Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Bailey’s Crossroads revitalization plan approved by Fairfax County Planning Commission

The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved a redevelopment plan June 23 to guide the revitalization of Bailey’s Crossroads. The plan would encourage the transformation of a suburb dominated by strip malls into a higher-density area with a pedestrian-friendly town center served by a streetcar line. During the hearing, Laxmi Nagaraj, of the Department of Planning and Zoning, … Continued

Send a message: Boycott BP

If, like me, you’re really angry about the nightmare in the Gulf, you could join the boycott against BP. Signing a petition against the giant oil company or joining the anti-BP Facebook group might make you feel better, but such actions aren’t likely to have much of a long-term impact, though. Mohamed Alam, an employee … Continued

Coming soon on this blog: ‘Neighborhood Joints’

The editor of this esteemed blog, Ms. Ashford, asked that I follow up last summer’s insightful, behind-the-scenes story on neighborhood swim teams with a new report. Unfortunately, Ms. Ashford turned down my first story idea, “How I Spent My Summer,” an existential tale of indolence and mid-life angst in the Deep South. No, she said: … Continued

Hello to Hapmudo

The Hapmudo martial arts studio, which has been located in various spots in Annandale for the past five years and most recently in the former Princess Nails site on Columbia Pike, is moving next door July 1 to the site vacated by Master’s Costume. Hapmudo Master and founder Yong Sung Lee’s philosophy focuses on balancing … Continued

Farewell to Master’s Costume

A couple of enormous Teletubby heads, a few Santa suits, various halloween costumes, some hats, and a large assortment of bunny suits–that’s all that’s left on the second-to-the-last day of the Master’s Costume shop on Columbia Pike. The entire chain–with stores across the Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. region–is closing. The company has had a store … Continued