Dear Neighbor,

With the new year come new roles and challenges. I am excited to begin serving as Chair of the Virginia Railway Express Operations Board.


VRE is a vital transportation service in the Braddock District and across Northern Virginia. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, riders are returning and we're making plans for the long-term growth of the system. Former Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova was one of VRE's founders and my predecessor Supervisor John Cook also served as Chair. I look forward to continuing their legacy and ensuring that VRE continues to provide high-quality commuter rail service.


I'll also be serving as Vice Chair of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for metropolitan Washington. The TPB coordinates regional programs to advance safety, land-use coordination, and more. A primary focus is improving our regional air quality and mitigating climate change by reducing vehicle emissions. Alongside my colleagues from Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, I'll be working to address our transportation challenges and build a stronger region.


Stuff the Bus Returns

Food insecurity in our area continues, and food pantries will be stepping up to provide for our neighbors in need. You can support these efforts by bringing groceries to a Stuff the Bus event near you.


Donation events across the County begin on January 14, and the Braddock District Stuff the Bus event takes place on February 18 at Cardinal Forest Giant.


You can also stop by my office during regular hours to drop off a contribution. Visit the Stuff the Bus page for the full schedule and most requested grocery items.

Service Opportunities on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day


Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is also a national Day of Service, to honor the legacy of Dr. King through volunteering in our communities. I encourage you to take the time to find a meaningful volunteer opportunity, using resources like Volunteer Fairfax's website. I'll be participating in several of their events and hope to see you!


Also, the Kings Park West Civic Association will once again host their annual park and nature discovery, plus park and watershed clean-up event on January 16 at 9:00 a.m. Details are below.


Virginia Legislative Session

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The General Assembly in Richmond has begun its short legislative session, a 45-day period in which members of the State House of Delegates and State Senate typically consider over 1,000 bills.


As Chair of the Board's Legislative Committee, my role is to lead the development of the County's Legislative Program, set our priorities, and work to get those priorities enacted. Some of this year's key issues include K-12 funding, environmental protection, and traffic/pedestrian safety. Please consider contacting your legislator to weigh in on the things you feel are important.

Continue reading below for more information on:



  • Rabbit Branch Park Clean-Up
  • Parking Reimagined Project: Provide Comments by January 16
  • Braddock District Land Use and Environment Committee Meeting, January 17
  • Aging in Place Presentation, January 18
  • Park Authority Seeks Public Input on Proposed Fee Changes
  • Chairman Jeff McKay's New Year Reception, January 20
  • Webinar Wednesdays: Learn to Apply for Licenses, Permits, and Other Records
  • ArtsFairfax Pandemic Recovery Grants
  • Tax Return Preparation: Opportunities to Give or Receive Assistance
  • Fairfax Connector Service Changes Effective February 4
  • Police Department Updates
  • Dominion Energy Offers Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Programs
  • Caregiver Resources
  • Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Burke Lake Park
  • About XBB.1.5, the Latest Omicron Sub-Variant
Yours in service,

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

Rabbit Branch Park Clean-Up

The Kings Park West Civic Association is hosting a Rabbit Branch Park - Parks & Lake Clean-Up, Monday, January 16, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Rabbit Branch Park, off Tapestry Drive (click for map).


Spend two hours discovering nature, cleaning-up this park and improving our community. Please be prepared to clean up and walk through wooded and potentially wet areas of the park. Please wear boots, work-gloves and appropriate weather-related clothing. Organizers will have trash bags to distribute.

Parking Reimagined Project: Provide Comments by January 16

The County’s Parking Reimagined project is now in its final phase of community engagement and the Department of Planning and Development wants to hear from you! Recommended changes to the County’s off-street parking and loading requirements are available for public comment.


The recommendations include:

  • Modernized parking rates to incorporate right-sizing for land uses
  • A tiered rate framework that is tailored to planned land use density and intensity
  • New minimum bicycle parking requirements 
  • Updates to off-street loading requirements


We encourage you to learn more and share your thoughts by January 16.

Braddock District Land Use & Environment Committee Meeting, January 17

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The Braddock District Land Use and Environment Committee will hold a hybrid meeting on Tuesday, January 17, at 7:00 p.m. in Braddock Hall.


The agenda will include a briefing on a Zoning Ordinance amendment on landscaping and screening provisions, a discussion and vote on whether to recommend approval of the application to rezone the Day property on Zion Road, a discussion and vote on whether to recommend approval of the rezoning proposal for constructing affordable housing at the Government Center campus, and updates on pending Braddock District land use cases.


Braddock District Land Use and Environment Committee meetings are open to the public and interested residents are encouraged to participate. Options to join:

  • In person at Braddock Hall, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke
  • Online via Microsoft Teams, or
  • By phone at (571) 429-5982, Phone Conference ID 730 922 969#

Aging in Place Presentation, January 18

The Braddock District Council will hold a virtual Aging in Place Presentation on Wednesday, January 18 at 1:00 p.m.


Topic: Fairfax County Library Services


The Fairfax County Public Library has many great programs. This presentation is a chance to see some that you did not know that they provided.

- By Sanda Heinz, Fairfax County Public Library

Sponsored by the Braddock District Council Aging in Place Committee

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 833 8835 2865

Passcode: 890696

Park Authority Seeks Public Input on Proposed Fee Changes

The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold its annual public comment meeting on the agency’s proposed fee adjustments. The public is invited to share their perspectives on the proposals with the Park Authority Board either in the meeting, via correspondence or by email. A virtual public comment meeting will be held on the 2023 Proposed Fee Schedule at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. See complete meeting notice on the Park Authority website.

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. 

ArtsFairfax Pandemic Recovery Grants

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Pandemic Recovery Grants respond to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing support to arts organizations as they build resilience and look to the future with programming, planning, and reimagining their work. This grant is limited to small and medium organizations with budgets under $500,000. The grant application deadline is January 20, 2023. Learn more at artsfairfax.org.

Tax Return Preparation: Opportunities to Give or Receive Assistance

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The AARP Tax-Aide program provides free federal tax return preparation and e-filing beginning in the first week in February (Mason District Government Center will open January 27) by volunteers certified by the IRS. The eleven centers in Northern Virginia also prepare Virginia returns. Counselors handle almost all forms of income, and work with taxpayers to help them get all the deductions and credits for which they qualify. Although the program has no income limits, Tax-Aide clients are generally low- and middle-income taxpayers. You do not need to be an AARP member to participate.


Visit novataxaide.org for details and locations.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a national program sponsored by the IRS. Each tax season, VITA volunteers all over the country prepare federal and state tax returns for low-income families – those making $60,000 and less in 2022.


VITA needs greeters, interpreters (including ASL), screeners and tax preparers. No tax training is needed for greeters and interpreters. Free training is available for screeners and tax preparers. Opportunities are available throughout Fairfax County, with flexible schedules. For more information, visit nvacash.org.

Fairfax Connector Service Changes Effective February 4

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The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) announces service changes that will go into effect on February 4, 2023, including new Route 660 that replaces Route 644 and minor service adjustments made on Routes 937 and 951. 


Service Changes to Go into Effect February 4, 2023


  • Route 644: This route will be eliminated and replaced with new Route 660 which will provide more regular service and new connectivity to Tysons by way of the Fairfax County Government Center and the Vienna Metrorail Station.
  • Route 660: Centreville (Stone Road) Park & Ride - Tysons - This route will provide service between Centreville's Stone Road Park & Ride and Tysons, via the Government Center and Vienna Metrorail Station.
  • Route 937Harbor House to Herndon Metro - Southbound service on Route 937 will be realigned to serve Coppermine Rd, with a left turn to Frying Pan Rd. Northbound Route 937 remains unchanged.
  • Route 951Wiehle-Reston East Metro to Innovation Center Metro- Eastbound service realigned to serve Coppermine Rd, with left turn to Frying Pan Rd. Westbound remains unchanged.


Stay Connected with Fairfax Connector 

Police Department Updates

The Fairfax County Police Department's latest Chief's Spotlight video highlights the important work of the Department's Auto Crimes Enforcement (ACE) team. This team has been tireless in its investigation of stolen vehicles across our County and the results speak for themselves. Our community is safer because of their efforts as well as the work of our patrol, canine, and other support units. Learn more about our ACE team by clicking the video image:

Chief's Spotlight video: Auto Crimes Enforcement (ACE) Team

Dominion Energy Offers Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Programs

Caregiver Resources

Fairfax County's Department of Family Services offers Caregiver Support Programs and resources to assist spouses, partners, relatives, friends and neighbors who provide care and assistance to a loved one due to aging, chronic illness or disability.


Here are a few events this month:


Caregiver Stroke support Group

Friday, January 13, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

 

Helping Hands Stroke Club hosts a group that provides a safe place for caregivers to honestly talk about challenges regarding a beloved stroke survivor. To register and receive updated meeting location, email Erica Wrenn at erica.wrenn@fairfaxcounty.gov or call (703) 246-7151.


Ballet Class for Adults

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Fridays in January 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

In-person free classes are located at the Burke Centre Library. Develop an awareness of the art of ballet. Ballet uses the full range of muscles which promotes strengthening cognitive functions such as coordination and concentration; and is a weight-bearing form of exercise which strengthens muscles and promotes healthy bones.


Classes are for individuals aged 18+. Online Registration: https://bit.ly/FFXBallet

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 on 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.


About XBB.1.5, the Latest Omicron Sub-Variant

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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