Dear Residents,
As we continue into the new year, it is imperative that we stay the course and do all we can to mitigate the rising cases of COVID-19 in our communities. The Community Testing Center located at the Fairfax Government Center is open Saturday through Wednesday for PCR testing. We have a vaccine clinic located at the Government Center that is open Monday through Friday, and at Tysons Corner that is open Monday through Saturday, both for first and second doses as well as booster shots. You can find more information about both below.
In case you missed it, the County has implemented the new local election districts as adopted on December 7, 2021. The map can be found below.
The Board of Supervisors met for the first time this year on Tuesday, January 25, where we recognized former Deputy County Executive for Public Safety Dave Rohrer for his 42 years of outstanding service to Fairfax County, approved the FY 2022 mid-year review to amend the appropriation level in the FY 2022 revised budget plan, unanimously approved the Pulte Metro West Proffer Condition Amendment, and approved an ordinance to amend the County Code to include payment of prevailing wage for work performed on county construction projects.
Many of our residents got a furry friend during the pandemic and like us, our pups need vaccines too. Low cost vaccination and microchip clinics are being offered throughout this year. Dog licenses are due starting February 1st. If you are getting a license for the first time, you must provide a current rabies vaccination certificate. You can find more information about both below.
You can find the following Providence District updates below in this newsletter:
- New Local Election Districts Implemented
- COVID-19 Updates
- Board Meeting Highlights
- Transportation Updates
- Providence Spotlight
- Dog Licenses Due & Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic
- Upcoming Events
With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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New Local Election Districts Implemented |
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On January 14, the Virginia attorney general certified that there is no objection to Fairfax County's redistricting plan that the Board adopted on December 7, 2021. This means that the County now implements its new local election districts as adopted.
This plan maintains nine local election districts for the Board of Supervisors and School Board. It minimizes disruption to residents and communities, shifting seven precincts in part or in whole to new districts. For more information and to view a detailed map, please click here.
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Free At-Home COVID-19 Test
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. Place your order here.
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Community Testing Center
The Virginia Department of Health Community Testing Center (CTC) opened as of January 15 to provide free Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing by appointment for COVID-19 at the Fairfax County Government Center, Parking Lot B. The CTC will operate Saturdays through Wednesdays from 9AM - 5:30PM by appointment only. To find an appointment, please click here. Appointments typically become available 24 hours in advance. If you do not see openings, check back frequently as appointments are added regularly. More info here.
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Vaccine Clinics
Need a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose? Appointments are encouraged but walk-in service is available Monday-Friday at the Fairfax County Government Center and Hyland South County Government Center. The Tysons Community Vaccination Center is also an option, open Monday-Saturday 8AM-6PM. To see times, details, and to schedule an appointment, please click here.
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The Board of Supervisors (Board) met on Tuesday for the first time this year. Below are some important items discussed that I wanted to highlight:
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Recognizing Dave Rohrer: Dave began his career as a patrol officer with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) in 1980. During his tenure, he moved up the ranks of the FCPD as captain, major, deputy chief of police, and headed the FCPD from July 2004-October 2012, when he was appointed the to the newly created position of deputy county executive for public safety. The Board recognized and thanked former Deputy County Executive for Public Safety Dave Rohrer for his years of outstanding service for the County.
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FY 2022 Budget Mid-Year Review: The Board approved the mid-year package that was presented on December 7, 2021. I want to highlight the following:
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Chairman McKay, Supervisor Foust and I submitted a consideration item to allocate $5 million in one-time funding to be used towards affordable housing production and preservation to extend progress for one of the highest priorities of the Board.
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The Transportation Improvements fund was increased by $5 million to begin to support additional bicycle and pedestrian access throughout the County.
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Establishing Regulations on Running Bamboo: The Board authorized advertisement of a public hearing to be held on February 22 at 3:30PM for consideration of the adoption of an ordinance to establish regulations on running bamboo. To provide testimony, please click here.
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Pulte/Metro West: I am happy to announce that the Board unanimously approved the Pulte MetroWest Proffer Condition Amendment (PCA/FDPA 2003-PR-022-02). It has now been more than 15 years since the original application was approved. Since assuming office, I have worked to bring the two developers and community together to help move this long-delayed project forward. With this zoning amendment, Pulte reaffirmed their commitment to build at least 35,000 square feet of long-awaited ground floor space including community amenities, childcare and retail uses. The approved changes are a refinement and improvement over what was accepted in 2006. There has been no change in the approved density or intensity of this next phase of development. I greatly appreciate the cooperative effort by all stakeholders to improve the design of the courtyard, pool, paths and buildings. This next phase of the project will also include 52 new affordable dwelling units. Pulte will contribute a total of $500,000 for intersection safety improvements at Royal Victoria and Vaden Drive. I look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders to see that the Metro West neighborhood is completed.
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Prevailing Wage: Following public hearing, the Board approved an ordinance to amend Chapter 2 of the County Code by adding Article 3, payment of prevailing wage for work performed on county construction projects.
To access the full board package, please click here. You may also watch the Board meeting on demand here.
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I-66 Construction
I-66 East approaching Cedar Lane will be reduced to a single travel lane during overnight hours through Saturday, January 29 for continued installation of bridge beams. Eastbound I-66 traffic will run in a single lane during these times. The hours of closure are from 10PM through 5AM, weekdays and 10PM through 6AM, weekends.
Drivers traveling on I-66 these nights should expect delays and consider using alternate routes. All work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if inclement conditions occur.
Construction and lane closure updates are available at Transform66.org and on Twitter @VaDOTNOVA. To receive updates automatically by email, sign up here.
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Construction Underway on Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge over I-495 at Tysons
Work is underway to finish this summer the ten-foot-wide bridge and shared-use path near Route 123 and I-495 and connect Tysons One Place and Fashion Boulevard to Old Meadow Road and Provincial Drive. The $12.3 million project is financed with federal, state and local funding.
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Transportation Resources for Older Adults
Transportation Options, Programs & Services (TOPS) provides subsidized transportation funds on an easy-to-use debit card for eligible older adults, persons with disabilities, and those with limited income who are residents of Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church. TOPS connects riders with a variety of transportation modes and options, enabling them to travel affordably, safely, and independently.
The taxi voucher programs (Seniors On-The-Go!, TaxiAccess and Dial-A-Ride programs) have been integrated to TOPS. The paper vouchers that were previously issued have been replaced by a transportation debit card. You will still be able to use your subsidized funds for taxi services, but you will now be able to access other transportation options.
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Route 50 Walkway Projects
The proposed bike/pedestrian improvements along Arlington Blvd. (Route 50) will enhance pedestrian and bicycle access, mobility and safety from Blake Lane to Prosperity Avenue. A total of seven projects are included in this initiative, providing approximately 2,300 feet of 10 foot wide asphalt shared use path, 1,000 feet of 5 foot concrete sidewalk, two pedestrian bridge stream crossings, ADA curb ramps and bus pads. These projects are scheduled to start construction this year. Schedules will be updated as the projects receive final approvals and the necessary land rights for construction. The initiative is funded through Fairfax County Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Tax funds. For more information on each project and to provide feedback to the project team, please click here.
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West Falls Church Active Transportation Study
The West Falls Church Active Transportation Study aims to improve the active transportation network within and surrounding the West Falls Church Transit Station Area (TSA). The study will perform an existing conditions and gap analysis that will identify gaps in the pedestrian and bike network, including barriers to access, inadequate facilities, and other areas for improvement. Goals of the study include recommending improvements based on the assessment and setting priorities in coordination with community. Then, the community's critical input will be heard and potential sources of funding will be identified. Additional information can be found on the project website.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold two upcoming community meetings. Details will be shared as soon as finalized for these dates:
- Wednesday, February 9, 7PM to 8:30PM
- Saturday, February 12, 9:30AM to 11AM
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Metro Seeks Public Input on FY23 Budget Proposal by Feb. 15
The public comment period for Metro's Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget is officially open, and Metro's Board of Directors wants the public’s input before the comment period ends at 5PM on Tuesday, February 15.
The FY23 budget focuses on providing safe, reliable and affordable transit service to the region. The budget takes into account the planned launch of Metrorail service to six new Silver Line stations, expanding Metro access to Dulles Airport and beyond, and the opening of Potomac Yard Station on the Yellow and Blue lines.
The budget proposals include service improvements on Metrobus and Metrorail, fare changes to provide better value to riders, and a $2.3 billion capital budget to continue aggressive construction and rehabilitation projects. For more information, go here. Take a survey here and provide written comments by 5 p.m. Feb. 15. Also, there will be three public hearings in-person and virtually streamed online at wmata.com/budget and at Metro’s YouTube page. Click here for locations, dates, and more information about how to participate.
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Marcela Lievano Martinez
Marcela is a Providence District resident who arrived in Fairfax County in 1996. She devotes her time to public service especially on health promotion and education. Marcela completed her high school degree at Falls Church High School and received a degree in Communications at George Mason University (GMU). She returned to GMU to complete a master's degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in Global Health.
While her career has transitioned from community health communication to global health, her dedication and passion remains the same: to be helpful. As a director of programs for the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), she worked to help decrease rates of underage drinking and drunk driving prevention and is now working on border security and foreign assistance for the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Marcela cares deeply about promoting vaccine confidence, healthy behaviors, access to health care, human rights, and positive police reform. She served as an appointed representative for the Providence District to the Advisory Social Services Board. She and her family enjoy participating in school activities and taking walks in NOVA parks. Thank you, Marcela, for your dedication to health and our community both locally and globally!
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Dog Licenses Due & Pet Vaccine Clinic |
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Did you get a pandemic pooch this past year? Then you should know that every dog four months or older must be licensed with Fairfax County. Get your annual dog license or renew it by Tuesday, February 1. The fee is $10 per dog, except for service dogs which are given licenses for free. After you submit your license application or renewal, you’ll be mailed a tag for your dog’s collar. If you are getting a license for the first time, you must provide a current rabies vaccination certificate. When renewing, proof of vaccination isn’t required unless the certificate has expired.
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Exciting news! Our low-cost rabies clinics have been expanded, and are now Low-Cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinics! For more details, including the 2022 clinic schedule and service costs, and to register for the upcoming February clinic, visit here.
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Shop Local Saturday Market
Beat the snow and come shop locally this Saturday from 12 - 5PM! The market is planned to be open through the snow, but be sure to check out Celebrate Fairfax's social media accounts for an update Saturday morning.
When: Saturday 29th, 12PM to 5PM
Where: The PARC at Tysons - 8508 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA
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Resilient Fairfax Public Meeting
Join a virtual public meeting on February 1 at 6:30pm with staff from the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination to learn about proposed strategies to address climate adaptation and resilience. Share your thoughts and feedback with the Resilient Fairfax team. Ask questions and discuss the issues most important to you with resilience experts from the county and the team of consultants supporting Resilient Fairfax. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom to allow county residents to participate safely from the comfort of their homes or a location of their choosing.
Register to attend the public meeting using this link. Additional meeting access information is included here.
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AARP Webinar: Avoid Online Romance Scams
Lots of people meet friends and potential love interests online through dating sites, social media, or mobile apps. It can be a great way to meet people, but recognize that not everyone online is who they say they are. These scams aren’t just targeted at people who are looking for a relationship on a dating site or app. They can occur through social media and even through email.
Learn how to recognize online relationship scams in this 30-minute webinar. Join AARP Virginia on Thursday, February 10 at 2PM - AARP membership not required. Register here and more information can be found here.
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Omnium Circus
Omnium Circus presents “I’m Possible” on Saturday, February 26 at 2PM about the story of young boy who has a dream to join the circus. He confronts a world of challenges and through an awe inspiring, madcap circus adventure discovers the strength, courage and perseverance that changes his life forever. "Omnium" means belonging to all - presenting the best in family circus entertainment—inclusive of all and accessible to all at every performance.
For more information or to buy tickets, click here.
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Fairfax County Housing Symposium
The third annual Fairfax County Housing Symposium on Thursday, March 17, from 9AM to 3:30PM will, once again, bring together elected leaders, industry professionals, policy experts, and housing advocates with the primary goal of advancing the role of affordable housing within the fabric of our community. I am excited to share that I will be a panelist for a session in the Symposium.
This year’s theme – A Foundation for Economic Recovery, Growth, and Opportunity – will include a look at the impacts of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; growing personal wealth through homeownership; advancing economic mobility through housing opportunities; and the preservation/modernization of affordable housing through innovation.
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Traveling Players Camps for Students
Spring Classes
- Day Camp @ Tysons Corner Center
- Sleep Away Camps & Conservatoires by audition
- Ariadne’s Thread – Ages 6+
- The Odyssey – Ages 8+
- Hecuba – Ages 12+
For more information, click here. |
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Blood Donations Needed
Community blood supply in Northern Virginia is critically low. Without an increase in donors, the ongoing challenge of an insufficient blood supply will impact the treatment and care for patients and community members. Northern Virginia has an urgent need for blood donation. Please consider giving blood at an upcoming Inova blood drive – when you donate blood, you save lives. Giving blood takes less than an hour, saving three lives.
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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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