Annandale is more than a zip code: Dan McKinnon reflects on his vision for creating a “sense of place”
Annandale booster Dan McKinnon, chair of the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee, has done more than just about anybody to promote positive change for Annandale. His goal: to transform Annandale, an unincorporated suburban community in Fairfax County, into a “hometown” with “a sense of place.” The revitalization efforts are focusing on the commercial center … Continued
A rainbow over Annandale
This photo was taken May 23, about 7:40 p.m., on Columbia Pike next to Domino’s (on the left).
Reduced hours for Fairfax County libraries take effect July 1
Due to budget cuts in the Fairfax County budget, all libraries will have reduced hours, beginning July 1. Regional and community libraries will be open fewer hours on week days, and community libraries will be closed on Sundays. Here is the new schedule for the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale: Monday and Wednesday – 1 p.m.-9 … Continued
School board approves budget; rejects amendment to eliminate fees
The Fairfax County school board voted to adopt a $2.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2011 May 20. The budget would require students to a pay a $100 fee for participating in a sport and $75 for taking an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam. An amendment proposed by Mason District school board member Sandy … Continued
Largest khat bust in Fairfax County
Mason District Police officers busted a couple of local residents Saturday evening for possession and distribution of the amphetamine khat, a Schedule 1 drug derived from flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. According to the police department, an officer on patrol observed what appeared to be a drug transaction in … Continued
Fairfax County honors special trees
Do you know any special tree worthy of being designated as a “celebrated tree of Fairfax County”? The Fairfax County Tree Commission is seeking nominations for special trees in these categories: big tree (one of the largest of its species); historic tree (associated with a significant event, landmark, person, or institution); commemorative tree (a tree or … Continued
Music in the Park event June 13 will benefit Glasgow Park
Mason District’s Parklawn neighborhood has to have one of the most active, committed community organizations in Fairfax County. Over the past few months, this group has launched anti-litter campaigns, clean-up days, and projects to improve Glasgow Park and the Parklawn pool, with much of these activities supported by a $5,000 Neighborhood Enhancement grant from Fairfax … Continued
The carnival comes to Annandale
Summer must be on the way because the annual carnival is here in the Kmart parking lot. The carnival, sponsored by the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, has been coming to Annandale for at least 10 years, says Veto Blake, an electrician with Reithoffer Shows, a family-run business based in Florida that owns and operates carnival … Continued
Fairfax County Police Department wins annual Annandale Bed Race
Annandale residents should feel safer knowing that our police officers are fit and healthy enough to beat 32 other teams in pushing a hospital bed up and down John Marr Drive. The Fairfax Police Department won the annual Bed Race, an Annandale annual tradition, on Saturday morning. A team from Magill’s restaurant was the second-place … Continued
Take a coffee break at Le Matin de Paris: Annandale’s Korean-French cafe
By James Moon Looking to meet friends for a cup of coffee or buy a cake for a celebration? Then you might want to swing by Le Matin de Paris, a Korean-operated French-inspired bakery and coffee shop at 7326 Little River Turnpike. Of the many Korean-styled cafes in Annandale, which to the untrained eye aren’t … Continued
New details emerge on Beltway HOT lanes project
The HOT lanes project on the beltway is expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2012 or early in 2013. The project involves widening the 14-mile stretch of the beltway between the I-395 interchange and Old Dominion Road, with the middle lanes reserved for high-occupancy toll-paying vehicles, installing an electronic toll collection … Continued
Use a lawn company committed to protecting the watershed
If you’re thinking of hiring a lawn care company, it’s advisable to pick one that uses methods that won’t harm the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) developed a list of watershed-friendly lawn care operators that have agreed to train their employees to use lawn care products responsibly, follow appropriate … Continued
Help keep Annandale parks safe and clean: Sign up for the new volunteer park monitor program
Concerned about having well-maintained, litter-free parks in Annandale? You can volunteer to be a park monitor under a new program launched by the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Park Operations Division. Volunteers will receive training on the park rules and regulations and how to diplomatically interact with the public. Park monitors must be at least 18 … Continued
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