‘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
FXCO approves blight ordinance for house on Spring Valley Drive
The front door at 6629 Spring Valley Drive The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a “spot blight abatement ordinance” Nov. 20 declaring the house at 6629 Spring Valley Drive, Alexandria, as blighted. The owners, listed as Manote Auandee and Sandra Auandee, were given 30 days to “abate or obviate the nuisance.” If they fail … Continued
Annandale’s Dan Burke: artistry in wood
A chest made of ambrosia maple and Brazillian cherry. After retiring from a successful career as a molecular biologist, Annandale resident Dan Burke has made the transition to woodwork artisan. Burke’s woodworking career started when he and his wife Susan, an accomplished needlepoint artist, moved into their Broyhill Crest home about 15 years ago and … Continued
Happy Thanksgiving, Annandale!
Check out this Thanksgiving song by Annandale resident Bob Kovacs:
Inova to develop major cancer institute
A bird’s eye view of Inova’s planned cancer institute on Route 50. The Inova Health System plans to build the largest cancer facility in the Washington, D.C., region close to the Annandale area. The new $252 million, 300,000-square-foot Comprehensive Cancer and Research Institute will be located on vacant land on Williams Drive by Arlington Boulevard, … Continued