|
11.20.2025
Dear Neighbor,
This Tuesday, the Fairfax County Veterans and Military Families Commission presented their first report to the Board of Supervisors. As you may recall, this Commission was created in early 2024 as an initiative of then-Supervisor James Walkinshaw and Chairman Jeff McKay.
| | |
You can review the report in the Board's November 18 meeting package.
Commission Chair, and former Supervisor, Penny Gross discussed some of the major issues facing veterans and military-connected families in Fairfax County such as housing affordability, career support, and more. The Commission will be launching a needs assessment survey in January. The survey will collect data on the needs and experiences of the military community in order to inform the work of the Commission and that of the Board of Supervisors.
We would like to thank our capable volunteer members and County staff supporting the Veterans and Military Families Commission, each of whom brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization. You can read their bios in the report as well.
2025 Holiday Giving Guide
| | |
Every year, Fairfax County creates a list called the "Holiday Gift Giving Guide" filled with giving opportunities in the County through agency drives and donation events. The 2025 Holiday Giving Guide is available now.
This Advisory and the November Braddock Beacon also feature several ongoing drive and donation events. We'll continue to post giving opportunities throughout the holiday season.
Safety Tips for the Darker Months
| | |
With earlier sunsets, visibility on our roads continues to decline. Tragically, there were two pedestrian fatalities in the County last week, one of which was here in the Braddock District. The Fairfax County Police Department's blog provides some helpful safety tips for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Please take a moment and consider the safety of our community members out on the roads.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is giving out free pedestrian/bicycle safety lights, available at our office starting next week at 9002 Burke Lake Road. We invite you to sign up for FCDOT's Active Transportation Newsletter to be informed about programs, resources, and initiatives that support walking, biking, and safer travel in our community.
| | |
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:
- 'Friendsgiving' Blood Donor Opportunities
- I-495 Express Lanes Extension to Open November 22
- Code Compliance Corner: Commercial Vehicle Parking
- Virginia Mobile ID Now Available
- Save Energy and Cut Costs with the Energy Compass Program
- Help Shape the Future of the Government Center Campus—Complete the Survey by December 6
- Early Voting for Braddock District Supervisor Special Election
- Santa Train Tickets
- Holiday Toy & Food Drive
- Pet Adoption Spotlight: Cordelia
| 'Friendsgiving' Blood Donor Opportunities | |
Join Inova for Friendsgiving at their donor centers and enjoy a catered Thanksgiving lunch featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese and stuffing — a delicious way to say thank you for donating! Catered by Willard’s Real Pit BBQ.
All donors will also receive a pair of festive socks as a cozy token of gratitude.
Come share in good food, great company and the gift of saving lives — it’s what Friendsgiving is all about.
| | |
Date: November 21, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Locations:
Woodburn Donor Center
3289 Woodburn Rd, #010
Annandale, VA 22003
CentreMed Donor Center
6201 Centreville Rd, St 300
Centreville, VA 20120
| | |
Dulles Donor Center
45745 Nokes Blvd
Sterling, VA 20166
| | I-495 Express Lanes Extension to Open November 22 | | |
The 495 Express Lanes Extension (the Extension) remains on schedule to open this Saturday, November 22, weather permitting. The two-and-a-half-mile extension of new 495 Express Lanes spanning from near the Dulles Corridor Interchange to just before the American Legion Bridge and new connecting ramps are scheduled to be fully open and operational by mid-morning Saturday.
Drivers will know an entry to the Extension is open when wayfinding signs are visible, toll pricing is active, and barriers are removed. Drivers should not attempt to access an entry that still appears closed or is in the process of opening.
Mobile and stationary closures on the I-495 general-purpose and express lanes and shoulders, as well as ramp closures and detours, will occur within the 495 NEXT project corridor during implementation of the Extension opening. Crews will be completing final details including updating on-road signage, final “tie-in” work, and opening of new connections. These closures and detours will occur beginning as early as 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21 to 6 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 22.
Click here for a factsheet about navigating the 495 Express Lanes Extension.
| | Code Compliance Corner: Commercial Vehicle Parking | | |
From the Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance (DCC)
Starting a business? Driving a company vehicle? Make sure you know where you can park with this helpful information on Commercial Vehicles. (This information pertains to parking on residential property, not public streets.)
Commercial Vehicles – If you have a commercial vehicle, parking it at home might be the simplest option. But Fairfax County has rules to balance convenience with visual appeal and to limit other impacts. So, in residential areas, keep in mind the following:
-
The Zoning Ordinance allows parking one commercial vehicle per dwelling unit on the property. The vehicle must be owned or operated by an occupant where it is parked.
-
For that one allowed commercial vehicle, additional limits apply in residential zoning districts and residential areas of planned districts. Vehicles including, but not limited to, food trucks and tractor trailers cannot be parked or stored on a residential property. More information, including other vehicles prohibited on residential property, is available on DCC’s Commercial Vehicle flyer.
| |
Food trucks and larger vehicles like tractor trailers aren't allowed in residential areas, but others may be. Two common examples of vehicles that are allowed include:
- A taxicab or limousine not more than 21 feet long, eight (8) feet in height, or eight and a half (8.5) feet in width; or
-
A company pickup truck that a business allows an employee to drive from their home to jobsites, as long as the truck does not have a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 16,001 pounds and does not exceed the dimensions listed above.
Even though it may be large, a recreational vehicle or travel trailer isn’t a commercial vehicle. When residents are not using their RV, they can park it on the same property where they live.
Wondering about other vehicle rules? Check out DCC’s webpage for Vehicles on Private Property.
Remember - DCC has no authority over public streets. For public street parking regulations, please see this Fairfax County Department of Transportation page.
DCC is here to help – if you have questions, want to make a report, or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact them. You can report problems online, learn about what happens during an investigation, reach them via email, phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711), or visit them in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035. If you have comments or suggestions for DCC, please fill out their feedback form.
| | Virginia Mobile ID Now Available | | |
Virginia Mobile ID is a digital option of a state-issued driver's license or identification card. It’s free to obtain and can be set up with your smartphone. Your Virginia Mobile ID is a companion to your physical ID, and you’ll still need to carry a physical ID with you. In many cases, it can stay in your wallet, and your phone can do the work of verifying your identity.
Virginia Mobile ID is a secure and convenient way to verify your identity—and it's already accepted in key locations across the Commonwealth, including National Airport, Dulles Airport, and a growing list of other organizations and businesses.
Learn more about Mobile ID on the Virginia DMV website.
| | Save Energy and Cut Costs with the Energy Compass Program | | |
The winter season will soon be here, and it’s a good time to invest in energy-saving upgrades to save energy, reduce utility costs, and make your living space more comfortable. The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) has launched the Fairfax Energy Compass program to offer the following services to county residents:
- Personalized, expert advice on home solar options, and energy systems, including heating, cooling, insulation, lighting; and
- Access to rebates, incentives, and certified contractors for energy upgrades.
“With rising energy costs and growing concern about climate change, the Energy Compass program is a vital new resource for our community,” said OEEC Director John Morrill. “This program helps residents save money, improve home comfort, and reduce their carbon footprint—all while advancing Fairfax County’s sustainability goals.”
Residents can get started by completing an interest form, emailing energycompass@fairfaxcounty.gov, or calling (703) 324-3721.
| | |
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.
| | Early Voting for Braddock District Supervisor Special Election | | |
Early voting for the December 9 Special Election to fill the vacancy in the Braddock District Supervisor's Office is underway.
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.
| | |
The Kings Park Library (9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke) 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.
VRE staff will remain at ticket vendor locations until 12:00 p.m. or until tickets sell out. Tickets cannot be reserved or sold in advance. Tickets will be $5 cash or check, or $6 with credit card payment.
Online tickets will go on sale the following day, December 2, at 10:00 a.m. on Eventbrite. For these, we recommend you save your information 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.
| | Holiday Toy and Food Drive | | |
Officers from the West Springfield District Police Station will be hosting a toy and food drive on Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Cardinal Forest Giant Food in Springfield.
They are asking for *NEW* unwrapped toys to be donated. These toys will be sent to the Motor Squad for their Santa’s Ride event. The Motor Squad will be delivering these toys to kids who are housed in area hospitals, like Inova Children’s Hospital and the Georgetown Hospital Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The food will benefit ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others), an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) charity that provides food and financial help to people with short-term emergencies. ECHO also provides clothes and household items to people with low incomes.
Food items that are requested are in order of priority: can vegetables, can soup, spaghetti sauce, pasta, jelly, vegetable oil, muffin mix, Jello/pudding mix, macaroni and cheese, pancake mix, can tomatoes, box rice, peanut butter, eggs, margarine, bread, condiments, can meat, tortillas, salsa, BBQ sauce, juice (both individual and family size), tea and coffee. "Family Sized" items only please. Extra-large items (25 lb bags of flour, 5-6 lb single cans of anything) are too large for distribution to ECHO client families, which have four people on average.
Please stop by and donate. Officers and community volunteers will be located just outside the store to assist you. Thank you so much for your support and hope to see you there!
Contact PFC Liam May (703-277-2357 or liam.may@fairfaxcounty.gov) at the West Springfield District Station with any questions.
| | Pet Adoption Spotlight: Cordelia | | |
Meet Cordelia. Located at the Fairfax Campus (4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax), Cordelia has been waiting for her new home since September 4.
Cordelia came to the Shelter as a stray, carrying the signs of a tough start-including an eye injury. Understandably, she's scared and unsure of the world around her.
Cordelia will need a patient and gentle adopter who can offer her a quiet, safe space to land. With time, love, and consistency, we believe she'll come out of her shell and begin to trust again.
She's not ready for the spotlight just yet-but if you've got a big heart and a soft place for a soul in need, Cordelia might just be your perfect match!
Learn how to adopt a cat at the Animal Shelter website.
| | Follow the Braddock District Office on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. | | | | |
