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10.15.2026
Dear Neighbor,
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This week, I’ve been thinking about what it means to honor our heritage. Braddock’s communities have spent the past month marking Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognizing Hindu Heritage Month, and wrapping up Hispanic Heritage Month. Across the district, people gathered to celebrate the cultures, histories, and stories that shape who they are.
Of course, no single week or month can capture the full breadth of the communities that make up Fairfax County. But each celebration is a reminder that every one of us comes from somewhere, and that those origins, whether recent or generations back, inform how we see the world. With one of the highest shares of immigrant families in Virginia, Fairfax County is home to people who understand firsthand what it means to adapt to a new country while preserving the traditions that keep them grounded. And even for those whose families have been here longer, cultural identity remains a source of pride and continuity.
The word “heritage” traces back to the Old French heriter, meaning “to inherit.” It’s a reminder that what we call heritage is both personal and collective: a set of stories, customs, and communities that we receive, build upon, and pass forward. Celebrating heritage months is not only about honoring history. It’s about recognizing the ongoing contributions of the people who make Fairfax County vibrant and resilient.
When I reflect on my own inheritance, I think of my parents, who came to the United States in search of opportunity. Their path was different from mine, but their sacrifices opened the door to the life I have today. I’m grateful not only to them, but also to the Fairfax communities that have allowed me to stay connected to my culture and have stood firmly together in moments when our neighbors are in need.
By choosing to call Braddock District home, each of us becomes part of a shared story, defined by diversity, community, and care. Fairfax County’s modern history is, in many ways, the story of immigration and cultural blending, and our neighborhoods reflect that every day.
Each month, in its pages, The Beacon shares this richness. You’ll find cultural festivals like Saturday’s Oktoberfest Market, recognition of disability advocates, and practical updates on topics ranging from transportation and environmental initiatives to home day care regulations. What ties it all together is the belief that a community built on many cultures is stronger, more compassionate, and ready to support one another in moments when our neighbors are in need. If you’d like to share your own heritage or traditions, we would truly love to hear from you.
No matter who you are or where your story begins, you belong here. You are valued. And you are not alone. That is something worth celebrating.
| | Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer | | |
In this issue:
- 🗨️In the Community: Photo Gallery
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🎬Board Meeting Recap
- 👥What's Happening Around Braddock?
- 🚗Closures, Delays, and Alerts
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🏠Housing and Environment updates
- 🚗Transportation
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🏢Land Use
- 🍎Health and Human Services
- 💚💛Mason Matters
- 🍎Education
- 🐱Pet Adoption Corner
| | In the Community: Photo Gallery | | 10.10.26: It was an honor to attend the Fairfax County NCAAP's Annual Freedom Fund Gala and join so many community leaders in the ongoing fight for civil rights, justice and equality. | | 10.10.26: The Burke Volunteer Fire Department open house was so much fun! Here am I demo-ing the hard work that goes into saving a cat from the tree, with my friend the toy cat. | | 10.14.26: Scenes from the Bonnie Brae Elementary School Final Phase of Construction Community Meeting. I love that Braddock District kids can go to school in a place so thoughtfully designed! | | 10.15.26: Our office attended a mental health roundtable with Congressman James Walkinshaw. This roundtable was hosted by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ, SEIU Virginia 512, and Invest in Fairfax. | | |
Board Matters
- Chairman McKay, Supervisor Bierman, and I introduced a Board Matter recognizing the contributions of Anil and Anupama Sharma to entrepreneurship in Fairfax County. In recognition of a recent philanthropic gift, GMU renamed the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in their honor. I was happy to recognize the role of their generosity in creating new opportunities for Fairfax County entrepreneurs.
- Chairman McKay and I jointly introduced a resolution recognizing this month as Hindu Heritage Month, and a recognition of November 8 as Diwali. This resolution honors the Hindu American community's contributions to our Commonwealth.
Action Items
Approval of a Master Credit Agreement and Revolving Line of Credit
- We approved a replacement Master Credit Agreement with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and Wells Fargo Bank to increase the County's revolving credit line from $90M to $100M. This decision will provide interim funding for County construction projects.
Approval of a draft proposal on retail cannabis sales tax
- The General Assembly legalized retail sales of cannabis in Virginia, effective July 1, 2027. State laws require localities to impose this tax rate.
- On Tuesday, we directed staff to develop an ordinance that would impose a 3.5% cannabis tax on top of the state sales tax. This tax has not been enacted yet; staff are drafting the ordinance for future Board review. The estimated proceeds will be incorporated into the FY2028 budget and help further diversify the County’s tax base.
- We also directed staff to begin preparing zoning regulations that will determine where retail marijuana shops can be located in the County, with clarification from the state expected in the coming weeks.
- Localities may restrict possession and consumption at public parks, playgrounds, public streets, or sidewalks adjoining a public street. Localities may also regulate the hours when cannabis may be sold. Local governments do not have the authority to prohibit cultivating, selling, distributing, possessing, or transporting marijuana.
| You can find the full list of committee materials here. | |
The Board will reconvene on Tuesday, October 20 for its committee meetings. The committees that will be meeting are below. Click on each link to see the agendas and live streams of the meetings.
| What's Happening Around Braddock? | | |
Saturday, October 17: Fairfax Corner's
Oktoberfest Market
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This Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. is Fairfax Corner's Oktoberfest Market. Show up for mouthwatering hand-twisted pretzels, live music, and over 40 local artisans. You can get a custom felt pennant flag, and sip-and-stroll while checking out all Fairfax Corner has to offer.
RSVP below! Registration is free, and the first 250 people to show up with their Eventbrite confirmations get a free pretzel. You don't want to miss it!
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Venture into Volunteering Fair
Sunday, October 18 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Looking for new ways to get involved and stay connected?
Don’t miss the Venture into Volunteering and Beacon 50+ Expo at the Springfield Town Center (upper level), on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m!
Discover a wide variety of meaningful volunteer opportunities and helpful local resources all in one place. Meet representatives from local nonprofits, public agencies, and businesses, and learn how you can get involved in your community.
Questions? Email VolunteerSolutions@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-324-5406. Click the button below for more information on the Volunteer Fair.
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October is Pedestrian Safety Month
See and Be Seen
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Four in five pedestrian deaths happen after dark.
As the days get shorter, more of us are walking and driving in low light. A few small habits can save a life:
- Walking? Wear something bright, add reflective gear, or carry a light.
- Driving? Slow down, keep your headlights on, and be prepared to stop at crosswalks.
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⚖️ October 22: Early Voting Opens at Burke Centre Library and West Springfield Government Center
Use the link above to find wait times at early voting locations, find your polling location, learn about how and where to return your mail ballot, and learn about same-day registration.
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📖 October 22-24: Kings Park Library Book Sale
Fiction and nonfiction books and media for all ages! Popular authors, literary fiction, romance, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and more! Books are sorted into categories and alphabetized by author to make it easy to find what you want! Cash or check only.
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🍁 All about trees: fall foliage viewing, planting and more
Happy Autumn! Leaves are changing colors all around us. Read more about this season's fall foliage.
| | Closures, Delays, and Alerts: Oh My! | |
⚠️Alerts:
Expect road and parking closures on George Mason University's Fairfax Campus on Saturday, October 17 for the George Mason 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run.
- 5:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Mason Pond Drive between Patriot Circle and Mason Pond Deck. Mason Pond Deck will also be closed.
- 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Campus Drive from Rapidan River Road to Patriot Circle; University Drive east of Rappahannock Parking Deck; Global Lane from Mason Pond Drive to Campus Drive; and the PV Lot. Detours will be in effect.
- Intermittent lane closures around Patriot Circle.
Fireworks
- Expect fireworks at 9:00 p.m. after the GMU men's soccer game on Saturday, October 17.
- Campus Drive from Rapidan River Road to Patriot Circle and Global Lane will be closed between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.
Please contact GMU Parking Services at (703) 993-2710 with any questions.
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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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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).
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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 :)
What is served but never eaten?
| Comment on the Braddock Multimodal Improvements Project by Monday | |
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.
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Attend the virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 21, at 7:00 p.m. with live Spanish translation services.
- Send questions and comments to staff.
- Review the proposed options and project summary document on the County’s website.
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Two Upcoming Public Hearings:
Accessory Living Units
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Planning Commission: Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
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Board of Supervisors: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Public hearings will take place in-person in the auditorium at the Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway). Additional information regarding ways to provide testimony is available at the Planning Commission and Board websites.
The amendment proposes changes and clarifications to the use-specific standards for Accessory Living Units (ALUs). An ALU is a secondary dwelling unit established in conjunction with and subordinate to a single-family detached dwelling unit. An ALU is sometimes referred to as an in-law suite or accessory dwelling and can be either interior/attached to the dwelling or detached (freestanding). The current standards for ALUs in the Zoning Ordinance can be found in subsection 4102.7.B.
To review the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment for ALUs, click the link below.
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CANCELLED FOR OCTOBER
Braddock Land Use and Environment (BLUE)
Committee Meeting
Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 17
Location TBD
| 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 due TOMORROW!
| | 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. | | |
Saturday, October 17:
Family Weekend in Fairfax
| | Saturday, October 17, marks Family Weekend at GMU! Check out the attached flyer for all the fun happenings. | | |
Good grief!
Meet Charlie Brown, a sweet, soft-spoken pup who is looking for someone special to help him discover his confidence. Charlie Brown is shy, but behind that cautious exterior is a loyal, loving dog just waiting for the right person to help him come out of his shell. With patience, understanding, and a calm presence, he will slowly show you his warm heart and gentle spirit.
If you have a kind heart, steady patience, and the desire to help a sweet dog grow into his best self, Charlie Brown may be the perfect companion for you. He's ready for a quiet, loving home where he can feel safe and cherished.
If Charlie Brown 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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