Dear Neighbor,

It is graduation season and I want to congratulate the Fairfax County Public Schools Class of 2023! While COVID kept me from attending some of the ceremonies earlier this week, I joined the proud graduates of Woodson on Tuesday and will be with Robinson tonight.

Each year I'm inspired by the talents, accomplishments, and spirit of our young people. This year's graduates and their families persevered through the pandemic and have more than earned this week's celebrations. Congratulations!

Shredding Event this Saturday

I'll be hosting a Community Shredding Event with local non-profit Marian Homes this Saturday, June 10, from 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m. at Lake Braddock Secondary School (9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke).

Donations are accepted and go toward Marian Homes' mission to purchase and maintain affordable homes for individuals with intellectual disabilities, several of which are located right here in the Braddock District. Their work fosters independence and personal growth in a group home setting.

More information about the event can be found here.

Volunteer at the Braddock Summer Entertainment Series

This month I am thrilled to welcome back the Braddock Entertainment Series!

The Series will kick off with our Arts in the Park Children's Series next Saturday, June 17, at 10:00 a.m. at Wakefield Park in front of the Audrey Moore Rec Center (8100 Braddock Road, Annandale).

Braddock Nights, our evening concerts, will return on Friday, July 7 at Royal Lake Park (5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax) and Lake Accotink Park (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield).

To ensure the success of these events, we need your help! Whether you can volunteer for one event or the entire series, we appreciate you! If you are interested in volunteering, please email my office.

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:

• Public Safety Day
• FLAP's June Clean-Up
• Better Bus Visionary Network Feedback
• Juice Box with a Cop
• Virginia Energy Assistance Program
• VRE's Free Fare Fridays
• See Amateur Radio in Action: 2023 National Field Day at Burke Lake Park
• Vote Early until June 17

June 10 is Public Safety Day! The Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications and their public safety partners are hosting a free open house at the Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center (4890 Alliance Drive, Fairfax) from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

There will be displays from Fairfax County 9-1-1, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Fairfax County Police Department - including Animal Protection Police, Virginia State Police, Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, Department of Emergency Management and Security, and Virginia Department of Transportation. There will be fun and games for families and all attendees. Parking will also be free of charge. Read more here.

The Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) host several events each month and invite the community to join.

This Sunday, June 11, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. they'll be hosting their Monthly Clean-Up at the Lake Accotink Park Marina (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield).

More details about the clean-up and other events hosted by FLAP are available here.

On April 17, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) began asking the community for feedback on their Better Bus Visionary Network program. The Better Bus Visionary Network aims to improve the frequency, speed, and reliability in the Washington Metropolitan Area to advance equity, sustainability, and access to opportunities.

There are a variety of methods for you to provide input, including a route feedback map, a survey, and events. They have extended the deadline for feedback to June 18. Share your thoughts and find more information about the program on the Better Bus website.

Curious about police officers and what they do? The West Springfield Police Department is hosting a “Juice Box with a Cop” event on June 10 at the Vistas of Annandale (7931 Patriot Drive, Annandale).

Join officers for juice boxes, snacks, and fun. There will also be free car seat inspections. Members of other police departments and Opportunity Neighborhood-Annandale Council Members will be in attendance.

If you have any questions before the event, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363.

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. To be eligible, households must have a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income may not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Information about the U.S. federal poverty guidelines used to determine financial eligibility can be found here.

Applications for Fuel, Crisis, and Cooling assistance are accepted at the Fairfax Department of Social Services (12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax) from June 15 through August 15.

The EAP consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance. For application information about each specific program, please click here.

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) announced all Friday rides on their trains will be free until September 1.

If you’ve been wanting to try out the VRE to commute into D.C. or check out Fredericksburg for the day, now is your chance! Read the full release here.

The Vienna Wireless Society (VWS) will participate in a 2023 National Field Day from 2:00 p.m. on June 24 to 2:00 p.m. on June 25 (24-hour event) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station).

The annual Field Day is organized nationally each year by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Field Day gets licensed Hams out of their home stations and into outdoor tent stations, simulating requirements for portable, off-the-grid communications in case of emergency. Amateur Radio operates independently of any other communication utility and has proved its value in many disasters.  

Visitors are invited to see the Hams in action and have their own radio experience at the “Get on the Air” (GOTA) station where licensed Hams will help you to make a radio contact. Who knows how far your voice may go?

VWS has members all over Fairfax County. For more information, visit their website.

Early in-person voting for the June 20 Democratic Primary Election is happening now until next Saturday, June 17.

Voting is available at three locations:

• Fairfax County Government Center | Conference Rooms 2/3 - 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
• Weekday hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Mt. Vernon Governmental Center - 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria
• Weekday hours: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• North County Governmental Center - 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston
• Weekday hours: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

*The Republican Party has not called for a primary in Fairfax County*

Beginning this Saturday, June 10, an additional 13 early voting locations will open across the County, including at Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke).

You can find all the locations, their operating hours, and information on Saturday voting on the County's Office of Elections' website.

• Find a list of qualified candidates here.
• You can verify the new districts here.