ANNANDALE
The Crossroads of Northern Virginia TMRead Annandale's News Magazine,
ENDEAVOR
Annandale News & Latest Articles
Annandale News: Meet the Artisan Gini Moore
Annandale News: The New Sign Regulations
Annandale News: Elder Care Options in Annandale
Annandale News: You Are Never Too Young to Save Energy
Annandale Retail: robynblair Now Available at AnnSandra
Annandale Real Estate: When It's Seniors, It's More than a Sale
Annandale History: Early 3D Entertainment
Annandale History: Gallows Road Army Antiaircraft Base
VIEW ON NATURE: Holy Allegheny Alligators!
ANNANDALE News, Events & Networking
Friday, November 15 at 8 pm
25th Anniversary Concert
EARLY 3D Entertainment
Early 3D entertainment came in the form of a Stereo Viewer which could be found in countless homes.
Stereoview Cards became popular in the early 1900s. It was an early attempt to create 3-dimensional photographs. A stereoscope viewer was used to view two side-by-side photos mounted on a card. Viewing an image in this fashion gave the illusion of depth. Stereoscopes were once a popular form of entertainment for the whole family, an early form of virtual reality producing highly detailed images that when viewed, produced a highly intense experience. With a stereoscope your entire field of vision is engaged. The result became the strongest persuasive power of any medium of the time. READ MORE
Midday Marketing Receptions
A Variety of New Networking Opportunities
In order to offer a variety of networking opportunities, the Annandale Chamber of Commerce has introduced a series of Midday Marketing Receptions at their new chamber offices. These receptions have become a wildly popular venue where members can build their contact list and business relationships quickly and effectively. These receptions are an ideal opportunity for members to expand their professional address book along with their business base.
Building these personal relationships with people who could be offering you work tomorrow is the key to professional success. After all, people tend to do business with those that they meet & trust. Spectacular food is served in this congenial relaxed setting while members identify potential new customers.
To celebrate Octoberfest, Chamber members were invited to a Beer Tasting Reception on October 9th in the reception room at the Renaissance of Annandale: 7112 Braddock Road. This premier memory care facility is an active chamber member celebration and tke the opportunity to showcase their facility.
Finally, before the holiday rush sets-in, chamber members are invited to celebrate with their busines
s associates on Thursday, December 12th when the chamber will host a Holiday Brunch at the chamber offices at 11 am.
See the chamber’s online calendar for more information or email the chamber office at info@annandalechamber.com. Reservations are requested as space is limited and restricted to chamber members and their guests.
Annandale Elder Care
A Broad Range of Care Options are available to Serve the Greatest Generation
The senior population of the US, and in Annandale, has rapidly increased demand for personal care in an unprecedented fashion. Caring for an aging loved one requires some adaptation, often taking the elderly from a modicum of assistance to enrollment as a resident in a care community. If you are preparing to provide an elderly loved one with some level of assisted care or move them into a senior care community, you will have questions—many questions. The world of senior care can be somewhat confusing to the uninitiated, but be assured, there will be a fit for your loved one.
Annandale is blessed with a variety of excellent elder care providers who are members of the Annandale Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Consortium.
www.annandalechamber.com/eldercare.rhtml
Starting with daily care assistance from companies such as Home Instead Senior Care, your loved one will receive warmhearted dependable attention while remaining in their own home. Home Instead will tailor a home care arrangement to fit your family's lifestyle and budget. www.homeinstead.com
robynblair Now Available at AnnSandra
Talent and the Entrepreneurial Spirit Transcends the Generations in this Family.
A talented New York artist, Robyn Blair Davidson has deeper roots in Annandale than one might think. Her grandfather built the shopping center on John Marr Drive and opened the anchor store, Juvenile Toys to the delight of every Annandale child. His daughter, Sandi Davidson, created the exquisite retail favorite, AnnSandra. Now her daughter, Robyn, has added an especially blissful display to their shelves of fine gifts just in time for AnnSandra’s 39th Anniversary celebrations.
by robynblair was born when Robyn decided to turn her candy obsession into literal works of art. Her candy dish is a customizable vessel designed to display your sweetest desires. Each piece of art is a cheeky nod to self-control, how and when we indulge, and the idea that life should be filled with sweet things. There is a joyful embrace of life through the colorful and playful expression in Roby’s work.
Davidson currently resides in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood, amongst some of the best galleries in the world. With inspiration on the doorstep Davidson noted that gum drops and gummy bears were pouring out of jars on her kitchen counter, and lollipops and licorice were stashed in drawers and consoles. With so much color infused into the surface décor of her apartment, Davidson decided her walls were in need of some sugary goodness as well.
Annandale REAL ESTATE
When It’s Seniors, It’s About More Than the Sale
Pushing my shopping cart through the Giant on Little River is always an adventure. First, I always get the cart with the one noisy, bum wheel that makes it sound like a freight car is rolling through the aisles. Second, I can hardly read my list that I hurriedly wrote while speaking with my wife. Third, I often am impeded in my task by the number of senior citizens who choke the lanes while moving at a retired pace. Fortunately, I have packed my patience and I am prepared for the stop-and-start that occurs in my grocery shopping.
The truth is that Annandale has a lot of senior homeowners whose numbers seem to have increased dramatically over the last ten years. The concept of “aging in place” has taken hold in our community and there is no better illustration than a simple trip to the grocery store. However, aging in place is only one phase in real estate and people need to use this time to prepare for the ultimate conclusion of that phase, be it moving to assisted living or passing away. READ MORE
December 7, 2019 - 10 am to 7 pm
Christmastide at Gunston Hall
“Celebrate a historic holiday at Gunston hall! Daytime activities are a way to spend the day with your family, and Santa in residence, games and crafts abounding. The evening hours provide a romantic holiday experience by candlelight as you sample period food in the kitchen, explore the grounds, enjoy 18th century music, and chat with characters from the past.” $15 adults, $10 kids ages 6-18, members receive a 50% discount. Food will be available for purchase at Christmastide.
10709 Gunston Road
Mason Neck, VA 22079
703 550 9220 . www.gunstonhall.org
Hours & Museum
Mansion & Museum Open 9:30—5:00 Daily
Grounds close at 6:00 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year’s Day
November 28 through January 5
US Botanical Garden Holiday Celebration
Explore botanic gardens from Hawaii to Maine in this year's Season's Greenings holiday show! Plant based recreations of conservatories, fountains, and sculptures will fill the model train room. These will include iconic gardens scenes like Brooklyn Botanic Garden's vibrant red Japanese torii gate, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens' flamingo topiaries, Missouri Botanical Garden's famous Climatron conservatory, and Huntsville Botanical Garden's Rocket Gardenfeaturing NASA space nodes and rockets! The Conservatory will be filled with thousands of flowers, including a showcase of heirloom and newly developed poinsettia varieties. Our collection of D.C. landmarks made from plant materials will return to fill the Garden Court, and the West Gallery will feature a decorated tree with its own model train. Join us as we celebrate the holidays and America's beautiful and diverse public gardens.
The Conservatory is open every day of the year, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free of charge. The best times to visit Season's Greenings are weekdays early in December. On select Tuesday and Thursday evenings in December, the Conservatory is open until 8 p.m. with live seasonal music. Please travel lightly, as the Conservatory is not equipped to store personal items.
The USBG is located across from the U.S. Capitol Building along First St. SW, between Maryland Ave. and C St. Bartholdi Park sits behind the Conservatory and is accessible from Independence Ave., Washington Ave. or First St. The closest Metro station is Federal Center SW.
VIEW ON NATURE:
Holy Allegheny Alligators!
Virginia is home to the largest salamander in the U.S—the Eastern Hellbender. Think LARGE, with some growing up to 29 inches long and living past 25 years! No one knows how it got that wild name; many assume it’s due to its strange appearance, whereas Appalachian legend has pioneer settlers naming it as a creature from hell where it’s bent on returning. In Virginia, they reside in the southwestern part of the state where locals may refer to them as “devil dogs” and “Allegheny alligators”.
This stout, chocolate to rust-brown amphibian has a wide, flat body, neck and head, tiny eyes, and slimy skin. Their tails are set to provide powerful propulsion in fast moving waters. This large amphibian is found on the bottoms of clear, moderate to swift-moving, silt-free, well-oxygenated mountain streams. They hunt at night for crayfish, hellgrammites, and small fish while spending their days under streambed rocks. They have a very good sense of smell, trailing scent molecules upstream to their prey, and are believed to detect fish vibrations.
On the Energy Front:
You are never too young to start saving energy
School is back in session, leaves are changing colors, Halloween is around the corner and it’s Energy Action Month. The sweltering summer heat is behind us and what better way to celebrate Energy Action Month than learning quick and easy tips to proactively save energy and money throughout the fall and winter months.
As the state’s energy education program under the guidance of the State Corporation Commission, Virginia Energy Sense’s goal is to empower Virginians to get involved and save energy at home, at work and even at school. Virginia has set of a goal to reduce electric energy consumption 10 percent below 2006 levels by 2022, but this can only be achieved if we take the initiative to reduce our energy use.
You are never too young to start saving energy and with the right resources, energy education can be easy and fun. Whether you’re a college student paying your first energy bill in an apartment or a recent graduate looking to reduce costs, implementing energy saving tips can put money back in your pocket. Take a look at the tips and recommendations below for ways to reduce energy consumption in your dorm, home or apartment this fall.
Energy Saving Tips for Students
Use Power Strips – Plugging everything into one power strip allows you to turn off all your devices and gadgets with just one switch before running off to class!
Use a programmable thermostat – Set the temperature in your apartment as low as comfortably possible while you are out with a programmable thermostat to ensure energy is not wasted when you’re away.
Army Antiaircraft Base 1951
Gallows Road in Annandale
Following the initial pattern of forts established for the defense of Washington during the American Civil War, Antiaircraft bases were established surrounding DC for the defense of the city during the Cold War.
Annandale folklore includes the story that a NIKE missile defense base was located in Annandale during the 1950’s. According to research, Project Nike was a U.S. Army project, proposed in May 1945 by Bell Laboratories. Bell had been charged to develop a line-of-sight anti-aircraft missile system. The project delivered the first US operational anti-aircraft missile system in 1953 known as the Nike Ajax. A great number of the technologies and rocket systems used for developing the Nike Ajax were re-used for other programs functions, many of which were given the Nike name (after Nike, the Greek goddess of victory). The missile's first-stage solid rocket booster became the basis for many types of rockets including the Nike Hercules missile and NASA's Nike Smoke rocket, used for upper-atmosphere research. (1)
The History of Little River Turnpike
Did you ever wonder why a road through the heart of Annandale is named for a river nearly 30 miles west in Aldie, Virginia? A wonderful aspect of this story illustrates how some situations several hundred years ago have remained the same or have exact parallels today!
Three major wagon roads were evolving for agricultural trade and migration in the mid-eighteenth century in northern Virginia: the Potomac Path, (today part of Rt. 1 to Fredericksburg); the nascent Leesburg Pike, (now Route 7 from Alexandria to Leesburg); and the Philadelphia Wagon Road, tying German-speaking western Pennsylvania and Maryland families migrating into the fertile Shenandoah Valley, (now seen as routes 11 and 81).
In 1772, Virginians in our area petitioned the House of Burgesses for funds for a Fredericksburg Road. The House rejected the proposal and recommended that local counties take over responsibility. Does this battle sound familiar? But something was changing in Virginia. By 1775, of the twenty listed mercantile firms in Alexandria – the wealthy regional trade center and river port – only three were exclusively dealing with tobacco. This agricultural shift meant changes in the Virginia landscape as well. Plantations needed rivers for tobacco. However, “inner” plantations – soon-to-be-smaller farms – had discovered that tobacco was very hard on the soil, and they began the switch to wheat and other grains, which required roads to mills and central shipping areas, rather than to the larger plantations’ river routes. READ MORE
Expanded Vital Records Services Offered
at Additional Office Locations
Certified copies of Virginia birth, death, marriage and divorce records are now available for purchase from the Fairfax County Health Department at four district office locations – in Fairfax, Herndon-Reston, Annandale and Mount Vernon.
Previously, the Health Department had two office locations that could provide residents and funeral home directors copies of death certificates and verification of death letters for the family of loved ones who died. By expanding its Vital Records services, the Health Department will now offer records for these life events occurring in the Commonwealth of Virginia:
- Births: June 1912 to present
- Marriages: 1936 to present
- Divorces: 1918 to present
- Deaths: June 1912 to present.
A client may request a certificate for oneself or next of kin/immediate family, which includes mother, father, current spouse, child, brother, or sister, and others under certain circumstances, with valid ID. Each copy is $12 and payable by cash, check or credit card.
Historic Smithfield Plantation
Historic Smithfield Plantation is located in Blacksburg, VA on the campus of Virginia Tech more than four hours from Annandale. This is not a tour suggested for your average Sunday afternoon, however, with so many Virginia Tech students, parents, & alumni in Annandale, you may find yourself in Blacksburg with a spare couple of hours...if only you knew about this charming property. I actually have eleven VT alumni in my immediate family and none have ever toured Smithfield. Sometimes the best gems are hidden in plain sight.
During the eighteenth century Augusta County in western Virginia developed rapidly. It included all of the land west of today’s Virginia to the Mississippi River including the future states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. Fincastle, Botetourt, and eventually Montgomery Counties were split from Augusta in the 1770’s.
By 1774, Col. William Preston moved his wife and seven children into the Smithfield Plantation House, and added another five children over the years. Mrs. Preston survived to raise her children and even outlived her husband on what became a 1,860 acre estate. This acreage includes most of present day Blacksburg and Virginia Tech.
READ MORE
While you are in the Blue Ridge
Visit Fincastle, VA
If you are traveling along Route 81 from Northern Virginia to VA Tech, take a break and visit Fincastle just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fincastle was founded in 1772 and named after Lord Fincastle, son of Lord Dunmore, Virginia's last royal governor. Antebellum churches, ancient tree-lined streets, 100 restored homes and a quaint village atmosphere make it a wonderful place to saunter.
A virtual museum of architectural history dating from the late 1770s to the present day, Fincastle was the home of Julia Hancock who married Explorer William Clark in 1808, a year following his Voyage of Discovery. The marriage took place at Santillane, a plantation also known as the Col. George Hancock Mansion. Santillane (ca. 1795) is one of only three residences that are associated with either Clark or Lewis, according to the National Park Service.
The Botetourt County Court House, known to draw visitors from around the country...
READ MORE
Trust Properties
Trust Properties was founded in 1994 and is committed to providing a broad range of Commercial Real Estate Services throughout the Greater Washington Metropolitan area. Staffed by knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated career professionals, Trust Properties takes pride in delivering impeccable levels of service and exceptional results to their clients and customers.
Greg McGillicuddy is a Vice President and Principal Broker at Trust Properties. Greg grew up in Arlington and returned here after completing his studies at Harvard and Hopkins. Greg is one of the most knowledgeable brokers in local real estate, with more than 27 years of experience in the sales and leasing of office, retail and industrial properties and has managed more than two million square feet of properties in the Greater Metro area, including numerous properties here in Annandale. READ MORE
LAMBROS GOLDSMITH AND FINE JEWELRY
Sparkling, even inspiring are the jewelry designs exhibited in abundance at this charming retailer. Lambros and Jayne Magiafas, goldsmith and geologist, are a team made in Jewelers Heaven. Lambros began his goldsmith apprenticeship at the age of 12 in his native Greece while Jayne started her career in the US at the age of 16.
Lambros Goldsmiths is a family owned and operated, full service Fine Jewelry retailer. Founded in 1987, Lambros Goldsmiths has been serving the Fine Jewelry needs of people from around the country. Nestled in our friendly town of Annandale, Lambros Goldsmiths offers uniquely handcrafted Fine Jewelry at competitive prices. READ MORE
Year Round Farmers Markets
SEASONAL MARKETS
NOVA Central Farm Market
OPENS April 7, 2019
(formerly the Mosaic District at Merrifield)
George C. Marshall High School
2910 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031
www.mosaic.centralfarmmarkets.com
Sundays 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
NOVA Central Farm Market, formerly Mosaic Central Farm Market, is a year-round farmers market located on Leesburg Pike, between Tysons Corner and the city of Falls Church, at Marshall High School in Falls Church, Virginia.
The market features fresh local pork, chicken, fish, cheeses, produce, dairy, baked goods, prepared foods to go, eggs, flowers, and ice cream.
Parking: Plenty of free parking surrounds the market
Mosaic District FreshFarm Market (Mosaic District at Merrifield)
2910 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031
www.mosaic.centralfarmmarkets.com
Sundays 9:30 am-2 pm
A year-round farmers market located in the heart of the vibrant Mosaic District in Fairfax, Virginia. Mosaic District’s FreshFarm market will feature more than 50 regional farmers, producers, and concessionaires selling fresh produce, meats, eggs, bread, cheese, baked goods, prepared foods, flowers, and more, says Sara Beckstead, communications manager at Edens, the owner of the Mosaic District.
Some of the vendors include Angelic Beef, Chase Your Tail Bakery, Foggy Mountain Pasta, King Mushrooms, Liberty Delight Farms, Rita’s Crepes, and Zeke’s Coffee.
FreshFarm, a D.C.-based nonprofit has 16 markets in the region, including Ballston, Crystal City, and Rosslyn.
FreshFarm has a producers-only requirement, meaning all products sold are grown, raised, or produced by the business selling them. Its markets prioritize local sourcing and support local agriculture.
Parking: There are 4 large parking garages with plenty of free parking located around the market. Look for the parking garage signs!
Falls Church Farmers Market
Saturdays 9 am - noon Jan. - March
Saturdays 9 am - Noon April-Dec.
Home Instead Senior Care
Making Annandale a Better Place for Seniors
Family caregivers whether a spouse, son, daughter, sister, brother or friend often find themselves stressed out when helping a person near and dear to their heart. How do you figure out where to turn when that situation arises? Who can help take some of this pressure from you and respectfully care for your loved one? The answer…Home Instead Senior Care.
Home Instead Senior Care, located at 7058 Columbia Pike here in Annandale, serves seniors wherever they call home. Opening in early 2006, Home Instead Senior Care has sought to help support individuals and families remain in their home for as long as they wish. Owned by Jason Sager, Annandale was selected due to its welcoming nature and location in Fairfax County. Over the years Home Instead Senior Care has developed itself to be one of best senior serving organizations in the area. Located next to Silverado’s Restaurant, the retail location gives the public the opportunity to walk in and see what we do for the community.
As a state licensed home care agency, we provide services such as companionship, to those that are lonely, light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, medication reminders, and organization for all those who struggle with day to day tasks. In addition to these services, Home Instead Senior Care also supports those who need help with activities of daily living by providing personal care services. This includes bathing, grooming, dressing and eating for anyone dealing with limitations. In addition, Home Instead Senior Care can also provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, trips to the salon/barber, or just to get out and about on a beautiful day. READ MORE
New Sign Regulations:
Promise to really junk-up the commercial areas.
The Board of Supervisors has adopted a significant rewrite to its zoning for signs. The aim is to put in place a policy to allow for content-neutral language.
The overhaul was needed in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that said local governments can’t limit signs based on their content or message. In the 2015 case Reed vs. Town of Gilbert, Ariz., the court ruled that “content-based” regulations do not meet the strict scrutiny test required by the First Amendment to protect free speech.
It is also believed that the new regulations make life so much easier for the Dept. of Code Compliance who has always shown hesitancy when regulating signage. Unfortunately, the commercial areas are plagued with a constant and cluttering excess of signage that often swallow any beauty in the streetscape.
Regulating signage, both with visits to cite and then with a follow up inspection does take time. Fair enough, but not an excuse. Unfortunately Fairfax County refuses to appoint permanent Code Compliance Officials to the commercial revitalization zones to cite all violations, including signage. Consequently, the commercial areas are very often junked-up with donation drop boxes, excess signage, unenclosed dumpsters, litter, dead landscaping, dumping of mattress & furniture, and so much more. It is impossible to see potential in commercial real estate with a landscape so unsightly. READ MORE
MEET THE ARTISAN: Gini Moore
Gini Moore is a photo artist who loves playing with apps. She grew up in Hawaii, but currently lives in Falls Church. For years Gini was an elementary classroom teacher and School Based Technology Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools. She served as president of the Virginia Macintosh Users Group and Vice President, photographer, and ‘ukulele performer for the Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C.
Moore bought her first SLR camera prior to going to Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt in 1975, with radio personalities Harden and Weaver. That trip presented the opportunity to photograph animals and she has never stopped.
READ MORE
Artisans United Craft Gallery
4022 Hummer Road
(in the Annandale Community Park)
Annandale, VA 22003
703-941-0202 www.augallery.org
10 am-4 pm Mon-Sat.
Nov. & Dec: Sun. 1-4 pm
Chamber Membership is an Effective Business Strategy
According to a recent study conducted by the Shapiro Group:
“When consumers know a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 49% more likely to think favorably of that business, and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.” For more information on benefits when joining the Annandale Chamber of Commerce please see......
Membership Information.
(Copyright © 2012 Annandale Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved. (Photographs & images, on this page, and on this website, are not available for use by other publications, blogs, individuals, websites, or social media sites.)
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Read the Latest
ENDEAVOR News Magazine
The ENDEAVOR News Magazine is the Chamber's quarterly online publication and the must read magazine in Annandale. Acquaint yourself with local businesses, community history, revitalization efforts, and issues that concern Annandale: The Crossroads of Northern Virginia TM.
The Annandale American Legion
Post 1976 is recruiting new members. Veterans and family members welcome to join. Party hall rental is free for 
all members. Call 703-408-9123 and ask for Diane Ramsey.
4206 Daniels Ave, Annandale, VA 22003
(behind the Bank of America building
on Columbia Pike)
Mondays and Thursdays
The Annandale Volunteer Fire Dept. BINGO
Doors opening at 4:30pm – Early Birds start at 6:45pm – Regular Sessions starts 7:45pm
- 42” LCD TV monitors display next ball to be called.
- Must be 14 yrs of age to play bingo at AVFD.
- ATM machine available.
- Bingo Hotline is 703-941-1328
- Non-smoking inside format
7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Ample parking on site. www.avfd.org
Annandale Boys & Girls Club BINGO
American Legion Bicentennial Post 1976
4206 Daniels Ave. . Annandale, VA 22003
located directly behind the Bank of America on Columbia Pike.
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Youth Sports in Annandale
is best represented by:
Annandale Boys & Girls Club
Lee's Hapmudo Martial Arts Studio
Homeless & Hypothermia Shelters
in Northern Virginia through Fredericksburg (Fairfax, Loudoun, Culpepper, Arlington, Alexandria, and Prince William Counties, plus Manassas & Manassas Park, can be found at: www.novaregion.org/DocumentCenter/View/11750
Office to Prevent and End Homelessness: 703-324-9492 https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/
Families with children who need shelter must contact Coordinated Services Planning at (703) 222-0880 between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm to gain access. After business hours, families with children in need of shelter should go directly to the nearest family shelter.
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Local Web Links:
Annandale Acres
Annandale Boys & Girls Club Blog
Annandale: Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Annandale Revitalization Committee
Annandale Shopping Center
Braddock District Supervisor
Broyhill Park
Danbury Forrest
Elan Mews/Royal Court
ENDEAVOR News Magazine
Fairfax County Community Associations
Fairfax County Government
Fairfax County Schools
Falls Church News Press
Holmes Run Acres
Lafayette Village
Lake Barcroft
Leewoods
Long Branch
Mason District Supervisor
Mosaic District (Merrifield)
Oak Hill
Ravensworth-Bristow
Raymondale
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow Woods
Tysons Corner
Washington Post
Woodburn Homes
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