11.26.2025

Dear Neighbor,

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we are sending our regular Thursday Advisory on Wednesday. The County government will be closed on Friday, November 28 as well.

The Braddock District staff are thankful for the opportunity to continue serving our constituents.

We hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! As you may imagine, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. Please review the Fire & Rescue Department's cooking and safety tips to ensure a safe and successful Thanksgiving.

If you're traveling this week, be sure to pack your patience. The Virginia Department of Transportation provides resources for those who will be joining the turkey traffic: 511 Virginia for traffic updates, safety tips for little ones in car seats, and general driver safety.

Read the Fairfax County Police blog for safety and security tips while traveling or celebrating.

Small Business Saturday

During Small Business Saturday, November 29, we encourage you to support Fairfax County's small businesses when doing your holiday shopping. Read more on the County's News page.

By choosing to "Shop Small," residents are not just buying a product—they're investing directly into a neighbor's dream and boosting the local economy. Over 90% of the County’s businesses are small, and they need your support

now more than ever.

This year, residents can find those truly unique, one-of-a-kind gifts by supporting local artisans and "makers." Be sure to check out the businesses in the Made in Fairfax network! From handcrafted goods to local treats, shoppers will find something special for everyone on their list, all made right here in Fairfax.

FLAP's Beaver Boogie 5K Returns on November 29


The third annual Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) Beaver Boogie 5k Fun Run/Walk will take place November 29, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Rd, Springfield VA 22150. 

Enjoy the varied terrain course which is sure to be enjoyable for all runners and walkers. All ages are welcome. This annual event continues to raise awareness and resources to support FLAP's mission to “Protect, restore, preserve and educate all concerning the natural, historical and cultural resources of Lake Accotink Park.” As a 100% volunteer organization, all donations go directly to support projects and programs at Lake Accotink Park.

You can register for this event on Eventbrite or find more details on the Park Authority's website.

Yours in service,


The 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:


• Burke Centre Library Opens November 29 for Early Voting
• Santa Train Tickets
• Ways to Give and Receive Basic Needs Assistance
• Fairfax County Parkway Closures December 1-5
• Fairfax Water Public Hearing on Proposed Rate Increase
• Coffee with a Cop
• Fairfax Connector Winterfest December 6
• Help Shape the Future of the Government Center Campus—Complete the Survey by December 6
• Pet Adoption Spotlight: Bob

Burke Centre Library Opens November 29 for Early Voting

On Saturday, November 29, the Burke Centre Library opens as an early voting site for Braddock District voters who would like to participate in the December 9 Special Election for Braddock District Supervisor.

The full list of in-person early voting opportunities include:

Now through December 6: Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax 22035)
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(Closed November 27 & 28 for County holiday)
Saturday November 29 & December 6, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

November 29 through December 6: Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke 22015)
Monday - Friday 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday November 29 & December 6, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.


Request a mail-in absentee ballot by Monday, December 1, at 5:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, December 9, your regular Braddock District polling place will be open from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The Braddock District Supervisor’s Office/Kings Park Library will not be a voting site for the special election.

Learn more at the Fairfax County Office of Elections website.

To request a mail-in ballot, check your ballot status, or to confirm that you are registered in the Braddock Supervisor District, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Santa Train Tickets

The Kings Park Library is one of the sites where you can purchase tickets in-person for the Virginia Railway Express’ Santa Trains this year. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, December 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Parking is available on either side of the Braddock District office/Kings Park Library building (9000 & 9002 Burke Lake Rd). Please avoid parking at the office building next door.

VRE staff will remain at ticket vendor locations until 12:00 p.m. or until tickets sell out.

Half of the tickets are set aside for online sales, which begin December 2 at 10:00 a.m. on Eventbrite. For these, we recommend you register on the Eventbrite website before tickets go on sale, to ensure you can check out quickly and efficiently.

For full information about Santa Trains, visit VRE’s website or call (800) 743-3873 (RIDE-VRE).

Ways to Give and Receive Basic Needs Assistance

Despite being one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, hunger remains a concern for many in our community.

The Braddock District, and Fairfax County overall, are home to many great charitable organizations and non-profits that fill service gaps for community members. These organizations also rely on partnerships with Fairfax County and the community to provide adequate resources for residents.

The Braddock District office receives a large number of requests to advertise donation drives and more. We do our best to share the opportunities that are most relevant to the Braddock District. We always recommend that those in need first call the Coordinated Services Planning hotline at (703) 222-0880 for basic needs assistance.

Residents can also utilize the Emergency Food Access Map to connect with emergency food distributors across Fairfax County. A new feature has been added to the Map which allows residents to easily find locations where they can donate non-perishable items or fresh produce, making it simpler for community members who wish to give during the holiday season to identify nearby drop-off sites.


Below is a selection of some local organizations where you can receive assistance, contribute, or volunteer:

• ECHO food pantry and other services at 7205 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield.
• Annandale United Methodist Church Mission Center, 7901 Heritage Dr., Annandale. Food distribution every Thursday; on other days they distribute children's clothing, diapers, personal care items, and more. Weekly free dental clinics for children.
• FACETS - shelter, wrap-around services, and emergency assistance.
• Burke United Methodist Church food bank at 6200 Burke Centre Pkwy.
• Food for Others offers a USDA Program for qualifying families, an emergency referral program, and supplemental food distribution at neighborhood sites, many of which are in or near the Braddock District.
• St. Stephen's United Methodist Church grocery distribution, 9203 Braddock Rd., Burke.
• Fairfax FISH - financial, fuel, clothing and other types of assistance.

Toy and food drive on Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Cardinal Forest Giant Food in Springfield, hosted by the West Springfield District Police Station. Donate food, or new, unwrapped toys.

The Fire & Rescue Department is participating in the Toys for Tots Campaign. Collection boxes are located at every fire station in Fairfax County. You can swing by your local fire station anytime now through Friday, December 12.

Find more opportunities in the 2025 Holiday Giving Guide.

Read the County News page, Ways You Can Fight Hunger in Fairfax County.

The County's Hypothermia Prevention Program begins on December 1, and we appreciate the many places of worship and other facilities who open their doors to take our neighbors in from the cold. Sites around the County are also seeking volunteers. If you see someone who is unsheltered and you think they are at risk of hypothermia, call the Non-Emergency number at (703) 691-2131, or 911 if you see someone in distress.

Fairfax County Parkway Closures December 1-5

Weather permitting, the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) median at Burke Centre Parkway (Route 643) will have nighttime closures, and southbound Fairfax County Parkway will be reduced to one lane at the intersection Monday night, December 1, through Friday night, December 5, due to stormwater pipe installation as part of the Fairfax County Parkway south widening project, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The median will be closed to all traffic and southbound Fairfax County Parkway will be reduced to one lane as follows:

• 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2.

• 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, to 4 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.

• 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, to 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4.

• 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, to 4 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5.

• 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, to 4 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

Traffic will be detoured as follows:

• Southbound Fairfax County Parkway left turn to eastbound Burke Centre Parkway: Southbound Fairfax County and northbound Route 123 (Ox Road) back to eastbound Burke Centre Parkway.

• Westbound Burke Centre Parkway left turn to southbound Fairfax County Parkway: Northbound Fairfax County Parkway and U-turn at Popes Head Road (Route 654) back to southbound Fairfax County Parkway.

Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.

View the full press release on the VDOT website.

Fairfax Water Public Hearing on Proposed Rate Increase

On December 11, the Fairfax Water Board will hold a public meeting to discuss proposed changes to drinking water rates. If approved, new rates will start in April 2026.

The rate increase would mean most customers pay about $1.93 more each month. As a not-for-profit utility, Fairfax Water only charges what it costs to serve its customers and receives no funding from local government. The adjustment reflects rising costs for electricity, treatment supplies, infrastructure, and materials.

Meeting Information:

Fairfax Water Board of Directors

Thursday, December 11, 2025

6:30 p.m.

8570 Executive Park Avenue,

Fairfax, VA 22031

For ADA accommodations, please contact Jessica Love, jlove@fairfaxwater.org or (703) 289-6029 (TTY 711)

Comments and questions may be submitted until midnight on December 10 to publichearingcomments@fairfaxwater.org. The public is welcome to make comments at the December 11 meeting, as well. (Questions about your water bill? Call 703-698-5800, Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm.)

Learn more at fairfaxwater.org/rates.

Coffee with a Cop

Join Officers from the West Springfield District Station on Wednesday, December 3 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Target (10301 New Guinea Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032) for a Coffee with a Cop.

Bring your friends and family, grab a coffee, and get to know your local police officers.

Fairfax Connector Winterfest December 6

Fairfax Connector is excited to announce Winterfest 2025, which will be held on Saturday, December 6 at the Springfield Community Business Center (CBC) Commuter Parking Garage located at 7039 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22150.

• Sensory Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. 
• General Public: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.


This FREE event will open at 9:00 a.m. with sensory-friendly time for neurodivergent children and families. This will be a time when it's a little quieter to enjoy the Santa Bus and other activities. 

The event opens to the general public at 10 a.m. To help them plan, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation asks that everyone reserve a free entry ticket. Please note that this ticket is separate from the Santa Visit time slots.

Featuring:

• Visit Santa (click here to reserve a time slot)
• FREE hot cocoa, desserts, and kettle corn
• Arts and crafts
• Face painting
• Games, music, and a Letter to Santa station
• Visit with Mrs. Claus
• FREE Fairfax Connector Coupons and goodies
• Food trucks on site with items for purchase.
• Heated table areas provided, but please dress appropriately.
• Plus, other surprises!

Help Shape the Future of the Government Center Campus—Complete the Survey by December 6

Changes are being considered to the long-term vision for the Fairfax County Government Center campus in the core of the Fairfax Center Area. The campus was planned and developed under a Master Plan in 1987. Since that time, the Fairfax Center Area and the needs of the County’s residents have changed. County policies have also changed since 1987, including efforts to better serve residents equitably through public lands and facilities.

The Government Center Visioning process is reexamining the long-range plan for the Government Center campus to determine how it can advance County goals while maintaining its important role as the seat of local governance. Specifically, this effort focuses on repurposing existing, underused surface parking lots for other public and community-serving spaces; expanding the breadth of services available to residents; and supporting a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable environment and community.

In October, County Planning staff held two open houses to gather feedback on several concepts for future mixed-use development on the site. For those who weren’t able to attend or wish to review the information, a recording of the virtual meeting and copy of the slides are available online.

An online survey is available to follow up on the concepts presented at the open houses. Your feedback and ideas will help refine this vision, which will combine key elements from each concept. The final framework will serve as a flexible guide for future development decisions informed by County needs, market conditions, and other considerations. Please complete the brief survey and submit your comments by December 6 so they may be considered at the December 8 Task Force meeting.

Pet Adoption Spotlight: Bob

• At Lorton Campus since October 23, 2025
• 12 year old mixed breed
• Neutered

Meet Bob!

Bob is a 26.1-pound senior dog with a unique blend of independence and playful energy. At nearly 13 years old, he knows what he likes and prefers to keep interactions low-key. While he may not seek out constant attention, he's comfortable with gentle petting and will lean in for a good scratch when the mood strikes. He's easy to engage in short bursts of play and has a soft spot for stuffed toys, which he'll enthusiastically shake before moving on to his next quiet moment. Bob would do well in a home that respects his space and appreciates his calm, self-assured nature. With his mellow charm and occasional playful spark, Bob is ready to be a steady presence in a peaceful environment.

This pet is eligible for an Adoption Audition! What is an Adoption Audition? It's a 5-day, no-strings-attached, trial adoption period. You can take Bob home to try him out! Interested? Come to the shelter any time during open hours and talk to one of their Customer Care staff!

Learn how to adopt a dog at the Animal Shelter website.