October 12, 2022
Dear Neighbor,

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a public, community and public health issue with widespread effects that impacts all parts of our community. We can prevent domestic violence across our community by addressing the root causes of the problem. We can eliminate attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, environments and policies that contribute to domestic violence and promote strategies that stop it. Together, we can reduce our acceptance and tolerance of violence, and reject norms, practices and policies that place girls and women at increased risk. The Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-hour Hotline (703-360-7273) is here for you if you or someone you care about is experiencing violence in a relationship.

October is also National Pedestrian Safety Month. While pedestrian safety is important to us every day of the year, the goal is to increase awareness about pedestrian safety and to remind drivers, walkers, and bicyclists that staying safe is a shared responsibility. We recently launched the "Take a Moment" Campaign which is a countywide program dedicated to improving pedestrian and bicycle safety by asking everyone to pause and be aware of your surroundings at all times when driving, walking, or biking. It will take all of us doing our part to reduce and eliminate traffic injuries and deaths, but we can achieve this together.

At Tuesday's meeting, I was proud to present a proclamation, alongside Chairman McKay, to designate September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Fairfax County. As the first Latina on this Board, it fills me with great joy to see and support the invaluable work of our nonprofit organizations that benefit our Hispanic American and other immigrant communities to make sure that Fairfax is a place where everyone can live, work, play and thrive. You can read the full Board meeting highlights below.

Lastly, I want to invite you to tune in to the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra as they present Brahms & Sibelius with renowned pianist Jeremy Denk on October 15 at Capital One Hall. Big thanks to Maestro Chris Zimmerman, I am all set to make my conducting debut! Hope to see you there!
Supervisor Palchik with Maestro Chris Zimmerman.
You can read about the following Providence District updates:
  • Elections Information
  • Board Meeting Highlights
  • Hypothermia Prevention Program
  • Proposed Affordable Housing Preservation Comprehensive Plan Policy
  • Green Corner
  • Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion & Equality Awards
  • Upcoming Events

With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
Elections Information
Early Voting for November 8 Congressional Midterm Elections is underway. Currently, the following locations are open for early voting on weekdays until October 27:

An additional 13 early voting locations will be offered beginning October 27 including the Providence Community Center and Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library. Weekday voting hours at these locations will be from 1pm to 7pm.

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 17. You may register or check on your registration status here.
Board Meeting Highlights
The Board designated September 15-October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
At Tuesday's meeting, the Board recognized the members of the Longfellow Middle School Quiz Bowl team for their outstanding accomplishments and designated October 9-15, 2022 as Fire Prevention Week.

The Board also designated September 15-October 15, 2022 as Hispanic Heritage Month. I am honored, as the first Latina on this Board, to have presented this proclamation alongside Chairman McKay to several nonprofit organizations that support our Hispanic American community and partner with the County to make sure that Fairfax is a place where everyone can live, work, play and thrive.

A public hearing was held on the County and Schools' FY 2022 Carryover Review to amend the appropriation level in the FY 2023 revised budget plan.

I presented the following Board Matters:

The Board approved the following Administrative and Action Items:
  • Installation of “Watch for Children” signs as Part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program on Lakevale Drive
  • Authorization to Execute an Agreement with Capital One Bank (USA), NA, Capital One Tysons Block C Owner, LLC, 1750 Old Meadow, LLC, 1820 Dolley Madison, LLC, SCG Development Partners, LLC, and the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, associated with development of Somos at McLean Metro, McLean, Virginia

The Board held public hearings and approved the following:
  • Appletree Montessori, LLC to permit a Childcare Center
  • Clark Construction Group, LLC to permit a waiver of the sign regulations for an increase in sign area
  • Somos at Tysons LLC to rezone to permit mixed-use multi-family residential development
  • Proposed amendments to Chapter 61 (Building Provisions) and Appendix Q (Land Development Services Fee Schedule) of the Fairfax County Code regarding elimination of the fee for installation of electric vehicle charging equipment for a trial period of 18 months

The Board recognized the A. Heath Onthank Awards recipients.
Hypothermia Prevention Program
Since 2005, the Fairfax County Hypothermia Prevention Program has prevented death and serious injuries among people experiencing homelessness by ensuring that no one sleeps outside during the winter months. This program - available to any adult in need of immediate shelter - provides warm shelter, food, and other supportive services to help connect guests to a variety of basic needs such as clothing, employment, housing, and more. It remains a highly effective partnership between government, nonprofits, and the faith community. The program will open every day, countywide on December 1, 2022, and ends the morning of April 1, 2023.

Overflow shelter capacity in the year-round adult shelters will be available each night starting November 15, 2022. Before that date and after April 1, the shelters activate overflow capacity during extreme weather events and unseasonably high or low temperatures. Overflow shelter capacity is limited.

Proposed Affordable Housing Preservation Comprehensive Plan Policy
Do you have thoughts on the county’s new, proposed Affordable Housing Preservation Comprehensive Plan policy? If so, remember to submit your comments by 4:30pm on October 28.The proposed policy was drafted to help preserve existing affordable rental housing, throughout the County and seeks one-for-one replacement of existing affordable units in locations where redevelopment occurs.

We encourage you to review the proposed Affordable Housing Preservation policy and submit your feedback through the online comment form. For more information, visit the plan amendment policy webpage.
Green Corner
Vacuum Leaf Collection
Vacuum leaf collection will begin on October 31 and end in mid-January 2023, weather permitting.
 
Customers can:
Virginia Conservation Assistance Program
The Virginia Conservation Assistance
Program (VCAP) provides financial,
technical and educational assistance
to property owners installing eligible stormwater control practices. These practices can be installed in areas of your yard where problems like erosion, poor drainage, or poor vegetation occur. More information can be found online.
Pitch and Pilot
Fairfax County Innovation Challenge is seeking teams to produce high-impact solutions to address carbon neutrality and clean energy in Fairfax County. The goal of the Challenge is to find, and ultimately pilot, innovative solutions that improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable electricity, or accelerate the use of electric vehicles. All teams—from college students and start-ups to entrepreneurs and technologists—are welcome to apply.
A panel of smart city experts will assess each entry based on the significance of innovation; regional impact; practicality and scalability; and equity and inclusivity of their solution. The winning team will have an opportunity to pilot their solution in Fairfax County, Virginia’s largest county. The pilot opened with a team Q & A session on September 15th and closes on October 19th with a live pitch event.

Questions? Email Fairfaxinnovates@gmail.com
Transportation Updates
Better Bus Outreach Events
Metro is going on the road with Better Bus, a new initiative to rethink, redesign, and revitalize bus service. In a bold inaugural effort to redesign the current bus network, Metro is holding events across the region to hear from customers and the community. Together with Metro, customers will shape the future of bus service.

The bus network redesign is just the beginning of a reimagined Metro that better serves the needs of customers, including the transition to zero-emission buses, construction of all-electric bus garages, priority bus lanes and signals, bus stop and shelter improvements, and ensures equity of service across communities. 

This month, Metro launched the first phase of community-focused outreach, including approximately two dozen public events over five weeks and an online survey

The initiative will provide the opportunity to reassess regional travel patterns, how frequent buses come and create a more equitable transit network that serves our communities, such as the needs of essential workers. This includes coordinating service with bus priority investments—like bus lanes and transit signal priority—across the region.

Everyone in the region is encouraged to provide feedback online and at public events – regardless of whether they are an existing bus customer – to help shape a new, Better Bus network.

Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards
Do you know an individual or organization that excels in providing equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area? Nominate them for the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board's 2022 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards!

Nominations are due BEFORE 5 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022.

Three Possible Awards Categories:
  • Individual: Individual whose work has benefited the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
  • Group: A business, non-profit, or organization that has worked to benefit the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
  • Self-Advocate: Individual who has been a strong self-advocate or worked to better the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
  • Nominees may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or organization. Awards may or may not be awarded for each category, dependent on nominations received.

Requirements:
  • Demonstration of a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax or Falls Church.
  • Demonstration of how people with disabilities have significantly benefitted from their efforts.

Upcoming Events
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Jeremy Denk - Brahms & Sibelius
The Fairfax Symphony will kick off its 65th Anniversary season this Saturday, October 15 at 8pm at Capital One Hall. For more details and to purchase tickets, click here.

I am excited to share that I will be attending as a guest conductor! You may view a sneak peak of my training session with Maestro Chris Zimmerman here.
Fall Festival at Tysons Corner Center
The Tysons Corner Center will be hosting a FREE Fall Festival on The Plaza on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16 from 10am to 6pm. This is a family and pet-friendly event. Pets are allowed on The Plaza. No pets are allowed in the mall.

This free family-friendly event includes:
  • 🎃 Live pumpkin carving demonstrations
  • 🎶 Live music
  • 🍻 Barrel & Bushel Beer Garden
  • 🍷 Season52 Wine Tent and food pairings
  • 🎟 Puppet Show (10/15 1-4PM)
  • 🌽 Kids Corn Maze Bounce House (Sunday Only)
  • 🎨 Face painting
  • 📸 Photo booth
  • 🛍 Vendors and more!

RSVP to enter to win giveaways and prizes from Tysons Corner Center.
2022 FCPD K9 Krawl 5K
Join the Victim Services Division of the Fairfax County Police Department for their 15th Annual K9 Krawll! Bring your canines on Saturday, October 15 at 9am to the Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters for a walk to bring awareness to the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty. This yearly walk also helps honor victims past and present, with paws and with feet.

AARP Retirement Planning Webinar
Join AARP Virginia for their "Retirement Planning: Strategies for Today and Tomorrow" webinar on Tuesday, October 18 at 7pm. Take charge of your financial future! Retirement planning doesn’t have to be daunting. Learn tips for determining if you are on track to meet your nest-egg goals and practical strategies to help you achieve peace of mind. This event is FREE, but registration is REQUIRED.

The free webinar will cover how you can
  • Identify resources that allow you to estimate your retirement income 
  • Determine the amount of savings you will need for retirement 
  • Recognize strategies to close the savings gap

Stop the Bleed Workshop
Inova is offering a free Stop the Bleed workshop at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus on October 19 from 6pm to 7:30pm 

The #StopTheBleed course is designed for community members, so you can be prepared if you ever find yourself at the scene of an emergency. Join this in-person skills training workshop to learn the difference between bleeding and life-threatening blood loss, and how to react to both. 

Northern Virginia Recreational Trails Summit
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) will host a Northern Virginia Recreational Trails Summit on Thursday, October 20 from 10am to 2:30pm at 3040 Williams Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax VA 22031. This will be a working meeting to identify opportunities to create connections and improve communities through recreational trails in Northern Virginia.

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission and partner organizations invite all interested jurisdictions and organizations to partner and share thoughts and ideas on how to improve our communities through the coordination and development of trails and parks. Space is limited, so please register early!

West Falls Church Active Transportation Community Meetings
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has rescheduled two community meetings - one in person and one virtual - to present updates on the West Falls Church (WFC) Active Transportation Study. The meetings that had been scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3 and Tuesday, Oct. 4 have been moved to Wednesday, October 26 at 7:30pm (virtual) and Thursday, October 27 at 7pm (in person at Longfellow Middle School Cafeteria).

The study focuses on improving active transportation within 2 miles of the West Falls Church Metrorail Station. The WFC Active Transportation Advisory Group has been working diligently on the study. The public meetings will give attendees the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the Advisory Group’s recommendations.

Community Day at the Providence Community Center
You are invited to the Providence Community Day on Saturday, October 29 from 11am to 3pm to enjoy food, games, cake walk, photobooth, pumpkin painting, and more!

The doors to the Providence Haunted House will be wide open from 2pm to 6pm so get ready to be spooked! Entry fee will be a canned or non-perishable donation. An adult must accompany children younger than 12 years old.

For more details, call 703-865-0520.
Halloweekend at The Perch
Calling all Halloween fans! Mark your calendar for Halloweekend at The Perch on October 29 — costume party featuring live music and seasonal beverages at Starr Hill Tysons, spooky golf at Perch Putt, pumpkin painting, adoptable dogs, Hocus Pocus on the big screen and more!

Guests are encouraged to bring their furry besties in costumes and meet Lucky Dog Animal Rescue adoptable pups. Family-centric activities run from 12pm to 6pm & once the sun sets the ghostly vibes and spooky characters come out! Prizes will be awarded during their costume contests.

Halloween at The PARC
Celebrate Halloween on Halloween at The PARC at Tysons from 4pm to 7pm! Dress up and get in the spirit. Face painting, balloon twisting, mad science activities, and of course candy and other treats!

This event is free to attend and has family-friendly programming! Parking available on-site.

History Commission Conference
Please join the History Commission for the 18th annual Fairfax County History Conference - We Are Fairfax County - on Saturday, November 5, from 8:30am to 3:30pm.

This theme will continue with the second of a four-part conference series – this year focusing on the immigrants of the early 20th century and the continued contributions of the African-American community. This will be focusing on German, Irish, Jewish and Italian heritage immigrants – the contributions they each have left on the fabric of this great county. This year's conference will be hybrid with the option of attending either in person or viewing the conference on Fairfax County Channel 16 television.

George Mason University Fall Sports
Crisp fall days and Mason’s fall sporting events have returned. Mason Nation can cheer on the Patriots in a variety of sports this fall: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, cross country, golf, and men’s and women’s tennis.

National Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, October 29 is National Drug Take Back Day! Safely dispose of your unused or expired medications at any of the locations below between 10am and 2pm. 

  • Tysons Emergency – 8240 Leesburg Pike, Vienna 
  • Mason District Station – 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale 
  • Fair Oaks District Station – 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax 

This initiative, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, educates our community about the potential for abuse of prescription medications while providing a safe, convenient, and responsible means for disposing of unused and expired medication. 

Pre-holiday Pottery Sale at NOVA Annandale
You'll find bargain prices on unique ceramic pieces at NOVA's Pottery sale on Wednesday, November 9 at the Annandale Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College, on the patio outside the CA Building main level, 9:30am to 3pm

Everything is handcrafted by students or faculty at the college and all proceeds benefit NOVA's ceramics program. Come early for the best selection!
Contact Us
We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello. Please feel free to email us with events you would like to be included in my newsletter.

Office Phone: (703) 560-6946 | Email: Providence@fairfaxcounty.gov