8.14.2025

Dear Neighbor,

Her exhibit is called "The Family Tea House: Where Culture and Cuisine Met in Arlington” and was part of a project for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Caroline used newspaper archives and local yearbooks to create her exhibit. The Family Tea House was historic for not only being one of the first Asian immigrant-owned businesses in Northern Virginia but for being part of an important local civic rights victory when they integrated their dining area.

Caroline is an alum of Canterbury Woods Elementary School and Frost Middle School. Last year, she placed first for her age in a Virginia History Day district competition with a paper about American agriculture and honeybees. I look forward to more of Caroline's research and wish the best of luck to this future historian as she begins her freshman year next week!

Schools Start Next Week!

Fairfax County Public Schools are back in session next Monday, August 18!

Our roads are normally busy, but school buses add an extra layer of vehicles, while school zones and crossing guards are looking out for the safety of our children. While it may be tempting if you’re in a hurry, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus, speed through a school zone, or ignore a crossing guard’s direction.

Read more about driving safety to protect yourself and the 180,000+ FCPS students in 200+ schools. Pack your pencils and your patience next week!

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:

• Safety Advisory: Lake Accotink Blue-Green Algae Bloom
• Traffic Advisory: GMU Move-In Begins This Weekend
• Centering the Voices of African American Dementia Caregivers Session
• Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk Scoops of Kindness
• Upcoming Reduced Fee Vaccine and Microchip Clinic
• Civics Lab at Kings Park Library
• All-Abilities Park Info Session
• SCC Schedules Public Hearing on Proposed Electricity Rate Increase
• Early Voting for September 9 Special Election
• Pet Adoption Spotlight: Apollo!

Safety Advisory: Lake Accotink Blue-Green Algae Bloom

Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) has identified a blue-green algae bloom in the lake at Lake Accotink Park. While these blooms are normal for this time of year and typically clear up with passing rainstorms, higher concentrations of certain blue-green algae can produce toxins that pose serious health risks to people and animals.

FCPA is actively coordinating with the Virginia and Fairfax County Departments of Health to confirm the presence of toxins in the water. In the meantime, please remember that swimming and wading in the lake is not allowed at any time per FCPA rules. Avoid direct contact with the water and do not allow your children or pets to touch or drink water from the lake.

Please check the Park Alerts webpage for updates before visiting Lake Accotink Park and look for any Virginia Department of Health signs.

Traffic Advisory: GMU Move-In Begins This Weekend

The George Mason Fairfax Campus is expecting heavier-than-normal traffic from August 17 - 24.

Mason will be buzzing with activity as students move into their dorms for the beginning of the fall semester.

Move-in will take place on the following dates:

• Freshmen – August 17-21 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Upperclassmen – August 22 - August 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Traffic impacts will occur around campus, particularly near Braddock Road, Roanoke River Road, Lots J and K, and the Rappahannock Parking Deck.

The first day of classes will begin on August 25.

Centering the Voice of African-American Dementia Caregivers Webinar

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging’s Caregiver & Supportive Services Unit is pleased to invite you to join its upcoming Dementia Caregiver Session for family caregivers and loved ones who have been diagnosed with dementia and/or cognitive impairment. 

In this hour-long webinar, Dr. Kalisha Bonds Johnson will explore the lived experiences of African American adult daughters caring for a parent with cognitive decline or dementia. She will highlight key factors that shape both their well-being and their confidence in making healthcare decisions for themselves and their lived ones. Dr. Shanae Rhodes will follow with powerful quotes from African American women caregivers, offering insight into their journeys. The session will conclude with practical self-care strategies and core takeaways designed to support African American care partners of all genders.

This virtual presentation will be held on Friday, August 15, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Register for the event, which is free and open to the public. For questions, email ayiguli.saifuding@fairfaxcounty.gov or call (571) 407-6961.

Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk Scoops of Kindness

Join the Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk Scoops of Kindness event from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16 at Burke Presbyterian Church (5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke).

At this event, attendees will help assemble Church World Service kits (kid kits and hygiene kits). All materials are provided, but your donation towards transportation of the kits ($2 per kit) is appreciated.

Big D’s Ice Cream Party Truck will be selling ice cream treats, with 15% of sales donated to the Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk, so bring money for ice cream!

Visit the Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk website for more information. For questions, contact Cathy Liverman at crophungerwalkCTL@gmail.com or Amy Stidham at Stidham_a_crop@aol.com. 

Upcoming Reduced Fee Vaccine and 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 are cash-only. The Animal Shelter has an upcoming clinic on Friday, August 22, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the FCAS Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton).



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

Civics Lab at Kings Park Library

The Kings Park Library is working with StoryCorps' One Small Step in an effort to bring community members together for meaningful conversations. One Small Step seeks to provide opportunities to engage constructively across differences to seek common ground.

On Monday, August 25, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Kings Park Library Meeting Room (9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke), join this Civics Lab program. Participants will examine how we form assumptions based on limited information. They will explore how conversations across differences can challenge or confirm initial impressions. Put these skills into practice during future Civics Lab conversations.

Visit the Library Event page for more information and to register.

All-Abilities Park Info Session

Supervisor Walkinshaw and the Fairfax County Park Authority invite you to hear what’s happening with the All-Abilities Park in the Braddock District. Join on Tuesday, September 2, for a virtual meeting at 7:00 p.m.

The All-Abilities Park site is located on Rec Center Road, off Braddock Road just south of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. When the Commonwealth of Virginia transferred the Northern Virginia Training Center site to a private developer, Erickson Senior Living, former Braddock District Supervisor John Cook worked with Erickson to arrange for the donation of land for a project dedicated to recreation for people of all abilities.

Register today; the meeting will be livestreamed on the same site.

SCC Schedules Public Hearing on Proposed Electricity Rate Increase

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has scheduled a public comment hearing for September 2, to gather feedback on Dominion Energy’s plans to increase customers’ monthly base rates for electricity on January 1, 2026.

Dominion Energy is requesting a 15% increase in the base rate over the next two years to cover the costs of infrastructure upgrades, new construction, fuel costs, and the cost of doing business on the grid. Altogether, the typical residential customer (using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month) could see an increase in their average bill from $140.65 per month to $162.06 per month.

To give public comments on September 2, individuals or organizations will need to pre-register with the SCC by 5:00 pm on August 26 using this online form, including case number PUR-2025-00058. Written comments may also be submitted to the SCC now through August 26 on their public comments website.  

Early Voting for September 9 Special Election

Early voting for the September 9, 2025, Special Election for Virginia’s 11^th Congressional District is underway. In-person early voting will continue through Saturday, September 6.

You can register to vote or update your registration by Tuesday, September 2.

For those planning to vote by mail, remember to apply to vote by mail by Friday, August 29. Additionally, mail-in ballots must be postmarked by September 9.

Early voting in-person is currently available at two locations:

On Friday, August 29, nine additional early voting locations will open, including Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke) and West Springfield Government Center (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield). The Office of Elections' website has a list of early voting locations, operating hours, and detailed information on early voting.

All regular polling places will be open for voting on Tuesday, September 9, from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. More information about voting is available on the Office of Elections' website.

Pet Adoption Spotlight: Apollo!

Apollo is a handsome, 53-pound sweetheart with a gentle soul and an endless supply of love to give!

Located at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton), Apollo is a positive and playful pup.

Born with a visual impairment, Apollo doesn't let his limited eyesight hold him back, he navigates the world with confidence, curiosity, and the help of his loving humans. His resilience and cheerful spirit are just part of what make him so special! Apollo adores people and won't think twice about climbing into your lap for a snuggle session! He's a true cuddle bug who thrives on affection and loves being close to those he trusts. Whether you're relaxing on the couch or out enjoying the fresh air, Apollo is happiest right by your side. He also enjoys a good play session and has shown excellent social skills in doggie playgroups! We've introduced Apollo to many other dogs, and he's done wonderfully! Playful, respectful, and always eager to make new canine friends! If you already have a dog at home, we recommend a dog-to-dog introduction to make sure it's a compatible match.

Apollo may need a bit of extra understanding due to his vision, but he makes up for it tenfold with his loving nature, loyalty, and eagerness to bond. Once you earn his trust, you'll have a devoted companion who will stick with you through life's ups and downs. If you're looking for a faithful friend who will shower you with affection and bring joy to your everyday life, come meet Apollo. He's more than ready to find a home filled with love, patience, and belly rubs. Could that home be yours?

Visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's website for more information about Apollo or to view any of the other adoptable pets.