Dear Neighbor,
Happy (almost) spring! Great new things are sprouting up all over Providence. First of all, you may notice some updates to my newsletter thanks to all of your great feedback.
On Wednesday morning, I joined the new Tysons Community Alliance for its official launch event. It is an exciting new chapter for those who live, work, and play in Tysons to help ensure the continued success of Tysons. Learn more about the Tysons Community Alliance here.
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I am also delighted to invite you to tune in on Monday, February 27 from 7-8:30 PM, for the t hird session of my Older Adults Roundtable series. This discussion will be focused on affordability and aging in Fairfax County. The conversation is being held virtually and can be viewed on my Facebook Live or on Channel 16. You can find more information about this discussion below.
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You can read about the following Providence District updates:
- Older Adults Roundtable
- Board Meeting Highlights
- Ways to Give Back
- Youth Opportunities
- Green Corner
- Land Use and Transportation Updates
- Upcoming Events
With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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Older Adults Roundtable: Affordability
Please join me on Monday, February 27 from 7-8:3PM for the third session of my Older Adults Roundtable series. This discussion will be focused on affordability and aging in Fairfax County. We will discuss the various affordable housing options and the accessibility of those options, tax relief benefits, challenges that are faced by older adults as they age in place, and resources that can be used when tackling those challenges. This event will be streamed live on Channel 16 and on my Facebook page. For any questions you may have, please call 703-560-6946 or email providence@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, the County Executive presented his proposed FY24 Budget. I am hosting the Providence District Budget Town Hall on March 16 at 5:30PM and I hope you can participate to provide your feedback on the proposed budget. More event details can be found below.
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Additionally, the Board took the following actions:
- I presented a Board Matter jointly with Chairman McKay and Supervisor Walkinshaw requesting a proclamation to celebrate the 60th anniversary of PRS;
- Authorized a public hearing on March 7 at 4PM to consider an ordinance to amend and re-adopt County code sections relating to election precincts and polling places;
- Tysons precinct to be divided to create Jones Branch precinct.
- Polling place for Tysons precinct to be moved to The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike).
- Oak Marr precinct to be renamed Oaktree Crossing.
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Sign up to provide your testimony.
- Held a public hearing and approved RZ 2022-PR-00011 to rezone the property located on the north side of Idylwood Rd. and south side of Helena Dr. to permit residential development;
- Held a public hearing and approved an ordinance to establish the Covington Community Parking District.
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The Oakton Pantry continues to see heavy use. If you are able to donate, items can be dropped off at the Oakton HS front office any time during school hours.
Current list of items needed:
- 100% juice - large plastic bottles
- 100% juice - individual servings like Capri Sun or juice boxes
- cereal - family-sized boxes
- cereal - individual serving size
- complete pancake mix (only water needed)
- small bags of rice
- nori seaweed snacks
- fruit cups
- small bottles of vegetable oil
- tissues
- spiral notebooks
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Volunteer Drivers, Social Visitors, and Grocery Shoppers Needed
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Volunteer Solutions connects people with meaningful opportunities to support older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers. There are a number of volunteer opportunities available for bilingual speakers, social visitors, grocery shoppers, and more.
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English/Spanish Interpreter Needed for Hands-On-Harvests
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Hands On Harvests manages two community gardens in Falls Church. Many gardeners speak only Spanish and they need a bigger bilingual team to communicate better and to make the gardeners feel more comfortable. Interpreters would assist with planning meetings, evening and/or weekend gardening sessions, and harvest parties.
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Mosaic is still collecting donations for earthquake relief efforts in Türkiye until Sunday, February 26. Look for the blue and white boxes inside the Target lobby.
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Mosaic District Community Blood Drive
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The Inova Blood Donor Services will be at Mosaic on Friday, March 10 from 10AM to 2PM.
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2023 Northern VA Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Camp
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The 2023 Youth Conservation Camp will be held in person on the campus of Virginia Tech from Sunday, July 9 through Saturday, July 15. This one-week program will focus on forestry, soil, aquatics, and wildlife to teach 9th-12th graders about the natural world. The application deadline is April 28.
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Soil and Water Conservation District's College Scholarships
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The Educational Foundation of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annually offers four $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors or college freshmen for college study. The scholarships support studies related to natural resource conservation. Applications must arrive at the NVSWCD office by April 1.
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Doodle for Google is an annual art contest open to students in grades K-12. Students are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com, and win some great scholarships and tech packages. The contest is open for entries until March 7, 11:59PM.
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Installing EV Charging Stations
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The Board of Supervisors authorized the exemption of all electrical, building, and sign permit fees for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) for a trial period of 18 months.
Eliminating the permit fees for EVCS encourages the use of electric vehicles, which is an important step toward the main vision of the Carbon-Free Fairfax initiative.
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Green Business Partners Forum
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The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, in partnership with the Department of Economic Initiatives and Smart City Works, is hosting a Fairfax County Green Business Partners Forum on Friday, March 31. The Forum will showcase energy- and climate-success stories and provide opportunities to network with green business leaders throughout the County.
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Yard Waste Collection Reminder
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Yard waste is collected and processed for recycling only during the period of March 1 through December 24. Yard waste must be placed at the curb separately for collectionand it must be placed in compostable paper bags or rigid containers [No plastic bags]. Small quantities of yard waste should be tied in bundles weighing no more than 50 pounds. More than 4 bundles of tied yard waste should be scheduled for a Special Pickup.
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Falls Church HS PTSA Mulch Sale
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Land Use and Transportation Updates
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Lane Closures & Traffic Changes
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A traffic pattern change will be implemented on or about Tuesday morning, February 28, to open the roundabouts on the north and south ends of the redesigned I-66/Nutley Street (Route 243) Interchange. Read more about this traffic pattern change here.
The ramp from eastbound Dulles Toll Road/Airport Access Road (Route 267) to northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway) is scheduled to close during overnight hours beginning on or about this Friday night, February 24 through early morning, Monday, March 12. This ramp closure is necessary for crews to demolish the eastern section of the bridge from northbound I-495 to eastbound Dulles Toll Road/Airport Access Road. Following demolition, crews will build new bridges on northbound I-495 to the future express lanes and general-purpose lanes. Read more about the ramp closure here.
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Tysons Signage & Wayfinding Survey
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Survey responses will play an important role in informing the development of a Tysons-wide wayfinding strategy. The survey closes on Monday, March 6 at 11:59PM.
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Circle Woods Pond Improvement Project
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The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division (MSMD) has completed surveying, permitting, design, and support services for the Circle Woods Pond Improvement Project. The purpose of this project is to perform necessary maintenance on an existing stormwater detention facility as well as make improvements within the pond floor and at the outfall.
The construction activities are scheduled to begin on March 3. The overall construction schedule is anticipated to be six months following contractor mobilization.
Construction access will be provided from Vaden Drive (Rt. 6731) via the trail through East Blake Lane Park. The section of trail impacted by the construction access will be closed through the duration of the project. Trail traffic will be detoured with closure and detour signs to Vaden Dr. and Lee Highway.
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Falls Church HS PTSA Panera Night
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Take the night off cooking! Join Falls Church HS PTSA for dinner at Panera Mosaic (8191 Strawberry Lane) on Tuesday, February 28 from 4PM to 8PM. Proceeds will go to support the All Night Grad Party for 2023 graduates! Please reference code FUND4U at checkout.
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Tysons Library Quarterly Book & Media Sale
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The Friends of Tysons Library is having their quarterly used book and media sale from March 2-5, 10AM to 5PM. There will be a large selection of books and media for all ages and interests! Most are priced $0.25 to $3.
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Tysons Pimmit Regional Library: 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043
Donations of books and media are appreciated. Volunteers are welcome and needed! For more information, email tysonslibraryfriends@gmail.com or call 703-338-3307.
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Feel The Vision - A Reggae Music Journey is appearing live in Tysons Corner at Capital One Hall on March 10 at 6:30 PM. Buy your tickets today and get ready for an unforgettable show!
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Providence District Budget Town Hall
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I am hosting a Budget Town Hall on March 16 at 5:30PM with School Board Member Karl Frisch, CFO Christina Jackson, FCPS Executive Director of Budget Services Alice Wigington, and the Providence District Council to discuss the proposed FY24 Budget and collect community feedback.
How to Watch:
Submit your questions and comments:
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Enjoy the taste and sound of Latin America and the Caribbean at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave. McLean, VA 22101) on March 25 from 5-9 PM.
This event offers quality exhibitors, live music, delicious tapas, and rum and tequila bars. Learn how to dance salsa or merengue from the best instructors. Tickets for food and drinks will be sold onsite.
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Mosaic District welcomes Spring with a two-day festival: Art Blooms at Mosaic. On April 2 and 3, from 11-6 PM, visitors and surrounding communities are invited to a weekend of fun-filled activities for the whole family while taking part in the nation’s favorite springtime celebrations.
My office will have a booth at Penny Lane Park. Hope to see you there!
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Fitting In is a show about seeing new ways to belong, premiering March 31 - April 2. Through movement and live musical accompaniment provided by each of the actors, three performers will explore everyday objects and containers, in an attempt to find everything a home and demonstrate that the right place isn’t the most obvious place. Everyday objects will become extraordinary - creating a magical immersive world for the audience. For ages 2-5 and their families.
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Changes to Snap Benefits
Beginning in March, all SNAP benefits will return to normal amounts, without the added supplement.
- The Virginia Department of Social Services has created a temporary information line: 1-855-635-4370
- If you need food now, call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880
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For more food resources, visit the Human Service Resource Guide and search “food.”
If you receive SNAP, you may also be eligible for Medicaid, TANF, Energy Assistance, Child Care Assistance, and more. Apply online or apply by phone at 1-833-5-CALL-VA (1-833-522-5582).
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Sivan and I had a great time at the Fairfax County Black History Month Celebration!
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello. Please feel free to email us with events you would like to be included in my newsletter.
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