10.9.2025

Dear Neighbor,

The Board of Supervisors approved an extension for residents to pay their personal property tax (commonly known as car tax) during a special meeting on Tuesday, October 7. All residents have until November 5 to pay without late fees or penalties.

More information can be found on the Fairfax County website.

Fire Prevention Open House

Explore fire trucks and learn about fire safety with your kids this Saturday, October 11, at a Fire Station Open House.

All Fairfax County fire stations are hosting an open house on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. as part of National Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is all about the safe use of lithium-ion batteries.

Visitors will also have a chance to meet a firefighter and emergency medical technician, explore firefighting equipment, view fire and rescue demonstrations, get a free blood pressure screening, take part in other activities and games, and have a snack.

Speed Cameras

Earlier this week, 10 more speed cameras in school zones began their enforcement period.

You can read more information about the program, including a full list of present and future camera locations, on Fairfax County's website.

Active speed cameras in or close to the Braddock District are located at:

• Irving Middle School: Old Keene Mill Road
• 7:00-7:45 a.m., 2:00-2:45 p.m.
• West Springfield High School: Rolling Road
• 7:40-8:25 a.m., 2:40-3:25 p.m.
• *NEW* Cardinal Forest Elementary School: Forrester Boulevard
• 8:40-9:25 a.m., 3:40-4:25 p.m.
• *NEW* Robinson Secondary School/Oak View Elementary School (Shared): Sideburn Road
• 7:30-8:45 a.m., 2:30-3:45 p.m.

Climate Action Conference Next Week

The Braddock District Office's 2025 Climate Action Conference is next Saturday, October 18, at Lake Braddock Secondary School (9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke) from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

This year's theme is “Teaming Up to Restore and Protect Healthy Waterways."

Discover your role in protecting our waterways and drinking water from the impacts of climate change.

You’ll hear from newly elected Congressman James Walkinshaw, Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez, Ocean Conservancy, and state and local water experts like:

• Delegate David Bulova
• Chris Koerner, Director of Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
• Chris Herrington, Director of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works
• Jamie Hedges, CEO of Fairfax Water

During the networking session and breaks, you’ll be able to visit representatives of Fairfax County agencies and many environmental organizations, including

• VA Clinicians for Climate Action
• Chesapeake Climate Action Network
• Fairfax Tree Rescuers
• 350.org + more!

This year, attendees will also have a chance to enter a drawing for free electric lawn equipment from Clean Air Partners. Register today!

Are you or someone you know interested in volunteering at the conference? Sign up for a shift today!

Yours in service,

Braddock District Office

Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Braddock District news and updates.

Continue reading below for more information on:

• Affordable Rental Housing Waitlist Applications Open Through Sunday
• Government Center Visioning
• BDC Candidate Forum
• Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards
• Nominate the Best of Braddock
• Design & Environmental Achievement Awards
• Medicare Info Sessions
• Community Forum on Housing
• Mason Arts Offers Free Tickets for Individuals Impacted by Government Shutdown
• Early Voting for November General Election
• How to Get a COVID Vaccine
• Pet Adoption Spotlight: Avita!

Affordable Rental Housing Waitlist Applications Open Through Sunday

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is accepting waitlist applications for select new-construction Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units.

Applications are available until Sunday, October 12, at 11:59 p.m.

Project-Based Voucher waitlist applications will be accepted for:

• Indigo at McLean Station (1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean)
• 2-bedroom units (eight Project-Based Vouchers units)
• Fairfax Crest (12020 and 12040 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax)
• 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom units (14 Project-Based Vouchers units)

Read more on the FCRHA website.

Government Center Visioning

Changes are being considered to the long-term vision for the Fairfax County Government Center campus, and your input matters!

The County is reimagining the main Government Center campus (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax) to better serve the community with improved services, public spaces, and access. The focus is on transforming underused parking lots into vibrant areas where people can gather, live, work, play, and connect with County services and their neighbors. The existing buildings and open spaces will remain.

To guide this effort, the Department of Planning and Development is hosting two Public Open Houses to share some potential development ideas and hear community feedback. You can talk with planners, ask questions, and help shape the vision of this area.

In Person:

• Monday, October 13 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Conference Rooms 4/5 at the Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Parkway

Fairfax, VA 22035

Please drop in anytime, a short presentation will be given on the hour, and as needed.

Virtual/Online:

• Tuesday, October 21 | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• Join on Zoom
• By Phone: (305) 224-1968
• Meeting ID: 874 8387 5741 | Passcode: 108397

If you are unable to attend either session or prefer to submit your ideas in writing, send comments to ffx-center-area-study@publicinput.com. You may also call (703) 324-1380 to speak with County Planning staff.

Government Center Visioning is part of a larger areawide planning study for the Fairfax Center Area (Plan Amendment 2013-III-FC1(c)). For additional information, visit the project’s webpage..

BDC Candidate Forum

Ahead of the December 9 Special Election for the Braddock District Supervisor, the Braddock District Council (BDC) is hosting a forum with major party candidates Ken Balbuena and Rachna Sizemore Heizer.

The forum is next Wednesday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m. in Braddock Hall (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke).

Visit BDC's website for more information or to contact them.

Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards

The Fairfax Area – Disability Services Board’s Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards are presented annually to recognize people, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations that excel in demonstrating a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area and also demonstrates how people with disabilities have significantly benefitted from their efforts.

Do you know an individual, self-advocate or organization that excels in providing equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area? Nominate them for the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board’s 2025 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Award!

The nomination form MUST be completed and e-mailed to disabilityrights@fairfaxcounty.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17. Use “Martha Glennan 2025” as the subject line.

• 2025 Martha Glennan Award Individual or Self-Advocate Nomination Form
• 2025 Martha Glennan Award Organization Nomination Form

Nominate the Best of Braddock

Nominations for the Best of Braddock are being accepted until Friday, October 31.

The annual awards are an opportunity to recognize the people and organizations working to make our wonderful community even better!

Take a moment to nominate a neighbor or organization for these categories:

• Citizen of the Year
• Person of the Year
• Neighborhood Enhancement or Beautification
• Most "Can-Do" Public Employee
• Club or Organization Making a Difference
• Civic Engagement

Submit your nominations online by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31. Winners will be notified before the Best of Braddock Reception and Awards Ceremony.  

Email braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov with any questions.

Design & Environmental Achievement Awards

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Design & Environmental Achievement Awards Planning Committee invite you to join them to honor the recipients of the Friends of Tree Awards, the Environmental Excellence Awards, and the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards.

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 30 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Auditorium (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax) with a reception immediately following in the Fairfax County Government Center Forum.

Medicare Info Sessions

Medicare 101 | Wednesday, October 15, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging’s Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program (VICAP) will host a webinar led by VICAP volunteer Jack Hoadley, Ph.D., a research professor emeritus at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. The session is designed for family caregivers and those nearing Medicare eligibility who want to better understand their coverage options. It will cover Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, as well as how to fill gaps in coverage with Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap).

Medicare 102 | Wednesday, October 22, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

This webinar hosted by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging’s Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program (VICAP) will be led by Patrick V. Kinlan, a 15-year VICAP volunteer with 38 years of experience in finance and an MBA from New York University. The session is for family caregivers and those seeking a deeper understanding of Medicare coverage. It will cover advanced topics, including the Medicare.gov website, regulatory changes, and Medicare updates for 2026.

Community Forum on Housing

The Fairfax Area Disability Services Board invites residents with disabilities and family caregivers to attend a virtual community forum on Monday, October 20, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

The forum aims to identify gaps in service, challenges, and/or concerns related to housing in Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church, and the City of Fairfax.

The information collected will be shared with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to inform county officials on how to improve housing for persons with disabilities in the future. Learn more about the community forum on housing or register to attend.

Mason Arts Offers Free Tickets for Individuals Impacted by Government Shutdown

George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is offering free tickets to select performances across Mason Arts venues for federal employees and/or contractors impacted by the U.S. government shutdown. 

The offer extends to professional and George Mason student performances in the Center for the Arts and Harris Theatre on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus, as well as the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas. Free content is also available to watch on the digital venue Mason Arts Amplified. 

Tickets for impacted individuals may be reserved by phone or in person at the venue Ticket Offices. Individuals will be asked to confirm their government agency. Offer is limited to two tickets per person, per event.

Visit the GMU website for more information.

Early Voting for

November General Election

Early voting for the November General Election continues through Saturday, November 1.

Early voting dates and information below do not apply to the December 9 Braddock District Special Election.

You can register to vote or update your registration by Friday, October 24.

For those planning to vote by mail, remember to apply to vote by mail before the deadline on Friday, October 24, by 5:00 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 4.

If you plan to vote early in-person, three locations will be open from September 19 - November 1:

• Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax)
• Monday-Friday (including October 13) 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Saturdays (October 25, November 1) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 26 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Mt. Vernon Governmental Center (2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria)
• Weekdays (including October 13) 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Saturdays (October 25, November 1) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 26 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston)
• Weekdays (including October 13) 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Saturdays (October 25, November 1) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 26 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

On Friday, October 23, 13 additional early voting locations will open, including Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke) and West Springfield Governmental Center (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield).

You can find all the locations, operating hours, and detailed information on Early Voting on the Office of Elections' website.

All regular polling places will be open for voting on Tuesday, November 4, from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. More information about voting is available on the Office of Elections' website.

How to Get a COVID Vaccine

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.

• Tips to prepare for respiratory illness season

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

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 its schedule yet, they could only have been administered with a prescription before 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.   

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.

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.

Pet Adoption Spotlight: Avita

Meet Avita, a beautiful, strong, 107 lb. girl who's been patiently waiting for her perfect match since arriving at the shelter on April 8.

Located at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton), Avita is ready to find her forever home.

During her time at the shelter, Avita has shown that she's full of energy, enthusiasm, and love for life. She thrives with structure, enrichment, and clear guidance-and she's looking for someone who can keep up with her zest and help her continue to learn and grow.

Avita would do best with an experienced dog owner who understands big dogs and is committed to positive training. She can get excited on leash and decide it's time for her to lead the way, so she'll need continued support to help her channel that energy appropriately. If you happen to have another dog in the home and are interested in Avita, a dog-to-dog will be required to ensure they'll be a comfy fit before taking her home.

Avita loves walks (especially with a toy to carry!), playing, and being part of the action. With consistency, patience, and plenty of love, she's going to make an amazing companion. If you have the time, experience, and heart to give Avita the guidance she deserves, she just might be your perfect new best friend. Additionally, Avita's adoption is fee-waved, AND she is going home with a $500 credit at Pender Veterinary Practice for continuing care, thanks to the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter!

Visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's website for more information about Avita or to view other adoptable pets.