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Dear Neighbor,

One of the best privileges of being a new Supervisor is getting to spend time traversing the District and learning about the many great people and organizations that do so much good in our community. I want to start this newsletter by saying: let’s hear it for the Dranesville volunteers! 

I recently had the honor of attending and addressing a variety of celebrations of local volunteers, including the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services’s Volunteer Recognition Breakfast and events put on by the Safe Community Coalition, Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia, and the Mayor of the Town of Herndon. At these events, I have met so many residents who give their time and talents to the County and to local organizations to positively impact our community’s quality of life. It is inspiring to hear of so much generous service and Fairfax wouldn’t be the same without you!

Aside from the recognition events, I also recently attended a volunteer fair co-sponsored by the Dulles Area Transportation Association, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, and local chambers of commerce. Again, so many great nonprofits were there ready to sign up new volunteers! It was impressive to see businesses support and facilitate service by their employees and always wonderful to hear of the awesome work done by local nonprofits. If you’re interested in finding a volunteer opportunity, take a look at Volunteer Fairfax. It’s an easy place to find lots of options for individuals and groups.

Speaking of Volunteer Fairfax, I am looking forward to tonight’s Volunteer Service Awards where many terrific volunteers will be celebrated, including Dranesville’s Community Champion, Angie Guevara, who has contributed countless hours to make her Herndon community a better place for all to live.  

Thank you, Dranesville volunteers! 

Finally, as we head into this weekend, and in recognition of those who make our community so much better, let me close by wishing all mothers out there a very happy and healthy Mother’s Day! Thank you, moms! 

All the best, 

Jimmy 

James N. Bierman, Jr. 

Dranesville District Supervisor

McLean Governmental Center 

1437 Balls Hill Road

McLean, VA 22101

PH: 703-356-0551

Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov

McLean Farmers Market

Forestville Schoolhouse 135 Year Anniversary Celebration

Herndon Big Truck Day

Friday Night Live! in Herndon

Bike and Roll to School Day at Haycock Elementary School

Rotary Club of Great Falls

Land Development Services

The Building Permits 101 class teaches community members about permit requirements and the permitting process at Fairfax County. Get tips about hiring a contractor, avoiding scams and whether your project requires a permit. Sign up today by contacting Nicola Mutesi at 703-324-5175, TTY 711, and leave a message. The next Building Permits 101 class is on Monday, May 20, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia 22035.

Visit the event page for more information.

Ticks can transmit pathogens that can cause people to become sick. Lyme disease is still the best known and most common disease spread by ticks in Virginia, but there are others such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. While most ticks are active from the spring through the fall, some ticks are active on warm winter days.

Factors like weather, habitat and the availability of host animals can affect the tick population from year-to-year and make it hard to predict their numbers.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

1. Know where to find ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, so be cautious when you are spending time outside.
2. Use permethrin on clothing and gear. Clothing can be treated with 0.5 percent permethrin, an insecticide that repels and kills ticks.
3. Use a repellent. Repellents can be applied to exposed skin and clothing to help repel ticks.
4. Avoid contact with ticks. Know where to avoid wooded and bushy areas with tall grass. Walk in the center of trails to avoid overhanging plants.
5. Check your clothes, your clothing, your gear, and your pets for ticks after coming inside. It is best to shower within two hours of coming indoors and help wash off unattached ticks.

For more information on how to prevent ticks and how to remove a tick, visit the NewsCenter article.

Plan Forward: Land Use & Development Initiative

The County has launched Plan Forward, a comprehensive initiative to update its 1990 Policy Plan, guiding land use and development decisions. The update aims to integrate current County strategies like One Fairfax and Resilient Fairfax, enhancing residents' quality of life by reflecting modern needs and values.

Residents are invited to engage in the process through community, focus groups, surveys, and ongoing feedback opportunities beginning in May and June. Community input will inform recommendations to update the Policy Plan and consideration of any new policies to enhance the Plan.

For more information, visit here or visit the project website.

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed every year during the month of May, is an opportune time to fight stigma, provide support, increase awareness and remind individuals of the services and resources that exist to support the millions of people impacted by mental health issues.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly one in five people experience a mental health concern each year. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, you are not alone and resources are available.

Help is Available

For urgent mental health-related distress, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 703-527-4077 or 9-8-8, or text “CONNECT” to 855-11.

In a mental health or substance use emergency, help is just a phone call away and walk-in services at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health are available 24/7. Call CSB Emergency Services at 703-573-5679, TTY 711.

Learn more about accessing quality care for children and youth on the Healthy Minds Fairfax website.

Support Groups for Parents & Teens

“Heads Up” and “Talk it Out” are weekly virtual concurrent groups. Heads Up is for teens between the ages of 14-17 who are working through emotional, mental health or substance use challenges. Talk it Out provides support, education and resources to their parents and guardians.

For more information or to get the access code to join the groups, contact Anna Davis (703-383-8404) or David Edelman (703-481-4008).

Promoting Positive Mental Health

Free, confidential online mental health screenings are also offered by the CSB. Completing these anonymous screenings will help determine if recent thoughts or behaviors may be associated with a common, treatable mental health issue.

Events & Webinars

The County offers various mental health events as well as health and wellness webinars for family caregivers of older adults.

For more information on resources and events, visit here.

It’s farmers market season! Clean Fairfax was recently awarded a grant from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Environment Fund to build a plastic-free farmers market toolkit with resources for market managers, vendors, and customers. Let’s face it: single-use plastic bags have no place on farms, where our food is produced - and they do not belong at our farmers markets, either! If you have gotten in the habit of bringing your own bags to the grocery store, their challenge to you is to do the same at the farmers market. Say no to single-use plastic bags. It is time to Think Outside the Bag! 

Clean Fairfax will be present at select farmers markets this summer to promote Plastic-Free July and will be providing some free reusable bags, as well as bringing challenges and prizes for folks who routinely bring their own produce and tote bags, so keep an eye out for them! There are markets in every corner of the County. Find one near you by consulting their Ultimate Northern VA Farmers Market List or our Community Events map. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay in the know about what they're up to. 

Come celebrate summer with the most popular outdoor concert series in the DC area.

Friday Night Live! is a FREE outdoor concert series on the Town Green in Herndon. They feature the most popular local acts from up and down the East Coast. Most of the bands play rock and roll covers from classic to modern rock. All ages are welcome!

Kristen and the Noise will be playing this Friday, May 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 777 Lynn St, Herndon. For more information, visit the Herndon Rocks website.

According to the National Council on Aging, 3 out of 5 older adults who qualify for food assistance (SNAP) are missing out on the benefit. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps you and your family buy food using a special debit card called an EBT Card. The amount of money loaded onto the card depends on your household specifications and income. This card can be used at most grocery stores, certain senior centers, and some meal delivery services.

Learn more and apply for SNAP here.

With vacation season approaching, the Fairfax County Police Department has come up with some tips on how you can keep your home safe and prevent burglaries while you are away.

1. Install security cameras that have recording capabilities.
2. Avoid announcing plans on social media if you are heading out of town.
3. Keep all doors and windows closed and locked, event the door to an attached garage.
4. Store ladders, tools, and any other outside objects in a locked shed or garage.
5. Keep the perimeter of your home well-lit.

For more tips, visit the FCPD webpage.

This month, we honor older adults during national Older Americans Month and we recognize Adult Abuse Prevention Month. We acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older adults and the important role they play in our community. This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is Powered by Connection, highlighting the impact social connections have on our health and overall well-being. We also recognize that vulnerable adults need protection from physical, mental, and financial abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Fairfax County has many resources for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers to help them engage and connect with others, as well as prevent abuse, neglect or exploitation of older adults and incapacitated adults.

Learn more about programs and resources available through the Department of Family Services Adult and Aging Division.

Tonight: McLean District Station Community Engagement Meeting

The McLean District Station Community Advisory Committee holds a monthly Community Engagement Meeting, which is open to all, on the second Thursday of the month. Each month a different organization within the County is featured as well as the ‘State of the Station’ from the Commanders at McLean Station. This month the Department of Emergency Management and Security will provide an overview of their department’s role and responsibilities within Fairfax County, as well as information on personal preparedness using the Community Emergency Response Guide (CERG)

Meeting details:

Thursday, May 9, at 7:00 p.m.

Community Room at McLean Governmental Center

1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean

These Community Engagement Programs are a great opportunity to discuss your issues and concerns with the Commanders of the McLean District Station that are affecting your community. 

Deadline Tonight: Survey on Awareness of Services for Older Adults, Adults with Disabilities and Family Caregivers Closes

Fairfax County Department of Family Services is seeking your input to help increase awareness of services for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers.

Your participation in a survey will help them make improvements in how residents of Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church find resources, programs, and information.

Please share this survey link with your networks, family members, friends, and neighbors.

Fairfax County Department of Family Services - Survey (jotform.com)

Users can select their language from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner of the survey screen. The survey is available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

The survey will remain open through May 9, 2024.

VDOT: 495 NEXT Updates

Lane Closures & Traffic Changes Report for the upcoming week will be posted tomorrow, Friday, at the 495 NEXT Lane Closures webpage. Sign up to get news and updates on 495 NEXT lane closures and project updates, here.

Check out the 495 NEXT interactive map, project background and more information by visiting 495NEXT.org. If you have any questions or concerns about the 495 NEXT project, please feel free to contact the project team at 495NorthernExtension@vdot.virginia.gov or 703-592-6430.

VDOT: Notice to Residents Near Old Dominion Drive & I-495

Pile driving for new bridges planned for May through Mid-June

Pile driving to construct new bridges on Old Dominion Drive over I-495 (Capital Beltway), and on I-495 over Scott's Run (both shown in teal on the adjacent map) is planned to occur May through mid-June 2024

Pile driving involves hammering steel beams into the ground to support the foundation of the future bridges. When active, neighbors will hear hammer strikes every few seconds.

Stay informed by registering for updates at 495NEXT.vdot.virginia.gov.

We are facing three environmental crises: climate change; the insect apocalypse and bird decline. Join the Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District and retired Virginia Department of Forestry Urban Forest Conservationist Jim McGlone to learn how native trees affect these issues what you can do to fight these crises.

Virtual Meeting

Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m.

Microsoft Teams Link

Meeting ID: 293 709 482 408, Passcode: deFN8K

Phone: 571-429-5982, Code: 577 641 095#

No registration is required. If you have questions, please email conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Got a green thumb? Join the Great Falls Garden Club this Saturday for their annual plant sale. You will find a variety of plants that are perfect for your yard, home, or office space. There will also be an array of kid's botanical activities for the whole family to enjoy. The sale will happen rain or shine!

Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon

Great Falls Library

9830 Georgetown Pke, Great Falls

The Fairfax County Circuit Court is opening its first satellite location in Reston, offering select services monthly at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center. Services will be available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month, starting Tuesday, May 14.

Services offered include:

• Marriage license application processing
• Access to certified copies of court records
• Free notary services

For more information on Fairfax Circuit Court and its services please visit Circuit Court | Circuit Court (fairfaxcounty.gov).

Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold two virtual community meetings to share the proposed preferred changes to Fairfax Connector bus service to take effect in December 2024. These modifications, including the addition of two new routes, are part of Phase II of the Centreville, Chantilly, Vienna, and Tysons and Franconia-Springfield service adjustments. The plan aims to align bus service with current ridership demand. FCDOT will also discuss proposed regional fare increases.

Join them at one of the engagement opportunities below to learn more about the changes.

Tuesday, May 14 at 12 p.m.

Microsoft Teams Link

Phone: 571-429-5982, Code: 593514210#

Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m.

Microsoft Teams Link

Phone: 571-429-5982, Code: 517779325#

You can provide feedback in an online survey open now through May 28, 2024. For more information, visit here.

Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 17. There are more than 100 pit stops in DC, MD, and VA for this free event or a fun and healthy way to start your day. The first 16,000 who register and attend at a pit stop receive a free t-shirt. Free giveaways, food, and beverages at participating locations, while supplies last.

Pit Stops in Dranesville:

Herndon Innovation Center

Hosted by Fairfax County Department of Transportation

6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Metro Station South

13747-A Sunrise Valley Dr, Herndon

Herndon at Town Hall Green

Hosted by the Town of Herndon

6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Town Hall Green

Intersection of Lynn and Elden St, Herndon

To kick off McLean Day on Saturday, May 18, the McLean Community Center will be having carnival rides at Lewinsville Park on Friday, May 17. Come enjoy the rides and games on Friday before the festival! Ride tickets sold onsite and online.

Friday, May 17 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Lewinsville Park

1659 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean

Visit the event page for more information.

Need fun? Come to McLean’s biggest annual festival! Great music, gourmet food trucks, games, 100+ exhibitors, sponsors, giveaways, balloon animals, magician, petting zoo, amusements, large and small carnival rides and much more! This event draws approximately 10,000+ patrons throughout the day. Ride tickets sold onsite and in advance online.

Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lewinsville Park

1659 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean

Please Note: Parking is not available at Lewinsville Park on the day of the festival. Patrons can take free Fairfax Connector shuttles from the McLean Metrorail Station and three satellite locations to McLean Day. Free shuttle buses will run from the parking sites to the park starting at 10:25 a.m. and running through 6 p.m.

Satellite Routes are as follows:

• Red - McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101, McLean, VA 22101. Patrons should meet the buses at the church entrance in the parking lot.
• Yellow - McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean VA 22101. Patrons should meet at the main entrance of the Center where signage is indicated.
• Blue – Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1545 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 22101. Patrons should meet the buses at the church entrance in the parking lot.

Patrons can also take Fairfax Connector Route 721 to stop ID 5429 for just $2 each way. All Fairfax Connector Shuttles to McLean Day are air-conditioned, ADA and wheelchair accessible, have low floor ramps or are lift-equipped. They also have two bike racks and allow service animals.

Visit the McLean Day Festival event page for more detail.

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville

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