Dear Neighbor,

I hope this update finds you safe, healthy, and warm! I've just returned from Richmond where I joined other county leaders from across the Commonwealth in asking the General Assembly to fund core services like K-12 education, transportation, and behavioral health in this year's budget.


This week marks two years since the rollout of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. As you’ll recall, the vaccine was in high demand and short supply, and initially only available to persons over the age of 75. Thanks to the efforts of our Health Department, the work of thousands of volunteers, and the diligence of the community, the vaccine program has been a success in Fairfax County. Though there have been spikes, COVID cases and deaths are down and we have nearly returned to normal life.

 

But we can’t let down our guard. Vaccines and boosters continue to offer significant protection against COVID, reducing the likelihood of severe illness. But today, less than 50% of Fairfax County residents younger than 45 years old have received the latest bivalent booster.

 

Fairfax County remains at a medium risk level for COVID, as designated by the CDC. I strongly suggest receiving your bivalent booster if you have not already. Information on where to get a booster is available here.


January 24 Board of Supervisors Meeting

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The first Board of Supervisors meeting of the year will take place this Tuesday, January 24, 2023 beginning at 9:30 a.m.


We'll have a full agenda including updates on the Board approved Legislative Package for the General Assembly Delegation and a public hearing on a Plan Amendment to allow affordable housing to be built on a section of the parking lot in front of the main Fairfax County Government Center.


We will also hold a public hearing to consider enacting an ordinance reducing the real estate tax rate for spouses of service members who died in the line of duty. I’ve been working on this item for more than a year with my colleagues, the Department of Tax Administration, the General Assembly, and local military families. There is an existing exemption that applies to the spouses of service members who were killed in action, but excludes those who died in the line of duty. Extending the tax reduction to those whose spouses died in the line of duty required legislative action by the General Assembly and next week the Board will consider acting on the new authority granted.


All full Board meetings are televised on Channel 16 and streamed live online with closed captions provided in English and Spanish (los subtítulos en español). Meetings are also available to view on demand following the meeting. Live audio of the meeting may also be accessed by dialing (703) 324-7700. More information on Tuesday's Board meeting can be viewed here.

Continue reading below for more information on:



  • Chairman Jeff McKay's New Year Reception, January 20
  • Webinar Wednesdays: Learn to Apply for Licenses, Permits, and Other Records
  • Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Burke Lake Park
  • Community Meeting on Braddock District Projects Nominated in Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process
  • Library Updates
  • Youth Activities & FCPS Updates
  • Dog Licenses Due January 31
  • Workforce Opportunities
  • Upcoming Blood Drive
  • Extended Deadline for Parking Reimagined Comments
  • Traffic Advisory: GMU Classes to Begin
  • January is Radon Action Month
  • Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in White-Tailed Deer in Fairfax County
  • Health Updates
Yours in service,

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

Chairman Jeff McKay's New Year Reception, January 20

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Webinar Wednesdays: Learn to Apply for Licenses, Permits, and Other Records 

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Join Fairfax County staff for a free webinar to see a demonstration of the new Planning and Land Use System (also known as PLUS). This demonstration will focus on how to successfully complete and submit applications. Bring your questions and learn how this centralized platform will help streamline the customer experience.


Wednesday, January 25

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Register Here!


Webinar Wednesdays are live events hosted by the Fairfax County PLUS staff to answer all your questions about the new Planning and Land Use System. Webinar Wednesday sessions will be 30 or 45 minutes and will take place bi-weekly. These sessions will focus on specific topics related to PLUS. 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Burke Lake Park

Commemorate the Lunar New Year with crafts, games, New Year’s resolutions, traditional snacks, and a discussion about history and culture. Join the celebration at the Burke Lake Park Ice Cream Parlor and ring in the year of the rabbit next Friday, January 27, 2023 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.


Visit the Park Authority website for more details and to register for the event.

Community Meeting on Braddock District Projects Nominated in Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process

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A virtual community meeting is scheduled for January 30 at 7:00 p.m. to review preliminary proposals, called “nominations,” to change the Comprehensive Plan as part of the 2022-2023 Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process. Three nominations in the Braddock District will be reviewed at the community meeting. SSPA nominations can be proposed by anyone and are not formal development applications; the SSPA process is a preliminary stage in the development review process. The community meeting is an opportunity to learn about the nominations and provide comments, which will be used to help determine which of the nominations should advance for further review as planning studies (which would also involve the community), and which should be screened out of consideration.


The sites nominated in the Braddock District are:

  • 11301 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax – Evergreen Investment Company, LLC
  • 11727 Fairfax Woods Way, Fairfax – EQR Fairfax Corner, LLC
  • 9350 Braddock Road, Fairfax – Trustees of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal


Virtual Meeting - MS Teams

January 30, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. 

Call In Number: (571) 429-5982 

Conference ID: 142 670 696#


Visit the SSPA website for more information on what has been proposed for each of these sites. Please contact our office if you need additional details.

Library Updates

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Tablet Checkout beginning January 30


Playaway Launchpads are durable, kid-friendly learning tablets with pre-loaded apps, stories and videos. Each tablet is themed around a specific skill or subject and is designed to give kids the tools to learn the way they learn best without the need for an internet connection. Every FCPL library branch, with the exception of Access Services, has a set of 36 Launchpads that will be available for check out starting on January 30, 2023.


FCPL’s collection of Launchpads is divided into three categories or academies: Pre-K, Reading and STEAM. Tablets in the Pre-K Academy feature paths focused on the developmental skills including motor and cognitive, math and science, language and literacy, social and emotional, and music and creativity. Tablets in the Reading Academy are a part of a guided reading system that helps children master verbal, reading and writing skills, broken down into five proficiency levels from pre-emerging to independent. Finally, tablets in the STEAM Academy utilize science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts to promote problem solving and critical thinking skills through topics like music, space, nature and much more. More information about the Launchpads and the academies can be found here.

Language Groups



The Kings Park Library offers several weekly language conversation groups for those looking to improve their skills in French, Spanish, Hindi, and English with native speakers. The groups are for those with basic knowledge of the language. This week’s schedule:

  • English – Friday, January 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • French – Friday, January 20 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
  • Spanish – Saturday, January 21 from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.
  • Hindi – Tuesday, January 24 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.


Burke Centre Library offers weekly one-on-one English practice for those interested in practicing speaking, reading, and writing in English. Registration is available in person or by calling the library directly at (703) 249-1520. This week’s schedule is:

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Walk-In Tech Clinics


The Burke Centre Library offers weekly walk-in tech clinics on Mondays from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., helping with eBooks, mobile devices, and basic computer skills. Bring your device(s) with log-in and account information, including passwords.


The next clinic will be Monday, January 23, 2023 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Burke Centre Meeting Room 116. You can find more information about the clinics on FCPL's website.

Youth Activities & FCPS Updates

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Teen Advisory Board



Teens interested in helping the Burke Centre Library develop relevant youth programming and services are invited to attend the Teen Advisory Board meeting next Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Burke Centre Meeting rooms 116/117. You can find more details on FCPL's website.

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Summer Camps



Fairfax County Park Authority registration for summer camps and classes is now live! You can use the Park Authority's search tool to find the right camp or class for your child.

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FCPS Strategic Plan Meetings



Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting in-person and virtual community meetings for the Strategic Plan before its completion and adoption. The next meeting in the Braddock District will be on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Register for virtual and in-person hearings here.

Teen Sexting & Sextortion Webinar


The Fairfax County Police Department's Communities of Trust Committee will be hosting a webinar on Teen Sexting & Sextortion on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m


Registration can be found here.

Dog Licenses Due January 31

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New or renewed dog licenses for dogs over the age of 4 months are due by Tuesday January 31, 2023.


Licenses are $10 and are valid through December 31, 2023. Licensing can be done online, by mail, or in person. Visit Fairfax County's page on PetData for details on how to register or renew.

Workforce Opportunities

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Fairfax Tech & Cyber Networking & Hiring



The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is hosting a free Tech & Cyber Networking & Hiring event on Tuesday, January 31 in person at Capital One Hall (7750 Capital One Tower Rd. Tysons, VA 22102) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and virtually on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. You can view more details including how to register here.

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Career Opportunities at Mason



Kick off the new year with a new career opportunity at George Mason University. Apply to join Mason’s vibrant academic and professional community. Mason offers a robust benefits package, a commitment to flexible work/life options, and personal and professional development opportunities. Many possibilities for building a great career await you at Mason. Visit GMU's Careers site to explore career opportunities.

Upcoming Blood Drive

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The Burke Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department is collaborating with INOVA Blood Donor Services to host blood drives throughout 2023 at the Fire Department (9501 Old Burke Lake Rd., Burke)


The first drive will be Thursday, February 2 from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. You can schedule your appointment at bit.ly/bvfrdblooddrives or by calling INOVA at 1 (866) 256-6372 and using sponsor code 8509.

Extended Deadline for Parking Reimagined Comments

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The community engagement phase for the county’s Parking Reimagined project has been extended until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 2.


An additional virtual community Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m. to share the recommended changes to the County’s off-street parking and loading requirements. Recommendations, information on the virtual Open House, and link to submit comments can be viewed here.

Traffic Advisory: GMU Classes to Begin

The Spring 2023 semester will begin at George Mason University on Monday, January 23. As students return to class, traffic around campus will increase. Motorists are encouraged to practice patience during this time.

January is Radon Action Month

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You can’t see, smell or taste it, but radon is second only to smoking as the leading cause of lung cancer.


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designates January as National Radon Action Month, an annual observance to raise awareness of the dangers of radon, to promote radon testing and mitigation, and to advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices. Learn more here.

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in White-Tailed Deer in Fairfax County 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been confirmed for the first time in a white-tailed deer harvested in Fairfax County. An adult male deer that was harvested on private land in Vienna this deer hunting season has tested positive for CWD. The sample was obtained by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) from a taxidermist participating in statewide CWD surveillance and confirmed positive for CWD through laboratory testing. This deer was harvested and tested independently from the Fairfax County Deer Management Program.


Fairfax County Police Department wildlife management staff, in collaboration with park ecologists and the DWR, have been proactively conducting surveillance for CWD in Fairfax County since 2019 given the likelihood that the disease would spread to our area and the implications it poses for deer conservation and management. Over the past 4 years, county staff have sampled and tested over 750 deer harvested through the Fairfax County Deer Management Program. The majority of samples were taken from hunter-harvested deer through the County’s archery program.


County staff are working in close partnership with the DWR to determine any new rules or regulatory changes that will occur, testing options for hunters in the county program and on private property, and how this detection might affect local processors, taxidermists, and Hunters for the Hungry donations.


Please visit Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources webpage and watch this video for more information.

Health Updates

StayWellNOVA.com has recently been updated with information about COVID, flu, and more.

The following information was posted by the Fairfax Health Department:


According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) data on COVID-19 variants, the newest omicron sub-variant, XBB.1.5, continues to become more prevalent and makes up an estimated one-third of COVID-19 infections in the mid-Atlantic region, which includes Virginia.


Based on what is known about the XBB variants, someone who has been infected with an earlier omicron variant may continue to be susceptible to reinfection with XBB.1.5. The variant is more transmissible than other omicron variants, according to the CDC. We are still learning if it will cause more severe illness than past sub-variants, but we do know that people with compromised immune systems are still at greater risk of potential serious illness.


The symptoms of XBB.1.5 infection include many of the same symptoms as infection with an earlier version of the coronavirus. Anyone with symptoms should take a COVID-19 test. It is the only way to be certain whether the infection is caused by COVID-19 or by a different germ, such as the flu virus.

According to the CDC, symptoms include:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches or headache
  • Fever or chills
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea


Take steps to prevent COVID-19 and use approaches that work to prevent spread of viruses:


  • Get vaccinated and get a booster dose. Vaccines and boosters are effective in preventing severe disease and death, yet most adults in the U.S. are not up to date and have not received the new bivalent booster. Make an appointment at a health care provider, pharmacy, or local health department office. Check vaccines.gov or call the Health Department’s Call Center at (703) 324-7404.
  • Wash hands often.
  • Stay home when feeling sick.
  • Improve ventilation where you live or work. Keep air moving.
  • Test to identify if you have COVID-19 and need to take precautions to prevent spread to others.
  • Stay informed; monitor community levels of COVID-19 where you live, work, or visit.
  • Choose to wear a mask indoors and in crowded settings, particularly if you have weakened immunity and when the COVID-19 community level is high.
  • Consider your risk of infection and/or of those you live with.


See more information on preventive measures to reduce the chances of getting and spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. 

Additional Health Information


Testing


Three things to know about testing: 1. Test at the right time, using the right test. 2. Perform repeat testing after a negative result on an at-home test. 3. Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 more free at-home COVID-⁠19 testsSee the testing page for details.

 

COVID Vaccines and Boosters


Staying up to date on vaccination is important. Updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children as young as 6 monthsLearn more about when you are up to date and find a vaccine.

Community Resources Recommended now that County COVID-19 community testing and vaccine clinics have closed. 

 

Where to Get a Flu Vaccine

 

Flu vaccine is available in the community, including at pharmacies, doctors' offices, and grocery stores. Find a location near you using vaccines.gov.

 

The Health Department is offering flu shots for children and adults by appointment only. Call (703) 246-7100.

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