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09.10.2026
Dear Neighbor,
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Nearly everyone in Fairfax County has a September 11th story. This is mine.
In the late summer of 2001, my husband and I had just moved here from California, a young family chasing what draws so many people to this county: work we believed in and excellent public schools for our children. His new job found him working in a federal building in D.C.; I was almost eight months pregnant and home with our toddler. At the time, we were living in a temporary apartment in Falls Church, boxes still taped shut, and 3,000 miles from our loved ones.
I still remember the horror of watching a plane fly into the North Tower that Tuesday morning. I remember the confusion of those first minutes, the terror that followed, and then, the Pentagon. Suddenly the attacks were here, a few miles from the federal building where my husband was working.
For what felt like forever, I could not reach him. I did not know where he was. When I finally heard from him, with roads and metro shut down, he was preparing to walk the five miles home to us. I have never forgotten what it felt like to hold our young daughter and wait.
Later that month we moved into our house in Kings Park, and at each meeting with our new neighbor, I learned more about how deeply this community had been impacted. Some had family inside the Pentagon that day. Some had waited far longer than I had for a phone call. Some had gotten the call no one wants to get. We were new here, and we were lucky. We understood how easily it could have been otherwise, and how tragedy can arrive on an ordinary morning with no warning at all.
I also remember what came next. Beneath the fear of what else might be coming, there was a fierce and unmistakable pride. Flags on porches. Strangers looking out for one another. A sense that we were, all of us, Americans first, and that we would rise from this stronger. In so many ways, we have.
But there is another part of that memory, and I think we honor the day more fully by recognizing the dark side of the events in the months, and years, that followed. Even as the country drew together, some Americans found themselves on the outside. In the months after 9/11, many South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, and Arab Americans were viewed with suspicion and reminded, in ways large and small, that their belonging came with an asterisk and at times with danger. Their grief was as real as anyone's. Their flags flew on their porches too.
I raise this now, because echoes of that time have returned. Amid the current immigration enforcement climate, Brown Americans are again reporting a rise in hostility. Earlier this month, as the first Asian American on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I was honored to be on a roundtable on Capitol Hill with South Asian elected officials from across the country, at every level of government, to talk about these rising incidents. At this roundtable, it was mentioned that South Asians are among the most heavily detained groups in U.S. immigration detention facilities. Constituents from several backgrounds, including South Asian, have shared stories of their children are being taunted by classmates who threaten to call ICE on them. These are Fairfax County kids, in the same schools that drew so many of our families here in the first place.
In a national survey released by Stop AAPI Hate this year, nearly half of South Asian adults reported experiencing a hate act in 2025. More than half said they or someone in their community had been affected by anti-immigrant policies and sentiment. I was struck by the fact that all of us at that roundtable had stories of our own.
Roughly a third of those surveyed said they had become less civically active or had begun avoiding public places. That last figure is one I keep returning to. Hate does not only wound people. It quietly makes their world smaller, and our community smaller with it.
So here is where I find myself, twenty-five years later. My horror at what happened on September 11th has not faded. My pride in being an American, and my commitment to defending our country, freedoms, and liberties, is as strong as it was that day. My pride in this amazing community here in Braddock and how we accept and support each other is stronger than ever.
And I am more committed than ever to a simple conviction: that "liberty and justice for all" is a promise we are still working to keep for everyone, no matter what color their skin is, how they pray, or where they come from.
Please know that all of us in the Braddock District Office remain dedicated to the work of liberty and justice for all.
| | Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer | |
In this issue:
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🎬Board Meeting Preview
- 👥Community Happenings
- 🚗Closures, Delays, and Alerts
- 🍎Health and Human Services
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🏠Land Use and Environment updates
- 💵Money Matters: Fundraisers and opportunities
- 🐶Pet Adoption Corner
| | Our office will be closed from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15. | |
The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, September 15.
Among other things, the Board will:
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Hold a public hearing on the County and School's FY 2026 Carryover Review to amend the appropriation level in the FY 2027 Revised Budget Plan
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Vote on authorization to advertise a public hearing on a proposal to vacate and abandon a portion of Forest Hill Drive
The full Board package can be found here.
On September 22, four Board committees will meet:
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9:30 a.m.: Safety and Security Committee
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11:00 a.m.: Environmental Committee
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1:30 p.m.: Economic Initiatives Committee
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3:00 p.m. Transportation Committee
Meeting materials will be posted here as they become available.
| What's Happening Around Braddock? | | Nominate Somebody for a Best of Braddock Award | | |
The Best of Braddock awards season is here!
If you know somebody making a difference, be sure to nominate them for a Best of Braddock Award. This is an exciting opportunity to recognize the changemakers and stewards of our community.
Please email braddockevents@fairfaxcounty.gov with questions. Awards will be distributed at a ceremony one November 10.
What: Nominations for the Best of Braddock are open!
Due date: October 9, 2026
| | STUFF THAT BUS! Saturday, September 19 | | |
Save the date! On Saturday, September 19, 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 goal: to fill the bus with non-perishable food and gift cards for area food banks. So, clear out your pantry and let's show the county what Braddock is made of. Let's stuff that bus to the max!
What: Stuff the Bus event
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
| Friday, September 25: Oak Hill Open House | |
Take a step inside one of Fairfax County’s oldest homes during the annual Oak Hill Open House on Friday, September 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitors can explore historic Oak Hill Manor and gardens and discover the people, stories and craftsmanship that shaped this remarkable piece of Fairfax County history.
New this year, timed-entry tickets will be required for all visitors wishing to tour the interior of the historic home. To provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for guests, 50 tickets will be available for each half-hour entry period, beginning at 4 p.m., with the final entry at 6:30 p.m.
Located at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale, Oak Hill is a private residence and is only open to the public during this annual event.
As usual, Braddock District Office staff will be at this event to help greet the guests. Please stop by to say hello!
What: Oak Hill Open House
Date: Friday, September 25
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
| Submit your joy to the Braddock District Art Competition! | |
Braddock District Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer, in partnership with the newly created Braddock District Arts Advisory Council and ArtsFairfax, invite emerging and established visual artists from across Braddock District to showcase their unique visions in What does joy look like?: An Intergenerational Art Contest.
Click the link for submission details.
What: Submit to the Braddock District Art Contest!
Due date: Monday, October 5, 2026 by 7:00 p.m.
| Kings Park Library: Plant Clinic | |
Want a green thumb? Drop-in for horticultural tips, information, techniques and advice from the Fairfax County Master Gardeners.
Fairfax County Master Gardener Plant Clinics at Kings Park Library are held weekly on Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. inside the front entrance until the end of September. Anyone is welcome to stop by with questions, and we welcome children with their parents.
On September 12, the Master Gardeners will bring monarch caterpillars and chrysalids. See the photo on the left for a sneak preview of the caterpillars in attendance.
Date: WEEKLY, every Saturday
Time: 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: The Kings Park Library front entrance
9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015
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🎶Saturday, September 19: North Springfield Porch Fest
The goal of our community porch festival is to build local connection, celebrate neighborhood culture, and make live music completely free and accessible to everyone. Come dance, sing, and laugh with us!
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🤹♂️Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27:
Burke Centre Festival
Live music, clown, and magic shows! Midway games and prizes! Character visits! Arts and crafts! Pony rides! Free admission! Come celebrate our award-winning community with us!
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🎨Join the Braddock District Arts Advisory Council
Join to shape the future of arts in the Braddock District. Our first meeting is September 17. More details to be sent to participants who fill out the linked form above.
| | Closures, Delays, and Alerts: Oh My! | |
⚠️Alerts
⛔Closures
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.
| Reach for the Stars: Join George Mason’s Space Day 2026 | Prepare for takeoff! Join George Mason University’s College of Science for Space Day 2026 on Saturday, September 26, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus. This FREE, family-friendly event features NASA and aerospace industry experts, hands-on activities, observatory tours, and interactive exhibits that bring the excitement of space exploration to life. Discover the science and technology shaping our future beyond Earth. Learn more at the link below. | Health and Human Services | Cornerstones Food Security Forum | |
September is Hunger Action Month, a time when communities across the country come together to raise awareness, inspire action, and work toward ending hunger.
Cornerstones is pleased to invite you to join community leaders, nonprofit partners, businesses, and advocates for our upcoming Food Security Forum.
Food insecurity continues to affect thousands of our neighbors as rising food costs, housing instability, and economic uncertainty force families to make difficult choices between food, rent, healthcare, and other basic necessities. This forum will explore the challenges facing our region, highlight innovative approaches, and discuss partnerships that can help create lasting solutions. Register at the following link.
Tickets are free, registration is required, and space is limited. So, register for your spot today!
| Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance: Beware the Kudzu | |
The Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance is focusing on the Kudzu vine for the month of September. Kudzu is invasive in all of the southeastern states of the US. Identification information can be found here.
Once established, kudzu can grow up to a foot a day, and covers huge swaths of land. It smothers everything in its path from native grasses to tall trees, depriving them of sunlight for photosynthesis, thereby starving them to death. This loss of native habitat affects other native plants, insects and animal species, reducing the biodiversity in the region.
Kudzu grows in all types of habitat including poor soil. It multiplies through rhizomes, which is a root system strong enough to damage walls and roads. In addition, it has the ability to create new roots when the nodes of the vines touch the ground, creating a new plant. Kudzu grows large, starchy tubers belowground that sustain its growth even after the crowns are cut.
Manual removal can be done in small infestations. For Kudzu removal options, click the button below.
| Join the Braddock District Land Use and Environment (BLUE) 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 Braddock District residents to learn about and help shape the district's land development future.
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 their meetings to observe their work and talk with current members.
An application may be downloaded here or may be requested by calling (703) 425-9300.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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The next BLUE Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway
Conference Room 4/5
Fairfax, VA, 22035.
The BLUE Committee will be briefed on the proposed changes in the Comprehensive Plan text for the development of the Fairfax Center Core and Suburban areas. To review the proposed language from the Department of Planning and Development, please visit this link here.
All interested members of the community are invited to attend the meeting in person or to participate in the meeting virtually, or by dialing in to (571) 429-5982, Phone Conference ID: 730 922 969#.
| Money Matters: Fundraisers and Opportunities | Fairfax County Invites Local Businesses to Share Feedback | |
The Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives invites local business owners and entrepreneurs to share their perspectives through the Fall 2026 Business Pulse Survey. Businesses can complete this five-minute, confidential survey by visiting Fall 2026 Business Pulse Survey, open to all local business owners and operators through October 2, 2026.
This Pulse Survey gathers real-time data on the current needs, operational challenges, and growth opportunities shaping our local economy. Your input directly informs county programming, helps tailor business support resources, and ensures future economic initiatives remain aligned with marketplace demands.
| Get Ready for Tag Day Season! | |
Tag Day season is here!
Tag Day is an event where music students raise money by going door to door, sometimes with instruments and uniforms, to ask for tax-deductible donations.
West Springfield, Lake Braddock Secondary School, and Robinson Secondary School will all be having their tag days on Saturday, September 19.
See the surrounding images for information on how to donate if you are unable to participate on the 19th.
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Little Miss Muffin, cute as a button
Is a cat who likes to stray.
Fear for the spider
That sits down beside her
She can protect your family too, one day
Learn more about Miss Muffin and the adoption process at this link.
| | Follow Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer on
Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Bluesky, and 'X.' | | | | |
