Dear Neighbor,
I want to thank all who participated in Bike to Work Day last Friday and stopped by the Providence Community Center pit stop. This was our first year hosting a pit stop and thanks to you, and our friends from Sun & Ski Sports (Falls Church), Fairfax Families for Safe Streets, I-66 Team, and Caboose Commons, it was a huge success! I look forward to doing it all again next year!
At Tuesday's Board meeting, we had a bittersweet moment recognizing Tom Biesiadny (pictured on the right at Bike to Work Day) for his years of service as Director of Fairfax Transportation. We are so thankful for his dedication to the community and wish him well in his next adventures. You can read the Board meeting highlights below.
Additionally, I was glad to introduce Devin Pharr, my newest team member, as Deputy Chief of Staff. Devin is a former teacher, served on the Providence District Council and Jefferson Village Civic Association, and had a 15-year career in Property Management. Some of you may have already met him at community events. Please join me in welcoming Devin to #TeamProvidence!
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Lastly, thanks to your support and generosity, we have collected 535 diapers! We will still be collecting diaper donations until June 30th. Please drop off your donations at the Providence Community Center Monday through Saturday between 9am and 10pm.
You can read about the following Providence District updates:
- Board Meeting Highlights
- What's New in Providence?
- Sun Safety Tips
- Green Corner
- Land Use and Transportation Updates
- Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Updates
- Upcoming Events
With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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The Board recognized Tom Biesiadny for his 34 years of service as Director of Fairfax Transportation. |
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At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, we recognized the McLean High School journalism students for their Gold Crown Award win for The Highlander, the school's news magazine and website. We also had a bittersweet recognition for Tom Biesiadny as he retired after 34 years of service as the Director of Fairfax County Department of Transportation.
I presented the following Board Matter:
The Board also took the following actions:
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The Board recognized McLean High School journalism students. |
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What's New in Providence? |
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Last week, I attended the ribbon cutting for the I-66 Parallel Trail. The first two segments that are now open run from Cedar Lane to Virginia Center Boulevard and Blake Lane to Route 123. |
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The Oak Marr Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 8am to 12pm. Stop by to drop off your compost and shop for fresh produce, delicious treats, and more!
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Protect Yourself From the Sun |
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Tomorrow, May 26 is National Fry Day. The day is dedicated to recognizing the damage the sun can do to our skin, including the possibility of skin cancer. The goal is to help people understand how overexposure can increase the risk of developing deadly diseases like melanoma and reduce their exposure.
Sunburns are no fun. They can be painful, they make you look like a lobster and they cause your skin to age prematurely. But there’s good news: you don’t have to get fried in order to enjoy the sun! Below are a few tips for sun safety:
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Wear sunscreen every day when you’re outdoors. Look for products that offer broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays, as well as an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30. Some people may need to apply more than one coat of sunscreen in order for it to be effective.
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Wear protective clothing like hats and sunglasses when you’re outside for long periods at a time (like playing sports).
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Limit time spent outdoors during peak hours between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. if possible.
- Avoid tanning booths or beds.
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Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
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Seek shade whenever possible.
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If possible, take breaks from the sun every hour or so by going inside for 15 minutes.
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When it comes to trash and recycling, do you know what goes where? Use our Waste Wizard and key in what you're throwing away to find out where it should go!
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Seedlings Available for Hands on Harvests Growers |
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Very Small Quantity Generators Events |
Businesses or Fairfax County Government agencies that generate small quantities of hazardous waste may qualify as Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs, formerly CESQG). This program provides a legal and affordable solution to hazardous waste disposal. Fairfax County is offering VSQG events throughout the year at the I-66 Transfer Station.
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Environmental Excellence Awards |
The call for nominations for the 2023 Environmental Excellence Awards is open until June 1! If you know of an individual, business, organization, or county employee who deserves recognition for their accomplishments in the past year, consider submitting a nomination. The awards celebrate those who advance or support the county's environmental goals and policies, those who dedicate personal time or expertise beyond their normal fiscal or civic responsibilities, and those who demonstrate leadership as a role model for others. Submit your nomination today!
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Land Use and Transportation Updates |
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Route 50 Walkway - Chichester Lane to Cedar Lane Sidewalk project was substantially completed on April 17.
The project provides a pedestrian walkway connection along the north side of Route 50 Service Drive from Chichester Lane to Cedar Lane including a walkway connection with a bus pad to the existing bus stop on mainline Route 50. The construction includes the installation of concrete sidewalk, curb ramps, road widening, storm sewer and structures, watermain works, milling and paving, pavement marking, installing new signs, and relocating existing signs.
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Fairfax Circle Small Area Plan Public Meeting |
Fairfax Circle is one of five Activity Centers in the City of Fairfax where pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development is strongly encouraged. They were identified in the City's 2035 Comprehensive Plan and can be found in the northeast portion of the City adjacent to the portions of Fairfax Blvd. and Blenheim Blvd. close to the Fairfax Circle intersection. This is the fourth Small Area Plan undertaken by the City after Old Town Fairfax, Northfax, and Kamp Washington.
The first public meeting will be held at Fairfax High School on Thursday, June 15, at 7pm.
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Lane Closures Lifted for Memorial Day Weekend |
Have travel plans for the Memorial Day weekend? VDOT will suspend most highway work zones & lift most lane closures on interstates & other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 26 until noon on Tuesday, May 30. Read the full news release here.
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Metro released its draft Visionary Network for the region based on rider feedback and many studies. To collect valuable input, Metro is hosting a number of events both in-person and virtual. Check out the schedule of events here.
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Community Meetings at Timber Lane ES and Stenwood ES |
Exterior fencing will be installed at Timber Lane and Stenwood Elementary Schools to address security concerns. While schools are traditionally designed as community buildings with semi-open access to the public, safety and security is the highest priority. FCPS will present plans that balance the need for secure school campuses with access for community use. Facilities and Transportation Services (FTS) and the Office of Communications and Community Relations (OCCR) are seeking public feedback on the proposed fencing installations.
Timber Lane ES
- Timber Lane Cafeteria, 2737 West Street, Falls Church
- May 30 at 6:30pm
- Public feedback will be shared with the Fairfax County School Board members and FCPS staff. Please enter through door #2. Spanish language interpretation will be provided based on the availability of interpretation staff.
Stenwood ES
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Zoom: Pre-Registration is required.
- June 1 at 6:30pm
- Public feedback will be shared with the Fairfax County School Board members and FCPS staff.
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June 1-4, 10am to 5pm: Tysons Library Friends Quarterly Book & Media Sale
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June 2, 12pm: Crafts for the Family: Engaging Loved Ones with Memory Loss
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June 3, 9am to 12pm: First Responder Safety Fair
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June 3, 11am to 3pm: Paws on the Plaza
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June 3, 2pm to 8:30pm: Mosaic Pride Festival
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June 8, 10am to 3pm: Blood Drive at The Boro Tysons
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June 8-25: The Last Match by 1st Stage
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June 8 - August 24: Parenting Classes (Parenting Children Ages 12-18)
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June 9, 10am: Kindergarten: What Every Family Needs to Know
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June 9, 11am: Crime Solvers Golf Tournament Fundraiser
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June 10, 10am to 2pm: Public Safety Day
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June 10, 11am to 2pm: Bark in Boro Park
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I am thrilled to announce that in addition to Nottoway Nights in Vienna, we also bring you the Mosaic Live series at Mosaic District, thanks to our partnership with EDENS! All shows are free, outdoors and appeal to all ages. The first Mosaic Live performance will take place on June 24th from 6pm to 7:30pm on Strawberry Lane. If you would like to volunteer for the event, email us at
[email protected] to coordinate. I look forward to sharing the summer with you listening and dancing to the world of music!
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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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