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08.13.2026
Dear Neighbor,
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The days are getting shorter, signaling the inevitable end of summer, and for our students, the inevitable return to school. The beginning will look different for everyone. Some of our students will be entering their school with backpacks bigger than themselves. While others will be entering their senior year, having already started their college essays. Our student athletes and bandmembers might even be back at school already, knee-deep in preseason practice.
Despite the shared experiences that a new school year brings, not every student starts on the same footing. According to Fairfax County Public Schools, roughly 30 percent of students in the Braddock District are on free and reduced lunch. This number reflects how many families in our district are working hard just to make ends meet.
All our students deserve the chance to be ready for school. In this newsletter, we'll be highlighting distinctive opportunities to help support community members facing extra strain this season. As you read, please take note of the opportunity to "stuff a bus" with food, to advocate for accessory land units, or to support Braddock's free and educational music concerts.
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I was especially grateful this week to have my Chief of Staff, Stephanie Sedgwick, represent our office at the annual Shop with a Sheriff event, where children from Shelter House and FACETS family shelters had the opportunity to partner with a sheriff to pick out new clothes and supplies for school. It was so much fun to see the kids so excited, running around the Target right here in our part of Fairfax, trailed by their sheriff buddy trying to keep up. Shop with a Sheriff has helped kids in our community prepare for the new school year for 34 years. More details are listed below, but thank you to Paisano's, Aramark, Codex, Smart Communications, Oracle, and Cycle Center for making this event possible. A very special shout out to Target, which donated a backpack filled with school supplies to each child. This Target is right here in the Braddock District, and it makes me so proud that they are hosting these kinds of programs.
Giving kids the resources they need matters, but how we give matters too. Done right, it isn't just service. It is the opportunity to help our children on their road to a bright future. As we head into this last week before school starts, I hope you'll find a way in this newsletter to offer that kind of hope to our community.
| Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer | |
In this issue:
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🚨Battle of the Bands
- 👥Community Happenings
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🚗Transportation Updates: Beware of traffic closures
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🏠Land Use updates: 2x August 25 public hearings
- 💻Education Updates: Get ready for the new school year
- 🍎Health and Human Services: An adoption center temporarily closes
- 🐶Pet Adoption Corner
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Join Us for Braddock's
Battle of the Bands
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Battle of the Bands is here! This Friday, August 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, channel your inner Simon Cowell and cheer on your favorite band. You'll hear everything from covers of rock classics to Rihanna, all the way to garage music and folk music. So, no matter what your taste is, there's something for everyone.
The best part? YOU decide the three bands that get to perform in the final round. These bands are battling for cash prizes and the chance to headline a Braddock Nights performance next summer. On Friday, you influence next year's free concert repertoire. You choose the best of Braddock.
How excited are you?
Show up to Lake Accotink at 6:00 p.m.! Bring picnic blankets or camp chairs if you'd like to sit in the grass.
Get to know our bands!
Follow our Instagram (@RachnaBraddockSupervisor) and Facebook (@SupervisorRachna) to see features of all the bands. We'll be posting these throughout the week, so you can't miss it.
The competition promises to be electric. Come root for your hometown heroes. We hope to see you there!
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Braddock Nights Concert: See the District of Colombia in action | | |
The sounds of Colombia meet the pulse of Washington, D.C. That’s the essence of District of Colombia. This Friday, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Royal Lake Park (5344 Gainsborough Dr, Fairfax, VA 22302), attend Braddock Nights for music that transcends borders.
This band mixes traditional Colombian instruments with modern genres, producing a sound that’s both familiar and refreshingly new. Whether it’s cumbia, vallenato or a fresh Spanglish twist, the music of District of Colombia is designed to make you move, groove, and feel connected. It's not just a band; it's a vibrant fusion of cultures, sounds, and stories. Their sound is a celebration of dual identity, where Latin American warmth meets the energy of the American melting pot.
To check out all the upcoming Braddock Nights Concerts, check out the Fairfax County Park Authority's Braddock Nights website.
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Arts in the Park: STEM education with
Mad Science
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Looking for a show that combines the excitement of science with the learning of science? Then be sure to see the Fire and Ice show presented by Mad Science of Washington. They are holding this fascinating act this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in Wakefield Park (8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA 22003).
This show engages young audiences with impressive science experiments. The event includes foggy dry ice clouds and the chemistry of fire! Learn all about the science of magic, including a disappearing water trick and fun with air pressure. This is one of Mad Science's most popular shows, covering a wide variety of science topics, and is excellent for audiences of any age range.
More information on this performance can be found here.
| | STUFF THAT BUS! Saturday, September 19 | | |
Save the date! On Saturday, September 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., our office will host a Stuff the Bus event!
It's as simple as it sounds. A bus will be at our office (9002 Burke Lake Road). Our only goal is to fill the bus with food and gift cards for area food banks. Let's show the county what Braddock is made of and stuff that bus to the max!
More information can be found here.
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Library Events
Come and partake in the diverse offerings happening at the Kings Park and Burke Centre Libraries this week.
A full listing of library activities throughout Fairfax County may be found on the Library Calendar.
| | King's Park - Local Author Talk with E.A. Dustin | | |
Join local author E. A. Dustin for an interview-style discussion of her historical novels, The Alphabet Girls and Save Me Twice.
The Alphabet Girls and Save Me Twice are both historical novels that explore the difficult moral choices faced by ordinary people living through extraordinary times.
Following the presentation and audience Q&A, attendees will have a chance to win a signed copy of The Alphabet Girls. Copies of both novels are also available for checkout through the Fairfax County Public Library.
Program is open to patrons ages 15+. Registration is not required but encouraged to receive a reminder email.
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Kings Park Meeting Room
| | Kings Park - Calling volunteers for Career Day! Applications due August 31 | | Want to help teens find their future careers? Give kids a glimpse of the careers you love. Find the link to the application here. | | Closures, Delays, and Alerts: Oh My! | Popes Head Road Closure until Saturday, August 15 | |
Eastbound and westbound Popes Head Road (Route 654) will be closed at Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) from 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, until 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, for water main work as part of the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project, scheduled for completion this fall, also includes:
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Building a short segment of the future Shirley Gate Road extension that will provide pedestrian and vehicle access to the future Patriot Park (Fairfax County is designing the rest of the Shirley Gate extension).
- Constructing a shared-use path linking the Fairfax County Parkway Trail to the future Patriot Park.
- Reconstructing the Fairfax County Parkway Trail.
- Installing a sidewalk along the north side of Popes Head Road.
- Extending Ladues End Lane to the new roundabout at Popes Head Road.
You can get traffic, work zone and incident information online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, via the free mobile 511Virginia app, or by calling 511 in Virginia anywhere anytime.
| ALERT: Gunpowder Road Bridge over Rt. 29 Closed Until October | |
The Gunpowder Road bridge over Route 29 will be closed for approximately two months for bridge work, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The Gunpower Road bridge is scheduled to reopen to traffic in early to mid-October.
You can get traffic, work zone and incident information online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, via the free mobile 511Virginia app, or by calling 511 in Virginia anywhere anytime.
| The Virginia Railway Express expands service for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix | |
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) will run Sunday, August 23. The VRE, which is a commuter rail service that offers transportation services between Northern Virginia and D.C., is expanding service in anticipation of congestion expected from the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Morning service will run north on both the Manassas and Fredericksburg Lines up to Alexandria King Street Station, with southbound service beginning at DC’s Union Station and serving all VRE stations.
You can purchase VRE tickets on the VRE Mobile app or at ticket vending machines at all VRE stations. Normal rates apply, and all ticket types are valid, including existing 10-trip or monthly tickets. Learn more at vre.org.
| ALERT: Wastewater Repair Project Along Gadsen Drive Starting Sept. 14 | |
Starting Monday, September 14, the Fairfax County Wastewater Design and Construction Division (WDCD) will begin a wastewater infrastructure project along Gadsen Drive.
This project will replace approximately 1,690 linear feet of deteriorated 8-inch sewer pipe, located along Gadsen Drive and Henrico Street. The existing 8-inch sewer main will be upgraded to a 12-inch sewer main.
During construction, WDCD has asked residents to not park in or immediately adjacent to active construction areas. The active work zone will shift as the project advances, so remain attentive to posted signs and changing conditions. Please also note that the dead end of Gadsen Drive near Portsmouth Road has been designated for construction material and equipment storage.
For additional information about this project, please visit this link or email joseph.gerges@fairfaxcounty.gov with any questions.
| Board of Supervisors to hold Public Hearing on Olley Lane Site Specific Plan Amendment on August 25 | |
The Board of Supervisors is planning to hold a public hearing on a proposed site-specific plan amendment for the property on Olley Lane, just north of the Church of the Good Shepherd, near Braddock Road. The property is currently planned for one to two homes per acre. The Plan Amendment would ask the County to assess whether an increase of two to three homes per acre would be appropriate for the development of this site.
If you are interested in speaking or submitting comments for the public hearing, please visit the Fairfax County – Clerk of the Board website for information.
| August 25 Public Hearing on the New Proposed Environmental Commission | |
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Aug. 25 on a proposal to eliminate the county’s Tree Commission and consolidate some of its responsibilities with those within a reformed successor to the Environmental Quality Advisory Council. Under the proposal, the resulting consolidated advisory body would be known as the Environmental Commission.
The Tree Commission is an advisory body that has provided advice, support and community education regarding urban forest conservation and preservation. The Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) currently advises the Board on a broad range of environmental issues, including air and water quality, land use, energy and climate.
Merging the two advisory bodies is expected to save the county in staff time and planning costs. As part of the proposed changes, some responsibilities currently held by the Tree Commission may be shifted to the Urban and Community Forestry Division in the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES). This proposed consolidation is part of an ongoing review of the county’s boards, authorities and commissions (BACs).
Residents are encouraged to follow the Board’s agenda for additional details and to participate in the Aug. 25 public hearing to air their views on the proposed Environmental Commission and the future of tree and environmental advisory services in Fairfax County.
| Add Accessory Living Unit regulations to your next community meetings! | |
Planning a community meeting? Add ALUs to the agenda before September 28!
Potential changes are on the table for Fairfax County's Accessory Living Unit (ALU) regulations, which impact secondary living spaces like basement apartments and detached guest homes.
Community members can host a community-led discussion by using the Online Community Toolkit, which is available through September 28.
The toolkit contains everything needed to explain the proposed changes, facilitate a discussion and collect the feedback of your community. View the toolkit here. Learn more here.
| Join the Braddock District Land Use and Environment Committee | |
Are you or is someone you know interested in becoming involved with local land use decision-making? The Braddock Land Use and Environment (BLUE) Committee is looking for five Braddock District residents to learn about and shape the district's land development future.
The BLUE Committee, founded in 2012, reviews proposals and provides recommendations to the Braddock District Planning Commissioner and the Braddock District Supervisor on development and redevelopment projects, while focusing on the goals of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, One Fairfax and Active Fairfax Transportation Plans, among others. It is a self-selected, independent, nonpartisan, and volunteer advisory body comprised of interested citizens who live in the Braddock District.
Committee members are asked to commit to at least one year of service and serve on at least one subcommittee. If you are interested in joining BLUE, but want to learn more, attend one of our meetings to observe our work and talk with our current members. The next meeting will be on September 15.
An application may be downloaded here or may be requested by calling (703) 425-9300.
We look forward to hearing from you!
| Get ready for the new school year! | |
Believe it or not, the school year begins Monday, August 24!
Below are reminders and resources to make sure you're prepared.
| Health and Human Services | |
The Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis and is urgently looking for donors. All blood types are needed, but the Red Cross is particularly searching for type-O blood donors as the nationwide type-O blood supply falls critically low.
Blood donors are a lifeline for trauma victims, patients with sickle cell disease, those undergoing surgery, patients with cancer and others. But without more blood donors, shortages may delay essential care for patients. You can help!
Find blood drives near you on the Red Cross or INOVA website.
| Adoption Fees; Michael Frey Animal Shelter Temporary Shutdown | |
Beginning Monday, August 31, the Department of Animal Services will temporarily close the Michael R. Frey campus to complete an HVAC renovation that will take approximately six months.
The Lorton campus and a temporary public-facing space offering limited services will both be available during this time. While Lorton will continue to accept stray animals, intake capacity will be significantly reduced. So, between August 21 and 23, adoption fees will be waived at both campuses! This might be your chance to find a new forever friend.
Get all the operational updates at this link.
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Meet Lynx - Your friendly, playful "cool cat!"
Lynx is a friendly, medium-energy boy with a playful streak and a whole lot of charm. This handsome guy enjoys toy mice, balls, and feather wands, and he's especially active in the afternoons. He loves spending time near his people-close enough to feel connected but not necessarily cuddling. His best quality? "Friendly." His most challenging one? He can be a "picky eater," but that's ok: he likes what he likes.
With his social nature, playful personality, and "cool cat" vibe, Lynx is ready to settle into a new home where he can thrive. If you're looking for a friendly companion who enjoys fun, independence, and time spent by your side, Lynx may be the perfect match.
If Lynx sounds like the pet for you, check out more information on him or the adoption process here.
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Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Bluesky, and 'X.' | | | | |
