NOTE: Fairfax County Government offices will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 7 for Election Day (many facilities are polling places) and Friday, Nov. 10 in observance of Veterans Day. More information on schedules.

From the Fairfax County Department of Transportation:

On Monday, Nov. 13, 5:45 to 9 p.m. you are invited to participate in a collaborative workshop to reimagine the Wiehle Avenue corridor from Sunrise Valley Drive to the W&OD Trail in Reston. Ideas gathered at the meeting will be further refined and studied, culminating in a recommendation for an improved Wiehle Avenue. The event takes place at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza, 2nd floor conference room. A light dinner and refreshments will be provided. Register to attend.

Click on map for larger view.

Vesper Trail Closed Until February 2024

The Vesper Trail in Tysons (photo) is scheduled to be closed beginning today through February 2024 for construction. Dominion Energy is converting the Spring Hill-Tysons 230 kVelectric transmission line from overhead to underground. Learn more.

Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Virtual Meeting, Monday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.

The Reston P&Z meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Click here to join the meeting.  You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 114 104 863#.

For more information email huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-478-0283.

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.

The Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Click here to join the meeting. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 998 738 562# 

For more information email huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-478-0283.

Learn More about Fairfax County's Public Safety Agencies Tonight, Nov. 1

Join Fairfax County’s Deputy County Executive of Safety and Security, Tom Arnold, tonight at a webinar when he will provide a detailed discussion on the missions and responsibilities of the county’s public safety agencies and their community connectivity. The webinar takes place Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Register

Thank You Reston: Drug Take Back Day

The Fairfax County Police Department announced that the Reston District Station had the largest amount of expired or unused drugs dropped off (at Reston Hospital) during the annual Drug Take Back Day. It was a total of 183 pounds. Thank you to everyone who cleaned out their cabinets and drawers – medicine left unsecured can be prone to misuse and may contribute to overdoses and accidental poisonings. Learn more.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7 and if you have not already voted early, you will vote at your assigned precinct location. You can find that location here. In addition, the Office of Elections recently mailed each registered voter a mailer with your voting location and a sample ballot. Voter Guide

On the ballot for the Nov. 7 general election: 

• Board of Supervisors (Chairman and all districts)
• School Board (At Large and all districts)
• Commonwealth’s Attorney
• Sheriff
• Virginia House of Delegates and Senate (All districts)
• Clerk of the Court
• Towns of Clifton and Vienna (Mayor and Town Council)
• Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
• There is also a $435 million public school bond on the ballot. If approved, the public schools’ plans include using this money to plan and design, renovate and build schools.

If you have questions about voting, contact the Office of Elections at Voting@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-222-0776.

Town Clean Up Day is Saturday, Nov. 4

Help keep Vienna clean by participating in Town Clean Up Day! Join other volunteers from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Town Green. Volunteers will be assigned to locations around town that need a little sprucing up. Learn more.

Reston Community Center Thanksgiving Food Drive Through Nov. 20

Help our food insecure neighbors during Thanksgiving with donations of non-perishable food, grocery gift cards and other essentials. There are several locations in Reston to drop off donations including at my office at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., Reston. Look for the donation box in the lobby (photo). There is also a need for volunteers for food sorting and loading. Learn more.

If You or Someone You Know Needs Help

Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning can help if you or someone you know needs information and/or referrals for emergency food, shelter, clothing, transportation, health care, employment or legal assistance. Call 703-222-0880.

Accessing Attainable Housing in Tysons: An Interactive Workshop on Nov. 8

Join me, the Tysons Community Alliance and Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik to discuss housing needs in Tysons at an interactive workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2 to 7 p.m. at The Boro Station Conference Center, 1765 Greensboro Station Place, Tysons. We'll be discussing employers who struggle with the scarcity of workforce housing, challenges that workers face in their attempts to live reasonably close to their workplaces, and housing goals and accomplishments to date. The workshop also includes a networking opportunity at the end of the day. Learn more.

Mark Your Calendar for Hunter Mill Holiday Open House Dec. 1

It's that time of year again to start planning your holiday schedule! Start the season's festivities at the Hunter Mill District Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 1, 4 to 6 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., Reston. It was a great time last year and my staff and I hope that you will join us this year!

Park Authority Board Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Fees

Provide feedback on county staff's proposed 2024 Fee Schedule for Fairfax County parks. Residents can submit feedback and comments online, as well as participate in a virtual public meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 15. Every year, the Park Authority receives approximately 35% of the funding required to support its operation through the county's General Fund. The remaining 65% of the operating budget is funded from the Park Authority Revenue and Operating Fund, a fund required to operate with a minimum of 100% cost recovery. The operating budget of the Revenue and Operating Fund is derived from various fees for programs, classes, services and amenities. Learn more.

Bat Festival (yes, those bats) is a Success

The Hunter Mill District participated in the 2023 Bat Festival held at Wolf Trap last Sunday. It was a fun family event to celebrate the unique role of bats in our ecosystem. Just in time for Halloween, there was a great turn out to see bat demonstrations, participate in a bat costume contest, learn about the dark skies policies and hear from bat experts.