January 1, 2025

Neighbors,

I want to wish you a happy New Year!

As we begin 2025, I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve you, and I look forward to the coming year as we face new possibilities and challenges together.

I hope this year brings you joy, health and happiness.

Regards,

Walter

Tell our state legislators what’s on your mind before the Virginia General Assembly starts its 2025 session. Members of the Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will host their Annual Public Hearing on Saturday, Jan. 4, 9 a.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. To speak, sign up online or call the Fairfax County Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 by noon on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Ready to dispose of your natural Christmas tree? Trees will be picked up beginning in January, and here’s what to know based on who collects your trash:

• Private Collection: Your trash company is required to pick up trees (less than 8 feet tall) during the first two weeks of January. Contact them for more details.
• County Collection: Your tree will be collected between January 6 -17.
• Town of Vienna: The town will pick up trees through the month of January.

Whether you have private, county or town trash service, you must remove the lights, decorations and stand from your tree before putting it out for collection.

Disposing of an Artificial Tree

While you can put it in the trash, consider donating it instead if it’s in good condition. These are a few organizations in or near Hunter Mill District that accept artificial trees:

• Goodwill Herndon
• GreenDrop Herndon
• The Closet of Greater Herndon

Recycle Christmas Lights

Recycle them year-round at the I-66 Transfer Station or take them to any Mom’s Organic Market through Jan. 31.

In the coming days, the Fairfax County Library will publish its annual list of the most popular books, audio books and magazines that were checked out in 2024.

In the meantime, get ideas for your next read by looking at the most loaned books at other library systems across the country:

• New York City
• Philadelphia
• Chicago
• Los Angeles

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” ranked first for the New York Public Library while “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” took the top spot in Philadelphia. In LA, “The Anxious Generation” was the most borrowed nonfiction book. (These books are available at the Fairfax County Library; click on the links above to find them.)

Join our library’s Bundle Up With Books winter reading challenge that runs through Jan. 31. You’ll earn prizes like a free cookie at Potbelly or discounts at local bookstores.

Your library card gives you access to more than books and magazines. It also unlocks free movies, documentaries and TV shows on streaming service Kanopy.

Check out their most watched films and shows in 2024, including critically acclaimed films like “Past Lives,” “Hundreds of Beavers” and “Anatomy of a Fall.”

Participate in the always popular First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest. On New Year’s Day, grab your coat and camera and visit any Fairfax County Park Authority trail. Take a photo to commemorate your experience, and submit it online by noon on Thursday, Jan. 2. Win prizes in seven categories that include landscapes, people, pets and wildlife.

Take a quick survey by Jan. 8 to help guide how the county will allocate money to local nonprofits and community organizations that provide human services. Your input will be used to identify and confirm needs in our community. Established by the Board of Supervisors, the Consolidated Community Funding Pool invests money in nonprofits that strengthen the county’s ability to provide human services. The pool provides annual funding through a competitive process, and an advisory group comprised of county residents makes funding recommendations.

Buy your tickets now for The Vienna Theatre Company's winter production of Neil Simon’s “Rumors.” His play is a charming farce with lots of gags, twists, zingers and zanies, but it also borrows from Simon’s life experience to depict the challenges and comforts of married life. Performances on Jan. 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, and Feb. 1.

🧩 Participate in Reston Museum’s puzzle swap on Saturday, Jan. 4. Bring a puzzle and leave with a new one.

📽️ Watch “Hava Nagila (The Movie)” on Jan. 5 at RCC. It’s a documentary romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard.

🎵 Listen to the Yale Spizzwinks(?) on Sunday, Jan. 5 as they offer their blend of humor and music. Performing since 1914, the group bills itself as “the world's oldest underclassman a cappella group.”

💡 Stroll through Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights through Jan. 5, featuring lighted nature themes and animated displays on the half-mile paved trail. Senior discounts offered Jan. 1-5.

🩺 Save a life with this Jan. 6 class on learning how to spot the signs of a stroke which is the fourth leading cause of death for people over age 65.

🌊 Join a free, virtual talk on Jan. 8 to learn about the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s efforts to protect the Bay and save its wildlife. Hosted by the Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia.

🏮 Take in over 1,000 handmade, Chinese lanterns at the Winter Lantern Festival in Tysons through Jan. 12.