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| Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
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| Sign up for the Bulova Byline
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| Did You Know? |
| The Government Center Farmers Market is not just for the summer - it runs through the end of October with fresh produce, snacks and food trucks. Stop by Thursdays from 3-7pm now through October 29.
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| Stay Connected |
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Email
Website
Office
(703) 324-2321
Please contact my office with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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Greetings,
I am a fan of Ken Burns and his moving, insightful documentaries. This week PBS is running a "restored" version of The Civil War, first shown 25 years ago. For me, the series is all the more impactful following on the heels of Fairfax County's four year sesquicentennial commemoration
of that divisive time. Fairfax was a community divided in its loyalties, with our towns and cities each voting differently on the question of succession.
To help tell the story of the war and its impact on Fairfax, the History Commission erected historic markers throughout the county. One of my favorites is a Civil War Trails Marker of the little known story of the African American Wood Choppers, located in Burke next to the Burke Volunteer Fire Station.
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| "Military railroad operations in Northern Virginia: men standing on railroad track," Andrew J. Russell, photographer. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. |
Commissioner Lynne Garvey-Hodge pointed out at the ceremony in 2011, "It is important to note the many nameless African-American heroes who protected our land and heritage. Without them, the Orange & Alexandria Railroad would not have been able to contribute to the success of the Federal troops."
The Wood Choppers, who helped maintain this critical railroad link, included both freed and escaped slaves. They risked being captured by Confederate troops and sent back into slavery in order to do their part to help win the war. They were critical members of the team.
This story came to mind, in part, due to our current national climate regarding race relations, and how that applies to Fairfax County. Looking back through the prism of Ken Burns' Civil War, I find it difficult to imagine that there was a time in our past when slavery was prevalent in our country. Our nation has come a long way, but there is still work to be done.
Fairfax County has a well-deserved reputation as a welcoming place, where diversity is considered a strength and an asset. That culture, however, is something that requires vigilance and effort to nurture and maintain. I am especially impressed with individuals such as Shirley Ginwright, President of the Fairfax County Chapter of the NAACP, and her work to build on and enhance positive relations with public safety through our Communities of Trust initiative. I am also appreciative of Police Chief Ed Roessler and his establishment of his Chief's Diversity Council, which fosters understanding and tolerance among Fairfax County's diverse community.
Inside this issue of the Byline, you can find ways to partner with public safety and law enforcement to share your ideas for ways our community and public servants can continue to improve. There is always work to be done, and many ways to keep pressing forward.
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Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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Share Your Views with Police Department Locally and Countywide
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 Did you know that your local police district has a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) where residents can dialogue with police officers about safety matters, issues and questions involving your neighborhood? Meetings are held at your district police station each month. This is a great way to develop positive working relationships with local public safety officers and keep up communication. Find out your local CAC schedule.
You can also ask questions and share comments involving public safety in Fairfax County on
September 14 at the
Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission's
Public Hearing #2. The meeting will take place
at Walt Whitman Middle School in South County at 7:30pm. This is a great opportunity for residents to share their experiences and bring new insight to areas such as use of force, communications, mental health, diversity/recruitment/vetting, and citizen oversight. Community feedback and testimonies will help the Commission shape new policy recommendations for the Fairfax County Police Department.
To register in advance to speak, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/public.htm or, call 703-324-3151. Walk-ins are also welcome. Individuals speaking on their own behalf will have 3 minutes to testify. Individuals speaking on behalf of an organization will have 5 minutes.
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Fairfax County Firefighters Install Free Smoke Alarms
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 Every Saturday through the end of November, our Fairfax County firefighters are going door to door checking and installing smoke alarms, providing safety tips, and offering possible escape plans for families in case of an emergency. We are grateful to our firefighters for helping prevent 911 calls through this popular home safety check program! For the past three years since the program began, firefighters have visited 15,000 homes, left more than 12,000 safety tip door hangars, educated more than 8,600 residents, installed 2,539 smoke alarms, and replaced 887 batteries.
Read more at Fairfax County's NewsCenter...
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| Vendor Forum Connects Small Businesses to Government Agencies |
 If you own a small business or are looking to work with one, the Fairfax County Vendor Forum on October 8 is the place to be. This event provides a forum for small businesses to interact directly with county department representatives. Hosted in conjunction with the Fairfax County Small Business Commission, the Vendor Forum provides an intimate and interactive setting for suppliers to network, explore and learn about business in the county. Join us on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 8:30am to 2:30pm at the Fairfax County Government Center. To learn more or register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpsm/vendorforum.
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| 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies Nationwide: Fairfax County Makes List |
 Inc. Magazine places 125 Fairfax County companies in the top 5,000 fastest growing companies in the United States. Out of all the companies chosen in the DC metropolitan region, nearly 40% are companies based out of Fairfax County. Fairfax County has more fast-growing companies on the list than 37 states and the District of Columbia. We also have more companies on the list than many large metropolitan areas, including the Austin, San Jose and Seattle areas. Fairfax County continues to be a great place for businesses to locate due to our proximity to DC, top-notch public services, Metro accessibility, beautiful parks, and fantastic public school system.
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| Pakistan Festival USA Draws Huge Crowd to Centreville |
Independence Day celebrations are loads of fun, especially in the U.S. on the 4th of July. I also enjoy getting a taste of other traditions, music and food when given the opportunity to celebrate the history of other cultures from around the world!
I recently attended the 29th Annual Pakistan Independence Day Festival at Bull Run Regional Park to celebrate the 67th Anniversary of Pakistan's Independence. Performances, food, booths, games, and entertainment for kids filled the grounds at Bull Run!
This annual festival is open to the public every year, with no admission fee or parking charges. I look forward to attending again next summer! Diversity is by far one of Fairfax County's greatest assets.
Many other fantastic cultural events in Fairfax County include the Korean KORUS Festival, Bolivian Festival, Annual Vietnamese Picnic at Mason District Park, numerous Black History Month events, Virginia Indian Festival at Riverbend Park, Chinese New Year at Fair Oaks Mall, and much more.
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Are Your Missing Neighborhood Sidewalks and Trails Eligible for Funding?
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|  Attend Fairfax County's public meeting on September 17 to learn how to apply for grant funding for your neighborhood sidewalk, footbridge, or "alternative transportation" idea. County staff will present information about the Transportation Alternatives Program, followed by a Q&A session. After approval by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the program's projects will be eligible for submission to the Virginia Department of Transportation for funding under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, also known as MAP-21. This program provides 80 percent of the funds for each eligible project. A 20 percent local match is required. Any project presented to the Board for endorsement must have an identified source of funding for this match.
Public Meeting: Transportation Alternative Program
September 17, 2015 at 7pm
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| Students Ride Free on Fairfax Connector Buses |
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| Use Your Student Bus Pass - How It Works! |
Students: Get where you need to go - fast and free! You can now sign up for the Student Bus Pass Pilot Program at all Fairfax County High Schools and Middle Schools and ride the Fairfax Connector for free. You can check for more information at your school's administration office, and parent/guardian approval is needed to sign up.
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| Shepherd's Center Helps Older Adults Live Independently |
 The Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) offers free services to help seniors live independently in their own homes. With over 230 volunteers, the Shepherd's Center provides many services to over 370 clients, such as free transportation for doctor's appointments and grocery shopping, minor home repairs, and record keeping assistance for household finances. The Shepherd's Center also provides enrichment programs including t'ai chi, contract bridge, computer classes, health education workshops, world and national affairs presentations, quarterly Lunch n' Life programs, senior social activities and day trips.
On October 25, the Shepherd's Center will hold its annual fundraiser featuring internationally acclaimed standup comedian Mack Dryden! Tickets are just $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Hope you can come by to enjoy the show and show your support. For more information about this event, to learn about volunteer opportunities, or about how to sign up for Shepherd's Center services, please visit
www.scov.org
or call Michelle Scott, Executive Director, at (703) 281-5088.
The Shepherd's Center supports Fairfax County's 50+ Community Action Plan and supplements many County programs available for senior citizens. By working together, SCOV and the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging hope to create a supportive community for older adults.
In addition to the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna, there are four other Shepherd's Centers in Northern Virginia: Shepherd's Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church; Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke, Shepherd's Center of Annandale-Springfield; and Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax County. Each center is independently operated but all are dedicated to providing similar services to seniors in each of their respective local communities.
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Local Food Pantry...for Pets!
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 When families suffer from financial setbacks, job loss or illness, there are many organizations in Fairfax County that can help out with meals. But what about the four-legged friends that belong to struggling families? It often doesn't cross our minds, but it can be difficult to adequately care for dogs or cats when money is tight. That's why the Humane Society of Fairfax County
offers the Ani-Meals Pet Food Pantry Program
. Community members like you are encouraged to donate food to the Pet Pantry to help struggling families keep their pets during a difficult time. It's a terrific project for a Homeowner's Association, Girl or Boy Scouts, school children of all ages, and even local college students. If you are interested in donating or want to learn more about the program, please call 703-385-7387.
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Did You Know About These Resources for Cemeteries?
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| City of Fairfax Regional Library |
Sometimes, local government deals with interesting things, like answering questions about cemeteries. It's one of those topics that is off your radar until it becomes important to you. So here's some information I bet you didn't know!
If you are looking for genealogical information about someone buried in a local cemetery, you can visit the Virginia Room at the City of Fairfax Regional Library.
If you want to contact the owner of the cemetery, online county tax records should help you find the right person. However, some family cemeteries do not have a designated owner.
If you believe you have located a previously undocumented cemetery, contact the Fairfax County Park Authority Cultural Resource Management and Protection Office.
If you notice people in a cemetery after dark, vandalism, or construction damage, please alert the police.
If a cemetery is not being maintained, refer to the Code of Virginia 57-39.1 for guidance. I
f you are looking for advice regarding how how to maintain a cemetery, the Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association is a great resource.
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Discover Local History at Oak Hill Day
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Oak Hill is a privately owned 18th-century Georgian-style home that was preserved in October 2004 when the Board of Supervisors, Park Authority Board and Northern Virginia Conservation Trust negotiated the purchase of an historic easement from Seville Homes. The home and adjacent property are part of the original Fitzhugh land grant, the Ravensworth Tract (totaling more than 22,000 acres) dating from the 1680s. In Fairfax County, Oak Hill is the sole surviving plantation home built by the Fitzhugh family. Today, the original home remains intact along with much of the historic landscape, including 200-year-old boxwood. The agreement provides for limited public access to the private home and grounds each year.
Come take a tour! Oak Hill Day is a
free event for the whole family. Experience
this unique opportunity to scope out the  grounds, the first floor of the house, and enjoy some (very old) Fairfax County history.
Oak Hill Day
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Noon
- 4
pm (Welcoming Ceremony at 12:15 PM)
4716 Wakefield Chapel Road, Annandale, VA 22003
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Workhouse Arts Center Upcoming Events
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 Sept. 12 - The
2nd Saturday Art Walk showcases the diverse work of more than 100 visual artists. Guests can tour seven unique studio buildings, mix and mingle with artists, buy original works of art, and experience ever-changing exhibitions, all while enjoying light refreshments and music. The social atmosphere of the monthly art walk makes it the perfect destination for a date night, or for anyone who simply appreciates beautiful pieces of art.
Sept. 19 - Front & Center Stage cordially invites you to
Oops! We Did It Again Pop Cabaret! For just one night, some of the best DMV talent joins together to perform your favorite pop songs (new and old) with special guest CAL-V.
Sept 26 & 27 - Over 100 of the nation's best artists will exhibit their original fine art and unique fine crafts at the Workhouse Arts Center's new
Fall Arts Festival. The 2-day outdoor festival will showcase paintings, photography, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, hand crafted furniture and more. This event also includes gourmet food vendors and food trucks, local beer and wine, live music, and free parking!
Also, congratulations to the new CEO of the Workhouse Arts Center, Ava Spece!
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Election Information for November 3
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- Register to vote
- Voter ID laws
- View sample ballots to see who's running
- Find your polling place
- Apply to become an Election Officer!
Register to vote by October 13! Election Day is November 3, 2015. Polls are open from 6am - 7pm.
The following offices will be on the ballot in Fairfax County:
- Member, Senate of Virginia, Districts: 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 37th, 39th
- Member, House of Delegates, Districts: 34
th
, 35
th
, 36
th
, 37
th
, 38
th
, 39
th
, 40
th
, 41
st
, 42
nd
, 43
th
, 44
th
,
45
th
, 48
th
, 49
th
, 53
rd
, 67
th
, 86
th
- Clerk of the Court
- Commonwealth's Attorney
- Sheriff
- Member, Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District (3 seats)
- Chairman, Board of Supervisors
- Member, Board of Supervisors, Districts: Braddock, Dranesville, Hunter Mill, Lee, Mason, Mt.
Vernon, Providence, Springfield, Sully
- Member, School Board, At Large (3 seats)
- Member, School Board, Districts: Braddock, Dranesville, Hunter Mill, Lee, Mason, Mt. Vernon,
Providence, Springfield, Sully
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