At Tuesday's Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board designated November as Military Family Appreciation Month, Caregivers Awareness Month, and Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

I presented the following Board Matters:

• Recognizing Judith Dittman
• Recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the Children's Science Center - jointly with the whole Board

The Board approved the right for staff to purchase easement rights necessary for the new Gravity Sewer expansion. Although just a step in the process, these carefully selected easements will allow the new line to be installed underground alongside the existing sewer line which runs south from Tysons to Fairfax. Although unseen, our county's sewer network is vital to the daily quality of life for residents and businesses alike. We thank staff for their diligent effort to prepare Fairfax County for the decades to come!

Lastly, the Board voted in favor of changing the name of the Office of Children to Early Childhood Programs and Services. This follows the move of the office from the Department of Family Services to Neighborhood and Community Services. The change meets statutory requirements and also better reflects the full spectrum of services offered by Neighborhood and Community Services. As Chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee, I support this change and encourage everyone to learn more about the services available to county residents.

Tysons Tracker

The Tysons Tracker, a community resource for monitoring the growth and development of the Tysons Urban center, is now updated with projects from June 2023 to May 2024. The Tracker sheds light on progress in the areas of land development, transportation, environmental stewardship, public facilities, parks, and general implementation efforts. This interactive platform provides the same data, analysis, and updates as the former hard-copy Tysons Annual Reports.

Providence Spotlight

I’d like to introduce Elliot Bell-Krasner, Vice-Chair of the Fairfax 250th Commission. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Elliot has worked with the Close Up Foundation, American Council of Young Political Leaders and Junior State of America Foundation, and teaches at Temple Rodef Shalom. 

Appointed to the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission in 2020, he served as Secretary before joining the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Advisory Board. In 2022, Elliot was appointed to the county’s 250th Commission, overseeing the 2026 commemoration of America’s founding.

Elliot holds a B.S. in Political Science from The George Washington University and an M.A. in Public Policy from American University. He currently manages program and hotel operations for the Close Up Foundation, which offers civics and government programs for students. A proud Providence District representative on several Boards and Commissions, Elliot and his teammate Emily live in Merrifield with their dogs: Cicero and Zeus. Thanks, Elliot, for all you do for our community!

Apply for Tysons Corner Center Exhibit

ArtsFairfax has partnered with Macerich, the owners and developers of Tysons Corner Center, to showcase local artists, artist teams, and arts organizations, particularly those who live or work in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church.

Through a series of temporary art installations, the more than 20 million people who explore Tysons Corner Center’s retail and entertainment offerings will discover the diversity, creativity, and quality of visual artists from the Fairfax region. 

Arts Participation Survey

The Fairfax County Arts Committee seeks your input on arts and culture preferences to help organizations like ArtsFairfax better understand community needs. It takes 5-8 minutes and will inform county arts policy, resources, and marketing to ensure equitable access to Fairfax's vibrant arts scene.

2025 High School Playwriting Contest

Mosaic Theater Company invites 9th -12th graders in a public, private or charter school in the Washington, DC-metro area to submit plays for the third annual High School Playwriting Contest. This includes students in DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Northern Virginia.

Submissions are due by January 24, 2025.

Vacuum Leaf 2024

Autumn has fully arrived, bringing with it the beauty of vibrant leaves. The vacuum leaf collection service is currently experiencing delays due to staffing and equipment challenges. The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is actively addressing the issue and working hard to complete collections.

I encourage you to visit the Fairfax County leaf collection website for additional information, updates on collection dates, collection area maps, and frequently asked questions. You can access the website at Vacuum Leaf Collection.

Tysons Beautification Efforts

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) in collaboration with Virginia Department of Transportation (VODT), is piloting a project to revitalize neglected green spaces, starting with the Route 7 and Route 123 interchange. Supported by SCG Development and others, the effort includes clearing invasive plants and replanting native species to improve safety, aesthetics, and property values.

Road Shark Final Wave Complete

The Fairfax County Police Department has successfully wrapped up the 2024 “Road Shark” campaign, issuing nearly 35,000 citations and warnings to dangerous drivers on Fairfax County roadways over the last five waves. Between October 14 and October 20, officers issued 7,000 citations and warnings, with over 800 having been for speeding violations on our streets.

Darker Evenings Safe Driving Tips

The end of Daylight-Saving Time means an earlier evening transition to dark which can heighten the risk of vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has compiled a list of safety tips for driving in the dark. Please take the time to view and share these tips at the link below.

Hypothermia Prevention Program

Since 2005, the Hypothermia Prevention Program has prevented death and serious injuries among Fairfax County’s most vulnerable residents by ensuring that no one must sleep outside during the winter months. This program, available to any adult in need of immediate shelter, provides warm shelter, food, and other supportive services to help connect guests to a variety of basic needs such as clothing, employment, housing, and more.

The 2024-25 Hypothermia Prevention Program will run from December 1st, 2024, through March 31st, 2025.

2025 Live Healthy Fairfax Awards

The Live Healthy Fairfax Awards recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations, both public and private, that have demonstrated exemplary leadership and action to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and populations in the Fairfax Health District. Submit a nomination today!

Nominations are open now through December 16th.

George Mason Legal Clinic

Active-duty servicemembers and veterans can access free legal services via George Mason’s Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-Vets) at the Antonin Scalia Law School. The clinic offers legal advice regarding landlord-tenant matters, consumer protection and contract issues, uncontested divorces, step-parent and close-relative adoptions, Medical Evaluation Boards/Physical Evaluation Boards, discharge upgrades, military pay, and entitlement matters in federal and state forums.