May 15, 2024

Neighbors,

As the new chair of the Board of Supervisors' Older Adults Committee, I am now focusing more on our community as a healthy, affordable and inclusive place for our seniors.

Our community is growing older, just like the rest of our country and commonwealth. In Fairfax County, people aged 65 and older make up 15% of our population today — and this will grow to almost 18% by 2030. Every day about 10,000 people turn age 65 in the U.S. as the “silver tsunami” begins to crest.

This is why the Board adopted a plan last year that aims to enhance the quality of life for seniors and ensure they receive the support they need to thrive. It’s called SHAPE, an acronym for the plan’s five areas of focus, such as services for older adults and family caregivers.

To create this plan, the county surveyed older adults, and the results include some good news. Of those who answered the survey, 92% said the county is an excellent place to live, and 64% said they’d recommend that older adults live here.

However, it also highlighted areas of concern, including affordable housing, getting information about services, accessing health care, and finding culturally competent providers.

Many people also reported being unaware of our older adult services and activities — although those who did know about them rated them very highly.

The SHAPE plan focuses on addressing the concerns that were identified, and yesterday, the board received an update on the plan’s progress. Watch the presentation here.

I encourage you to learn more about this plan and more importantly, our many valuable services and programs for older adults. You can find them online or call the county’s Aging, Disability & Caregivers Resource line at 703-324-7948, TTY 711.

Regards,

Walter

Switching to solar can be a snap. Fairfax County is teaming up with two nonprofits to help you go solar at your home at a lower price: Solarize Virginia and Capital Area Solar Switch. Through both of these programs, you’ll get a free assessment to find out if solar is right for your house, get guaranteed price discounts, and connect with a vetted solar installation company with no obligation to buy. A 30% federal tax credit can help reduce costs even further. Both programs are only available for a limited time. Learn more.

Congratulations to Dr. Eric Goplerud and Food For Neighbors who were honored with Volunteer Fairfax Service Awards for their outstanding contributions. Eric was honored for his commitment to environmental sustainability and equity.

Food for Neighbors was awarded Volunteer Program of the Year, recently collecting over 25,000 pounds of food for students. I was honored to be there with Dannielle LaRosa, Anne O'Flaherty-Pharr and Renee Maxwell (left to right in photo below.)

Photo credit: Marion Ed

Reston Parkway Trail Near Halley Rise Temporarily Closed

The pedestrian and biking trail along Reston Parkway between Hopper Street and Sunrise Valley Drive is now closed for about four months. The temporary closure is for utility and road work related to the construction of the Halley Rise development. Walkers and bikers can take a detour around the back of this development (see map below).

Wiehle Avenue Meeting May 23 at 7 p.m.

Offer your feedback on three proposed concepts to transform Wiehle Avenue between Sunrise Valley Drive and Sunset Hills Road from a high-speed thoroughfare to a boulevard safe for travel by foot, bike and car. Created based on community input at the community meeting held last November, the concepts under discussion include lane reductions, wider sidewalks and landscaped buffers, dedicated bicycle facilities and roundabouts. Attend the meeting on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at Langston Hughes Middle School lecture hall, 11401 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. Meeting details.

May Land Use Committee Meetings Canceled

The Reston Planning and Zoning and Hunter Mill Land Use Committee meetings for May have been cancelled. Neither committee has applications to review or any other agenda items. For more information email Mark Goldberg-Foss or call 703-478-5123.

Big Screen on the Green returns this Friday, May 17 with the movie Back to the Future. Enjoy free water and popcorn while supplies last. Food trucks, kids activities, and information on town services will be available from 6:30 p.m. until the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Learn more.

Tephra ICA Arts Festival May 18-19

Now in its 33rd year, the Tephra ICA Arts Festival is this Saturday and Sunday at Reston Town Center. Over 200 contemporary artists and artisans will present original handmade artwork. Enjoy guided tours, demonstrations, food, live concerts and family friendly art activities. Festival information.

BrewWorks Festival May 18

It's not in Hunter Mill District, but treat yourself to local craft beers and cider, food and music at BrewWorks this Saturday, May 18, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. Eight local artists will also “battle” on competing easels during the festival. Buy tickets.

Holistic Health Fair May 19

I’ll be making brief remarks at the OmBaked Holistic Health Fair this Sunday, May 19 at Lake Anne Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event’s profits will be donated to local conservation nonprofit Earth Sangha. Learn more.