Dear Neighbor,

Fairfax County's Stuff the Bus initiative began in 2011 in response to a critical need to help restock the shelves of local food pantries after the holidays.

This collaborative program is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. Now in its 13th year, Stuff the Bus continues to support food assistance efforts for families and households. Stuff the Bus has collected more than 220 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County since its inception.

You can help stuff the bus this Saturday, February 17, at the Cardinal Forest Giant (8320 Old Keene Mill, Springfield) from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. I hope to see you there!

For a full list of requested items, visit the Stuff the Bus page.

Carter G. Woodson: The Father of Black History

February is Black History Month and an appropriate time to celebrate Carter G. Woodson, who is remembered as the "Father of Black History."

Woodson was born on December 19, 1875, in Buckingham County, Virginia to formerly enslaved parents. He grew up in West Virginia and received degrees from Berea College, the University of Chicago, and Harvard University. In 1915 he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Inc. (ASNLH), known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, an organization that encourages students to study the contributions of Black people to the United States.

In 1926, Woodson established what we now know as Black History Month. He chose the month because Frederick Douglass and President Lincoln's birthdays are in February, and he wanted to honor two figures significant in Black history.

The National Park Service notes that "his efforts to promote African American history, establishing its historic integrity and importance in the larger narratives of American history, moved past his initial organizations and publications. His work inspired educators around the country to define curriculums about Black history, often writing to Woodson for his advice and for resources to be used in the classroom. And while the most success was seen in places with primarily Black educators, White educators as well as White-run school boards and public libraries also wrote the ASNLH for help in developing and integrating Black history into their curricula. Despite the racism and injustice Woodson and his organizations faced, he had a nationwide impact." Learn more about Carter Woodson.

Last November, after extensive community outreach led by former School Board Member Megan McLaughlin, the school board voted unanimously to change W.T. Woodson High School to Carter G. Woodson High School to honor the legacy of the Virginia-born legend.

You can read more about the name change on FCPS's website.

Fairfax County's Black History Month event will take place next Friday, February 23, at the Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax) beginning at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s theme is “The Value of Telling Our Stories,” and will include performances, activities, discussion, and light refreshments. Find more information on this event and more on the County’s website. View the Fairfax County History Commission's Black History Month Calendar.

Remembering Victims of Bradfield Drive Crash

I'm sad to share that three passengers have passed away from an early morning crash on February 4 at Braddock Road and Bradfield Drive.

My thoughts are with the families and friends of Yan Zhou, Hong Tang, and Yun Hu.

Bradfield Drive is one of several unsignalized intersections on Braddock Road where drivers are put in the position of making unsafe movements across multiple lanes of traffic. It will be improved and made safer as part of the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvement Project. We are working with VDOT to move the project forward so that residents can safely drive, bike, and walk along and across Braddock Road.

Presidents' Day Closure

This Monday, January 19, is Presidents' Day. Fairfax County Government and Public Schools will be closed. The Fairfax Connector will operate on its Holiday Weekday Service schedule.

Yours in service,

Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw

Please share the 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:

• GMU West Campus Development Plans
• See an FCPS Show this Weekend!
• Presidents' Day Clean-Ups
• Friends of Royal Lake Meeting
• Public Comment for VA Priority Climate Action Plan
• Transportation News
• Protect Loved Ones from Scams
• Early Voting Happening Now

GMU West Campus Development Plans

The Braddock District Office has heard from residents who are concerned about George Mason University (GMU)'s plans to build a temporary cricket facility on its West Campus property. If successful, the temporary facility could lead to the construction of a larger, permanent cricket facility as part of GMU's broader West Campus redevelopment plans.

As shared in a previous Advisory, because GMU is a state university, projects on its campus are not subject to Fairfax County's land use, zoning, and approval processes. That said, Supervisor Walkinshaw shares the concerns of area residents about the potential impact on nearby neighborhoods, and the Braddock District Office staff have been working to ensure that GMU engages with the community and addresses the concerns in a substantive way.

Recently, GMU President Gregory Washington wrote an open letter to neighbors of the campus. Additionally, you can learn about the project and submit your feedback on the GMU construction website. GMU and representatives of the Washington Freedom Major League Cricket team have offered to meet with community organizations to talk about the proposal. The Braddock District Office would be happy to help you connect with them.

See an FCPS Show this Weekend!

Matilda Jr. the Musical (Robinson Secondary School)

Rebellion is nigh in Matilda Jr., a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda Jr. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

The show runs through February 17 at Robinson Secondary School (5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax). More information, including tickets and showtimes, is available on Rambunctious Theater’s website.

Something Rotten! (Lake Braddock Secondary School)

Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten. Set in the 1590s Elizabethan England, William Shakespeare is approaching superstar status while some of his contemporaries (brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom) are struggling playwrights desperate to write a hit. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self...and all that jazz.

The show runs February 15-17 at Lake Braddock Secondary School (9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke). More information, including tickets and showtimes, is available on Lake Braddock Theatre’s website.

Presidents' Day Clean-Ups

Americana Drive

The Fairfax County Restoration Project (FCRP) will host a Clean-Up along Americana Drive on Presidents' Day (Monday, February 19) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

If you're interested in volunteering, you can sign up on FCRP's website.

Crooked Creek

Kings Park West Civic Association is hosting a Clean-Up at Crooked Creek on Presidents' Day (Monday, February 19) from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Meet at the Crooked Creek Park sign at 9925 Commonwealth Boulevard, Fairfax.

For more information on volunteering with the KPWCA Parks and Lake Committee, or for service hours, please contact Kelley Newsad and Steve Corley at [email protected].

Friends of Royal Lake Meeting

Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) was recently awarded a $1.3 million grant for improvements to trails at Royal Lake Park. 

Learn more about the five projects selected for upgrades (including the scope, work, and timelines for completion) at the Friends of Royal Lake community meeting on Tuesday, February 20, at the Kings Park Library Conference Room (9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke) from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Email [email protected] for details.

Public Comment for VA Priority Climate Action Plan  

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released a draft of its Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) for an informal public comment period that ends next Friday, February 23.

The PCAP is the first of two climate action plans to be developed under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. The PCAP focuses on identifying short-term actions that could be implemented to reduce carbon pollution in Virginia. The final PCAP will be submitted to the EPA by March 1.  

DEQ will hold two online public meetings on the draft plan on Thursday, February 22 at 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. 

Send comments to [email protected] or mail to: 

• Department of Environmental Quality

Office of Air Data Analysis and Planning

RE: CPRG PCAP   

P.O. Box 1105

Richmond, VA 23218

Transportation News

FCDOT Conducting Route 29 Study

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is conducting a study on the Route 29 corridor, between Buckleys Gate Drive/Summit Drive near the Fairfax County Parkway (VA 286) and Jermantown Road.

The purpose of this study is to reassess the long-term needs of the corridor and develop solutions that serve residents and commuters, including multimodal options. Feedback from this survey will help inform the Fairfax County Comprehensive Transportation Plan. 

The deadline to provide feedback is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1. To participate in the survey, please visit the Route 29 Study Survey online or leave a recorded message at (703) 890-5898, Project Code 3941.

FCDOT will present the survey results at a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m.

For more information on the study and public meeting, please visit the Route 29 study webpage or read the County's press release.

Meeting on Popes Head Road Interchange Project

A “Pardon Our Dust” information meeting about construction on the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road Interchange has been scheduled by the Virginia Department of Transportation for Wednesday, February 28, at 7:00 p.m. It will be held at VDOT Headquarters, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax.

The meeting will focus on the project to replace the traffic signal at the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road with an interchange. The interchange will feature triple roundabouts that will allow traffic to flow freely on two new bridges over the Parkway. The project also includes:

• Building a short segment of the future Shirley Gate Road extension that will provide pedestrian and vehicle access to the future Patriot Park
• Constructing a shared-use path linking the Fairfax County Parkway Trail to the future Patriot Park
• Reconstructing the Fairfax County Parkway Trail
• Installing a sidewalk along the north side of Popes Head Road

The project aims to relieve congestion and improve safety and traffic flow while maintaining bicyclist and pedestrian accessibility and mobility.

Protect Loved Ones from Scams

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging’s Caregiver & Supportive Services Unit is pleased to announce its 2024 Caregiver Webinar Series. The webinar series is designed to support family caregivers of older adults and/or adults with a disability.

Register for the webinar on Wednesday, February 21, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. titled Current Popular Scams - Tips for How to Protect Your Loved Ones.

In this presentation, Melissa Smarr will provide an overview of current popular scams that target loved ones of older adults and people with disabilities. Every day some victims are being financially and emotionally exploited by scammers. Learn how to protect, identify, and report these crimes to better protect yourself and your loved ones.

Melissa is a lifelong Northern Virginia resident, who has worked for Fairfax County Government for over 21 years in different capacities and at three agencies. In 2010, Melissa was promoted to branch chief, where she manages building code complaints, unlicensed contractor complaints, and conducts public outreach events. She is a facilitator of the multi-agency initiative, the Silver Shield Anti-Scam Campaign, which focuses on educating older residents about how they can protect themselves from scammers.  

Register today or contact Ayiguli Saifuding with questions at [email protected] or (571) 407-6961.

Early Voting Happening Now

Early voting for the March 5 Democratic and Republican Presidential primary elections is happening now. You can vote early at three locations:

• Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax)
• Weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Mt. Vernon Governmental Center (2511 Parks Lane, Alexandria)
• Weekdays 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston)
• Weekdays 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Thirteen additional early voting locations will open next Saturday, February 24, including the Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke) and the West Springfield Governmental Center (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield). More information on early voting locations, how to vote, or requesting a mail-in ballot is available on the Office of Elections' website.

In the event of inclement weather, the status of early voting sites will be posted on the County's Operating Status page.