Mason supervisor candates stake out positions in debate
Left to right: David Feld; Ravenworth Park Civic Association President John Iekel; Sleepy Hollow Civic Association President Steve Tillman; and Penny Gross Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross and her Republican challenger David Feld squared off in a debate last night at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School that touched on taxes, zoning, transportation, revitalization, and other issues … Continued
Mark Center employees being phased in over next few months
If you regularly drive near the new BRAC-133 Mark Center buildings at the Seminary Road exit on Interstate 95, is the traffic worse than it used to be? So far 2,200 Department of Defense employees have moved into that complex, the city of Alexandria reports. Another 2,500 employees are scheduled to move in by Dec. 31 and … Continued
School bond includes funds to expand Thomas Jefferson HS
The $252.75 million school bond referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot doesn’t include any major projects for regular public schools in Annandale or the Mason District. It would, however, provide more than $84.6 million for renovations at the aging Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. TJSST, in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, just … Continued
Former students have fond memories of Masonville Elementary
Masonville Elementary in 1974-75. Former Annandale resident Carol Morris Dukes has such fond memories of the long-gone Masonville Elementary School in Annandale, she created a Facebook group for alumni to share their memories. She believes it’s especially important to reconnect now that the building has been torn down. A new elementary school under construction on … Continued
Missing dog near Bristow Drive area
Update: Rosie was still missing as of Sept. 30. Bob and Sarah Turner’s beloved dog, Rosie, ran off from their church at the corner of Ravensworth Road and Braddock Road in Annandale Saturday around 11 a.m. She was headed up Bristow Drive toward Little River Turnpike, but they don’t know how far she went. Rosie … Continued
Stephen King offers insights on writing horror fiction
Best-selling author Stephen King wowed the crowd at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax Friday evening in a lecture that touched on what inspired him to write horror fiction, the impact of fame, and a preview of works in progress. The event was the finale of the 2011 Fall for the Book … Continued
Police report bank robbery in Bailey’s Crossroads
The Mason Police District reports a bank robbery at the Bank of America branch, at 5707 Seminary Road in Bailey’s Crossroads at 10:13 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 23. The suspect passed a note to the teller demanding money. The teller complied and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries. … Continued
Thousands of books on sale at George Mason Library
You’ve still got the rest of the weekend to check out the 30th annual book sale at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale. It’s open Friday until 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday noon-3 p.m. The event started Thursday evening with 1,350 boxes of books, which is about 50,000 volumes, says Kate Kroehler, … Continued
FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale to retire
Dale Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Dale plans to retire on July 1, 2013, at the end of his current contract. “I have served an extraordinary 42 years in public education, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead this world-class school system,” Dale, 62, said as he announced his plans to … Continued
Mason District Fall Festival this Saturday
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The Mason District Fall Festival is happening Saturday, Sept. 24, in Mason District Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be live entertainment, food and craft vendors, police and fire department demonstrations, and children’s activities, including moon bounces, hay rides, and pony rides. The festival is free, but … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Should I-95 become a toll road?
By Del. Kaye Kory The good news is that Virginia may be one step closer to improving the traffic flow on Interstate 95. The Federal Highway Administration has granted Virginia preliminary authority to charge tolls on vehicles entering Virginia from North Carolina and presumably at other points along the route. The bad news is that … Continued
Connolly: deficit reduction must include revenue increases
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly told members of the local business community Sept. 20 that any efforts to reduce the nation’s debt must include increases in revenue, as well as spending cuts. At a joint luncheon of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Merrifield Business Association, Connolly said he supports “the broad thrust” … Continued
Annandale beautification award presented to TD bank
The Annandale Commercial Business District Planning Committee’s Beautification Committee will present an award to the new TD Bank in Annandale today in recognition of its landscaping and community involvement efforts. The bank is on Little River Turnpike at the Backlick Road intersection. It opened in July.
Gross wants to focus on Annandale revitalization
Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross told the Annandale Blog at a campaign event Sunday that, if re-elected, one of her top priorities will be to work on plans for revitalizing central Annandale. Now that the Annandale amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan has been approved, “I’d like to see that implemented,” she said. The amendment provides for … Continued
FX CO teacher unions weigh in on school board candidates
The two unions that represent Fairfax County teachers have endorsed school board candidates running for election in November, and in some cases are supporting newcomers over incumbents. Both the Fairfax Education Association (FEA) and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT) are supporting a mix of candidates who have been endorsed by both the Democratic and Republican … Continued