Dear Neighbor,

School is out and summer has begun! With the summer season come high temperatures that can be dangerous. Fairfax County has a number of valuable resources to help you stay safe in the extreme heat, including county facilities designated as Cooling Centers, emergency medical materials, and cooling assistance programs. Learn more about these resources at our extreme heat resources webpage.

Along with those resources, here are some quick tips provided to stay cool and look after others:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Stay inside and out of the heat if possible.
• Know the symptoms of heat-related illness. Heat stroke is an emergency, so call or text 9-1-1.
• Check on those you know with vulnerabilities who may need help responding to the heat.
• Never leave children, older adults, or pets alone in a car.

Unfortunately, due to climate change, the number of extremely hot (95+ degrees) days per year increased by seven days from 1970-2018. Please take a few moments to learn about our community-driven plan to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

June 20 Democratic Primary Election Results

I want to congratulate the winners of the June 20 Democratic Primary, especially those who are seeking to represent the Braddock District in November. But most importantly, I want to thank all of the candidates, volunteers, election officers, and voters who ensured another successful election in Fairfax County.

I spent most of the day visiting polls and thanking the election officers who worked from early in the morning to late at night to ensure that every voter had the opportunity to exercise their right to vote and that every ballot was counted. If you're interested in serving as an election officer in an upcoming election, you can learn more here.

Republicans in Fairfax County did not have a primary and instead selected their candidates with internal processes. As the November election approaches, you can stay up-to-date via the Fairfax County Office of Elections website.

Braddock Summer Entertainment Series

The Braddock Summer Entertainment Series has begun! Our first Arts in the Parks Children's Series this past Saturday was a huge success with nearly 150 attendees.

The Arts in the Parks Children's Series will continue through the summer on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. at Wakefield Park in front of the Audrey Moore Rec Center (8100 Braddock Rd, Annandale).

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

You can call the HOTLINE at (703) 324-7469 one hour prior to the scheduled start time of a show for information about rain cancellations.

We are still seeking some more volunteers to help make these community events successful, so if you are interested in volunteering, please email my office.

First Meeting of Lake Accotink Task Force

The first meeting of the Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink will take place next Monday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms 2 and 3 of the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax). The Task Force will be chaired by former Chairman Sharon Bulova and will include former Supervisor John Cook.

The meeting is open to the public and interested community members are welcome to attend to observe the task force's work.

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:

• Metro Lift Launch on June 20
• Guide to Summer
• Summer School Grounds Use
• The Heat is On! Summer Adoption Event
• Burke Centre Library's 15th Anniversary
• See Amateur Radio in Action: 2023 National Field Day at Burke Lake Park
• Extreme Weather Preparedness
• Revive! Naloxone Training
• Mason is Best in VA for LGBTQ+ Students
• Elly Doyle Service Awards Nominations
• Nominate a Braddock Citizen of the Month!
• Virginia Energy Assistance Program

Metro Lift Launch on June 20

As of Tuesday, June 20, Metro offers reduced fares to assist low-income customers for the first time. This new program, 'Metro Lift,' is available for DC, Maryland, and Virginia residents who qualify for the US Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).

The program advances transit equity and affordability, in a region considered one of the most expensive in the nation and where low-income households face the greatest economic disparities. Customers enrolled in Metro Lift will receive a 50 percent discount for any travel on Metrorail and Metrobus.

It is free to enroll in Metro Lift. Residents must show that they are current recipients of SNAP benefits in DC, Maryland, or Virginia to qualify for Metro Lift. The fare discount will be valid for one year after enrollment and will be available up to 48 hours after online enrollment.

Online enrollment and appointment scheduling is available online. Metro will continue to refine the program based on customer feedback and is working to expand enrollment locations over time. FAQ's and enrollment information can be found on Metro's website.

Guide to Summer

There are a variety of summer activities available in Fairfax County. From water parks, pools, carousels and mini golf to Fairfax County Park Authority Day Camps and Library Reading Adventures, there will not be a single boring day this summer!

Additionally, Fairfax County operates a Free Summer Meals for Kids Program. This program provides nutritious meals to children aged 5 to 18 throughout the summer.

Check out the Fairfax County Guide to Summer for more information about these activities and resources. Make sure to stay safe and have fun!

Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) blacktops, playgrounds, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, and tracks are available for free use by individuals. These school grounds are available to the community from the close of the school day to sundown on weekdays and dawn to dusk on weekends, except when being used for other programs. Organized groups can use these spaces by paying a rental fee.

These facilities are to be shared with anyone who wishes to use them! Please leave facilities as you found them and remove any debris. Review the FCPS webpage for more information.

The hot summer months are here and nearly every kennel at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) is full of dogs, cats, kittens, and even a few small animals like rabbits. The shelter is especially full of dogs, with nearly 100 in its care. FCAS is preparing to undergo required HVAC system maintenance and is putting out an urgent plea for potential adopters to help clear the kennels.

The FCAS "The Heat is On!" summer adoption event starts today, June 22, and runs through Sunday, June 25. It features fee-waived dog adoptions and half-priced adoption fees for cats and small animals to help clear the kennels as HVAC maintenance begins.

Find more information about this event on the FCAS website.

Burke Centre Library's 15th Anniversary

On Saturday, June 24, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., the Burke Centre Library will be celebrating its 15th anniversary of servings the community!

Visit the library right at 11:00 a.m. to hear remarks from Jessica Hudson, the Director of Fairfax County Public Libraries (FCPL).

Additionally, come enjoy refreshments, fencing demonstrations, robotics demos, and stories of Burke's history from the Burke Historical Society. There will also be face painting and a scavenger hunt!

For a more detailed schedule, visit the FCPL website.

The Vienna Wireless Society (VWS) will participate in a 2023 National Field Day from 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 (24-hour event) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Rd, 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. Visit their website to learn more.

As the weekend approaches, Fairfax County concludes its recognition of Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

The arrival of summer means the likelihood of extreme weather events is much higher. Make sure to register for Fairfax Alerts on their website to stay informed about all county-wide emergencies.

Fairfax's Department of Emergency Management and Security has an emergency preparedness program called Ready Fairfax. Their website provides ways to prepare for, respond to, and recover from various types of emergencies.

The Community Services Board has partnered with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to launch REVIVE!, a program that makes naloxone available to lay rescuers to reverse opioid overdoses.  

REVIVE! trains individuals on what to do and not do in an overdose situation, how to administer naloxone, and what to do afterward. Each attendee also receives a free REVIVE! kit that includes all the supplies needed to administer naloxone. The medication itself can be acquired at a pharmacy after completing the training. Attendees also receive a safety plan to help individuals prevent overdose if they relapse.  

There are two virtual trainings remaining in June, one on Tuesday, June 27 at 1:00 p.m. that will be presented in Spanish, and one on Thursday, June 29 at 2:00 p.m. that will be presented in English. More details about these training sessions can be found on the Community Service Board's website.

George Mason University is the top-ranked university in Virginia, and 7th nationally, for LGBTQ+ students, according to Best Colleges.

Mason's LGBTQ+ Resource Center began operating more than 20 years ago. The Center offers resources, including a Trans Clothing Closet, Identity Nights where students from different identity groups can hang out, and a mentorship program. Additionally, the Center funds the Queer Student Leadership Council, a group of students who advocate for the LGBTQ+ community at the university. To learn more about the LGTBQ+ Resource Center at Mason, check out their webpage.

The deadline for the Elly Doyle Park Service Awards nominations is around the corner! There are six different awards for consideration this year. The awards recognize those who have made outstanding volunteer contributions to the Fairfax County Park Authority over the last year. Volunteers are crucial for the operation of the park system.

Anyone can submit a nomination, and the deadline for nominations has been extended to June 30. Award recipients will be honored later this fall. Submit your nomination today on the Park Authority's website!

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 July Citizen of the Month is Friday, June 30 at 11:59 p.m.

Contact the Braddock District Office if you have any questions.

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 on The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) webpage.

Applications for fuel, crisis, cooling, and weatherization assistance are being accepted until August 15 at the Fairfax Department of Social Services (12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).

For application information about each specific program, please visit the Federal Benefits website.