Dear Neighbor,
The CDC updated its vaccine recommendations on February 17 for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and who have completed the three-dose primary series of an mRNA vaccine. It is now recommended that they receive mRNA booster dose (fourth dose) at least three months (instead of five months) after the last primary dose. The VDH has also launched a new online tool to help calculate isolation and quarantine period. You can find more information about both below.
In Tuesday's Board of Supervisors Meeting, County Executive Bryan Hill presented his proposed FY 2023 Budget Plan. The Board will hold a public hearing on March 8 at 4pm to consider changes to election precincts. You can read my board meeting highlights below.
Are you in need of getting something notarized? Come by my office and utilize our free notary services Monday-Friday. I ask that you please make an appointment with my staff prior to coming in. You can call 703-560-6946 or email [email protected] to set up an appointment.
Lastly, on March 1, the Tysons Community Vaccination Center (CVC) will adjust their hours of operation to Tuesday-Saturday from 8am to 4pm. The CVC will continue to offer both walk-in service and appointments.
You can find the following Providence District updates below in this newsletter:
- COVID-19 Updates
- Board Meeting Highlights
- Free Notary Services
- New District Maps Available
- Providence Spotlight
- Fairfax County Public Library Employee Excellence Awards
- Transportation Updates
- Afghan Newcomers Information and Resources
- Historical Markers Project
- Inova Community Health Assessment Online Survey
- Upcoming Events
With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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CDC's Updated Vaccine Recommendations
The Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) updated its vaccine recommendations on February 17 for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and have completed a three-dose primary series of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). It is now recommended that they receive an mRNA booster dose (fourth dose) at least three months (instead of five months) after the last primary dose. This recommendation applies to immunocompromised individuals 12 years or older.
Children ages 5-11 who are immunocompromised should receive a primary series of three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. A booster dose is not recommended at this time.
Immunocompromised people who are 18 and older and have received a single Johnson & Johnson shot should receive two follow-up doses: a second of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), and an mRNA vaccine booster dose following at least two months after the second shot – for a total of three doses.
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VDH's New Online Tool to Calculate Isolation and Quarantine Period
This tool outlines tailored isolation guidance for people who have tested positive, with or without symptoms, as well as quarantine guidance for those who have been exposed and are either up to date or not on their vaccines or have had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days. The calculators also include information about how to get tested, monitor for symptoms and protect your health. Increasingly, individuals are using COVID-19 home testing products, and this new tool provides convenient guidance and support to individuals who are unsure of the steps to take after receiving a positive test result. The guidance is for the general public and may not apply to healthcare, congregate settings or other specific groups.
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Tysons Community Vaccination Center (CVC) New Hours
Lastly, on March 1, the Tysons Community Vaccination Center (CVC) will adjust their hours of operation to Tuesday-Saturday from 8am to 4pm. The CVC will continue to offer both walk-in service and appointments.
Where: 7950 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA 22102 (inside the mall, first floor, next to Subway)
- Parking Terrace D is the closest parking location
Appointments: visit here or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682), TTY 711.
- The CVC offers Pfizer and Moderna vaccines (1st & 2nd doses, boosters) and the J&J vaccine (single dose and boosters).
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Outlined below are a few items from Tuesday's Board meeting that I want to highlight. You may access the full Board Package here and watch the meeting on demand here.
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FY 2023 Budget: County Executive Bryan Hill presented the FY 2023 Advertised Budget. Budget public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday, April 14-16. To provide your testimony in-person, by phone or video submission, pleases register using this online form. Additionally, the Providence District Budget Town Hall will be on Wednesday, March 23 at 6pm. More details to come. Meanwhile, please feel free to email your questions and thoughts to [email protected]. The below materials give details of the budget and the process.
- Budget Process Timeline
- Budget Presentation
- FY 2023 Advertised Budget Plan
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Establishing Regulations on Running Bamboo: The Board held a public hearing and heard many great comments and questions from our residents. In an effort to create an equitable yet enforceable ordinance, the Board decided to defer decision to March 22. This will give staff an opportunity to make changes and updates based on discussion and comments from Tuesday.
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Relocating Polling Places: The Board authorized a public hearing at the Fairfax County Government Center on March 8 at 4pm to consider changes to election precincts in the County. The proposed changes for Providence District are:
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My office is now offering free notary services Monday-Friday by appointment only. Please call 703-560-6946 or email my office at [email protected] to make an appointment prior to coming in.
Remember to bring a valid government issued ID that has both your picture and signature on it!
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New District Maps Available |
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The Board adopted a local redistricting plan in December 2021 that maintains nine magisterial districts and shifts seven precincts into different districts, moving them in whole or in part. Redistricting is a process that is done every ten years as a result of Census data and ensures proportional representation on the Board of Supervisors.
The 2020 Census numbers showed that Providence District saw the largest growth, while Mason District, followed by Springfield District, saw the smallest growth. This resulted in moving the largest number of precincts and constituents from Providence into those two neighboring districts.
The above map outlines the new Providence District boundaries. You may access the collection of County maps here.
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Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith worked for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) in the Public Safety Division for 30 years and retired in November 2014. Shortly after her retirement, the Providence Community Center opened (January 2015) and Bessie began volunteering. She has been a great asset to the center, helping with the front desk, assisting senior program activities, center trips, and has been a friendly and familiar face to those who visit. Bessie's upbeat personality and contagious smile greets those who walk in the door, making sure that everyone feels welcomed and is informed. Bessie has made a significant impact on our community and has left an imprint on so many. Thank you, Bessie, for your dedication and unwavering commitment to Providence!
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FCPL Employee Excellence Awards |
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Has a staff member at your local library branch recommended a new favorite book or helped you with a research project? Or maybe hosted a fantastic Fairfax County Public Library virtual program recently? Nominate them for a Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) Staff Excellence Award using this online form. Nominations can be submitted online or in person until February 28. The FCPL Board of Trustees will recognize winners during its March 9 virtual board meeting.
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I-66 Construction
At I-495, all I-66 East travel lanes will be closed during overnight hours Thursday and Friday, February 24-25. On Saturday through Thursday nights, February 26 – March 3, two I-66 East lanes will be closed approaching I-495.
Find detour routes and see the list of other lane closures at Transform66.org.
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Safe Routes to School Funding
The SRTS project will make walking and biking safer and expand access to the W&OD Trail, a key link in the National Capital Trail Network. The project will add three new crosswalks with sidewalk or shared use path connections serving the school and the trail. The first crosswalk will be at the intersection of Shreve Road and Fairwood Lane and will include a pedestrian island. The second will cross Shreve Road in front of the school’s driveway, and the third crossing will be at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Virginia Lane. The project sits on the edge of an Equity Emphasis Area and will directly serve children in that community.
The Vienna Metro project will increase bike and pedestrian connectivity with Oakton High School and will construct bicycle and pedestrian improvements from Blake Lane to the Vienna Metro I-66 westbound ramp. It will include a shared-use path along the south side of Sutton Road and a two-way cycle track and sidewalk along the south side of Country Creek Road and Virginia Center Boulevard. The project represents an actual link in the National Capital Trail Network. It is in an Equity Emphasis Area.
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SmarTrip Cards Being Replaced
Faster, better faregates are making it easier for customers to tap, pay and ride Metro with installation now reaching nearly 50 percent of all stations, one-third of which are complete. This is part of Metro’s fare modernization program to improve the rail system’s faregates and fareboxes on Metrobus, along with other fare technology upgrades, including mobile pay on Apple iOS and Android.
Beginning March 1, the old farecards will no longer be accepted at fare vending machines in stations, fareboxes on buses, parking facilities and retail locations.
Customers can easily replace their old farecards by mail, online, phone or in-person, and transfer any balance to a new or existing SmarTrip card or virtual card through SmarTrip mobile pay for iOS and Android. Check the serial number on the back of the SmarTrip card. If the serial number doesn’t start with “0167” it needs to be replaced. For step-by-step instructions on how to replace old cards or transfer balances including SmartBenefits to another card, visit the SmarTrip Card Replacement page.
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Afghan Newcomers Info and Resources |
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Fairfax County is proud to be a diverse and welcoming community that provides opportunities for people from all over the world seeking a better life. The county is working with nonprofit partners to support Afghan newcomers who will eventually call this area home.
After landing at Dulles International Airport, Afghan newcomers are transported to various military bases around the country. Once processed at the bases, resettlement agencies will assist individuals and families in relocating to a permanent new home, especially where they have family and friends. Because Fairfax County has a sizable Afghan population, it is anticipated that many evacuees will eventually resettle here.
As refugees settle in Fairfax County there may be questions about how to access services to meet basic needs for housing, food, healthcare, and education. This information sheet describes these services and provides contact phone numbers. You can find more information on how to help here.
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Historical Markers Project |
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In July 2021, FCPS announced it was partnering with the Board of Supervisors (BOS) to host the inaugural Fairfax County Historical Markers Project. The project’s purpose is to reveal narratives and oral histories of Fairfax County’s African American communities, whose rich history, culture, and accomplishments are underrepresented in our history books.
School Board Member Karl Frisch and I spearheaded the Historical Marker Project - which aligns with the Boards’ joint One Fairfax policy. The project is also part of the broader Black/African American Experience Project -- a collaboration involving the BOS, History Commission, and Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS). The goal is to capture, communicate, and preserve the Black/African American experience throughout Fairfax County’s history.
You can find more information here.
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Inova Community Health Assessment Online Survey |
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We invite you to take the Northern Virginia Community Health Assessment, a four-minute, anonymous survey to help identify the most pressing health-related needs in our community. Your input will inform ongoing efforts to deliver accessible, quality care throughout the region.
The survey is available in nine languages through this link. |
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VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance |
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If you or your family earned less than $58,000 in 2021, you may qualify for this free service!
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is a national program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help families maximize their tax returns and avoid the fees businesses charge to prepare taxes.
Northern Virginia CASH is a coalition of community partners who support the VITA sites in Northern Virginia. For 15 years the Fairfax County Department of Family Services has provided operational support to the coalition partners assisting about 4,000 families to receive a combined average refund total of $6 million each year. In-person VITA services are available at six sites in Northern Virginia by appointment only. Some services may also be available virtually.
Appointments for all NVACASH Tax Preparations sites can be made online, by email or by phone at 703-533-5702 (please leave a message).
You can find more information here. |
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City of Fairfax - Kamp Washington Small Area Plan Meeting
Join the City of Fairfax's Community Development and Planning staff and the project consultant team, led by Cunningham Quill Architects, on Thursday, February 24 at 7pm for a public meeting on updates to the Kamp Washington Small Area Plan. At this meeting, the consultant team will present their concepts for the Kamp Washington study area (the area in and directly around the triangle formed by Fairfax Boulevard, Lee Highway, and Jermantown Road) and attendees will be able to ask questions and provide feedback on the plan directly to City staff and the consultant team.
The meeting will be held in the Katherine Johnson Middle School auditorium and online through GoToWebinar; the registration link for GoToWebinar can be found here. To stay up to date on this and other events and news items about the Kamp Washington Small Area Plan, or to learn more about the project, please subscribe for project updates through the Engage Fairfax project page.
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Invitation to Community Meeting for the Lakevale Estates neighborhood
The Lakevale Estates Pump Station was identified for rehabilitation due to its age and was upgraded in 2019. Due to power failures at the pump station the system was overwhelmed, and residents experienced backups. A study was begun in September 2020 to look for long term solutions. The County installed flow meters throughout the sewer shed and gathered data from February 2021 to August 2021. In August 2021 enough data was gathered to begin producing a hydraulic model of the sewer shed. The meeting will be held on Microsoft Teams, Tuesday, March 1 from 7pm to 8:30pm.
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Shop Local Saturday Market
Looking for an excuse to spruce up your wardrobe? Mark your calendar for the first-ever Shop Local Spring Refresh! This Shop Local Market will feature vendors focused on clothing, accessories, and all things style! What are you hoping to find?
When: Saturday, February 26, 12pm to 5pm
Where: The PARC at Tysons - 8508 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA
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Home Composting 101
Do you compost or are you interested in learning more?
To sign-up and more info, visit their calendar.
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Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Quarterly Book and Media Sale
Wednesday, March 2, 5pm to 8 pm: Opportunity for members to shop first. May join upon arrival for $5. No scanning allowed.
Thursday, March 3, 10am to 4pm: Adult room open only to bulk buyers following instructions on Signup Genius here. Children's room open to all shoppers.
Friday, March 4, 10am to 5pm: Open to all shoppers.
Saturday, March 5, 10am to1pm: Open to all shoppers
2pm-5 pm: Bag sale. $10 for a full grocery sack or half price if less.
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Health and Wellness Workshop Series
The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging is pleased to announce its new Health & Wellness Workshop Series for Family Caregivers of Older Adults and/or Adults with Disabilities. All webinars are free and open to all. On Friday March 4, from 12 to 1pm Loretta Woodward Veney will be teaching participants LEGO Serious Play and how it can be used.
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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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