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07.23.2026
Dear Neighbor,
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There's a special kind of magic that happens in the summer. The kids are out of school. The air is warm and thick. The streets and parks are filled with people again. String lights flicker on and off, fireflies paint with the night, and things are suddenly better with a cold drink in your hand. A hot summer morning dancing with your kids feels like a festival, and an evening in the park can turn into a night in nature's concert hall.
It's easy to only think of summer as hot and buggy, especially here, but our community has a way of turning that heat into an invitation. An invitation to make a new friend, to take a break from your screens, to dance the night away with your friends and family, or to create memories to the soundtrack of local musicians. Here in the district, this summer is filled with opportunities to engage with the arts and to create those memories. As you scroll through this newsletter, we invite you to check out all the free and fun arts events happening this weekend.
Community doesn't happen by accident. I'd like to thank all the Fairfax Parks staff, volunteer musicians and arts organizations for their work in making these events possible. And I'd like to thank you for being a part of it. This weekend, I hope you'll take a chance on a summer concert, or reach out to a local band and encourage them to submit an audition for the Braddock Battle of the Bands by Friday at 5:00. Reach out to a neighbor, a friend, a family member, and let's celebrate all that makes our Braddock District so special.
| | Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer | | Battle of The Bands is Back - Calling All Musicians | | |
I'm really excited to be bringing back Battle of the Bands as two special summer concerts at Lake Accotink Park. We're selecting six lucky bands to have the chance to perform and be crowned Braddock champions. Here's how it works.
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Thursday, August 14 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. Six bands perform; with your votes, we narrow the field.
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Thursday, August 21 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. The top three return to battle it out for the title.
Every participating band takes home a Sweetwater gift card, with extra prizes for the top three finalists. The winner earns a headlining spot at the 2027 Braddock Summer Nights Concert Series. Who knows? The next Dave Grohl might be discovered right here in the Braddock District.
Groups must include at least two members, at least one vocalist, and at least one instrumentalist, with preference given to bands whose members mostly live in Fairfax County. All genres are welcome - just submit two recorded tracks (covers are fine). Be sure to download the registration form and submit by July 24, 2026 at 5 p.m. (NEW DATE!)
Questions? Email braddockevents@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Even if you don't play, you can help make this happen! Please forward this to a musician you know - the garage band down the street, the coworker who gigs on weekends, your kid's music teacher, or that friend who's always talking about getting the band back together. In a moment when so much can feel heavy and divided, music has a way of reminding us what we share, and bringing neighbors together.
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In this issue:
- Community Happenings
- Housing Updates Recap
- Education Updates
- Health and Human Services
- Public Safety Updates
- Pet Adoption Corner
- Microburst Storm Resources
| | Braddock Nights Concert - The Randos Band | | |
Missing the music of MTV? Kick off your weekend with our Braddock Nights Concert, featuring The Randos Band, this Friday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 at Royal Lake Park, 5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax, VA 22032. Enjoy a free outdoor concert filled with great music, family-friendly fun, and a wonderful chance to connect with neighbors.
The Randos started out their musical journey together in the School of Rock Adult Performance Program right here in Fairfax County. They had so much fun there that they decided to start their own band and continue playing together. The Randos are staples of the DMV music scene and have participated in multiple regional Battle of the Bands competitions. They've also used their talents for good, teaming up with other regional musicians Aftermath and Dan Blanchett to do a benefit for Educate Fairfax at Jammin' Java.
To check out all the upcoming Braddock Nights Concerts, check out the Fairfax County Park Authority's Braddock Nights website.
| | Arts in the Parks Children's Show - Shake It Up Jam | | |
Take your kids out to the park this weekend and join us for the Arts in the Parks Children's Show. This week will be the unforgettable Shake it Up Jam, playing Saturday morning from 10:00-10:45 at Wakefield Park/Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA 22003, where children can enjoy a free, interactive performance in the beautiful outdoors while making lasting summer memories with family and friends. It's the place to be for the 5 and under crowd.
Created and hosted by singer and DJ Lisa Mathews, the Shake it Up Jam brings fun, kid-friendly music to any event. The Jam combines engaging music with immersive props to curate unforgettable dance parties!
To check out all of the upcoming Arts in the Parks Children's Shows, check out the Fairfax County Park Authority's Arts in the Parks website.
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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.
| | Burke Centre - Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department (Resource Table, Community Risk Reduction) | | |
Join the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department at the Burke Centre Library for information and discussions about the resources and programs offered by the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department.
This program is for adults.
Date: Monday, July 27, 2026
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Library Branch: Burke Centre Library
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Kings Park - Jenrry Huaylinos, "From the Soul to the Canvas"
Bilingual Spanish/English Artist Presentation
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Jenrry Huaylinos is a Peruvian artist, and has exhibited his art in Costa Rica and the United States. He studied at the School of Fine Arts in Lima, Peru. Many of his paintings are in the Impressionist style.
Mr. Huaylinos will present some of his artwork and discuss the inspiration for them. He will answer questions about his creative process and how to begin painting.
No registration required. This event will be in both English and Spanish. Intended for Adults.
Date: Monday, July 27, 2026
Time: 6:45pm - 8:15pm
Location: Kings Park Meeting Room
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Test your geologic and dinosaur knowledge at our Dino Trivia event, where every question celebrates your love of all things Jurassic (and beyond)! From T-Rex to Neanderthals, pop-culture to scientific fact, enjoy a friendly afternoon competition and dino-mite company!
Ages 6+. Registration suggested, but walk-ins are welcome!
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Kings Park Meeting Room
| | Kings Park - Lifelong Learning Series - Decluttering with Compassion | |
Decluttering is often presented as a simple matter of getting organized, but for many people it feels much more complicated than that. Our belongings can be tied to memories, relationships, unfinished goals, life transitions, and different versions of ourselves.
In this engaging and interactive discussion, professional declutter coach and organizer Dawn Straitz explores why letting go can feel emotionally challenging, how clutter can contribute to overwhelm and mental load, and practical ways to approach decluttering with greater self-compassion at each stage of the processes. Participants will gain insights into the human side of clutter, discover gentle strategies for moving forward, and have the opportunity to share their own experiences and ideas.
Whether you're downsizing, supporting a loved one, navigating a life transition, or simply looking to create a greater sense of calm and ease at home, this discussion offers encouragement, perspective, and practical takeaways.
This program is appropriate for adults of all ages. Registration is required.
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Location: Kings Park Meeting Room
| | One University - County-Owned Land Becomes a Site for Student and Senior Housing | |
One University recently earned national recognition for its innovative use of public land to help create more affordable housing opportunities.
Located adjacent to George Mason University, One University transformed a former 46-unit affordable housing community into a vibrant campus featuring 240 affordable homes, student housing, and office space for the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority. By increasing the number of affordable homes on the site from 46 to 240, including an additional 333 student housing units, One University supports long‑term stability that will help our essential workers, teachers, families, students, and seniors remain as an critical part of our community.
Fairfax County continues to expand its commitment to affordable housing, building on its 2022 decision to double its goal to 10,000 new affordable homes by 2034 while ensuring no net loss of existing affordable units. With median home values exceeding $760,000 and rents continuing to rise, the County has increasingly focused on developing affordable housing on publicly owned land near transit, jobs, and community amenities. Following the success of the One University development, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is now evaluating additional county-owned sites—including libraries, community facilities, and park-and-ride lots—for future housing opportunities.
| 2025 Demographic Reports Provide Insight on Growth, Housing Trends and More | |
Fairfax County’s population and housing inventory continued to grow during 2024, while median home values climbed over 6 percent between January 2024 and January 2025, according to the newly released Demographic Reports 2025.
The annual report provides a snapshot of Fairfax County as of January 1, 2025, with estimates and forecasts on population, households and housing units, along with data on home values and development activity. Information is broken down by geographic areas such as supervisory districts, towns, zip codes and census tracts.
"These demographic reports provide the localized data necessary to shape policies, plan intelligently and support the evolving needs of Fairfax County’s residents and businesses," says Phil Hagan, director of the Department of Management and Budget.
The Demographic Reports 2025, the Demographic Interactive Mapper and other demographic resources are available on the Fairfax County Website.
| Fairfax Crest Construction Update | |
One of the County's newest developments, Fairfax Crest, is nearing completion on underutilized parking lots adjacent to the Fairfax County Government Center. The project will provide 279 affordable apartments for households earning 30 to 70 percent of the Area Median Income.
Construction continues to make steady progress, with several major elements of the project nearing completion. Paver installation, mural painting, and the installation of recreational equipment in the courtyard are largely finished, while crews focus on final details in the north building and parking garage. The project remains on track for anticipated completion and occupancy in early fall. No road closures or temporary detours are expected this month.
Interested in living at Fairfax Crest? Apply Online.
| How First-Time Homebuyers Can Get a $50,000 Down Payment Loan | |
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) offers down payment loans to qualified individuals for first-time home purchases. Up to $50,000 is available for down payment assistance to help remove barriers to homeownership. These loans are made possible from Virginia Housing.
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Check your eligibility: Households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and who meet other requirements are eligible to apply. For single individuals, this looks like less than $91,750 annually, and $131,000 annually for a family of four. All details can be found on the website.
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Contact a Virginia Housing-approved lender: The lender submits the application to the FCRHA on behalf of the buyer, and the FCRHA processes applications as they are received.
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Get pre-approved: Buyers who are pre-approved receive a loan commitment and complete homebuyer education and counseling. Next, they work with the lender and real estate agent to obtain a ratified sales contract to purchase a home in Fairfax County.
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Close on your new home! Once you have a ratified contract to purchase, your lender will submit the complete application package for final approval. After it is approved, the purchase of your new home is coordinated with the lender, Fairfax County staff, and the title company.
Tip: consider the options for how you would use a loan: A Fairfax County Down Payment Loan may be used to reduce your first mortgage principal amount; pay reasonable and allowable closing costs; pay points to reduce the mortgage interest rate; or buy out private mortgage insurance (PMI). Work with your lender to determine the best use of the loan for you and your household.
Learn more and apply today
| Enjoy Using School Grounds This Summer! | |
As the Alice Cooper song goes: "School's out for summer!" In addition to all possibilities at our parks and other places to enjoy summer, Fairfax County Public Schools also welcome you.
School blacktops, playgrounds, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, and tracks are available for use by individuals (not organized groups) without being scheduled.
Please keep the following in mind when using these facilities:
- Use is allowed from dawn to dusk, except during school hours or when being used for school activities or other scheduled programs.
- Facilities must be shared with anyone else who wishes to use them.
- Please leave the facilities as you found them. Remove any waste or debris from the property.
Visit the FCPS availability webpage for more information on the usage of school grounds and facilities.
| Adopt-A-Student School Supply and Backpack Drive | |
Volunteer and Partner Services is excited to once again partner with Roonga, this time for their annual School Supply and Backpack Drive! In order to get started, all you need to do is log onto the live site.
July 1 through August 7, 2026, you are invited to Adopt-A-Student and help them start the school year prepared and confident.
Guidelines:
Volunteer and Partner Services is asking for a donation of a brand-new backpack and grade-specific school supplies for each student you adopt. For your convenience, they have included the school supply lists recommended by Fairfax County Public Schools for each grade level. Please refer to these lists when shopping to ensure students receive the items they need.
When you drop off your donation, it is required that you include a securely attached tag with:
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The student’s Roonga ID, and
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Their caseworker’s name.
Important Reminders:
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The Deadline is August 7: Drop off or deliver the backpacks and school supplies to the caseworker by appointment only by Friday, August 7, 2026. Please do not show up to the office without first speaking to the assigned caseworker.
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Check the student’s region. Please make sure you note which region the student lives in so you know which regional office to use for drop-off.
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Coordinate directly with the caseworker. Please contact the caseworker for the student you adopt, not the main program number, for questions, drop-off details, and confirmations.
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Donate new supplies only: All backpacks and school supplies must be brand new—we’re unable to accept used or gently used items, regardless of their condition.
Thank you for helping Fairfax County children start the school year equipped, encouraged, and supported. Your generosity makes a real difference in their lives.
| Health and Human Services |
Stay Cool, Stay Safe with AC Rescue
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As summers get hotter, having a safe, cool place to live is more important than ever. Fairfax County’s AC Rescue program is stepping in to help residents who are living in dangerously hot homes but don’t qualify for other cooling programs.
Launched as a pilot in summer 2024 and now a permanent county program, AC Rescue fills gaps in cooling services by offering free window and portable air conditioning units or limited repairs to central HVAC systems to residents of all ages and abilities, year-round, and to a wider range of household incomes. The program is open to households making up to 80 percent Area Median Income ($85,452 combined annual income for a household of two) who have no or poorly operating air conditioning equipment. The program also provides professional installation of the AC units and electric assessments to ensure the equipment can be used safely and reliably.
AC Rescue is operated by the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) as part of the Resilient Fairfax initiative, in partnership with the nonprofit Rebuilding Together-AFF. Together, they connect households to other repair services when needed.
Residents who need help can call Rebuilding Together at 703-528-1999. For general information about AC Rescue, visit the program webpage or call (703) 324-7262.
| Countywide Strategic Plan Launches New Empowerment and Support for Residents Facing Vulnerability Dashboard | |
Searching for support? The county may now have a better way to track the needs of vulnerable residents and to better support them.
Fairfax just launched the Empowerment and Support for Residents Facing Vulnerability dashboard (ESRFV) to help form a better relationship with people facing vulnerability. ESFRV keeps track of headline metrics so community leaders can make data-informed decisions, identify geographic or demographic disparities among residents and to better identify individuals or communities in need of support.
According to the dashboard, about one in four households in Fairfax are vulnerable, or Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed (ALICE). In recognition of the fact that the needs of vulnerable communities may be multi-faceted and individualized, the dashboard will be updated yearly to monitor progress over time.
If you're interested in better understanding the dashboard and how to navigate it, check out this tutorial video linked here.
| New Update for the Community Health Improvement Plan | |
Fairfax County is one of the wealthiest places in the country, but depending on your ZIP code, your lifespan can be 15 years shorter than your neighbor’s. That gap is what the Community Health Improvement Plan, or CHIP, is working to close. The CHIP, which addresses environment, mental health, food and healthcare access, is a five-year plan that aligns community groups, schools, businesses and government agencies around shared health goals.
Earlier this year, the county released its third update to the plan, which was first launched in 2010. CHIP has recently identified four main priority areas for 2026-2030:
Priority 1: Health Care Access & Use
Enhancing communication and facilitating navigation within the health care system while expanding access to affordable, equitable health care services.
Priority 2: Food Access & Healthy Eating
Improving the local food system so that healthy, culturally familiar foods are not only accessible and affordable but understood, valued and sustained for all.
Priority 3: Healthy Environment & Active Living
Creating a community environment that fosters active lifestyles and promotes health and well-being for everyone.
Priority 4: Behavioral Health
Advancing social and emotional well-being while fostering a supportive and stigma-free environment for all.
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Help First Responders Help YOU with Community Connect
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When an emergency happens, every second counts. Fairfax County residents and business owners can now take an extra step to help first responders by creating a free Community Connect profile.
Community Connect is a secure, voluntary platform that allows you to share important information about your household or business before an emergency occurs. Information such as emergency contacts, mobility or functional needs, pets, utility shutoffs, gate or lockbox access, and other property details can help firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel respond more safely and effectively when they're dispatched to your address. The information is only available to first responders during an emergency response and is protected with bank-level security encryption. Participation does not guarantee priority service, but it can provide responders with valuable information when time matters most.
Whether you live alone, have young children, care for an older adult, own pets or operate a business, creating a Community Connect profile is a simple way to strengthen your emergency preparedness. Residents are encouraged to create or update their profile and keep it current as circumstances change.
Learn more at the Fairfax County Community Connect website.
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Looking for someone who likes to go on long walks and is cute as a button? You might find a forever friend with Colby. Though Colby's past is mysterious as he comes from an out of state shelter and little is known about his background, what we do know is that he has shown himself to be a super nice pup with a big heart.
This pup did well with when interacting with other dogs in the Fairfax shelter, though animal services has also recommended slow introductions for the best success. Who doesn't love a blooming friendship?
Check out the link here to learn more about Colby and or about the adoption process.
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⛈️ Storm Recovery & Emergency Information
🌲Tree Damage & Property Cleanup
🏠 Property Damage & Permits
🫂 Community Assistance & Human Services
🏘️ Homeowners Associations & Consumer Assistance
📲 Community Organizations
📫 Stay Connected
The resources above were compiled from websites and phone numbers shared by the many county and state agencies that joined us during the July 8 town hall.
| | Follow Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer on
Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Bluesky, and 'X.' | | | | |
