This Saturday, from noon-4:00 p.m., I hope you will join me for the in-person Open House at historic Oak Hill. This privately owned 18th century Georgian-style home is all that remains of the Ravensworth Tract – totaling more than 22,000 acres – dating from the 1670s. Oak Hill was one of three plantations owned by the Fitzhugh family and today the original home remains intact along with much of the historic landscape, including 200-year-old boxwoods.

The focus of the event this year is to showcase primary sources anyone can use to learn about and research slavery at Oak Hill and in Fairfax County. A special exhibit by The Slavery Index at the Court's Historical Records Center will be featured, as well as other sources that are identified in the History Commission's new online database. There will be a hands-on experience allowing children to write in cursive like primary source documents from the 1800s were written – they can be historians for the day.

You can find additional details about the event here.

Parking will be offsite at the Nancy Sprague Technology Center, 4414 Holborn Avenue, Annandale. A free shuttle bus service will provide visitors with convenient transportation. Limited handicapped accessible parking is available at the site, located at the side entrance at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road.

Town Hall with the Braddock District Council

On Wednesday, September 21, I will participate in a Town Hall hosted by the Braddock District Council of Community Associations (BDC) at the start of their Fall Meeting. Braddock District residents are welcome.

Braddock District Council Fall meeting

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Braddock Hall

9002 Burke Lake Rd., Burke, VA 22015

More information about the BDC is included further down in this email and on the BDC website.

American Disposal Services

At the height of the pandemic, solid waste haulers in our region and across the nation struggled with the uncertainty of COVID-19 and a nationwide shortage of CDL drivers. Since then, other solid waste haulers in the county have recovered and improved service. But not American Disposal Services (ADS).

Since January of this year, my office has received hundreds of complaints against ADS about late pick-ups, missed pick-ups, and poor customer service. County staff from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services have done amazing work to resolve residents' individual issues with ADS -- but a better solution would be for ADS to meet the requirements of the County ordinance and keep its commitment to its customers.

That's why I introduced a Board Matter this Tuesday, alongside Chairman McKay and Supervisors Kathy Smith and Dan Storck, directing County staff to update the Board on efforts to address the complaints and inform the Board about enforcement options to hold American Disposal Services accountable. It also directs staff to present to the Legislative Committee, which I chair, an outline on the Commonwealth of Virginia's restrictions on the County's ability to move to a different system of solid waste collection as well as recommendations on language to include in the Board's Legislative Agenda which we will present to the General Assembly. 

WUSA Channel 9 covered our Board action and talked to residents impacted by the poor service.

Continue reading below for more information on:

• VolunteerFest
• Out of the Darkness Walk October 1
• BDC Fall Meeting with Supervisor Walkinshaw
• September is for Socks
• Community Meeting on Residences at Government Center II
• Emergency Preparedness
• Cox Affordable Broadband for Students
• FCPD Updates
• 2022 Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz
• Veteran and Military Spouse Career Fairs
• Voting Information
• Transportation Updates
• REVIVE! Training
• Public Health Information

VolunteerFest, a countywide day of service, will be held this Saturday, September 17. Register for family-friendly service opportunities with local nonprofits. Volunteer Fairfax encourages people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to join in and give volunteering a try!

This annual event caps a year of signature events organized by Volunteer Fairfax that bring together people across Fairfax County and the region to serve our communities through volunteerism. This year’s event comes at a time when the region and nation is moving into a post-pandemic environment. There is a revitalized sense of new beginnings as families and friends can gather more safely and give back to the community.

Among many volunteer opportunities, one in the Braddock District is a cleanup around Royal Lake.

On Saturday, October 1, Supervisors James Walkinshaw and Kathy Smith will once again lead Team Fairfax in the annual American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Out of the Darkness Walk to fight suicide. This event raises support for scientific research, evidence-based resources, training, and advocacy. AFSP does life-saving work, and they invite you to register today.

Walk Date: October 1, 2022

Walk Location: Veterans Amphitheater-10485 Armstrong St, Fairfax VA

Walk Event Timeline:

• 11:00 AM: Check-in / Registration / Pre-Walk Activities

• 12:30 PM: Opening Ceremony 

• 1:00 PM: Walk Begins 

• 2:30 PM: Event Ends

Supervisor Walkinshaw will participate in a Town Hall at the Braddock District Council (BDC)'s Fall Meeting on Wednesday, September 21. Braddock District residents are welcome.

Braddock District Council Fall meeting

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (Town Hall will take place early in the meeting following introductory remarks)

Braddock Hall

9002 Burke Lake Rd.

Burke, VA 22015

BDC's membership meeting will follow the Town Hall. Visit the BDC website for meeting information and agenda.

A message from the BDC:

The Braddock District Council (BDC) is back in action, and we need you! 

After a pandemic-accentuated pause, the Braddock District Council of Community Associations is active again, new leadership has been elected and we looking forward to engaging with all community associations in the Braddock magisterial district. To that end, we have created a new website and Facebook page.

The new leadership can be reached at chair@braddockdistrictcouncil.org, vicechair@braddockdistrictcouncil.org, treasurer@braddockdistrictcouncil.org and webmaster@braddockdistrictcouncil.org. We are still in need of a new Secretary. The job is pretty simple and straightforward but until a new volunteer steps forwards, the Vice-Chair will be pulling double duty!

All community organizations are encouraged to join; dues are based on the size of the organization. See website for details. Please send dues to:

Braddock District Council

c/o Braddock District Supervisor’s office

attn: Sally Kidalov

9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke VA 22015

We look forward to a great turnout at the September 21, 2022 meeting at Braddock Hall (in the Supervisor’s office).

September is for Socks! The Domestic and Sexual Violence Services program is requesting donations of socks throughout the month of September. Socks should be new. They need socks for women or children in low-cut or crew-cut. A variety of sizes are needed.

You can bring your sock donations to the Braddock District office located at 9002 Burke Lake Rd. Burke VA 22015 during office hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mon-Fri), or place your sock donation in a box located outside the office. If you would like additional information, please call (703) 425-9300 or email Irma.Mejia-Lewis@fairfaxcounty.gov.

In order to provide affordable housing opportunities in the community, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority has proposed to construct affordable and workforce apartments at the Government Center campus, making use of underused surface parking. The development is proposed at the northeast corner of Government Center Parkway and Post Forest Drive.

This proposal requires a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and a Rezoning approval by the Board of Supervisors for the Government Center Campus. Further information on the concurrent rezoning application may be found in the county’s Planning and Land Use System (PLUS).

Supervisor Walkinshaw will host a virtual community meeting to discuss the proposed development. For more information, view the project website.

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

7:00 p.m.

Virtual meeting details will be posted on the project website.

Each week in September, the National Preparedness Campaign will focus on preparing individuals, families, and communities using the Community Emergency Response Guide (CERG) Series.

National Preparedness Month - Week Three: Assemble Your Emergency Kits 

Emergency kits of various types are essential resources in an emergency. These include kits for sheltering-in-place at home, evacuating (known as a go-bag), and for keeping in your vehicle(s). Emergency kits include basic supplies and are tailored to every person’s need. You will need additional supplies if your household has children, seniors, individuals with access and functional needs, or pets. Kits should be stored in useful, accessible locations and be easily transportable. Fairfax County recommends every household keep 3-5 days’ worth of food, water, and supplies in their kits for each member of the household.

Visit the Ready Fairfax page to learn about what should go into an emergency kit.

Emergency Preparedness Survey

Fairfax County is also launching the 2022 Emergency Preparedness Survey to assess the culture of personal disaster preparedness and resilience in Fairfax County. How prepared are you? Take the survey today.

Public Input Sought on Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan

The 2022 Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan (NOVA HMP) is a multi-jurisdictional plan that includes Fairfax County, as well as twenty other counties, cities or towns. The plan, required to be updated every five years, aims to minimize or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from known hazards, such as droughts, floods, winter weather, high winds, and other major disasters. Hazard mitigation efforts could include projects such as flood channel clearing, road and bridge design changes, property buy-outs, building code changes, or public alert systems.

Fairfax County’s Department of Emergency Management and Security — along with the other jurisdictions in Northern Virginia — is seeking public comments on the proposed plan through 5:00 p.m. on October 8, 2022.

Please send comments or questions on the draft NOVA HMP plan to NOVA2022PublicComment@iem.com.

This back-to-school season, as students continue to recover from the pandemic, reliable high-speed internet is a key aspect of promoting academic equity and achievement. According to one survey, 70 percent of teachers assign homework that requires broadband access. That means students without an internet connection are often left behind. Cox is continuing its affordability program, Connect2Compete, for low-income households with K-12 students.

Virginia families that participate in any government assistance program are eligible for C2C—and can subscribe to speeds up to 100 Mbps download for $9.95/month. C2C customers also gain access to over 3 million Cox Wifi hotspots, and to their online Digital Academy. The Digital Academy connects families, educators, community leaders and students with free access to tips, educational videos and tutorials to ensure safe and effective online behavior.

Trunk or Treat 2022

Each year the Fairfax County Police Department hosts a trunk or treat event. This year’s main event will be on October 19, 2022, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center. 

FCPD is looking for partner organizations in the community to make this event a success!

Chief Kevin Davis will choose the best trunk. It is their goal to have 500 kids present, so they are hoping to make this a success. This registration link will allow you sign up to participate in the event by decorating a trunk or giving out candy. FCPD will be able to set up trunks starting at 5:00 p.m.  

The Fairfax County Park Authority is taking part in this year’s Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz and is actively looking for volunteers to participate. Parks for Pollinators is a national campaign focused on raising public awareness of the diversity and importance of pollinators as part of our ecosystem.

This volunteer event runs from Friday, September 16 through Sunday, September 25. Participation in the BioBlitz is as easy as going outdoors in your neighborhood, backyard or local Fairfax County park, and snapping pictures of wild pants, insects, bats and hummingbirds using the iNaturalist app. iNaturalist is totally free and available as both a phone app and internet-based web app.

Volunteers can sign up on the Park Authority’s website and log observations in any of the 429 Fairfax County Park Authority parks. Registrants will receive links to virtual trainings and may log their volunteer hours through the Park Authority’s system. For more information about participation in this fun and engaging volunteer opportunity, visit the Fairfax County volunteer website.

Network with leading companies, agencies, departments and schools in Northern Virginia actively hiring for 10,000 positions in the government, IT, finance, defense and healthcare sectors. This fair is open to veterans, military spouses and cleared talent of all experience levels.

In-Person Career Fair September 21, 2022

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

National Museum of the United States Army

Veterans’ Hall, 1775 Liberty Drive, Fort Belvoir, VA

Details at WorkinNorthernVirginia.com

Virtual Career Fair September 22, 2022

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Virtual via Premier Virtual

Registration

Registering to vote is easy. The deadline to register is October 17. Residents are welcome to come to the Braddock District office to complete a voter registration form in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean. Residents may also complete their voter registration online at the Department of Elections Registration website. Additionally, all branches of the Fairfax County Public Library will be hosting the League of Women Voters to register Fairfax County residents to vote on National Voter Registration Day, September 20 from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Early Voting

This month, voters will begin to participate in 2022 midterm elections. In-person and mail-in early voting begins on September 23 and will continue through November 5, the Saturday before election day on November 8. For those voting by mail, please remember to mail your ballot at least one week before the date of the election. If you decide to vote early in-person, the following locations in and near the Braddock District are open to voters on the following dates and times:

September 23–November 5 at the Government Center

Weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday (Only September 24, October 29, and November 5) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday (Only October 30) 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Pkwy

Conference Rooms 2/3, Fairfax 22035

October 27–November 5 at Satellite Locations

Weekdays 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday (Only October 29 and November 5) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday (Only October 30) 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Burke Centre Library

5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke 22015

West Springfield Governmental Center

6140 Rolling Road, Springfield 22152

Mason Governmental Center        

6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale 22003

For a full list of all Fairfax County early voting sites, visit the Fairfax County Early Voting website.

Volunteer as a Poll Worker— Vietnamese and Korean Speakers Needed

The Fairfax County Office of Elections needs bilingual election officers to assist voters in the General Election on November 8 and in future elections. Specifically, individuals who speak Vietnamese and English fluently or Korean and English fluently are encouraged to serve in Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, and Falls Church.

Officers will perform all regular election duties, including assisting voters in English, but will be assigned to precincts with a significant number of voters who may primarily speak Vietnamese or Korean. To serve as a designated bilingual election officer, you must also complete a short oral language skills assessment.

Fairfax County is the largest voting jurisdiction in Virginia with 264 precincts countywide. It takes thousands of enthusiastic and trained election officers to ensure that we have efficient and well-run elections. Compensation begins at $175, and training is provided online for new officers. To apply, visit the Vote4Fairfax website (be sure to indicate if you speak Vietnamese or Korean). Visit Working at the Polls for more information.

Temporary Braddock Road Lane Closure in Front of Erickson Senior Living Facility from September 19-23

From Monday, September 19, through Friday, September 23, the right lane of eastbound Braddock Road and the shared use path in front of Erickson Senior Living’s new Woodleigh Chase project (near Burke Station Road) will be temporarily closed. This closure is necessary to continue construction related to the new right turn lane onto Rec Center Road, across from the entrance to Fairfax Memorial Park. Signage will direct pedestrians to the north side of Braddock Road.  

Safety at Grade-Level Railroad Crossings

REVIVE! trains individuals on what to do and not do in an overdose situation, how to administer naloxone, and what to do afterwards. Learn how to save a life from an opioid overdose.

Sign up for a virtual training!

• September 20 at 6:30 p.m. - sign up here
• September 30 at 10:00 a.m. - sign up here

COVID-19 Vaccine Update — Omicron Resistant Bivalent Booster

The CDC recommends a single dose of the new COVID-19 bivalent booster at least two months following a completed primary series or previous booster vaccination. The bivalent vaccines, also known as “updated boosters,” target the Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, as well as the original COVID-19 strain. The updated Pfizer booster is for people ages 12 and over and the Moderna version is for those 18 and older.

Learn how to schedule your booster appointment at the Fairfax County Health Department website.

Novavax Vaccine Available to Individuals Over 18 Years of Age

Adults 18 years of age and older who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine and are interested in getting one can now make an appointment for the recently authorized Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted. Due to limited availability, Novavax will only be offered by appointment.

You can schedule an appointment at the Fairfax County Government Center or the Fairfax County South County Hyland Center vaccination clinics by visiting www.vaccines.gov or by calling the COVID-19 call center at (703) 324-7404. Novavax is administered as a two-dose primary series, three weeks apart.

Mobile COVID Testing Sites

The mobile testing lab rotates between sites each day. Tests are available on the following days and times at these locations:

Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

• Bailey’s Community Center: 5920 Summers Lane, Falls Church

Tuesdays Only

• Centreville Library: 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville (Tuesdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)

Wednesdays and Saturdays

• Richard Byrd Library: 7250 Commerce St., Springfield (Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m.–6:00p.m.)

Thursdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sundays 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Both Locations

• New Grand Mart: 6255 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria
• James Lee Community Center: 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church

Saturdays Only

• Groveton Baptist Church: 6511 Richmond Highway, Alexandria (Saturdays 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.)

More COVID-19 Information



If you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, effective treatment is available that can prevent illness from becoming worse, leading to hospitalization and death.

An expert panel of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified Paxlovid (ritonavir boosted nirmatrelvir) as the preferred therapy with strong evidence supporting its use. In a randomized clinical trial, Paxlovid was 88% effective in preventing hospitalization or death from COVID-19 among high-risk patients. In that trial, there were no deaths among people who received Paxlovid compared with 12 deaths among those who received a placebo.

Fairfax residents continue to be encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine and stay up-to-date on their boosters. If you are eligible for a vaccination or a booster, please visit the federal resource page for COVID-19 vaccines or book an appointment through the Fairfax County Health Department. Vaccines are available to all individuals over 6 months of age.

If you tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed, it is important to take the steps recommended by the Fairfax County Health Department to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in your family and in the community.

Check the most up-to-date COVID figures at the Virginia Department of Health website.

Questions?

• Contact the Health Department COVID-19 Call Center during business hours Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at (703) 267-3511.

• Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.

• Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Monkeypox

The County provides resources and information on the Monkeypox virus. The Fairfax County Health Department is working with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and with other local public health agencies to respond to outbreaks of monkeypox occurring in the U.S. and in other countries.