August 18, 2025

For the teachers, bus drivers, crossing guards, parents and students going back to school this week, I want to wish everyone a wonderful first week of school!

For everyone in our community, remember that school speed zones will be active again, including new locations with speed cameras, as well as school bus arm cameras. Remember to stop for stopped school buses and reduce your speed in school zones. Stay safe!

This year’s Free Concert in the Park Series has been a major hit, reaching a new record of over 1,000 attendees at two of the recent shows. This week, we’ll continue the series with Riptide, a local favorite performing a wide spectrum of music from the 50's to the 90's. Joining us for the 7PM concert at Burke Lake Park will be food trucks Kaziville Hot Dogs and Cousins Maine Lobster as well as our regulars, 2 Silos Beer and Kona Ice.

I’m also excited to announce that we have extended the series with an additional concert on August 27th, at 7 PM at Burke Lake Park with the Gotcha Covered Band, to make up for the rained-out concert earlier in the summer.

These Northern Virginia natives bring sounds from across the decades for all audiences and ages with a variety of genres including classic rock, pop, Motown, blues and county. Joining us for the concert will be food trucks Kaziville Hot Dogs and Babu-Ji as well as our regulars, 2 Silos Beer and Kona Ice. 

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Wednesday August 27th at 7PM at Burke Lake Park for our final summer concert of the year!

While the County unfortunately no longer offers free shredding events (see my newsletter from April 2023 on why), for the last several years some community organizations , including Marian Homes, Damon Nicholas & The DamonSellsHomes Team, and CrimeSolvers, have hosted free shredding events. I will share those on my social media account and in my newsletters.

My office has also received several reports about advertised shredding events that are scams. These scams advertise the time and location of a free shredding event, but no event takes place. For example, a constituent sent us an email advertising a shredding event at West Springfield Government Center. At this time there are NO shredding events scheduled at the West Springfield Government Center. In the event that one is scheduled at the West Springfield Government Center, I will advertise it through the Herrity Report and on social media.

If you are unsure if a shredding event is legitimate, I recommend calling my office at 703-451-8873 or contacting the property owner of thelocation of the advertised event.

We have confirmed the following 10 shredding events are legitimate and hosted by Marian Homes. Thank you, Marian Homes, for hosting these shredding events for the last several years and for all of the great work you do on the community! 

• George Mason Resources for Displaced Federal Workers
• George Mason Student Move In
• Fair Oaks Business Park and Fair Ridge Plan Amendments Community Meeting (September 4)
• Stuff The Bus (September 13)
• Help Scouting America Troop 1176 Conserve Rolling Forest Park

George Mason Resources for Displaced Federal Workers

George Mason University has launched comprehensive support resources for displaced federal workers. They are offering a broad range of career, educational, and community resources to assist affected federal workers and their families. For more information and access to these resources please see Here.

George Mason Student Move in

Beginning on Sunday, August 17th and continuing through August 24th George Mason students will be moving into their dorms causing increased traffic near the campus, particularly along Braddock Road. Please plan accordingly and share this with anyone else who may be affected. Student move in times are as follows:

Early Arrivals - August 17th from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm

Freshmen - August 20th and 21st from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm

Upper Classes - August 22nd, 23rd, and 24th from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm

Fair Oaks Business Park and Fairfax Ridge Road Plan Amendments Community Meeting (September 4)

Share your thoughts on potential Comprehensive Plan Amendments that would impact Land Unit K in the Fairfax Center Area. Land Unit K includes older office buildings adjacent to the I-66 and US-50 Interchange. Bounded by I-66 to the North, US-50 / Fairfax Boulevard to the South, the interchange to the West and the City of Fairfax / H Mart Fairfax to the East. See map below.

The meeting will include the latest updates on site designs, community impacts, and draft plan text, as staff prepares its final recommendations ahead of the public hearings.

Mark your calendar for this virtual meeting on September 4th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  Link for the Meeting:

Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/FairOaks-FairfaxRidge

or Dial +1 301- 715 - 8592, Passcode: 760419

Stuff the Bus (September 13)

Help fight hunger in our neighborhoods and Stuff the Bus with food to refill our local nonprofit food pantries on September 13th at various grocery stores across the county. 

Help Scouting America Troop 1176 Conserve Rolling Forest Park

On July 12th, Scouting America Troop 1176 officially adopted Rolling Forest Park as part of a vital, long-term conservation project. This initiative was sparked after two trees fell on nearby homes, prompting the park's owners, users, and impacted residents to collaborate with Troop 1176. Their goal is to conserve this beautiful park, enhance safety for both park users and residents, and improve the park's overall health.

In the first year, Troop 1176 will lead efforts to remove fallen branches and leaves. This crucial step will reduce year-round saturation at the base of trees, a factor that contributes to their instability. Following this, the Troop and community will focus on invasive species removal, trail clean-up, and eventually, the construction of an outdoor classroom

pavilion for both Scout and community use.



Join them to help preserve Rolling Forest Park!