Tag: children

Childcare center proposed for wooded lot in Bailey’s Crossroads
Lots of trees and stream are on the lot proposed for a childcare center. The Fairfax County Planning Commission is reviewing a request for a zoning special exception from Deyi Awadallah for a childcare center at 3212 Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads. A public hearing is scheduled for March 13. A one and one-half-story … Continued

Annandale native has fond memories of growing up in an idyllic small town
Annandale Elementary School students in 1953. Annandale might be a transient, traffic-clogged suburb poised for redevelopment, but for many people who grew up here in the middle of the last century, it’s fondly remembered as an idyllic small town where everyone knew one another. That’s now it was for Nikki McDonald, 72, whose family moved … Continued

Nature is part of the learning environment at Westlawn Elementary School
A pleasant setting for story time at Westlawn Elementary School. Learning at Westlawn Elementary School in Falls Church isn’t confined to the classrooms. The instructional program is enhanced through experiences with the natural world via the school’s outdoor discovery area. A new “storytelling chair,” developed as part of an Eagle Scout project, is used for … Continued

Wedgewood Community Center provides a haven for Annandale kids
Annandale Terrace fifth-graders (left to right) Nargis, Salma, and Kevin. Kids who live at the Wedgewood Apartments in Annandale have a safe, fun place to do their homework in the afternoon thanks to a new community center operated by FACETS. There are lots of books, art supplies, a computer lab and … Continued

Annandale third-grader is national running champion
Caleb Hymans with his gold medal. The fastest 8-year-old in the country is Caleb Hymans, who lives right here in Annandale, in the Truro community. On Dec. 14, Caleb came in first place out of 205 7 and 8-year-old boys in the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships in San Antonio, … Continued

Santa’s Ride brings joy to children spending holidays in the hospital
Sorry, reindeer; Santa’s going to be riding a Harley this year. At least that’s his mode of transportation next Tuesday, Dec. 10, for “Santa’s Ride,” an annual charity event in which police officers escort Santa on a countywide tour on motorcycles, SUVs, and police cruisers to collect donated toys for hospitalized children. The group will … Continued

Toy drive supports needy students at Bailey’s Elementary School
Every year, the Bailey’s Elementary School community provides toys and grocery gift cards to the neediest students before the winter break. In the past, Bailey’s has been fortunate to receive donations from the Toys for Tots program, but that organization stopped helping Bailey’s last year, so the school is reaching out to the surrounding community, … Continued

Supervisors hosting blanket drive for Syrian refugees
Children in a Syrian refugee camp in Turkey. [Photo from Bob Lazaro’s blog] The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is hosting a blanket drive for Syrian refugees in Turkey. The goal is to fill a shipping container with blankets that will be delivered to Turkey. A local relief agency will distribute them to refugee families … Continued

Hunters who violated rules suspended from bow hunting program
A sign warning the public about bow hunting at the entrance to a park in Annandale. Five hunters have been suspended from Fairfax County’s archery program to control the deer population following an incident with a Parklawn resident Nov. 16. Karen Corbett was at the playground in Heywood Glen Park near Holmes Run Stream Valley … Continued
Huge kids’ consignment sale Saturday in Annandale
If you’re in the market for children’s clothes and equipment, skip the crowds and mess at the malls and get some great bargains on good-quality, pre-owned items at the Kids’ Stuff Consignment Sale, It happens this Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. This annual sale … Continued

Sponsors sought to help needy families during the holidays
A child receives a gift from an Our Daily Bread holiday program sponsor. [Photo from ODB.] Our Daily Bread (ODB), a nonprofit based in Fairfax, is seeking individuals, community groups, and businesses to sponsor needy families for Thanksgiving and the December holidays. Sponsors provide a holiday meal and gifts for family members under 18. If … Continued

The Annandale quads are growing up
Sharee Gates in back with her quads, left to right: Carter, Sam, Grace, and Gage. The kids in one of Annandale’s rarest families are thriving. At 10 years old, the Gates quadruplets are doing well in school, playing sports, and enjoying life with their friends and one another. There are two girls, Carter and Madison, … Continued

Happy Halloween, Annandale!
Here’s what showed up at my door: monsters, superheroes, animals, a princess, and more.

Drive carefully – Let’s have a safe Halloween
Seen on Terrace Drive. Drivers are warned to slow down and be extra alert on Halloween, as kids will be out trick or treating tonight. There will only a thin sliver of moon, which means it will be very dark. And because Halloween isn’t just a kids’ holiday, Fairfax County Police will be stepping up … Continued

‘Trunk ‘n Treat’: another way to celebrate Halloween
From the left: Sam Loeffler (Neo from “The Matrix”), Landon Gates (zombie), Benjy Loeffler (Boba Fett from “Star Wars”), and Warner Gates (detective). Warner goes to Glasgow Middle School; the others are at Bailey’s Elementary School. Local families got an early start on Halloween at the Trunk ’n Treat event Sunday evening in the parking … Continued