Kory’s Report from Richmond: McDonnell dropped the ball on transportation
For a state with the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” the commonwealth of Virginia places a surprising level of budgetary discretion in the hands of its governor. After a grueling three-month campaign for sanity, waged primarily by the Senate Democrats, weeks later than expected, the General Assembly passed and sent a budget to Gov. McDonnell. The … Continued
Elderly people with memory loss targeted by home repair scammers
What do Gypsies, Irish Travelers, and woodchucks all have in common? They’re prowling the streets of Annandale looking for people they can rip off, especially elderly people with mental deterioration. Det. Ryan Young of the Mason Police District spoke at a recent Citizens Advisory Committee meeting about how these scammers are operating unscrupulous home improvement … Continued
A great day for a bed race
A major Annandale tradition took place Saturday morning, the annual bed race, sponsored by the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, to benefit Virginia Special Olympics. The three finalists race down John Marr Drive Rep. Gerry Connolly (right) with the Beanetics team The Connolly-Beanetics team awarded plaques for finishing in second place. Supervisor Penny Gross … Continued
Linconia Park Rec Club uses county grant to enhance streetscape
The Lincolnia Park Recreation Club (LPRC) parleyed a $3,000 Fairfax County Neighborhood Enhancement Partnership Program grant into what is likely to be $25,000 worth of landscaping when the project is completed. About 60 to 70 members of the pool—with assistance from other residents of the Lincolnia Park-Heywood Glen neighborhood and students from Holmes Middle School—spent … Continued
Property maintenance is huge issue in Annandale
4021 Oxford St., Annandale, was cited for multiple occupancy and multiple dwelling violations in fall 2011. The problems have been resolved. Residents of Annandale and the Mason District area are becoming increasingly unhappy about the lack of property maintenance—and are growing frustrated at county officials’ failure to act quickly enough. Among the problems cited by … Continued
Annandale blog marks third anniversary
It’s hard to believe, but today is the third anniversary of the Annandale blog. When the first article was posted (it was about the beltway construction) on May 4, we had no idea the blog would still be going strong in 2012, or how it would evolve. Back then, the goal was to post at … Continued
Cop school: Animal Services
Fairfax County has a pilot program to test the 4-poster system for combating deer ticks that spread Lyme disease. [photo from 21st Century Deer Management.] The work of the Fairfax County Police Department isn’t all about chasing bad guys; sometimes it’s about chasing a rabid raccoon or catching an aggressive dog. That’s because a key … Continued
Skate plaza proposed for empty lot in central Annandale
The lot proposed for a skate plaza, with the ACCA building in the background. There’s a small, derelict lot in the center of Annandale, in between the fire station and the Annandale Christian Community for Action building on Columbia Pike, that would be a perfect spot for a skate plaza. There aren’t that many … Continued
FCPS approves new school bell schedule
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has changed the opening and closing times for some schools to improve bus efficiency while accommodating the influx of about 4,000 new students. Schools in the Annandale/Mason District area with new bell schedules include Annandale Terrace, Bailey’s, Braddock, Bren Mar Park, Columbia, Glenn Forest, Ravensworth, Sleepy Hollow, Weyanoke, and Woodburn … Continued
Cop school: the Helicopter Division
You might have heard a big commotion in Lincolnia about a week ago. A drunk driver crashed an SUV into the gas pumps at the Sunoco station on Little River Turnpike and Beauregard Street and fled the scene. She was eventually located and arrested for hit-and-run among other charges. “Fairfax 1,” the Fairfax County Police … Continued
Kids’ Stuff Consignment Sale benefits Annandale families
Why waste your hard-earned money on new clothes and toys your kids will quickly outgrow when you can get a great deal on “previously owned” things? Smart shoppers will gather early on Saturday, May 5, for the popular Kids’ Stuff Consignment Sale at Annandale United Methodist Church, Wright Hall, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Its open … Continued
Cop school: Cracking down on drug dealers
Fairfax County Police investigate stores selling illegal prescription drugs [photo from WJLA news] This article is part of the series documenting some of the presentations in the spring 2012 session of the Fairfax County Citizens Police Academy. The drugs most often found in the Annandale area by police on the narcotics beat are marijuana, cocaine, … Continued
Joseph’s Coat opens in central Annandale
Annandale’s shopping options have just gotten a bit better: Joseph’s Coat, a resale shop with recycled items, opened Saturday morning at 7219 Columbia Pike, in the building formerly occupied by Fairfax Auto Parts. The shop is run by and benefits Bethany House, a non-profit organization that operates four shelters for women and children who have … Continued
Two dogs lost in Annandale near Americana Drive
Two dogs have away when they dug under the back door of Eddie McGaffigan’s townhouse. They were last seen near the intersection of Americana Drive and Oreana Drive at the southern edge of Bristow Village. Kaiser is a very beautiful 10-month old male purebred German Shepherd who weighs about 80 pounds. Callie is a 5-year … Continued
Planning Commission approves Peace Valley Lane development
The Fairfax County Planning Commission last night approved a proposal to allow a high-density infill development at Peace Valley Lane in the Ravenwood Park neighborhood. The measure now goes to the Board of Supervisors for final action; a date for board action hasn’t been set. At issue is a proposal to amend the Fairfax County … Continued