Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Winter storm could be a record breaker

With more than a foot of snow covering Annandale already (at 2 p.m. Saturday), we could be snowbound for days. According to the National Weather Service, we could be in the midst of the biggest winter storm to hit the D.C. area since February 2003 when we had 16 inches of snow. The storm could also … Continued

Annandale has grown rapidly in the past few decades

Thanks to Annandale resident Gil Tribbett for sharing an aerial photo of Annandale that was probably taken sometime around 1951, give or take a couple of years. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to scan it well enough so you make out any detail. It’s amazing how rural this area was back then. The intersection of … Continued

Samantha Rucker running for school board

The Fairfax County Republican Committee has endorsed former Virginia Assistant Attorney General Samantha Vanterpool Rucker as a candidate for the Mason seat on the Fairfax County school board. Rucker has been a substitute teacher and instructional assistant at Weyanoke Elementary School in Annandale, a Head Start volunteer, a member of the FCPS Minority Student Achievement … Continued

Wine tastings at Hidden Oaks Nature Center

My friend, Jill Anderson, of the Lake Barcroft blog, reports on an upcoming series of wine tastings this winter at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Faced the with prospect of draconian budget cuts, the Fairfax County Parks must come up with creative ways to raise revenue. Hidden Oaks, located off Hummer Road in between Gallows and … Continued

More details emerge on new Lacey school

Fairfax County school officials offered new details of the elementary school to be built on the Lacey site at a Dec. 12 meeting sponsored by the Broyhill Crest Community Association. The Lacey school administration building will be torn down, and construction of the new school is expected to be completed in February 2012, which will … Continued

Renovations to Ossian Hall Park to start in 2010

The second phase of the renovations to Ossian Hall Park in Annandale will begin next month. The new park is expected to officially reopen in early November 2010, says Eric C. Brunner of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Planning and Development Division. The park, located on the corner of Heritage Drive and Four Year Run … Continued

A few impressions on a telephone town meeting

The following report was submitted by Around Annandale contributor Jack Winston: Earlier this month, Rep. Gerry Connolly held his fifth Telephone Town Meeting of the year. The traditional Congressional Town Hall, typically held in a town hall or school auditorium, allows members of Congress to meet constituents in person and discuss issues of importance with … Continued

Democrats endorse Evans for school board

The Mason District Committee of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee endorsed Sandy Evans for the Mason seat on the Fairfax County school board Dec. 7. Evans is a longtime school volunteer and activist who has been a leader on several school system and parent advocacy organizations. Herb Smith, a special education teacher, who was also … Continued

Meeting on Lacey school set for School Dec. 12

Community residents are invited to a meeting Saturday, Dec., 12, 11:30 a.m., on plans for the new elementary school to replace the Lacey Center in Annandale’s Broyhill Crest neighborhood. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross and outgoing school board member Kaye Kory are hosting the meeting, which will include presentations by Fairfax County Public School staff. The new … Continued

Wakefield craft fair: A great place to shop

The annual craft fair this weekend at Wakefield is one of the best in the area. Why fight the crowds at a mall when you can browse among hundreds of venders offering, high-quality handmade items? I found a variety of one-of-a-kind gift ideas at reasonable prices. The craft fair is open Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  The … Continued

Flu vaccines available in Falls Church

Limited amounts of the H1N1 vaccine will be available at the Falls Church District office of the Fairfax County Health Department from noon until 7 p.m. today, the Falls Church News-Press reports. The clinic, located at 6245 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500, will offer up the free vaccine to all Falls Church City and Fairfax County residents … Continued

Strike team targets multiple-occupancy houses

Are there lots of people coming and going from the house next door at all hours? Do you think it’s being used as a boarding house or sweatshop? You can contact the Fairfax County Strike Team if you suspect a violation of county rules on multiple occupancy. Fairfax County ordinances don’t restrict the number of … Continued

Bring a bear to Annandale High School

The DECA organization at Annandale High School is holding a teddy bear drive for the Childhelp® Children’s Center of Virginia through Dec. 15. The teddy bears will go to abused and neglected children as they are moved from their current living situations. DECA students are learning about business and marketing. For more information, contact Lindsay … Continued

Broyhill Crest residents propose ‘traffic calming’ measures for Wayne Drive

Thanks to all the speeders tearing up and down Wayne Road (pictured), some residents of the Broyhill Crest neighborhood are asking the county to install speed humps. Other main access roads to the neighborhood from Gallows Road—Oliver Avenue and Valleycrest Boulevard—could be affected, too. The Broyhill Crest Community Association (BCCA) has approved a request by … Continued