Monday, October 17, 2011
Kickoff of public participation in updating the master plan for Langley Fork Park
Approximately 50 McLean residents turned out to share their visions for future uses of Langley Fork Park at a public hearing hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority Thursday night. The discussion quickly turned to possible recreational uses of the park, with many in the audience appearing to favor increasing and improving the athletic fields. With the population of McLean tripling since the last master plan was created, and the under-19 population doubling, an update of the park, located across the street from the CIA, was needed, park officials said. The park belongs to the U.S. government but is operated by the county. The Park Authority estimates the completion of the master plan for mid-late 2012. the county will begin an …
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Possible Land Swap with National Park Service
A land swap may be in the works to finally give Fairfax County title to Langley Forks Park located on Georgetown Pike, a neighbor to the CIA and the Claude Moore Colonial Parm. The county manages the park that is owned by the National Park Service. A land swap was hinted at when the county Park Authority sent out a notice asking McLean neighbors to attend a public hearing Oct. 13 to talk about updating the 30-year-old master plan for recreational uses at Langley Fork. As part of updating the master plan, "The Park Authority is considering an equitable land exchange with (the National Park Service), whereby the Park Authority could acquire ownership of Langley Fork Park from NPS in exchange for an equally valued portion of nearby Langley …
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The McLean Ear Hears. . .
Update: The Thompsons expect to stay "in the area" but it's unclear if that means McLean, said David Howell, executive vice-president of McEnearney Associates, the real estate firm, handling the sale. Stay tuned. Was it something we said? Former U.S. Senator and presidential aspirant Fred Thompson has put his home on Ballantrae Farm Drive up for sale. Asking price $3.4 million. Thompson purchased the seven-bedroom, five-fireplace home in 2004 for $2.5 million. The home is assessed for $2.4 million. McLean just lost Ted Leonsis to Potomac. Now Fred Thompson may be heading back to Tennessee which is where the county sends the tax bills. Sigh. Microsoft Jobs. Store that is planned for Tysons Corner Mall advertising for an assistant manager. …
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sales recorded with Fairfax County for McLean zip codes.
Below are the homes sales recorded by the Fairfax County property tax office for the two McLean zip codes 22101 and 22102. We have four basic housing types in McLean — condominiums, townhouses, split levels and ramblers and the luxury houses. Street Address $ Sales Price Seller Buyer * Condominium sales Source: The Washington Post
Friday, September 23, 2011
Dale says he announced his retirement on Sept. 22 so FCPS, those running for school board and the community can plan a smooth transition to new leadership.
Jack Dale, superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, said the announcement of his retirement on Sept. 22, just weeks before new school board members are elected, was carefully timed. He said he hopes that by announcing it early it will help provide a smooth transition for the school system. He said if he were to leave sooner it could result in everyone trying to go different directions at once, without focus. “The community should know about this, the new school board coming in should know about it, before they go through the election process,” he said Dale said the FCPS school board needs to reflect the values of the community and when there are 12 members that is what typically happens. He said the incoming school board’s …
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Musicians expect to raise $40,000
UPDATE:Members of the McLean High School band fanned out into the community last Saturday on their annual fundraising drive, collecting $34,000 and expecting another $8,000 to $9,000 in checks. “It was a great day,” Band director Chris Weise told the McLean Patch. “We’re in good shape.” Frank Key, Tag Day Chairman and a parent, said, "The generosity and kindness of the McLean community toward the band is so rewarding.. I was concerned that the economic angst out there would impact our fundraising this year, but it didn't. Please extend my sincere gratitude to the community for their continuing support of our program. Also, anyone who still has a "leave behind" envelope you received on Saturday if you were out when we knocked on your door; …
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
VDOT to finance temporary culvert
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A week after Tropical Storm Lee’s flood waters washed over small bridges, reconstruction plans are in the works for the three bridges and four roads in northern Virginia that remain closed, all of which require extensive repairs, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. One of them is Towlston Road over Rocky Run in McLean. VDOT says the contract will be awarded this week to install a temporary culvert. The posted detour is approximately two and a half miles long. Up to 100 roads were flooded, damaged or closed in northern Virginia during the Sept. 8 storm, and VDOT crews spent the days following removing debris, patching potholes, and making repairs to open many of the roadways, VDOT said. The total estimated damage to …
Lisa Kaplan Gordon is a real housewife living in McLean
I’ve always wanted to fly. Not in a jet, which feels like an airborne diner. Not metaphorically Erica Jong-style. But actually, like a bird on wings that let me soar and swoop. Sadly, I am without feathers, so I’ve had to settle for mechanical wings. As a cub reporter, I flew in a glider for a roundup of fun things to do in Fairfield County, Conn. Gliders depend on thermals – columns of rising, warm air – to stay aloft. Within 5 minutes, I was so queasy that the pilot made an emergency landing so I wouldn’t report all over his aircraft. Years later, while honeymooning in Maui, Greg and I went parasailing. And by that, I mean Greg took pictures as I was launched from the back of a speedboat. Only a bolt of ripstop nylon and a cable tether …
Morning Briefing
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Good Morning McLean, Another Teacher Endorsement. School board challenger Louise Epstein wins second major teacher endorsement. Candidate Profile: Patrick Forrest. The Republican challenger running against state Sen. Janet Howell. McLean Crime. Recap of McLean home invasion and robbery. IPhones stolen. Reminder: Emergency food appeal from Share. Noon. Real Housewife of McLean. 2 p.m. Update on Towlston Road closing.
School Board Race: Jane Strauss vs. Louise Epstein
Dranesville School Board challenger Louise Epstein captured a second major teacher endorsement yesterday. The Fairfax Federation of Teachers backed her instead of long-time school board member Jane Strauss. The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, one of two influential teacher organizations in the county, endorsed Epstein along with four other Republicans and six Democrats. The school board races are officially nonpartisan but both parties endorse a slate of candidates. It's difficult, if not impossible to run for the school board without a party endorsement. The race for the county's 12 school board seats is shaping up as one of the hottest races this election year. Six of the 12 are open seats. The board has been awash in …
Ann H Csonka
3:16 am on Sunday, November 6, 2011
Judith -- I agree with every word you say, except for second sentence. FCPA tries to balance park uses, but parks are often planned for mixed uses because county residents have mixed interests/needs. A few years ago in our area, many families fought for a 100% natural park plan, many also adamantly fought for playing fields on an exceptional piece of natural parkland. In fact, many of the same … more ›