Library proposed as solution to overcrowded elementary school
Bailey’s Elementary School is way overcrowded, and even if there was funding for an addition, there isn’t enough land, and it isn’t structurally feasible to add another story. So a group of parents have come up with an innovative solution—add some classroom space at the nearby Woodrow Wilson Library, which is scheduled to start renovations … Continued
FXCO Citizens Police Academy offers a glimpse behind the badge
This the first in a series of reports about my experiences in the Fairfax County Citizens Police Academy. A mock shopping center in the Criminal Justice Academy The first session of the Spring 2012 Fairfax County Citizens Police Academy took place March 1 at the Criminal Justice Academy in Chantilly and offered a tour of … Continued
Singing competition to benefit the homeless
Are you or your friends or kids trying to be the next Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood? Here’s your chance to get noticed: Enter the Capital County Challenge—A Battle of the Voices, a competition to showcase up-and-coming vocal talent in the country and country-pop crossover genre. There are two division: ages 8-14 and 15-22. The … Continued
Annandale homeowners face slight rise in tax assessments
Most Annandale residents can expect a slight increase in their property tax assessments for 2011. The assessed value of residential properties in Annandale (zip code 22003) rose 0.06 percent from 2010, Fairfax County reported. That’s below the countywide increase of 0.71 percent. The average value of assessed residential property in Annandale was $366,097, compared to … Continued
Mason Crest Elementary School nearly finished
Here’s the first look inside Mason Crest, Annandale’s new elementary school. The school, in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood, will open in September. Here’s what you see when you walk in the front door. The office is on the right and the School-Age Child Care rooms are on the left. There are two SACC classrooms. The … Continued
Planning commissioner Alcorn selected FXCO Citizen of the Year; Annandale blogger honored, too
Alcorn The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations has selected Planning Commission Vice President Walter Acorn as the 2011 Citizen of the Year. The federation is honoring Alcorn, a resident of Reston who has served as an at-large member of the Planning Commission since 1997, in recognition of his leadership in revising the county’s complex … Continued
Mason land use committee sides with residents’ concerns on infill development
The revised plan for the Campbell and Ferrera property The people spoke and the Mason District Land Use Committee (MDLUC) listened. After dozens of people offered impassioned pleas to reject infill development and protect the character of established neighborhoods, the committee agreed Feb. 28 not to urge the Fairfax County Planning Commission to approve proposals for higher-density … Continued
Daffodils in February
Spotted these daffodils on a walk through Annandale on Feb. 28, along with lots of crocuses. This spring weather is nice, but it’s not normal. Hope this doesn’t portend a miserably hot summer.
FXCO advertised budget includes 2 percent salary increase
The advertised budget presented by Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin to the board of supervisors Feb. 28 calls for a 2.18 percent salary increase for county employees and increases in stormwater and other fees. The $3.52 billion budget estimates revenue to increase a moderate 3.4 percent in FY 2013. While the budget document anticipates a … Continued
Streetcar proposal for Columbia Pike takes shape
Wolfenstein Leaders of the Pike Transit Initiative (PTI) are moving ahead with their project to bring streetcars to the Columbia Pike corridor and plan to bring their proposal to the Fairfax County and Arlington County boards late this summer. There will be public meetings on the proposal in April and May. If the project is … Continued
Students show love for Falls Church HS
Falls Church High School may be falling apart at the seams – and it’s not scheduled for renovation until 2024 – but students find plenty to love about their school.
Annandale Lions Club supports young musicians
Several talented youths were recognized Feb. 25 at the Annandale Lions Club’s annual Bland Music Scholarship Competition at the United Baptist Church of Annandale. Samantha Rose Williams, 17, a student at T.C. Williams High School, cinched the first-place prize in the vocal contest by singing “Your Daddy’s Son” from “Ragtime.” Charlotte Victoria Lewis, 15, of … Continued
AHS Mulch Madness supports safe graduation celebration
You can help your garden and support the Annandale High School All-Night Graduation Celebration at the same time by taking part in the AHS Mulch Madness fundraiser. The annual celebration is a supervised, alcohol-free, fun event for graduating seniors. Sixty-pound bags of high-quality, shredded, dark brown hardwood mulch (three cubic feet) are $5 each. The … Continued
Planning Commission considers Willow Run project tonight
The Campbell and Ferrara nursery is slated for townhouse development It’s time to take a stand against out-of-control development that seems to be destroying every bit of open space left in Annandale. An improving housing market means more pressure by developers to convert every square inch of land to high-density housing, leading to ever more … Continued
School board to vote on ‘Mason Crest’ as name of new school
If you’re still unsure about calling the new elementary school at the Lacey site in Annandale “Mason Crest,” you have one more day to voice your opinion. The Fairfax County school board is scheduled to vote on the name at its Thursday evening board meeting. At a community meeting on the name last month, Mason … Continued