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Dear Neighbor, 

Will we see you at tomorrow night’s Movie Night in McLean Central Park?! Come on out for Monsters, Inc. and spend time with your neighbors at a fun community event hosted by the McLean Revitalization Corporation with support from my office and the McLean Community Center – show begins at dark! 

Speaking of community events, as we continue settling into the rhythm of September and look ahead to even more crisp fall days, I wanted to highlight a couple of opportunities to connect, celebrate, and engage over the next few weeks. 

First, September 15th through October 15th marks Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the cultures, contributions, and traditions of our Hispanic and Latino neighbors who strengthen Fairfax County in countless ways. In celebration, our office is hosting Salsa in the Park on October 2nd at Alabama Drive Park in Herndon – a fun, family-friendly afternoon filled with salsa dancing, salsa eating, arts and crafts, good food, and connections with local organizations. It’s a lighthearted, joyful way to spend time outdoors and recognize the vibrancy of the month, and I hope you’ll join us. 

We’re also gearing up for this year’s Fall Town Halls. The first one will be on September 30 at 7pm at the Great Falls Library. The second one will be on October 8 at 7pm at the McLean Community Center. The third one will be on October 14 at 7pm at the Herndon Fortnightly Library. Town Halls are a great chance to ask any questions you may have, share ideas, raise concerns, and talk directly with me about what’s on your mind. These engagements are always energizing and productive, and I’d love to see you at one of them! 

Thanks so much, and I hope you’re enjoying the early signs of fall, whether that’s cooler evenings, changing leaves, or just an excuse to find a warm cup of coffee (or, for you millennials out there, a pumpkin spiced latte!). 

All the best,

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

Jimmy in the Community

Volunteer Fire Department Breakfast

Tysons-Pimmit Library Talk

Old Firehouse Block Party

Stuff the Bus

McLean High School Football

Herndon Fortnightly Library Talk

Brigade of Mercy

Town Halls

20 mph Reduced Speed Limit Pilot Study

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will reduce the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph in selected zones in the Dranesville, Mason, and Providence Districts. Installation of new 20 mph signs is expected to occur within the next 60 days. In the Dranesville District, the 20 mph zone includes the following roads:

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



This initiative is part of FCDOT's 20 mph Reduced Speed Limit Pilot Study, which will establish one 20 mph zone in each Supervisor District, and will measure the impacts of reduced speed limits on various roadways throughout the county. The Dranesville District 20 mph zone is among the first three locations being implemented as part of the Pilot Study. FCDOT will continue collaboration with the six remaining Supervisor District offices to identify one 20 mph zone in each district to complete the Pilot Study. Visit this website to learn more.

Homeowner Responsibility for Sanitary Sewer Lateral

September 28-October 9 Innovation Station Asphalt Path Temporarily Closed for Maintenance

From September 28-October 9, the trail next to the Innovation State metro will be closed to the public for maintenance. Please consider alternate routes during this two week period.

Westmoreland Street-Kirby Road-Lemon Road Construction: Pardon Our Dust

Milling and paving work, permanent road striping, and electrical connection work will run through September 28. We appreciate residents' patience, especially during the nighttime work. This pedestrian improvement and safety project has been a longstanding request by the community, and we are working with our transportation partners and contractors to complete this work in the most efficient way possible.

May 2026 Audit of Active Transportation Projects

We have heard from residents that they want safe streets for pedestrians and want more sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic calming measures implemented. Our office pushed for an Audit of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation's (FCDOT) active transportation projects. We want these projects to be delivered faster, more transparently, and at a lower cost. As part of the Audit, FCDOT published its standard project delivery guide for project managers to standardize training, clarify roles and responsibilities, increase accountability, and expedite projects by eliminating redundant steps or conducting steps concurrently. On August 25, the Board of Supervisors approved the latest round of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects to be funded, and five of them will be able to skip the pre-scoping step, reducing project timelines and your tax dollars, including the Great Falls Street - Sea Cliff Road project (see below).

New Dranesville Transportation Projects

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has set a goal to invest $100 million in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements between 2021 and 2027. At the August 25, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting, the Round 4 projects were selected and approved for funding. Two of those projects are in the Dranesville District. They are:

• Birch Road from Kirby Road to Birch Grove Court: Approximately 500 feet of Active Transportation facilities will be constructed on the east side of Birch Road from Kirby Road to Birch Grove Court.
• Great Falls Street/Sea Cliff Road: The project will improve the existing marked crosswalk on Great Falls Street at Sea Cliff Road including a potential pedestrian refuge, curb extensions, upgraded signage, and pedestrian-scale lighting.

Now Hiring: School Crossing Guards

Fairfax County Police Department is looking for dedicated, safety minded people to help keep our students and pedestrians safe! 

As a School Crossing Guard, you will: 

• Ensure the safety of students and pedestrians 
• Monitor Wink-O-Matic school signs 
• Report hazardous traffic conditions 
• Control traffic to ensure orderly movement 
• Maintain intersection functionality 

✅ Part-time positions 

✅ Benefit eligible with 20+ hours/week (two or more crossings) 

✅ No prior experience needed 

✅ Pay: $18–$30 per hour 

Make a difference in your community while working flexible hours. 

For additional information, please contact PFC Roopnarine at either rroopn@fairfaxcounty.gov or 571-595-4637. 

Apply now at: JoinFCPD.org

Fairfax County Election Officers Needed

Are you interested in working at the polls?

Fairfax County is the largest voting area in Virginia, with 264 polling places. Thousands of trained election officers help make Election Day run smoothly and fairly.

Election officers:

• Help voters at the polls
• Make sure elections are fair and accessible
• Play an important role in our democracy

Who can apply?

• Any registered Virginia voter
• Preference is given to Fairfax County residents

Election Day details:

• Work from 5 a.m.-9 p.m., or until all duties are done
• Earn $250 for the day
• Reasonable accommodations are available under the ADA. Email elect@fairfaxcounty.gov to ask for an accommodation.

Apply here by Thursday, October 1.

Early Voting

Three voting sites are open for early voting for the November 3 General Election. 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 In-Person Early Voting | Elections. 

Other Important Dates and Links: 

• Register to Vote/Update Registration through October 23, 2026 
• Apply for ballot to be mailed to you through October 23, 2026 
• Who/What is on your ballot? 

September 24: School Board Meeting

The next regular school board meeting is tonight! You can watch in person or online. For more information, visit this website.

Thursday, September 24

7:00 p.m.

Luther Jackson Middle School

3020 Gallows Rd.

Falls Church, VA 22042

September 25: Dolly Day

Join the Herndon Woman's Club at Jimmy's Old Town Tavern on Friday, September 25 for a special Guest Bartender Night!

Did you know September 25 is unofficially known online as "Dolly Day" as a nod to her iconic song and movie 9 to 5? To honor the occasion, guest bartenders will be behind the bar from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. playing a full Dolly playlist, hosting Dolly-themed fun, and accepting donations on-site to support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library right here in our community.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a dedicated book-gifting program that mails a free, high-quality book every single month to registered children from birth to age five living in the 20170 and 20171 ZIP codes.

Come out to Jimmy's for great food, drinks, and Dolly-themed fun, all while supporting early childhood literacy for local families!

Can't make it in person? You can still support the campaign by making an online contribution at this website.

Friday, September 25

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Jimmy's Old Town Tavern

697 Spring St.

Herndon, VA 20170

September 25: Movie Under the Stars

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinner or favorite snacks for a cozy evening under the open sky. The event opens at 6 p.m. with fun activities for all ages, including face painting, arts & crafts, and community tables. The movie will begin shortly after sunset. It’s the perfect chance to relax, laugh, and enjoy a great film together with friends, family, and neighbors. We hope to see you there for another magical night in McLean Central Park! Parking is located at MCC or the Dolley Madison Library.

For more information or to register, visit this website.

September 26: Harvest Happenings

Celebrate the magic of autumn with your family right here at McLean Community Center! Harvest Happenings is a festive indoor-outdoor fall celebration filled with seasonal fun for all ages. Enjoy live entertainment, hands-on crafts, interactive games, and visits with friendly animals in the petting zoo. Pick out the perfect pumpkin to decorate and take home. With family-friendly activities and entertainment, and plenty of fall spirit, Harvest Happenings is the perfect way to make warm autumn memories together.

Saturday, September 26

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

McLean Community Center

1234 Ingleside Ave.

McLean, VA 22101

September 27: Naturefest

Come discover, play, and connect with nature! Bring the whole family to Runnymede Park for a free, hands-on celebration of the plants and animals that call our community home! Explore nature, learn about bees and butterflies, meet live animals, make a craft, play nature-themed games, and more. There's something for every curious nature lover!

Sunday, September 27

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Runnymede Park

195 Herndon Parkway

Herndon, VA 20170

September 29: Public Hearing on Dranesville Large Area Community Parking District Proposal

FCDOT is considering a proposal to create a Community Parking District in Dranesville District, which calls for parking restrictions within the following boundary area:

• South of Route 7, running along the Fairfax County boundary with Loudoun County to the west;
• Along the Dranesville District Boundary with Hunter Mill District to the east; and
• The Dranesville District boundary with Sully District to the south

For more information, visit this website. The public hearing will take place during the Board of Supervisors Meeting on September 29th. If you would like to register to speak, please do so here.

September 30: Long Distance Caregiving: What Families Need to Know

More than 5 million Americans are caring for an aging parent or loved one from another city, state, or even country. 

Coordinating doctors' appointments, monitoring safety, managing finances, and responding to a crisis is hard enough up close — from hundreds of miles away, it can feel impossible. 

Register here to join for a candid conversation with two experienced Aging Life Care Managers, Susy Murphy and Nina Herndon, as they share what families need to know before, during, and after taking on the long-distance caregiver role.

Wednesday, September 30

3:00 p.m.

Online

October 1: Expedition to Herndon's Future

What will Herndon look like in 10, 20, or 30 years? Share your ideas and help shape the Town's future at an interactive planning event.

Both sessions offer the same experience. The first 100 participants at each session will receive a limited-edition commemorative gift.

Your voice. Your Town. Your future. Join the conversation and help guide what's next for Herndon. More information is available at this website.

Thursday, October 1

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. OR 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Herndon Community Center

814 Ferndale Ave.

Herndon, VA 20170

October 1-November 30: NOVA Loop Trail Puzzle Hunt

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), in partnership with Solving Fun, invites residents and visitors to take part in the 2nd Annual NOVA Loop Trail Puzzle Hunt, a free, self-guided outdoor adventure that combines exploration, problem-solving and recreation. Participants who register by Sept. 30 will be entered into a special early-registration prize drawing.

October 2: Salsa in the Park

October 2: Ballet Hispanico

In a world defined by change and reinvention, Ballet Hispánico New York offers an evening where movement becomes a form of resilience, reflection, and renewal. Mujeres: Women in Motion features three powerful choreographic voices—each exploring identity, conscience, and cultural inheritance through her own distinct lens. Together, they reveal the plural imagination of contemporary America: layered, rhythmic, and alive with meaning.

Buy tickets here.

Friday, October 2

7:00 p.m.

The Alden Theater

1234 Ingleside Ave.

McLean, VA 22101

October 3: Saving for College

Join an informative seminar, led by an experienced financial advisor. This session will cover practical strategies to help families prepare for future education costs, including an overview of savings vehicles such as 529 plans, budgeting tips, and ways to make college more affordable. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to plan ahead and make confident decisions about college savings. Presented in cooperation with Northwest Federal Credit Union. Adults and teens welcome. Registration is required, and there are 25 seats available.

Saturday, October 3

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

Great Falls Library

9830 Georgetown Pike

Great Falls, VA 22066

October 3-November 1: Tree Rescue Extravaganza

Join Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM’s Fall Extravaganza II, October 3–November 1, a community-wide effort across Fairfax County and Falls Church to protect trees from invasive vines and other invasive plants. Enjoy the fall weather, meet your neighbors, and make a real difference—one tree at a time. No experience is needed, and everyone is welcome. 

Registration is required. Over 40 events will soon be listed on the Fairfax PRISM website. Find an event near you and discover other ways you can help protect trees in your own community.

Come outside. Meet your neighbors. Save a tree. Make a difference.

October 4: McLean Artfest

Come out to celebrate the arts in the community! McLean Artfest, formerly MPAartfest, continues its annual tradition, now produced by the McLean Community Center in partnership with McLean Project for the Arts. Located at McLean Central Park, McLean Artfest is a juried festival showcasing over 30 local & regional visual artists from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. This FREE, one-day fine arts show, sale, and festival features contemporary art, Children’s Art Walk, children’s art tents, gourmet food trucks, a beer and wine garden, interactive art experiences, a live stage with some of the best local musicians in the DC metro area and much more!

Sunday, October 4

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

Mclean Central Park

1468 Dolley Madison Blvd

McLean, VA 22101

October 7: SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Testing Day

SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 7, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.

Because of the testing, most 9th grade students will not have school on October 7. Students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter. 

Ninth grade students with disabilities who receive low incidence special education services will still receive in-person instruction with a two-hour early release on October 7. 

Contact the Student Services team at your child’s school with any questions. Learn more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS. 

October 7: Coffee with a Cop

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville

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