‘Bare bones’ FX CO budget proposal recommends no increase for schools
Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin submitted a “bare bones” budget to the Board of Supervisors Feb. 22 with no increased compensation for employees and no increase in the amount of county funds transferred to Fairfax County Public Schools. While the budget says “real estate values are clearly stabilizing,” it projects “relatively modest revenue growth” over the … Continued
Annandale tax assessments up 3 percent
Real estate tax assessments for Annandale residents are up 3.07 percent from last year, the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration reported Feb. 22. The mean assessed value for residential property in Annandale was $365,567 in 2011, compared to $359,674. The overall equalization change for residential properties is up 2.34 percent. Nearly 64 percent of … Continued
License plate collectors to gather in Annandale
If you collect license plates—or just like to look at them—you won’t want to miss the 10th Annual Spring Thaw License Plate Meet and Auction right here in Annandale next month. And if you have any old ones lying around, this might be a good place to turn them into cash. Jeff Potter, who started … Continued
New Annandale Sports Club offers flag football for kids
A new sports league, the Annandale Sports Club, offers flag football and basketball for youths and basketball for adults over 30 this spring. Games start the first week of April. If you’re interested, you can register online. “We want to keep that Annandale name because that’s where we live, work, and play,” says Terry Adams, … Continued
VA Senate to vote on bill requiring parent notification of school discipline violations
The Virginia Senate plans to vote on a bill introduced by Del. Kaye Kory to require the school principal to notify the parents of a student who violates a school board policy or the compulsory school attendance requirements when the violation is likely to result in the student’s suspension or the filing of a court petition. … Continued
It’s a dog’s world
We all know how hard it is to get volunteers to run community associations. Unsuspecting residents of the Hillbrook-Tall Oaks community in Annandale elected a dog, Beatha Lee, as president, the Washington Post reports Feb. 18. Beatha is the pet of former president Mark Crawford, who had served three consecutive terms and can’t run again. … Continued
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