November 4, 2021
Wishing good health and prosperity to all Providence residents and friends who are celebrating the Festival of Lights. Happy Diwali!
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director recently endorsed CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine among children between the ages of 5 and 11. This means that children ages 5-11 are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

The COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing children from getting and spreading the virus. Vaccination will help a child stay in school and reduce the risk of disrupted learning. Vaccinated children without symptoms do not need to quarantine and can remain at school even if they are exposed.

Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s pediatrician with questions. You may also visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus. The Virginia Department of Health has additional, up-to-date information on the background and details for the vaccination planning for children ages 5-11.

Read more on how to get vaccinated in the Fairfax Health District here.
Board of Supervisors -- Redistricting Public Hearing
Tuesday, November 9 is the penultimate Board meeting of the year. You may review the full Board Package here. All meetings are televised on Channel 16streamed live online and available to view on demand following the meeting. Live audio of the meeting may also be accessed by dialing 703-324-7700. Some items I wanted to highlight are:
  • 3PM - Redistricting Public Hearing: The Board will hold a public hearing at 3PM to consider alternative plans to redistrict and reapportion the election districts of the Board of Supervisors. State and federal law require the Board, to reapportion the County’s election districts based on population data from the 2020 Census.
  • 3:30PM - Westpark Drive Rezoning (Decision Only): The Board held a public hearing on RZ 2020-PR-008 (Westpark Corporate Center, L.L.C.) and RZ 2020-PR-009 (TMG 8400 Westpark Drive, L.P.) on Oct. 19 and voted to defer decision to November 9.
  • 3:30PM - Tysons Galleria
  • 3:30PM - Fairfax Square
  • 4:30PM - Proposed Vacation of a Portion of Ivy Lane
  • 5PM - Public Comment

Those wishing to testify can register by signing up online or by calling the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711.
Confederate Names Task Force
The Fairfax County Confederate Names Task Force is seeking feedback on whether Lee (Route 29) and Lee-Jackson Memorial (Route 50) highways should get new names.

Please share your thoughts on this topic with the task force through Friday, November 12 by:

The task force will review feedback from the online survey, community listening sessions and submitted comments before making a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors in December.
Hypothermia Prevention Program
The Fairfax County Hypothermia Prevention Program for people experiencing homelessness begins on December 1.

Since 2005, the program has prevented death and serious injuries among our most vulnerable residents by ensuring that no one should sleep outside during the winter months. This program - available to any adult in need of immediate shelter - provides warm shelter, food, and other supportive services to help connect guests to a variety of basic needs such as clothing, employment, housing, and more. It remains a highly effective partnership between government, nonprofits, and the faith community.
 
Information about the program is also available here.
Transportation Updates
I-66 Construction Update

Bridge beam installation continues with lane closures, traffic stoppages, and ramp closures on I-495 North, I-66 East, and I-66 West during overnight hours Friday and Saturday, November 5- 6 with November 7 as a backup date. All work is weather dependent. 

Gallows Road bridge construction pre-demolition continues through Friday, November 5. The Stenwood Elementary School driveway remains open from northbound and southbound Gallows Road. To reduce the number of nights of demolition that will be required, crews will begin to sawcut sections of the bridge deck near Metrorail facilities during daytime hours beginning on or about November 5.

For more information, go to I-66/I-495 Interchange, Transform66.org, the Gallows Road project, and on Twitter, @VaDOTNOVA. To receive project updates automatically by email, sign up here.   
Capital Bikeshare

Free 30-day Capital Bikeshare memberships through November 22! While Metrorail service is disrupted and to provide a transportation alternative, Fairfax County has joined other area jurisdictions to offer residents free Bikeshare memberships through November 22! For more information, email bikefairfax@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-877-5600. 
Upcoming Events
Proposed Safe Streets for All Program Community Meetings

The ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan team is developing recommendations for a Fairfax County Safe Streets for All Program, a comprehensive initiative to address systemic transportation safety issues for people walking, biking and using other forms of active transportation. Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold two virtual public meetings to present the draft recommendations and take questions and comments from attendees.
 
Monday, November 8, 2021, 6:30PM
  • Attend online 
  • Dial In: 844-621-3956; Access Code: 2335 968 6742 
Thursday, November 18, 2021, 6:30PM
  • Attend online
  • Dial In: 844-621-3956; Access Code: 2349 915 0152

Public input is critical to the success of this program. Public comments are open until Friday, December 10.
  • Email: activefairfax@fairfaxcounty.gov
  • Call: 703-877-5600, TTY 711
  • Mail: Fairfax County Department of Transportation, Suite 400, 4050 Legato Road, Fairfax, VA 22033
  • For more information, please visit the website.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts - Artmobile in Tysons

Capital One Center is hosting the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' Artmobile at their campus on November 17 and 18 for a FREE exhibit of A View From Home: Landscapes of Virginia. Featured artists include Adele Clark, Hullihen Williams Moore, George H. Benjamin Johnson, Miwako Nishizawa, and others. 

Day 1: November 17, 11AM-7PM details and tickets.
Day 2: November 18, 9AM-1PM details and tickets.
Congressman Connolly's Annual Open Season Workshop

This year’s federal employee and retiree open season enrollment is almost upon us. Congressman Connolly invites you to his annual Open Season Workshop for federal employees and retirees on Saturday, November 20, 10AM-1 PM. This year’s event will take place in-person at the Fairfax County Government Center; 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035. In the interest of community health, all attendees will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
 
We will again be joined by Walt Francis, Federal Employees Health Benefits expert, and Ed DeHarde, the Assistant Director of OPM who manages all Federal Employee Insurance Operations.
Tysons Library Friends' Quarterly Book & Media Sale
 
The Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library are having their quarterly book & media sale from December 2-5. Large selection of books and media for all ages and interests will be available. Proceeds benefit the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library and related activities. Donation of books and media appreciated. Volunteers welcome and needed!

  • Thursday, December 2, 10AM-5:30PM by appointment.
  • (NOTE: The Children's Book & Media Sale Starts Friday)
  • Friday, December 3, 10AM-5PM
  • Saturday, December 4, 10AM-5PM
  • Sunday, December 5, 10AM-5PM
  • Half Price or $10 per bag sale
 
Tysons Pimmit Regional Library
7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043  
703-338-3307 for additional information
FCPD Victim Services Division's Holiday Gift Card Drive

In 2021, the Victim Services Division worked over 350 cases involving child victims and witnesses of domestic & sexual violence as well as children who lost a loved one to homicide. Many of these children will not get to celebrate holidays this year due to the financial burden that comes with being a victim of crime. In the true spirit of the season, we ask you to please join us in brightening the holidays for our courageous children by participating in this drive. Each child victim selected for the holiday gift card drive has been affected by crime and has been vetted by their assigned Victim Specialist. All of the families we select are truly those in need.

Now through Friday, December 17, we are seeking gift cards for our child victims (both young and teenagers) to places like Giant, Safeway, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Target, Kohl’s, local restaurants, and clothing stores. Gift cards will allow parents to be active participants in purchasing gifts for each child and practical needed items that they would normally go without.

You can drop off or mail gift cards to:
Saly Fayez
Director, Victim Services Division
Fairfax County Police Department
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Toys for Tots

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will be participating in the Annual National Capital Region Fire and EMS Departments’ 2021 TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign. The intent of the campaign is to “bring holiday joy and deliver a message of hope to children.” Stations will accept donations now through Sunday, December 12.

In years past, our firefighters and paramedics have welcomed residents donating toys into our fire stations. To minimize contact with our firefighters and paramedics, collection boxes will be placed outside the front door of each fire and rescue station every morning. Residents will be able to drop off toys until 8PM, each evening. More info here.
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 the first 3 Saturdays of December 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. There is no cost or registration needed to attend. Additional items, such as food, beverages, and merchandise have a cost.

Check back soon for a list of the 2021 vendors on Celebrate Fairfax's website. If you are interested in participating as a local artisan, please fill out this interest form or email vendors@celebratefairfax.com.
Contact Us
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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