August 14, 2024

Neighbors,

The Paris Olympics may be over, but the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics begin September 14.

The games — which range from recreational physical activities to competitive athletics to non-physical games — will take place over 16 days at 26 venues across our region.

These include bunco, sudoku, croquet, trail racing, pickleball, tennis, golf, and much more.

Last year, more than 900 competitors participated in the games with many Fairfax County athletes competing like the ones profiled in this story.

The Senior Olympics was founded 40 years ago in partnership with Northern Virginia parks and recreation agencies, including the Fairfax County Park Authority.

As chair of the Board of Supervisors’ Older Adults Committee, I know that events and organizations like this one are important to help people stay active, healthy and socially connected and engaged.

If you’ve got game and a competitive spirit, consider signing up for the Senior Olympics. Registration closes on August 29.



Regards,

Walter

Congratulations to Lucy Lynn Tombul and Avery McCusker who organized a free women's clothing giveaway! These two inspiring young women (pictured below with me and Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra) offered nearly 400 pounds of clothes to those who came to shop, thanks to generous donations from the community and partnerships with the YMCA Reston, Dulles South Neighborhood Closet, and Reston Strong.

Both Girl Scouts with Troop 1632 held this clothing drive as part of their Silver Award which is the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can earn, unless they save a life.

Take this survey to offer feedback on the county’s proposed strategies to reach its zero waste goal, diverting 90% of trash from landfills and incineration by 2040.

Why it Matters: If our current practices are unchanged, the amount of trash we must manage will only increase which affects our environment and quality of life.

• Last year, the county disposed of 1.2 million tons of waste—that’s enough to fill two entire Tysons Corner malls and all its parking garages.
• By 2050, its projected that the total amount of waste will increase by 16% to 1.4 million tons per year.
• While some waste is recycled or composted, more than half is incinerated or landfilled today. Yet 83% of this waste could be recycled, reused or reduced, according to a county staff.

What Can I Do: Based on a county study that examined the trash thrown out, food waste makes up one of the biggest components of household waste. It accounted for 17% of the trash from single family homes while yard waste, which is recyclable, made up 13%.

Turn your food waste into compost instead:

• Make your own compost at home
• Drop off food scraps at a farmers market: Reston or Vienna
• Take food waste to the county’s I-66 or I-95 solid waste facilities

Every bit makes a difference. Last year, for example, the county’s farmers markets collected 65 tons of food scraps.

Watch this video to learn more about the proposed zero waste strategies and the survey.

It’s back to school next Monday, August 19, for students who attend Fairfax County Public Schools. This means that more than 1,600 school buses will be on the roads, and students also will be walking and biking to class.

Let’s help keep our children safe with a few reminders:

• Please don’t pass a school bus loading or unloading kids, speed through a school zone or ignore a crossing guard’s direction.
• If you encounter a public or private school bus with flashing red lights, drivers in both directions must stop, unless separated from the bus by a median.
• If you pass a stopped school bus loading or unloading children, you could be ticketed for reckless driving.

Starting this fall, 50 school buses will be outfitted with cameras on their stop arms, and there are 10 speed cameras installed in school zones across the county today as part of a pilot program, including near Terraset Elementary. The Police Department proposes expanding this program to add another 50 cameras countywide with some in Hunter Mill District.

Fairfax Connector is adjusting its schedule for the RIBS 4 bus starting September 14, improving the transfer times for students traveling from the northern part of Reston to South Lakes High School.

Schedule Change:

• The RIBS 4 morning trip that currently starts at 7:12 a.m. will start at 7:09 a.m. instead, allowing for the transfer to RIBS 2 at 7:36 a.m. 
• The RIBS 4 afternoon trip that currently starting at 3:31 p.m. will begin at 3:35 pm, allowing for the transfer from RIBS 2 at 3:38 p.m. 

These adjustments will allow for a better transfer from RIBS 4 to RIBS 2 at the Reston Town Center Transit Station. 

The park will get a new combination basketball/futsal court, thanks to a partnership between The Great Outdoors Fund, Volkswagen, which has its U.S. headquarters in Reston, and the Fairfax County Park Authority.

This will be the Park Authority’s second ever futsal court with another three planned for other parts of the county. The Park Authority says there’s a growing demand for futsal facilities.

Futsal is one of the fastest growing sports, and it’s often called “mini-soccer.” Played on a basketball-size court, it requires quick reflexes and thinking and precise passing. For those who don’t know, the sport originated in Uruguay, and its name comes from the Spanish “fútbol sala” and from the Portuguese “futebol de salão.”

Do you enjoy flowers and gardening? Join the Vienna Mayor’s Walk at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 16, featuring a special stop at an award-winning, sustainable garden in the town. If you want to participate, you must register for this walk which is limited to eight people. To sign up, contact Town Clerk Melanie Clark at 703-255-6304.

Animal Shelter Adoption Fees Waived August 23-25

Are you looking for a new animal companion? The Animal Shelter is waiving adoption fees for all animals at both its locations from Friday, August 23rd through Sunday, Aug. 25th for its annual Clear the Shelters event. Adopt today.

Plant Swap at YMCA Reston on August 15

Swap plants, share gardening tips and tricks, and go home with new greenery to brighten your living space. Plants to swap may be potted or bare root but in a container. Event details.

Rolling Stones Tribute Band Plays August 16

Mother’s Little Helper will help you calm down this weekend (without “a little yellow pill”) with a free performance at Reston Station on Friday, August 16 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Parking is free at ParkX. Concert details.