Annandale Florist closing at end of year
After decades of providing flowers for weddings, funerals, Mother’s Day, and senior prom, Annandale Florist is shutting down for good Dec. 31, says Gary Sherfey, who runs the business with his son, Brian. Gary’s father opened the shop 55 years ago. It’s time to retire, says Gary, who’s been working there since 1970.
Community offers input on FCPS superintendent search
The search consultants hired by Fairfax County Public Schools to recruit a new superintendent to replace Jack Dale have been gathering input from parents, educators, advocacy groups, and community organizations. The consultants will summarize comments from the meetings and present a report to the school board on Dec. 20, said Hank Gmtro, president of the … Continued
Annandale tree-lighting ceremony ushers in the holiday season
The Poe Carollers. A fairly large crowd came to Tollhouse Park in central Annandale Friday evening for the annual tree-lighting ceremony sponsored by the Annandale Chamber of Commerce. Students from Parklawn Elementary School, the Poe Carollers (teachers from Poe Middle School), and soloist John Lopez, a Poe student performed songs of the season. Mason Supervisor … Continued
Gross presents annual ‘State of Mason District’ report at annual holiday gathering
Did you miss Mason Supervisor Penny Gross’ Annual Holiday Gathering at the Mason Government Center last night? Watch this video by Bob Kovacs: Check out more video’s on Kovac’s Annandale Arts channel on You Tube.
Toy donations needed for children at Bailey’s Elementary School
Bailey’s Elementary School needs your help. The PTA is asking people of the community to chip in and provide holiday assistance to the school’s needy children. Bailey’s is the largest elementary school in Fairfax County—and possibly the state of Virginia—with approximately 1,300 students, including about 300 homeless children and 800 who qualify for free or … Continued
Red Holic: a bit different from the usual Korean fare
By Colin Chambers Red Holic, a relatively new Korean diner tucked into a semi-basement at 7123 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, definitely delivers for Korean comfort food. Red Holic is a great alternative to the more popular nearby places like Palace, Shilla, and Ara. Red Holic’s version of the double-fried Korean fried chicken that has become … Continued
Central Annandale was once the site of ‘Anandale Farm’
A portion of a map of Northern Virginia from 1862 [Image from the Library of Congress]. The following article is an abbreviated version of a piece published on the Northern Virginia History Notes website Dec. 1 by Debbie Robison titled “The Garges Family of Anandale Farm: How a Family Who Built Up a Village Lost … Continued
Donated gifts provide holiday cheer to local seniors
The name tags and collection box at the Juke Box Dine When it comes to holiday shopping, let’s not forget the older folks shut away in assisted living facilities. Home Instead Senior Care, the Annandale-based franchise that provides in-home services to the elderly, makes it easy with its Be a Santa to a Senior program. … Continued
Breakfast with the fat guy
Magill’s offers Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 15. By Robert Schwaninger When habits become formed over the years we justify them using the word “tradition.” Why do we stuff our bellies to bursting levels on Thanksgiving? It’s tradition! Why do we dangle precariously by the gutter in an ice storm hanging lights and deadly electrical … Continued
Beech Tree seeks new principal
Terry Phillips and the Beech Tree beaver Beech Tree Elementary School Principal Terry Phillips informed parents and the community Dec. 3 that she will be leaving the school Dec. 13 to become an educational specialist in the Fairfax County Public Schools’ Title I office. Phillips had been led Beech Tree for seven and a-half years. … Continued
‘Santa’s Ride’ brings holiday cheer to sick children
Fairfax County sheriff’s deputies bring holiday cheer to hospitalized children in 2011. [Sheriff’s Office photo] Going holiday shopping this week? Pick up something extra for a hospitalized child. Local law enforcement officers will be going on their annual “Santa’s Ride” Dec. 11, via motorcycle, to collect donated toys, games, and books and deliver them to … Continued
Major changes proposed by FCPS for Advanced Academic Program centers
Parents from Braddock Elementary School support the proposal. A proposal by Fairfax County Public Schools to restructure its Advanced Academic Program (AAP) centers is upsetting lots of parents, and a series of FCPS last week drew huge crowds. Many parents were concerned that adding lots of new centers would dilute the program and urged the … Continued
Belvedere students get some help from the Air Force drill team
Drill team performs for students. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team “spun, flipped, and tossed” their 11-pound M-1 rifles in a precision drill for third through fifth-grade students at Belvedere Elementary School Nov. 26. After the performance, members of the drill team helped 45 fifth-graders plant trees and shrubs in Belvedere Park, an … Continued
Franconia man arrested for murdering roommate
A 32-year-old man was killed, apparently after being struck with a blunt object by a roommate, in the 6000 block of Hydrangea Drive in Franconia at about 10:21 this morning, states a news release from the Franconia Police Station. Eric C. Kweder, 34, of 6035 Hydrangea Drive, has been charged with murder. He had fled … Continued
Renovations of Thomas Jefferson HS to start this spring
A rendering of TJ after the renovations. It’s great that Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ), one of the top high schools in the nation and a breeding ground for the next generation of scientists and innovators, is going to be renovated. It’s too bad, however, that the school, just two miles … Continued