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Dear Neighbor,

Cue the music: It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s the holiday season and we have so many great community events, get togethers, and happenings around the Dranesville District! (Also, my kids will meet approximately 27 Santas this season…) Read on for an even more exhaustive list but I want to highlight several big ticket stops where I hope to see you in the coming days.

This Saturday, December 6, head out to Herndon at 5 p.m. for caroling and the Tree Lighting with the Herndon High School Band! 

Sunday, December 7, McLean Winterfest is back, put on by the McLean Revitalization Corporation with support from our office! Take in the parade through downtown McLean starting at 3:30 p.m. and join the Block Party in the Langley Shopping Center afterwards starting at 5 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon with our vibrant McLean community!  

Wednesday, December 10, we hope to see you from 5 p.m. onwards at our office in McLean for our annual Holiday Open House! It will be great to come together and share some of the cheer of the season. Please bring friends – our whole office wants to meet you! 

Next Saturday, December 13, is Herndon WinterMarkt, hosted by the Town of Herndon and the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce! It’s a terrific event with cheese, beer, and cheer! 

Don’t miss Santa at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls on December 13 and 14! Get your present requests in before the big day! 

There’s lots of fun to be had and you don’t want to miss it! 

Shifting gears before I close and pairing fun with some more serious notes, I did want to point you all to just a few things from our Committee Meetings this week (videos linked).

At our Legislative Committee Meeting, I discussed how absolutely nothing has changed since last year on the issue of a Tysons casino – I’m still a no, the Board’s still a no, and nothing has been done to alter the fundamental reality that the casino concept is terrible and the people of Fairfax County don’t want it. You can watch my remarks here. I hope that Richmond doesn’t waste any more time on a Tysons casino proposal but, if they do, I know that every elected official representing the Dranesville District will stand with residents against it.  

At our Transportation Committee Meeting, I discussed the important work of DMV Moves, a group of regional public and private leaders, including Chairman McKay and County Executive Bryan Hill, that has been working to develop a framework to ensure the long term success of Metro and regional transit. I also discussed plans considered by the SJ28 Subcommittee in Richmond, with assistance from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission on which I sit, to create a dedicated state funding stream for transit. A dedicated state funding stream would help Fairfax County by relieving at least some of the burden that has been placed on the County’s general fund budget. You can watch my remarks here, but long story short, there is a real opportunity in the coming months to lay the groundwork for a better future, and I hope that we are able to capitalize on it. 

Finally, at our Budget Policy Committee Joint Meeting with the School Board, we received a very preliminary fiscal forecast (we are still six months away from budget adoption and everything discussed involved projections and predictions that may change). Among other things, we talked about the fiscal challenges facing the County both due to the environment of deep economic uncertainty generated by chaos across the river and the structural issues that we need to solve in Richmond, but also our shared commitment to finding cost savings and efficiencies on both the County and Schools ledgers so that we can continue to operate a high quality, world class school system. You can watch my remarks here. We have a lot of work to do before budget adoption in May. 

Thanks so much for tuning in and, more importantly, I hope to see you this weekend and next week at our Open House! 

All the best,

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She Believes in Me Thanksgiving Drive

Herndon Turkey Trot

K-Kimchi & K-Culture Fest

Old Forestville Schoolhouse at the Great Falls Grange

Small Business Saturday at Fonts Books & Gifts

COG Membership and Awards Reception

NCS Emergency Food & Housing Assistance Funding Application

The Neighborhood and Community Services FY2027-2028 Funding Application Package #2000004209 was released on November 21, 2025, and proposals are due on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Details are available in Fairfax County's Bonfire/Euna Procurement Portal, Emergency Food & Housing Assistance #2000004209.

A pre-proposal conference will be held virtually (MS Teams) on December 8, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. to review the Request for Proposals and answer questions. Visit this webpage to register for the pre-proposal conference.

Offerors may submit any questions pertaining to the RFP, in writing, prior to the pre-proposal conference to Vincenza.Githens@fairfaxcounty.gov. While attendance at this conference is not a pre-requisite to submitting a proposal, offerors who intend to submit a proposal are encouraged to attend. Any changes resulting from this conference will be issued in a written addendum to the solicitation. To request reasonable ADA accommodations, call the Department of Procurement and Material Management ADA representative at 703-324-3201 or TTY 711.

Fairfax County is expanding its textile recycling pilot program with additional Helpsy collection bins now available at the I-95 Landfill Complex! The program, launched earlier this year, offers residents a convenient way to recycle clothing, footwear, linens, and other household fabrics.

Since the pilot began at the I-66 Transfer Station, residents have dropped off nearly 49.3 tons of textiles for reuse, resale, donation, or recycling—helping conserve resources and reduce landfill impacts. The program began with two bins at the West Ox Transfer Station serviced once per week. Due to demand, there are now six bins serviced twice weekly. The newly expanded site at the I-95 Landfill Complex now contains four bins serviced once weekly, with schedules adjusted as needed to ensure reliable collection.

Fairfax County plans to expand textile collection opportunities to additional facilities as the pilot continues to grow. The program supports the County’s long-term zero waste goal, which aims to divert 90 percent of the overall waste stream away from disposal.

For more information, visit Fairfax County Expands Helpsy Textile Recycling Pilot.

As the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisp, Fairfax County Public Library invites readers of all ages to warm up with a good book and join the 2025 Winter Reading Adventure - Read for the Gold! This exciting Countywide challenge runs from December 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026, encouraging everyone from preschoolers to adults to set reading goals, discover new stories and celebrate their achievements along the way.

Participation is easy through FCPL’s Beanstack platform. Readers can register online at Beanstack: Reading Challenges and Personalized Recommendations. Once participants complete the adventure, they can visit any of our 23 library branches to pick up a coupon sheet. Additionally, finishers will be automatically entered into drawings for $25 Amazon gift cards. 

Whether you ride every day or haven’t been on a bike in years, this free, fun challenge is for everyone - individuals, workplaces, schools and community groups.

How it works:

• Ride anywhere, for any reason, anytime in December and January.
• Win some great prizes! Including a $3,000 cash prize and an Apple Watch.
• You earn points for every mile, every day you ride, and each person you encourage.
• Take part as an individual, with your workplace team, your school, your friends or a group.

If you’re a little competitive, there’s also a range of leaderboards you can compete on - from organization vs organization to the top individual riders locally and nationally (most miles, most rides, most commutes, etc.).

To register for the event and to learn more about Love to Ride visit: Current Challenge : Love to Ride.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is studying the impact of slower speed limits on various residential roadways throughout the County in reducing speed and creating a safer environment for walking, biking, riding and driving. In coordination with our office, several streets within our district are being proposed for inclusion in this pilot program, which will run from Summer 2026 through early 2027.

• Douglass Drive (from Georgetown Pike to Baron Road)
• Baron Road (from Randolph Road to Ingleside Avenue)
• Ingleside Avenue (from Baron Road to Dolley Madison Boulevard)

Your feedback is essential to the success of this study. We invite you to learn more about this study and participate in a short online survey to share your insights and opinions. Survey submissions must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Learn more here.

Fairfax County has developed a new tool to help people support food distributions in their communities.

The Emergency Food Access Providers Application has added a “donate” geolocation tool to allow users to see which food distribution sites need donations and the types of donations they are accepting. Visit New Interactive Tool to Aid County Food Donations for more information.

The Light Up McLean Holiday Decorating Competition is your opportunity to show off your home in all its holiday splendor! Think your holiday decorations are the best? Enter the competition and prove it! Families who register will receive a thank you gift from the Old Firehouse. The prizes will be gift cards to local Downtown McLean restaurants and tickets to your choice of performance (excluding Napoleon Dynamite Meet & Greet) at The MCC's Alden Theatre!

McLean neighbors will vote for the winners in the following three categories:

• Best Overall
• Most Creative/Original
• Best Holiday Theme

Register online or call OFC at 703-448-8336.

The Town of Herndon's Hometown Holidays has a number of upcoming festivities for all ages. This weekend, they will have the Holiday Model Train Show, Herndon Caboose Open House, Herndon Homes Tour, Holiday Tree Lighting & Sing Along, and the Herndon Holiday Arts & Crafts Show. Celebrate the holiday season with your neighbors and friends in the Town of Herndon!

The Arts of Great Falls has a number of upcoming community art events:

Weekly Open Studio Hours

Visit The Artists' Atelier during its weekly open studio hours to see their latest artwork & gallery exhibits, learn more about The Art School classes, or stop by to say hello!

• Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on 12/3, 12/10, 12/17
• Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 12/20
• The Artists' Atelier | 756-D Walker Rd, Great Falls

First Friday Art Walk

Join for an exciting evening of art, creativity, and community! On the first Friday of each month, step into the vibrant world of The Art School, The Artists' Atelier and Artists' Loft studios, where you'll have the chance to meet and explore the latest works by twelve talented resident artists. 

• Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 12/5
• The Arts of Great Falls Art School-Gallery & The Artists Atelier | 756-C&D Walker Rd, Great Falls

The Artists' Atelier Holiday Celebration

Join for an exclusive holiday shopping experience at The Artists' Atelier. Browse a stunning collection of original artwork—the perfect personalized gift for your loved ones or a treat for yourself! 

• Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 12/6
• Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on 12/7
• The Artists Atelier | 756-C&D Walker Rd, Great Falls

Free Portrait Demo with Michela Mansuino

Come enjoy watching the wonderfully skilled Michela Mansuino create a portrait from a live model, start to finish! This is a free event with limited space that requires an RSVP. 

• Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on 12/12
• The Art School | 756-C Walker Rd, Great Falls

The second installment of real estate taxes are due December 5.

If you have a mortgage with an escrow account, you will not receive a bill. Instead, your bill will be sent to the mortgage company.

If you have not yet received your bill, you may find the taxes owed on the Real Estate Assessment Lookup page. You can also obtain this year's stub number required for online payment.

If you have set up your account and linked your real property, you can pay via MyFairfax portal. You can also obtain a PDF copy of your current bill.

If you plan to pay via smartphone or online without setting up an account, you may use the Department of Tax Administration's standalone payment site. You will need this year's stub number from your real estate tax bill.

For more information, please visit 2nd Installment Real Estate Taxes Due December 5 | Tax Administration.

The Tysons-Pimmit Quarterly Used Book/Media Sales 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, December 5

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

&

Saturday, December 6

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

&

Sunday, December 7

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

Celebrate seasonal cheer at this delightful three-day indoor juried show featuring approximately 80 talented regional artisans. For more than 40 years, this one-of-a-kind show has offered gifts for every budget including pottery, glass, jewelry, holiday decor, mixed media, fashion accessories, wood, fine art, artisanal foods, soaps and more. Stroll to music as you shop and enjoy lunch or a beverage at the onsite café. Admission is $5 for all three days of the show and free for children 12 and younger. Visit McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival – McLean Center for more information.

Friday, December 5

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

&

Saturday, December 6

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

&

Sunday, December 7

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.



McLean Community Center

1234 Ingleside Avenue

McLean

Have you ever wondered what happens to your water after you use it? Come learn with a tour of Fairfax County's Water Recycling Facility!

Visit the Noman M. Cole, Jr. Water Recycling Facility for bus tours of the facility, Touch-a-Truck, family friendly activities, informational tables, tunnel and walking tours, as well as festive refreshments! Due to construction on site, please park at the South County Little League Fields (9519 Richmond Highway, Lorton). The bus tours will leave directly from the Touch-a-Truck at ball fields every 15 minutes. Reserve a spot for free by visiting Noman M. Cole, Jr. Water Recycling Facility Open House Tickets.

Saturday, December 6

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

South County Little League

9519 Richmond Highway

Lorton

Fairfax Connector invites the community to its third annual Winterfest. All three of Fairfax Connector’s specially designed holiday buses will be featured at Winterfest. Attendees can expect:

• Free hot cocoa, cookies and kettle corn
• Arts and crafts, face-painting, games, music, and a Letters to Santa station
• Food trucks on-site with items available for purchase
• Heated table areas will be provided; guests are encouraged to dress for the weather

This free event will open at 9 a.m. with a sensory-friendly hour for neurodivergent children and their families. The event will then be open to everyone from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For planning purposes, please register for a free entry ticket in advance. Visit Fairfax Connector's Winterfest for more information about the event.

Saturday, December 6

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Springfield Community Business Center (CBC) Commuter Parking Garage

7039 Old Keene Mill Road

Springfield

Dec. 6: Children's Holiday Shopping at Colvin Run

No peeking, it’s a surprise. Children are accompanied by a secret shopper to assist them with purchasing holiday gifts at the Colvin Run Mill General Store. Assistants help wrap and tag gifts. The cost of gifts is not included with registration. Adults may tour the site and visit the Miller’s House exhibit while waiting. Register for a slot for $7 by visiting this webpage.

Saturday, December 6

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Colvin Run Mill General Store

10017 Colvin Run Road

Great Falls

Enjoy an afternoon of beautiful string music from the Ritorno a Musica Chamber Orchestra. The Baroque and Beyond holiday concert will feature music from Albinoni, Manfredini, Fuchs, Lloyd Webber and Vaughan Williams. All ages are welcome. Register for the event here.

Saturday, December 6

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Great Falls Library Conference Room & Meeting Room

9830 Georgetown Pike

Great Falls

Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at Wolf Trap’s Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long! This musical celebration hosts a performance by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and a sing-a-long of holiday songs with local choir and vocal groups from the Washington, DC metro area. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. This event is free, but registration is encouraged.

Saturday, December 6

4:00 p.m.

Filene Center

1551 Trap Road

Vienna

Attend the McLean Revitalization Corporation's (MRC) 2025 Winterfest for a joyous celebration embracing the magic of winter and the spirit of the holidays. Children, parents, businesses, and civic organizations are welcome to come together for a day filled with fun, community, and festive cheer. 

McLean Winterfest 2025 will include:

• Pre-parade performance showcasing local dance troupes and other performing artists
• McLean Winterfest Parade featuring marching bands, floats, dance performances, and many community organizations
• Winterfest Block Party with Santa Claus, music, arts, food, and great fun

The MRC is also seeking volunteers to help make this year’s event a success! Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals from high school age and up. Those interested in volunteering can email mcleanwinterfestparade@gmail.com for more information.

Sunday, December 7

2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Langley Shopping Center

1398 Chain Bridge Road

McLean

Celebrate the beginning of the season with Celebrate Great Falls' Annual Christmas Tree Lighting! Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies as the sounds of the season fill the air with performances by local school musical groups. Visit the petting zoo and pony rides before Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck to light the tree at 5 p.m. Children are then welcome to share their holiday wishes with Santa. Volunteers are needed to make this event happen. Please consider sharing your time. For more information, please visit Celebration of Lights - Celebrate Great Falls Foundation.

Sunday, December 7

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Great Falls Village Field

754 Walker Road

Great Falls

The Reston Teen Center is currently collecting gently used items to help stock their Elf Store, where teens will have the opportunity to select a special gift for their parent or guardian and they will wrap it for them. If you have any items you would like to contribute, please feel free to drop them off at 12196 Sunset Hills Road, Reston before Monday, December 8.

The Fairfax Area – Disability Services Board’s Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality 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. RSVP (appreciated, but not required) here.

Monday, December 8

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

Fairfax County Pennino Building

12011 Government Center Parkway Rooms 200/206

Fairfax, VA

Supervisor Bierman and his staff invite the community to an evening of food and drinks to celebrate the holiday season.

As part of the celebration, Supervisor Bierman is collecting donations to benefit children in need at Hutchison Elementary School. Preferred items include $10 gift cards (FreshWorld, Giant, Target, Safeway), or cash donations to be exchanged for gift cards. Donations can be brought to the Open House or delivered during regular business hours to the Dranesville District Office at 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean.

Wednesday, December 10

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

1437 Balls Hill Road

McLean

Attend this virtual workshop facilitated by John Marshall Bank and Northwestern Mutual. Get the tools you need for the future you want. Learn how to:

• Create a budget after a layoff
• Understand retirement and pension options
• Navigate federal benefits
• Plan for long-term financial resilience 

For more information, including how to register, please visit this webpage.

Thursday, December 11

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Fairfax Water is proposing a rate increase — about $1.93 per month for most customers — to keep delivering safe, high-quality drinking water 24/7.  

The Fairfax Water Board will hold a public hearing to talk about the proposed changes to water rates on December 11. If the changes are approved, the new rates will be effective April 1, 2026.

Please submit comments and questions by midnight on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Include the full address(es) where you receive Fairfax Water service and send to:

• publichearingcomments@fairfaxwater.org
• Fairfax Water, ATTN: Public Hearing Comments, 8570 Executive Park Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031

For more information, please visit Public Hearing on Proposed Rate Adjustments | Fairfax Water.

Thursday, December 11

6:30 p.m.

Bill G. Evans Boardroom

8570 Executive Park Avenue

Fairfax

Dec. 13: Wreaths Across America

Join the Herndon Woman's Club at the Chestnut Grove Cemetery to honor and remember our veterans. A short ceremony will begin at noon, followed by wreath-laying at the graves of 984 veterans.

To sponsor a wreath, visit Wreaths Across America.

Please note parking at the cemetery is extremely limited. Guests are encouraged to park at Herndon United Methodist Church (701 Bennett Street, Herndon) and carpool if possible. Handicap parking is available at the cemetery. For guests needing to leave early, parking at the church is recommended as vehicle entry and exit at the cemetery will be controlled during the ceremony. 

Saturday, December 13

12:00 p.m.

Chestnut Grove Cemetery

831 Dranesville Road

Herndon

Celebrate Jane Austen's birthday, 250 years ago, with a look at the fashions of her day. Artist and collector Caroline Hottenstein will explore different aspects of Regency-era fashions, from the fancy to the everyday, through the lens of Austen's novels. Tea and light refreshments will be served. This program is intended for adults. Register here.

Saturday, December 13

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dolley Madison Library Meeting Rooms 1 & 2

1244 Oak Ridge Avenue

McLean

VDOT: 495 NEXT Updates

Lane Closures & Traffic Changes Report for the upcoming week will be posted tomorrow at the 495 NEXT Lane Closures webpage. Sign up to get news and updates on 495 NEXT lane closures and project updates, 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

Construction efforts to rehabilitate the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) are underway between I-495 and Spout Run Parkway. Construction activities will impact drivers and park visitors for the duration of the rehabilitation.

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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