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Dear Neighbor, 

March is Women’s History Month in Fairfax County! Of course, perhaps there’s no better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than to support and celebrate women in the present. Toward that end, I want to highlight this past Tuesday’s Safety and Security Committee Meeting.  

At that meeting, we heard a presentation about 2025 crime data from Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department. There was lots of good news to share, with declines in nearly every category of crime, including homicides, carjackings, sex offenses, robberies, burglaries, and stolen cars. We learned that we had fewer motor vehicle deaths and pedestrian deaths and an increase in traffic citations and warnings. You can see all of the data and watch the meeting recording. Thank you to the FCPD for their great work keeping Fairfax County safe! 

But, candidly, and I believe Chief Davis would agree with me, it was Assistant Chief Brooke Wright, a 27-year veteran of the FCPD and United States Air Force Veteran, who stole the show. Among the good news in our briefing, beyond the fact that FCPD investigations (overseen by Assistant Chief Wright) cleared 100% of homicide cases last year, was that our sworn officer vacancy rate is down to 3% with a combination of effective recruiting (including a 22% increase in applications) and a 24% decrease in attrition. An important component of our recruiting has been the department’s commitment to the nationwide 30x30 Initiative which seeks to increase the representation of women in law enforcement to 30% by 2030. FCPD engages in outreach and mentoring efforts that introduce law enforcement careers to women, and the last three sessions of recruits have all been 25% female.  

While I think this is undoubtedly a positive development, I took the opportunity to ask the underlying question: could you explain some of the benefits of having more women in our police force? It’s worth watching Assistant Chief Wright’s excellent answer in full, but I’ll also transcribe it for you:

"The studies have been done and they show that women make outstanding police officers. Ninety percent of this career is talking to people, is solving problems, it’s being creative. Having women in your police department lowers the number of use of force incidents you have. It actually has been shown just their mere presence on a scene tends to de-escalate a situation before they’ve even done anything. So just the fact that people are seeing people in uniform that look just like them – and where we look like the community – that calms people. So women make excellent police officers because, I don’t know why there’s any reason they wouldn’t. You can say that I’m not a 250-pound SWAT guy that’s kicked in a door, but I’ve written a lot of search warrants that allow them to do so. There’s a place for everybody in the Police Department and I think we’ve done a great job at showing people what roles and responsibilities are out there and how it takes a little bit of everybody to make a great Police Department for the community."

Well that just about speaks for itself, and while it was by chance that this Safety & Security meeting happened during Women’s History Month, it was also fitting that it did! 

Let me also add, that if you know women who might be interested in being a part of the tremendous work done by the FCPD, please let them know about our 30x30 All Women Hiring Expo happening this Saturday.

Read on for more ways to celebrate Women’s History around the County this month, including a history talk at Colvin Run Mill on March 21 that I intend to attend. Before I close though, I also want to highlight a nice moment for the Dranesville District. In case you missed it, the Fairfax County Commission for Women chose our appointee, Aishani Srivastava, to speak in acceptance of the Board’s official Women’s History Month proclamation at our March 3 Board Meeting! You can watch her remarks here!

See you around!

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

MPA Youth Art Show

"HERO: The Boy from Troy" at the Alden Theatre

Food for Neighbors Red Bag Day Food Sorting

Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Library Book & Media Sale

Foley Academy of Irish Dance Performance at Herndon Fortnightly Library

Turner Farm Astronomy Festival

Lift Me Up! Rodeo

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. Spanish language interpretation will be provided at the town hall in Herndon.

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.

Three voting sites are open 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  

Scott’s Run Nature Preserve is closed for an urgent sewer project to renew and rehabilitate the Scott's Run Siphon wastewater facility. Contractors for the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services will complete this work, which is expected to take approximately three months to complete, depending on weather conditions. 

To ensure public safety and protect natural resources, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, including the east and west parking areas and all trails, will be closed for the duration of the emergency work. Residents are encouraged to use the Park Authority’s Park Amenity Locator and Trail Buddy to identify alternate parks and trails during this closure. The public will be notified when the park reopens. 

For more information, please visit this webpage. 

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority is accepting applications for academic scholarships. Up to ten applicants will receive a $5,000 scholarship for postsecondary education including technical training. Fairfax County residents who live in affordable housing supported by the FCRHA can apply by March 30. Learn more about the scholarship here. 

In an initiative to expand the tree canopy on private property, the Urban and Community Forestry Division has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away one-gallon trees to residents Countywide. The trees are regionally native, non-invasive species carefully chosen for Fairfax County’s climate and growing conditions. The program also will help homeowners lower energy costs and improve neighborhood resilience

The trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can sign up and select their trees by visiting this webpage. Up to two trees will be brought directly to resident homes. The delivery also includes stakes and protective tree shelters to support healthy establishment.

The County currently boasts approximately 55% tree canopy cover, with an expansion goal to 60% by 2030 to address climate impacts like urban heat and local air quality challenges. Trees planted near homes provide natural shade that can reduce summer cooling demand, lower energy use, and decrease carbon emissions. Expanding tree canopy also improves water quality, reduces stormwater runoff, mitigates urban heat island effects, and enhances overall neighborhood livability.

To learn more about the Urban and Community Forestry Division, visit Urban and Community Forestry in Fairfax County.

Tax season is underway — and so too is free tax prep help by two nonprofits that are collaborating with the County. Eligible residents and their families can get free assistance filing their federal and state income taxes at locations around the County through the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.

Seven Great Falls organizations have come together to host a special free photography exhibition. Local, amateur photographers of all ages are invited to submit photos depicting life in zip code 22066 (flora, fauna, scenery, buildings, pets, hobbies, subjects inside/outside the home, local events, the dark skies, parks and more). Register by April 10 at GFphotoshow2026@gmail.com. For more details, please visit Focus on Great Falls Photography Exhibition.

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 through March 15.

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.

Come see this hilarious show full of laughs for the entire family! This group of talented performers takes suggestions from the audience to create wacky scenes and funny improv games. If you like Whose Line Is It Anyway?, you’ll love Last Ham Standing…the other comedy meat! Visit this webpage for tickets to their upcoming shows at NextStop Theatre in Herndon on March 14, April 24, June 27, July 18, and August 29.

Tomorrow: Feedback Deadline on 2026 Title VI Policy Update

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is updating its Title VI program and needs your feedback. FCDOT’s Title VI policies dictate how the agency measures equitable distribution of transit service changes. As part of the update process, FCDOT is seeking feedback on the Major Service Change and Disparate Impact/Disproportionate Burden policies. 

• Major Service Changes are changes that are significant enough to require special analysis that ensure that the changes will not have discriminatory effects on minority or low-income areas. 
• Disparate Impact describes a service change that may have discriminatory effects on minority areas. 
• Disproportionate Burden describes a service change that may have discriminatory effects on low-income areas. 

Members of the public are invited to review the policies and contribute feedback by participating in a brief online survey which is available in multiple languages on this website. For more details, including additional ways to submit comments, please visit Title VI Policy 2026 Update | Connector.

In The Hello Girls, historian Elizabeth Cobbs tells the extraordinary story of 223 women sent to France in 1918 by the U.S. Army Signal Corps to help win World War I. Requested by General John Pershing, these skilled telephone operators—known as the “Hello Girls”—became America’s first women soldiers, keeping vital communications running under fire while the nation at home debated women’s right to vote.

Serving near the front lines, they endured bombardment, skepticism, and admiration from male soldiers, proving indispensable to the war effort. Yet when they returned home in 1920, the Army denied them veterans’ benefits, sparking a sixty-year fight for recognition that finally ended in victory in 1979.

Elizabeth Cobbs will virtually join to discuss the book and the remarkable legacy of the Hello Girls, whose service reshaped both military history and the struggle for women’s equality. Visit this webpage to register and learn more about author Elizabeth Cobbs.

Friday, March 13

4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Dolley Madison Library Meeting Rooms 1 & 2

1244 Oak Ridge 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. Ninety 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 Fairfax County Police Department is hosting a 30x30 Hiring Expo, giving applicants the opportunity to practice the Physical Abilities Test and get a firsthand look at Academy life. Attendees will meet Academy staff and recruiters who can answer questions about the application process. This free event has limited space, and participants must first complete the Police Officer I application. Government-issued ID is required, athletic clothing is recommended, and large bags are not permitted. Interested applicants can apply at JoinFCPD.org and view a demonstration of the Physical Abilities Test online. Questions may be directed to FCPDrecruit@fairfaxcounty.gov. Register for this event by visiting The Women of FCPD Hiring Expo.

Saturday, March 14

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

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

March 14: LEGO in the Library at Great Falls Library

Calling all LEGO lovers! Join other kids who love building as much as you. The library provides the LEGO bricks - you provide the imagination! All materials must stay at the library, so bring a camera to capture your creations. Please leave your LEGO bricks at home.

This program is intended for children ages 4-18. Caregivers are required to stay with children 7 and younger. Children between 8-11 must have a caregiver in the library.

Space is limited to 20 participants at a first come, first served basis.

Note: registration does not guarantee your spot, it will ensure you receive updates and changes to the event and you will receive a reminder email before the event.

Saturday, March 14

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

Great Falls Library Meeting Room

9830 Georgetown Pike

Great Falls

March 14: Women's History Month Bingo at Herndon Fortnightly Library

McLean-area high school students interested in meeting prospective employers for summer or part-time work are invited to attend the McLean Citizens Association Youth Job Fair.

Saturday, March 14

10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

McLean Community Center

1234 Ingleside Avenue

McLean

Do you need tech help? The Tysons-Pimmit Library Tech Help Desk Volunteers are ready to help. Consultations run 15-25 minutes; longer when time allows. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment is needed.

Sunday, March 15

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library

7584 Leesburg Pike

Falls Church

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.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon review applications for curatorship of the historic Dranesville Tavern in Herndon. The process includes livestreamed work sessions, a public meeting, and a comment period. 

The first work session was held on February 24; watch the recording here. The next work session will be held at 10 a.m. on March 31. While the work sessions on February 24 and March 31 will be viewable by the public, they will not include a public comment period. 

A public meeting will be held in person on March 17 at 7 p.m. at the McLean Community Center, featuring an overview of the Resident Curator Program and presentations by applicants. Comments will also be accepted online and by mail through March 25.

Dranesville Tavern, built in 1823, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers a unique opportunity through the Resident Curator Program, which provides long-term leases in exchange for approved rehabilitation. 

Learn more and submit comments at the Dranesville Tavern Project website.

Tuesday, March 17

7:00 p.m.

McLean Community Center

1234 Ingleside Avenue

McLean

When Fairfax County Public Schools are closed for the spring, summer and winter breaks, Teens in Action offers an engaging, healthy and affordable recreation program for youth ages 12 to 18 to learn, play and serve. Activities include team sports, games, arts and crafts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programming, service projects, cultural field trips and much more! Free nutritious lunches and snacks are served. Registration for Summer 2026 Camp will begin on Tuesday, March 17. Learn more and register by visiting this webpage.

DC Water will hold two in person meetings to discuss their response to the Potomac Interceptor collapse. For updates as the pipe rehabilitation work progresses, please visit this webpage.

Wednesday, March 18

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

Walt Whitman High School Cafeteria

7100 Whittier Boulevard

Bethesda

Watch live on Montgomery County's Facebook or YouTube

Thursday, March 19

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Lee Center Auditorium

1108 Jefferson Street

Alexandria

Watch live on the City of Alexandria's webpage

March 20: Lowe's Community Impact Grant Application Deadline

We all dream of ways to improve our communities – a bucket list of project ideas to help make the places we love better and stronger. Whether it’s revitalizing a community center, upgrading a food pantry or improving a park where neighbors gather, these projects start with ideas from people who know their communities best.

That’s where you come in. Lowe’s wants to know, what’s on your community bucket list?

Project ideas submitted will be used to select up to 100 Lowe’s Community Impact Grants. In addition, ideas may be shared broadly across Lowe’s teams and stores to help inform other community projects. Together, these efforts will help Lowe’s bring more than 2,000 community impact projects to life nationwide this year. Learn more and submit your community bucket list project here.

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

Saturday, March 21

12:00 p.m.

Colvin Run Mill

10017 Colvin Run Road

Great Falls

Get ready because Fiesta del Sol is back! Savor sumptuous cuisine, hear the sounds of Latin American and Caribbean music with renowned live bands, see quality artisan exhibitors and enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Learn how to dance a variety of Latin dance steps from professional dance instructors throughout the evening. Admission is free, with drink and food tickets sold onsite. Patrons must be 21 years old or older to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages. 

Visit Fiesta del Sol Festival for more information. 

Saturday, March 21 

5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

McLean Community Center 

1234 Ingleside Avenue 

McLean 

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

Workshops:

• Financial Literacy
• AI and the Jobseeker
• Training and Workforce Programs and Services Available to You

Hosted by Fairfax County Employment Services, Northern Virginia Construction Careers Coalition, the WISH Center, and Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services. 

Thursday, March 26

12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

7950 Audubon Avenue

Alexandria

Make a splash at the Aqua Egg Hunt! Kids dive into the pool to collect as many floating and sinking eggs as possible during their hunt time, and everyone leaves with a prize. Visit Aqua Egg Hunt | Town of Herndon for additional information about age group time slots and registration.

Saturday, March 28

1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Herndon Community Center

814 Ferndale Avenue

Herndon

Lights out! Be part of the Great Falls community and join Fairfax County Park Authority for Earth Hour on March 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Just turn off your outdoor lights an enjoy and reflect on the value of night skies.  

Light pollution prevents many in Great Falls from seeing the Milky Way, lunar eclipses and meteor showers. Artificial light can affect the natural world, changing foraging routes, eating habits and migration for birds, moths and bats, leading to many deaths. It can also affect humans by altering their natural circadian rhythms. 

To learn more about the effects of light pollution and dark sky friendly outdoor fixtures, visit the International Dark Sky Association website.

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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