11.21.24

Dear Neighbor,

In Fairfax County, we partner with faith communities in many ways to support our neighbors in need. Our Hypothermia Prevention Program prevents death and serious injuries among people experiencing homelessness by ensuring that no one must sleep outside during the winter months.

Each year, I visit various houses of worship in and around the Braddock District as they host our shelters in partnership with non-profits. As I thank the volunteers and chat with those seeking shelter, I'm reminded that "there but for the grace of God go I." Job loss, an injury, a mental health crisis, or substance abuse challenge could happen to any one of us. That's why I'm so appreciative of the faith communities and volunteers who make this program possible each winter.

In addition to warm shelter and food, we provide other supportive services to help connect guests to a variety of basic needs such as clothing, employment, housing, and more.

The program is open every day, countywide beginning December 1, and will continue until March 31. Overflow shelter capacity in the year-round adult shelters is available each night but is limited. If you see someone who you think is at risk of hypothermia, please call the County's non-emergency Police number at 703-691-2131.

Sign up for Fairfax Human Services Corner Alerts, specifically “Homelessness Cooling and Heating Resources,” for information on overflow activation. If you have any questions about the program, contact Dee Johnson at danien.johnson@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit the County’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness website.

If you see someone who is unsheltered ad you think they are at risk of hypothermia, call the County’s non-emergency line at (703) 691-2131, TTY 711. A police officer will respond and conduct a wellness check. If you see an individual in distress, please call 9-1-1.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving Day has more than three times the daily average for such incidents. An estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. in 2022, reflecting a 399% increase over the daily average.

Unattended cooking was the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths. Cooking causes half (52%) of all reported home fires and nearly two of every five (36%) home fire injuries, and it is a leading cause of home fire deaths (17%).

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) wants you to have a safe and happy holiday. Help prevent an unexpected visit to your home from firefighters on Thanksgiving Day! Take a moment and review cooking and kitchen safety tips to have a recipe for Thanksgiving success:

• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire or get caught on pot handles.
• Keep things that can catch fire such as dish towels, curtains, or paper, at least three feet from the stove.
• Do not leave cooking food unattended. If you leave the kitchen, even briefly, turn off the stove.
• Turn pot handles inward, facing the wall to prevent burns caused by overturning or spills.
• Potholders or oven mitts prevent burns when handling hot dishes.
• Regularly clean your cooking equipment so there are no cooking materials, food items, or grease accumulation.
• Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn the burner off and do not remove the lid until it is completely cool.
• If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.

You can access resources for kitchen safety on the NFPA's website or read more safety tips from FCFRD.

Best of Braddock

On Wednesday, December 4, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Braddock Hall (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke), the Braddock District Council and I will host the annual Best of Braddock Awards Ceremony and Reception.

The reception is open to the entire community. It will kick off with hors d'oeuvres and desserts with a chance to mingle and network with community members from the Braddock District.

Then, join me and other community leaders for an awards ceremony to recognize the individuals and organizations who have worked to make their neighborhood or broader community a great place to live, work, and play.

Registration is not required but does help us with planning, RSVP today. I hope to see you there!

Yours in service,

Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw

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

Continue reading below for more information on:

• Connector Thanksgiving Schedule
• 2nd Annual Beaver Boogie 5K
• Reduced Fee Vaccine & Microchip Clinics
• Santa Trains
• Police Civilian Review Panel Meeting
• West Springfield Toy and Food Drive
• Friends of Burke Centre Winter Holiday & Gift Book Sale
• GMU West Campus Development Town Hall
• Municipality Equality Index
• Drought Watch Issued
• Home Heating Assistance Available

Connector Thanksgiving Schedule

The Fairfax Connector will operate Sunday Service on Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving Day).

Routes that operate on Sundays are 101, 109, 151, 152, 161, 162, 171, 310, 321, 322, 371, 401, 402, 423, 463, 467, 558, 559, 574, 605, 615, 630, 642, 651, 662, 672, 721, 803, 901, 921, 924, 937, 950, 952, 954, 983, RIBS 1, RIBS 2, RIBS 3, RIBS 4, and RIBS 5. If a route is not listed, it does not operate during Sunday service.

The Connector will run its Holiday Weekday Service on Friday, November 29.

Routes that operate Holiday Weekday service are 101, 109, 151, 152, 159, 161,162, 171, 301, 305, 306, 308, 310, 321, 322, 334, 340, 341, 350, 351, 352, 353, 371, 401, 402, 423, 427, 462, 463, 467, 507, 552, 553, 557, 558, 559, 574, 605, 615, 622, 625, 630, 642, 651, 660, 662, 671, 672, 703, 721, 803, 901, 921, 924, 937, 950, 951, 952, 954, 983, RIBS 1, RIBS 2, RIBS 3, RIBS 4, and RIBS 5. If a route is not listed above, it does not operate a Holiday Weekday service.

Visit the Connector's website for more on their Holiday Schedule.

2nd Annual Beaver Boogie 5K

Back by popular demand! The Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) will host its second-annual Beaver Boogie 5K at Lake Accotink Park at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 30.

The Beaver Boogie is a great opportunity to join with family, friends and neighbors in supporting one of Fairfax County’s largest and most visited parks. The event runs through the park, creating a scenic and picture-perfect atmosphere for all runners and walkers to enjoy themselves while being active.

Registration is $25 for each participant for the 5K Fun Run/Walk. All proceeds from this event are used to support FLAP projects and programs that directly benefit Lake Accotink Park. Register today.

Visit the Friends of Lake Accotink Park’s event website or email contact@flapaccotink.org with questions.

Reduced Fee Vaccine

& Microchip Clinic

As part of Fairfax County Animal Shelter's (FCAS) Pet Resource Center, Fairfax County residents have an opportunity to vaccinate and microchip their pets without the cost of a veterinary exam.

All clinics are first-come first-served and cash only. Clinics are held at the Michael R. Frey (4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax) or the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton). The Animal Shelter's next clinics is on Monday, December 2, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Michael R. Frey Campus

For more information on upcoming dates or details, visit the FCAS website.

Santa Trains

The Virginia Railway Express's popular Santa Trains will return on December 14! Kids can ride a VRE train to meet Santa and friends, learn about rail safety, and receive candy canes and coloring books from Santa's helpers.

You can buy tickets for the Burke Centre Santa Trains in person on Monday, December 2, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Kings Park Library (9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke), one of the in-person ticket sales locations.

Online tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, December 3 at 10:00 a.m. Visit the VRE website for more information.

Police Civilian Review Panel Meeting

A public comment meeting of the Board of Supervisors' appointed Police Civilian Review Panel will be held at the Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub Center (7950 Audubon Avenue, Alexandria) on Thursday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m.

Translation services will be provided upon request - please submit your request for translation services by December 1 to Craig Miles (Craig.Miles@fairfaxcounty.gov).

More details about providing public comment are available on the County's website. Learn more about the Police Civilian Review Panel.

West Springfield Toy and Food Drive

Officers from the West Springfield Police District Station will be hosting a Holiday Toy and Food Drive on Saturday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Giant (8320 Olde Keene Mill Road, Springfield).

They are asking for new, unwrapped toys to be donated. These toys will be sent to the Motor Squad for their Santa’s Ride event. The Motor Squad will be delivering these toys to kids who are housed in area hospitals, like Inova Children’s Hospital and the Georgetown Hospital Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The food will benefit ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others), an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) charity that provides food and financial help to people with short term emergencies and people with low incomes.

If you have any questions about the drive, email PFC Liam May at Liam.May@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Friends of Burke Centre Winter Holiday & Gift Book Sale

Friends of Burke Centre Library are hosting their Winter Holiday and Gift Book Sale on Monday, December 9, and Tuesday, December 10.

The sale will have a large selection of books, DVDs, CDs, and more for all ages and interests!

For more information, visit the Fairfax County Public Library calendar or call (703) 249-1520, ext. 4.

GMU West Campus

Development Town Hall

GMU will host a West Campus Development Town Hall in-person on Wednesday, December 11, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Fairfax City Hall (10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax) to present an update on their concepts for development of their West Campus which may include a mix of upgraded athletic facilities, student and faculty housing, and retail.

During the town hall, you will have the opportunity to hear directly from representatives on project objectives, potential components of the development, and more. Earlier this year, GMU chose not to move forward with their earlier proposal to build a temporary cricket stadium, but other development options remain on the table.

Members of the community are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and provide their feedback and comments.

Because GMU is a state university, projects on its campus are not subject to Fairfax County's land use, zoning, and approval processes. Learn more on GMU's website.

Municipality Equality Index

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Municipality Equality Index examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are in cities and towns nationwide.

This year, a record-breaking 130 localities (over 25% of all MEI-rated localities) earned the highest score of 100, including Fairfax County!

The MEI provides a public snapshot of how committed a given city or town is to LGBTQ+ equality and a framework for mayors, councilors, and administrators around the country with impactful steps they can take to protect their LGBTQ+ residents and staff.

The MEI 2024 suggests that LGBTQ+ equality is making significant strides at the local level, establishing a warrant for continued work to advance equality at the national level. You can learn more on HRC's website.

Drought Watch Issued

Several months of low rainfall with high temperatures have contributed to a Drought Watch in Fairfax County. 

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments recently issued the watch, which is expected to continue throughout the fall and winter.

There’s currently an adequate supply of water in the Potomac River and back-up reservoirs, but residents and businesses are asked to use water wisely to reduce water demand and environmental needs of the river.

This past October was the sixth driest October on record in Fairfax County over the past 130 years, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. The regional drought watch affects nearly six million residents across metropolitan Washington.

Drought can also elevate fire danger in the county. Use extra caution when smoking outside, using outdoor grills or engaging in any type of outdoor burning. Most dry grasses, dead leaves and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly.

High temperatures and low rainfall amounts have increased the chance of drought for most of the state. Other factors include low stream flows and lower groundwater.

Go to the County's News Center post to view the Drought Map, view water-saving and fire prevention tips, and more.

Home Heating Assistance Available

The cold weather is coming, and you may be eligible to receive help with home heating bills through two energy assistance programs that are accepting applications now.

The Fuel Assistance Program helps eligible households in meeting their energy needs by supplementing the cost associated with their primary heat source. The Crisis Assistance Program is designed to help households overcome energy emergencies that cannot be met by other resources.

If you or someone you know needs help with home heating costs during the coldest months of the year, apply to the Fuel Assistance and Crisis Assistance programs online or by calling 833-5-CALL-VA (833-522-5582).  

Learn More about Energy Assistance Programs.