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
Stakeholders discuss the needs of Annandale youths
About 15 Annandale stakeholders—leaders in education, business, community groups, law enforcement, and religious institutions—spent a couple of hours last week talking about how to get young people more civically engaged. It was the first meeting of the Annandale Community Planning Group (CPG), an outgrowth of the “dialogues on diversity,” a series of community outreach meetings … Continued
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