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October 1, 2025
Neighbors,
While most people know about Arbor Day which is celebrated in April, did you know that the best time of year to plant a tree begins in the fall?
In Fairfax County, optimal tree planting season runs from Oct. 1 to May 31, according to guidance issued last year by the county’s foresters.
If you’re thinking about planting a tree at your home or your homeowners association or faith group wants to do the same, the county offers resources and programs to help.
Just this year, the county started offering free trees to civic groups, faith-based organizations and volunteer groups to plant on private property. This program is a partnership with Casey Trees, and it is paid for by the county’s Tree Preservation and Planting Fund.
Professionally grown at Casey Tree Farm, these trees are landscape quality, and they are sized 8-10 feet tall and 1.5- to 2-inches in diameter. Casey Trees will deliver them to your planting site at no cost.
If you’re considering a tree at your home, FairfaxReLeaf will be offering free fall seedlings. Put in your order starting Oct. 29. Before you plant one, look at these county resources to help you get started:
You also may want to check out this guide for good combinations of trees and shrubs to plant together, and check out this list of native trees for our area. Earth Sangha’s Wild Plant Nursery offers a great selection of native trees and plants.
Once it’s planted, a tree will provide you with many benefits for years to come.
Regards,
Walter
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- Federal Worker Resources
- In Memoriam: Jane Goodall
- Board of Supervisors Update
- In the Community
- Bike Lanes Proposed for Fox Mill Road
- Affordable Housing Waiting List Opens
- Venture into Volunteer Fair Sunday
- Car Taxes Due Monday, Oct. 6
- Walk with Me on Oct. 11
- Martha Glennan Award Nominations
- What's News in Vienna
- Events and Activities
| | Federal Government Shutdown: Resources for Workers and Those Who Want to Help | | |
As you’re probably aware, the federal government shutdown early this morning, and this means that hundreds of thousands of federal employees will temporarily go without paychecks until the government reopens. And many federal contractors whose work is halted because of the shutdown will go on leave without pay.
This shutdown comes on top of the more than 21,000 federal workers and an unknown number of federal contractors in our area that have lost their jobs. For federal employees who accepted deferred resignation, yesterday was their last day of pay.
As a result, I know that there will be many federal workers and contractors that will face economic hardship. This is why Fairfax County is offering resources to help with basic needs.
Nonprofits are also here to serve for those in need. One such organization is Herdon-Reston FISH which offers gift cards for groceries and rental assistance to those who need it.
Other nonprofits that offer emergency assistance include the Committee for Helping Others, and Cornerstones.
Of course, there are many other nonprofits in the Hunter Mill District that are providing help too, and you can find a list here.
If you wish to help, you can donate money, food and clothes to these groups. With the demands for help already growing as the federal government has slashed food assistance, these nonprofits need your financial support.
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In Memoriam: Jane Goodall | |
With great sadness, I remember and honor famed primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall who passed away at age 91 this morning in California while on a U.S. speaking tour. I was lucky to have met her earlier this spring during one of her talks in Baltimore.
For many years, she worked in the Hunter Mill District where the Jane Goodall Institute
was headquartered overlooking what's now informally called the Tysons Forest. Not only did she support conservation efforts around the globe, but also she supported efforts locally.
In 2023, I initiated the Tysons Forest Community Task Force consistent with her conservation principles, and Dr. Goodall wrote a letter supporting the preservation of this important urban forest. I will think of her every time I'm in Tysons Forest.
She was a remarkable woman. While she will be deeply missed, her work and legacy will live on through the Goodall Institute.
| | Board of Supervisors Update | | |
The Board of Supervisors met yesterday September 30. You can watch the meeting and review the agenda and package.
Honoring Joe Heastie for his Service on the Commission on Aging
We honored Joe Heastie for his 20 years of service on the Commission on Aging. He retired from the commission in June as its longest serving member (representing the Providence District), having been first appointed by the late Congressman Gerry Connolly in 2005. In addition to his work with the commission, he also championed equal rights and employment for women. In 2019, Heastie received a Mason Medal for service on the George Mason Board of Visitors and as Alumni Association Board president, leading GMU’s efforts related to diversity and access.
As the Chair of the Older Adults Committee, I thank Heastie and all our Commission on Aging members for their work.
Congratulating the Vienna Arts Society as “Best Art Gallery”
At the meeting, I congratulated the Vienna Arts Society. They won the FFNow’s Readers’ Choice Award as “Best Art Gallery in Fairfax.” The honor is well-deserved since for the past 50 years, the society has been the home for artists — and art lovers —to share their creativity and make connections through the transformative power of art. If you haven’t visited their gallery on Church Street, check out the artworks for sale — or come to the North County Governmental Center where we also showcase a rotating collection of paintings for sale.
FY 2025 Carryover Approved
Yesterday, the Board approved our FY 2025 carryover package.
What’s carryover? Carryover is the annual process by which unspent or unencumbered funds for commitments from the previous fiscal year (i.e. FY 2025) are reappropriated to the current fiscal year (i.e. FY 2026).
These unspent funds result from greater-than-projected tax revenues, greater-than-anticipated interest income earned on county investments and lower-than-budgeted spending by county agencies.
Carryover amount: After funding previously purchased county goods and services that have not been paid for yet (and excluding federal coronavirus grant funds), the carryover balance available was $60.2 million — or 1.06% of the total county budget.
Money allocated: The balance was reinvested into critical services, Board-approved priorities, and other projects and requirements.
Notably, 40% of this money was directed to county fiscal reserve funds — including the Economic Uncertainty Fund that was created to deal with an increased demand for county services due to the federal government’s actions. When combined with the carryover and money previously allocated, this reserve fund now totals more than $23.4 million.
Other programs and services that received funding include:
- $2.5 million for ongoing food insecurity needs. (This money helps to extend the reach of nonprofits like Herndon-Reston FISH that offers gift cards for groceries.)
- $2 million to support homeless services, including emergency shelter operations, hypothermia prevention and permanent supportive housing.
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This past weekend, I was honored to attend the Herdon Showcase of Bands. The Pride of Herndon Marching Band hosted this 28th annual showcase, presented in partnership with the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative.
It was amazing to see some of the 31 high school bands that competed, and it was wonderful to be there with The Pride of Herndon. They are recognized as the first band program in Fairfax County, serving as a model for the band programs we have today countywide.
Congratulations to all the students and bands, Herndon High Principal Dr. Liz Noto and Herndon High Band Director Brian Fisher.
Photos: Loch Leven Photography
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Bike Lanes Proposed for Fox Mill Road.
Offer Input on Oct. 7
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What’s happening: Bike lanes are proposed for Fox Mill Road between Marcey Creek Road and Covered Wagon Lane as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s 2026 repaving program. (The proposed lanes would be installed without any impact to the current on-street parking spaces.)
Offer your feedback during a virtual meeting hosted by Fairfax County and VDOT on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
(Note that this meeting will also include projects planned for the Providence and Dranesville Districts.)
If you can’t attend, the meeting recording, presentation slides and instructions for submitting comments will be posted online after Oct. 7. Public feedback will be accepted online, by phone and by mail for two weeks after this meeting.
Background: Every year, VDOT repaves roads across the county starting in the spring, and this work may include limited bike lane, shoulder and crosswalk improvements with signs and markings.
To allow ample time for community input, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is sharing repaving proposals now before work begins in the spring.
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View this online map to see roads on the 2025 VDOT repaving program.
| | Affordable Housing Waiting List Opens Oct. 12 for Indigo and Fairfax Crest | | |
What’s happening: Apply for the waiting list for affordable rental housing units at the Indigo in McLean and Fairfax Crest in Fairfax starting Oct. 6 at 8 a.m. The list is for Project Based Voucher units at these two, privately owned apartment buildings currently under construction.
There are eight Project Based Voucher units (two-bedroom) available at the Indigo, and 14 units (one-, two and three-bedroom) at Fairfax Crest.
Apply: Applications will be available from Oct 6 through Oct. 12 at 11:59 p.m.
To be eligible, adults must earn less than 30% of the area median income (review income limits on online here.)
Applications will be selected at random and placed on the waitlist. Once a unit becomes available, waitlist applicants will be contacted, screened and determined eligible based on income level, household size and size of the rental unit.
Under the Project Based Voucher Program, households pay a portion of the rent (up to 35 percent of their adjusted gross income) while the county pays the remainder.
Questions and help: Call the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority at 703-449-9050 or visit their office at 3700 Pender Drive in Fairfax from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
| | Venture into Volunteering Fair on Oct. 4 | | |
What’s happening: Looking for volunteer opportunities to help make a difference, spend your time on enriching activities and create new connections? Attend the Venture into Volunteering Fair this Sunday at the Springfield Mall from noon to 4 p.m.
Meet representatives from nonprofit organizations and local government agencies to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Other reasons to go: Visit the expo with dozens of exhibitors to get information about services for older adults, retirement communities, home remodeling, financial planning, healthcare, travel, fitness and more.
- Free health screenings and vaccines will be offered too (bring your insurance and Medicare cards).
- Plus, there will be door prizes and giveaways!
More info: Contact the Fairfax County Department of Family Service’s Volunteer Solutions by email or call 703-324-5406.
| | Reminder: Car Taxes Due Monday, Oct. 6 | | |
What’s happening: Personal property taxes — including the most common personal property tax, car taxes — are due on Monday Oct. 6. While they’re normally due every year on Oct. 5, this year’s due date was extended because the 5th falls on a Sunday.
Ways to Pay: It’s quick and easy to pay online. Make a one-time payment online or sign up for for a MyFairfax account which is a secure, one-stop site for paying both your car and real estate taxes.
With an account, you can:
- See and download current and past car and real estate tax bills
- Schedule when payments are made
- Track payments as they are processed
- Sign-in with Google Services or a passkey (instead of creating a user ID and password.)
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Learn about the other ways to pay your bill.
Questions? If you don’t have your car tax bill or have other questions, contact the Department of Tax Administration by email or call 703-222-8234.
| | Join me for a “Walk with Walter” on Oct. 11 | | |
What’s happening: Join me on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. at Hunters Woods Plaza for a guided community walk.
We’ll explore the trails near Hunters Woods Plaza and along the way, local docents will share insights on nature, public arts and history, including native and local plants, Reston’s local mosaics and history of the Hunter Woods neighborhood.
This walk is sponsored by the One Hunters Woods Initiative and Reston Community Center.
One Hunters Woods: Conceived by the Hunters Woods Neighborhood Coalition, One Hunters Woods is a community-driven project that aims to bring residents together for recreational, cultural and community events on or near the Hunters Woods Plaza. This is the second One Hunters Woods event, and the initiative kicked off in conjunction with National Night Out in August.
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Nominate a Person or Organization for
the Martha Glennan Disability
Inclusion and Equality Awards
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What’s happening: Nominate a person or organization for this annual award. Nominations are due before 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. This award recognizes individuals or groups that demonstrate a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities.
Find nomination categories, requirements and instructions.
The Fairfax Area–Disability Services Board created this award, and the 2025 awards will be presented on Dec. 9.
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“Meet the Mayor” Oct. 3
Mayor Linda Colbert will set up “office” on Friday, Oct. 3 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at The Virginian (169 Glyndon Street SE). Talk all things Vienna over a cup of coffee or breakfast. The mayor is also available to meet in her office on weekdays by appointment. To make an appointment, send an email or call 703-255-6304.
Halloween on the Green Oct. 11
Saturday, Oct. 11 is sure to be a scream, after all it's Halloween on the Green! The whole family is invited to wear their best costumes and head to the Town Green from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for crafts, games, storytelling, prizes and pumpkin decorating (pumpkins are limited so come early).
| | Stay Informed and In Touch | |
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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