Dear Neighbor,

After last year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, we've decided to move forward with a virtual Best of Braddock awards ceremony this year. Given the incredible demonstrations of community spirit and service we've seen over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's more important than ever that we come together to recognize individuals and organizations who have put in the work to make their neighborhood or broader community a great place to live!

I hope you'll mark your calendar for the evening of Wednesday, December 8. A link and additional details will be included in future updates.

A selection committee of Braddock residents has been formed and will select the award winners. Please submit your nominations for the following categories:

  • Young Person of the Year
  • Organization Making a Difference in the Braddock District
  • Neighborhood Beautification, Enhancement or Community-Building Effort
  • Braddock District Citizen of the Year

Nominations should be submitted to braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov by close of business on Friday, October 29, 2021.

Official Sample Ballots on The Way

This year’s election is less than 3 weeks away. I’d like to remind you that Fairfax County is offering in-person early voting at numerous locations. Any registered Fairfax County voter may vote early at any of these locations across the County. Find a convenient early voting location near you by visiting the Office of Election's website, or continue reading below.

In order to make voting as streamlined as possible, registered voters will receive a personalized sample ballot from the Office of Elections. These sample ballots will include helpful information on ways to request a mailed ballot, early voting locations and hours (for those who choose to vote before Election Day), and each voter’s assigned polling place on Election Day. 
Child-Sized Mask Donations Needed

Interested in helping the community fight the spread of COVID-19? Help by donating homemade face coverings or store-bought masks today! You can drop-off donations at the West Springfield Police Station. There are donation bins at each district station across the County as well. The County set a goal to collect 10,000 masks in October for toddlers and youth who are not vaccinated -- can you help us reach this goal? All masks must be new and unused. Learn more by visiting the County's website.
Read below for more information on:

  • Tonight's Resilient Fairfax Virtual Public Meeting
  • Survive to Thrive Event
  • Upcoming Medicare 101 Training
  • Community Meeting on McKenzie Avenue Rezoning
  • Help a Local Family in Need This Holiday Season
  • Pack the Patriot Pantry
  • Nonprofit Edu-Futuro's 2021 Gala
  • New Submissions Date for Barbara Varon Volunteer Nominations
  • Need Help with Heat? Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold.
  • Nominations for Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards Due Tomorrow
  • Fairfax Water Virtual Customer Focus Group
  • Rolling Road/Old Keene Mill Road Intersection Improvements Now Open in Springfield
  • Tysons Block Party 
  • November Election Information
Yours in service,
Tonight's Resilient Fairfax
Virtual Public Meeting
The Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination invites you to join a virtual public meeting with the Resilient Fairfax team tonight, Thursday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m. At this meeting, you can provide feedback and input on the County’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan, which is currently in development. Resilient Fairfax is the County’s formal effort to address climate adaptation and resilience and to reduce climate risks to county residents, businesses, and infrastructure. Registration required.
Learn about where and how the community is vulnerable to climate impacts like flooding, extreme heat, strong storms, and more. Share your thoughts on strategies that could help the County deal with these threats in the years to come.

Survive to Thrive Event
Join ShelterHouse on Saturday, October 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 11924 Braddock Road as they raise critical funds in partnership with Expectation Church for the survivors they serve at Shelter House in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The event will be held outdoors (safely) and will be a day the entire family can enjoy! Feel free to come on by to enjoy delicious food, fun kid activities, live music, and more!

If you are not comfortable attending the event in-person, there will be a drive-thru option to show your support and make a donation!
Upcoming Medicare 101 Training
Presented by the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) and Aging in Place, Online Medicare 101 training is for individuals and their care partners who will soon be eligible for Medicare or have Medicare and would like to learn more about it.

This event will take place on Friday, October 22, from 3:00 p.m. through 4:30 p.m. at the Kings Park Community Library.

This is a hybrid event. Please register using this link if you would like to attend online via Zoom. Zoom login/phone call-in information will be sent to all registered participants a day before the event.
Community Meeting on
McKenzie Avenue Rezoning
On Monday, October 25, Supervisor Walkinshaw will host a virtual Community Information Meeting on a proposal by Sekas Homes, Ltd. to build an R-2 Cluster development along McKenzie Avenue in Fairfax. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. To connect, use the information below or the link the Braddock District website.


Password: 474806
 
To join by telephone:
                   (602) 333-0032
(888) 270-9936 (US Toll Free)
   Conference code: 194172

The 6.51-acre site is located along McKenzie Avenue, east of the Estates at Leewood, west of the Robertson Farm subdivision, and south of Lee Highway. It consists of four properties developed with three abandoned single-family dwellings. The applicant has proposed rezoning the property from R-1 to R-2 Cluster to allow 11 new lots with single-family detached houses. Access would be provided through a public street extending from an existing stub off of Robertson Farm Circle. A second access point would connect to Lee Plaza. Stormwater management is proposed to be handled through installation of an underground detention facility. A trail connection would be provided to Fairfax County Park Authority land to the southeast.
 
All are invited to attend this meeting to learn more about this project and offer your thoughts. A Planning Commission hearing has been scheduled for December 1.
Help a Local Family in Need This
Holiday Season
Local nonprofit Britepaths provides necessities and a variety of supports to help Fairfax County and Northern Virginia residents stay in their homes and work toward financial self-sufficiency.
This holiday season, Britepaths is seeking donations of funds and gift cards to help 500 local families in need enjoy festive holiday meals and gifts for their children. Britepaths will provide gift cards to social workers at its Fairfax County Public Schools partner schools in Fairfax, Annandale, and Falls Church to distribute to families at their schools with identified need. To donate or learn more, visit Britepaths' website. Contact (703) 273-8829 or email info@britepaths.org with questions.
Pack the Patriot Pantry
Help George Mason University (GMU) Cram the Cart with food donations on Saturday, October 16 from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. at the Fairfax City Hall. This event helps fill the Patriot Pantry -- a pantry that raises awareness about food insecurity within the Mason student population -- with nutritious food and needed items!

To view a list of items you might donate, please visit GMU's website.
Click Above to Learn More About the Patriot Pantry
Nonprofit Edu-Futuro's 2021 Gala
Join Edu-Futuro guests and stakeholders, including elected officials, school board members, and administrators from Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William Counties, and the Cities of Alexandria and Roanoke, to celebrate the success of first-generation college-bound students, and the wellbeing of immigrant and Latino families during their virtual 2021 Gala on Friday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m. Register for Edu-Futuro's 2021 Gala today.

Edu-Futuro is a local nonprofit whose mission is to empower immigrant and underserved youth and families through mentorship, education, leadership development, and parent engagement. Edu-Futuro is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Arlington and Fairfax Counties founded in 1998.
New Submissions Date for Barbara Varon Volunteer Nominations
The Barbara Varon award is given annually to a Fairfax County resident whose dedication to improving the community through volunteer service honors the memory of Barbara Varon, former Chairman of the Fairfax County Electoral Board. The nomination process has been extended to Friday, December 15, 2021.

Nominees must:

  • Live in Fairfax County
  • Demonstrate an appreciation for the diversity of our community's population
  • Exhibit patriotism by participating in the electoral process by educating others about all voters' rights and privileges and/or by performing voter registration outreach

In order to be considered, nominees must perform all of the above activities in a voluntary capacity. Download a fillable, PDF nomination form. Then select "save as" or "save target as.

Need Help with Heat?
Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold.
You may be eligible to receive help with heating costs through two energy assistance programs that are accepting applications in October and November.

The Fuel Assistance Program helps eligible households in meeting their energy needs by supplementing the cost associated with their primary heat source. Eligible households must meet income requirements. Applications for the Fuel Assistance Program are accepted until Friday, November 12, 2021.

Apply for Fuel Assistance and Crisis Assistance

  • Online
  • Phone: Enterprise Call Center at 833-5-CALL-VA (833-522-5582).
  • Fax: Send completed the application to (703) 653-1355.
  • In Person: Applications for Energy Assistance are available at the Fairfax County Human Services Centers (Lake Anne in Reston).
Nominations for Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards Due Tomorrow
Do you know an individual or organization that excels in providing equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area? If so, nominate them for the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board’s 2021 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Award. Award winners are honored for demonstrating a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities and receive an award, presented at an annual awards ceremony on Monday, December 13, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Location TBD.

There are three award categories: Individual, Group, and Self-advocate. The requirements are to have demonstrated a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, and the Cities of Fairfax, or Falls Church; and demonstration of how people with disabilities have significantly benefitted from their efforts.
 
Get more information about who to nominate, the process and how to submit the nomination form. Nominations are due by Friday, October 15, 2021 by 5:00 p.m.
Fairfax Water Virtual
Customer Focus Group
Supervisor Walkinshaw would like to invite you to participate in an opportunity presented by Fairfax Water. Fairfax Water is reviewing its customer service practices ensuring that Fairfax Water is supporting customers and the community effectively. As part of this effort, they are hosting virtual focus groups with residential and commercial customers in our community to understand and explore your experiences with Fairfax Water. Click here to learn more!
For Residential Customers: Fairfax Water will host a 1.5 hour listening session tonight, October 14, from 7:00 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. If you would like to participate, register using this link.
Rolling Road/Old Keene Mill Road Intersection Improvements
Now Open in Springfield
It’s now easier to travel through the intersection of Rolling Road (Route 638) and Old Keene Mill Road (Route 644) with the completion of improvements to help improve traffic flow and safety, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Drivers on northbound Rolling Road now have a second left-turn lane to westbound Old Keene Mill Road, as well as a dedicated right-turn lane to eastbound Old Keene Mill Road.

Other project improvements include striping four higher-visibility crosswalks, replacing pedestrian signals with ones that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and accessible, replacing the traffic signal to accommodate the new turn lanes and reconstructing the median along Rolling Road just south of Old Keene Mill Road.

For the most recent updates and to learn more, visit the VDOT project website.
Tysons Block Party
Celebrate Fairfax is excited to invite you to their 40th Anniversary Series – Tysons Block Party!

Upcoming Block Party Events:

Friday, October 22 from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Celebrate Fairfax are bringing a Festival favorite to the event – the Silent Disco! The event will start at 4:00 p.m. with local brews and lawn games, and then at 7:00 p.m. they turn up the tunes “silently” and dance till everyone's heart is content. Dueling DJs – DJ Bounce and DJ ZBreezy will play their favorite jams to get you to tune into their station.

Saturday, October 23 from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Fall fun is coming to Tysons! From 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. enjoy Pumpkin Decorating provided by Wegmans Tysons, balloon twisting by local friend Sam the Balloon Man, wiggle car village, and more! At 7:00 p.m. they switch back to a dance party.
November Election Information
Complete information about how, when, and where to vote can be found at the Fairfax County Office of Elections website.
 
In Virginia there are three different ways to vote:
 
1- In-Person Early voting
2- Mail-In Absentee voting
3- In-Person voting on November 2, 2021, at your local polling place.
 
1) In Person Early Voting 
Fairfax County is now offering In-Person Early Voting at numerous locations (please see list below). Information about early voting dates, times and locations can be found on the Fairfax Office of Elections website.
 
What You Need to Know:
Any registered Fairfax County voter may vote early at any Fairfax County early voting location.
 
Early in-person absentee voting is available for the November 2021 General & Special Elections at the following three locations through October 30:
 
  1. Fairfax County Government Center
  2. Mt. Vernon Governmental Center
  3. North County Governmental Center
 
Hours of operation for Currently Open Early Voting Locations:

Fairfax County Government Center - 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Conference Rooms 2/3, Fairfax 22035
  • Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 23 and October, 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 24 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Mt. Vernon Governmental Center - 2511 Parkers Ln, Alexandria 22306
North County Governmental Center - 1801 Cameron Glen Dr, Reston 20190
  • Monday-Friday from 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday October 23 and October 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday October 24 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 
Additionally, 13 early voting locations will be open daily from October 21 through October 30:
 
Hours of Operations:
Monday-Friday 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday October 23 and October 30 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (All Locations)
Sunday October 24 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (All Locations)
 
1. Burke Centre Library - 5935 Freds Oak Rd, Burke 22015
2. Centreville Regional Library - 14200 St. Germain Dr, Centreville 20121
3. Franconia Governmental Center - 6121 Franconia Rd, Alexandria 22310
4. Gerry Hyland Government Center - 8350 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria 22309
5. Great Falls Library - 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls 22066
6. Herndon Fortnightly Library - 768 Center St, Herndon 20170
7. Mason Governmental Center - 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale 22003
8. McLean Governmental Center - 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean 22101
9. Providence Community Center - 3001 Vaden Dr, Fairfax 22031
10. Sully Governmental Center - 4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly 20151
11. Thomas Jefferson Library - 7415 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church 22042
12. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library - 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church 22043
13. West Springfield Governmental Center - 6140 Rolling Rd, Springfield 22152
 
2) Voting Absentee By Mail
 
Visit the Vote by Mail page at the Fairfax Office of Elections website for complete details.
 
You can request a mail-in absentee ballot online or submit a paper Absentee Ballot Application. After the request is submitted, an Absentee Ballot will be mailed to the address you specify.
 
Online: Use the request form at the Virginia Department of Elections website,
 
Paper:
1. Download, print, and complete--including your handwritten signature--a vote-by-mail application
 
·    En Español
·    Tiếng Việt
·    한국어
 
-- OR --
 
2. Pick up a preprinted paper application at:
 
·    Fairfax County library branches (including the Braddock Supervisor’s Office at 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015)

Submit your completed paper application using one of these methods:
 
·    Scan, then email: AbsenteeBallot@fairfaxcounty.gov
·    Mail: Fairfax County Office of Elections P.O. Box 10161, Fairfax, VA 22038
·    Fax: 703-324-3725
·    Hand deliver: Fairfax County Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035
 
Completing your Absentee Ballot
 
The law requires that a witness must be present BEFORE opening your Absentee Ballot Envelope. Anyone over the age of 18 can serve as a witness.
 
  • Open envelope – In front of your witness
  • Mark your ballot using a black or blue pen. (Your witness should not watch how you vote)
  1. Follow the instructions on the ballot to record your votes: A) Use blue or black ink to fill in the ovals completely to mark your choices. B) If you do not wish to vote for any of the candidates in a contest or do not want to vote for an issue, skip that office or issue and leave the ovals blank.
  2. Vote only for the number of candidates allowed.
  3. If you make a mistake or lose your ballot, contact your general registrar’s office for more information.
  • Once Completed, Sign and Seal your voted ballot inside envelope.
  1. Place your ballot inside the envelope and seal it.
  2. Write your full name.
  3. Write the address where you are registered to vote.
  4. You and your witness must sign the envelope.
  • Fill in all spaces on the Statement of Absentee Voter on Envelope. You and your witness must both sign the envelope.
  • Seal and return envelope
 
Returning your Absentee Ballot
Visit the Vote by Mail page at the Fairfax Office of Elections website for complete details. Ballots can be returned by mail, by commercial delivery, or at Drop Boxes.*
 
*Ballots must be postmarked on or before November 2.*
 
Ballot Drop-Off Boxes
 
Ballot drop-off boxes are available at all early voting locations when locations are open for voting. The drop boxes are for voted ballots which are secured in the envelope provided to the voter. All instructions in the absentee ballot must be followed.
 
Voted ballots may be dropped off outside the Government Center at an attended drop box during business hours. An accessible, secure drop box is installed outside the building, permitting voters to drop off their ballots 24/7.
 
Voted ballots may also be dropped off at any early voting site during hours of operation.
 
On Election Day, ballots may be brought to your regular polling place when the polls are open.
 
3) Voting on Election Day at Your Regular Polling Place
 
November 2, 2021, General and Special Elections:
 
 
  • Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you will be able to vote.
 
Preparing to Vote
 
• Before you vote, check your registration status
• Find your polling place
• Make sure you bring an acceptable form of identification
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