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
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