September 11, 2024

Neighbors,

It was a pleasure to attend the Just Cats Clinic 10th anniversary open house at Lake Anne last weekend.

I joined Dr. Elizabeth Chapman and her dedicated team for the festivities. The clinic is a special place that exclusively focuses on felines, and Dr. Elizabeth took me on a tour to show me how the clinic’s design helps keep its patients calm and comfortable.

The clinic provides more than just veterinary care, however. It’s also opened up its former location on Lake Anne Plaza to shelter cats for adoption, working with the Reston-based Feline Foundation of Greater Washington.

Of course, there are also many cats at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter looking for new homes, including the beautiful tuxedo-cat Monopoly or affectionate tabby Lana Naomi.

If you don’t want to make a visit to the vet, the Animal Shelter also offers low-cost rabies vaccination and microchipping clinics for cats and dogs. No appointments are necessary, and microchipping is one of the best ways to ensure you’re reunited with a lost furry family member. Cats who are microchipped are 20 times more likely to be reunited with their families, according to research.

Our Animal Shelter offers many other services for pet parents too, including a pet pantry, low-cost spay and neutering and a pet haven. I encourage you to visit the shelter if you’re looking for new animal companion or take advantage of their many services.



Regards,

Walter

Removing Racial Covenants

I co-sponsored a board matter to remove old racial covenants from county government land. While these covenants were nullified by both federal and state laws more than 50 years ago, it’s still important that we remove them to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion and equity, as well as correct this discriminatory legacy. Based on research already conducted by University of Mary Washington Professor Krystyn Moon, we know these now-illegal covenants exist on some Fairfax County properties, and the county attorneys will begin a review of more than 730 deeds to find others.

Reston’s founding principles were based on the values of inclusion and respect for people without regard to race, creed, religion or gender. But racial covenants existed in some locations in Hunter Mill District, according to Dr. Moon’s research. In fact, she documented properties with these covenants across Northern Virginia in an online map.

Oct. 22 Public Hearing on Code Changes to Prevent Predatory Towing

If ultimately approved by the Board of Supervisors, apartment and condo building residents will get 48-hours notice before their cars are towed for an expired registration or vehicle inspection sticker. Yesterday, the Board approved advertising an Oct. 22 public hearing on this change to the county’s code, incorporating a state law passed in April. The changes require that towing companies:

• Post a written, dated notice on the vehicle that includes the date when the vehicle will be towed
• Give the landlord a copy of this notice
• Leave the vehicle in place until 48 hours after the notice has been posted

Tow operators that don’t follow these procedures will be required to reimburse a car owner for the fees they charge for towing, storing, and safekeeping the vehicle, as well as pay a $100 civil penalty.

Madison Residential Parking District

Following yesterday’s public hearing, the Board approved an expansion of the Madison Residential Permit Parking District to include Carey Lane between Jerry Lane and Vale Road. Residents on Carey Lane petitioned to be included in this parking district because of overflow parking by many Madison High School students during school hours.

I also had a great time at this past Saturday’s community day hosted by the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate. It was wonderful to talk to families, children and residents. Thanks to the center for helping neighbors get together, have fun and build even strong connections.

I also recently attended the Reggae on the Lake festival at Lake Anne that featured great music and fund. Thanks for Ramon Pardo (in the photo below), TERRA Properties and Reston Community Center for hosting this annual event.

Community and homeowners associations may apply through Nov. 8 for help installing and paying for electric vehicle charging stations in their common areas through the Charge Up Fairfax program.

Why it Matters: This program offers both technical and financial assistance, making the process easier for HOAs.

• The county arranges and pays for a site assessment from an engineering firm that will deliver a feasibility memo. It will document any physical or environmental barriers, power sources and estimated costs and project timeline.
• The county will also help pay for Level 2 EV chargers through grants between $5,000 to $12,000.
• HOAs also may apply only for the county grants if they do not need technical assistance.

Learn More at a Sept. 24 Seminar

If you’re interested in Charge Up Fairfax, register today for a virtual seminar on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. Roundtable participants include three Reston homeowners associations that will share their experiences with the program. (If you can’t join, the webinar also will be recorded and shared at a later date.)

Application Details

Only eight HOAs will be selected, and applications are due Friday, Nov. 8 by 5 p.m. For questions or more information, contact the Charge Up Fairfax Program Manager Julie Gurnee by email or call (703) 533-5345. Apply now.

While the Atlantic hurricane season entered an unexpected lull during the past month, the possibility for severe storms isn’t over since hurricane season runs until Nov. 30.

Why it Matters: September 10 marks the peak of hurricane season, and it’s typical to see more storms during the second half of the season.

• More than 40% of all tropical storms happen after September 10 in a typical season.
• NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center’s updated forecast in August still calls for a 90% chance of an above-normal season with 17-24 named storms.
• Hurricanes can cause significant damage to your home. For those who remember, Hurricane Isabel caused widespread power outages, flooding and damage to homes in the D.C. region, resulting in more than $3 billion in damage across the mid-Atlantic.

Get Prepared: Are you prepared for a hurricane or other emergency. Take simple, easy steps now before a natural disaster strikes, including:

• Sign up for emergency notifications from Fairfax Alerts
• Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, flashlight, batteries, medicines and other supplies. Don’t forget food, water and medicines for your pet
• Make an emergency plan

Two Hunter Mill District startups each secured $50,000 grants from the Fairfax Founders Fund that helps early stage entrepreneurs grow their companies.

• NanoNiFe
• KAPPA AgTech

Why it Matters: Startups and entrepreneurs are the engine for economic growth, and Fairfax County aims to promote innovation in our economy.

• Startups create new jobs. In fact, startups are responsible for 15-20% of total job growth, according to studies.
• Startups attract investment into their firms that create jobs, new markets and increased consumer spending, driving overall economic growth. Fairfax County entrepreneurs received more than $247 million in capital investment in the second quarter of this year — or more than half of all equity capital investment in Virginia during this period, says the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
• Startups are responsible for 25% of aggregate economic growth, one study found.

About the Companies

The two Vienna-based startups are advancing renewable energy and indoor agriculture:

• Co-founded by Maude Champagne, NanoNiFe offers innovative batteries for homeowners to store energy generated from renewable sources like solar panels. Their Vanadium Redox Flow Battery technology offers a superior alternative to lithium-ion batteries, providing enhanced safety, environmental sustainability, longer lifespan and lower operating costs. NanoNiFe will leverage the county’s grant to optimize its design and supply chain to significantly reduce its production costs.
• Founded by Schuyler Milton, KAPPA AgTech has developed groundbreaking solutions for Controlled Environment Agriculture, an intensive form of indoor, hydroponically based agriculture. Their silicone substrate replaces traditional growing media, eliminating recurring costs. It’s patented ventilated lighting technology reduces power consumption by up to 50%. The company will use the $50,000 to accelerate the production and commercialization of its technologies.

Reston Planning and Zoning Meeting Sept. 16

This virtual meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To join by phone, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 394 379 778#

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Meeting Sept. 17

This virtual meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To join by phone, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 976 360 104#

Sept. 17 Community Meeting on Zoning Changes for Special Events

This virtual meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Zoning changes are proposed to increase flexibility and remove unnecessary impediments and time limits for temporary special events like fairs, festivals and music and arts events. Use this link to attend and participate. Passcode: 4dEGpg. To join by phone, call 571-429-5982, and use conference ID: 344 822 747#. Details.

For more information about these meetings, email Mark Goldberg-Foss or call 703-478-5123.

Get ready for the Town of Vienna’s Fall Native Plant Sale, now on a new date on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 8 a.m. to noon! Visit the Vienna Community Center to get your flowering perennials, native shrubs, and small trees for fall. The sale is sponsored by the Town's Conservation and Sustainability Commission. For more information, email the commission. Sale details.

Silent Dance Party Sept. 13

Dance like no one is watching (or listening). Attend the free silent dance party on Friday, Sept. 13 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Reston Station Metro Plaza. DJs will spin music you alone can hear and you can pick your favorite musical style. To dance, please bring a driver’s license to exchange for a headset. Details.

Shepherd’s Center Pickleball Festival Sept. 17

Once again, the nonprofit is holding its Tuesday, Sept. 17 pickleball fundraiser for which I’m an honorary chair. The event also features golf simulators, mocktails, delicious bites, a raffle and plenty of pickleball! Register now.

Perchfest at Capital One Center Sept. 20-21

Join a Shrektastic weekend with all things green at Perchfest, in partnership with Capital One Hall for Broadway’s Shrek The Musical. The free two-day event includes putt putt, live music, craft beer, fitness classes and a Made in Fairfax pop-up shop presented by Celebrate Fairfax. Details.