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Dear Neighbor, 

I know many of you have heard my frustrations about how slowly the County’s pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects move. This quarter, our Board Auditor, at the direction of the Audit Committee on which I sit, is conducting an audit of our Active Transportation project processes and I hope that we can and will identify improvements to be quickly implemented.  

Because, in the end, when we are able to deliver these projects, the results are great! Today I want to celebrate a completed project that provides a wonderful new connection between several Herndon neighborhoods and the Innovation Center Metro station. The Innovation Station North Neighborhood Access project features a 1,459-foot shared use path and two pedestrian bridges (one is the longest pedestrian bridge in Fairfax County!). This path means that more people can easily access the Metro by walking or riding about half a mile instead of 2-3 miles. That is good for our residents and good for the environment. It was so nice to be at the ribbon cutting this past Friday to open this important connection and valuable addition to the community. 

This project was one of many that came out of the Herndon Metrorail Stations Access Management Study. Many Herndon residents participated in that study to identify and prioritize projects that would improve access to the Herndon and the Innovation Center Metrorail stations.

Speaking of pedestrian and bicycle projects and community engagement, I hope you attend an upcoming meeting and complete the Dranesville survey to share your feedback on what pedestrian and bicycle projects you would like to see funded with the available money (more details below). I can’t wait to see more of these projects become reality for our community! 

Finally, while I still have you, I hope you saw my email yesterday about the House of Delegates passing SB756, the Fairfax County casino bill. I’m still working on it and urging the Governor to veto it should it land on her desk. Let me be clear though: if it lands on mine, I look forward to making sure that there’s no casino in Fairfax County. Thank you for your support and advocacy. 

See you around this weekend!

All the best, 

Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Dranesville District news and updates.

Make sure you’re following us on Social Media for daily and real-time updates:

Jimmy in the Community

Friends of Herndon Fortnightly Library Fiction Book Fair

Grit and Grain: American Millers at Colvin Run Mill

McLean Baptist Church Chili Cook-Off

County Executive Bryan Hill presented his FY 2027 Advertised Budget Plan at the February 17 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor Bierman will hold two Dranesville District Budget Town Halls with FCPS School Board members and budget staff from Fairfax County and FCPS to gather feedback and answer questions from residents.

Monday, March 23 

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

McLean Community Center - Community Hall 

1234 Ingleside Ave 

McLean 

Wednesday, March 25

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Herndon High School - Cafeteria 

700 Bennett St 

Herndon 

There are numerous ways to share your feedback and provide input about the FY 2027 Budget proposal:

• Email: FY27Budget@publicinput.com
• Call 703-890-5898 and enter code 6733
• Testify at the budget public hearings Tuesday through Thursday, April 14-16 in person, by video or by phone. To sign up, complete this form. For more information, contact the Clerk to the Board’s Office at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) or email clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Provide Feedback on Walking and Biking Infrastructure Priorities

Please review the list of projects proposed for the Dranesville District by visiting this webpage or view the interactive Active Transportation Project Prioritization Map. Share your feedback by completing the Active Transportation Project Prioritization Survey by 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2026.

March is Women's History Month. Fairfax County is home to a multitude of sites and stories that celebrate the contributions of women to the United States. One of the most significant moments in women's rights in our country was the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which secured women the right to vote. Now is the perfect time to reflect on all that women have achieved here in the United States - and to celebrate their contributions to society as a whole. The struggle to gain equal rights was fought by many brave women whose names you might recognize, and some that you won't. Explore the many sites in the region that tell their story, and in doing so, gain a new appreciation for what they achieved. Visit this webpage for more information.

Access to menstrual products is a basic necessity, yet many individuals in our community struggle to afford them. Period poverty causes unnecessary disruptions in daily life, school, and work. Through our Menstrual Product Drive, we aim to bridge this gap by collecting and distributing menstrual hygiene products to local organizations. 

Join us in supporting She Believes in Me by donating new and sealed packages of tampons, pads, liners, and menstrual cups to our office located at 1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean through March 31. Other drop-off locations in the district include the Great Falls Library, Herndon-Fortnightly Library, Dolley Madison Library, Tysons-Pimmit Library, and Herndon-Reston FISH (Located at 336 Victory Dr, Herndon). Visit Menstrual Product Drive for more information.

On January 19, a sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland, collapsed, causing an overflow of more than 200 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River. DC Water completed a bypass on January 24 to reroute wastewater around the collapsed section, but additional overflows occurred in early February. The spill is now contained; however, permanent repairs to the pipe are expected to take several weeks to months. DC Water will continue to provide updates as work progresses.

Fairfax Water customers remain unaffected by the sewer line break. The incident occurred downstream of Fairfax Water’s Potomac River intake, and the Occoquan Reservoir is an entirely separate water source. Water quality and service remain safe, and regional utilities continue to monitor conditions closely.

Due to the reported sewage spills and the anticipated repair timeline, the Virginia Department of Health has issued a recreational water advisory. Residents and pets should avoid activities in the Potomac River that involve full body contact. The advisory extends 72.5 miles from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I 495) to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301) and is expected to remain in place for four to six weeks.

To help protect the Potomac River, please remember:

• Only flush toilet paper

• All wipes — even “flushable” ones — should be thrown in the trash

You can read the Virginia Department of Health’s full statement here.  

Three voting sites will open tomorrow, March 6, for early voting for the April 21 Proposed Constitutional Amendment Special Election. This is a statewide special election to consider whether to amend the Constitution of Virginia as proposed by the question designated in House Bill 1384.

Thirteen additional early voting sites, including the McLean Governmental Center, will be open for early voting from April 11-18. 

Unlike election day voting, when voters must vote in their precinct, during early voting, any Fairfax County voter may vote at any Fairfax County early voting location. For more information, please visit this webpage. 

• Explanation for Proposed Constitutional Amendment 
• Sample ballot for April 21, 2026 Special Election 
• Deadline to register: April 14 
• Deadline to apply for an absentee by-mail ballot: April 10  

Scam Alert

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a rise in scam phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to be deputies. These callers insist there is a warrant for the recipient’s arrest and demand immediate payment, often through gift cards or electronic transfers. The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that it will never request payment by phone and urges residents to hang up, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls to SHF-CIU@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit this webpage for additional details.

Additionally, the Fairfax County General District Court is cautioning residents about a recent mass text message falsely claiming to be a “Notice of Hearing – Toll Violation” from the Fairfax County General District Court. The fraudulent message includes a QR code and urges recipients to take action; however, it did not come from the court, and no response is required. Officials advise not to scan the QR code and to disregard the message entirely. For more information, visit Alert: Fake Notice of Toll Violation | General District Court.

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual sale features native shrubs and small trees that will help clean our water and air, prevent soil erosion, sequester carbon and add year-round beauty to your landscape. Besides seedling packages, the NVSWCD offers pre-assembled rain barrels, tumbler composters and Plant Nova Natives guidebooks. Products will remain available until sold out. For more information, visit Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District: Seedling Sale. You will be asked to log in or create an account before placing your first order. For questions or accommodations, contact ConservationDistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

March is the month when spring begins to take hold…finally! Daylight savings time is coming right up on March 8, and the spring equinox ushers in the official start of spring on March 20. Meanwhile, Global Recycling Day on March 18 and World Water Day on March 22 give us a chance to tune in to how we use and care for our resources. 

Clean Fairfax encourages us to consider recycling as a safety net rather than an upfront strategy. We do best when we:

1. Refuse unnecessary products
2. Reduce the amount of “stuff” we buy
3. Reuse, repurpose, and repair what does enter our lives
4. Then recycle the materials so that they can be remade into useful goods.

Every item we avoid using is one less piece of trash that could become litter in our neighborhoods, natural areas, and waterways. So take a fresh look this month at ways that you can support a healthier, lower waste world. Bring your reusable bags with you wherever you shop. Fill and refill your reusable water bottles and coffee cups. Shop secondhand and fix stuff when it breaks.

Fairfax County was recently named one of the Top 100 Places to Live for Older Adults (coming in at #5 for big cities) by AARP, a national nonprofit that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. A major reason why Fairfax County was included on AARP’s list is the wide array of services the County provides for older adults, adults with disabilities and family caregivers of older adults. 

As the aging population grows and needs change, we must plan to meet those changing needs. The Board of Supervisors adopted SHAPE the Future of Aging, a five-year strategic plan to make Fairfax County a better place for older adults to live safely, independently and with dignity. 

If you or a loved one wants to learn more about these services and programs, call the Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948, TTY 711, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If eligible, services may include care management, home delivered meals, home repairs, in-home care, transportation services and more. 

For more information, please visit this webpage.

Are you interested in a fun, sporty summer and want to reconnect with your love of slow pitch softball? Then look no further than Northern Virginia Senior Softball (NVSS), the largest organized senior softball league in Northern Virginia, and it’s co-ed too! NVSS offers three conferences for players of all skill levels for men over 50 and women over 40. The Spring season starts in mid-April and runs through July. Doubleheader games are played every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at several parks throughout Fairfax County. A separate fall season runs in September through October. Both seasons also have an end of season tournament. To learn more about NVSS, visit Northern Virginia Senior Softball or contact Artie Negrin at 336-596-6960. Remember, "You don't stop playing because you got old; you got old because you stopped playing!"  

March is Youth Art Month! Join MPA for their Youth Art Shows featuring work by FCPS McLean and Langley Pyramid students from elementary through high school.

The McLean Pyramid show runs March 5-15, with an Opening Exhibition Reception March 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Langley Pyramid show runs March 19-April 6, with an Opening Exhibition Reception March 19 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Please join in celebrating these talented young artists! Visit this webpage for more information.

At the Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Library Quarterly Used Book/Media Sales, they offer 15,000+ books in categories that include Cooking, History, Biographies, STEM, Culture, Fiction/Mystery/Sci-Fi, Self-help, Business, Hobbies, Religion, Classics, and more. They also have books for children of all ages, as well as puzzles, games, DVDs, CDs, and audio books. Most books are priced between $0.50 and $4.00. Proceeds benefit the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library and related activities. Donations of books and media are appreciated; volunteers are welcome and needed.

Friday, March 6

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

&

Saturday, March 7

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

&

Sunday, March 8

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bag sale. $10 for a full grocery sack or half price if less.

Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library

7584 Leesburg Pike

Falls Church

Attend the opening reception of the The McLean Art Society's March show and a special “Hints of Green” exhibit at the McLean Art Gallery in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center. More than 200 new artworks from 40+ local artists will be on display and available in March. A reception to celebrate this new show will be held with complimentary wine and light refreshments. RSVP by visiting this webpage.

Friday, March 6

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

McLean Art Gallery

6224 Old Dominion Drive

McLean

Participants are invited to join the Fire Department for an engaging round of Fire Safety Bingo. This interactive program offers a fun way to learn simple safety practices, explore useful resources, and discover how the community can support firefighters in their work. Attendees will leave with valuable information, helpful materials, and a few fun take‑home items.

The activity will be followed by a visit from local firefighters and a fire engine, if no emergencies arise. This program is intended for children ages 5-12; registration is encouraged but not required.

Saturday, March 7

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Great Falls Library Meeting Room

9830 Georgetown Pike

Great Falls

Celebrate Women's History Month at a tea party with the library's namesake Dolley Madison! Dolley will host a party with refreshments, a game of Women's History bingo and an opportunity to learn all about Dolley and her life through a trivia hunt. Register for the event by visiting this webpage.

Saturday, March 7

2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dolley Madison Library Meeting Rooms 1 & 2

1244 Oak Ridge Avenue

McLean

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Irish-American Heritage Month with a showcase of the music and traditional dances of Ireland. Presented by the Foley Academy of Irish Dance.

Saturday, March 7

4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Herndon Fortnightly Library Lobby

768 Center Street

Herndon

Food For Neighbors is seeking donors for their upcoming Red Bag Day on March 7. You can fill a Red Bag (that Food For Neighbors supplies) with food from their grocery list. Drivers pick up the filled bag right from your front door and volunteers sort the food to distribute to local schools the same day. Visit Food For Neighbors - Red Bag Program to request your Red Bag.

The McLean parent community is invited to a film presentation and discussion of Screenagers: Elementary Edition. This is a free, adult-only event, sponsored by the Franklin Sherman PTA. Following the film, we will hear from two McLean High School students who will speak candidly about what it’s really like to grow up with smartphones and other devices and share their advice for parents with elementary aged children. There will be plenty of time for Q&A. Please RSVP here. 

Monday, March 9

7:00 p.m.

Franklin Sherman Elementary

6633 Brawner Street

McLean

Fairfax County is seeking public comment on the draft Chloride Total Maximum Daily Load Action Plan, which outlines how the County will reduce chloride pollution in local waterways. 

Chloride from road salt and deicing materials can wash into storm drains and streams, where high levels can harm water quality and aquatic life. The Action Plan was developed in coordination with the Northern Virginia Salt Management Strategy and focuses on reducing chloride in stormwater discharges from the County’s municipal separate storm sewer system. 

The plan is available using this link. Hard copies are available at the Virginia Room of the City of Fairfax Regional Library and at the Information Desk at the Fairfax County Government Center. For more information about the County’s stormwater program and MS4 permit, visit the MS4 Program webpage. 

All comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. EST on March 9, 2026. Instructions for submitting comments are provided on this webpage. 

Hear from professionals in Information Technology and Data Analysis as they discuss transitioning into local government careers.

Discover how your federal government and contracting experience can open doors in local government. This webinar brings together local government leaders and professionals—along with former federal employees who have successfully transitioned into local roles—to share practical insights and highlight the advantages of making local government your next career move. Visit Redefine Your Path - From Federal Expertise to Local Impact for more information and to register.

Tuesday, March 10

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The next free Virtual Parent Café will discuss “The Role of Values and Morals in Shaping Positive Discipline.” Explore how your family’s core beliefs can guide positive, consistent discipline and help your child develop self-control, empathy, and respect. Join to discuss how discipline can be less about punishment and more about teaching, connection and shaping character. Fairfax County parents or guardians with children 18 and younger can register online. 

Tuesday, March 10

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Northern Virginia Health Foundation (NVHF) is accepting proposals for its 2026 Upstream Grants, which support efforts that strengthen systems, change policies, or empower community change to improve the health of low-income Northern Virginians. These grants focus on addressing social drivers of health through meaningful collaboration among nonprofit community organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit healthcare providers. Healthcare providers may participate as partners but are not eligible to receive funding directly.

To apply, schedule an initial pre‑proposal conversation with NVHF before March 11. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by April 8. Grants will range from $25,000 to $50,000. For questions, contact Rachel Ermann Lynch at rlynch@novahealthfdn.org.

The Safe Community Coalition invites you to their FREE monthly parent discussion group facilitated by licensed mental health professionals. 

This month's session will explore the multifaceted nature of grief. The discussion will offer a supportive and insightful space for individuals grappling with all types of loss and grief. 

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the grief process, learn to identify common emotional and physical responses to loss, explore ways to honor loved ones, foster self-care, and build resilience.

This program will be led by Dr. Melissa Sporn and Sarah Tyler, LCSW.

Space is limited. RSVP now to save your spot! 

Thursday, March 12

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

McLean Community Center

1234 Ingleside Avenue

McLean

Participate in a fun and meaningful Great Falls community event to assemble 20,088 meals in support of Rise Against Hunger’s Pathways to End Hunger. These meals provide critical food to remote, last-mile communities designated “serious” or higher by the Global Hunger Index and help offset the loss of US food aid.   

St Francis Episcopal Church is hosting this third annual community-wide event in conjunction with Rise Against Hunger. Students can accumulate community service hours. 90 volunteers are needed to assemble these critical meals. Reigister to volunteer or donate to this initiative by visiting Register – Rise Against Hunger. For any questions, please email RAH@stfrancisgreatfalls.org.

Friday, March 13

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

St. Francis Episcopal Church

9220 Georgetown Pike

Great Falls

The buses are fueled and ready to roll as Stuff the Bus returns for a one-day food drive. Fastran buses along with Fairfax County Fire Department trucks will be at several sites throughout the County. Please consider supporting our local nonprofit food pantries by donating non-perishables or gift cards.

Saturday, March 14

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Herndon Giant

2425 Centreville Road

Herndon

TO BENEFIT CORNERSTONES

McLean Giant

1454 Chain Bridge Road

McLean

TO BENEFIT SHARE OF MCLEAN

The McLean Community Foundation (MCF) is now accepting applications for its next round of community grants, open through March 15. Each year, MCF provides funding to projects that enhance the civic, educational, and social well‑being of McLean residents—from facility improvements to community programs and local nonprofit initiatives. Organizations and groups interested in applying are encouraged to review the foundation’s grant policy and submit their proposals before the deadline. For more information and to apply, visit Grants | MCFoundation.

The McLean Community Center is looking for district residents to serve on its Governing Board. The volunteer board provides oversight to the McLean Community Center through policy guidance, strategic planning and financial stewardship. Board members have a unique opportunity to improve the quality of life for Small District 1A-Dranesville residents. 

Openings: 

• Adult: 
• Four adult board seats: one to serve two years of an unexpired term and three to serve for a three-year term. Adult qualification is being 18 years of age or older on May 16, 2026 (McLean Day). 

• Youth: 
• Two youth board seats: Youth must be 15-17 years old on May 16, 2026 (McLean Day)—that is, born May 17, 2008 to May 16, 2011. 

For more information about eligibility and how to submit a candidate petition, please visit 2026 Call for Candidates – McLean Center.

Supervisor Bierman is teaming up with Fairfax County Zero Waste, the Great Falls Parkout, and Great Falls Citizens Association for an E-Waste Recycling Event. Recycle old electronics, dead batteries, toner/ink cartridges, power cords, and more. Fairfax County will have a truck at the back of Great Falls Elementary School and will provide information on best practices for recyclers. Please carpool, if possible, to reduce traffic, and package all of your e-waste in one container. Let's work together to keep our community green!

Saturday, March 21

8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Great Falls Elementary School

701 Walker Road

Great Falls

Got a business question? Join the Entrepreneur Help Desk! Get expert advice and local resources to grow your small business.

Fairfax County’s Department of Economic Initiatives will offer one-on-one conversations for small businesses with its Director of Small & Local Business Development at the McLean Governmental Center. RSVP for a slot by visiting this webpage.

Wednesday, March 25

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

McLean Governmental Center

1437 Balls Hill Road

McLean

VDOT: 495 NEXT Updates

While the new 495 Express Lanes northern extension lanes have opened, construction of the new Beltway bridges at Georgetown Pike, as well as other finishing work throughout the corridor, will continue into 2026. Another key project element that will be completed in 2026 includes a shared-use path parallel to I-495 from Lewinsville Road to near Live Oak Drive. Lane closures during non-peak travel times will continue to be necessary for crews to safely complete these important project components. Final project completion is anticipated to occur by mid-2026.

Lane Closures & Traffic Changes Report for the upcoming week will be posted tomorrow at the 495 NEXT Lane Closures webpage. Sign up to get updates and alerts here.

Check out the 495 NEXT interactive map, project background and more information by visiting 495NEXT.org. If you have any questions or concerns about the 495 NEXT project, please feel free to contact the project team at 495NorthernExtension@vdot.virginia.gov or 703-592-6430.

Travelers should stay informed and prepared by:

• Checking VA 511 by using 511virginia.org or via the mobile 511Virginia app
• Following VDOT on social media at:
• X (formerly Twitter): @VaDOTNOVA and @VaDOT
• Facebook: VDOT NOVA District
• Nextdoor: Virginia Department of Transportation
• Signing up for construction updates and alerts
• Calling the Construction Information Lane at 703-592-6430

The National Park Service has reached substantial completion of the north parkway rehabilitation project on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Some finishing work will continue into spring 2026 during off-peak travel hours. Motorists can expect travel impacts once crews begin rehabilitation efforts on the Route 123 Interchange bridge. Visit this webpage for more information.

Learn More & Stay Connected:

• To opt in to receive email updates about traffic, meeting notices and information about major milestones, please click here.
• To contact the project team, please e-mail the National Park Service.
• View recordings of informational public meetings on the public meeting webpage.

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville

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