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:
- Fairfax County Seeks Feedback on Proposed Transportation Plan
- Register for National Night Out
- Early Voting for September 9 Special Election
- Art Sparks Webinar
- Environmental Excellence Award Nominations are Open
- Grilling Safety Tips
- Yard Watch: Invasive Japanese Honeysuckle
- Energy Compass Program Survey
- Pet Adoption Spotlight: Smudge & Munchkin!
| | 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 hosted a virtual community input session on Wednesday, July 16. The draft plan, presentation (recording and slides), project lists, and public comment opportunities, are 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.
| | Register for National Night Out | | |
It’s time to register for National Night Out!
On Tuesday, August 5, connect with officers from the West Springfield District and help make this a memorable event. From a simple ice cream party to an all-out festival, take this opportunity to gather with your neighbors, get better acquainted with your community, and discuss issues of common concern.
You’ll also get the chance to:
- Have fun, food, and fellowship in your community
- Know your Police and Public Safety Team
- Heighten crime prevention awareness
- Send the message that your neighborhood is organized against crime
*Please note that only neighborhood associations can register events, not individual citizens*
To participate, sign up for National Night Out by Friday, July 25. Contact MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363 or anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov if you have any questions.
| | Early Voting for September 9 Special Election | | |
Early voting for the 11th Congressional District Special Election will begin on July 25.
From Friday, July 25 through Friday, August 29, early voting will be available at Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax) and North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston).
Starting on Friday, August 29, there will be 9 additional early voting locations, including Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke) and West Springfield Governmental Center (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield). Early voting ends on Saturday, September 6.
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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 workshop for family caregivers and their family members of all ages, join Mckenzie Wilson, Intergenerational and Creative Projects Manager, and Silver Kite Community Arts, for an energizing, hands-on art experience. This online workshop invites you to expand your creative toolkit for family engagement by exploring practical and fun collage and mixed media techniques.
This workshop will provide creative tools to engage, explore, and connect across generations. Bring your family, questions, and ideas, as this event is all about active participation and is designed to spark creativity for caregivers and families.
The webinar will be held on Friday, August 1, 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.
| | 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 the community about the natural world in Fairfax County.
The awards are open to individual residents, organizations, businesses, and County employees.
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.
| | July is National Grilling Month, and the Department of Code Compliance has compiled a few safety tips to help avoid fire hazards. | | | | • First, ensure you can have a grill or open-flame device at your home. Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code prohibits the use and storage of open-flame, charcoal, gas, and/or propane-fueled grills on apartment or condominium balconies. Ask your apartment or management company about any other rules that apply to grills or open-flame devices. | |
- When in use, grills should be at least 15 feet away from the building.
- Propane is a popular fuel source, but it is also a volatile hazardous material and flammable gas. Always check propane cylinders for excessive rust, pitting, or other visual defects. To avoid leaks, make sure the regulator hose connecting the grill and cylinder is free of tears, dry rot, or other damage. If in doubt, replace your cylinder or any gas accessories that show signs of wear.
- The four numbers printed on top of the cylinder indicate the manufacture date. For example, 0717 means July of 2017. Any cylinder of 12 years of age must have a requalification sticker.
- Along with ensuring the propane cylinder is free of visual defects and within date, it is very important that it is stored, protected, and secured upright and kept from falling.
- Don't store fuel like charcoal and lighter fluid near your grill.
The Office of the Fire Marshal's website includes other rules and recommendations for your cookout, and Health Department food safety information is available online.
| | Yard Watch: Invasive Japanese Honeysuckle | | |
The Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance urges the community to remember that the Japanese honeysuckle is highly invasive and destructive.
Japanese honeysuckle was introduced in the US in 1806 for horticulture and erosion control. However, it has since escaped gardens to become one of the most invasive vines in the eastern and southeastern US. Japanese honeysuckle threatens trees and shrubs by growing around and eventually girdling them. It also reduces space for native ground vegetation and weakens the trees it girdles, eventually leading to disease and death. Good native alternative vines are Coral/Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonisera simpervirens), Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans), or Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata).
For more information about this invasive and ways to control it, please visit this link.
| | Energy Compass Program Survey | | |
Fairfax County will soon launch the Energy Compass program, a free local resource designed to help residents improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their homes. Starting in late summer 2025, the Energy Compass program will provide personalized technical support, information on available incentives, and connections to certified contractors.
To ensure the Fairfax Energy Compass program meets the needs of our community, the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination invites you to fill out their survey and interest form. By completing the 5-minute survey, you can help tailor the program and secure an early consultation with the energy navigator when the program launches later this year.
For more information and to complete the survey, please visit the Energy Compass webpage.
| | Pet Adoption Spotlight: Smudge & Munchkin! | | |
Meet Smudge & Munchkin!
Located at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton), Smudge & Munchkin have lived full lives together, and they are now looking for a loving home where they can spend their golden years together in peace and comfort!
Smudge is an 11-year-old brown and white male with a gentle heart and a love for the simple things in life. This mellow, affectionate boy is the definition of easygoing. He's friendly, gentle, and well-behaved, happy to be brushed, held, or simply relax nearby. While he can be a bit of a loner at times, he's also known for being playful and affectionate, and he's perfectly content lounging indoors with his humans.
Munchkin is a sweet and affectionate 10-year-old black and white female cat. This soft-hearted domestic shorthair may be a senior, but she still has plenty of love to give-and she'd love nothing more than to share cozy naps and quiet companionship with her new family! Munchkin is quiet, low-energy, and shy around strangers and loud noises, so she'd do best in a peaceful environment with gentle handling and a slow introduction. Munchkin is known for her gentle nature and cuddly personality.
Smudge & Munchkin are litter box trained, well-behaved, and love treats like Temptations and Fancy Feast. Smudge has asthma which his adopter will need to continue to manage, but otherwise he is in great health and spirits!
If you're looking for calm and loving companions to share your home and heart with, Smudge & Munchkin may be the perfect match! They are ready to bring warmth and gentle company to a new home!
Visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's website for more information about Smudge & Munchkin or to view any of the other adoptable pets.
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