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June 25, 2025

Neighbors,

Mark your calendars! The free summer entertainment series Hunter Mill Melodies returns next week.

You can enjoy concerts Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. from July 3 through August 14 at Frying Pan Farm Park Kidwell Farm. This series will present a wide variety of musical acts from across the country and the world.

Hunter Mill Melodies also offers family friendly entertainment with children’s performances on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor’s Center.

Here’s the line up for next week:



• Wednesday, July 2: Marsha and the Positrons, which the Washington Post dubbed one of the D.C. area’s “most creative and distinct” children’s musicians, will sing fun songs about science.
• Thursday, July 3: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen will perform their Grammy-nominated bluegrass music with pile-driving rhythms and bold vocals.

Future Thursday night concerts are as follows, and you can find more details about the children’s entertainment series online:

• July 10 Memphis Gold
• July 17 The Porch Delights
• July 24 Lua Project
• July 31 Steven Bundick
• Aug. 7 Speidel, Goodrich & Goggin
• Aug. 14 The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”

Come early for a picnic in the park, visit with the farm animals, and then set up your blanket or chair to enjoy the show.

Because these are outdoor concerts, they may be canceled due to weather. To check for cancelations, call the Fairfax County Park Authority’s inclement weather hotline at 571-202-SHOW (7469) one hour before the program’s start time.

See you there!

Regards,

Walter

• Board of Supervisors Update
• Heat Safety Tips
• Cooling Assistance for Seniors
• Metro Offers Longer Hours and More Service
• Police Civilian Review Panel Meeting
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday June 24. You can watch the meeting and review the agenda and package.

Recognizing Juneteenth

Although Juneteenth was last week, we recognized this significant holiday with a proclamation presented to Alma Amaker, a retired Fairfax County Public School teacher with 50 years of experience. (See photo above.) She recounted the “big change” when Fairfax County integrated the schools in 1965. This was not so long ago (at least not to me), and we should all do more to know and appreciate our local history. It’s sobering to realize school desegregation occurred 100 years after the end of the Civil War and Juneteenth, and it’s a reminder that we must continue to advance our One Fairfax policy for racial and social equity as we strive towards a more perfect union.

Approved a $460 Million School Bond Referendum

The Board approved a $460 million school bond referendum for the Nov. 4 general election, requesting the Circuit Court to issue the order for the referendum. If approved by voters, the bond would be used to fund construction and renovation projects in the Fairfax County Public Schools Adopted 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program. (The referendum includes the full cost for the construction and renovation projects proposed for funding.)

This referendum fulfills the county’s commitment to increase the amount of bond funds dedicated to schools to $230 million per year. (The referendum amount approved for the Nov. 4 ballot covers two years of bond sales — or $460 million.)

Recognizing the need for more money for school construction and renovations, the county and schools jointly agreed four years ago to increase the bond sale amounts. The Joint Board of Supervisors and School Board Capital Improvement Program Committee recommended increasing the previous $180 million limit to the $230 million target in their 2021 report.

New Reston Voting Precinct Public Hearing Postponed

Originally advertised for yesterday, the public hearing to create a new voting precinct in Reston called Reston #4 was postponed, along with the precinct and polling place changes proposed in the Dranesville and Sully Districts.

Election officials requested the delay due to the Sept. 9 special election to fill the vacant 11th Congressional District seat following Rep. Gerry Connolly’s passing. Given the date for this special election, there’s likely insufficient time for the Virginia Attorney General to review the changes — a process that takes up to 60 days — that would affect voters in this congressional district. Furthermore, officials said they also likely wouldn’t be able to meet the 30-day requirement to notify voters about the changes nor prepare absentee ballots 45 days before the special election.

While a new public hearing date hasn’t been scheduled, it’s anticipated that this and potentially other precinct changes will occur in early 2026.

County Traffic and Motor Vehicle Laws Updated

Following a public hearing, the Board adopted changes to the county code to reflect new state laws that take effect July 1.

Increased Penalties for Injuring Pedestrians

While the Virginia law already requires drivers to stop for pedestrians, it’s now a traffic infraction for failing to stop for one. Drivers that cause serious bodily injury or the death of a vulnerable road user will now be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. If convicted, they will face up to 12 months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines or both.

Thanks to Virginia State Senator Adam Ebbin for sponsoring this new law to help protect pedestrians!

Exhibition Driving Now Considered Reckless Driving

As you may have seen in the news, there have been incidents of street takeovers and races like this reckless one between a Lamborghini and Cybertruck on Route 7 in Tysons last fall.

The law now expands reckless driving to include “exhibition driving,” defined as performing burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, street racing and illegal street takeovers. Not only is exhibition driving prohibited on public streets, but also it’s banned on the driveways and premises of churches, schools, recreation centers and businesses open to the public (unless permitted by property owners).

Under the law, exhibition driving and street takeovers would be a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine. The same penalties would apply for anyone who aids or abets exhibition driving. Drivers also would have their cars impounded for 20 days upon their arrest, and if convicted, their driver’s license would be suspended for up to six months.

This new law was a priority in the Board’s General Assembly legislative agenda, and thanks to Virginia Delegate David Bulova for sponsoring it, along with Delegates Dan Helmer, Vivian Watts, Mark Sickles and Kathy Tran.

Heat Safety Tips

With the official start of summer this past Friday, we’re already off to a scorching start for the season.

While everyone is affected by extreme heat, older adults are more prone to heat-related illness and death. This is due to natural changes from aging and greater use of medicines like blood pressure drugs that can make it harder to cool down. Older adults — even healthy ones — have a decreased ability to sense when it’s too hot or if they’re dehydrated, according to studies.

Follow these tips to stay cool:



• Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Stay inside and out of the heat if possible. Save the yard work for another day or time.
• Visit indoor locations during operating hours to stay cool.
• Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including sudden dizziness, cramps and swelling in your legs and ankles. Heat stroke is an emergency, so call or text 9-1-1.
• Visit a community center, library or human services building if you need a break from the heat. Find the complete list of these designated cooling centers online.

Heat Safety Tips for Pets

Don’t forget your pets can suffer from heat exhaustion and stroke too. Watch for these early signs that include:

• Heavy, excessive panting
• Thick, ropey drool
• Bright red gums and tongue
• Incoordination, lethargy and confusion

New research finds that the quickest and simplest way to cool down your dog is to get them to voluntarily dunk their head in water. While easier said than done, this technique is effective because during heat stress a dog’s blood flow increases to its head, nose, ears and tongue.

Do you know a senior or young child in need of cooling assistance? Fairfax County offers help through its Cooling Assistance program that can provide:

• Payment of electric bills to operate cooling equipment.
• Payment of security deposits for electricity to operate cooling equipment for accounts in danger of being disconnected or when a deposit is needed to begin service.
• Repair of a central air conditioning system or heat pump.
• Purchase of a whole-house fan, including ceiling or attic fans when there is no other working cooling equipment in the home.
• Purchase and installation, or self-pick-up, of one air conditioning unit (window or portable) for households when there is no other working cooling equipment in the home.

To be eligible, at least one household member must be:

• Age 60 or older
• Age 5 or younger
• Disabled

Applications for cooling assistance will be accepted until August 15. Call 703-324-7948 for more information including how to apply.

Metro rolled out a series of service improvements this week that includes:

• Longer weekend hours: Metrorail will open one hour earlier at 6 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and it will close an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays at 2 a.m.
• More Silver Line Service: During weekday rush hours, additional Silver Line trains will run from Wiehle-Reston East to New Carrollton in the morning and from Stadium-Armory to Wiehle-Reston East in the afternoon.
• Split Silver Line Service: Every other Silver Line train now runs to New Carrollton instead of Downtown Largo. This means that half of Silver Line trains operate between Ashburn and Downtown Largo while the other half operate between Ashburn and New Carrollton. So, check your destination before boarding, especially on eastbound trains.
• New Metrorail Map: There’s a new map to reflect these changes. For the Silver Line, a hashed line indicates the new split service.

The panel will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, July 10 at 7 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center (across from the Reston Regional Library.) This is an opportunity for public comment. To speak, sign up by email.

The nine-member panel reviews certain Fairfax County Police Department investigations to ensure their accuracy, completeness, thoroughness, objectivity and impartiality. The panel is appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and it reports directly to them.

What's News in Vienna

Summer on the Green Concert on Friday

The Vienna Town Green is the place to be all summer long for free entertainment. Keep the kids engaged on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. during Kids on the Green. Then bring the whole family out on Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. for Summer on the Green concerts. The country and rock band The Coozies will be performing this Friday.

Reading for Democracy

Celebrate and honor Independence Day and Liberty Amendments Month with Vienna’s round-robin reading of the foundational documents of American democracy! You’re invited to attend and participate in this event on Friday, July 4 at 11 a.m. at the Vienna Community Center.

🎵 Listen to blues and roots band Bad Influence at Lake Anne Plaza tonight.

✈️ Get ready for your summer travels by signing up for TSA Precheck at this pop-up enrollment event at Reston Town Center from June 25-26.

❓ Play trivia at Lake Anne Brewhouse on June 26.

🎵 Get into the rhythm with Latin pop rock band Ocho de Bastos on June 26 at Halley Rise.

🎥 Watch Kung Fu Panda 4 poolside at Lake Newport Pool on June 26.

🎺 Listen to trombonist Jennifer Krupa (who’s also a member of the U.S. Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble) on June 27 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎸 Enjoy R&B, Motown and Southern Soul band The Tribe on June 27 at Reston Station.

🤣 Get ready to laugh for a good cause during Laughter to Uplift! on June 28 at Beloved Yoga.

🏃🏼‍♀️ Take a family friendly 5K or 1-mile fun run at Lake Fairfax Park on June 28.

🎸 Go back in time when The Reflex: The DMV’s Ultimate 80s Tribute Band plays on June 28 at Reston Town Center.

🏳️‍🌈 Celebrate HerndonPRIDE with music, art, food, mocktails and community on June 28.

🎼 Listen to favorite tunes from musicals during Broadway in the Park at Wolf Trap on June 28.

🧶Cast on at the Sip, Stitch and Yarn Exchange at the Elden Street Tea House on June 28.

🎵 Be inspired by classical to contemporary harp music performed by the Shenandoah Conservatory on June 28 at Reston Town Square Park.

🖼️ Visit Matriculture an exhibit at the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art through June 28.

🎆 Watch the fireworks at Lake Fairfax Park on June 29.

🧘 Take a free mobility and agility class with Rehab2Perform on July 1 at Reston Town Center.



Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.