Some Annandale residents have gone all out on Christmas decorations
Thank you, Annandale residents, for brightening up our community this holiday season. We really like the Christmas decorations shown here, although there are probably lots more good ones out there. There must be many thousands of light bulbs on this display on Lincolnshire Street. This house on Donna Circle has at least 28 inflatables, including … Continued
Fairfax Choral Society is holding auditions for young singers
The Master Singers, a teen choir of the Fairfax Choral Society Got a child who loves to sing? The Annandale-based Fairfax Choral Society (FCS) is holding auditions Jan. 7, 14, and 21 by appointment. The auditions are open to singers age 5 through high school. Children ages 5 to 10 need only a “voice check” … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: We need gun safey laws, not armed teachers
Gov. McDonnell’s outrageous and irresponsible comments in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy cannot go unanswered. As the head of our commonwealth’s government, he should be setting an example of thoughtful reflection upon this event which has become the recent focus of our entire nation. He should be proposing serious measuresthat our state … Continued
International Night showcases global diversity at Stuart High School
Stuart students Shafaq Naz and Sara Younas from Pakistan. Diverse cultures, talents, and cuisines were showcased at JEB Stuart High School’s International Night Dec. 20. The event began with food from various countries served by students, many of them wearing traditional outfits. There was injera with a sauce made of chickpeas and tomatoes from Eritrea; … Continued
Landmark area residents organize effort to oppose I-395 ramp
I-95 as viewed from the site of the proposed ramp. Some of these trees have been cut down since this picture was taken in 2011. People who live in several housing developments next to the forthcoming flyover ramp on Interstate 395 in the Landmark area are up in arms about the dangerously high air pollution … Continued
Annandale comes together to wrap gifts for seniors
“Elvis” made it a party. Dozens of volunteers sorted and wrapped over 2,000 holiday gifts for residents of senior living facilities Dec. 18. The annual event gift-wrapping party sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care of Annandale took place at the Annandale Fire Station’s Ossian Hall. And it was a party, with entertainment by Elvis tribute … Continued
VA politicians: Restricting guns vs. arming school officials
Since the tragic school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 14, Virginia politicians have been talking about guns, but their solutions for preventing more violence has taken different directions Gov. Bob McDonnell suggested we have discussions about allowing school officials to carry firearms on campus. Speaking on WTOP radio Dec. 18, McDonnell said, “If people were … Continued
Mason/Annandale parents weigh FCPS proposal on AAP Centers
School board member Sandy Evans (Mason) is concerned that Fairfax County Public Schools’ plan to restructure the Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Centers might not meet the needs of Mason District students and parents. She called it a “cookie-cutter” solution to a problem that schools in our area might not necessarily have. The plan calls for … Continued
Kory, Marsden address gun control at Town Hall
Del. Kory and Sen. Marsden speak at a Town Hall Meeting. The tragic school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 14 has drawn renewed attention to the issue of gun control, but isn’t likely to lead to more restrictive gun laws in Virginia this session, said Del. Kaye Kory. It will change the conversation, though added … Continued
What not to buy
By Robert Schwaninger As I have repeatedly admitted, my knowledge of what to buy my wife, Isabel, or practically anyone else is only slightly better than my knowledge of 16th century Croatian folk dancing. Therefore, if you are having trouble coming up with a gift idea, don’t call me. I will not be able to … Continued
Annandale Florist owner Gary Sherfey remembers the old Annandale
An old photo of Annandale Florist is on display in the shop. Many longtime Annandale residents will miss Annandale Florist when it closes for good at the end of the year. The owner, Gary Sherfey, however, is looking forward to retirement. “In a way, it’s bittersweet,” he says. “but it’s something I’ve been doing for … Continued
Police arrest local man for Vanessa Pham murder in 2010
Vanessa Pham The Mason Police District announced the arrest of Julio Miguel Blanco-Garcia, 27, Dec. 13 for the murder of Vanessa Pham in June 2010. Garcia is a resident of 6144 Willston Drive, Apt 101, in Seven Corners. U.S. Marshals located Garcia working on a house under construction in the Town of Vienna near the … Continued
Annandale home prices way up from a year ago
This house on Forest Street in the Wakefield Chapel area of Annandale is on the market for $849,888. The average price of homes sold in Annandale last month ($460,017) is up 22.4 percent over November 2011 ($375,951). The higher prices are mostly due to the lack of inventory, says Annandale resident Vivianne Couts of Coldwell … Continued
Man arrested for library assault
Porter Mason District Police announced Dec. 13 that detectives have arrested a man in connection with the Nov. 7 assault at Thomas Jefferson Library in Falls Church. Kevin Lee Porter, 31, of no fixed address, was charged with abduction Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at his work site in the 3000 block of Gatehouse Plaza. … Continued
New patient tower at Inova ready to open
All of the 174 patient rooms at the new South Tower on the Inova Fairfax Hospital are single occupancy, and the new 11-story building has lots of features aimed at making the hospital experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Patients will start being moved to the building the week of Jan. 13. There will … Continued