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07.30.2026
Dear Neighbor,
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August arrives this weekend, bringing with it the grand finale of summer break season. Did you know that the month of August was named after the Emperor Augustus Caesar? The emperor chose this month because it was the month in which he had experienced his greatest good fortune.
I hope his good fortune extends to you and yours as well. Despite the dog days of summer and the first day of school (August 24th!), August holds countless exciting opportunities. Details can be found below, and we hope you can make the most of community offerings. This week, you can attend free concerts headlined by The Beatles tribute band Yellow Dubmarine and children's artist Marsha and the Positrons. You can read up on Fairfax's farmers markets. And you can attend the annual National Night Out festivities in neighborhoods around Braddock next Tuesday!
One thing that I think has changed since the times of the Roman Empire is that we cannot call these events mere "fortune" anymore. They are the result of the hard work of so many community partners, who are working to make these events possible. I'd like to thank all of the staff at the Park Authority, the school board, our libraries, the police department, agencies associated with health and human services, and the volunteers and organizers for their efforts in making the events a success.
Fortune favors the bold. This August, fortune is enjoying a free concert, joining neighbors at a National Night Out event, or appreciating a cat named Winston Churchill (see pet adoption section below) -- you just have to show up. So have fun, get connected, and make the most of it!
| | Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer | | NOTICE: Notary services from our office will be unavailable after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31. | | |
In this issue:
- 👥Community Happenings
- 📈Professional Growth Survey
- 🚗Land Use and Transportation Updates
- 💻Education Updates: The technology edition
- 🍎Health and Human Services
- 🔐Public Safety Updates
- 😺Pet Adoption Corner
- ☔Storm Resources
| | Braddock Nights Concert: Enjoy the music of the Beatles with Yellow Dubmarine | | |
Don't let me down! Come together to Royal Lake Park this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. to hear the music of Beatle's tribute band Yellow Dubmarine.
Yellow Dubmarine pays tribute to the greatest Beatles songs of all time, performing the music from the "1" album in a tightly rehearsed reggae style. The album features every number-one single released by The Beatles in the United Kingdom and United States from 1962 to 1970. You do not want to miss the music of the greatest Beatles band since the Beatles.
To check out all the upcoming Braddock Nights Concerts, check out the Fairfax County Park Authority's Braddock Nights website.
| | Next Week is National Farmers Market Week! (August 2-8) | | |
Are you a person that thinks globally and shops locally?
If so, you'll be excited to hear that next week is National Farmers Market Week. Our local farmers markets do so much for us and our community. They circulate money back into the local economy. They provide avenues to ask about health and safety protocols. Ten local farmers markets operate plastic bag-free. Participating farmers markets can double SNAP benefits.
To celebrate next week, find your closest farmers market here and check out all they have to offer. If you're interested in more ways in serving your community through the farmers market, you can donate produce purchased at the market to nearby food pantries to benefit those in need. All you have to do is drop off your donation at the market manager's tent.
| | Tuesday, August 4 is National Night Out | | |
National Night Out, the annual neighborhood-based crime and drug prevention event, is back! This event is meant to strengthen community bonds and to strengthen relationships with local public safety authorities. This year, there are four Braddock communities hosting National Night Out celebrations. Contact your local HOA to find out more about the event closest to you.
You don't want to miss it! Representatives from the office of yours truly will be at every event, so come on down and talk with us!
| | Arts in the Park: Science with Marsha and the Positrons | | |
Pump up the energy this Saturday with the electric, the energetic, and theducational band Marsha and the Positrons!
This band will headline Saturday's Arts in the Park series at Wakefield Park beginning 10:00 in the morning. Bring your kids to learn something new and maybe find out something new yourself!
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.
| | Burke Centre - Stitch Sesh | | |
Looking to spin yarn or to spin a yarn? Hang out with fellow craft enthusiasts at a community craft session. All manner of fiber arts and skill levels are welcome, though this program is for adults.
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Burke Centre Group Study Room
| | Kings Park - School Supply Swap | | |
We get it. School supply costs add up. If you're looking for school supplies, be sure to attend the Kings Park Library school supply swap. Bring new or gently used supplies you no longer need, and "shop" for items to take home at no cost.
School supplies may include: notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, erasers, scissors, glue, rulers, binders, folders, and more.
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Kings Park Conference Room
| | Be heard: Fill Out this Cost of Living Survey for Early and Mid-Career Professionals | |
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce is seeking respondents for their latest leadership survey.
This survey aims to understand whether the cost of living in the Northern Virginia area is impacting the career trajectory of early and mid-career professionals, if you are receiving the development needed for professional growth, and whether you plan to remain in the region.
The survey is anonymous and takes less than five minutes to complete. Results will be published in the State of NextGen Leadership in the DMV report. If interested, the survey link can be found here.
| Land Use and Transportation | New I-66 "Slugging" Network Launching This Fall to Help Commuters Bypass Tolls | |
Commuting can be terrible. We've all been there: stuck between waiting in long lines or paying high tolls, all the while staring enviously at those lucky HOV drivers.
If you know the feeling, then there now may be a solution for you. The community-organized carpooling practice known as slugging will soon expand to the I-66 Express Lanes.
The initiative was led by the I-66 Slugging Network, a coalition of residential groups and public agencies that wanted to advance the practice of slugging a little bit closer to home. Morning slug line locations will be offered at the Monument Drive garage in Fair Oaks and University Boulevard park and ride in Gainesville, with drop-off locations at the Rosslyn, L'Enfant Plaza, Navy Yard and Metro Center transit stations.
More information can be found here, with information about an upcoming opportunity to win a $1000 prize for frequent sluggers.
| 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.
| Be Ready For the School Year: New Technology Changes For The 2026-27 Year | Two major technology changes are coming to Fairfax County schools in the upcoming school year. | |
FCPS is transitioning to a "Tap-to-Ride" system for their bus fleet
At the beginning of this year, all FCPS students will receive an ID card as part of an effort to increase transportation safety and efficiency. Students will tap their ID card to board and exit the bus. If a student loses their card, the bus driver will be able to check them in using a mobile tablet, though the county encourages parents to replace any missing IDs as soon as possible.
Later in the fall, the county hopes to replace the "Here Comes the Bus" app with a new app to provide real-time updates on their child's location. The new app will not track the child's location, but rather the location of the bus that their child checked in on.
If your student does not rely on the bus for transportation, then they will still receive an ID card. The county hopes to expand usage of the ID system to other operations like school meals and field trips. More information on IDs can be found here.
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New AI and device policies are here
Last Friday, the school board voted to pass a slew of technology-related educational measures. Three approved policies are highlighted below.
1) Restricting screens for preschoolers and kindergarteners
Schools will stop issuing FCPS laptops and tablets for preschoolers and kindergarteners as early as this year. This ban would not apply to students who had an IEP, a 504, translation needs or multilingual education support.
2) Elementary school bans on generative AI
Elementary school students will be banned from using generative AI until the Board adopts a formal policy regarding student use of these tools. Secondary students may still use these tools, but only when specifically authorized in writing by the principal, the Superintendent, or a designee for a specialized project.
3) Limits on personal devices during the school day for all students
Students may no longer use personal devices during the instructional day. School-related digital activities will require the use of FCPS-issued devices. Exceptions would be granted if a student as an IEP or Section 504 plan, or if a specialized class required a software not available on FCPS devices.
You can check out the full list of meeting materials here.
| Health and Human Services | Hazel Health: Free Mental Health Teletherapy for All Middle and High School Students in Fairfax | |
FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to provide high-quality mental health care services for all middle and high school students at no cost. This service became available to middle school students on July 1.
Hazel's therapists are locally licensed and HIPAA compliant, and 40 percent of providers are bilingual. If you're interested, you can read more about the program here, or enroll your student here.
| Give Blood! Donation opportunity TODAY from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Canterbury Woods Pool | Donors needed! Please join us for a community blood drive at the Canterbury Woods Pool. Every donor will receive a free pair of sunglasses and a carrying case! There will be a food truck on site starting at 5pm. This event is an INOVA blood drive. | |
Unable to give blood at the moment? Then check out future donation opportunities with the Red Cross. The Red Cross has issued a national blood crisis and are 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.
Check out this website for more information.
| Grant Opportunity for Houses of Worship and Local Organizations: Interest Form Due August 2 | |
Looking for funding? FCPD is filing proposals on behalf of partner houses of worship or other local organizations for the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (VDCJS) Hate Crime Grant.
This funding opportunity aims to support institutions that have or are at risk of being targets of hate crimes.
If this applies to your organization, please fill out this interest survey no later than Sunday, August 2nd at 11:59 p.m. All eligible groups will be contacted by the FCPD Grant Coordinator by August 5th.
| Best Safety Practices for Electronic Bikes and Scooters | |
This past Thursday, a tragic e-scooter accident in Herndon served as a sobering reminder of the risks riders face when operating electronic bikes and scooters. Our thoughts go out to those affected.
In light of this, we want to share some important safety reminders provided by the Fair Oaks District Station for e-bike and e-scooter riders in the Braddock District. Please take a moment to review the flyer for important safety and legal reminders.
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Leadership. Resilience. Distinction. Collecting butterflies. Though this handsome man was not present in Britain during WWII, he shares some things in common with his namesake.
Winston Churchill is a working cat looking for a family with a lot of land. Although he does not enjoy being cuddled as much as other cats, he is an efficient custodian and would love to keep your space tidy and pest-free.
If this sounds like the cat for you, check out the link here to learn more about Winston Churchill or for more about the adoption process.
| | It's thunderstorm season. Be prepared for the next storm with the resources below. | |
⛈️ Storm Recovery & Emergency Information
🌲Tree Damage & Property Cleanup
🏠 Property Damage & Permits
🫂 Community Assistance & Human Services
🏘️ Homeowners Associations & Consumer Assistance
📲 Community Organizations
📫 Stay Connected
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If you have any questions or comments not covered by these resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at the contacts below. We are always happy to help!
Braddock Office Address: 9002 Braddock Road, Burke VA, 22015
Braddock Office Email: braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov
Braddock Office Phone: (703) 425-9300
| | Follow Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer on
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