LIghten Up!

This will be the Growler's last post of the year, so let's have some fun!

But first, a confession. Nothing brings a smile to the Growler's face faster than a display of elaborate Christmas lights.

Several years ago, the Cranky One found the grandest light show in our area and thought readers and their kids would like to know about it too.

It's the home of George and Nancy Barbari at 6634 S. Kings Highway. The residence is located at the intersection of S. Kings Highway and Memorial Street in the Fairfax County section of Alexandria. It's easy to get there. Just take Route 1 south out of Old Town, and then turn off onto S. Kings Highway.

The photo above doesn't begin to do justice to this site, which is visited by thousands during the holidays.

One of the biggest draws? A small, working Christmas train that seats 13 children. This year, the homeowners will offer train rides for kids from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on December 22, 23, and 24.

So check it out and enjoy the lights and the fun, and Merry Christmas to all!

Hot Flashes

Monarch Carry-Out?

Concerned neighbors have alerted the Growler that the proposed restaurant at the Monarch (whose request for a special use permit is on the January 3, 2008 Planning Commission docket) will be a Chinese carryout that will be seeking permission to operate until midnight. That's not reassuring to those who live close by.

Planning staff reports on SUP applications typically do not appear until a few days before the public hearing, which means the staff report on the proposed Monarch carry-out will not be available immediately before the Christmas-New Year's holiday interval when many neighbors will be away. The hearing notices have not been posted on the property either according to the Growler's readers.

City staff have told neighbors who have inquired that at this point the restaurant is not seeking any kind of ABC license.

Are We There Yet?

The next Braddock Road Metro planning meeting will focus on the redevelopment of public housing. It will be held Thursday, December 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Ebenezer Baptist Church's Hargrave Collins Educational Building, located at 301 N. Patrick St. Only on-street parking will be available.

Decisions, Decisions!

Unfortunately, on the same night as the Braddock Road meeting the Alexandria School Board will be holding a work session on the options for Jefferson-Houston School at 7:30 p.m. at School Board Headquarters (2000 N. Beauregard Street).

The Growler caught the end of last week's public hearing on Jefferson-Houston and was interested to hear School Board Chairman Claire Eberwein introduce yet another option: to rebuild a smaller school along with a special education facility.

What's Up?

Focus on Facilities

Tonight at the regularly scheduled School Board meeting Jefferson-Houston facility options will once again be discussed, including whether the school will be remain open or be closed. The list of options has expanded (scroll down to page 18 of the PDF file to find the list), and it's been noted that that using Jefferson-Houston to house ACPS offices may conflict with the City's plans for the Tauber site at Beauregard and King Streets.

The meeting will commence at 7:30 PM at School Board headquarters at 2000 N. Beauregard Street.

Back to the Drawing Board

Approval for the Madison development project was deferred by Planning Commission on Wednesday until its next hearing on January 3, 2008.

A number of last-minute changes were made to the proposed mixed-use development to incorporate design concepts bubbling up from the Braddock Road small area plan charrettes, including more significant setbacks from the street and softer green edges where buildings meet the sidewalks.

Commissioners deferred to longtime member H. Stewart Dunn, who questioned what the community would be getting given the parking reduction and increased density from 1.25 FAR to 2.50. Mr. Dunn, who has not been spotted at the recent Braddock Road planning meetings, asked specifically about set-aside units in the proposed 344-unit apartment building and how much affordable housing the developer's $777,000 contribution would buy.

Patrick Street Murder Conviction

Darrell Watson of Alexandria was found guilty in the recent double murder on Route 1. The bodies of Nathan L. Lee and Mark A. Collins were found in the early morning of April 19 lying in the middle of N. Patrick Street. Apparently the motive for the slaying was a dispute over a dice game. Mr. Watson faces two life sentences.