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06.18.2026
Dear Neighbor,
| | I’ve been reflecting a lot this last week on how powerful local leadership, past, present, and future, can be. As I attended a series of community events last weekend, I found myself thinking about the people who have shaped Fairfax and those who continue to carry that work forward today. | |
Earlier this month, I had the honor of joining Mr. William Root, Jr., members of the Goins family, Congressman James Walkinshaw, Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova, Delegate Gretchen Bulova, the Director of the David R. Pinn Memorial Community Center, and many others for the unveiling of a historical marker honoring local civil rights leader James Milton Goins.
James Goins understood that civil rights are lived in the everyday details of our communities. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he returned home to the historically Black neighborhood along what is now Zion Drive. When discriminatory development practices threatened to uproot his community, he organized his neighbors, formed the Sideburn Civic Association, and fought back. Over two decades, they secured sanitary sewer and drinking water, sidewalks, the David R. Pinn Community Center, and other essential improvements. His leadership earned him numerous awards and the affectionate title “Godfather of Zion Drive.”
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Listening to Mr. Root, James Goins’ grandson, speak about his grandfather’s persistence and tireless advocacy during countless meetings and phone calls with county officials for basic services that many take for granted, such as sewer, was deeply moving. Mr. Root even brought the briefcase his grandfather carried to every meeting to bring his grandfather’s work to life. And when Mr. Goins’ great granddaughter unveiled the marker, it felt like witnessing a passing of the torch. A reminder that civil rights leadership is not a moment in time, but a legacy carried forward by each new generation.
Tomorrow is Juneteenth, a day of both celebration and remembrance. As the county observes this holiday, it is important that we reflect on and honor the full history of our country, with all of its progress and pain. To recognize the contributions of the African American community in Fairfax County, I encourage you to visit the new historical marker at the Pinn Community Center at 10225 Zion Drive in Fairfax. It stands not only as a tribute to Mr. Goins, but also as a reminder of what committed, community-based leadership can achieve and how each generation has a part to play in carrying that legacy forward.
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That theme of generational leadership continued the following morning at Canterbury Woods Elementary School, where young ladies from Girl Scout 55033 troop led an invasive species cleanup. These young leaders created an entire educational experience, from inviting experts to provide guidance, creating an invasive species scavenger hunt, and procuring supplies. Watching them take ownership of their environment and speak with such clarity and purpose felt like the perfect continuation of the story I had witnessed the day before. From a giant of local civil rights to the future stewards of our community, the arc felt complete.
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In between these moments, I joined the Fairfax City Pride celebration. It was the only event I attended all weekend with visible security and bag checks, a sobering reminder of the threats this community faces. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the police officers who were present, ensuring that everyone could celebrate safely and joyfully. And inside the event, that joy was unmistakable. A live band filled the space with energy, and every table radiated pride, celebration, and belonging. It was light and beauty and pride but also a reminder that the work of ensuring everyone can live authentically, with dignity and without fear, remains essential and is incomplete.
As I reflect on that weekend, I’m struck by how many people, across generations, backgrounds, and neighborhoods, are working every day to make Fairfax stronger. Advancing civil rights doesn’t only happen in courtrooms or on national stages; it happens right here at the local level, in the choices we make, the communities we uplift, and the voices we empower.
To every volunteer who gives their time, energy, and heart to this community: thank you. Your efforts, whether seen or unseen, are part of the fabric that holds us together.
From honoring the leaders who came before us to supporting the young people who will lead us forward, that weekend was a powerful reminder of what community truly means.
| | Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer | | |
In this issue:
- Braddock Nights
- Rachna in the Community
- Community Happenings
- Pet Adoption Corner
- Notes from the Board Room
- Braddock Beacon Schedule Change Announcement
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I’m very excited to share that the Braddock Nights Summer Concert Series and our Children’s Arts in the Park Series are almost here! We’ll be kicking things off on June 26 in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority and their supporters, and this year’s lineup is bursting with energy and variety!
Get ready for crowd‑favorite tribute bands, the beloved Kings Park Band, one of the last neighborhood bands of its kind. Plus, genres like the blues, rock, and even the vibrant sounds of a live Mariachi band!
We’re also excited to bring back a special treat for our youngest residents! The Children’s Arts in the Park Series will run on Saturday mornings from June 27 through August 21, offering fun, creative, and memorable summer moments for families.
Be sure to mark your calendars and check out the full schedule! Our office has added some extra Children's series events and a two night Battle of the Bands, so please save this graphic for the full concert info!
And keep an eye out for details on our Braddock District Battle of the Bands, happening August 14 and 21! If you know any young musicians eager to take the stage, we’d love to hear from them—have them reach out to my office at 703‑425‑9300 or braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov.
| Governor Spanberger's Ceremonial Bill Signing | |
Yesterday was truly special. I had the privilege of attending Governor Spanberger's ceremonial signing of historic contraception legislation sponsored by Senator Carroll Foy, Delegate Price, and Delegate Thomas. The ceremony took place at the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial in Lorton, and the symbolism was powerful.
Dedicated to the brave women who fought for their right to vote over 100 years ago, it was the perfect setting to celebrate this victory. It was also a sobering reminder that, even now, we are still working to ensure that women can truly access and enjoy the freedoms that were granted to us.
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It was moving to see women of all ages come together, united in their passion for this legislation. One person in particular left a lasting impression. A young woman named Ela Stanton bravely shared her personal story of living with ovarian cysts and how access to contraception medication has been life-changing for her. She detailed how it's helped her manage her symptoms and empowered her to become the successful young woman she is today. Her courage, honesty and openness were absolutely inspiring, and her story is exactly why this legislation matters so much. I want nothing more than for my daughter and others of her generation to have the same rights to medical care that I did.
Now more than ever, we Virginians need to use our voices and our votes to protect freedom and equality for all citizens across the Commonwealth. I was so proud to be there for this historic bill signing as Virginia enters a new era of leadership.
| | Braddock District Battle of the Bands Announcement | |
This summer, we are excited to bring back Battle of the Band, a competition showcasing the incredible talent of local musicians from across our community.
Music and the arts enrich our lives, inspire creativity, and bring people together. Join us to celebrate the beauty, joy, and connection that music brings to our lives.
And who knows? Maybe the next Dave Grohl will be discovered this summer!
Battle of the Bands will take place over the course of two shows at Lake Accotink Park:
- August 14, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. – Six Bands
- August 21, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. – Final Three Bands
Download the registration form
Eligibility - groups must include:
- at least two members
- at least one vocalist
- at least one member who plays a musical instrument, and
- preference: a majority of members whose residence is in Fairfax County
Musical selection: All genres welcome. Each group must submit two recorded tracks for review. Although cover songs are permitted, priority will be given to original music.
Tracks can be recorded live or in studio. Submissions will be accepted via .mp3, .mp4, link to publicly posted music website, or YouTube video (best format for selection purposes).
Submission deadline is July 15, 2026. All questions should be directed to braddockevents@fairfaxcounty.gov.
| | Goal! World Cup and Soccer Resources | | |
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway until July 19 -- the global sporting event that captures passion and play!
Of course, in Fairfax County, many residents will be cheering for many countries because of our diverse backgrounds.
There are many watch parties for many teams across the county. If you want to cheer on the U.S. Men's National Team, then Tysons is one spot to consider for matches on June 19 and June 25.
Visit Fairfax provides a calendar with several other watch parties.
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Library Events
Come and partake in the wonderful activities taking place in 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 - Wonder Wagon: Mobile Nature Center | | |
Start off your summer with a visit to the Wonder Wagon, the Fairfax County Park Authority's innovative mobile nature center! The Wonder Wagon is not just a van; it's an experience. Packed with engaging activities, from bug-catching to birdwatching, the Wonder Wagon will help us envision our urban environments as nature-rich spaces. Visit the Wonder Wagon outside the library and then come on in and to get started on Summer Reading! All ages welcome.
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Burke Centre Meeting Room 116, Burke Centre Meeting Room 117
| Burke Centre - Teen Craft & Chill | |
Grab some friends or come on your own to craft and chill at the library! Join us for a fun and welcoming afternoon as we create colorful, festive Pride flags and celebrate creativity, self-expression, and community. Whether you're an experienced artist or picking up a craft for the first time, everyone is welcome. No art skills are required—just bring your enthusiasm and enjoy a relaxing opportunity to connect with others, express yourself, and make something meaningful to take home. All materials will be provided.
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Burke Centre Meeting Room 116, Burke Centre Meeting Room 117
| Kings Park - Dungeons & Dragons Club | |
The adventure begins! Dan the DM is welcoming new members to join the party (with snacks!)
Come prepared with 5e 9th level characters of your preference! We will begin with a homebrewed campaign with dragonels (we're DRAGON RIDERS!!), and then move on to other campaign types.
Meets twice a month, every other Monday.
For 8th - 12th graders.
Date: Monday, June 22, 2026
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Kings Park Conference Room
| Kings Park - Library Lazer Tag | |
Play laser tag in the library after hours! This high-tech, realistic "battle" action is safe, energizing, and fun. Game coaches will set up the playing field, instruct and prepare players for the game, and referee the fun. This program is open to ages 12-18. Registration Required. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Kings Park Library.
This program is appropriate for teens ages 12-18. Registration is required.
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Kings Park Meeting Room
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Meet Colby! This floppy eared pup is ready to prance his way into your home and your heart! Colby enjoys going on walks, though majority of the time he has his nose to the ground! Colby came into our care from an out of state shelter, so we are not too sure about his full past. During his time in our care, Colby has shown to be a super nice pup with a big heart! He has met another dog while in our shelter and did well, he was more interested in having a buddy to walk next to rather than playing. If you have a resident pup at home, you can bring them to the shelter for a meet and greet to ensure compatibility! We are unsure how Colby does with other animals or children, we always recommend slow introductions to set everyone up for success. If Colby sounds like the right addition to your pack, come meet him today!
Colby is heartworm positive; adopters will be responsible for his treatment plan that FCAS will pay for provided by Pender Veterinary Centre. He is also getting sent home with a dental voucher! This voucher is good for Colby's appointment on a TBD date after full completion of his heart worm treatment. It provides a free dental service (compliments of Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter) which includes pre-dental blood work and dental x-rays, cleaning and scaling, extractions if needed and post-dental pain meds and antibiotics if needed.
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 this pet home to try it out! Interested? Come to the shelter any time during open hours and talk to one of our Customer Care staff!
Be sure to check the "shelter information" box on the listing to see if the pet is located at our Fairfax Campus (4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax) or our Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton). Then, come in during our open hours! Both of our locations are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12-5 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 12-7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information on our adoption process, including requirements and fees, visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/adopt
| | Notes from the Board Room | At our June 16th Board Committee Meetings, we had a full day of updates on varied topics from economic development to transportation to health and human services. Check out below for more information. | Council for Economic Opportunity | |
At a recent meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Council for Economic Opportunity, Dr. J. Stephen Jones, President and CEO of Inova, shared how Northern Virginia's largest healthcare system is expanding services, investing in its workforce, and driving economic growth across our region.
Inova's impact extends far beyond patient care. The health system now employs more than 26,000 team members, including nearly 1,700 physicians and almost 9,700 nurses, making it one of the region's largest employers. In 2025 alone, Inova recorded more than 547,000 emergency room visits, 112,000 inpatient admissions, and nearly one million outpatient referral visits. These numbers reflect both the growing healthcare needs of our community and the critical role Inova plays in meeting them.
Dr. Jones highlighted several major capital projects that will expand access to care throughout Fairfax County. At Inova Fairfax Hospital, a significant emergency department expansion is underway, including a new children's emergency department, an Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) unit, and a redesigned adult emergency department. The project is expected to be completed in 2028. Inova is also developing a new hospital campus in Franconia-Springfield that will include 110 beds, expanded emergency services, advanced surgical facilities, and a focus on minimally invasive and robotic procedures. Meanwhile, the new Inova Alexandria Hospital campus is scheduled to open in 2028 with 192 beds and specialized programs in neuroscience, heart and vascular care, cancer treatment, women's health, and newborn services. These investments will increase healthcare capacity while creating construction, healthcare, and support-service jobs throughout the region.
The presentation also emphasized Inova's commitment to building the future healthcare workforce. Through partnerships with local school divisions, colleges, universities, and military transition programs, Inova is creating pathways for students and veterans to enter healthcare careers. During the 2025-2026 school year, Inova connected with more than 6,000 students through outreach programs, hosted hundreds of clinical experiences, and expanded partnerships with local educational institutions. Inova has also increased efforts to recruit military service members and veterans, helping them transition their skills into healthcare professions.
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The Fairfax County Department of Transportation presented proposed updates to the County's Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Guidelines to the Board Transportation Committee. The updates are intended to modernize the program, streamline requirements for developers, and build on more than a decade of successful efforts to reduce traffic congestion and encourage alternatives to driving alone.
Transportation Demand Management programs help reduce the number of vehicle trips generated by new development by promoting options such as transit, carpooling, biking, walking, and telework. Since Fairfax County established its current TDM guidelines in 2013, the results have exceeded expectations. County staff reported that developments participating in TDM programs have achieved an average peak-hour trip reduction of approximately 60 percent. Participating sites have exceeded their required trip reduction goals by an average of 31 percent, demonstrating the effectiveness of these strategies in reducing congestion and improving mobility throughout the county.
As of 2025, 58 development sites across Fairfax County were actively reporting under standardized TDM agreements. Staff noted that only one development failed to meet its required reduction target, and after working with County staff through the compliance process, the site exceeded its goals during the following three years. These results have provided valuable data that informed the proposed updates.
The Phase 2 revisions focus on improving clarity, flexibility, and consistency for both developers and County staff. Proposed changes include new sample proffer language that would allow applicants to commit directly to the County's TDM guidelines, streamlined requirements that must be met before occupancy permits are issued, updated guidance language, and standardized templates for Transportation Demand Management plans and annual reports.
As Fairfax County continues to grow, Transportation Demand Management remains an important tool for reducing congestion, supporting transit use, and creating more sustainable communities.
| Health and Human Services Committee | |
This week, the Board reviewed several important federal changes that will affect many Fairfax County households who rely on SNAP and Medicaid. These changes will shape how often you renew benefits, what documents you need, and who qualifies for coverage – starting October 1st. This fall, federal rules will narrow who is eligible for full Medicaid coverage based on immigration status. Full coverage will continue only for Legal Permanent Residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants. Coverage for children, pregnant individuals, and emergency medical care remains unchanged and will not be affected.
Other changes will also take effect over the next several months. Medicaid will now cover 1–2 months of past medical bills instead of the previous 3 months. Adults ages 19–64 are required to complete 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, or training to keep coverage. If you require a new volunteer or career pathway, please visit Volunteer Fairfax or Virginia's Workforce Development Agency. Exemptions for disabilities and caregiving apply. If you qualify for an exemption, please prepare to provide proper documentation. Medicaid renewals will increase from once a year to every six months. There is no specific date in which you will automatically lose coverage. This will occur on your current, individual renewal timeframe. The County is preparing additional outreach and staff to help residents stay covered.
At the same time, Fairfax County is advancing a new model for before- and after‑school care. Beyond the Bell has already shown great success during the pilot year. Waitlists dropped by 96%, giving many more families access to excellent and affordable childcare. This model focuses on inclusion, staff training, and high-quality standards that exceed state minimums. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive for differently-abled and neurodiverse children as well. This program is expected to expand gradually to all elementary schools by school year 2029–2030, so families can expect to see more childcare options and availability in the years ahead.
| | Braddock Beacon Schedule Change Announcement | |
Starting this week, the Braddock Beacon will return to its longtime publication schedule and will once again be delivered on Thursdays.
Over the past several months, we shifted the newsletter to Mondays to help share timely updates and information. As we continue to refine our communications, we have determined that a Thursday publication schedule will better align with upcoming community events, county updates, and opportunities for residents to stay engaged throughout the week.
Thank you for reading the Braddock Beacon and for staying connected with our office. We look forward to continuing to share important news, resources, and events from across the Braddock District every Thursday.
| | Follow Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer on
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