Dranesville Happenings

March 2020

 

Announcements and Upcoming Activities in and

Around the Dranesville District

 
 
 
John Foust
Dranesville District Supervisor
  
 
 
 
Contact us at:
Dranesville District Supervisor
McLean Governmental Center
1437 Balls Hill Road
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 703-356-0551
Fax: 703-821-4275
Email:  Dranesville@FairfaxCounty.gov
  
In This Issue

EVENTS

February 29: Operation Drug Prevention
Community Takes on Opioids and Drug Abuse

The Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA), the Great Falls Rotary, and Celebrate Great Falls have partnered to sponsor a special drug prevention discussion. This event is open to the public.

Opioids are the leading cause of death of people between the ages of 22-34, and only 15% of drug users successfully kick the habit. More than 80% of heroin users started with prescription opioids. Among young people, parental involvement is key to avoiding addiction. This program will address how to identify the signs of drug use and how to speak with children about it. The keynote speaker will be Dr. William Hazel, Virginia's former Secretary for Health & Human Resources. Panelists will include Dr. Barry Byers, member of the Fairfax County Opioid Taskforce, as well as a Fairfax County Public Schools Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, and a representative from the Fairfax County Police Department.

Event Details
Saturday, February 29
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Christ the King Lutheran Church
10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls

For more information, visit  https://gfca.org/event-3733879.
March 1 through 7: National Consumer Protection Week

The Fairfax County Department of Cable and Consumer Services, Consumer Affairs Branch, will be celebrating National Consumer Protection Week from March 1 through 7. National Consumer Protection Week is a national celebration of federal, state, and local agencies and organizations that provide consumer education and resources throughout the year. The Consumer Affairs Branch will host consumer education booths, presentations, and workshops during the week. In addition, the Virginia Department of Treasury Unclaimed Property Division will offer consumers an opportunity to check for unclaimed stocks, bonds, utility deposits, and more. The Consumer Affairs Branch is committed to ensuring that Fairfax County consumers have the tools and resources to understand their consumer rights and to make informed decisions. 

Visit for https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cableconsumer/csd/consumer/ncpw2020 for a complete list of upcoming events. 
March 2, March 9: Free Tax Relief Workshops

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is hosting a series of free tax relief workshops at several locations throughout the County.  Real estate and vehicle tax relief is available for older adults over 65 years of age and people with disabilities who meet certain qualifications. Staff from the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (DTA) will be on-site to assist with filling out the application form, as well as answering questions. No appointment necessary. 
 
Event Details
Monday, March 2 and Monday, March 9
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
McLean Governmental Center
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean

March 2, March 16: McLean CBC Task Force Meetings

The County has been working on a study of the McLean Commercial Business Center (CBC), more commonly known as downtown McLean. The community-driven study will be used to update the Comprehensive Plan, which will guide future planning and development, including land uses, development intensities, transportation, public facilities, and design standards.
 
The study began in June 2018 with three well-attended community workshops conducted by Streetsense, the consultant hired by the County. The community's input from these three sessions shaped the draft plans that were presented at two open houses last fall. Additional community input on the draft plans was solicited at the open houses and a meeting on the Final Vision Plan was held in December 2018.

Since then, the study's task force, which is comprised of McLean residents and civic group representatives, has been working with County staff and the community to translate this vision into recommendations for changes to the Comprehensive Plan. The task force's monthly meetings are open to the public. Details on the next task force meetings are included below. 

Event Details
Monday, March 2 and Monday, March 16
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
McLean Governmental Center
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean

In addition, a community meeting will be held on Saturday, March 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at McLean High School to update the community on the task force's work and solicit input. Additional details will be provided in a separate notice. 

Additional information about the project, task force, and future meetings is available on the project website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/mclean-cbc-study. Contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at Benjamin.Wiles@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-356-0551 for more information.
March 5: Supporting Students in a Digital World: Bridging Technology Use at Home and School

The Fairfax County Public Schools is hosting free sessions on digital learning and citizenship. In Dranesville, the Herndon Pyramid will sponsor "Supporting Students in a Digital World: Bridging Technology Use at Home and School." Participants will hear from a student panel and be able to choose from sessions on Parental Controls and Setting Expectations; Digital Balance and Well-Being; Learning with Technology; and Digital Footprint.

Event Details
Thursday, March 5
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Herndon High School
700 Bennett Street, Herndon

March 5 through April 1: MPA Annual Youth Art Shows

The McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) will celebrate Youth Arts Month by hosting two art shows featuring the work of Fairfax County Public School elementary, middle and high school students: 

Youth Art Show - McLean Pyramid
Thursday, March 5 through Saturday, March 14
Opening Exhibition Reception: Thursday, March 5, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Youth Art Show - Langley Pyramid
Thursday, March 19 through Wedn esday, April 1
Opening Exhibition Reception: Thursday, March 19, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

MPA at the McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean

For more information, visit  https://mpaart.org/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/
March 6 through 8: Tysons Library Friends Quarterly Book and Media Sale 

Join the Friends of the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library for its next quarterly book & media sales in the renovated library branch, located at 7584 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church.

Event Details
March 6, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
March 7, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
March 8, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sales feature a wide selection of books and media for all ages and interests and a $10 per bag sale/half-price sale on Sunday. Donations for the sales are welcome. Volunteers are also welcome and needed. Proceeds benefit the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library and Fairfax County Public Libraries.

For more information, email TysonsLibraryFriends@gmail.com or call 703-790-4031 or 703-338-3307.
March 7: Simple Composting for the Whole Family

Curious about composting? Learn how it can work for you and your family. 

In this family-friendly workshop, learn how your food waste and shredded office paper can save you money and enrich your property. Fairfax County Extension Agent Adria Bordas will demonstrate the basics of home composting, including how to build simple, inexpensive composters if you don't want to buy one.

Environmental educators Ivy Mitchell and Stacey Evers will entertain children in the adjacent room, providing hands-on activities with worms, worm composting, and gardening basics. Organic waste is the second largest contributor to landfills, so come find out how easy it is to be part of the solution.

Register for this workshop by March 1.

Event Details
Saturday, March 7
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Belvedere Elementary School,  Rooms 136/138
Enter at Door #2
6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church

Visit  https://bit.ly/2I5G8rH to register. Questions? Email Stacey Evers at stacey.evers@icloud.com.
March 11: 2020 Housing Challenge: A Policy Hackathon
 
To find creative affordable housing solutions, Fairfax County and the George Mason University School of Business are holding a policy hackathon, called the 2020 Housing Challenge. 

Join residents, students, housing advocates, industry professionals, and policy experts to provide solutions for enhanced home affordability, with a focus on addressing the needs of those earning low to moderate incomes, in Fairfax County. There are three focus areas:
  • Enhance public awareness and support for affordable housing
  • Engage employers and non-traditional partners to provide affordable housing
  • Facilitate faith communities to participate in the affordable housing solution
Participants will be asked to develop and present solutions to one of these three challenges, and a panel of judges will evaluate and award cash prizes to the top teams.

This event builds on the Housing Hackathon held last January. The County plans to consider all proposed solutions from this year's challenge event to advance its affordable housing efforts.

Event Details
Wednesday, March 11
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Alan and Sally Merten Hall, Room 1201
George Mason University
4441 George Mason Blvd, Fairfax

For more information and to register, visit https://nvite.com/HousingChallenge/98nrqd.  
March 11: McLean Unit of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area Meeting
 
Join the McLean Unit of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area for its March meeting. 
Event Details
Wednesday, March 11
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Star Nut Café
1445 Laughlin Ave, McLean

Visit  https://www.lwv-fairfax.org/ for more information. 
March 12: 495 NEXT Public Hearing
 
Since early 2018, VDOT has been working on its 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension project (495 NEXT), which is a 2.5-mile extension of the 495 Express Lanes north from the current terminus near the 1-495 and Dulles Access Road interchange to the vicinity of American Legion Bridge. The project proposes to install two new tolled Express Lanes in each direction to reduce congestion and improve roadway safety, provide additional travel choices, and improve travel reliability.

In early 2019, VDOT signed a nonbinding Development Framework Agreement with Transurban. Delivering the project through this public private partnership would mean that no public funding by the Commonwealth is needed to extend the Express Lanes network. If approved, the project will replace Live Oak Drive, Georgetown Pike, and Old Dominion Drive Bridges and allow for the installation of pedestrian/bike facilities along the corridor. Construction could begin as early as 2021.

In March, VDOT will hold a public hearing to present the results of the 495 NEXT environmental study and traffic analysis and solicit community input. 

Event Details
Thursday, March 12
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Langley High School
6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean

For more information, visit https://www.495northernextension.org or contact Jane Edmondson in Supervisor Foust's office at 703-356-0551 or Jane.Edmondson@fairfaxcounty.gov.
March 12: McLean Police District Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

The March McLean Police District Citizens Advisory Committee Program will focus on the Fairfax County Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program (Drones). Approved by the Board of Supervisors in May 2019, the program is designed to provide enhanced operational capability, safety, and situational awareness for first responders, staff and volunteers, affiliated partners, and the community. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/uas for more information about the program. 
 
Event Details
Thursday, March 12, 7:00 p.m.
McLean Governmental Center
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean

For more information about Citizens Advisory Committees in Fairfax County, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/getinvolved/citizenadvisorycommittee
March 14: Opportunity Neighborhoods Summit 2020
Equity in Opportunity Neighborhoods: Working together to remove barriers to youth opportunity

Join the Opportunity Neighborhoods Partners Network for the first ever "ON-wide" shared learning and networking event.  Opportunity Neighborhoods (ON) is the county-wide organizing framework for residents, community-based partners, FCPS, Fairfax County, and other supporters to work together to deliver needed resources that are equitable, accessible, and effective for vulnerable youth and their families. Partners within the scope of the Neighborhood work together to identify community needs and develop two-generation solutions. 

The ON Summit 2020 will feature an ON Sites Expo where attendees can l earn about the established and new ON sites, meet the partners at work in the sites, and enjoy light refreshments. In addition, Dr.  Joanna Shoffner Scott, founder and principal of Stamey Street Consulting Group, LLC, and a Senior Consultant with the Race Matters Institute of JustPartners, Inc. will provide the keynote. The presentation will focus on developing a shared and practical understanding of equity among ON partners, community members, and stakeholders.

RSVP by Monday, March 6 at http://bit.ly/ONSummit2020.

Event Details
Saturday, March 14
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Providence Community Center
3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax 

Limited parking is available at Providence Community Center. Additional parking is available at the Vienna Metro Station. Shuttle service from the station to the event will be available.

For more information and to RSVP, visit http://bit.ly/ONSummit2020.
March 14: Move Your Way Day

Get free admission to RECenters throughout the County with your "Move Your Way Day" flyer (download here) on Saturday, March 14. Check out the fitness room, get a tour of the RECenter, or try a class. 

Participating locations:
  • Audrey Moore RECenter | Annandale
  • Cub Run RECenter | Chantilly
  • Lee District RECenter | Franconia
  • Mount Vernon RECenter | Alexandria
  • Oak Marr RECenter | Oakton
  • Providence RECenter | Falls Church
  • South Run RECenter | Springfield
  • Spring Hill RECenter | McLean
March 14: NoVa Teen Book Festival

NoVaTEEN Book Festival has been celebrating young adult fiction in Northern Virginia for seven years. Meet amazing authors of your favorite YA books, listen to panel discussions and watch authors participate in conversations, and have your books signed.  Admission is free.

Event Details
Saturday, March 14
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
George C. Marshall High School
7731 Leesburg Pike,  Falls Church

For more information, visit www.novateenbookfestival.com
March 16: McLean Citizens Association Forum with Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand
 
Join the MCA's Education and Youth (E&Y) Committee for a forum with Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand. This event is open to the public. 

The forum will focus on the issues and concerns of McLean area students. Students' attendance is encouraged, and they will be given priority during the Q&A period.

Event Details
Monday, March 16
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean

For more information, contact Jim Beggs, MCA E&Y Committee Chair at jimbeggs@icloud.com or email info@mcleancitizens.org
March 16: Dranesville District Repaving Meetings
 
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)'s Northern Virginia Paving Program improves hundreds of miles of roads in Fairfax County every year. VDOT and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) use this program as an opportunity to increase driver, bicyclist, and pedestrian safety with road and crosswalk improvements while minimizing the financial investment in restriping work. 

FCDOT will host community meetings through the County this spring to update residents about proposed projects in each district. Two meetings will be held in Dranesville. Staff from VDOT and FCDOT will lead the discussion and answer questions. 

West Dranesville 
Monday, March 16, 6:30 p.m.
Coates Elementary School
2480 River Birch Road, Herndon

East Dranesville 
TBD

For more information, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/2020-paving-and-restriping or contact Jenny Kaplan in Supervisor Foust's office at Jennifer.Kaplan@fairfaxcounty.gov
March 17: West Falls Church Transit Station Area Task Force Meeting

Fairfax County has initiated a planning study of proposals submitted by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Virginia Tech for portions of the West Falls Church Transit Station Area. The proposals were submitted as part of the County's 2017 Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process ( https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/plan-amendments/sspa).

In January 2019, a community meeting was held which included an overview of the Fairfax County planning and review process in addition to presentations by WMATA and Virginia Tech. Since then, a task force of area residents has been working with County staff to evaluate the proposals and make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. The task force will continue to meet about once a month and will evaluate impacts relating to transportation, public facilities, schools, and the environment. The task force meetings are open to the public. The County will hold additional meetings to update the community and solicit feedback. Details for the next task force meeting are included below.

Event Details
Tuesday, March 17
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Northern Virginia Center
 7054 Haycock Road, Falls Church

Free parking will be available for meeting attendees in the Lower Lot. Attendees must take a ticket when entering the parking lot and bring it to the meeting, where it will be validated. There is an entrance to the building from the Lower Lot and directional signs will point attendees to the meeting room.

Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/plan-amendments/west-falls-church-tsa-study for more information about the study and other upcoming meetings. For more information, contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at 703-356-0551 or benjamin.wiles@fairfaxcounty.gov.
March 17: Great Falls Senior Center Event
 
The Great Falls Senior Center guest speaker for its March 17 event will be Randolph Adams, former Peace Corps Volunteer and former Deputy Director of the Office of Training and Support for Inter-America and Pacific Region working with field staff in over 26 countries. He will discuss "60 Years of the Peace Corps: What's the ROI?"
 
The event includes lunch (a $10.00 donation is suggested) and reservations are required. Contact Polly Fitzgerald at pollyfitz1@verizon.net or 703-759-4345 to RSVP. New memberships and renewal forms will be available. Membership dues are $25 per person.

Event Details
Tuesday, March 17
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
River Bend Golf & Country Club
375 Walker Road, Great Falls  

For more information about the GFSC, visit https://greatfallsseniorcentergfsc.wildapricot.org.
March 17: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
An education program presented by the Alzheimer's Association
 
At any age, there are lifestyle habits that can help maintain or even potentially improve our health. These habits may also help to keep our brains healthy as we age and possibly delay the onset of cognitive decline.
 
To help people age well, the Alzheimer's Association is offering the Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research program. This workshop covers four areas of lifestyle habits that are associated with healthy aging:
  • Cognitive activity.
  • Physical health and exercise.
  • Diet and nutrition.
  • Social engagement.  
T he Alzheimer's Association will discuss current research, as well as steps to take now to improve or maintain overall health in each area.

For more information, contact the Alzheimer's Association at info@alz.org or 800-272-3900
Event Details
Tuesday, March 17
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean

Visit https://bit.ly/2I8DEss for more information and to register online. 
March 18: McLean Planning Committee Meeting
 
The McLean Planning Committee (MPC) participates in the planning process for the downtown McLean area to ensure that it is in line with the vision for the McLean Community Business Center (CBC) and serves as a representative forum for discussion, decision making, and consensus building.

The MPC works closely with the office of Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization, and other County agencies to advocate conformance with the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinances, the McLean CBC Design Standards, and County revitalization goals.  

The MPC meets on the third Wednesday of each month. These meetings are open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend. 

Event Details
Wednesday, March 18
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean
 
For more information, visit https://mcleanplanning.org/.
March 18: Dranesville District Budget Public Meeting - Great Falls Area

Each year, Supervisor Foust partners with citizen groups to host public meetings in Dranesville to discuss the Advertised Budget. Again this year, Supervisor Foust will partner with the Great Falls Citizens Association. 

Event Details
Wednesday, March 18, 7:00 p.m.
Great Falls Library
9830 Georgetown Pike

For a complete list of FY 2020 budget town hall meetings throughout the County, visit  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/fy-2020-budget-town-hall-meetings and for  more information on the County budget, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/ .  
March 21: Friends of Riverbend Park Annual Native Plant Sale - Last Day to Preorder

Native plants, ferns, and shrubs may be pre-ordered online through March 21 on Friends of Riverbend Park (FORB)'s website at www.forb.wildapricot.org/Native-Plant-Sale and picked up at the Outdoor Classroom on Friday, April 24, the day before the sale to the general public (April 25).

Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/native-plant-sale-preorder for more information and to place your order.  
March 21: Spring Equinox at Turner Farm Park

During this special Spring Equinox event, the Analemma Society will open the Roll-Top Observatory at Turner Farm Park to the public. Analemma members will demonstrate the path of the sun's shadow, help you observe the sun with solar telescopes that protect the eyes, and uncover the Jamestown sundial to glimpse the time. No fees or registration necessary. The event is weather dependent. Check @AnalemmaSociety for updates prior to the event.

Event Details
Saturday, March 21
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Turner Farm Park
925 Springvale Road, Great Falls
March 26: Spring Hill Road and Lewinsville Road Intersection Community Meeting

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold a public meeting to update the community on a preferred alternative for improving the intersection of  Spring  Hill Road and  Lewinsville Road in McLean. Prior meetings were held in May 2018 and June 2019. 

Event Details
Thursday, March 26, 7:00 p.m.
Spring Hill Elementary School
8201 Lewinsville Road, McLean

For more information about the project, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/study/spring-hill-lewinsville-road, or contact Jane Edmondson in Supervisor Foust's office at Jane.Edmondson@fairfaxcounty.gov.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Assistance for Senior Transportation

Do you know a senior needing assistance to get to important medical appointments, to the grocery store, or for other reasons? It could be someone who no longer drives, who can't drive at certain times of the day, or who temporarily cannot drive. There are three organizations across the Dranesville District which provide free rides for seniors in need of such assistance: 

Great Falls: The Shepherd's Center of Great Falls - https://thescgf.org/ - 703-586-9696
Herndon: The Herndon Village Network - https://herndonvillagenetwork.org/ - 703-375-9439
McLean: The Shepherd's Center of McLean - http://scmafc.org/ - 703-506-2199
Free Document Shredding for Fairfax County Residents
2020 Document Shredding Event Schedule

Protect yourself from identity theft by destroying sensitive documents such as old tax forms, sales receipts, and other financial records that contain private information. Fairfax County's Solid Waste Management Program runs shredding events throughout the County, where residents may securely shred up to four medium-size boxes of documents.  These events are only open to Fairfax County residents, including residents of the Towns of Vienna, Herndon and Clifton and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. 

Documents from businesses will not be accepted. Other items that will not be accepted are listed online at  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/document-shredding.

Shredding events start at 7:00 a.m. and conclude at 11:00 a.m. All cars must be in line by 11:00 a.m. These are drive-through events and residents will be asked to remain in their vehicles. 

Date Location Address District
March 21, 2020
Gerry Hyland Government Center
8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria 22309
Lee
April 4, 2020
Sully District Government Center
4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly 20151
Sully
April 18, 2020
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax 22035
Braddock
May 23, 2020
I-95 Landfill Complex
9850 Furnace Road, Lorton 22079
Mount Vernon
June 20, 2020
Langley High School 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean 22101
Dranesville
July 11, 2020
Kilmer Middle School
8100 Wolftrap Road, Vienna 22182
Providence
August 15, 2020
Mason District Government Center
6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale 22003 Mason
September 26, 2020
North County Human Services
1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston 20190
Hunter Mill
October 17, 2020
Rolling Valley Park and Ride
9220 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield 22015
Springfield

Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Seedling Sale

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is currently accepting orders for its annual seedling sale, which offers a low-cost source of native trees and shrubs for Fairfax County residents. 

All seedlings are native to Northern Virginia and were selected with advice from the Fairfax County Urban Forestry Management Division and Virginia Department of Forestry.  

Two packages are available:
  • Super Shrubs and Tiny Trees is offered for $15 and includes two each of the following species: Silky Dogwood, Smooth Sumac, Common Buttonbush, and Eastern Redbud.
  • Space Savers sells for $15 and includes two each of the following: Beautyberry, Mapleleaf Viburnum, Aromatic Sumac, and New Jersey Tea.
Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/native-seedling-sale to learn more about these plants and view photographs of the selections.
Low-Cost Rabies Clinics

Rabies is a deadly virus spread through saliva, and most often transmitted through bites by an infected animal. There is no cure for rabies. You can protect your pet against this virus by having them vaccinated against rabies, and Virginia state law and Fairfax County ordinances requires that dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated against rabies.
 
Tips to reduce your risk of exposure to the rabies virus:
  • Get your pets vaccinated against rabies and keep current on their revaccinations.
  • Stay away from wildlife, and keep children and pets away from wildlife.
  • Always walk your dogs on a leash to keep them from running after wildlife.
  • Deter wildlife from coming into your yard by eliminating possible food sources and keeping trash can lids tightly closed.
  • Do not keep wild animals as pets.
  • Report any strange behavior by wildlife or any bites by wildlife to the Animal Protection Police by calling 703-691-2131.
  • If you are bitten by a wild animal or stray dog or cat, wash the wound immediately, seek medical attention, and report the incident to Animal Protection Police by calling 703-691-2131. 
2020 Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic Schedule

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter holds low-cost rabies vaccination clinics throughout the year, at locations around Fairfax County. The 2020 clinic schedule is below:

Sunday, March 8, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
     Mason District Governmental Center
     6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale 

Sunday, April 5,  9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
     Fairfax County Animal Shelter
     4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax 

Sunday, May 3,  12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
     Mount Vernon Governmental Center
     2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria

Sunday, June 7, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
     Fairfax County Animal Shelter
     4500 West Ox Rd, Fairfax 

Sunday, September 13,  9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
     Sully District Governmental Center
     4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly 

Sunday, November 15,  9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
     Fairfax County Animal Shelter
     4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax 

Sunday, December 6,  12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
     West Springfield Governmental Center
     6140 Rolling Road, Springfield
 
Clinic reminders:
  • Cost is $15 per pet, cash and check only.
  • Dogs, cats, and ferrets may be vaccinated at the clinic.
  • Dogs must be on leashes; cats and ferrets must be in carriers.
  • All pets will receive a 1-year rabies vaccination. To obtain a 3-year vaccine, bring your pet's rabies certificate (not tag) showing the current rabies vaccination expiration date.
  • 2020 County dog licenses will be sold for an additional $10 per license.
Volunteer Opportunities and Events
County Division of Adult and Aging Services

Meaningful volunteer opportunities and events are available to improve the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities in Fairfax County. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities in Fairfax County, visit http://fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and follow the link to "Volunteer Solutions" or call 703-324-5406, TTY 711.
 
Events
  
Fairfax County's free Family Caregiver Telephone Support Group will meet by phone on Tuesday, March 10 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The topic of the February discussion is Prevention and Problem Solving. Caregivers face various and ongoing crises and challenges and feel overwhelmed. Join this session to discuss how to use problem solving and prevention techniques to avoid the crisis trap. To register, visit https://bit.ly/2JdLNLw

Fairfax County is offering a free Webinar for Family Caregivers on Wednesday, March 11, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The program topic is " Nutrition for Healthy Aging - Considerations for Caregivers." Participants will learn nutrient requirements for older adults, healthy meal planning, and how to help your loved ones receive the nutrition they need for healthy aging. To register, visit https://bit.ly/1h3TTQq.

Podcasts and Videos and Other Resources
Volunteer Opportunities

Visit https://bit.ly/2HTFVcZ to search for volunteer opportunities throughout Fairfax County.

For these and other volunteer opportunities, email VolunteerSolutions@FairfaxCounty.gov, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm. 
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call the Dranesville District office at 703-356-0551, TTY 711.
If you would like your community announcement included in the Dranesville Happenings please send an email to Dranesville@FairfaxCounty.gov.