Dear Neighbor,

Tragically, there was a fatal car crash on Burke Centre Parkway this week. One teenager was killed and three others were seriously injured when a car pulling onto the Parkway was struck by a vehicle traveling on the Parkway. Like all of us, my thoughts are with the family and friends of all involved during this difficult time.

Preliminarily, speed appears to have been a factor in the crash, but the investigation by the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is still ongoing and appropriate charges are being determined. Anyone with information about this crash should contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit at (703) 280-0543 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Solvers.

This tragedy should serve as a reminder to all of us that speeding and aggressive driving have disastrous consequences. In response to a local and national epidemic of unsafe driving, Fairfax County Police have stepped up enforcement and launched new initiatives to encourage safe driving. Traffic citations are up and, despite this recent tragedy, there has been a 31% decrease in traffic fatalities this year. But clearly, we need to continue to spread the message that unsafe driving is unacceptable in Fairfax County.

Last week, FCPD's third wave of their Road Shark initiative resulted in 5,838 citations issued across the County. FCPD will be releasing more statistics from their third wave of the program tomorrow on their blog.

Next week, FCPD will be conducting a high visibility enforcement and education initiative on Burke Centre Parkway. This initiative will include pole mounted speed cameras and an emphasis on educating drivers about the consequences of speeding and aggressive driving.

Upcoming Braddock Road Multimodal Project Meeting

Braddock Road cuts through the heart of our District and many of us rely on it for our daily activities. The Virginia Department of Transportation is hosting an in-person public information meeting on the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements Project on Wednesday, July 26, from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of Lake Braddock Secondary School (9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke). I strongly encourage you to attend.

Information will be presented on constructing multimodal and access management improvements along three miles of Braddock Road (Route 620), between Humphries Drive in Burke and Ravensworth Road in Annandale, including the eastbound and westbound Braddock Road ramps to southbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Outer Loop) and half a mile of Ravensworth Road, between Braddock Road and Heritage Drive.



This third Public Information Meeting will focus on updates made following last November’s public meeting. A presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m., which will be followed by a period for questions and answers. Staffed stations focusing on specific aspects of the project will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m. These will provide an opportunity for community members to get answers to more detailed questions.

You are encouraged to view the presentation in advance of the meeting. It is available on the project webpage as a voice-over presentation or in PDF format. You can then bring any questions to the meeting to get responses. Comments may also be submitted to meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov through August 7.

Summer Weather

As you may have seen in the news, hundreds of wildfires are burning out of control in Canada’s forests. These fires have been the source of the Code Orange and Code Red Air Quality days we’ve experienced this summer. Unfortunately, due to the remoteness of those fires, they will continue to burn through the summer. The hazardous, airborne particulate matter and chemicals from these fires (carbon monoxide, ozone, formaldehyde, etc.) will likely continue to impact our communities.



Below are several ways to protect yourself on Orange or Red Air Quality days:

• Stay indoors or limit your time outdoors
• Avoid busy roads and highways where particulate matter is usually worse because of emissions from cars and trucks
• Limit driving, telework, combine trips, carpool or use mass transit, including Fairfax Connector
• Refuel vehicles after dusk and limit idling. Exhaust contains particle pollution that makes air quality worse on hot days
• Avoid mowing lawns with gasoline-powered motors
• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use
• Keep air conditioning no lower than 78 degrees to reduce energy demands on fossil-fueled utilities

The Enviornmental Protection Agency's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards operates airnow.gov, a website updated hourly with local air quality information; you can also set up email alerts about air quality if it exceeds a certain threshold.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) also reports daily air quality forecast information for this region on its website. When the index exceeds or is expected to exceed 100, and certain weather conditions exist, MWCOG may issue a Health Advisory.

You can also call the Air Quality Hotline at (202) 589-1212, TTY 711 for daily air quality forecasts.

In addition to the severe air quality, we are experiencing the hottest days of the summer season. It is important to know that Fairfax County provides indoor locations for residents to stay cool while out for business or recreational purposes in the community.

Along with shopping malls, stores, or movie theaters, you may also use the following county facilities designated as Cooling Centers to escape the heat during operating hours, including:



1. Libraries
2. Community Centers
3. REC Centers
4. Human Services Regional Offices
5. Shelters are available for people experiencing homelessness

You are encouraged to first check that locations are open before you arrive. Consider using the Fairfax Connector BusTracker to plan your visit. Stay safe and cool!

Yours in service,

Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw

Please share the newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Braddock District news & updates.

Continue reading below for more information on:

• This Week's Braddock District Summer Entertainment Series Performers
• Pinn Center Community Day
• Solarize VA Information Session
• Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink's Next Meeting
• ACC Movie Night
• Automatic Real Estate Tax Payments
• FCPA Community Survey
• School Supply Drive for FCPS Students
• Greater DC Diaper Bank's Wipes Drive
• Enter the Park Authority’s Selfie Contest!
• FCPL Updates
• Nominate August's Braddock Citizen of the Month!

This Week's Braddock District Summer Entertainment Series Performers

7/21 - Royal Lake: Bio Ritmo

Based out of Richmond, VA since 1991, Bio Ritmo is recognized around the world as one of the most intriguing and influential Salsa bands of the last three decades. Their raw, original sound is rooted in the classic "salsa dura" or "hard salsa" genre that was made popular in the dance clubs of New York City during the 1970s.  

7/21 - Lake Accotink: Linwood Taylor

Linwood Lee Taylor is tuned in to Howlin’ Wolf, Jimi Hendrix, and Muddy Waters, as well as Freddy King, Albert King and Albert Collins, just to name a few. This talented bluesman also plays a bare-bones acoustic guitar and entertains at venues in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

7/22 - Wakefield Park: Marsha & The Positrons

The Washington Post calls Marsha and the Positrons "...among the Washington area's most creative and distinctive" children's musicians. The band always brings positive energy to the stage! Specializing in fun songs about science & how the world works with positive social messages! Sing and dance along to songs that inspire curiosity about science and bring smiles to all ages.

All performances are held outdoors, bring lawn chairs/blankets. In case of inclement weather, call the concert hotline at (703)324-7469 before leaving home.

Cancellations are posted one hour prior to show time. Follow Supervisor Walkinshaw on social media for updates on cancellations as well.

The David R. Pinn Community Center (10225 Zion Drive, Fairfax) will be hosting a Community Day on Saturday, July 22, from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Community Day includes:

• Face Painting
• Food Trucks
• Silent Disco
• Carnival Games
• Arts & Crafts
• Live DJ
• Lawn Games
• Informational Tables
• Giveaways

For questions or more information, email Desmond Tutu or call (703)250-9181.

Fairfax County and Solarize VA are making it easy for homeowners to switch to solar energy by connecting residents with vetted solar installers who’ve agreed to offer discounted rates. You’ll get expert advice upfront and throughout the installation process. If you decide to go solar now, you’ll receive a 30 percent solar tax credit and qualify for permit fee waivers from the County.  

To learn more about Solarize VA, Federal tax incentives and how the program works, please consider attending a virtual information session on Thursday, July 27, to learn how solar power works, what incentives are available and get your questions answered by Solarize’s partner installers.

Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink's Next Meeting

The Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink will hold its next meeting on Monday, July 24, at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 11 at the Government Center. The agenda includes continued discussion of previous studies and the County’s recommendation to not dredge the lake as well as discussion on what should be considered in a study of a managed wetland or hybrid option.

The biweekly meetings are open to the public and interested community members are welcome to attend to observe the task force's work or livestream the meeting on Channel 16. A recording of the 7/10 meeting is available here. Updates on the Task Force can be found here.

Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services are hosting a Teen and Family Movie Night on Saturday, July 22, from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Annandale Community Center (7861 - B Heritage Dr, Annandale).

Automatic Real Estate Tax Payments

Fairfax County Real Estate tax bills are mailed twice a year – for installments on July 28 and December 5.

You do not receive a bill if you have a mortgage with an escrow account; your bank pays the tax directly to the County.

The Department of Tax Administration (DTA) has noted that many residents are finishing the payment of their mortgages but have not set up automatic real estate tax payments, which may result in late payments.

DTA can assist you with setting up an automatic payment plan option including monthly, quarterly, or full lump sum annual payment. Learn more on DTA's website, or call DTA at (703) 222-8234.

FCPA Community Survey

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking public input on the draft Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Access (PROSA) Strategy report summary in preparation for the completion of the PROSA Strategy later this year. PROSA will provide a roadmap for improved park access and a balance of recreational experiences.

Building on the previous public engagement, staff is seeking community feedback on the proposed concepts included in the Draft PROSA Report Summary through participation in an online survey and/or at two virtual workshops scheduled this month.

The Draft PROSA Report Summary outlines several key areas of consideration and prioritization when it comes to park development and improvement planning, including park access, habitat connectivity, park experiences and equity. The outcomes of PROSA will inform the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), land acquisition and many other decisions once completed this year.

There are a few ways to participate:

• Complete the online survey. They survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, and Vietnamese.
• Additional languages are available by using the “Translate” button in the upper right-hand side of the survey.
• Register to attend the next virtual workshop on Tuesday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m.

You can learn more about PROSA on FCPA's website

School Supply Drive for FCPS Students

For more than 60,000 Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students, the reality of back-to-school season is financially stressful. In the 2020-2021 school year, close to 1 in every 3 FCPS students (31%) received free or reduced-priced meals, an indicator that they, and their families, are living in need.

Every summer, Educate Fairfax conducts an annual giving campaign called "Collect for Kids." Funds raised through this effort help purchase school supplies for newcomers to FCPS who are economically disadvantaged or recently displaced, as well students who live in poverty.

For more information, or to donate, visit Educate Fairfax's donation page.

Greater DC Diaper Bank (GDCDB), a regional nonprofit founded in 2010, is hosting its third annual Wipeout Summer campaign to collect donations of wipes from the community. GDCDB distributes diapers, baby wipes, formula, period products, and other hygiene essentials to partners throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Last year, GDCDB sent out 11 million diapers and over $500,000 worth of additional baby and adult hygiene products into the community.

This summer, the Diaper Bank is hosting its third annual Wipeout Summer campaign to raise in-kind donations of baby wipes. Beyond diapers, baby wipes are the second-most requested item for GDCDB's partners. The annual campaign helps stock warehouse shelves during a time of year when in-kind donations are typically slow, to ensure partners can continue to receive the same level of supplies year-round. Learn more about donating.

As part of the celebration of National Park and Recreation Month, the Fairfax County Park Authority is holding a Selfie Contest. Start taking photos now to submit them beginning Monday, July 24, at 8:00 a.m. If you plan to join members of the community in a park, on a trail or at another park amenity, this contest is for you!

Contest entries will be accepted online until 10:00 p.m. on Friday, July 28, in five categories:

• Sports and Fitness (fitness centers, golf, trail walking, running, skating, biking, athletics, etc.)
• Camps, Classes and Activities (organized FCPA programs, camps and activities, etc.)
• Water Activities (water parks, pools, boating, fishing, etc.)
• Leisure and Play (playgrounds, amusements, hiking, picnics, camping, etc.)
• Volunteer Service (service projects, volunteer groups, etc.)

Judges will select one winning entry per category and winners will be notified during the first week of August. Prizes include the choice of a Golf-themed or Water Mine-themed gift pack.

For complete contest rules and submission instructions, visit FCPA's website. Questions? Email the Park Authority.

Fairfax County Public Libraries will resume normal hours the week of August 27.

Braddock District Community Libraries (Kings Park and Burke Centre):

• Monday - Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Wednesday - Saturday | 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Fairfax County Library's Summer Reading Adventure runs through August 18, sign up today!

Do you know someone who lives in the Braddock District who exemplifies selflessness, displays a love for their community, has a passion for serving others, or volunteers their time to better the Braddock District?

Nominate them today to be recognized in Supervisor Walkinshaw's monthly newsletter, The Braddock Beacon.

The nomination deadline for August Citizen of the Month is Friday, July 30, at 11:59 p.m.

Contact the Braddock District Office if you have any questions.