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
Marie Lemmon named principal of Bailey’s Elementary School
Lemmon Bailey’s Elementary School has a new principal: Marie Lemmon, the former principal of Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School since 2006. Her first day at Bailey’s was Monday, Nov. 26. Keith Hall, a retired FCPS assistant principal, had been serving as interim principal at Bailey’s since July when Shane Wolfe resigned after been on medical … Continued
Annandale stakeholders to develop youth engagement initiative
A group of Annandale stakeholders—including community and business leaders—is being formed to develop an action plan for a youth engagement initiative in Annandale. In a separate but related effort, a series of focus group meetings has been scheduled to elicit the opinions of various ethnic groups on “livability” issues in Annandale. Those efforts build on … Continued
Cop school: Shooting and driving
Lt. Hall demonstrates the correct shooting position. At the final session of the Fairfax County Citizens’ Police Academy, participants had a chance to shoot police guns on the firing range and drive police cruisers on a training course at the Criminal Justice Academy in Chantilly. [This report covers a make-up class on Nov. 17 because … Continued
Rotarians and students deliver Thanksgiving meals to needy families
Stuart students Mariyatou Barry and Sufian Abulohom load boxes of food for delivery. Needy families in Bailey’s Crossroads were able to enjoy complete Thanksgiving dinners due to the generosity of the Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club, working in partnership with the JEB Stuart High School Interact Club. Bailey’s Community Center compiled a list of needy families. … Continued
Annandale youth experiences war in Israel
Limor Steinberg (left) studying with a classmate in Jerusalem. When Annandale native Limor Steinberg moved to Israel in August, she knew the country was subject to frequent attacks from its neighbors, but she didn’t expect to be living in a war zone. Steinberg, a 2011 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, … Continued
Cold weather is a great time for Pho Hot
Now that the weather is getting colder, it’s an excellent time for pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup that’s a hearty meal in a bowl. One of the top places for pho [pronounced fuh] in Annandale is Pho Hot, 7224 Little River Turnpike (near Blockbuster in the Little River Plaza Shopping Center). The spacious restaurant offers … Continued