Dear Neighbor,

We had beautiful weather and huge crowds for last week's Braddock Nights concerts and Arts in the Parks children's series. I hope you can join us this week for another round of amazing performances, including local children's favorite The Great Zucchini!

Real estate tax payments for the first half of the year are due on July 28. While most property owners pay electronically through their mortgage company, those without a mortgage and those who choose to pay directly must do so by July 28.

You can find an explanation of the assessment process here.

There are a variety of payment options available online from the Department of Tax Administration.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Department of Tax Administration's Real Estate team at DTARED@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling (703) 222-8234. The deadline for tax payments for the second half of the year is Monday, December 5.

This adjustment in operating hours does not change the days of the week library branches are active, but decreases open hours on Mondays & Tuesdays at regional locations and Mondays at community locations to match available staffing levels.

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

Supervisor Walkinshaw is excited to be hosting the annual Braddock Nights Concert and Children’s Arts in the Parks Series! Every event includes a free raffle where two audience members can win a Summer Entertainment Series t-shirt! Arrive by the start of the event to get a raffle ticket. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Braddock District office at (703) 425-9300 or Irma.Mejia-Lewis@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) passengers will ride free during September and between certain stations in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia during October, following a vote of the VRE Operations Board in July. The decision to suspend fares will make VRE a more attractive and viable option for Metrorail riders during the closure of Blue and Yellow Line stations south of Reagan National Airport, slated to begin September 10, and for those returning to work post-Labor Day.

In June, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) began work on a pedestrian bridge over the Lake Accotink dam. While the trail will be closed until the spring of 2023, many have expressed their concern with the lack of access to the Cross-County Trail (CCT). The map above is FCPA's suggested detour for access to the CCT for the duration of the bridge project.

At this time there is no recommended or safe way of crossing the creek at or below the dam within the park boundaries. Visitors should avoid walking off trail per FCPA Trail Rules. Under no circumstances should someone attempt to cross the railroad trestle or walk along the tracks. It is extremely dangerous, in addition to trespassing on railroad property. 

Calling all Exceptional Designs! Fairfax County is now accepting submissions for the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards.

Submissions must be sent by email or mail by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29. Take a look at the submission categories, requirements and the entry form on the awards webpage to learn more.

Remember to sign up for National Night Out if you have not already! This in-person event on August 2 with the Fairfax County Police Department provides an opportunity for officers and the communities they protect to come together.

Homeowner's Associations, Civic Associations, and neighborhood leadership can complete this form to register their community for the event (if you registered with the NNO organization directly, you still need to register with this form. They do not share your personal information). If there are any questions, feel free to reach out to the Crime Prevention Officer of your local police station.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, July 21, accompanied by possible isolated severe thunderstorm with damaging winds. Heat index values of near 105 degrees are also possible during Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

During extremely hot days, there is plenty that you can do to stay cool, like go to a movie, stroll through a shopping center or visit one of Fairfax County's public buildings. For a list of County buildings open this weekend, and information on cooling assistance and other resources, visit the Fairfax County Emergency Blog.

Since the BA.5 variant of COVID-19 became the dominant strain in the United States this month, many are wondering what resources are available in Fairfax. If you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, effective treatment is available that can prevent illness from becoming worse leading to hospitalization and death.

If you tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed , it is important to take the steps recommended by the Fairfax County Health Department to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in your family and in the community.

Check the most up-to-date COVID figures at the Virginia Department of Health website.

Receive free at-home tests from the Postal Service.

Receive free vision-impaired at-home tests from the Postal Service.

Check your at-home tests for their extended expiration date.