October 5, 2023

In late October, County staff will be hosting an informational meeting as well as two engagement meetings to solicit feedback from residents on the programming and utilization of the Burke-Springfield Center for Active Adults temporary location. Your feedback is very important as we move into the next planning step for the senior center, so I encourage you to mark your calendars and attend the meetings. See the meeting details in the graphic below. If you are unable to attend, you can still submit feedback by emailing my office at springfieldbos@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Virtual Information Session:

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 12:30PM

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2336778277

Engagement Meetings:

Friday, October 20, 2023 at 1PM

Pohick Regional Library

6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, VA 22015

Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 6:30PM

Sangster Elementary School

7420 Reservation Drive, Springfield, VA 22153

After a several year search for a suitable temporary location, County staff have been able to secure a temporary location for the Burke-Springfield Center for Active Adults at the site of the former Dress Barn at Huntsman Square. It took quite a while to come to an agreement with Giant, the neighboring business, on the terms of the design of the space. We are now in the process of creating the plans for design and buildout of the temporary location to make sure the location meets County standards and the needs of senior center and community programming.

While this is a temporary site, it is critically important for our seniors and community to have a consistent space to utilize until the permanent location is finalized. The process of finding a space suitable for developing a permanent Springfield Community Resource Center has been ongoing for years. The permanent facility is slated for the Fall 2026 bond after being delayed for multiple reasons, including the pandemic. In the meantime, I worked with staff to find a temporary facility that can serve the ongoing needs of our seniors and community while we get the funding approved by the voters and find the best location for the permanent facility. More details to come on both the temporary and permanent facilities.

Fall Free Concert in the Park - TONIGHT Oct. 5th

Free Concerts in the Park returns for a fall concert tonight at 6:45PM at Burke Lake Park. I am thrilled to announce this show based on your overwhelming requests for a fall concert. Local favorites The Magic Trio, three Rock 'N' Roll veterans from Northern Virginia, will play all your classic rock favorites! We will also have a summer concert vendor favorite, 2 Silos, available for food and drink purchases. As always, the atmosphere is informal, so bring a picnic dinner, blankets, lawn chairs, and relax with friends and family. I look forward to seeing you there!

Early Voting Started Friday, Sept. 22nd

If you live in Fairfax County, early voting for the November 7^th elections began Friday, September 22^nd at select voting locations. See the information below from the Office of Elections, including a list of early voting locations. Please pay special attention to the hours of operation for each location as they vary:

On the ballot for November 7^th: 

• State offices: Senator, House of Delegates member; Commonwealth’s Attorney.
• County offices: Board of Supervisors Chairman and Board members; Clerk of the Court; Sheriff; School Board members; Soil and Water Conservation District members.

You can confirm your voting precinct using the Department of Elections Citizen Portal to check your voter record. For information on redistricting see the Office of Elections FAQs.  

• Any registered Fairfax County voter may vote early at any Fairfax County early voting location. ONLY Fairfax County registered voters can vote at a Fairfax County Early Voting location.
• In-person early voting is available for the November 7, 2023, General Election from September 22 to November 4 according to the schedule below. Three locations will be open beginning September 22 and the remaining locations open on October 28^th.
• If you received a ballot in the mail, but prefer to vote early in person, you must bring it with you and surrender it to vote in person
• Curbside voting is available for eligible voters
• Dropboxes are available during satellite operating hours
• Email earlyvoting@fairfaxcounty.gov with questions about early voting
• Download an early voting info sheet and schedule to post on bulletin boards.
• Check your precinct. Due to redistricting and precinct changes, voters should double check their precinct through Citizen Portal.
• For more information on voting as well as voter registration, see here.

SEPTEMBER 22 - NOVEMBER 4

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Pkwy

Fairfax 22035

Conference Rooms 2/3

Weekdays: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Saturdays (Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 4): 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday (Oct. 29): 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 

Mt. Vernon Governmental Center

2511 Parkers Lane Alexandria, 22306

Weekdays: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturdays (Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 4): 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday (Oct. 29): 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

North County Governmental Center

1801 Cameron Glen Drive Reston, 20190

Weekdays: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturdays (Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 4): 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday (Oct. 29): 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 4

Weekdays: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturdays (October 28, November 4): 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday (October 29): 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Burke Centre Library

5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke 22015

Centreville Regional Library

14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville 20121

Franconia Governmental Center

6121 Franconia Rd, Alexandria 22310

Great Falls Library

9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls 22066

Herndon-Fortnightly Library

768 Center Street, Herndon 20170

Lorton Community Center

9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton 22079

Mason Governmental Center

6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale 22003

McLean Governmental Center

1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean 22101

Providence Community Center

3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax 22031

Sully Governmental Center

4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly 20151

Thomas Jefferson Library

7415 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church 22042

Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library

7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church 22043

West Springfield Governmental Center

6140 Rolling Road, Springfield 22152

Had a wonderful time celebrating Saratoga's HOA 50^th anniversary and learning the history of the Association.

Happy Homecoming Centreville High School! It was perfect weather for a parade and for passing out Tootsie Pops and Milk Bones to our Little Rocky Run residents.

Enjoyed attending Fort Belvoir's 25^th Annual Oktoberfest and participating in this great German-American Military Forces Tradition. Great to catch up with the Pohick Chapter Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., along with community leaders, former base commanders and our German friends.

Proud to recognize Tom Lambiase at the Interfaith Resiliency Conference for his years of service to the Faith Communities in Action and the Citizens Corps Council.

The Spartan300 annual charity event is on October 6th at the American Legion Hall in Springfield (6520 Amherst Avenue), starting at 6PM.

Spartan 300 provides financial support to former classmates, faculty and staff who attended or worked at West Springfield High School (WSHS) in Springfield, Virginia who are experiencing hardships caused by devastating events, such as the loss of a family member, suffering a debilitating illness or any other dire situations.

Live Music will be provided by the Old Keene Mill Boys, Derek Kelly & Rob Bayne, and The Whiskey Dogs. For more information, please see https://spartan300charity.org/events/

Mason Madness on October 13^th

Wear your green and gold and cheer on the Patriots at Mason Madness on Friday, October 13 at 7 p.m. Mason fans will be introduced to the student-athletes from the men’s and women’s basketball teams and hear from new men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn and women's basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis. Each team will also participate in a scrimmage on the EagleBank Arena floor. The Green Machine pep band will perform throughout the evening. Mason Madness is FREE for all attendees, and no ticket is required. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a complimentary Mason glow stick! Learn more at https://gomason.com/calendar. 

Herralink

Herralink is a volunteer organization that connects high schoolers with residents in retirement homes who may not have someone to visit them regularly. Everyone deserves to have someone visit them. Help do your part by becoming a HerraHelper. You'll get the chance to make a difference, gain wisdom from experienced seniors, and earn service hours by simply being someone's friend.

Herralink will host six events in October with Dulles Health & Rehab Center & Gainesville Health and Rehab Center. Visit the Events section of their website to join today and receive service hours! ALL are welcome to enjoy our events, we welcome the community to stop by and visit!

For more information on this organization, visit this site.

FCPD Trunk-or-Treat Returns October 18^th

On October 18^th, join me for the 4^th Annual FCPD Trunk-or-Treat in the Parking Lot of the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway).

It starts at 6pm and lasts until 8pm. My office will be hosting a spot and looks forward to passing out candy and talking with you!

2023 Martha Glennan Award Nominations Due October 20^th

Nominations for the 2023 Martha Glennan Awards are due on October 20^th by 5PM. This award is hosted by the Disability Services Board and honors the commitment of those who promote equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or Falls Church. There are three possible award categories:

• Individual: Individual whose work has benefited the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
• Group: A business, non-profit, or organization that has worked to benefit the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.
• Self-Advocate: Individual who has been a strong self-advocate or worked to better the lives of persons with disabilities in the Fairfax area.

Nominees may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or organization. Awards may or may not be awarded for each category, depending on nominations received.

For more information on the award, the nomination form and the annual ceremony, please see here.

Fairfax’s Finest Donation Drive and Awards Ceremony Held on October 27^th

The Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce is hosting a donation drive to support our local police and fire departments. Fairfax’s Finest will be held on Friday, October 27^th in honor First Responders Day. I am glad to see organizations and community members work together to support our men and women who work to protect us each day. Donations will be dropped off and distributed between 1PM and 3PM.

Prior to the donation drive, the Chamber will also host its first annual Fairfax’s Finest Valor Awards, honoring law enforcement and first responders who serve in the City of Fairfax, the Fair Oaks District, Mason District, McLean District, and the West Springfield District. This is for acts between July 1^st, 2022 and June 30^th, 2023.

If you would like to see what items they will need and/or to contribute, click here. It will also have details for drop-off in case you’d like to bring other supplies not listed too. More information on the awards ceremony to come shortly.

CROP Walk with Echo on Sunday, November 5^th

For thirty-one years, residents of Burke and Springfield have participated in a community walk to raise awareness about local and global hunger and to raise money for projects to address those issues through Church World Service (CWS). A significant portion of the funds raised by ECHO’s local CROP Walk supports their work. 

The next CROP Walk takes place Sunday, November 5, beginning at 2:00 pm at Burke Presbyterian Church. More information on the route, registering to walk, supporting other walkers with online donations, plus links to descriptions of CWS projects can be found at www.burkecropwalk.org. 

Help ECHO by registering, donating and joining friends and neighbors for the CROP Walk.