans for Braddock Road beltway bridge and access routes to beltway
The areas in yellow are two-way traffic; green = construction zone; red = structures under construction; blue = pedestrian access. Phase 1 – to be completed by May 2010: Phase 3 – East bound traffic is shifted to the new eastbound bridge, and westbound traffic is shifted to a new westbound bridge: Phase 4 – … Continued
Residents near the beltway raise concerns about traffic congestion and noise
People who live close to the beltway in the Annandale area raised some concerns about noise and traffic congestion during the beltway widening/HOT lanes project at a briefing Tuesday evening at Annandale High School. The $2 billion project involves widening 14 miles of the beltway between the I95 and 395 interchanges at Springfield and just … Continued
Items for time capsule sought
A time capsule will be buried at the re-opening ceremony for the Thomas Jefferson Library on Arlington Boulevard this summer. Renovations of the library are nearing completion. Items sought for the time capsule include written materials, photos, or small objects that relate to the neighborhood around the library or your family’s history, or small token from … Continued
AARP volunteers providing help with tax returns
If you’ve been putting off getting your taxes done, the AARP Tax Aide program can help. Volunteers are providing free walk-in assistance with federal and state tax returns at the Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike. The service is available Mondays and Thursdays, 1-8 p.m.; Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. All … Continued
Litter clean-up ideas offered
Daren Shumate of the Parklawn community is tired of picking up trash from the ball fields his children use and around schoolyards and along roadways. He told a group of community leaders at a meeting in Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross’ office March 27 that he regularly fills up six bags of trash on a … Continued
Parking violators: Your neighbors are watching
You might not be aware about some of the ways you can get a ticket for parking the wrong way on your street. Parking your car in the wrong direction, even in front of your house, for example, is illegal, as is parking perpendicular to the curb in a cul-de-sac. And you can’t park more … Continued
VDOT holds community meeting on HOT Lanes
The VDOT Megaprojects Office will host a briefing March 30 at 7 p.m. at Annandale High School on the HOT Lanes projects and the new Little River Turnpike bridge over the beltway. Construction of the eastbound bridge is almost complete. Once the new bridge opens, all traffic will be shifted to the new bridge, allowing … Continued