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10.08.2026
Dear Neighbor,
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As the evening air turns chillier, the Friday night lights warm us right up: stadiums packed with cheering fans, and the band's drums thumping after every first down.
Sports give us pride in who we are and where we come from. I still think back to this summer, when the World Cup and NBA Finals overlapped. Whether we watched at the local bars, home on our couches, or by refreshing scores on our phones, the best part was seeing everybody so excited together.
Homecoming season brings that feeling home, literally. Robinson's homecoming was last week, and Woodson's and Lake Braddock's are coming up. Whether it brings to mind corsages and sweaty gyms or spirit weeks and parades, homecoming reminds every student and alumni they have a place to come back to. I hope you'll grab a blanket and come cheer them on, whether at one of our Braddock District schools, Lake Braddock, Woodson, and Robinson, or at the neighboring schools so many of our Braddock students call home, West Springfield, Annandale, Lewis, Fairfax, and TJ. And right in our backyard, George Mason's men's soccer, women's soccer, and volleyball teams are well worth the trip, too.
As we graduate to the seemingly eternal suffering that is rooting for the Commanders, I remember that people may become a fan because of where they live, because they stay because that team becomes a part of their family; a part of their home.
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In my home, fall also means our family-and-friends fantasy football league, where we battle for the Heizmore Trophy, coveted only slightly less than the Heisman Trophy. With all the humility I can muster, I'll note the Heizmore Trophy spent this past year on my mantel. In our league, we play only for bragging rights, with a one-year lease on that really cool trophy.
As Chair of the Board's Health and Human Services Committee, I've been thinking a lot about the pros and cons of sports and betting, especially after being alerted by a community member about the prevalence of sports betting by our young people, now that a wager is a tap away. I'll share more as my thoughts and work as it evolves, while keeping sight of how much joy competition also brings. I welcome hearing your thoughts also.
In the meantime, a hearty thanks to the players, coaches, sponsors, officials, band, choir, cheer and dance teams who bring us together, and to every fan who shows up to appreciate their performances. As a former youth league coach, I would be remiss if I didn't also thank our youth sports coaches for their work in giving foundational skills to our athletes. And, as a former band and theater booster parent, I am eternally grateful to the booster families who run the concession stands, sell the tickets, sew the costumes, haul the equipment, drive the carpools, and cheer the loudest.
If sports aren't your thing, there's fall theater and concerts at our high schools and GMU, weekend festivals, Oktoberfest, apple cider donuts, and pumpkin everything else, plus beautiful colors on our trails and parks. It's my favorite season for community, connection, and fun.
As you read on, you'll see the work of people who play like champions every day. Whoever you root for, or if you are just here for the snacks, you have a home in Braddock.
See you under the Friday night lights soon! I'll be the one in the stands, casually mentioning the Heizmore Trophy to anyone who will listen.
| | Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer | | |
In this issue:
- 🗨️In the Community: Photo Gallery
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🎬Committee Meeting Recap
- 👥What's Happening Around Braddock?
- 🚗Closures, Delays, and Alerts
- 🍎Education
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🏠Housing and Environment updates
- 🚗Transportation
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🏢Land Use
- 🍎Health and Human Services
- 💚💛Mason Matters
- 🐱Pet Adoption Corner
| | In the Community: Photo Gallery | | 10.3.26: We met Jeff Goldblum at GMU's annual Arts by George! event, and our staff member Isabella was able to snap this selfie. Thank you to the merry members of the Mason Arts Council, who helped us get this photo. | | 10.3.26: Dancers performing at GMU's Arts by George! event. Believe it or not, this amazing troupe is amazingly comprised of all freshmen. | | 10.3.26: This Saturday was the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of Darkness Walk. You are never alone. Please call 988 if you or somebody else is struggling. | | 10.3.26: I joined community members for a fall ethics seminar "The Work of Belonging: Disability, Labor, and Community" at Ravensworth Baptist Church. | | |
Older Adults Committee
On Tuesday, the Older Adults Committee heard the results of the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA). This survey is a nationally benchmarked assessment for residents aged 50 and older that evaluates the needs and contributions of older adults.
This year, 1,784 respondents provided data for the status of older adults in Fairfax County. Overall, older adults are doing well, and all community readiness indexes grew over the past four years. Respondents were most concerned with information access and housing affordability.
I was happy to hear about the results of this survey, though I flagged two concerns in the meeting. First, older adults aged 50-65 (AKA "the sandwich generation") were underrepresented in this study, and I wanted to ensure that their voices were heard in future iterations of this study. Moreover, the survey indicated that Fairfax County's older demographic might face some challenges in finding affordable, long-term care which I wanted the Board to remain aware of.
The results of the CASOA survey will be used to inform County programs and policies that support successful aging. Keep an eye out for announcements about community engagement sessions to gather more qualitative data about aging in Fairfax County.
Housing Committee
At this week’s Housing Committee meeting, county staff shared encouraging updates on a new state law that helps Fairfax County stretch its housing dollars further.
The General Assembly’s passage of HB 854 clarifies that localities like ours can offer property tax exemptions for affordable housing communities developed with nonprofit partners. By reducing operating costs, this tool helps developments qualify for larger private loans, which means the County can invest less while still delivering more homes for working families and older adults.
Though not quite in Braddock District, staff have proposed to use this authority for two upcoming developments—Dulles Greene and East County—which together could add nearly 600 affordable homes near transit, services, and jobs.
Because these projects sit on land the County already owns, offering this exemption doesn’t take away any existing revenue. It simply helps us do more with what we have.
This approach also aligns with the Board’s long‑standing goal of creating 10,000 new affordable units and keeps Fairfax competitive in the 2027 tax credit cycle.
Overall, the new authority is a practical, low‑risk way to maximize local resources and keep housing progress moving forward for our community.
We also received an important update on The Way Home Fairfax, a five‑year plan to strengthen our community’s response to homelessness, alongside rising local need.
The plan outlines stronger prevention, addressing persistent homelessness, and building community understanding. Built on more than a decade of data, the plan recognizes that different groups need different types of support, and it commits to tracking progress and equity over time.
General Assembly Legislative Work Session
The Board appreciated the opportunity to meet with the General Assembly delegation to discuss Fairfax County's priorities in the 2027 state legislative session.
Our highest priority is protecting and enriching our quality of life for Fairfax County residents through a strong state and local partnership. This includes increasing funds for our schools, partnering with the Commonwealth to successfully implement federal changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and funding transit and affordable housing initiatives, among other projects.
Thank you to our delegates and senators for their commitment to promoting these initiatives in the General Assembly.
The 2027 Legislative Session begins in January. You can read a full draft of our legislative program here.
| You can find the full list of committee materials here. | The next Board meeting will be next Tuesday, October 13. You can find the agenda and live stream link here. | What's Happening Around Braddock? | | |
Nominations for Best of Braddock
are due TOMORROW!
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The Best of Braddock awards season is here!
If you know somebody making a difference, be sure to nominate them for a Best of Braddock Award. This is an exciting opportunity to recognize the changemakers and stewards of our community. This could be your chance to recognize an outstanding neighbor, so please submit a nomination TOMORROW!
Please email braddockevents@fairfaxcounty.gov with questions. Award winners will be recognized at our annual Best of Braddock Awards Ceremony on the evening of November 10.
| Submissions for the Braddock District Art Contest Due Tomorrow | |
We are happy to announce the first annual Braddock District art competition!
We invite emerging and established artists from across Braddock District to showcase their unique visions by responding to the question: What does joy look like?
This contest is free to enter, and all finalists will receive certificates of recognition at the Best of Braddock awards on November 10, as well as a two-month long exhibition at our district office.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL TOMORROW AT 7:00 P.M.!
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TOMORROW: Public Hearing on Proposed
Dominion-NextEra Merger
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The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) is holding public hearings as part of its review of the proposed merger between Dominion Energy Inc. and NextEra Energy Inc.
Fairfax County residents will have an opportunity to provide public comment at a local hearing on Friday, October 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. Instructions for providing comments are at the link below.
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🏛️Apply to Senator Pekarsky's 2027 HS Youth Leadership Program!
This program gives high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to visit Richmond during the General Assembly's legislative session and learn about political leadership on the state level.
Please note that this is a free program and students will be provided with transportation, lodging, and meals at no cost to them or their families.
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🎙️Listen: The Power of Local Government with Bryan Hill Podcast
In this conversation, Bryan Hill discusses his journey from private industry to local government, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, financial management, and innovative public safety measures. Hill underscores the significance of effective communication and the role of local government in serving the community.
| | Closures, Delays, and Alerts: Oh My! | FCPS ACE Offers $500 Scholarships for Online Business, IT, and Legal Career Training | Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education (FCPS ACE) is pleased to announce a new $500 scholarship opportunity for eligible online classes in business, computers and information technology, and legal studies. This new scholarship adds to the list of previously announced efforts to assist adults who want to build job-ready skills, prepare for professional certifications, advance in a current role, or begin a new career. See more details below. | |
Green Fairfax Environmental Summit
Monday, October 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
MITRE Building 4 (7596 Colshire Drive, #J130 McLean, VA 22102)
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Fairfax is evolving fast, and how we evolve will influence decisions about our climate future.
Join Supervisor Palchik for Green Fairfax, a half-day summit focusing on where sustainability and urbanization meet. This event will showcase practical solutions our region can put to work, from transit to disaster mitigation to urban greening. A networking happy hour will follow speaker presentations and panels.
Free, but registration is required (due to the nature of the venue). Full speaker and panel lineup coming soon.
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RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
If you read this far, email us the answer to the following riddle and you'll have made our day :)
I have branches, I'm full of green, but no fruit, trunk or leaves. What am I?
| A Chance to Comment on the Braddock Multimodal Improvements Project | |
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is designing multimodal and access improvements along a three‑mile stretch of Braddock Road between Humphries Drive and Ravensworth Road, including improvements to select ramps around the I-495 interchange and a half‑mile of Ravensworth Road. This project carves into four Fairfax County parks: Canterbury Woods, Howrey Field, Accotink Stream Valley, and Wakefield Parks.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966, Section 4(f), VDOT is required to draft an Individual Section 4(f) evaluation document because VDOT was unable to obtain preliminary concurrence for a de minimis finding (i.e., the net effects are not adverse) for impacts on the above-mentioned public parks.
VDOT is now seeking public input on a draft of the Section 4(f) evaluation until October 19, 2026.
| Learn about Potential Changes to the Home Day Care Facility Regulations | |
Community members are invited to share feedback on proposed updates to the Zoning Ordinance that could impact how proposed home day cares are allowed throughout the County.
With the goal to help increase the supply and expand access to child care, county staff is developing a Zoning Ordinance amendment to decrease regulatory barriers and streamline processes to help facilitate the creation and increase capacity of home day cares. Proposed options include increasing the number of children by right with an administrative permit, adding new use-specific standards, and modifying the submission requirements and approval process.
There are several ways you can participate.
Attend a virtual meeting:
- Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, October 15, at 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 21, at 7:00 p.m. – with live Spanish translation services
Note: All meetings will cover the same content. No registration is required.
Send questions and comments to staff.
Review the proposed options and project summary document on the County’s website.
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Braddock Land Use and Environment (BLUE) Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway
Conference Room 8
Fairfax, VA, 22035
The BLUE Committee is scheduled to hear from the Park Authority and the Department of Public Works for an update on the study of Lake Accotink and the associated dam. Also, committee members will consider updates to their mission statement, rules of operation, and bylaws.
All interested members of the community are invited to attend the meeting in person, or to participate in the meeting virtually at this link or by dialing in to (571) 429-5982, Phone Conference ID: 730 922 969#.
| Health and Human Services | Nominate Someone for the Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Awards! | |
Do you know an individual or organization that excels in providing equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area?
Nominate them for the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board’s 2026 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Award! Fun fact: Supervisor Sizemore Heizer won this award in 2019, and our office would love to help any other disability advocates be recognized.
Nominations open now through October 16, 2026.
| | George Mason 5K & Fun Run | |
Gather your friends and neighbors and join the community in helping students succeed at the annual George Mason 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, October 17, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, this family-friendly event benefits the Student Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps students facing unexpected financial hardships that could disrupt their education. Registration is $40 for the 5K Run/Walk and $20 for the Kids’ Fun Run. Learn more here.
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Neno is a sensitive, handsome boy who is still getting used to shelter life and taking things one small step at a time, but his gentle nature shines through as he settles in.
This sweet kitty will need a patient, cat-savvy adopter who understands that some cats blossom slowly. Neno does best when he's given space to adjust at his own pace, with someone who can offer calm reassurance, a quiet environment, and plenty of understanding. With time, trust, and kindness, he's sure to reveal his true personality and become a wonderful companion. If you're looking for a feline friend who just needs a little extra love and patience to feel safe, Neno may be your perfect match. He's ready to start fresh with a family who will let his confidence grow one day at a time.
If Neno seems like the pet for you, find out more about him and the adoption process at this link.
| | Follow Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer on
Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Bluesky, and 'X.' | | | | |
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