Students at Phillips School bring holiday cheer to those in need
During the month of December, students at Annandale’s Phillips Program for Children and Families participated in several activities to support the community and bring holiday cheer to those in need. Students assembled 50 stockings, filled with toiletries and treats, for the Operation Santa program. The stockings were mailed to Marines serving overseas in Unit 73915. … Continued
Extreme yard sales mar Braddock Road
Looking for a used washing machine or refrigerator? Whoever lives in this house at 4508 Braddock Road, Lincolnia, has taken the yard sale concept to an extreme level, lining up large appliances on the curb for sale to the public. A resident of the nearby Parklawn community, who took the photo, says, “It appears … Continued
New FXCO school board sworn in
Braddock school board member Megan McLaughlin (center in blue) with family and friends at the swearing-in ceremony Members of the new Fairfax County school board—sworn in to office at a ceremony at Luther Jackson Middle School Dec. 19—will need to hit the ground running. Among the most pressing issues facing the new board are the … Continued
Falls Church HS parents organize petition drive against charter school
Falls Church High School So far, 140 people have signed a petition against a proposal to establish a charter high school at the Graham Road Elementary School building, which will become vacant in September 2012. The online petition was posted by a group of Falls Church High School parents who formed a group called UPROAR … Continued
Scene around A-town: A Hoggish Christmas display
We love holiday lights that celebrate more than Christmas. This house, at 4106 Gallows Road in Annandale, honors the Redskins. Each of the pigs has the name and Redskin jersey of a member of the famed offensive line of the 1980s known as “the Hogs”: George Starke #74, Russ Grimm #68, Jeff Bostic #63, Mark … Continued
FXCO Federation opposes rezoning to allow more infill development
The Cornejo property viewed from across Backlick Road The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations approved a resolution Dec. 15 urging the Board of Supervisors to deny requests for re-zoning from R to P-type zoning for infill projects. This is the situation going on with the Cornejo property in Annandale, which is opposed by Wilburdale … Continued
FXCO massage parlors searched for human trafficking violations
The Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force—which includes officers from local, state, and federal agencies—carried a coordinated inspection operation Dec. 14 targeting massage parlors. They didn’t find any human trafficking violations, reported Lt. Chris Marsh, assistant commander of the Fairfax County Police Organized Crime and Narcotics Division. But they did place 17 charges, the vast … Continued
FCPS school board approves surveillance cameras inside high schools
The Fairfax County School Board adopted a measure Dec. 15 to permit surveillance cameras inside high schools to deter vandalism, bullying, and the kind of food fights that erupted at West Springfield and other high schools last year. Mason school board member Sandy Evans was one of four board members who voted against the resolution, … Continued
Volunteers wrap gifts for the elderly
Annandale area volunteers are brightening up the holidays for the elderly, who can sometimes feel especially isolated and lonely this time of year. More than 110 people attended a huge gift-wrapping party at the Annandale fire station’s Ossian Hall Dec. 13 as part of the sixth annual Be a Santa to a Senior program organized … Continued
Check out Annandale stores for unusual gift items
Don’t neglect Annandale when you’re shopping for the holidays. We found some one-of-a-kind items in the local stores. For $10.99, you can get one of these cute “love beer” coin banks from Lil’ Thingumajigs (7031 Little River Turnpike). This wooden sculpure, $14 from the Treasure Trove (7010 Columbia Pike), has 10 stick figures around a … Continued
Annandale home prices up 8 percent in November
Home prices in Annandale (zip code 22003) were up over 8 percent in November 2011 compared to November 2010, reports our real estate contributor, Vivianne Couts of Coldwell Banker. The average sale price was $375,951 last month and $346,007 the same month a year ago. Here are some relevant stats for November 2011, with the … Continued
Dog perishes in house fire on Prosperity Drive
An electrical strip containing Christmas lights near a Christmas tree caused a fire at 3708 Prosperity Ave., Annandale, Dec. 10, that caused an estimated $100,000 in damages, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported. The occupants of the single-family home were out when the fire started but returned home shortly afterwards. Firefighters arrived at … Continued
CSI: Fairfax
The Fairfax County communications center where 911 calls are answered Hardy “No matter how hard you try to clean up a crime scene, we’ll find evidence,” says Fairfax County Det. Derek Hardy. Hardy explained how crime scene investigators use state-of-the-art gear to analyze evidence and reconstruct crime scenes to members of the Mason District Police … Continued
Children’s art on display at Mason Government Center
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross (center), art teacher Rita Duck McCarn (left), and some of her students. “Colorful Acadia,” by Isabella, age 8 A reception at the Mason District Government Center Friday evening showcased paintings by Annandale-based artist and teacher Rita Duck McCarn and her students. The Teacher + Student Exhibition, featuring works by Sloane and … Continued
Annandale author Robert Schwaninger finds the humor in everyday life
Longtime Annandale resident Robert Schwaninger, a successful telecommunications attorney and civic leader, can now add one more accomplishment to his resume: published humor writer. He’s got a children’s book out, Isabel and the Christmas Crow, plus one for adults, The Married Man’s Guide to Christmas, with another expected out next year, Walking Upright and Improving … Continued