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Dear Neighbor,
The season of giving is here, and I am thankful for the generosity of our residents who give of themselves in so many ways. As we approach Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, now is a great time to get involved and make a difference. Volunteer Fairfax has a list of opportunities in our region. Check it out and find an opportunity that works for you!
Groundbreaking for Braddock Senior Apartments
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I'm looking forward to joining Chairman McKay, representatives from the Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and others to break ground tomorrow on a new affordable housing development. The project is located at the site of the former Northern Virginia Training Center on land donated by Erickson Senior Living, under an agreement reached in cooperation with my predecessor John Cook. The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) will develop 80 apartment units which will serve adults ages 62 years and older with incomes ranging from 30 to 60 percent of the area median income. This development will allow older adults to age in place and to have access to the local amenities we have to offer in the Braddock District. | |
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Elly Doyle Park Service Awards
Braddock District's own Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) will be honored with the Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority's annual Elly Doyle Park Service Awards tomorrow, Friday November 18 at a virtual ceremony. And FLAP's "Young FLAPer" leader Yasmine Marrero will be awarded the Elly Doyle Youth Award. I'm so proud of this organization and all that they have accomplished.
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Continue reading below for more information on:
- Thanksgiving Contributions
- GMU Updates
- International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, November 19
- Virginia Supreme Court Justice to Speak in Burke
- World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
- Burke Farmers Market Extended Until December 17
- Vendor Pitch Portal for Local Businesses
- Meeting November 28 on Proposed Rezoning on Zion Drive
- Danbury Forest Stream Restoration Set to Begin
- November 29 Meeting on the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvement Project
- Toys for Tots at the Fire Department
- VDOT Updates
- Fairfax County Police Updates
- Public Health Information
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Supervisor James Walkinshaw | |
Thanksgiving Contributions | |
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Local nonprofit partner FACETS will be accepting donations through Tuesday of next week. Download the list of Most Needed Thanksgiving Food. Donations can be dropped off Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the FACETS Main Office: 10700 Page Avenue, Building B, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Local food pantry ECHO also accepts contributions at their Springfield location (7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield) and at the box outside of Supervisor Walkinshaw's office (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke).
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This week, a major weeknight concert at EagleBank Arena will have significant impacts on parking and traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus.
On Thursday, Nov. 17, a concert with nearly 8,000 in attendance begins at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Concert traffic is expected to start arriving earlier in the day. Lot L will be closed to all permit parking starting at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Shenandoah Deck will be available as overflow event and permit parking starting at 4 p.m., as well as Rappahannock Deck and other campus lots. The concert on Nov. 17 is scheduled to end around midnight.
During arena events, drivers should allow additional travel time to and from campus and avoid the southern end of campus near EagleBank Arena and Braddock Road. Extra time should be allowed if using Mason Shuttles.
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International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, November 19 | |
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience. Visit the AFSP website for information and resources. | |
Virginia Supreme Court Justice to Speak in Burke | |
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Virginia Supreme Court Justice Thomas P. Mann will be speaking on Saturday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m. at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, VA.
He will discuss the importance of the Virginia Supreme Court and some of the cases that have helped shape the Commonwealth and the nation. He will also discuss the procedures of the court and how cases are appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Springfield-Annandale branch of the American Association of University Women is sponsoring this free event in
conjunction with Pohick Regional Library.
Event details are available on the library website.
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World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims | |
Burke Farmers Market Extended Until December 17 | |
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It may be getting a bit colder, but there is great news for those who love farmers markets. The Fairfax County Farmers Markets have extended the season at three popular market locations. The Burke Farmers Market is open until December 17; the Reston Farmers Market will remain open until December 3; and the McCutcheon/Mt. Vernon Farmers Market will be open until December 21, 2022.
Shopping at your local farmers market through the fall and into the winter is a great way to celebrate all that the season has to offer, while supporting local farmers, businesses, and communities.
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Vendor Pitch Portal for Local Businesses | |
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Make your Pitch with Fairfax County’s New Vendor Pitch Portal
Interested in doing business with Fairfax County? Connect your business directly with department staff buyers through the new Vendor Pitch Portal (VPP), an easy way to present your business idea, product or service offering to county agencies and departments and Fairfax County Public Schools all at the same time!
VPP is a platform for prospective vendors to submit product/service information for distribution to all County and FCPS central purchasing entities and decision makers. It’s a way to get your product or service noticed by someone who might buy it! This is just another way that Fairfax County is increasing opportunities for small and diverse business owners. The submission process for prospective vendors includes attending a free workshop and completing a form. Pitches are then routed to purchasing contacts within each department for review. Vendor pitches are available for one year. Check out details at FairfaxCounty.gov.
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Meeting November 28 on Proposed Rezoning on Zion Drive | |
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A revised rezoning proposal for 10121 Zion Drive, a wooded, undeveloped site known as the Day property, is currently under staff review. This 2.51-acre site is located on the west side of Zion Drive, just north of its intersection with Guinea Road and adjacent to the Burke Junction community. A Resource Protection Area (RPA) is located along the western boundary line.
Supervisor Walkinshaw will be holding a virtual community meeting on the application on Monday, November 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting on November 28
Password: 100648
Or call in (audio only)
Dial (888) 270-9936
Conference code: 194172
Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the application, ask questions, and share their comments. The Planning Commission’s public hearing has been rescheduled for December 8.
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Danbury Forest Stream Restoration Set to Begin | |
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Construction on the Danbury Forest Stream Restoration Project is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 21. This project will restore approximately 4,000 linear feet of a tributary leading to Accotink Creek that is located within the Danbury Forest neighborhood, just upstream of Lake Accotink. It will improve water quality, restore eroded areas, and will also include replacement of the pedestrian bridge within the Danbury Forest Community Association (DFCA) property. The paved trails, pedestrian bridge, and areas of the floodplain within DFCA will be closed during construction. The project is expected to be completed in April 2024.
This will be an active construction site with use of heavy equipment. There will be daily deliveries of material to the main construction entrance, located at the existing Park driveway on the east side of Rolling Road, between Southampton Drive and the railroad overpass. The Lake Accotink Trail will remain open. However, users are encouraged to limit unnecessary use of the paved portion of the trail to avoid construction traffic. All nearby residents and trail users are asked to stay out of the construction area, which will be marked by orange plastic safety fencing and trail closure barricades. For updates, visit the project website (currently being updated).
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November 29 Meeting on the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvement Project | |
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Supervisor Walkinshaw will be joining VDOT for their public information meeting to discuss the latest plans, particularly for the critical Braddock Road intersections at Burke Lake Road, Rolling Road, and Wakefield Chapel Road/Danbury Forest Drive. This will be an opportunity to learn more, provide input, and have VDOT answer your questions about the project.
Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements - Second Virtual Public Information Meeting
Tuesday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Sign up for the meeting at VDOT's project website.
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Toys for Tots at the Fire Department | |
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The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) will be participating in the Annual National Capital Region Fire and EMS Departments’ 2022 Toys for Tots Campaign. The intent of the campaign is to “bring holiday joy and deliver a message of hope to children.” Stations will accept donations now through Sunday, December 11, 2022.
Collection boxes will be placed outside the front door of each fire and rescue station every morning. Residents will be able to drop off toys until 8:00 p.m., each evening.
Visit the Fire & Rescue Department Blog for more details.
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Motorists Traveling I-495 North to Dulles Toll Road West to take New, Earlier Exit Starting November 17
Beginning on or about November 17, drivers traveling on northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway) to westbound Dulles Toll Road will take an earlier exit, rather than the existing left exit (Exit 45), which is closing to allow room for construction of a new, replacement I-495 bridge over the Dulles Toll Road ramps.
Visit www.495NEXT.org for additional information.
Significant Upcoming Traffic Impacts
Overnight ramp closures are planned at the following I-66 interchanges: I-495, 495 Express Lanes, Nutley Street, Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road), Route 50, and Route 28.
Current Construction Activities
- Traffic shifts and paving on I-66 East and West in Fairfax County
- Installation of overhead gantries and signs
- Earthwork and drainage along I-66 East and West
- Constructing retaining walls and noise walls along I-66
- Corridor-wide roadway maintenance as needed
Learn more at Transform66.org.
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Fairfax County Police Events | |
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CAC Meeting
The West Springfield District Community Advisory Committee will be hosting a Community Engagement Meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. These meetings offer the community a chance to dialogue and communicate more effectively with officers of the Fairfax County Police Department.
The speaker will be from the FCPD Tysons Urban Team. The meeting will be held in person at the West Springfield District Station, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA.
Consider signing up for the West Springfield Community Advisory Committee (CAC) newsletter. The email address is [email protected]. The CAC meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (except for July and August), and all ages are welcome to attend.
If you have any questions, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363.
Introduction to Neighborhood Watch
Would you like to know what Neighborhood Watch is? How can it help your community? Would you like to know how to start a Neighborhood Watch in your community? Do you want a refresher on the Neighborhood Watch program? Join the West Springfield Station for an Introduction to Neighborhood Watch Zoom presentation on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. They will discuss the Neighborhood Watch program, how it works, how it benefits your community and how to get your community ready to volunteer. Use the Zoom link below. If you have any questions, contact MPO Tony Capizzi (703) 277-2363.
Topic: WSP Introduction to Neighborhood Watch
Time: December 8, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android
Password: 829701
Or Telephone:
Dial: (877) 402-9753
Conference code: 404496
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Scout Night
Officers from the West Springfield District Station (6140 Rolling Rd, Springfield, VA) will be hosting a Scout Night. Their next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. If your den or troop would like to visit the police station and speak with officers, please contact us for available times. We will give a presentation to the kids in our community room, a video tour of the station, and then a hands-on tour of the police car outside. We are limiting the visits to one den/troop every half hour. We have 5:30PM, 6:00PM, and 6:30PM slots available. If your older scouts need specific requirements for a badge, please contact us and we can discuss arrangements.
You can contact either PFC Liam May at 703-277-2357, or MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 for scheduling or further questions.
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Public Health Information | |
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Seasonal Flu - Get the Vaccine
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious infection of the breathing system (nose, throat and lungs) caused by flu viruses.
Seasonal flu is caused by viruses that already circulate among people. Most people have some immunity and a vaccine is available to help prevent the flu. In the United States, flu season usually starts in late fall and lasts throughout the winter, sometimes into early spring. Each year, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized from complications of the flu, and about 36,000 die as a result.
Health experts urge everyone 6 months of age and older to get a flu shot this year and every year.
See: CDC's Frequently Asked Flu Questions: 2022-2023 Season.
Where to Get a Flu Vaccine
Flu vaccine is available now 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.
The following fees will apply for a flu vaccine at the Health Department: Uninsured: $25 adults & $21.24 children; Private Insurance: $30. Most health insurance plans cover flu shots for free. The Health Department is out-of-network for private health insurance. If you have private health insurance, you are encouraged to get the flu vaccine at an in-network provider.
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Omicron Resistant Bivalent Booster Available for Individuals 5 Years and Older
The Fairfax County Health Department is accepting appointments for individuals 5 years and older to receive the new Pfizer Bio-N-Tech COVID-19 Bivalent Booster shot. If you would like to vaccinate yourself or your child, appointments are available at the Fairfax County Government Center and South County Hyland Center and Health Department district offices. Schedule your booster appointment at the Fairfax County Health Department website.
The CDC recommends a single dose of the new COVID-19 bivalent booster at least two months following a completed primary series or previous booster vaccination. The bivalent vaccines, also known as “updated boosters,” target the Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants, as well as the original COVID-19 strain. The updated Pfizer booster is for people ages 5 and over and the Moderna version is for those 18 and older.
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Health Safety Precautions
Now is a good time to take advantage of these Fairfax County clinics, before the holiday season begins and everyone spends more time indoors. Even if you or your child or family member has had COVID, vaccination is still strongly encouraged as it provides added protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccination is one clear way to provide everyone, six months and older, with increased protection from severe illness.
As seasonal viruses spread this fall and winter, everyone is urged to take health and safety precautions (in addition to vaccinations) to prevent spread:
- Use tissues and dispose of them properly.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough into your upper sleeve.
- Do not cough or sneeze into your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
- Wash hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
- Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils.
Mobile Testing Continues
At this time, the Health Department continues to offer COVID-19 testing through its mobile laboratory partner Curative at locations throughout the County.
- Testing is recommended for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
- No appointment is necessary; if you wish to make an appointment, you can do so on the Curative website.
- No identification required.
- No out-of-pocket costs.
- PCR tests are offered (no rapid tests are available).
The mobile testing lab rotates between sites each day. Visit the Health Department's COVID Testing Page for dates, times and locations.
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Stay Informed About COVID-19
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