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August 12, 2026

Today, during these dog days of August, I want to run a new idea by my Hunter Mill newsletter readers.

The concept of a Universal Basic Income is not new, and has been discussed, piloted in several places (including in Fairfax County), and debated for years. It has its roots in philosophers and rabble rousers like Thomas More and Thomas Paine, and more recently has been a topic of much discussion by prominent economists and by techie types in Silicon Valley as a response to automation and job displacement resulting from widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Here is a new twist on that concept from the trenches of local government: Universal Basic Housing. Instead of doling out a few AI dollars to all, why not focus on addressing the most vexing problem afflicting the 1,365 people counted as experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County, and the more than 750,000 people unhoused across the country? 

The idea of Universal Basic Housing would be to make permanent housing — and key services vital to keeping people housed — available to every person who needs it. Think of some combination of studio apartments, managed dormitories, rehabilitated/repurposed existing housing stock, and conversion of obsolete commercial spaces. And pair this with the management and wrap-around services often required for formerly unhoused people to stay housed: permanent supportive housing for all who need it.

Establishing a true housing safety net would be neither cheap nor easy, I realize. It could require changes to building codes and land use rules consistent with UN human rights guidelines. Rules for who qualifies and prohibited behaviors would have to be developed. Approaches for preventing homelessness need to be supported and enhanced. And figuring out how to do this with a focus on the importance and dignity of each person, as opposed to large-scale/industrialized concepts, would be key for ending homelessness.

Perhaps Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia should pilot this concept around the state, and develop a scalable roadmap and financing plan for implementation across Virginia that could be applied across the United States. At a project level we know housing and wrap-around services works to keep people housed, but how does it scale up?

Whether you consider housing a fundamental human right or not, ensuring that safe and adequate housing is available to all is clearly worth doing. And if it’s worth doing why not get moving towards that goal now.

Thoughts? Send them by email.

(Please note that the newsletter will be on a brief summer hiatus next week, so check your inbox on Aug. 26 for the next edition. And I hope you can enjoy these last weeks of summer!)

Regards,

Walter

• Attend Hunter Mill Melodies Concert Tomorrow
• Make Your Home Eco-Friendly: Aug. 17 Seminar
• Cathy Hudgins Community Day Saturday
• Brain Health Seminar Aug. 19
• Crowell Road Truck Traffic Public Hearing Aug. 25
• Land Use Committee Members Sought
• Upcoming Land Use Meetings
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

Cathy Hudgins Community Day Celebration Saturday. Join Me for the Center’s 20^th Anniversary

What’s happening: Join me for an extra special Cathy Hudgins Community Day as we celebrate the center’s 20^th anniversary, This free event is for all ages this Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at 12125 Pinecrest Road Reston. Pick up a free backpack for kids returning to school (while supplies last) and enjoy rides, games, music, face painting, raffles and food (for purchase) from vendors.

Presenting a Proclamation: I’ll be presenting the center with a proclamation to honor the 20^th anniversary of this intergenerational neighborhood hub. Since it opened on July 10, 2006, the center serves 20,000 kids, teens and older adults every year. In 2021, I introduced the motion to rename the center after the late Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, whom we sadly lost last year, because she championed the creation of the center.

What’s happening: Take a virtual seminar on how to keep your brain healthy as you age, reducing your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Join on Wednesday, Aug 19 from noon to 1 p.m. and when you register, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to join the session.

Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, Cognitive and Behavioral Neurologist Medical director with the Inova Brain Health and Memory Disorders Program, will discuss what you can do today and tomorrow to keep your brain working well for longer.

Training reduces risk by 25%: Scientific research increasingly finds that brain training works to reduce your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease — especially a specific kind of brain exercise. Results from a 20-year, randomized clinical trial funded by NIH showed that a simple exercise to train your brain to work faster reduces the risk by 25%.

Older adults in the study took a computerized training to test their visual speed and attention, detecting whether an image in the middle of the screen was a car or a truck. Simultaneously, they also had to notice where a road sign was located in their peripheral vision. The program would speed up to increase the challenge.

Watch the NBC News video below to learn more, and you can test yourself on the same exercise used in the study.

Try the training: Study participants played a BrainHQ game called Double Decision that you can try online for free:

• Try the game now
• Find other exercises too on the BrainHQ website. (Sample some of their other exercises but a subscription is required for full access.)

What’s happening: The Board of Supervisors will hold an Aug. 25 public hearing on whether to prohibit trucks from using Crowell and Browns Mill Roads as a cut through. If this measure is approved following the hearing, signs will be posted on these roads under the county’s Residential Traffic Administration Program. (The ban will not apply to pickup or panel trucks, however.)

Residents approached my office with major safety concerns about cut-through traffic and speeding on these two roads. Trucks have been increasingly using them as a shortcut to get to Route 7.

This idea is one of many being reviewed to make Crowell Road safer. to make Crowell Road safer.

Traffic problems? If you have concerns about speeding or traffic issues, please contact Shyamali Hauth in my office by email or call 703-476-0283, TTY 711. The county provides a variety of ways to help neighborhoods deal with traffic issues, including prohibiting cut-through traffic and installing additional fines for speeding signs.

Reston Planning and Zoning Committee Members Sought



What’s happening: The Reston Planning and Zoning Committee seeks new volunteers to serve on its 15-member advisory body. Regular members have three-year terms while associate members serve one-year terms. To join, you must be a Reston resident.

• Apply online by Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m.

What you’ll do: Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. virtually. As an independent advisory body to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, the committee performs an important role in reviewing proposed rezoning and related development plans, proposed changes to the Reston Comprehensive Plan, and updates to the Planned Residential Community District.

More info: For questions or more information, contact John Kauppila by email.

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Members Sought

What’s happening: I’m looking for residents to join my Hunter Mill Land Use Committee. This volunteer group reviews land use proposals in the district, and it advises the Planning Commission and me on land use issues in Hunter Mill outside of Reston and the Town of Vienna.

What you’ll do: As a member of the committee, you’ll review applications for rezonings, development plans, other land use entitlements, and major planning and zoning policy initiatives affecting the Hunter Mill District. You’ll apply your local knowledge of neighborhood conditions and concerns (e.g., traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, stormwater drainage) to help developers mitigate potential issues with their proposals.

When there are applications, plans or initiatives to review, the committee meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Meetings occur virtually on Microsoft Teams.

Please note that the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee and Hunter Mill Land Use Committee are not meeting in August.

Summer on the Green Concert Friday

The U.S. Army Band will perform at this week’s Summer on the Green concert on Friday, Aug. 14 starting at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket, but leave pets and alcohol at home. In the event of inclement weather, concerts may be canceled, and weather decisions are generally made between 4 and 5 p.m. on the day of the event. Check for cancelation updates on the town's weather line: 703-255-7842.

Vienna250 Book Talk:  Creating an Informed Citizenry

How did our founding fathers envision a well-informed citizenry? Historian and author George Oberle explores that question during a free discussion about his book Creating an Informed Citizenry on Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. at Sunrise of Vienna (374 Maple Avenue West). Learn about the effort to educate Americans and the creation of the Smithsonian Institution. Limited free parking is available underneath the building. This talk is sponsored by Vienna250, Bards Alley, and Sunrise of Vienna.

🪉Celtic melodies take stage when Iona plays on Aug. 12 at Lake Anne Plaza.

🎵Enjoy adult contemporary hip hop when The Band Black History plays on Aug. 13 at Halley Rise.

🎸How sweet it is when Hourglass strums James Taylor hits on Aug. 14 at Reston Station.

🐱Attend the grand opening for The Happy Cat Hotel & Spa on Aug. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. in Fairfax.

🎸Indie pop band The Ocean Blue takes the stage for the first time at Reston Town Center on Aug. 15.

🍽️Dine at the Fair Lakes honeygrow on Aug. 15 to support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

🎴 Find vintage to classic collectibles at the NOVA Sports Card Show on Aug. 15 at the Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park.

🪄Magician Ken Caplan amazes on Aug. 15 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎪Attend the Migrant Solidarity Benefit Concert & Community Engagement Fair on Aug. 15 at Epiphany Episcopal in Herndon.

🌸Take an Ikebana flower arranging class on Aug. 15 at la Madeline in Reston.

🎬Watch “The Secret Life of Pets” on Aug. 15 at Reston Station.

🌮Attend the 7th annual Salvadoran Festival on Aug. 16 at Harris Pavilion in Manssass.

🛢️Steel drum music shimmers on Aug. 16 as Tobago Bay plays at Temporary Road Pavillion.

🎵ClarVoice Trio presents romantic and inspiring music from around the world on Aug. 16 at Reston Town Square Park.

🕵 Join the Mystery Book Club meeting to discuss “The Frozen River” on          Aug. 17 at Caboose Tavern in Vienna.

💻 Attend a virtual information session about joining the Junior League of Northern Virginia on Aug. 19.

🎺Listen to bluesy, horn-driven music on Aug. 19 when Texas Chainsaw Horns play at Lake Anne Plaza.

🎭Watch three plays during the Logan Festival of Solo Performance on Aug. 20-30 at 1^st Stage.

🎸Married duo FarAway play classic rock to 90s alt rock on Aug. 20 at Halley Rise.

🚂Visit Northern Virginia NTRAK’s model train display Aug. 21-22 at Oakton Community Library.

💎Attend the International Gem & Jewelry Show on Aug. 21-23 at The Hyatt Regency Dulles.

👩‍🎤80s tribute band The Reflex presents the best songs of the decade on Aug. 21 at Reston Station.

🎸Guava Jelly present their Caribbean-inspired, reggae-infused music on Aug. 22 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎥Watch “School of Rock” on Aug. 22 at Reston Station.

🎸 Almost Queen will rock you on Aug. 22 at Reston Town Center.

🐶 Bring your dog for a dip at Hunter Woods Pool on Aug. 23. Registration required.

🎷 Multi-cultural jazz-fusion ensemble Project Locrea performs on Aug. 23 at Dogwood Pavillion.

🎸 Shenandoah Conservancy students play music of the 60s on Aug. 23 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎸 Keep this world from draggin' you down when you listen to Tom Petty tribute band Don’t Back Down on Aug. 28 at Reston Station.

🎞️ Watch “A Little Prayer” on Senior Movie Day on Aug. 26 at LOOK Cinemas at Reston Town Center.

🎸 Four Star Combo belt out high-energy 1950's Rockabilly and honky tonk on Aug. 26 at Lake Anne Plaza.

🎺 Groove to funky New Orleans parade music when New Line Brass Band plays on Aug. 27 at Halley Rise.

🍽️ Dine at the 10th annual Around The World Cultural Food Festival on Aug. 29 at Oronoco Bay Park, Alexandria.

🪕 Traditional bluegrass band Chuck Perryman Acoustic Trio performs on Aug. 30 at Temporary Road Pavillion.

🎹 Piano and saxophone duets are showcased by R2DUO on Aug. 30 at Reston Town Square Park.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.