ANNANDALE
   The Crossroads of Northern Virginia TMRead Annandale's News Magazine,
ENDEAVOR

Annandale News & Latest Articles
Annandale News: Meet the Artisan Peggy Taves
Annandale News:  Gifts for Every Occasion
Annandale News:  Renaissance Memory Care Community
Annandale News: Made in Fairfax County
Annandale News: Demographics
Annandale Real Estate: You Can Get There from Here
History: Historic Smithfield Plantation
History: Fincastle, VA
History: What Great Grandma Knew IV
VIEW ON NATURE: Secrets of the Forest
Annandale Schools:  Technology Turns to Modern Interests

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ANNANDALE News, Events & Networking

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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

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Annandale REAL ESTATE
You Can Get There from Here

The one feature that most distinguishes Annandale from the remainder of Northern Virginia is accessibility.  I was thinking about this as I typed in an address into the GPS on my phone to show a property.  Up popped the map and messages that said that my destination was a mere 22 minutes away with most of it a straight shot out Braddock Road.

Annandale is literally the Crossroad of Northern Virginia TM with quick access to anywhere in Fairfax County (and beyond).  Location has always been important to real estate value but it is increasingly more important to the residential lifestyles.  As our roads become more congested and commute time continues to creep upward, having a home located in Annandale is a true advantage.  Recently Washington was rated the second worst traffic region in the nation...only second to Boston.

You can get to work at the Pentagon using 395 or Columbia Pike.  Gallows Road leads to Tysons Corner.  Sleepy Hollow sweeps you to Seven Corners.  Want to make your way  to Arlington Boulevard?  Zip-zing you are there from Annandale Road.  Jump on Backlick and you are headed quickly to Springfield and beyond.  Want to eat in Old Town?  Easy-peasy on Little River Turnpike and then Duke Street, with simple access to Landmark and the new planned town center.  I could go on.  READ MORE

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Saturday, April 27th
Cinco de Mayo Event at Annsandra

4417 John Marr Drive, Annandale
www.annsandra.com  .  703-354-2110

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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

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MEET THE ARTISAN:  Peggy Taves

Driving around Northern Virginia, working on the blankets in between home visits, searching out special yarns to blend together, and voila:
TextureTouches was born.

Nowadays, the focus of Artisan Peggy Taves is twofold: one-of-a-kind baby knits, and nature-inspired texture blankets for photographers

Peggy creates her baby hats and blankets using exotic yarns made of bamboo, corn, milk, silks, soy, and sugar cane to offer low-allergen items for a new baby's sensitive skin. She also works with enticingly soft yarn blends in alpaca, angora, buffalo, cashmere, llama, and mink.  READ MORE

Artisans United Craft Gallery
4022 Hummer Road
Annandale, VA  22003 
703-941-0202    www.augallery.org
10 am-4 pm Mon-Sat.
Nov. & Dec:  Sun. 1-4 pm

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Saturday, April 27, 2019
OPEN HOUSE:  Kenwood Summer Day Camp &
Kenwood School 

Kenwood Summer Day Camp___________________________________________________________________________

Midday Marketing Reception

All Chamber Members & their Guests are invited
Thursday, May 23rd from 3-4 PM

At the New Chamber Offices
4127 Meadow Court, Annandale, VA 
RSVP: by May 21st to  info@annandalechamber.com
refreshments will be served

This reception offers you an opportunity to meet chamber members and business owners.  Lasting only one hour, you can improve your contact list quickly and effectively while distributing your marketing materials to members.  

Expand your professional address book along with your business base.

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View on Nature:  Secrets of the Forest

People are more connected to Nature than we imagine.  And such is the case for an unrivaled fungus (Fomes fomentarius) from Virginia (and Europe, Asia and Africa) commonly known as the horse hoof or tinder fungus.

This species of “shelf” fungus produces very large, inedible woody fruit bodies which are shaped and colored grey/ brown to almost black like a horse hoof.  It infects various species of hardwoods through breaks in the bark and lives up to 30 years on the sides of standing and fallen trees. On standing trees, it’s a parasite; on fallen trunks it becomes a decomposer. At their largest, they measure up to 18 inches across by 10 inches wide by 10 inches thick!    READ MORE

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The School Bell

Push to encourage science, math, engineering & technology turns to modern interests

There has been a recent push in schools, including Falls Church High School, to encourage students to participate in science, math, engineering, and technology, collectively known as STEM. This raises the question-- how do we define what falls under that broad category of STEM?

Some Falls Church student activities, like the Robotics Club, sum up all the ideals of STEM through the use of engineering, physics, mechanics, and measurement to create a robot. Others are not so obvious, such as the Culinary Arts Academy. They gather many elements of STEM and take them in a new direction.

As vastly different as making pizza and building robots appear to be, they are founded on the same fundamental principles. Every piece of pizza or slice of shepherd’s pie is a summation of chemistry and biology that the cooks manipulate in order to create delicacies. This is much like the Robotics Club, which harnesses mechanical energy using metal and wires to engineer and build something creative that can whizz around the room and show off for judges and onlookers. In both programs, students are charged with the task of envisioning how they want their creations to look and using science, math and creativity to construct it. But the materials and ingredients students can use are limited.

READ MORE

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On the Energy Front
Your Environmental Footprint this Earth Day

Earth Day (April 22) will be here before you know it and Virginia Energy Sense (VES) wants to make sure all Virginians are well-equipped to protect the environment by saving energy! As the Commonwealth’s energy education program, our mission is to help Virginians understand how they can lower their energy use and save money.

To get a better understanding of what drives people to reduce their energy consumption, we recently conducted survey research across Virginia that yielded promising results. Most respondents said that saving electricity at home is the most important way to reduce their environmental footprint. Popular methods of cutting energy use include using LED lightbulbs and properly adjusting the temperature at home.   READ MORE

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What Great Grandma Knew IV
Dinner Giving, the Laying of the Table  & the Treatment of Guests 

In giving "dinners," the apparently trifling details are of great importance when taken as a whole.  There are certain established laws by which "dinner giving" is regulated in polite society; and it may not be amiss to give a few observances in relation to them.

One of the first is that an invited guest should arrive at the house of his host at least a quarter of an hour before the time appointed for dinner. In laying the table for dinner, all the linen should be spotless white throughout, and underneath the linen tablecloth should be spread one of thick cotton-flannel or baize, which gives the linen a heavier and finer appearance, also deadening the sound of moving dishes. Large and neatly folded napkins (ironed without starch), with pieces of bread three or four inches long, placed between the folds, but not to completely conceal it, are laid on each plate. An ornamental centerpiece is put in the center of the table, in place of the large table-castor, which has gone into disuse, and is rarely seen now on well-appointed tables. A few choice flowers make a charming variety in the appearance of even the most simply laid table, and a pleasing variety at table is quite as essential to the enjoyment of the repast as is a good choice of dishes, for the eye in fact should be gratified as much as the palate.

All dishes should be arranged in harmony with the decorations of the flowers, such as covers, relishes, confectionery, and small sweets. Garnishing of dishes has also a great deal to do with the appearance of a dinner-table, each dish garnished sufficiently to be in good taste without looking absurd. Beside each plate should be laid as many knives, forks and spoons as will be required for the several courses, unless the hostess prefers to have them brought on with each change. A glass of water, and when wine is served glasses for it, and individual salt-cellars may be placed at every plate. Water-bottles are now much in vogue with corresponding tumblers to cover them; these, accompanied with dishes of broken ice, may be arranged in suitable places.   READ MORE

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Saturday, May 4 from 9 am to Noon
FREE Spring Cleaning Event

The big shred truck there will be here to dispose of your unwanted items.    123 Junk will take old electronics, TV, Stereos, computers, etc.  Bring old gas propane tanks for a worthy cause.  Household hazardous waste.  Coats, clothes, blankets and sleeping bags.  Start cleaning out your no longer needed items now!  This is a popular event so come early.

Pat Sawhney, ReMax Agent and Broker will be there to greet you! 
703-395-9214 
5501 Backlick Road, Springfield 2215

THE SPRING MARKET IS ALREADY HEATING UP--A GOOD YEAR TO BUY OR SELL! 

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Artisans United 
Treasured Gifts for Men, Women, Children and Infants

Artisans United, Inc., which officially began in 1988, is a non-profit organization serving as a network of and for artists.  Currently comprised of members of various Guilds and independent local artists and crafts-people, its primary purpose is to preserve, promote, and develop the disciplines of visual arts and crafts.  The organization provides an intellectual and creative forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and materials among its members.  Opportunities for growth and development are provided in a climate of mutual respect for the different disciplines with encouragement given to all members.

Artisans United, Inc. is tasked with taking arts out into the community.  To fulfill this mission, we have participated in craft demonstrations, classes, talks, and exhibits both at the Gallery and in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and libraries.  In addition, we have taken part in the Annandale Fall Festival and have worked with the Cub Scouts and the Lifetime Learning Institute (which is connected with the Northern Virginia Community College). And, we also promote a ‘Christmas in July’ event, inviting the public to join us in making holiday ornaments to be shared with the residents of the Katherine Hanley Shelter in Fairfax County

As a community resource, Artisans United, Inc. operates The Craft Gallery of Artisans United which is located just inside the front door of the Fred M. Packard Center in the Annandale Community Park off Hummer Road.  Here the artists’ creations are on display and may be purchase.  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
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New Zoning Adopted
for Small Scale Production

Previously, craft manufacturing was only allowed in industrial districts, except for craft breweries and distilleries. Now, these producers will be allowed in most commercial and mixed-use districts, from Annandale and Richmond Highway to Tysons and Reston.  The new rules define small-scale production broadly to include the entire manufacturing process from design to production to packaging.

The rules also allow these makers to offer retail sales, training and education.Small manufacturers would be limited in size to 6,000 to 10,000 square feet, depending on the zoning district where they’re located. However, most craft manufacturing businesses are less than 5,000 square feet.

The new regulations also include restrictions to ensure these small businesses are good neighbors, such as requiring production and storage to be inside to prevent noise or odor.

The zoning regulations also require these manufacturers in commercial or mixed-use districts to offer retail sales, tours, classes or other direct interaction with the public.  READ MORE

For more information about the zoning change and suggestions on where to locate a small manufacturing business, contact Elizabeth Hagg at Fairfax County's Office of Community Revitalization                   Elizabeth.Hagg@fairfaxcounty.gov

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PNC Financial Services

PNC offers a wide range of services for all their customers, from individuals and small businesses, to corporations and government entities.  No matter how simple or complicated your needs, they're sure to have the products, knowledge and resources necessary for financial success.

Retail Banking
PNC provides deposit, lending, cash management and investment services to more than 6 million consumer and small business customers across 19 state and the District of Columbia.  Customers can bank whenever and wherever they want via more than 2,600 branches, online and mobile services along with 9,000 ATM machines, many of which can be used to make deposits and cash checks.     READ MORE

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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.  Sta

ffed 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

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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

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 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.

 

What's in a Name?
The Origins of the Street Name, John Marr Drive

All too often when history is being reported, let alone printed, facts are assumed when no explanation for an event or experience can be documented.  What is the "most logical" is proposed to fill in the blank as is often done with gaps in family or community history.  After a time in the public lore, the assumption becomes fact in the minds of many. Years ago a very affable new resident went in search of Annandale history and had his conclusions printed in a local circular. Whenever facts did not emerge, assumptions were inserted.  Many ridiculous stories appeared and since they appeared in print, without any editorial fact checking, many readers took them to be gospel. Many erroneous stories have been told about the Annandale United Methodist Church during the Civil War.  The stories are bold and far more exciting than the truth.  None-the-less, they are fabricated stories.
(SEE:  www.annandalechamber.com/annandale_united_methodist_church.rhtml)

Another example is the origin of the street name, John Marr Drive in Annandale.  The "assumption" proposed and now often believed to be fact is that it was named for a John Quincy Marr who Wikipedia tells us," was a Virginia militia company captain and the first Confederate soldier killed by a Union soldier in combat during the American Civil War.  Marr was killed at the Battle of Fairfax Court House, Virginia on June 1, 1861.”  Marr grew up in Warrenton and is not reported to have come any closer to Annandale than Fairfax Courthouse.  Other sources claim that Henry Wyatt or William Fox, both with the same North Carolina Confederate Regiment, were the first to die.

Instead, it is possible that the road was named for a local resident whose company, Marr, Incorporated, was in the building, developing, and real estate business.  Let’s be clear, this is proposed as the origin of the name, not yet a confirmed fact.  READ MORE

The Premier Fitness Training in Annandale

Foundation Fitness is a private gym in Annandale where a wide variety of health and fitness related services are offered. These services include One-on-One Training, Group Training, Nutritional Counseling and Massage Therapy customized to each and every client's individual needs.

Foundation Fitness also offers fitness training for children and seniors tailored specifically to their needs.

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.

More News and Local Issues

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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.

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Homeless 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

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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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)

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The Annandale Volunteer Fire Dept. host BINGO every Monday and Thursday with 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

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Youth Sports in Annandale
is best represented by:

Annandale Boys & Girls Club

Lee's Hapmudo Martial Arts Studio

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Local Web Links:

ACCA

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

Edsall Park

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