Ravenwood Park steps up fight against townhouses
More than 70 people from Ravenwood Park and surrounding areas gathered at JEB Stuart High School last night to solidify their opposition to the development of townhouses on a small piece of vacant property at 3236 Peace Valley Road, Falls Church. [See map at end of post.] Just about everybody there signed a petition opposing … Continued
Despite what your heard, Sunset Grille not closing
The Sunset Grille, one of Annandale’s top live music venues, is not closing any time soon, despite a Facebook message from bartender Jeanie Jensen that says “The Grille is going thru harder times than ever, and is VERY close to closing for GOOD!” Jim Edwards, the bar’s live music coordinator, told the Annandale blog the … Continued
Two more sex offenders registered in Annandale
Two more registered sex offenders have recently been listed by the Virginia State Police as living in Annandale. Jerry Eugene Smallwood Jr., age 31, lives in Apt. 102 at 4701 Americana Drive. He was convicted of felonious sexual assault with a minor in 1998 in New Hampshire and was convicted in Fairfax County in 2005 … Continued
Potential candidates may run against Penny Gross
Mason District members of the Fairfax County Republican Committee are beginning to meet with potential candidates interested in considering a run against Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross. The Annandale blog has learned that one of them is David Feld. That would be surprising, as Feld backed Democratic candidates in the past and hosted a fundraiser last June to … Continued
Annandale agency helps seniors find jobs
Prothero If you’ve tried to find a job in this tough employment market, imagine how much harder it is for older people—who might have outdated skills and no idea how to look for a job on the Internet. A nonprofit organization based in Annandale (4201 John Marr Drive) offers a much-needed hand to help people … Continued
Penny Gross launches re-election campaign
Gross and Bulova Penny Gross, Mason District’s representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, kicked off her re-election campaign Sunday at a fundraising event at the home of Dottie Bennett and Richard Morton in Lake Barcroft. Among the politicians who turned out for Gross at the 15th Annual Champagne and Chocolate Extravaganza: Rep. Jim … Continued
Community celebrates Chinese New Year
Luther Jackson Middle School was turned into a mini-Chinatown Saturday as people from Annandale and across the region ushered in the Year of the Rabbit at a Chinese New Years Festival. A Dragon Dance wound through the crowd, as spectators enjoyed crafts, games, and food. The entertainment included dance and instrumental music from Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Mongolia, and … Continued
Residential parking permit district near NOVA could be expanded
People who live along the Wakefield Chapel Road area in Annandale have long complained parking problems caused by people going to the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and parking in front of their homes. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider a measure proposed by Supervisor John Cook to address that problem by allowing the board … Continued
Holmes Run orange color – could be harmless bacteria
Russ Smith, an engineer with the Fairfax County stormwater planning department, says the bright orange color in Holmes Run is most likely caused by “iron fixing bacteria,” which shows up when the weather gets warmer. He says it is “totally inert” and is not harmful to people or wildlife. The hazardous materials department has also … Continued
What is this mess?
Holmes Run at Rose Lane Park in Annandale is bright orange. Is it mud or pollution? I’ve seen muddy streams before but not like this. It is coming out of the storm drain.
Neighborhood leaders share success stories
Several of the outstanding neighborhood projects profiled Feb. 9 at a forum of the Braddock District Council of Community Associations could easily be adopted by community groups in Annandale. After all, we are all dealing with similar issues—such as the need to maintain common areas and recruit more volunteers. The presenters at the forum, at … Continued
FX CO school board supports employee raises, full-day kindergarten
The advertised budget for fiscal year 2012 for Fairfax County Public Schools, approved by the school board Feb. 3, includes several measures supported by Mason District school board member Sandy Evans. The $2.2 billion budget includes 2 percent cost-of-living increases and step increases for eligible employees. “The Board has set teacher pay raises as a … Continued
Conflict over townhouses: Tax base vs. green space
Residents of the Ravenwood Park neighborhood thought they had won a battle against a townhouse development on a vacant property in 2005, but a similar project now seems to be going forward, and the community association is gearing up for another fight. This 1890s-era house in Ravenwood Park was demolished in December Ravenwood Park, a … Continued
Man convicted of producing child porn lives on American Drive in Annandale
George P. Bishop of 4357 Americana Drive, # 101, is the third registered sex offender in Annandale so far this year, according to a notice issued by the Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Feb. 3. Bishop was convicted in Fairfax Circuit Court Aug. 19, 2005 of producing, distributing, and financing … Continued
Progress being made on Lacey school
Work on the new elementary school on the site of the former Lacey Center is a little behind schedule due to the bad weather, says Joseph Krzywicki, the on-site field construction representative for Fairfax County Public Schools. The construction site is at the end of Crest Drive in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood in Annandale. About … Continued