Dear Neighbor,

Please join the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for a virtual meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. to learn about the 2023 Paving and Restriping Program. 

During the meeting, VDOT will share the roads in the Braddock and Mason Districts that they plan to repave in 2023. 

FCDOT will share striping changes they plan to make in the areas VDOT is paving, including proposed bike lanes and crosswalks. Tonight's meeting will include a presentation on possible bike lanes on Guinea Road between Braddock Road and Twinbrooke Road. Learn more about the paving and restriping program or access the meeting link here.

The public comment period for this meeting closes at 5:00 p.m. on May 4. As the paving season gets underway, you can visit the VDOT paving map for the current status of roads being repaved this year.

Burke Farmer's Market Opening

The Burke Farmer's Market at the Burke Centre Virginia Railway Express station parking lot (5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke) opens this Saturday, April 22 at 8:00 a.m. and I'm looking forward to ringing the opening bell!

Almost 40 vendors will be at the market, some offering online ordering as well. Please note that for health and safety reasons, markets are not able to accommodate pets, except service animals. Consider leaving pets at home as the temperature on market days can increase rapidly and cause pet safety issues. View the full list of Burke Farmers Market vendors or check out all of Fairfax’s Farmers Markets here.

I look forward to seeing you on opening day!

Earth Day

This Saturday is Earth Day and Fairfax County is hosting an Earth Day Celebration at the Sully Historic Site!

Recently I announced my support for the goals of the Citizen’s Climate Lobby and joined the Local Government Leaders for Electrification to reduce Fairfax County’s carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

The technology to save the planet and improve lives exists, and Fairfax County is leading the way!

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 & updates.

Continue reading below for more information on:

• Lake Accotink Safety Advisory
• Eagle Scout Food Drive
• Virtual Community Pools Meeting
• FCPS Community Meeting on Opioid Awareness
• National Drug Take Back Day
• Inflation Reduction Act Roundtable
• Juneteenth Resiliency Award Nomination
• AARP Fraud and Identity Theft Protection Information Session
• AARP's 6th Annual Scam Jam
• Denim Day
• Braddock Bark Volunteers Needed
• Free Career Fair and Resource Expo for Transitioning Service Members, Veterans and Military Spouses
• Updated Pfizer Vaccines for Children and Toddlers available
• Marian Homes Shredding Event
• Grass Heights Complaints
• Commonwealth Transportation Board's Public Meetings
• I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex Drop-off Hours Changes
• Congressional Art Competition
• Summer Camps at GMU
• Prevent the Spread of Trapa Bispinosa

With low water levels from the routine dam maintenance at Lake Accotink, the lakebed is exposed and unsafe for passage.

While the water is drawn down, for your safety, please do not attempt to walk across.

This Saturday, April 22 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (4911 Ox Road, Fairfax) local Eagle Scout, Henry from Troop 1966, will be hosting a food drive to donate to the Salvation Army food pantry for his Eagle Scout Project. Support Henry and drop off canned goods or write a check to "Salvation Army - Fairfax Corps."

Pool operators and managers are invited to join Supervisor Walkinshaw for the annual Community Pools meeting. The meeting will be held virtually on Monday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting link and agenda has been emailed to the Community Pools distribution list. If you are not on the distribution list and would like to receive the agenda and meeting link, please contact the Braddock District Office at braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Please note that this meeting is for pool operators, managers, HOAs, and civic associations, not pool users or private pool owners. 

Due to the pressing personal and public health issues associated with substance use and behavioral health problems, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is hosting a community meeting to provide families with more information about the risks of opioid use. The meeting will be held at Woodson High School (9525 Main Street, Fairfax) on Monday, April 24 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Language interpretation services will be available, as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare will also be provided, as needed.

Register here or view more info about the meeting on the FCPS website.

This Saturday, April 22 is National Drug Take Back Day.

Safely dispose of unused or expired medications at any of the locations below between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

• Mason District Station – 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
• West Springfield District Station – 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield
• Fair Oaks District Station – 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax

For more information, visit the DEA’s website.

Congressman Gerry Connolly will be hosting a virtual Inflation Reduction Act Roundtable on Friday April 21, at 3:00 p.m.

This roundtable will highlight many of the issues our region is facing surrounding climate change, and the big steps the IRA has taken to address these. The IRA’s tax credits and climate programs will help Northern Virginians breathe cleaner air, make their homes more energy efficient and expand the use of clean, renewable energy.

Panelists include:

• Chris Herrington | Director, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
• Chris Leyen | Senior Policy Director, Virginia League of Conservation Voters
• Cheri Conca | Transportation and Smart Growth Program Manager, Sierra Club - Virginia Chapter
• Stella Koch | Northern Virginia Stream Advocate
• Sarah Karush | Chapter Co-Lead, Citizens' Climate Lobby

Register for the meeting or submit questions here. For questions and event details, please call the Congressional District Office at (703) 256-3071 

Fairfax County's 2023 Juneteeth Resilience Award nomination period is open until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5.

The Resiliency Award will recognize both youth and young adults who have exhibited true resiliency (also known as grit, determination, dedication, perseverance and persistence) to make meaningful contributions and outcomes in their lives and/or the lives of others in the Black community. 

For more information about the review process, nomination form, and a look at past winners, check out the County's website.

AARP Fraud Watch Network will be hosting a session about protecting yourself from fraud and identity theft on April 26 at 1:00 p.m. at the Wellness Center for Older Adults (4027 Olley Lane, Fairfax).

In this session, they will share an inside look at how scammers think, how to safeguard against identity theft and fraud, first-hand accounts from victims, and what to do if you or someone you know has been a victim. View more details and register here.

AARP Virginia and the Fairfax County Silver Shield Task Force bring you the 6th Annual Scam Jam featuring former San Diego Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood and Kate Kleinert, Fraud Survivor and a Warrior in the Fight Against Fraud. The event is on Saturday, April 29 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the OLLI Mason campus (4210 Roberts Road, Fairfax), or you can join via Zoom.

You’ll learn the red flags to proactively spot scams and protect yourself and your family, as well as how to report fraud. You’ll meet Kate Kleinert and hear her incredible story of a romance scam that ended with a broken heart and the loss of $39,000 and what she’s doing about it.

Additional remarks will be provided by Fairfax County Police, Fairfax Adult Protective Services (APS), FBI, and the US Postal Inspector.

In-person space is limited, and refreshments will be provided. You can register to attend in-person, attend virtually, or read more on AARP's site.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Denim Day is Wednesday, April 26.

What is Denim Day? The Denim Day story started in Italy in 1992 when the Italian Supreme Court overturned a sexual assault conviction and released the assaulter. The Court said that because the survivor was wearing very tight jeans, she helped the assaulter remove them, implying consent. 

This became known throughout Italy as the “jeans alibi.” The verdict enraged women in the Italian Parliament, who launched a protest wearing jeans to work the next day. Their protest was picked up by international media, which prompted members of the California Senate and Assembly to do the same on the steps of the capitol in Sacramento. 

In April 1999, Denim Day was born in Los Angeles as a campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and the destructive myths that surround sexual violence.

Denim Day asks everyone — from community members and elected officials to businesspeople and students — to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.

You can read more about Denim Day, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, get resources for sexual assault and more here.

The Braddock District office is looking for volunteers for the 2023 Braddock Bark. This is a fun event for the whole family and canine companions.

The event is at Lake Accotink Park on Sunday, May 21, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Shifts available are:

• 10:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (set up)
• 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. (clean up)

Both shifts will be tasked with different responsibilities during the event in addition to set up/break down. If interested in volunteering, register here. 

Further information will send out once all volunteer slots are full. Email questions to braddockevents@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is hosting a free, two-day career fair on May 10-11, with Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Hire Vets Now Foundation in partnership with Fort Belvoir, Virginia Department of Veteran Services, and Virginia Employment Commission.

• In-person Career Fair and Resource Expo – Wednesday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST, National Museum of the United States Army (1775 Liberty Drive, Fort Belvoir). For transit and parking information, visit this link. Free headshots, resume guidance and access to upskilling resources will be available to set you up for success!
• Virtual Career Fair and Resource Expo – Thursday, May 11, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. To register, visit this link.

To view the full list of companies participating and register, visit here..

The updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available as a booster dose for children 6 months – 4 years old who completed their primary series of three doses with the original (monovalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Here are two important things for parents to know about this new authorization:

• Children 6 months – 4 years old can receive a single booster dose of the updated vaccine at least 2 months after completing the primary series (three doses) of the original vaccine.
• Children 6 months – 4 years old who received the updated vaccine as the third dose of their primary series are NOT eligible for a booster dose. Children who received the original Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine as their first two doses of their primary series began receiving the updated vaccine as the third dose in their primary series in December 2022.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to contact their health care provider about getting vaccinated or to search vaccines.gov to find a location near you. Most pharmacy locations only vaccinate children aged 3 years or older. If you are unable to find a COVID-19 vaccine, call the Fairfax County Call Center at 703-267-3511 to make an appointment at a Health Department district office clinic.

In the Fairfax Health District, only 13% of children under 5 years old have completed their primary vaccine series, and about 2% of children in that age group have received an updated booster dose. Everyone 6 months and older is encouraged to stay up to date and get the most recent booster dose recommended for them to prevent the worst outcomes from COVID-19, even if they have already had COVID-19. Read more here.

Area non-profit Marian Homes will be hosting a shredding event at the St. Mary of Sorrows Parish (5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax) Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Information about the shred can be found here. Donations to Marian Homes will be accepted.

The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) will start receiving and investigating grass complaints tomorrow, Friday, April 21. DCC accepts excessive grass height complaints by telephone or on their website here. 

DCC will stop taking grass complaints on October 13. Chapter 119 Grass or Lawn Area of the Fairfax County Code regulates grass height, which may not be taller than 12-inches on any vacant or occupied residential property less than ½-acre (21,780 square feet) in area. For commercial properties, the property needs to be a vacant developed property with no limitation on lot size.

You can read more about enforcement and requirements here.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will host nine meetings across Virginia and is inviting the public to share feedback on transportation projects that have been recommended for funding, as well as other transportation initiatives. Members of the community may participate by attending public meetings or submitting comments online, by email, or by mail.

The public will have an opportunity to learn and share feedback. The Northern Virginia District meeting will be held on Monday, May 1, at 5:00 p.m. at the Potomac Conference Center at the NOVA District Office (4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax).

Learn more about the meetings here.

On May 1, the hours are changing at the I-66 Transfer Station and the I-95 Landfill Complex for dropping off household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics waste (E-waste).

The new I-66 HHW drop-off hours will be:

• Monday and Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*There are no HHW drop-offs hours on Wednesday.

The new I-66 e-waste drop-off hours will be:

• Monday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. (half day)
• Thursday: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. (half day)
• Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*There are no electronics drop-off hours on Wednesday.

The new I-95 HHW drop-off hours will be:

• Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*There are no HHW drop-offs hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday

The new I-95 e-waste drop-off hours will be:

Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*There are no electronics drop-off hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday

Read more about HHW disposal or electronics recycling. If you have questions about solid waste management or SWMP programs, email trashmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Congressman Gerry Connolly announced the start of his 2023 Congressional Art Competition! This competition is open to all high school students who are residents of the 11th Congressional District regardless of where they attend school; public, private and home-schooled students are invited to participate. Due to space limitations, students may not submit more than two pieces of art. 

To verify that you live in the 11th Congressional District, click here. Check Congressman Connolly’s website for information, submission forms, and competition guidelines.

Keep your children engaged through academics, the arts, and sports/recreation camps at George Mason's selection of summer camps.

Programming covers a variety of interests including conflict resolution, conservation, game design and technology, podcasting, theater, music, and much more.

Visit GMU Camps' website for details.

Since 2014, an aquatic invasive species known as Trapa bispinosa has spread to more than 100 known locations around Fairfax County.

The County is asking for help detecting, reporting and eradicating the invasive plant as spring is the peak season in which it rapidly spreads. Help prevent the spread.