Dear Residents,
I hope this finds you well, and that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday, and a very Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate.
At home COVID-19 rapid test kits are available to be picked up for free at any local library branch starting Friday, Dec. 3.
The Board of Supervisors is anticipated to adopt new districts at the Dec. 7 Board meeting. The public is encouraged to offer their input and comments and you can find how to do so below.
There are many fun holiday events coming up in the district. I’m looking forward to the Holiday Market and Winter Village at the PARC taking place on these next 3 weekends ahead. So many of our wonderful local artisans and small businesses will be offering holiday gifts and goodies. Also, another great way to support our local small businesses is to check out the Made in Fairfax Gift Guide below.
You can find the following Providence District updates below in this newsletter:
- COID-19 Updates
- Hypothermia Prevention Program
- Board of Supervisors Meeting Update
- Made in Fairfax Holiday Gift Guide
- Santa’s Ride 2021
- SSPA Retrospective Community Survey
- Transportation Updates
- Upcoming Events
With Gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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At Home COVID-19 Rapid Tests
Fairfax County residents can pick up rapid COVID-19 antigen at-home test kits for free at their local library branches beginning Friday, December 3.
The Virginia Department of Health is partnering with libraries as part of a pilot program to provide these tests to the public. The tests require an internet connection, an internet-enabled device with a webcam or front-facing camera, microphone, speaker and supported web browser, and a valid photo ID to show the test proctor. Once completed, rapid antigen tests provide results in 15 minutes. Learn more here.
Neither proof of residency nor a library card is required to pick up the test kits. Tests should not be completed in the library. Tests will be available at FCPL's 13 open community branches and at its eight regional branches. Details about branch hours and locations can be found here.
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2021-2022 Hypothermia Prevention Program |
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Since 2005, the Hypothermia Prevention Program has prevented death and serious injuries among Fairfax County's most vulnerable residents by ensuring that no one must sleep outside during the winter months. The program will run from December 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022 and is available to any adult in need of immediate shelter. Accommodations are provided within existing shelters that serve single adults as well as in auxiliary programs that are administered in partnership with various faith communities throughout the county. The program provides warm shelter, food, and other supportive services to connect guests to a variety of basic needs to include clothing, employment, housing and more. More information can be found here.
If you see someone who is unsheltered and you think they are at risk of hypothermia, please call the County's non-emergency Police at 703-691-2131.
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Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday |
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Tuesday, December 7 at 9:30AM will be the final Board of Supervisors meeting of 2021. You may provide testimony at public hearings in person, in writing, by phone or video. For submission deadlines, speaking time and complete details visit the ways to provide public hearing testimony webpage. To access the full Board Package, please go here. Some agenda items I wish to highlight are below.
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Redistricting: The Board of Supervisors is anticipated to adopt new districts this Tuesday, Dec. 7 at the Board of Supervisors meeting, and the public is encouraged to offer input and comments on proposed maps up until the meeting. Learn more about the 64 proposed redistricting plans by reading the Redistricting Advisory Committee Report and the Redistricting Draft Ordinances. We look forward to hearing your input.
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Public Hearing on Expanding Real Estate Tax Relief Program: Currently, the maximum gross income to qualify for tax relief is $72,000, and this would be raised to $90,000 under the proposal. Similarly, the limit on net worth would increase from the current $340,000 limit to $400,000. If approved by the Board, the expanded program would allow people with higher incomes and net worth to qualify, add a new 75% tax relief bracket and offer an option to defer tax payments and these changes would take effect on Jan. 1, 2022. More info. here.
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Public Comment: The Board will hear public comment on any issue except issues under litigation, issues which have been scheduled for public hearing before the Board (this date and future dates), personnel matters and/or comments regarding individuals. Individuals wishing to provide public comment must sign up in advance no later than 12:00PM on the day of the public comment period either online or by calling 703-324-3151.
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Made in Fairfax Holiday Gift Guide |
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Fairfax County is home to an incredible and diverse group of artisan makers – so much so that the Made in Fairfax initiative was born.
The Made in Fairfax network aims to be a one-stop shop for maker businesses and those who want to support them. The Made in Fairfax directory features dozens of artisans who create a variety of products in the county like custom furniture, baked goods, jewelry, and more.
This holiday season (or any time of year, really!) take “shop local” to new heights by directly supporting the makers of these gift-worthy products – created right here in Fairfax County, Virginia. Click here to access the Fairfax County 2021 Holiday Gift Guide!
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Donate new unwrapped toys, games, books and gifts to be distributed to children at Fairfax Hospital, Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center and to other children in the community who might not otherwise have a cheerful holiday season. New toy and gift donations can be brought the following locations now through 9AM Monday, December 13.
- Sully District Station – 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly
- Mount Vernon District Station – 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria
- McLean District Station – 1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean
- Mason District Station – 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
- Reston District Station – 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston
- Franconia District Station – 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria
- West Springfield District Station – 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield
- Fair Oaks District Station – 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax
- Fairfax County Government Center – 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
- Pennino Building - 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
- Herrity Building - 12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
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SSPA Retrospective Community Survey |
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The County is evaluating potential changes to the SSPA process and wants to hear from you! A community survey is open now through Friday, December 10 and is an important way to share your thoughts and priorities for future long range planning studies. The Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process (SSPA) is the public’s opportunity to participate in Fairfax County’s land use planning by submitting and reviewing proposed land use changes for individual sites. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Korean, and many other languages. Take the survey now.
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Learn About Agency Projects, Programs at Northern Virginia Joint Transportation Meeting
The public is invited to a joint virtual meeting on Wednesday, December 15 with representatives from the Commonwealth Transportation Board, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and Virginia Railway Express, to learn more about the regional collaboration required to keep travelers in Northern Virginia moving.
For more information about this meeting, click here.
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I-495 South (Capital Beltway Outer Loop) at I-66 is planned to fully close from midnight to 5AM Friday, December 3, and Saturday, December 4, for continued bridge beam installation at the I-66/I-495 Interchange. Also, from 10PM to 6AM, two lanes on I-495 South approaching I-66 will close each night.
Traffic will be detoured via I-66 West and Nutley Street. The 495 Express Lanes South will also be closed, as will the ramp from I-66 West to I-495 South and several 495 Express Lanes ramps. 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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Walkway between Blake and Stonehurst
A ten-food wide. 600 feet long shared use pathway for pedestrians and bicyclists between Blake Lane and Stonehurst Drive on Route 50 is scheduled for completion next summer. Land right acquisitions are underway. The project is part of the Route 50 corridor trail outside the Beltway, parts of which have been finished. When the whole trail is finished, it will connect neighborhoods along the Route 50 corridor to Fairfax Circle.
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Holiday Market and Winter Village at the PARC
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – celebrate the holiday season with local vendors from the Fairfax area! Visit The PARC at Tysons on the first 3 Saturdays in December, 12PM-5PM, for a pop-up shop of local artisans and small businesses offering their unique holiday-inspired goods and gifts.
On Saturday, December 18, The PARC will be transformed into a festive winter village, featuring a local holiday market, an iceless skating rink, and other snowtastic activities for the whole family to enjoy!
The Holiday Market will be located indoors. Everyone – regardless of vaccination status – will be required to wear a mask while inside all Fairfax County facilities to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This event is free and open to the public. Additional items, such as food, beverages, and merchandise have a cost.
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McLean District Station Community Engagement Meeting
On December 9, 7PM-9PM, the McLean Citizen Advisory Committee will be having their monthly Community Engagement Meeting. For those unfamiliar with the Community Engagement Meetings, they are held on the second Thursday of the month at 7pm and all are welcome to attend. Each month a different organization within the County is featured as well as a ‘State of the Station’ from the Commanders at McLean Station.
This month, the featured speaker will be Master Police Officer Robert ‘Bubba’ Urps. MPO Urps will discuss how he began the first Police and Faith Community Meetings and how the community benefits when the police and faith communities come together. To join the meeting: GoToMeeting or call 646-749-3122, 466538149#
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Providence Players: Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
Providence Players will be hosting the performance of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, a hilarious and endearing tale based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park. This event is suitable for children and families. For tickets and more information, please visit here.
Performance Dates and Times:
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
December 10 – 19
Saturday & Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m.
December 11, 12, 18, and 19
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Fairfax County Police Department's "Meet the Commander" Night
The Police Department is holding a “Meet the Commander” night on December 13, 6PM-8PM. Every patrol commander will be doing this at the same night. See below for details.
Fair Oaks District Station
Commander: Captain Camille Stewart
Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive
Mason District Station
Commander: Captain Shawn Adcock
The Pozez JCC Auditorium, 8900 Little River Turnpike
McLean District Station
Commander: Captain Wilson Lee
Mosaic Community Space, 2985 District Avenue, Suite 100
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Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards
The awards are presented annually to recognize people, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations that excel in demonstrating a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area and how people with disabilities have significantly benefitted from their efforts. Due to the pandemic, the event will be hosted virtually. Register here.
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Mosaic Polar Plunge
Break out your swimsuit, because it’s time for a chilly pool plunge with several hundred of the coolest Special Olympics supporters in Northern VA! There will be cool incentives and a costume contest for the fanciest plungers.
The Fairfax County Police Department will be hosting and running the Polar Plunge event at Mosaic on January 15, beginning at noon. For more information and to register, click here.
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello.
Office Phone: (703) 560-6946
Email us HERE if you would like events included in our newsletter or you would like a member of our team to join your HOA meeting.
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