Annandale assessments decline 5.5 percent
Assessed value of residential property in Annandale declined 5.56 percent from last year, the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration reports. The median value of homes in Annandale is $351,907 in 2010, compared to $372,973 in 2009. The county began mailing real estate assessment notes to county taxpayers Feb. 23. Based on equalization changes, the … Continued
Ravensworth Road: Then and now
A reader who wishes to remain anonymous sent the photo (top) of Ravensworth Road looking toward Annandale. It was taken around 1950 or 1951, before St. Michael’s Catholic Church was built. The other photo, taken yesterday, shows Ravensworth Road from the intersection of Davian Drive. It might not be the same section of road. Here’s what … Continued
Devastating budget cuts proposed for libraries
After suffering devastating budget cuts last year, the Fairfax County library system is facing even more draconian cutbacks in the county’s fiscal year 2011 budget, including reduced hours and layoffs. If the board of supervisors approves the proposed 15 percent cut in the library budget, this is what you can expect, beginning in July: Library … Continued
Try Miso for unique fusion cuisine
When one thinks of “fusion cuisine,” Asian foods and techniques with a Western influence usually comes to mind. But Miso, a Japanese-Korean restaurant in the Safeway shopping center at 7410 Little River Turnpike takes the concept in a different direction, incorporating such ingredients as mozzarella and curry on its menu. Miso is a Japanese soybean … Continued
FCPS weighs plans for making up snow days
If you have a children in Fairfax County Public Schools, how do you think the school system should make up the four school days lost due to snow? It’s already been determined that a teacher workday on April 12 would become a full day of school for all students, and schools using a modified calendar … Continued
ABC store awarded for beautification effort
Congratulations to the ABC store at 7200 Little River Turnpike for receiving a beautification award from the Annandale Commercial Business District Planning Committee in recognition of the new fenced-in patio in front of the store. The award was presented Wednesday morning to store manager Harry Berry Jr. In the picture are (from the left): Helen Winter, … Continued
Police investigating shooting near NOVA
Fairfax County police have identified the victim of Monday’s fatal shooting near the NOVA campus in Annandale as Nathan Smiler, 37. Police were called to Smiler’s home at 8317 Little River Turnpike at about 10:30 p.m., and when arrived, found Smiler had been shot in the head. According to the Washington Post, a 30-year-old woman … Continued
School board candidates outline priorities
The dismal state of the school budget is dominating the race for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County school board. At a forum sponsored by the Broyhill Crest Community Association in Annandale Tuesday evening, candidates Samantha Rucker and Sandy Evans agreed that funding cuts should target the central administrative staff, not the classroom. … Continued
Post office promises mail delivery today
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” That slogan, commonly believed to be the creed of the U.S. Postal Service, is actually an inscription on a New York City Post Office. Nevertheless, it certainly doesn’t apply to our postal carriers here … Continued
Montessori School to open new preschool campus near Roundtree Park
Annandale’s Montessori School of Northern Virginia is opening a new campus for preschool-age children in September on the site of the former Valley Brook preschool at 3433 Rose Lane in Falls Church (off Annandale Road between Roundtree Park and Beech Tree Elementary School). The new facility will serve up to 90 students, says Head of … Continued
School board candidates to speak at Lacey Center
The two candidates for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County School Board—Sandy Evans and Samantha Rucker—will speak at the next meeting of the Broyhill Crest Community Association, Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Lacey Center, 3705 Crest Drive, Annandale. All are invited. The school board election is March … Continued
FCPS schools expected to reopen Tuesday
With Fairfax County public schools closed again on Monday, Beech Tree Elementary School and Poe Middle School are calling upon community volunteers to help clear snow off the sidewalks around the school and bus stops. Other schools in the Annandale area have the same needs. So if you’re not tired of shoveling—or even if you … Continued
TV news reports on Annandale Fire Department
WUSA Channel 9 news has a report on how the Annandale Fire Department is coping with the snowstorm, while hosting firefighers from the Bailey’s Crossroads station, which is unusable due to a partially collapsed roof.
Help find Griffy
With most of us warm and cozy inside during the second major blizzard this week, our hearts go out to a lost little dog, Griffy, who ran away nearly weeks ago and has been signed at various locations in Annandale since then. Griffy, a reddish brown four and a-half year-old male Brussels Griffon, weighs 18 … Continued
If you have flat roof, look for warning signs of potential collapse
If you’re thinking of climbing up on your roof to shovel the snow off, it’s not a good idea, as the additional weight could cause the roof to collapse. The Fairfax County government has put out a bulletin on snow and roof safety, an increasingly important issue, as flat roofs could be in danger of … Continued