Designating Fairfax Recycles Day (Nov. 15) and Stormwater Day (Nov. 16). | |
|
At Tuesday's Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board designated November 15th as Fairfax Recycles Day and November 16th as Stormwater Day, and recognized Pete Murphy for his decades of service as both a Commissioner and as Chairman of the Planning Commission.
I presented the following Board Matters:
I'm thrilled to share that county staff is working with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission to allocate the I-66 Inside the Beltway toll revenues to fund four multimodal projects including the installation of 18 Capital Bikeshare locations that connects vulnerable populations to the regional Bikeshare station network, to Metrorail and bus service, and to community destinations.
While the public hearing on the rezoning of the Dunn Loring Elementary School was deferred to November 19th at 3:30 pm, the Board held a couple of other Providence District items. These items included approval of a new water tower to replace the 71-year-old tower on Tower Street in the Poplar Heights neighborhood, along with Development Conditions which my staff will facilitate for the benefit of the community. We also approved decommissioning leaf collection in the Falls Court Area Sanitary District, and an extension of the lease for Inova Health Care Services in the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health.
| |
Recognizing Pete Murphy for his decades of service on the Planning Commission. | |
New and Now in Providence | |
Battery Recycling
Do you have batteries to recycle? The Fairfax County Solid Waste Sustainability Team implemented a battery collection initiative, funded by plastic bag tax monies.
In support of the Board-approved Zero-Waste goals for the county, my office is now collecting batteries for recycling with a drop-box located in the Jim Scott Community Center lobby.
| |
Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Award Recipients
Every year, the Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards recognize youth athletes, coaches, and parents in each supervisory district in Fairfax County for having demonstrated extraordinary service in the athletic community while modeling the basic traits of good character. Congratulations to our Providence District awardees!
- Amara Clair Kumar - Female Athlete
- Cael Yates - Male Athlete
- Chris Ham - Coach
- Febe Philips - Parent
| |
Adopt-a-Family Program
The Adopt-a-Family Program was developed to help children and families who are in need of clothing, food and toys for the holidays. Every fall, the program begins taking donations to support families who are working with Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Children, Youth and Families Division. The program matches generous donors with identified families to make their holidays more joyful.
| |  |
|
Gift Card Drive for Survivors of Domestic Violence
The Department of Family Services Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Division is accepting gift card donations in $25 increments to grocery stores, gas stations and big retail stores, as well as Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards.
Mail cards to Cecelia Herrera at the Domestic Violence Action Center, 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 2702, Fairfax, VA 22030, or drop them off at the Pennino building (12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 738, Fairfax) by Friday, December 13th.
| | |
Vacuum Leaf 2024
Vacuum leaf collection begins on November 4th and ends on December 6th. Collection dates will be adjusted as conditions dictate. Residents are encouraged to check the website or sign up for updates on the expected collection schedule, as these are subject to truck breakdowns, crew shortages, and weather.
Leaves are vacuumed from the street line by leaf machines with a limited length vacuum hose; please place the leaves no further than four feet from the edge of the street. At least two feet of clearance on each side of the pile is needed.
| |
Fall and Winter Energy Savings Tip
From installing window coverings, to programming your thermostat for maximum efficiency, small steps can make a big difference in your comfort and savings this time of year. The U.S. Department of Energy offers several tips to save money and energy while staying comfortable during the cool fall and cold winter months.
-
Set the thermostat as low as is comfortable when you are home and awake. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn the thermostat back to save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills.
-
Before the cold sets in, schedule a tune-up for your furnace, boiler or heat pump to ensure it’s running at peak efficiency.
-
Use weatherstripping, caulk or door sweeps to seal gaps and prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.
-
Open curtains on the south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
| |
Lake Accotink Survey Extended
Community feedback is being solicited on a study to determine how best to preserve a smaller Lake Accotink for a sustainable future. This survey is intended to ensure the community has input on the questions being addressed by the study and to build lines of communication with the public to share information and collect feedback as the study progresses.
The survey will now close on October 30th.
| |
Land Use and Transportation | |
|
Turn Off the Distractions and Turn On Do Not Disturb
These days, phones seem to never stop vibrating, pinging, and lighting up in a constant pursuit for our attention. But we must resist the urge to pick up the phone while driving — doing so could save lives.
Since 2021, Virginia law has prohibited drivers from holding cell phones or any other wireless communication devices while driving. Violation of the law is punishable by fines. The Do Not Disturb mode has been available on smartphones since 2012, and it helps drivers remain focused on the road by silencing notifications. Phones may also include a driving focus mode, allowing people to specifically program in an automated text response informing people that you are driving and will respond when safe to do so.
| |
Overnight Ramp Closures at I-66 Interchanges
Multiple ramps on I-66 are closed through Friday, October 25th, generally from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am, for finishing construction work as part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. Drivers are advised to follow the signed detours. All work is weather and schedule dependent and may be rescheduled if necessary.
| |
Health, Human Services, and Housing | |
|
Fuel Assistance Program
Cold weather can strain heating systems and increase costs, which can be difficult for anyone on a limited income. The Fuel Assistance Program helps pay heating costs for eligible households. Applications will be accepted until November 8th this year.
| | |
|
Financial Support for Low-Income Families
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program offers financial assistance to families with eligible minor children. TANF participants also have access to the VIEW employment program to help reach financial independence.
If you or someone you know could benefit from these resources, take the first step towards financial security and explore the TANF program today!
| |
|
Youth Behavioral Health Services Extend to Local Community Centers
Mental health support for children and youth is a priority for Fairfax County, and our Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is now offering new community-based behavioral health services for youth and families at three community centers: James Lee Community Center, Hybla Valley Community Center, and Herndon Resource Center.
With new locations open throughout Fairfax County to support youth mental health, the CSB seeks to enhance accessibility to critical services by reducing barriers to receiving treatment.
| | |
|
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program offers training opportunities and career coaching to adult job seekers. You will have access to tailored interview assistance, paid work experience opportunities, supportive services like work uniforms or tools, and more. Attend a virtual information session held weekly on Fridays to learn how you can benefit and how to apply. Between the ages of 17-24? Check out the WIOA Youth Program!
| | | | |
