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Dear Neighbor,

While we have included information and events related to Immigrant Heritage Month in previous issues of the Dranesville Dispatch, I did not want to let June pass without highlighting Immigrant Heritage Month in my letter to you. On June 11, the Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation designating June 2024 as Immigrant Heritage Month.  

While immigrants are an essential and meaningful part of what makes America special, they are an especially important part of Fairfax County. Nearly 30 percent of Fairfax County residents were born in another country (of those, about 53% were born in Asia) and almost 40 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home. This diversity is part of what makes Fairfax such a fantastic place to live and work! It is critical to our education system, our economic competitiveness, our creativity, and our sense of community. Fairfax County is a place where everybody from everywhere should have an opportunity to get ahead! 

On a lighter note, for Immigrant Heritage Month, Celebrate Fairfax, Visit Fairfax and several County offices have a great initiative called Flavors of Fairfax that highlight the various cuisines available in different parts of our County that you can check out long beyond June! Start with the North Region, including Great Falls, McLean and Herndon, and explore the other parts of the County, too! 

You can also read the stories of some of our County staff who bring their experiences from other countries to serve the residents of Fairfax. 

I love living here! Hope to see you at the McLean Independence Day Fireworks at Langley High School this Saturday as we celebrate the 4th of July a little early! 

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

Monument Drive Commuter Garage Opening

Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center

Pleasant Grove Church Open House

Recognizing Spring 2024 State Sports Champions from Langley and McLean High Schools

If you plan on going away for the July 4th Holiday, the Fairfax County Police Department needs your help in preventing burglaries.

Officers from their Crime Prevention Unit have identified some simple tips that can help strengthen the security of your property and deter crime.

• Install security cameras that preferably have recording capabilities.
• If you’re heading out of town, avoid announcing your plans on social media.
• Ensure your residence appears occupied, even when no one is home, by using timers on lights.
• Keep all doors and windows closed and locked.
• Secure sliding glass doors by placing a metal rod or a wooden dowel rod in the track.
• Lock the door to an attached garage.
• Keep the perimeter of your home well-lit.

• Have a trusted neighbor check on your home if you plan to be away.
• Keep landscaping trimmed near entrances and walkways.
• Organize or join a Neighborhood Watch program.
• Keep an inventory of your property.
• Store ladders, tools, and any other outside objects in a locked shed or garage.
• Set a reminder every night before bed to lock your car and home to keep them safe.
• Report suspicious activity to their non-emergency number at (703) 691-2131. If you have an emergency, use 911. 

For ongoing updates, please read the FCPD blog and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Walker Road Safety Assessment – Community Input Sought 

The Virginia Department of Transportation is completing an independent safety assessment of the section of Walker Road (Route 681) from Colvin Run Road (Route 743) to Georgetown Pike (Route 193). The purpose of this assessment is to identify safety issues as well as opportunities for roadway improvements and to develop recommendations based on data driven, proven safety countermeasures. VDOT invites the community to provide input and feedback through this webpage through July 12.  

National Night Out 2024: Community Registration Deadline July 26

It's time to register your community for National Night Out! Help make this a memorable event by connecting with officers of the McLean District Station.

Whether it’s a simple ice cream party or an all-out festival, National Night Out is an opportunity to gather with your neighbors, get better acquainted, and talk about issues of common concern. You also get the chance to:

• Have fun, enjoy food, and create connections in your community
• Meet your Police and Public Safety Team
• Heighten crime prevention awareness
• Send the message that your neighborhood is taking a stand against crime

Complete the form to get registered for the event. If you registered directly with the NNO organization, you still need to register with this form.

Deadline to sign up is July 26. More information on National Night Out 2024 here.

Lightning is one of nature's most powerful and dangerous forces. It is important to spark up your knowledge on ways to stay safe.

Thunder's Booming Warning

If you hear thunder, immediately go inside a building or hard-topped metal vehicle. When thunder roars, go indoors!

The 30-30 Rule

Follow the 30-30 rule to know when you seek shelter and when you can safely return outside after a thunderstorm. After seeing a flash of lightning. start counting, If you hear thunder before you reach 30 seconds, go inside immediately. Once the storm has passed, wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before going back outside.

Shelter from the Storm

The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is inside a large, fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing to provide grounding protection. Once inside, avoid contact with anything that could conduct electricity like wired electronics, metal pipes and concrete walls/floors which may have metal rebar inside.

If you’re caught outside with no shelter, avoid open fields, the tops of hills and bodies of water. Seek a hard-topped metal vehicle or a low-lying area but watch for potential flooding. Be aware of the potential for a lightning strike to create showers of dirt or other debris.

First Aid for Lightning Strike Victims

Lightning strike victims don’t carry an electrical charge, so it is safe to administer medical treatment. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Check for burns and injuries. If the victim is unconscious, perform CPR until help arrives. Use an Automated External Defibrillator if one is available, as cardiac arrest is a common complication.

With proper safety precautions, we can all weather the storm when lightning strikes. Stay alert, follow the 30-30 rule, and find proper shelter.

Summer is heating up! The Fairfax County Park Authority is encouraging individuals to play it safe when they visit their parks and have provided residents ways that they can beat the heat and have some fun at the same time.

Drink plenty of water. Whether or not you may feel thirsty, your body needs hydration to help regulate your body temperature. When you sweat, the water inside your body evaporates into the air and helps cool you down. Drinking plenty of water in the summer heat refreshes your taste buds and replenishes your fluids to keep your internal AC working in tip-top shape.

Protect your skin. Loose-fitting, lightweight and bright-colored clothing are the best ways to protect yourself from the sun and keep cool. Also, don’t underestimate the value of sunscreen (at least SPF 30), hats and sunglasses as means of protecting your skin and eyes from the sun.

Be careful of hot surfaces. Be cautious when sitting or walking on hot surfaces. Remember, sidewalks, roads and playground equipment may be hot, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear; be mindful and check for potentially hot surfaces.

Take a break. Too much fun in the sun can be harmful. Be sure to take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors to give your body a chance to cool down, and try to stay indoors during peak temperatures. Consider a visit to a Park Authority pool or water park during peak temperatures.

Be on the lookout for heat-related illness. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are no joke, and they can affect individuals who are otherwise in good health, as well as those with other risk factors. If you or someone you know experiences the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

• Heat exhaustion symptoms: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting.
• Heat stroke symptoms: high body temperature, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures.

For more information on staying safe during the summer months and extreme heat resources in Fairfax County, visit the Extreme Heat Resources webpage.

Are you in need of additional cooling during the summer? 

The Senior Cool Care Program is a program that helps low-income older citizens in our jurisdiction keep cool during summer months. This program does not provide financial assistance, but it provides additional cooling at home by providing air conditioning units or fans for eligible older adults, age 60 and older. The program runs May 1 through October 31, 2024. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please call the Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948.

The Senior Cool Care Program is a public-private partnership sponsored by Dominion Energy and administered by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services through the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.

The Heath Department is urging parents to get their children up to date on required school immunizations. In a recent episode of the County Conversation podcast, Brian Hochstrasser, the Health Department’s School Health Division assistant director, spoke about the importance of vaccinations and health department's services.

Hochstrasser emphasized that the summer is an ideal time to schedule immunization appointments before the new school year starts in the fall. 

Schools require immunizations for entry into kindergarten, 7th grade, 12th grade and when transferring into Fairfax County public schools. Failure to do so may impact a student’s ability to return to school in the fall. 

The Health Department offers free immunization clinics for County students, those behind on their immunization schedule and newcomers to the country. 

Parents must schedule an appointment at any of the Health Department’s five clinics by calling 703-246-7100. These clinics are located across the county:

• Annandale District Office, 7611 Little River Turnpike, Annandale
• Herndon/Reston District Office, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Suite 100, Reston
• Joseph Willard Health Center, 3750 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax
• Mount Vernon District Office, 8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 233, Alexandria
• Springfield District Office, 8136 Old Keene Mill Road, The Cary Building - Suite A100, Springfield

Listen to the podcast episode and past episodes of "The County Conversation."

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) announces a significant transformation of Fairfax Connector bus service along the I-66 corridor and beyond. Residents and visitors will benefit from expanded park and ride options, increased frequency, streamlined bus service routes, and new bus stop locations designed to make traveling throughout Fairfax County and our region more convenient for everyone. Find routes impacted, new service, and discontinued routes here.

The major transportation network restructuring provides Connector customers with more travel options between Centreville, Chantilly, Vienna, and Tysons (CCVT) by creating transfer points at the new Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage as well Park and Ride locations. Buses at this newly designed Monument Drive hub, adjacent to Fairfax Corner (retail, dining, and entertainment), will run every 5 -to-7 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. There are over 800 free parking spaces for passengers, with EV charging stations (fee) coming soon.

FCDOT has not forgotten our bicycle enthusiasts. With a secure bike room (fee) and available bicycle parking at the new Monument Drive garage, it’s easier than ever to make biking part of your daily commute. Customers can also take their bike with them on Connector by utilizing one of two bike racks on the front of the bus.

For more information on upcoming service changes, visit fairfaxconnector.com. To learn more about these transformations, visit the announcement webpage.

Starting Sunday, June 30, Metro customers will see a slight fare increase, which will help keep fares in line with cost of living adjustments and allows us to keep running our current levels of service.

Most fares are increasing 12.5%. The best way to find the new cost of a trip is by using the Trip Planner and setting the date to after June 30 to calculate your new fare.

Regular Fares

• Metrobus fares will be $2.25. Express bus fares will be $4.80.
• Metrorail fares will range from $2.25 to $6.75 on weekdays depending on distance traveled. 
• Metrorail fares during late night (after 9:30 p.m.) and weekend service will range from $2.25 to $2.50 depending on distance traveled. 
• MetroAccess fares will be capped at $4.50.

Passes and Reduced Fares 

• Reduced fare programs like MetroLift and senior discounts will continue to be 50% off regular fares. 
• Monthly unlimited passes will range from $72 to $216 depending on distance traveled. 
• 1-day unlimited pass will be $13.50 
• 3-day unlimited pass will be $33.75 
• 7-day short-trip unlimited pass will be $40.50 
• 7-day unlimited pass will be $60.75 
• 7-day Regional Bus Only Pass will be $13.50

Master the art of kayaking and paddleboarding this summer with their expertly crafted classes led by top-notch guides. Enjoy the serene Potomac River at Riverbend Park or glide across the tranquil waters at Burke Lake Park, Lake Fairfax Park and Lake Accotink Park. All equipment and materials are provided—just bring your sense of adventure!

Beginners will love their introductory classes, designed to teach the basics and build confidence. For the seasoned paddler, their advanced Kayaking Skills classes offer the chance to refine techniques in open water. Nature lovers can also join a naturalist-led paddle to discover the local flora and fauna at Lake Accotink and Lake Fairfax.

Sign up today!

The Wonder Wagon is putting the pedal to the metal for its Summer Park Activation series. The Park Authority’s new mobile nature center launched its 2024 Summer Activation series on June 19 at Justice Park with a wagonload of guided and fun-filled activities for the community. With 10 additional parks included in the series, they invite you to accelerate your summer experience in a park near you.

• Friday, July 5: Bruin Park, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 17: Mount Vernon Woods Park, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 6: Centre Ridge North Park, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 8: Tyler Park, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 14: South Lakes Drive Park, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Monday, Aug. 19: Clemyjontri Park, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 21: Historic Centreville Park, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 29: Ossian Hall, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 1: Baileys Park, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 5: Loisdale Park, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Wonder Wagon brings nature and stewardship education directly to residents through engaging and free activities. Programs and activities give residents a greater insight into their local environment and how the plants, animals and bugs interact within their ecosystem. The Wonder Wagon offers a variety of interactive activities, including plant exploration, bug catching, animal observation, scavenger hunts and bird watching!

For more information about the Wonder Wagon and a complete calendar of upcoming events, visit the Wonder Wagon website.

The County’s online platform for tracking Reston land use and development trends has been updated with new data and a new name. Formerly known as the Reston Data Visualization project, the interactive, GIS-based platform is now called Reston Snapshots. It provides the public with a transparent view of transportation, land use, urban parks and zoning data in the Reston Transit Station Areas (TSAs) through story maps and interactive maps supported by narrative descriptions, tables, graphs and images.

Learn more and take a look!

It's a small world at The Fairfax County Animal Shelter! Starting today, June 27 through Sunday, June 30, fees are waived for small pets, like rabbits and guinea pigs, at their Michael R. Frey Campus and Lorton Campus. View the available pets online and find your new addition to your family!

Deadline June 28: Teen Police Academy Applications

Considering a career in law enforcement? The Teen Police Academy provides high school students with an opportunity to learn more about the Fairfax County Police Department, understand core police functions, explore careers in law enforcement, and participate in hands-on activities.

You will learn about:

• Patrol
• Crime scene investigations
• Use of force
• Careers in law enforcement
• SWAT
• Police vehicles
• And more… 

Submit your application now! For more information, please call (703) 246-3332 or e-mail CPA@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

Classes will be held July 15-19, 2024:

• Monday through Friday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters (12099 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA)
• Participants are expected to attend all classes
• Application deadline is June 28, 2024

The program is free to all Fairfax County high school-age students (public, private, or home-schooled) entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grades during the 2024-2025 school year. Class size is limited to 30 students. While many students will provide their own transportation, to meet the needs of our large community, transportation can be offered to those who need it on a case-by-case basis. If you require transportation assistance, please email Captain Deanna Weand at deanna.weand@fairfaxcounty.gov when you submit your application.

You may also be interested in the Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement program for high school girls.

Join the McLean Community Center for their annual Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, June 29. Enjoy giveaways, music, food trucks, and of course, a fireworks show! Admission and parking are free.

Saturday, June 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Langley High School

6520 Georgetown Pk, McLean

For more details, visit the MCC events page.

Deadline June 30: Applications for Leadership Fairfax Programs

Leadership Fairfax is now accepting applications for their professional leadership development programs – Leadership Fairfax Institute (LFI) and Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI). The application deadline is Sunday, June 30, 2024, with programs set to commence in September 2024. 

Participants in the Leadership Fairfax Institute will engage in a nine-month program tailored for senior-level leaders across various sectors. This program focuses on strategic community interactions, peer coaching, and innovative leadership development, guided by experienced instructors and certified executive coaches.  

The Emerging Leaders Institute spans ten months and targets the development of specialized skills such as project management, conflict resolution, and public speaking. Participants also receive executive coaching and work on community service projects in partnership with local nonprofits.  

For more information or to apply, please visit www.leadershipfairfax.org/lfi. 

Join the Town of Herndon for a celebration and fireworks display on Thursday, July 4 in Bready Park. There will be live music, bingo and family games, and of course, fireworks! You don't want to miss it.

Thursday, July 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Bready Park

814 Ferndale Ave, Herndon

Visit the event page for more information.

Celebrate Great Falls will be celebrating the 4th of July all day starting at 8 a.m. Morning festivities kick off with the Little Patriots Parade, follow by the Main Parade around the Village Centre. After the parade, head to the Village Green with your kids for food and fun!

Thursday, July 4 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Great Falls Village Centre

776 Walker Rd, Great Falls

For more information, including how to get involved and details, visit the event webpage.

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is a non-profit organization founded to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking in the Washington-metropolitan area. They are best known for their free safe ride service, SoberRide.

On Thursday, July 4, in partnership with Lyft, WRAP will be offering a free ride home (up to $15). This offer will run from 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 4 until 4:00 a.m. Friday, July 5. 

For updates, check the SoberRide webpage.

July 10: Linway Terrace Traffic Calming Proposal Community Meeting

The Linway Terrace Traffic Calming Task Force will host a meeting to discuss the

proposed placement of three speed humps and one raised crosswalk.

The purpose of this meeting is to explain the proposal, receive feedback, and answer

any questions or concerns that citizens may have. Representatives of the Dranesville

District Supervisor’s Office and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation will

attend and answer any questions.

Wednesday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Chesterbrook Elementary School Cafeteria

1753 Kirby Rd, McLean

If you are unable to attend but have comments, please email DranesvilleBOS@gmail.com.

As part of the Fairfax County Park Authority's Summer Entertainment Series, musical concerts will be held at Arrowbrook Park every Saturday night starting July 13 until August 31. This summer’s schedule includes a diverse lineup of performances from classical to bluegrass and everything in between, as well as children’s performances, music and dance from around the world and drive-in movies.

Saturday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Arrowbrook Centre Park

2351 Field Point Rd, Herndon

For more locations and concerts, visit the Summer Entertainment Series website.

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.

Public Hours

VDOT and its 495 NEXT project partners will hold drop-in public hours this summer to provide the public opportunities to interact with project staff individually to learn more and ask questions about the 495 NEXT project. These sessions will be held at the McLean Governmental Center’s Community Room and no appointment is necessary. A virtual option will be available as well. Please visit the project’s website to access the links. 

2024 Public Hours Dates and Times:

• Thursday, July 18 | 4-6 p.m.
• Thursday, July 25 | 1-3 p.m.
• Thursday, August 15 | 4-6 p.m.
• Thursday, August 22 | 1-3 p.m.
• Thursday, September 19 | 4-6 p.m.
• Thursday, September 26 | 1-3 p.m. 

Email 495NorthernExtension@vdot.virginia.gov or call 703-691-6715 with any questions.

Applications Invited for Transurban's 495 NEXT Community Grant Program

Groups dedicated to improving communities along the 495 NEXT corridor are invited to submit applications for Transurban's 495 NEXT Community Grant program. Transurban, the developer and operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, is seeking opportunities to respond to the needs of local organizations and direct impact neighborhoods located within the 495 NEXT Express Lanes corridor in the following categories:

• Environment – projects that enhance or protect the environment.
• Community – projects that support health, economic development or well-being.
• Safety – projects that support safety initiatives.

The next deadline to apply for a community grant is June 30, 2024. 

Click here to learn more about Transurban’s Express Lanes Community Grant programs and how to apply.

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville

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