🌱 Patch AM: Why Annandale rents climbed while nearby communities saw prices ease

Good morning to you Annandale! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Annandale rents climbed while nearby communities saw prices ease

Also on today's calendar: Winter Show Opening Reception and Card-Making Class at the Craft Gallery of Artisans United and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I got fired from the M&M factory. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Some sun, then clouds, with a high of 37 and low of 28 degrees.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 41, low: 26.
• Monday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 37 and low of 29 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Median apartment rents in Alexandria post first year-over-year drop since 2020 (alxnow.com) — Annandale renters are facing higher costs, with 2025 median apartment rents rising 5.2% to about $1,951 for a one-bedroom and $2,226 for a two-bedroom. While Alexandria and several nearby communities saw modest rent declines, Fairfax County’s data show Annandale bucking that trend, giving local residents a clear snapshot of how their neighborhood compares across the region.
   

📸 Around Annandale

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Annandale

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 3

• Winter Show Opening Reception and Card-Making Class at the Craft Gallery of Artisans United
  Craft Gallery of Artisans United, 4022 Hummer Rd, Annandale
  1:00 pm

Saturday January 24

• Merritt Academy Winter Open Campus/Open House
  9211 Arlington Blvd, Fairfax
  9:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday January 3

• Suicide Loss Support Group (On Line)
  Haven of Northern Virginia Inc , 4606 Ravensworth Rd , Annandale
  11:00 am

Sunday January 4

• Animal Pajama Party at Hidden Oaks Nature Center
  Hidden Oaks Nature Center , 7701 Royce St , Annandale
  6:30 pm

Monday January 5

• Dessert Reception with the City Council
  City Hall Lobby , 300 Park Ave. , Falls Church
  7:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• English Conversation Practice (Tuesdays)
  George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 22003
  2:00 pm
• George Mason Knitting and Crochet Group
  George Mason Regional Library , 7001 Little River Turnpike , Annandale
  7:00 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Ex Dir of ACLU of VA Mary Bauer to Speak at Jan 7, 2026 virtual LLI Forum
  Virtual
  10:00 am
• English Conversation Practice - Intermediate (Wednesdays)
  George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 22003
  6:00 pm

Thursday January 8

• Heirloom Silver and Brass Restoration Services: THURSDAYS 10-4
  6830 Elm St. Suite 9, McLean, VA, 22101
  10:00 am
• English Conversation Practice (Thursdays)
  George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 22003
  2:00 pm

Friday January 9

• Drop-In Citizenship Test Prep Fridays
  George Mason Regional Library
  11:00 am

📣 Annandale Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Annandale PatchAM possible:

• The Grout Genie — (571) 374-3643
  Licensed Tile & Grout Experts Serving Northern Virginia
• ORS Interactive — (703) 570-1514
  Get Certified in Food Safety in Just One Day!
• Grapevine Vows — (703) 810-7511
  Discover a new way to find your wedding venue in NoVa!
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Well, hello!
  My amaryllis decided to bloom this morning! Happy New Year! (Nextdoor Truro)
• Happy New Year to everyone!
  Does anyone have a good handyman who is able to repair some siding on the side of our roof? (Nextdoor Lafayette Village)

• Cycle Gear, Inc. posted a job opening for Key Holder in Springfield. Apply here.
• Jobs for Humanity posted a job opening for Full Time Retail Merchandising Specialist in Falls Church. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Annandale here.

🗞 Nearby News

Springfield

• Northern Virginia school districts battle Trump Administration over bathroom policies (wjla.com)
• Buddhist monk reunites with Walk for Peace group in Georgia after leg amputation in Houston (houstonchronicle.com)

Fairfax

• Why crime in Fairfax Co. fell across several categories in 2025 (wtop.com)
• New year brings more America's 250th birthday events to Vienna, Fairfax County (ffxnow.com)
• Man dies after crashing into tree near Fairfax County Government Center (ffxnow.com)

Vienna

Ok Annandale! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I kept throwing out all the W’s.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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