One community pool helps another
Parklawn Pool [Photo by Daren Shumate] Two years after the derecho, when the area was hit by widespread storm damage and power outages, the Parklawn Recreation Club was able to stay open with a generator and invited members of the closed Dowden Terrace Pool to use their facilities for swim team practice. When the Parklawn … Continued
Sewage incident in Falls Church area
Greenway Downs Park, with the creek in the background. [Google Maps] Residents have been warned to stay out of a small creek that runs along Custis Parkway in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County following a break in a sewer line. According to Mansker, someone who lives across the street from the creek noticed … Continued
Police arrest man for gas station robberies
Fairfax County police have arrested a man in connection with two recent gas station robberies in Mason District and are investigating whether he is involved in two other similar incidents in the vicinity. Michael Emmanuel Joyner, 51, was charged with two counts of robbery and one count of “unauthorized use of a vehicle,” a police … Continued
Rotary club’s raffle for classic car supports local charities
The 1966 candy apple-red Mustang GT convertible pictured here could be yours. The Rotary Club of Bailey’s Crossroads is raffling off the car to raise money for its community service projects. Raffle tickets can be purchased online for $25 apiece or five for $100. You can also buy tickets at various locations around the area … Continued
Supervisors approve expansion of shelter for women abuse victims
An illustration of the expansion project. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed July 29 to allow Bethany House of Northern Virginia to expand a shelter for women victims of domestic abuse in the Barcroft Hills neighborhood. The expansion plan has generated controversy in recent weeks, as some neighbors who oppose it put up signs … Continued
Back-to-school tax holiday this weekend
School doesn’t start until Sept. 2, but if you want to take advantage of Virginia’s back-to-school tax holiday, you’ve got to start shopping this weekend. Shoppers won’t be charged sales tax for eligible clothing and school supplies purchased on Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3. To qualify for the tax break, articles of clothing … Continued
Public support needed for humane deer management program
The Deer Spay program in action. [Photo by Tom Jackman] If you live around the City of Fairfax, you might be surprised to see deer with “bling.” The deer wearing ear tags were part of a groundbreaking sterilization effort undertaken last winter called Deer Spay. That was the first time the Deer Spay approach was … Continued
Fairfax County supervisors to consider proposal to expand women’s shelter
A yard sign broadcasts the resident’s opposition to a shelter for abuse victims. A proposal to expand a shelter for victims of domestic abuse in the Barcroft Hills neighborhood has generated some opposition among the immediate neighbors, although others who live near the 1950s-era house support the project. Bethany House of Northern Virginia is requesting … Continued
Annandale Blog readers select Pro Maxx Fitness as best gym
This is the final piece in a series of profiles of the winners of the Annandale Blog’s 2014 Annie Awards, presented to local businesses at Blogapalooza on June 28. The winners were selected by Annandale Blog readers in an open-ended survey. The other winners were Silverado (best restaurant), Beanetics (best coffee shop), Cue Club (best … Continued
Silver Line extends Metro to Tysons Corner and Reston
The Silver Line pulls into the Whiele-Reston East Metro Station on opening day. “Hallelujah, this day has come,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly at a ceremony July 26 marking the opening of the first phase of Metrorail’s Silver Line. That statement described the attitude of many of the local, state, and federal officials who gathered at … Continued
School board approves school schedule
The Fairfax County School Board approved a master calendar for the 2014-15 school year at its July 24 meeting that reduces the number of school days from 183 to 180. Last month the school board eliminated early Monday dismissal for elementary school students. Additional changes in the calendar allow FCPS to comply with the state … Continued
Cell tower proposed for Stuart HS
The arrow shows the location of the proposed cell tower as seen from Nevius Street. [Photo by Milestone Communications] Plans are moving forward for a cell tower at JEB Stuart High School in Falls Church. AT&T and Milestone Communications have filed an application with the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning, and the Fairfax … Continued
Flying Muskrat Theatre run by former Falls Church HS students
Ben Peter and Caity Brown in “Gruesome Playground Injuries.” [Photo by Rich Stanage and Meg Christensen] When drama students at Falls Church High School hit a snag with school authorities three years ago and a one-act play festival was cancelled, they arranged to stage the show at the theater in the James Lee Community Center … Continued
Mason land use committee endorses Markham Street apartments
An illustration showing the new site design for the Markham project. The Mason District Land Use Committee unanimously endorsed a rezoning application July 22 for a 12-story, 308 unit apartment building on the site of the AMF Annandale Lanes bowling alley on Markham Street in Annandale. The project is a joint venture of Southern Management, … Continued
Land use committee calls for changes in Bailey’s Crossroads retail center plan
The site of a proposed shopping center on Route 7. The Mason District Land Use Committee (MDLUC) July 22 called for Fairfax County planning staff to revise the proposal for a shopping center on Leesburg Pike between Charles Street and Washington Drive to prohibit drive-through fast food restaurants. Angela Valis, a Courtland Park resident who … Continued