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10.30.2025
Dear Neighbor,
This Tuesday, November 4, is the General Election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and the House of Delegates. Fairfax County also has a referendum question on the ballot.
Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. for voting on Tuesday. Double check your polling place's location.
Fairfax County Government offices will be closed on November 4.
If you plan to vote early in-person, 16 voting sites are open until Saturday, November 1. The locations in and close to the Braddock District are:
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Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke)
- Friday| 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax)
- Friday | 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
West Springfield Governmental Center (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield)
- Friday | 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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The deadlines to register to vote, update your registration, and request a mail-in absentee ballot for this election have passed. Voters can still do same day registration at their polling place and fill out a provisional ballot, which will be counted once the voter's eligibility is verified.
Before you head to the polls:
If you have a mail-in ballot, there are several ways to return it:
More information about voting is available on the Office of Elections' website. If you're looking for information on voting in the December 9 Special Election for Braddock District Supervisor, please see the eighth article below.
Halloween Safety
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Tomorrow, October 31, is Halloween, and safety is key to ensure trick or treating is fun!
Check out a few tips from the Guide to Halloween in Fairfax County:
- Carry a flashlight and wear costumes that are visible in the dark — use reflective material, flashlights or glowsticks to ensure visibility
- Drivers and walkers: Put your phone down and avoid distractions
- Make sure children know their phone number and address — and they should be able to provide this information in an emergency or if lost
- Plan and discuss your child’s route if you are not joining them
- Children should only visit homes with porch lights on or active Halloween decorations
- Remind children never to enter a stranger’s house
- Cross at intersections or corners – not between parked cars
- Do not let children run in and out of the street — keep them on sidewalks and paths
- Slow down and stay alert in residential areas on Halloween night
- While driving, watch out for children darting into traffic; some costumes may be hard to see
- Leave driveways and parking spaces slowly
When all the Halloween fun is over, don't throw your pumpkins away - compost them. Take your unpainted, glitter-free pumpkins to:
Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday
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As a friendly reminder, Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2.
Make sure to set the time on any appliances, or electronics that do not automatically update, one hour behind as we fall back.
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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:
- Last Chance to Nominate the Best of Braddock
- Federal Government Shutdown Resources
- Upcoming ECHO Events
- Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk
- Royal Lake Updates
- LLI November Forum
- Veteran Business Summit
- Early Voting for December 9 Election
- Shark Tank Technology Challenge
- Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Pet Adoption Spotlight: Suzie!
| | Last Chance to 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
- Young 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.
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Federal Government
Shutdown Resources
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SNAP Update for Virginia Residents (as of October 30)
Virginia will launch a new program called VENA (Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance) to ensure food benefits continue for all SNAP recipients.
- Funds will be added weekly (not monthly) to EBT cards
- Distribution will follow the same order as usual, with only slight date shifts (November 3, 5, and 7)
- No need to reapply — benefits will appear automatically
For more information about VENA, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website where updates and detailed guidance on VENA will be posted.
Fairfax County is ready to help. For food or financial assistance:
Because SNAP is funded at the federal level and supervised by the state, Fairfax County cannot control or change when SNAP funding will be released. Other programs like Medicaid & LIHEAP are not currently impacted.
Read more:
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Food & Grocery Distribution
Capital Area Food Bank is responding to the increased need from federal workers and contractors in the area due to the shutdown with special supplemental distributions to assist federal workers and contractors.
They are holding drives at their existing sites in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. They will be providing 150 boxes of shelf-stable goods and an equivalent number of boxes of produce. Depending on traffic, they will scale up the following week if the shutdown is still ongoing. To receive food, visitors will need to show a government work ID.
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Virginia
- United Community (7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria)
- Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
DC
- Urban Outreach (5343 C Street SE, Washington, DC)
- Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
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Maryland
- No Limits Outreach Ministries (7721 Barlowe Road, Hyattsville, MD)
- Tuesdays 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- LindaBen Foundation (10739 Tucker Street, Beltsville, MD)
- Saturdays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
- So What Else (6116 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda, MD)
- Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
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Payments
Mortgage/Rent
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Federal employees and contractors can’t be evicted or foreclosed on during a federal government shutdown, under state law
Personal Property Tax
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In response to the shutdown, Fairfax County has extended the deadline for residents to pay their personal property tax
- Residents have until Wednesday, November 5, to pay without penalties
Utilities
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Basic Needs Assistance connects Fairfax County residents to County and community-based services and resources, call (703) 222-0880, TTY 711
- Call Dominion Energy at (866) 366-4357 to ask for short-term payment extension
- Call 2-1-1 for information available for help with rent, utilities, housing services, clothing, jobs, health services, and other needs from anywhere in Northern Virginia, 24/7
Phone Carriers
- AT&T
- Customers affected by the shutdown are eligible for flexible payment options to keep service including cellphones, television and internet running
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Make payment arrangements online or call 6-1-1 from an AT&T mobile phone or (800) 331-0500
- T-Mobile
- Short-term account assistance for customers who are federal workers including payment deferral and “flexible payment options” that allow customers to spread their service payments over time
- Customers can call T-Mobile Customer Care to discuss options at 6-1-1 from a T-Mobile device or (877) 746-0909 from any phone
- Verizon
- Flexible payment options and a “Promise to Pay” program that can be set up in the My Verizon app or website
- Further assistance is available by calling (866) 266-1445
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Other
Resource Websites
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's 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.
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ECHO Yard Sale on November 1
The ECHO Fall Yard Sale is this Saturday, November 1, from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the gym at St. Bernadette Catholic Church and School (7602 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield).
All proceeds support ECHO. Join the fun of a treasure hunt and help the community at the same time!
Scouting for Food
Local Scout Troops will be working hard to collect donated food and hygiene products for ECHO on Saturday, November 8.
ECHO urgently needs every category of non-perishable foods and hygiene supplies. If you know that Scouts are collecting on your street, please put your donation out early in the morning where they can’t miss it.
Drop-off at Braddock District Office
An option available to residents who wish to drop off ECHO donations is a box at the Braddock District Office (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke). It is outside the office door and can accept donations Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
| | Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk | | |
Burke Presbyterian Church (BPC) will host the 33rd Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk again this year!
Teams walk 3.6 miles, the average distance a woman or young girl in Africa or Asia walks every day to collect water. The water she carries weighs on average 44 pounds, and her journey can take 4 to 5 hours.
The CROP Hunger Walk is a family-friendly event, fun for all ages! The walk starts at BPC. Walk to Knollwood Community Church, pause for a water break, and walk back to the church for a community celebration. There’s also a shorter “Golden Mile” option.
In the past 30 years, more than 7,500 Burke CROP Walkers raised over $634,000 to relieve hunger globally through Church World Service, and over $150,000 to help hungry people in our own community.
In addition, all are invited to bring a nonperishable food item for ECHO to the walk on November 2.
For more information about our area’s CROP Hunger Walk, visit the Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk website.
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Pedestrian Bridge Replacement
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is replacing the old bridge crossing Rabbit Branch on the Royal Lake circuit trail with a new fiberglass bridge starting on November 3 (weather permitting). This is the large pedestrian bridge near Lakeside Park.
The current trail at the bridge will be impassable during installation. While the Project Manager anticipates the bridge replacement project to last about four weeks, the bridge is only expected to be out of service for two weeks. If you are using the trail, please be aware and follow the construction signs.
If you have any questions about the project, please contact FCPA Project Manager Beth Iannetta at Elizabeth.iannetta@fairfaxcounty.gov or contact friendsofroyallake@gmail.com.
Lakeside Park Shade Structure
The Lakeside Park picnic area shade canopy has been removed to protect the fabric canopy during the winter. It will be put up again in early spring.
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The NOVA Lifetime Learning Institute (LLI) is hosting their monthly forum on Wednesday, November 5, at Little River United Church of Christ (8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale) with a social at 9:30 a.m. and the forum beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The November forum is titled "George Washington: His Quest for Honor and Fame."
Peter Henriques, Professor of History, Emeritus, George Mason University, has specialized in studying the life of George Washington and is author of several books on our first president. For the past several years he has been the Scholar in Residence for Mount Vernon’s “Weekend with George Washington.” He also was the 2012 winner of the George Washington Memorial Award. Professor Henriques will bring copies of his new book, “George Washington: His Quest for Honor and Fame," for sale at the forum.
Register for this month's forum today!
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Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig are hosting a free Veteran Business Summit on Thursday, November 6, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. at 8300 Boone Boulevard in Vienna.
What is the Veteran Business Summit?
Themed "Your Next Mission: Business Success," this summit brings together veteran business owners and leaders for an afternoon of learning, networking, and collaboration. The event features expert speakers from John Marshall Bank and Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, covering essential topics including:
- Financing Solutions - John Marshall Bank discusses financing options to support growth for all business sizes
- Legal Considerations - Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig addresses critical legal frameworks for businesses from startup through exit
- Veteran Business Certifications - Learn about government contracting opportunities and certification benefits
- Panel Discussion - Business succession and estate planning insights from Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig Trust & Estate attorneys
This is an exceptional opportunity for the veterans in your network to gain actionable insights and connect with fellow veteran entrepreneurs. Register today.
| | Early Voting for Braddock District Supervisor Special Election | | |
A Special Election to fill the vacancy in the Braddock District Supervisor's Office will be held on December 9. Early in-person voting is now available at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).
This election is separate from the statewide November 4 election. If you've already voted early in the statewide election, you will need to cast a separate ballot for Braddock District Supervisor. Only Braddock District residents are eligible to vote in this Special Election.
Hours for early voting at the Government Center are on weekdays from 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday voting for the December 9 election is available on November 1, November 29, and December 6.
Beginning November 29, Burke Centre Library will serve as a second early voting location for this Special Election. Early voting for both sites ends on Saturday, December 6.
If you wish to vote on Special Election Day, December 9, your regular Braddock District polling place will be open from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Learn more on the Office of Elections' website.
| | Shark Tank Technology Challenge | | |
Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is now accepting entries in the Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge. Initial proposals are due December 19, 2025.
Open to all students in Fairfax County, the 2025-26 challenge invites youth to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, or wounded warriors.
The winning students will be recognized with cash awards provided by sponsor IntegrityOne Partners. Winners will also be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a spring 2026 reception. For more information about the challenge, visit the 2026 Shark Tank Technology Challenge page.
| | Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Information | | |
COVID-19 vaccines are available now, and they significantly lower the risk of getting sick, being hospitalized, or dying from the virus. People aged 6 months and older can receive the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines based on individual-based decision making with a healthcare provider, this includes pharmacists.
In Virginia, no prescription is needed for people aged 3 years and older to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy. However, not all pharmacies vaccinate children. Please call ahead or check the website of your local pharmacy to understand the age groups that they serve.
Health Department clinics have a limited vaccine supply and will only provide COVID-19 vaccine to individuals who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid. Learn more about COVID-19.
- Getting vaccinated and practicing healthy habits can help you avoid the flu, COVID-19, and RSV
- Healthy habits include washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes the proper way, cleaning surfaces regularly and staying home when sick
- The respiratory illness dashboard provides up-to-date information in the Fairfax Health District
- Learn about Flu, COVID-19, and RSV
| | Pet Adoption Spotlight: Suzie! | | |
Meet Suzie, a smart senior girl waiting for her perfect match since arriving at the shelter on September 16.
Located at the Fairfax Campus (4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax), Suzie is ready for a home.
Suzie is a sweet, super-smart senior cat who knows exactly what she wants — a calm, predictable home where she can be the star of the show.
Her previous owner raves about her smarts (she comes when called and even gives kisses!) and her perfect litterbox and scratching post manners.
Suzie loves snuggling at night but prefers affection on her terms and lets you know when she's had enough. She'll do best as the only pet in a home with adopters who are patient, cat-savvy, and willing to help her settle in at her own pace.
If you're ready for a one-of-a-kind, fiercely independent companion, Suzie just might be the girl for you!
Visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's website for more information about Suzie or to view other adoptable pets, including cats, dogs, and small animals.
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