Taste of Annandale food lineup reflects the region's diverse cuisines

How about a lobster roll?

The 2019 Taste of Annandale, a community festival on Oct. 5, will offer a diverse selection of dining options that reflect a variety of cultures and cuisines – from empanadas to burgers, tandoori to lobster, and much more. 

The full food line-up hasn’t been finalized, but the following vendors have been confirmed.

Petition seeks more pickleball courts

Pickleball is becoming an increasingly popular sport, yet Fairfax County isn’t meeting the demand for places to play.

Annandale resident Mike Perel, vice chair of the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging, encourages people to  sign a petition asking the Board of Supervisors and Park Authority to “find ways to support the growth and interest in pickleball.”

Mason District Running Festival promotes outdoor exercise

The Mason District Running Festival features six races, including a Kids Fun Run. 

If you’re planning to run in the Taste of Annandale 5K Race on Oct. 5, why not get some practice by joining the Mason District Running Festival on Sept. 28? Both races use the trails at Mason District Park.

Raffle prizes at the running festival include four free registrations for the Taste of Annandale 5K.

Signs are up announcing new Lidl store

Lidl signs posted on former Staples store, which had previously been a Whole Foods. [David Siegel]

It’s official: A Lidl grocery store is going into the former Staples storefront in Pinecrest Plaza on Little River Turnpike, as we announced in July. Lidl (rhymes with needle) offers low-prices and minimal services, much like Aldi, another grocery chain based in Germany. Interested in a job? Here’s the link to the Lidl career website.

Signature event builds community in many ways

Crowds gather for the 2018 Bands at the Beach event.

By Tara Rethore 

How does a community organization working to make college dreams a reality raise funds and spread the word about their mission? By hosting a community-building event, of course!

For each of the last three years, the Justice High School Scholarship Fund (JHS Scholars) has hosted Bands at the Beach, which has quickly become its signature event. That’s because in addition to raising money for the need-based scholarships it provides, JHS Scholars engages others in the surrounding community to come together and celebrate each other and the community’s students.

Bitcoin ATM now at Annandale gas station

The Bitcoin ATM at an Annandale Exxon station. 

You can now buy Bitcoins from an ATM recently installed in the Exxon service station at 7336 Little River Turnpike in Annandale.

It’s one of six cryptocurrency ATMs in Northern Virginia operated by Black Frog, a company based in Maryland. Black Frog has installed 82 ATMS in six states, mostly in gas stations or convenience stores.

School board candidate focuses solely on denying rights to transgender students

Tom Pafford

Tom Pafford, a candidate to represent Mason District on the Fairfax County School Board, is laser-focused on one issue: He wants the school board to back away from promoting pro-transgender policies, such as allowing students to use the bathroom according to their gender identity.

At a recent meeting with the Annandale blogger, Pafford insisted he is a serious candidate, although he doesn’t have a campaign organization. He says he doesn’t have any volunteers or endorsements, because he didn’t ask for any.