April 19, 2024

Dear Providence,


The Board held three days of Budget Public Hearings this week. We heard from nearly 190 of you who brought up helpful insights, feedback, and concerns for our Board to consider. Many thanks to all who made the time to provide your testimony. Your participation is key to reaching an effective FY 2025 budget.


The Budget Policy committee will reconvene on Friday, April 26th to discuss the budget pre-markup package, which will reflect changes proposed to the County Executive's budget, followed by a full Board meeting on Tuesday, April 30th to vote on the final proposed package. The Board will then adopt the FY 2025 Budget on Tuesday, May 7th.


As a reminder, Fairfax County provides real estate tax relief and vehicle tax relief to citizens who are either 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled and meet the income and asset eligibility requirements. Returning applicants must file no later than May 1st. However, the due date may be extended to December 31 under certain hardship conditions that have hampered the applicant from filing on time and are no fault of the applicant. Read more about tax relief here.


Lastly, I hope you can join us in celebrating Earth Day and Tysons' Birthday on Monday, April 22nd! I have partnered with Celebrate Fairfax, Tysons Community Alliance, and Hunter Mill District Office to bring you a day full of family- and earth-friendly activities in Tysons.


With gratitude,

In this week's Palchik Post:

> April 16 Board Meeting Highlights

> What's New in Providence?

> Providence Spotlight

> Ways to Give Back

> Health and Human Services & Housing Updates

> Public Safety Updates

> Land Use and Transportation Updates

> Upcoming Events

April 16 Board Meeting Highlights

At Tuesday's meeting, the Board recognized Annandale High School Orchestra Director Annie Ray for receiving the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award, designated April 2024 as Autism Awareness Month, and designated April 2024 as Community Development Month.


I presented the following Board Matters:


The Board also took the following actions:

Countywide

  • Approved the increase to the administrative fee related to the removal and abatement of illegal signs from $10 to $50 per sign.

Providence District

  • Approved the installation of two "Watch for Children" signs on Horseshoe Drive as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program (RTAP).
  • Approved the parking adjustments for Fairhills on the Boulevard shopping center on 8621 Route 29 in Merrifield.
Access the meeting recording and materials here.

What's New in Providence?

Compass Coffee is Now Open


I am thrilled to welcome a new great local business to the Providence District! Compass Coffee opened its newest location in the Shops at West Falls Church (7393 Route 29) earlier this month. I hope to see you there some time!

Pedal with Petals


You're invited to ride into spring during the Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride on Saturday, May 11th! Back for its second year, Pedal with Petals will be bigger than ever. This year’s event will include both an advanced and family bike ride. The advanced ride will start at 9:00 am and the family bike ride will begin at 9:30 am. The event will begin and end in the parking lot of The Concourse. Family-friendly activations include a food truck, DJ, face painting, free bike tune-ups, and more!

Learn more or register for Pedal with Petals.

Providence Spotlight

Denver Supinger is a proud Providence District resident and a Virginia native. She moved to Fairfax County in 2017 to work for the Hon. Catherine Hudgins, where she covered a transportation and public safety policy portfolio. This exposure made her fall in love with Fairfax County, its services, and its potential to advance others. Since working for the County, Denver has served as a government and community relations specialist for nonprofit organizations. Through these roles, she has identified ways to connect youth and the underserved with the local and state governments to advance progressive change. 


Her passion for elevating the voices of young professionals and keeping talent and skills in Fairfax County led to her appointment to the Young Adult Advisory Commission in 2020. For the past four years, she has served as the Chair of the Commission and has advocated for young adult representation throughout the County. In Chairing the Young Adults Advisory Commission, she and her fellow Commissioners took a major interest in housing affordability and access and employment. Advocacy around these, joined with her dedication to justice, lifting the voices of those unheard, and ensuring equal access, enables her to serve as Providence District’s Human Rights Commissioner. In this role, she not only receives and investigates complaints alleging a violation of the Human Rights Ordinance, but she also cooperates with employers, the housing industry, and other businesses in the County to make sure we all understand our duty to ensure equal opportunity and equal access. Thank you, Denver, for your commitment to our county and the Providence District!

Ways to Give Back

Read and Feed Library Food Drive


Throughout the month of April, the Fairfax County Public Library is collecting donations of food for the Community of Faith Food PantryFood for OthersLorton Community Action CenterSt. Anne's Food PantryUnited Community, and Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. During the food drive, community members can drop off unexpired, commercially produced food items at any FCPL branch during regular hours. People who donate four or more food items will receive reusable food tote bags. 

Learn more about Read and Feed.

Volunteer & Partner Services Donation Drive


The Fairfax County Department of Family Services Volunteer and Partner Services needs your help with donation requests to help support the families they serve. Please note that only brand new donations will be accepted.


Please ship items to the following address or coordinate a drop off to:

Samantha “Sam” Carrico

The Pennino Building, 6th Floor

12011 Government Center Parkway

Fairfax, VA 22035


If you have additional questions, please contact Samantha “Sam” Carrico at Samantha.Carrico@fairfaxcounty.gov or 571-536-8192.

See list of requested items and sign-up!

Donating Prom Attire


Are you interested in donating new or clean and lightly-used prom attire? Annandale High School, Edison High School, and Herndon High School are currently accepting donations of dresses, suits, ties, shoes, handbags, and accessories.

Learn more about how you can donate.

Health and Human Services and Housing Updates

Somos at McLean Metro


Construction has begun to make way for workforce housing near the McLean Metro station. The Somos at McLean Metro project is a major addition to ensure long-term affordable housing for working families is woven into the fabric of the Tysons community for generations to come.

Learn more about The Somos project.

Annual Fair Housing Event


You're invited to Fairfax County's Annual Housing Fair on Thursday, April 25th starting at 10:00 am. This event is hosted by the Fairfax County Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs in partnership with The Equal Rights Center and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors. We hope you can join the discussion on affirmatively furthering fair housing, best practices in fair housing planning, fair housing outreach and resources, and more.

Learn more and register.

Affordable Housing for People with Serious Mental Illness


The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) plans to implement a major increase in rental assistance to individuals with serious mental illness.


During their March 14, 2024 meeting, the FCRHA’s commissioners approved a $20 million agreement with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to increase access to supportive, affordable rental housing options for individuals with serious mental illness. The additional funding is expected to help prevent homelessness among individuals with serious mental illness, as well as reduce census at state psychiatric hospitals.

Read more here.

Public Safety Updates

Road Shark


Fairfax County Police Department's first wave of "Road Shark" wrapped up in early March with nearly 5,700 citations and warnings issued around Fairfax County. Road Shark represents a strategic initiative focused on enhancing visibility and implementing coordinated enforcement and educational activities to combat aggressive driving, minimize traffic incidents, and foster positive changes in driving behavior. Wave two of Road Shark will begin on April 22nd.

Read more about Road Shark.

Drug Take Back Day


Safely dispose of your unused or expired medications during Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27th at several police district stations around the County. This program prevents drug misuse, and accidental poisoning, and protects the environment.

Learn more about Drug Take Back Day.

Neighborhood Watch Training


Empowering our community with knowledge and skills to enhance safety and vigilance. Join us to learn proactive strategies and build a stronger, safer neighborhood together on Thursday, April 25th at 7-8:30 pm at the Mason District Station.

Land Use and Transportation Updates

Bike to Work Day


Gear up for Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17th! I hope you can join us at the Jim Scott Community Center pit stop from 7am to 9am to enjoy free coffee, snacks, and other goodies.

Register today!

2024 Paving and Restriping Program


The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)’s Northern Virginia Paving Program improves hundreds of miles of roads in Fairfax County every year. VDOT and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation FCDOT) use this program as an opportunity to increase driver, bicyclist, and pedestrian safety with road and crosswalk improvements while minimizing the financial investment in restriping work.


This list includes most, but not all, Providence District streets to be repaved this year.

Access the interactive statewide paving status map.

Community Outreach Meeting to Discuss a New Medical Office at Graham Center


VHC Health - Virginia Hospital Center has a long-standing commitment to serving the neighborhoods of Fairfax, Falls Church, and Arlington. Recently, VHC Health acquired the Graham Center at the Graham Road intersection and Arlington Boulevard. VHC Health proposes to replace the existing retail building with a new medical office. In partnership with Intuitive Health, the focus of this new office building will be a facility offering emergency care, urgent care, and imaging services all in one convenient location.


The community has an opportunity to learn more about this proposal at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, May 7th at 7:30 pm.

  • Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 253 625 971 527
  • Microsoft Teams Passcode: Jee8FM
  • Phone Dial-in: 1 929-229-5246
  • Phone conference ID: 226 997 200#

The Virginian Community Meeting


The Health Care Advisory Board (HCAB) will hold a public meeting on Monday, May 13th at 7:30 pm to review FFI Virginia Land Owner LLC and FFI Virginian Owner LLC Application (RZ-2022-PR-00020) to rezone the subject property from R-1 to PCC to allow for a continuing care facility. The meeting will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center room 232 and via Zoom.

Zoom Link

Password: 585004

or via telephone 888-270-9936, Conference Code 4401533


To be placed on the speakers’ list please call HCAB staff at (703) 481-4005 or (703) 246-8679 by Friday, May 10th. Speakers should indicate whether they will appear in person or whether they will participate via the Zoom link. Written comments will be considered if they are received before the HCAB meeting and sent to Sara Brinkmoeller, HCAB Staff Coordinator, Health Department, 10777 Main Street, Suite 200, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030. You may also e-mail comments to HCAB@fairfaxcounty.gov. If you would like to review the zoning application, you must call the Department of Planning and Development, Zoning Evaluation Division at 703-324-1290.

Upcoming Events

Date

Time

Location

Event Name

Sat., Apr. 20th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Difficult Run Stream Valley Park

Habitat Restoration

Sat., Apr. 20th

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sully Historic Site

Earth Day Fairfax

Sat., Apr. 20th

1:00 - 4:00 pm

Boro Park

A Celebration of Art and Dance

Sun., Apr. 21st

8:30 - 10:00 am

Oakton Community Park

Breakfast with the Birds

Sun., Apr. 21st

2:00 - 4:00 pm

Oakton Community Park

Welcoming Birds to Your Yard

Sun., Apr. 21st

3:00 - 7:00 pm

Caboose Commons

Women's Market

Mon., Apr. 22nd

9:30 am - 3:30 pm

The PARC at Tysons

Earth Day & Tysons' Birthday

Wed., Apr. 24th

9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus

Pottery Sale

Apr. 24th - 27th

Times Vary

Oakton Library

Oakton Library Book Sale

Sat., Apr. 27th

1:00 - 2:30 pm

Green Spring Gardens

Fairfax Poet Laureate: National Poetry Month Reading

Sun., Apr. 28th

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Aslin Beer Co., Herndon

Earth Daze

Wed., May 1

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Oakmont Rec Center

Oakmont Farmers Market Opens

May 3rd - 4th

Times Vary

The Perch at Capital One Center

Perchfest: A Retro Music & Mini Golf Festival

May 3rd - 5th

Times Vary

K-Market Parking Lot

KORUS Festival

Sat., May 4th

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Woodrow Wilson Library

Culmore Community Day

Sat., May 4th

12:00 - 4:00 pm

Tysons Corner Center Plaza

Taste of Tysons Corner

Fri., May 17th

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Jim Scott Community Center

Bike to Work Day

Contact Us

Office Phone: (703) 560-6946

EmailProvidence@fairfaxcounty.gov

Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/providence

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