Animal advocates urged FXCO Board of Supervisors to end bowhunting program
Opponents of Fairfax County’s use of bowhunting to control the deer population told the Board of Supervisors (BOS) Dec. 6 that archery is ineffective and inhumane. Murry J. Cohen, president of a national organization called In Defense of Animals, said, “Bow hunting is an unacceptable and extremely cruel way to kill deer.” Studies show deer … Continued
Local robotics teams qualify for state championship
By Dorothy Firsching Two robotics teams from GW Community School, a very small high school in Springfield, competed in the VirginiaFIRST FTC Southwestern Virginia Qualifying Tournament at Southwest Virginia Community College in Cedar Bluff Dec. 3—and made it to the state championship. FIRST sponsors robotics leagues and competitions, from junior Lego Leagues through high school … Continued
Wilburdale community opposes infill housing development
Houses are proposed for this property on Sunset Lane in Annandale Residents of Wilburdale, Annandale Acres, Sunset Lane, and surrounding communities came out in force to a recent Mason Land Use Committee meeting to register their opposition to a proposed infill development close to the intersection of Backlick Road and Braddock Road. Ana Cornejo, the … Continued
‘Santa’s Ride’ brings toys to children at Fairfax Hospital
The 2010 Santa’s Ride The Fairfax County Police Motor Squad is heading up the 2011 Santa’s Ride for Children, an annual toy drive for kids at Fairfax Hospital and for those who might not have a cheerful holiday season without your help. Members of the public are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys, games, and … Continued
Annandale area artists specialize in wood and glass
Boxes created by Rochelle and Peter Salter Among the dozens of artists showing their creations at the Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at the Audrey Moore RECenter last weekend were several from the Annandale area. Rochelle and Peter Salter make gorgeous precision-crafted wooden boxes.Their most popular items are tea boxes, ranging from $130 to $290 (including … Continued
Civil war skirmish took place in Annandale 150 years ago
A sketch of the Annandale skirmish from the Civil War Washington, D.C. blog. It was originally published in the Illustrated London News. Thanks to local resident and history enthusiast Steven Berkowitz for pointing out an important sesquicentennial: Friday, Dec. 2, was the 150th anniversary of the skirmish in Annandale, which took place between Union and … Continued
Tollhouse Park ceremony ushers in the holiday season
The Poe Carolers Annandale welcomed the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony Friday evening at Tollhouse Park on Little River Turnpike. The event, presented by the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, featured the Knights of Columbus color guard, Christmas carols, and a visit from Santa. Performers included Mitra Gholam, a jazz student at Northern Virginia Community … Continued
Raintree condo fire displaces eight people
An accidental fire at a townhouse at 3356 Wheatwheel Lane in the Raintree condominiums in Annandale Dec. 1 caused approximately $50,000 in damages, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported. There were no injuries. Six adults and two children have been displaced, and they are being assisted by the Red Cross. It took firefighters … Continued
35 houses planned for property now occupied by Campbell & Ferrara
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is scheduled to hear a proposal for a housing development on the property occupied by the Campbell and Ferarra Nursery. The Mason District Land Use Committee still has some concerns with the proposal and will consider it again at its next meeting Jan 24. The developer, Stanley Martin Homes, wants … Continued
Chevy dealership proposed for Lincolnia
An artistic rendering of the proposed Bill Page Chevrolet The former site of Cherner Lincoln Mercury at 6500 Little River Turnpike, Lincolnia, which has been vacant for more than two years, could be converted to another car dealership—this time for Chevys. The Mason District Land Use Committee voted Nov. 29 to approve Raymond Page’s … Continued
Principal Butler wants teachers to stress teamwork
Brian Butler poses with twins Sophia (left) and Liliana Reyes, first-graders at Belvedere Elementary School, who will attend the new school next fall. Brian Butler, the newly appointed principal of the elementary school under construction in Annandale on the site of the old Lacey center, told parents he wants to hire teachers who can work … Continued
Mason Land Use Committee delays vote on Peace Lane infill proposal
The proposal for infill development at 3236 Peace Valley Lane in the Ravenwood Park neighborhood, originally scheduled for discussion at tonight’s Mason District Land Use Committee, has been delayed until the committee’s next meeting, Jan. 24. Residents of Ravenwood Park and other nearby communities requested that the issue be postponed because the Fairfax County Department … Continued
Green Spring Gardens holds a holiday open house
The public is invited to a festively decorated Green Spring Gardens Dec. 4, 1-4 p.m., for a free Gardeners’ Holiday Open House. The Blue Sky Puppet Theatre will perform a holiday children’s show at 2 p.m. Tickets are $3 and can be purchased in advance. Also on hand: a collection of German nutcrackers, Lionel toy … Continued
Attorneys with Just Neighbors help immigrants resolve legal problems
When local immigrants need legal help, Just Neighbors provides a lifeline. The nonprofit organization based in Bailey’s Crossroads was established 15 years ago “in response to the lack of immigrant legal services for the community,” says Executive Director Rob Rutland-Brown. Just Neighbors helps people apply for green cards and other documents they need to stay … Continued
Church members raise produce for the poor at Annandale’s Pine Ridge Park
Volunteers working at the Bo White Gardens Lots of people take advantage of Fairfax County’s community gardens program to grow vegetables for their families. A group of dedicated volunteers from Columbia Baptist Church has taken the concept to another level. They are using a garden plot at Pine Ridge Park in Annandale—along with other gardens—to … Continued