October 2, 2024

Neighbors,

You've probably seen the catastrophic damage that Hurricane Helene inflicted across the South.

It took its toll on Southwestern Virginia too with at least two deaths reported, 200 homes and businesses destroyed, roads and bridges damaged and many left without water and power.

Like me, you may wonder how you can help our fellow Virginians and residents in other states.

While some people fled their homes with just the clothes on their back, it’s usually most helpful to donate cash rather than clothes or other supplies, disaster recovery experts say.

Donated supplies may not be what’s most needed, require labor to organize and must be warehoused.

While cash donations may feel impersonal, money allows relief organizations on the scene to buy the things that are most needed in their community.

This is why the Virginia Department of Emergency Management recommends that you give to the United Way of Southwest Virginia disaster relief fund.

If you still wish to donate supplies, the Vienna Presbyterian Church is collecting hygiene and cleaning kits on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The church is partnering with a nonprofit on the ground that has 75 years of experience in disaster relief.

Of course, there are also many well-known, national organizations that are collecting donations to help people in multiple states, including:

• American Red Cross
• Americares
• Salvation Army

Regards,

Walter

Warming up for the 0.5k is Andy Sigle, Roberta Gosling, South Lakes Seahawks mascot, Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra and me (left-right)

It was an honor to participate in the South Lakes High School PTSA’s 0.5K fundraiser for their food pantry. Big thanks to: Roberta Gossling, the pantry’s co-founder, event MC Andy Sigle, the PTSA’s leadership Larry Howell and Ashley Kowalcy and so many others!

I joined Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Principals Carlos Seward, Katie Aldridge, Kate Beckner, Emily Cope, Brittany Rogers and former South Lakes High School Principal Kim Retzer (see photo below).

The event raised about $47,000, allowing the pantry to serve an average of 500 students and families a week with food and toiletries. The need is great. Demand for the pantry’s services has grown by more than 25% compared to last year.

While the 0.5K is over, the need for services remains, and you can still donate online.

Clean Fairfax usually asks you to help prevent and pick up trash — but the nonprofit wants you to leave the litter alone in a small section of the Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley in Tysons. The group is conducting a study in an approximately 100-foot area that’s marked with signs (like the in the photo below).

Why it Matters: This monitoring study is a required action for the county to fulfil its obligations for its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit from the state.

• This permit requires the county to prevent pollutants and trash from being discharged into our waterways.
• As part of the permit, the county must monitor “floatable” litter that’s found in designated streams and storm drain outfalls — counting, categorizing and collecting it for reporting. Floatables include trash like food and beverage containers and household items.
• Clean Fairfax conducts these quarterly monitoring studies for the county per a formal agreement.

Past Monitoring Results: Since 2017, Clean Fairfax has conducted 33 visits— and cleanups— at the study site in Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley, and it has collected more than 1,600 floatables.

• About 50% have been food and beverage items, such as plastic bottles, cans, disposable straws and cutlery, plastic bags and more.
• Another 30% are household items, which makes up the second largest category of trash collected. This includes cardboard boxes, packing material, newspapers and clothes.
• Review this interactive graph for more details.

There are also two trash cleanups that are planned in the future for this stream valley. Stay tuned for more details.

Once again, you can order free rapid COVID-19 tests by mail, and every household is eligible for up to four tests from the federal government. Order them online or by phone:

• Visit www.covidtests.gov
• Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)

Health officials say the tests will detect the latest COVID variants.

If you have older test kits at home, you still may be able to use them even after the expiration date printed on the box. Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. Check on the FDA’s list of extended expiration dates.

I recently met with Ines Nedelcovic, Rekha Dolas and Wendy Cohen from the Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance — or FIRA for short — a new grassroots, volunteer organization. It brings together homeowners, citizens and condominium associations to save trees by removing invasive plants.

Why it Matters: Homeowners associations across the county manage thousands of acres of forested areas and ponds, and by working together, these groups can help to combat invasives.

• Invasives cause both environmental and economic problems.
• They reduce biodiversity, make ecosystems less resilient to climate change and endanger species by suppressing the growth of native plants that are an important food source or habitat for insects, birds and other animals.
• They can smother and strangle trees.
• Invasives (plants, insects, animals and diseases) cause an estimated $1 billion in economic losses per year in Virginia.

What You Can Do: Consider joining FIRA like at least 36 other homeowners associations that have already done.

Invasive Spotlight: October is the best month to spot and remove Asiatic bittersweet which has beautiful golden yellow leaves and red berries in the fall. However, this aggressive vine will quickly wrap around trees, strangling and even uprooting them.

The Vienna Town Council seeks public input on funding the design and construction of an aquatics and fitness facility at the now-vacant, three-acre Annex property on Center Street. The town’s contractor delivered a final presentation with schematic concepts for an indoor recreational pool with lap lanes and a water playground and a fitness center on a second level that overlooks the pool. The facility’s construction would be funded by a temporary, 1% meals tax increase.

Residents may provide feedback by emailing the full Council at council@viennava.gov or by calling the Town Clerk’s office at 703-255-6304.

Celebrate the W&OD Trail’s 50^th Anniversary Oct. 7

Join me for a celebration of the W&OD Trail’s 50th anniversary on Monday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Vienna Red Caboose (near the train depot at 231 Dominion Road, NE). This event is hosted by NOVA Parks which has donated thousands of historic W&OD artifacts to the City of Fairfax Regional Library’s Virginia Room. We’ll be joined by my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees. See you there!

Raise a Stein at Vienna’s Oktoberfest Oct. 5.

I’ll be at Vienna's Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 5 on historic Church Street! Come see me at my booth at this annual festive town tradition that will serve up live entertainment, family fun, multinational food and a variety of beers and wine for purchase from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free. Event details.

Reduced Shakespeare Company’s History of America Oct. 5

With two shows on Saturday, the Reduced Shakespeare Company returns with 600 Years of History in 6,000 seconds! “The Complete History of America (abridged): Election Edition” will make you the life of your next party – whatever political party! Buy tickets.

Climate Crisis Forum: Green Schools for Sustainable Communities Oct 7

The Faith Alliance for Climate Action is holding this forum on Monday, Oct. 7 at Meridian High School in Falls Church — the first net zero high school in Northern Virginia. Panel discussion will feature Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and student activists. Event details.



Taste Portuguese Wines at Langley Residential’s Benefit Oct. 19

Attend Langley Residential Support Service’s Fall Tastings and Auction Benefit on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 6 - 9 p.m. You’ll help adults with developmental disabilities to live a rich, full life while enjoying an evening of Portuguese wines, craft beers, hearty hors d’oeuvres, live guitar music and more. Buy tickets.

AARP Caregiver Conference and Resource Fair Oct. 19

Caregiving can be challenging. Get help and resources at AARP and Floris United Methodist Church’s free conference and fair on Saturday, Oct. 19. The keynote speaker is Amy Goyer, author of “Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving” and expert in aging and family caregiving. Morning refreshments and complimentary lunch will be served. RSVP is required. Event details.