The open house will be in the cafeteria of Kings Glen Elementary School (5401 Danbury Forest Drive, Springfield) from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. and you can drop in at any time.
The Smaller Lake Accotink Preservation Feasibility Study aims to better understand the conditions within Accotink Creek and Lake Accotink, while exploring the best methods for preserving a 20 – 40-acre lake at a depth of 4 – 8 feet.
The County is working with an independent design and engineering firm to conduct the Smaller Lake Accotink Preservation Feasibility Study, which will evaluate potential smaller lake options. This study will be coordinated with and utilize results from the sedimentation rate study and the Lake Accotink dam assessment, which are currently underway by different engineering consultant teams.
View more on the study’s website.
Braddock Nights Begin Tomorrow
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Our Summer Entertainment Series expands with the kick off of this year's Braddock Nights evening concerts. We're thrilled to have Mars Rodeo at Royal Lake Park (5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax) and the Tobago Bay Calypso Band at Lake Accotink Park (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield) tomorrow, Friday, July 11, both beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Our Arts in the Parks children's series will continue every Saturday from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. at Wakefield Park in front of the Audrey Moore Rec Center (8100 Braddock Rd, Annandale) through August 16. This week’s performer is Mad Science of Washington!
In the case of bad weather, you can call the concert hotline at (571) 202-7469 (SHOW) one hour before the scheduled start time of a show for an update.
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Emergency Preparedness
The news of the devastating flooding and loss of life in Kerr County, Texas, reminds us to stay informed about local government resources designed to prepare our communities for disasters of all kinds.
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The Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security’s preparedness program, Ready Fairfax, is designed to educate residents of all ages, with guides for the general public, businesses, houses of worship, and several kid-friendly guides. Their mega “Community Emergency Response Guide” is available in several languages to guarantee everyone has the tools to prepare themselves for practically everything from thunderstorms to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear attacks.
Weather-related flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster across the United States, and climate change continues to exacerbate flooding impacts in Fairfax County and nationwide. Fairfax County’s ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding problems for residents can be found in the July 2025 Floodplain Management Plan (FMP) progress report.
If you live in an area that is flood-prone, there are several resources from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services available to help you prepare, like determining your flood risk, reporting blocked storm drains and flooding, and subscribing to the flood protection newsletter.
You can subscribe to Fairfax Alerts and customize the updates you receive, like traffic, emergency alerts, or even tax reminders.
Fairfax County is part of the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Baltimore/Washington D.C. forecast office. NWS issues the watches and warnings that Fairfax County follows.
| | 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:
- Civics Lab Event: Civic Engagement with Supervisor Walkinshaw
- Fairfax County Seeks Feedback on Proposed Transportation Plan
- Cooking 101: Online Cooking Class
- Historic House Tours
- Military Spouse Red Carpet Career & Job Fair
- Now Accepting 2025 Environmental Excellence Award Nominations
- Animal Control Transition Advisory
- Pet Adoption Spotlight: Cowabunga!
| | Civics Lab Event: Civic Engagement with Supervisor Walkinshaw | |
In a time of deep political divides, what does it look like to reach across the aisle and work with lawmakers who think differently or have different goals?
Next Monday, July 14, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., in conjunction with the Kings Park Library and Civics Lab, Supervisor Walkinshaw will speak to the challenges and opportunities of working in local government with colleagues, citizens, and special interest groups that have competing values, goals, and ideals, and the importance of civic engagement and citizen participation in government.
This event will be held at the Kings Park Library (9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke) and is free and open to the public, though you must register online to attend.
For more information about this event, visit Kings Park Library's website.
| | Fairfax County Seeks Feedback on Proposed Transportation Plan | |
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is seeking public feedback on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Transportation Priorities Plan (TPP).
The proposed plan anticipates an estimated $3.9 billion to fund continued investment in more than 300 existing priority projects, including interchanges, road widenings, new road construction, and more. A list of proposed projects and investments is on the TPP website. Funding for the plan will be provided through a combination of sources, including federal, state, regional, local, and private funds. Specific funding streams are subject to change from project to project and throughout the plan's timeframe.
FCDOT will host a virtual community input session on Wednesday, July 16, beginning at 6:00 p.m. There will be time for questions. More information, including the draft plan, presentation (recording and slides), project lists, and public comment opportunities, is available on the Public Input website.
Additionally, public comments on the proposed plan may be submitted online via Public Input. Comments may also be submitted by telephone or by U.S. mail using the instructions provided on the site. All comments must be submitted and received by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23.
| | Cooking 101: Online Cooking Class | |
The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging’s Caregiver & Supportive Services Unit invites you to join its upcoming Intergenerational Workshop Session, which aims to bring families of all ages and generations together.
In this hour-long virtual intergenerational workshop for the whole family, Jennifer Mertz, Director of Online 101 Cooking Classes with Sticky Fingers, will help you step it up in the kitchen. This cooking class is designed specifically for children and their families and caregivers looking to expand their kitchen skills, vocabulary, and independence in their own kitchens while exploring a specific region or type of cuisine.
The webinar will be held on Friday, July 18, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Register for the event, which is free and open to the public. Please note that depending on your child's age and ability, adult assistance may be required during the class. For questions, email ayiguli.saifuding@fairfaxcounty.gov or call (571) 407-6961.
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The Burke Historical Society will lead free tours of the historic house at Sunrise at Silas Burke House (9619 Burke Lake Road, Burke) on Saturday, July 19, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The last tour will be at 12:15 p.m.
Registration is not required; contact Debra DeLoose at (571) 422-1226 with any questions.
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Military Spouse Red
Carpet Career & Job Fair
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On Friday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at The Clubs at Quantico (3017 Russell Road, Quantico), military spouses are invited to attend the 2025 Military Spouse Red Carpet Career & Job Fair.
This event is designed to connect military spouses with numerous employers, including home-based businesses and educational and career opportunities that value the unique skills and experiences of military spouses. Employers will be offering entry-level and executive roles, free professional headshots, engaging presentations, free resume reviews, and potential on-the-spot interviews. Please note that you must be a DOD ID card holder to attend.
To maximize opportunities, join the pre-event workshop on July 21, from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Chapel Annex, Room 126 Marine Corps Base Quantico (3400 Russell Road, Quantico). This workshop will focus on effective networking and strategic navigation of the job fair. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Please contact Lucy Arruffat at lucy.arruffat@usmc.mil with any questions or if you need additional information.
| | Now Accepting 2025 Environmental Excellence Award Nominations | |
Fairfax County is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Environmental Excellence Awards, a prestigious award that recognizes exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship.
Each year, the Environmental Excellence Awards honor those who have made significant contributions towards protecting, improving, and educating about the natural world in Fairfax County.
The awards are open to individual residents, organizations, businesses, and county employees whose contributions include:
- Advancing or supporting the county's environmental goals and policies
- Dedicating personal time and expertise beyond their usual fiscal or civic responsibilities
- Demonstrating leadership and serving as role models for others
To be eligible for the 2025 awards, nominees' achievements must be within the period from June 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025, or span multiple years that include a portion of this timeframe.
To submit a nomination, please complete the online form by August 8.
| | Animal Control Transition Advisory | |
Fairfax County is in the process of consolidating animal control services under the newly named Department of Animal Services (formerly known as the Department of Animal Sheltering).
Animal control services are currently provided by the Animal Protection Police, a unit within the Fairfax County Police Department. Throughout 2025, these services will transition to be carried out by Animal Services Officers under the Department of Animal Services. There will be no change to how residents request help, and no disruption in service, during this process. This transition was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2024 and will improve coordination, enhance public service, and increase operational efficiency.
For immediate emergencies, dial 911. For animal-related emergencies or assistance, including wildlife, continue to call the County's non-emergency line at (703) 691-2131.
Visit the County's Animal Control Transition site for more information about this process.
| | Pet Adoption Spotlight: Cowabunga! | |
Meet Cowabunga!
Located at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton), Cowabunga may have a surfer's name, but his favorite wave is the one that leads straight to his cozy kennel. Friendly yet delightfully aloof, Cowabunga enjoys a peaceful life and is perfectly content lounging the day away.
Cowabunga is heartworm positive, which means he'll need a loving adopter willing to help him through treatment, a manageable process that includes rest, meds, and vet care. With proper treatment, dogs like Cowabunga can go on to live happy, healthy lives. Heartworm is serious, but treatable, and he's worth it.
This pet is eligible for an Adoption Audition, a 5-day, no-strings-attached, trial adoption period. You can take Cowabunga home to try it out! Interested? Come to the shelter any time during open hours and talk to a Customer Care staffer!
If you're looking for a laid-back companion with a cool name and a heart ready to heal, Cowabunga is your guy!
Visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's website for more information about Cowabunga or to view any of the other adoptable pets.
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