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5.15.25
Dear Neighbor,
Our most popular event of the year is this weekend! Don’t miss out on all the dog-focused fun during our 4th Annual Braddock Bark festival this Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the McLaren-Sargent Shelter at Lake Accotink Park (5660 Heming Avenue, Springfield).
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We have activities for everyone in the family, including:
🐾 Obstacle and agility courses for dogs
🐾 Adoption Opportunities
🐾 Local pet business vendors
🐾 Dog treat ice cream truck
🐾 Splash zone for dogs
🐾 Dog toy raffle for pups that come dressed up or wear accessories
🐾 Canine CPR demonstration
🏒 Washington Capitals fan club booth
🍦 Ice cream/Boba/Slushy truck (for humans!)
🎨 Children’s activity area with face painting, a bubble zone, giant board games + more!
Come and enjoy the paw-tay and help raise funds for the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter so they can continue providing much-needed care for animals!
You can find more info on my Facebook page. I can't wait to see you there!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
This month let's work on breaking the stigma of addressing mental health and talking about struggles with mental health.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly 1 in 5 people experiences a mental health concern each year. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, you are not alone, and resources are available:
- The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) offers a wide range of services for individuals of all ages who are experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or developmental disabilities
- CSB has a suicide prevention information and resources website with information on their Mental Health First Aid Classes, and specific resources for veterans, members of the military and their families, Fairfax County Public Schools students, and older adults
- CSB's Emergency Services can be reached 24/7 at (703) 573-5679. They also take walk-ins at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health (8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax)
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Not sure if you need help? Take a free, confidential, online mental health screening
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9-8-8, the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, is available via text or call
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Texting "CONNECT" to 855-11 to contact PRS CrisisLink
- Calling PRS CrisisLink at (703) 527-4077
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The Trevor Project (specific to LGBTQIA+ Youth)
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Trans Lifeline (877) 565-8860 (specific to Trans callers)
- The Veterans Crisis Line can be reached by calling 9-8-8, then dialing "1"
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Visit the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for more resources for Veterans
- ConnerStrong Foundation
- In an immediate, life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1
For more information on mental health resources available for County and Northern Virginia residents, visit Fairfax County's website.
Graduation Traffic
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It's that time of the year, graduations are here!
George Mason University's EagleBank Arena will continue to host graduation ceremonies at various times of the day until Monday, June 16.
Doors open at least one hour before ceremonies begin, and traffic will vary, depending on the day.
Subscribe to Mason Alerts or Fairfax Alerts for up-to-date details on high-impact areas and alternative routes. View GMU's graduation schedule or the FCPS graduation page for more details.
| | Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw | | Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Braddock District news and updates. | | |
Continue reading below for more information on:
- 2025 Girls Fire & Rescue Academy
- Plant Swap
- Fairfax Connector's May Service Changes
- Braddock District Council's May Meeting & Legislative Review
- GMU's Just in Time Job Fair
- Chairman McKay's Spring Social
- GMU West Campus Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for May 22
- Reduced Fee Vaccine & Microchip Clinic
- VDOT I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study Meetings
- FCPS Athletic Programs Seeking Medical Professionals
- Early Voting for June 17 Democratic Primary Elections
- Better Bus Resources
- Resources for Federal Employees and Contractors
| | 2025 Girls Fire & Rescue Academy | | |
The Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department is excited to announce that the 2025 Girls Fire & Rescue Academy (GFRA) summer camp is June 24 - 27, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The academy is open to rising 9th through 12th-grade female students for the upcoming 2025 - 2026 school year who are residents of Fairfax County.
The program is completely free of charge but limited to 24 applicants. Spots are first come, first served, so apply today!
All applications must be received electronically by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16. Read more about the GFRA.
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On Saturday, May 17, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., the Canterbury Woods Pool Board will welcome any indoor or outdoor plants (or cuttings) that need a new home! Trade for something new to you or maybe an old favorite you’d like more of. Put your green thumb to work and swap!
The event address is 8600 Canterbury Drive, Annandale.
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Fairfax Connector's
May Service Changes
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The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will implement changes to select Fairfax Connector bus routes, effective Saturday, May 17.
These updates are part of FCDOT’s ongoing efforts to enhance service reliability, respond to rider feedback, and align with evolving travel patterns across the region.
Key adjustments include the introduction of two new routes - Route 652 and Route 670 - designed to improve connectivity and meet emerging transit demands. In addition, Route 599 will be discontinued to optimize system efficiency.
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Route 670: Fairfax Connector is excited to offer a cross-county connection from Chantilly to Franconia-Springfield. The 670 utilizes the Express Lanes on both I-66 and I-495 for a quicker commute. This service is only available during weekday rush hour.
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Route 652: This route provides enhanced bus coverage to the Franklin Farms area, connecting to the Stringfellow Road Park and Ride. The 652 will operate during weekday peak morning and evening hours, Monday through Friday.
- Route 599: This express route is being discontinued.
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Passengers traveling to the Pentagon and Crystal City can use Route 598, which serves both Reston South and Reston North Park and Ride lots.
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Route 353: This route has been realigned to service the new Franconia Government Center in Kingstowne, which is slated to open this summer.
Several additional routes will undergo minor service adjustments aimed at enhancing on-time performance and improving overall service reliability.
For full details on the May 17 service changes and to view updated schedules and route maps, visit the Connector's website.
| | Braddock District Council's May Meeting & Legislative Review | | |
The Annual Legislative Review, co-sponsored by Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw and the Braddock District Council, is scheduled for Monday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the Kings Park Library meeting room adjacent to Supervisor Walkinshaw’s office (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke).
Delegates Vivian Watts, David Bulova, Kathy Tran, Laura Jane Cohen, and Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy will be in attendance.
Considering all the bills that did (and did not) get approved in this year’s General Assembly, plus the impact of government reductions-in-force in Federal agencies, this meeting should be full of valuable information.
| | GMU's Just in Time Job Fair | | |
Are you looking to hire for internship, part-time, or full-time positions?
George Mason University’s Career Services is hosting the 2025 Just In Time Job Fair on Monday, May 19, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center on George Mason University's Fairfax Campus (4400 University Drive, Fairfax).
Employers will have access to well-qualified applicants. George Mason students and alumni are equipped with the latest industry knowledge and in-demand technical and transferrable skills. Employers are required to register for the event. Learn more online.
Contact Bernadette Davey at bdavey@gmu.edu if you have questions.
| | Chairman McKay's Spring Social | | |
Join Chairman Jeff McKay to celebrate the vibrant spring season at his Spring Social!
The social will take place on Tuesday, May 20, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).
Come together for an evening filled with light refreshments, exciting raffles, and the opportunity to connect with neighbors and friends. RSVP today!
This year, in honor of the 20th anniversary of Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, the Chairman's office encourages you to support their mission by making a monetary donation on their website.
| | GMU West Campus Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for May 22 | | |
George Mason University (GMU) will hold a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, May 22, to continue the conversation regarding their ongoing development planning for the western portion of their Fairfax campus.
The Town Hall will be held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Fairfax City Hall (10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax).
The Town Hall is an opportunity for students and the community to provide input and feedback on proposed uses and concepts for development. GMU has stated they are targeting three key development categories: placemaking, athletics, and housing.
GMU has also provided a form for submitting written public comments.
For more information, visit GMU’s West Campus Planning webpage.
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Reduced Fee Vaccine
& Microchip Clinic
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As part of Fairfax County Animal Shelter's (FCAS) Pet Resource Center, Fairfax County residents have an opportunity to vaccinate and microchip their pets without the cost of a veterinary exam.
All clinics are first-come, first-served and are cash-only. The Animal Shelter has an upcoming clinic on Friday, May 23, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton)
For more information on upcoming dates or details, visit the FCAS website.
| | VDOT I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study Meetings | | |
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold in-person public hearings to present the recommended preferred alternative for the I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study.
The public hearings are scheduled for:
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Monday, June 2 at Thomas A. Edison High School (5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria)
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Wednesday, June 4 at Oxon Hill High School (6701 Leyte Drive, Forest Heights, MD)
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Monday, June 9 at West Potomac High School (6500 Quander Road, Alexandria)
- Wednesday, June 11 at Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center (1108 Jefferson Street, Alexandria)
All meetings will have an open house starting at 6:00 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. and a formal public comment session.
Public hearing materials will be available starting May 19 on VDOT's virtual public information room.
Contact Michelle Holland, VDOT Communications Manager of Northern Virginia Megaprojects, at (703) 586-0487 with any questions or additional information.
| | FCPS Athletic Programs Seeking Medical Professionals | | |
Lake Braddock Secondary School is organizing its Annual Sports Physical Night fundraising event in coordination with West Springfield High School and South County High School and needs volunteer Medical Professionals to sign off on athletes’ participation status for the 2025-2026 school year.
This event is a great way for the Athletic Training Program to support the needs of student-athletes! It will be held on Tuesday, June 3, at Lake Braddock Secondary School (9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke).
If you or someone you know is an MD/DO/NP/PA, sign up today to volunteer.
Questions? Contact South County High School Athletic Trainer Rachel Hurlburt at rlhurlburg@fcps.edu or (571) 425-8029.
| | Early Voting for June 17 Democratic Primary Elections | | Early voting for the June 17, 2025, Primary Election is underway! Early voting is available at three locations until Saturday, June 14: | | |
Fairfax County Government Center
- 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
- Weekday hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Mt. Vernon Governmental Center
- 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria
- Weekday hours: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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North County Governmental Center
- 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston
- Weekday hours: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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Better Bus is Metro’s initiative to improve regional bus service. On June 29, Metro will launch its new bus network. This is the first major overhaul in 50 years.
Rider input was used to finalize the network, and Metro's Board of Directors approved it.
Use the resources below to learn more about your new routes and stops:
- Trip Planner
- Use the trip planner to map out your new routes, using instructions at the top of the page to toggle between the current network and the new one.
- Communications Toolkit
- Draw language from the communications toolkit to add information about the new bus network to your newsletter or social media.
- Route Comparison Tool
- Enter your current bus routes into our route comparison tool to find out what new routes will take you to your destination, starting on June 29.
- Virginia Bus Service Map
- See a high-level overview of bus service in Virginia.
- Virginia Route Profiles
- Take an in-depth look at each of the routes in the new network. Each route profile includes a map of the route and information about frequency, as well as highlighted points of interest, such as schools, grocery stores, libraries, transit centers, and more.
- Better Bus Network Redesign FAQ
- Field questions from constituents, colleagues, and community members by referring to the BBNR Frequently Asked Questions document, which includes digestible information about everything from how the new network was made, to how it’s being implemented in the coming weeks and months.
- Become A Better Bus Partner
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Become an official community-trusted resource on the new network by registering to join our Better Bus Partner Program. Better Bus Partners commit to being an on-the-ground resource for bus riders in their neighborhood, distributing printed materials, monitoring bus stops to ensure updated signage, and encouraging awareness of the new network through their established communication channels.
Learn more about Metro's Better Bus Network.
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Resources for Federal
Employees and Contractors
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Fairfax County Resource and Service Website
Thousands of County residents and their families will likely be affected by the federal government’s plan to significantly downsize the federal workforce and budget. The County has a variety of resources and services that can help former federal employees, contractors, and anyone else affected by job loss.
Federal Representatives
Each member of Fairfax County's Congressional Delegation has provided access to resources, including the opportunity for federal employees to anonymously report abuses of power, review employment rights/civil service law, and understand whistleblower protections. If you or someone you know is a federal employee, review and share these resources, and subscribe to your federal representatives’ newsletters to stay informed.
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Senator Mark Warner
Senator Tim Kaine
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Congressman Don Beyer
Congressman Gerry Connolly
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