Teens from Cyprus here for the summer learn peace begins with friendship
The Cypriot teens at Great Falls. Twenty teenagers from Cyprus are spending a few weeks in the D.C. area this summer, living with host families while they absorb American culture, go on outings, and make new friends. But it’s not just fun and games. The teens are here with the Cyprus Friendship Program, which is … Continued
Registration under way for Northern Virginia Senior Olympics
Cyclists get ready to race at the 2011 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics Got Oympic fever, but think you’re athletic days are over? If you’re 50 or over, you can compete in the 30th Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, Sept. 15-26. There are 40 events, including track and field, tennis, swimming, diving, bowling, table tennis, men’s basketball, … Continued
Virginia makes it difficult for ex-offenders to get their voting rights restored
If you or someone you know is a convicted felon who wants to vote in the upcoming presidential election, you’ll need to get started now to get your voting rights restored. It’s an arduous process, but well worth it. There are about 350,000 convicted felons in Virginia, and the state has one of the nation’s … Continued
Virginia is having a sales tax holiday
School supplies from Target. It’s back-to-school shopping time, and this weekend is a good time to get started: Virginia’s sales tax holiday for school supplies and clothing is Aug. 3-5. Certain school supply items priced at $20 or less and clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less are tax exempt during this three-day period. … Continued
Braddock Road yard sales appear to be connected
The photo of a truck being loaded with unsold goods from a commercial yard sale at 4010 Braddock Road July 28 was taken by a neighbor from inside his house, who is disturbed by these blatant, illegal activities going on just about every weekend. It’s the same truck that was used to load and unload … Continued
Annandale can do more to attract investments
Gerald Gordon, president of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (EDA), says older, commercial areas of Fairfax County—like Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads, and Seven Corners—can attract investments by “marketing their natural assets,” like proximity to Washington, the Pentagon, and National Airport and cheaper rents than other areas. Speaking to members of the Bailey’s Crossroads Revitalization Corporation … Continued
Mountain climber from Annandale dies in accident on Peruvian peak
The bodies of missing mountain climbers, Ben Horne of Annandale and Gil Weiss of New York, were found July 28 in Peru, where they had been attempting to scale Palcaraju Oeste, according to news reports. The 20,000-foot mountain is in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes. The two had been missing since July 11. They … Continued
Bailey’s Elementary seeks new principal
Wolfe Shane Wolfe is leaving his position as principal of Bailey’s Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences in Bailey’s Crossroads, Fairfax County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Dan Parris (Cluster 3) announced July 27. Wolfe has accepted a new job as principal of Aldrin Elementary School in Reston. In an email to Bailey’s families, Wolfe … Continued
The Fairfax Leadership Academy and college entry rates
By Gary Petrazzuolo, a member of United Parents to Renovate Our Academic Resources (UPROAR). The Fairfax Leadership Academy (FLA) certainly has created a feel-good buzz about launching a charter school in the county for the laudable goal of getting more low-income/minority (LIM) students into four-year colleges. But the real feel-good buzz here should be that … Continued
Ballot question on eminent domain could increase redevelopment costs
If Virginia voters approve a constitutional amendment on eminent domain, efforts to revitalize Annandale would be more difficult and “significantly more expensive,” says state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37). “It will slow down the whole process.” The amendment, a priority of the Tea Party, as well as Gov. Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, both … Continued
Owner sought for cat found in Camelot
The adult male, gray cat in the photo was found Sunday, July 15, on King Arthur Road near Gallows Road in the Camelot subdivision, Annandale. He is sweet, lovable, and gentle, reports the woman who has been caring for him. Contact Nancy, 703/740-7797.
Illegal yard sales: Braddock Road ‘bazaars’ expanding
The illegal yard sales along Braddock Road are spreading like a cancer to more houses. The photos on this page, taken on Sunday, July 23, show a huge “bazaar” on the front lawn at 3906 Braddock, as buyers browse among large appliances, furniture, TVs, and other items shipped to the site for a quick sale. … Continued
Home Depot agrees to address property maintenance problems
The Home Depot corporate office is aware of the complaints about litter and day laborers in the parking lot at the store on Little River Turnpike in Annandale, company spokesperson Stephen Homes told the Annandale Blog. “We’re making some real progress on this,” Holmes says. “The food trucks, although not on our property, have left … Continued
TJ admissions process is discriminatory, federal complaint charges
The entrance to Thomas Jefferson High School on Braddock Road, Annandale The Coalition of The Silence, an advocacy group formed by former Fairfax County school board member Tina Hone, has filed a federal civil rights complaint charging the admissions process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) unfairly excludes black and Latino … Continued
Fairfax County, VDOT working on plan to get rid of roadside signs
These signs on Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners advertise a business on Little River Pike in Annandale. Northern Virginia residents unhappy with the political campaign and commercial signs lining roadways could soon see some relief. Fairfax County and the Virginia Department of Transportation are negotiating how to implement a state law that took effect July … Continued