VDOT open house features traffic management and safety agencies

Dozens of trucks on display at VDOT's Incident Management Open House.

Although traffic congestion is a way of life in the D.C. metro region, imagine how much worse it would be without the dozens of agencies from multiple jurisdictions that work to keep things running as smoothly as possible. Many of those agencies took part in an open house and vehicle display at VDOT’s Northern Virginia headquarters in Fairfax Nov. 10.

In 'Billy Elliot,' a boy finds his way through dance

From the left: Chris Genebach (Dad), Liam Redford (Billy Elliot), and the ensemble from Billy Elliot at Signature Theatre. [Christopher Mueller]

By David Siegel

Billy Elliot the Musical at Signature Theatre in Shirlington soars with expressive, youthful dance energy and a liberating message: Do what you need to do to be who you want to be. Directed and choreographed by Matthew Gardiner, Billy Elliot is positively exhilarating, even in politically charged scenes when dance becomes a choreographed rage.

Bed/health store opens in Annandale

Caresys, a Korean company that sells beds with heated mattresses, massage chairs, and health products, opened a branch in Annandale Nov. 9 at 7300 Maple Place. In the United States, Caresys has outlets in Los Angeles; Englewood Cliffs, N.J.; and Queens, N.Y.

Sales associate Christina Chee tries out a bed at Caresys.

Culmore Clinic will relocate

Nurse Juan Ramirez at the Culmore Clinic

The Culmore Clinic, which provides free basic healthcare to lower-income residents of the Culmore community, is losing its space at Columbia Baptist Church.

The church, on Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads, is reclaiming the clinic’s space so it can expand its early childhood development center. The Culmore Clinic was founded about 10 years ago and has been at Columbia for the past eight years.

Neighbors launch letter-writing campaign against Gallows Road development

Dozens of people turn out for meeting on a high-density development in their community. 

Residents of Holmes Run Acres, Windy Ridge, Lafayette Village, and Raintree are urging county leaders to reject plans for a 55+ housing development on Gallows Road across from Woodburn Elementary School.

About 40 neighbors gathered at the school Nov. 8 for a community meeting convened by Edith MacArthur, president of the Holmes Run Acres Citizen Association. They intend to write letters and call members of the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors and bring a large crowd to the next meeting of the Mason District Land Use Committee on Nov. 27.

Volunteers needed for Ossian Hall Park cleanup

The playground at Ossian Hall Park. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the community to join a “fall blitz” to spruce up Ossian Hall Park in Annandale Saturday, Nov. 10, 8 a.m.-noon.

Volunteers are needed to help spread mulch in the landscaping beds, spread tot lot chips in the playground, prune vegetation, and pick up trash. Gloves, tools, trash bags, and materials will be provided.

Virginia voters reject Trump agenda

Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to supporters after easily winning re-election. 

Voters in Virginia solidly rejected the Trump agenda by re-electing key Democrats to Congress, including Sen. Tim Kaine, Reps. Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer, and in a closely watched Northern Virginia race that got national attention, replacing Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock with Democratic challenger Jennifer Wexton.

Kaine got 56.7 percent of the vote statewide, beating Republican Corey Stewart, a strong Trump supporter. In Fairfax County, Kaine got 70.9 percent of the vote.