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September 17, 2025

Neighbors,

Have you been thinking about replacing your windows with new, energy efficient ones, upgrading your heating system or installing a new dishwasher — but just don’t have the time or energy to research products or contractors?

Good news. Fairfax County’s new Energy Compass program is here to help. You’ll get “concierge-style” assistance for your specific project, as well as referrals to certified contractors to get the job done.

The county launched this free program to help single family homeowners make energy efficient upgrades to their homes. You’ll receive personalized support from a trained “Energy Navigator” who will offer:

• Expert Technical Guidance: Receive answers to your specific questions about home energy systems and potential upgrades.
• Connections to Available Incentives: Discover ways to make energy efficiency improvements more affordable through various rebate and incentive programs.
• Access to Certified Contractors: Easily find qualified professionals to complete energy upgrades in your home.

There are no obligations if you choose to participate, and getting started is as easy as filling out a quick online form. You’ll be connected with an expert to talk about your questions, potential project, rebates and contractors.

Now is the time to act since many federal energy efficiency tax credits will expire this year.

For example, the 30% tax credit for installing insulation or highly efficient HVAC systems will end soon, and these projects must be completed by December 31.

I hope you’ll find this new program helpful as you consider home upgrades that could save you money on your utility bills.

Regards,

Walter

• No Tysons Casino Webinar Sept. 24
• COVID Vaccinations
• Early Voting Starts Sept. 19
• Contacting Congressman Walkinshaw
• Type O Blood Donors Needed
• All Fairfax Reads
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

What’s happening: Virginia’s health commissioner signed an order last week that allows pharmacists to give the COVID-19 vaccine to older adults and others with underlying health conditions without a prescription.

Who’s eligible: Under the order, the following individuals qualify for the vaccine without a prescription:

• Seniors who are 65 years of age and older
• People ages 18 to 64 with at least one underlying medical condition, such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma. (See the CDC’s list of medical conditions that put you at a higher risk for severe illness.)

Why it matters: In Virginia, pharmacists may either give vaccines with a doctor’s prescription or give them without a prescription if the vaccines are on the CDC’s Immunization Schedule. Because the CDC hasn’t included the 2025-2026 COVID vaccines on their schedule yet, they only could have been administered with a prescription prior to the health commissioner’s order.

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization is scheduled to meet today and Thursday.

It’s anticipated that the committee will vote on the updated COVID-19 vaccines at their meeting.   

Vaccines Available: In August, the FDA authorized the following COVID vaccines:

• Moderna’s Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE (age 6 months and older)
• Pfizer’s Comirnaty (age 5 years and older)
• Novavax’s Nuvaxovid (age 12 years and older)

Based on the FDA’s guidance earlier this year, the monovalent vaccines target the LP.8.1 variant from the JN.1 lineage.

COVID cases: Last week, the Virginia Department of Health reported that more than 3,100 people tested positive for COVID statewide. And virus levels are rising in wastewater monitoring samples. The CDC reported high COVID viral activity levels in Virginia’s wastewater last week and very high levels in Fairfax County. Check the Fairfax County Health Department’s Respiratory Illness Dashboard to monitor trends in COVID, flu and RSV cases.



• Tips to prepare for respiratory illness season

What’s happening: Early voting begins on Friday, Sept. 19 for Virginia statewide and legislative offices, plus the Town of Vienna.

What’s on the Ballot: The following races are on the ballot:

• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• House of Delegates
• Town of Vienna Mayor and Council
• Fairfax County Public School Bond

Find sample ballots online.

Where to vote: Three early voting sites will be open on weekdays:

• North County Governmental Center (Reston): 1-7 p.m.
• Fairfax County Government Center (Fairfax): 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Mount Vernon Governmental Center (Alexandria): 1-7 p.m.

Starting Oct. 23, an additional 13 early voting sites will become available.

Weekend voting: Early voting will be offered on three Saturdays and one Sunday:

Saturdays (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.):

• Sept. 20 (only North County Governmental Center, Fairfax County Government Center and Mount Vernon Governmental Center)
• Oct. 25 (every early voting site)
• Nov. 1 (every early voting site)

Sunday (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

• Oct. 26 (every early voting site)

Early voting ends on Nov. 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Every polling place will be open on Election Day, and you must vote at your regular polling place that day.

More information: Contact the Fairfax County Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711.

As most know, former Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw won the special election for the late Congressman Gerry Connolly seat last week.

Here’s how to contact Congressman Walkinshaw if you need help with federal agencies, tickets for White House tours, federal grants, nominations to military academies and more:

Washington DC Office

2265 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-1492

Fairfax District Office

10680 Main Street, Suite 140

Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: (703) 256-3071

Or contact him by email. Congratulations James on your election victory, and I look forward to your service for all of us in Hunter Mill District as our new representative in Congress!

What’s happening: Inova faces a critical shortage of Type O blood due to the hospital’s response to multiple traumatic incidents and other medical emergencies.

Why it matters: Since Type O positive blood is given to patients more than any other blood type, hospitals need to have this blood type in stock. Since it’s also the most common blood type — roughly 43% of Americans have O blood (either positive or negative) — you may be eligible to donate.

Schedule a donation: While Inova will take donations of any blood type, a boost to the supply of Type O will significantly help patients in need. To donate, call 1-866-BLOODSAVES or schedule an appointment online.

What’s happening: “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!” While Caroline Bingley’s declaration isn’t sincere, you may truly enjoy reading (or rereading) Jane Austin’s novel “Pride and Prejudice” during All Fairfax Reads! This annual program brings the community together for a shared experience reading the same book.

Join fun events: Go beyond your book’s cover to experience “Pride and Prejudice” related-events in September and October.

This includes events, discussions and film screenings at various library branches:

• Sept. 18: Virtual presentation by Jane Austin biographer Rebecca Romney.
• Oct. 1: Movie screening of the 2005 film featuring Keira Knightly.
• Oct. 13: Watch “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”
• Oct. 18: Tea, Trivia and Taffeta at Thomas Jefferson Library. (Registration opens Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.)

Find your copy:

• Check out a copy at a library
• Download the eBook
• Download the eAudiobook

Chill Out One Last Time on Sept. 19

Close out the summer season with one last Chillin' on Church! This family-friendly event runs from 6:30-9:30 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 19, on Church Street complete with live music from "My Chemical Bromance," tons of food trucks, and beer and wine vendors.

Join Mayor Colbert for a Walk Sept. 19

Participate in the Mayor’s Walk on Friday, Sept. 19. Meet up outside Vienna Town Hall at 127 Center Street, South, and the mayor will join you to start the walk. If the weather is inclement, please wait inside the building.

Meet Vienna’s New Town Clerk Shelly Kozlowski

Last week, the Town Council appointed Shelley Kozlowski as the new town clerk, and she began in her new position as of this Monday. Kozlowski previously served as Vienna’s Deputy Town Clerk from 2019 to 2023 before accepting the position of Chief Deputy Registrar in the City of Fairfax Elections office. You can reach the clerk’s office at 703-255-6304.

🍷Free wine tasting on Sept. 18 at The Wine Cabinet in Reston.

🎵Abba tribute band Mamma Mania! brings the classic hits to Reston Station on Sept. 19.

🚣🏿‍♂️Join a sunset paddle on Sept. 18 at Lake Anne.

📃Bring your documents to a community paper shredding event on Sept. 20 in Vienna.

🍽️ Attend the One Neighborhood Foundation dinner fundraiser on Sept. 20 at Evelyn Rose in Vienna.

🍺 Join the 3rd Annual Beer in the Garden on Sept. 20 at Halley Rise.

🚶‍➡️Take a nature walk with a Fairfax County Police officer on Sept. 20 at the Walker Nature Center.

🌭Take part in Doggtoberfest on Sept. 20 at Kook Dog Café.

🎉Enjoy the Reston Multicultural Festival on Sept. 20 at Reston Town Center.

🌞Take a tour of a net zero home on Sept. 21 in downtown Vienna.

☀️ Join the family friendly activities at the launch of Fairfax County Public School's solar initiative on Sept. 21 at Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna.

💣Delve into some of the personalities and politics of John Paul Jones’ famous Revolutionary War battle on Sept. 23 at Reston Community Center.

♻️ Attend a free paper shredding and recycling event on Sept. 23 at Reston Town Center.

📽️ Watch “Ballad of Wallis Island” on Senior Movie Day on Sept. 24 at Reston Town Center.

👩🏾‍🎤Meet cabaret singer Beverly Cosham on Sept. 25 at Reston Community Center.

📖 Meet Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen on Sept. 27 at Reston Community Center.

👠Shop Reston Association’s Community Yard Sale on Sept. 27 at Halley Rise.

📽️Watch the “Sound of Metal” on Oct. 6 at Reston Community Center.

🎭 Do the time warp when the Reston Community Players perform the Rocky Horror Show starting Oct. 10.

🎸 Listen to Smash Mouth perform on Oct. 11 at Rocktoberfest at Reston Town Center.

📽️ Watch a screening of “American Bombing” with producer Mahrya MacIntire on Oct. 13 at Reston Community 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.