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In the event of inclement weather, call the FCPA concert hotline at (703) 324-SHOW (7469) one hour before a show's scheduled start time for an update.
View FCPA's schedule of Arts in the Parks concerts.
We are seeking volunteers to help make these concerts successful, so if you are interested in volunteering, please email my office.
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Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is next Wednesday, June 19.
The holiday is celebrated on the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were told that they were emancipated. These 250,000 enslaved African Americans were the last to be given freedom by the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been in effect for more than two years.
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) has several events planned to celebrate Juneteenth - including a special commemoration event on Wednesday, June 19, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Sully Historic Site (3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly) and free tours all weekend of the Frying Pan Baptist Meeting House at Frying Pan Park (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon).
You can find more events on FCPA's website or check out Juneteenth educational resources from the Fairfax County Public Libraries.
My office and other County offices will be closed on Wednesday in observance of the holiday. The Fairfax Connector will follow their Holiday Weekday service schedule; read more about the County's operating status.
Monticello Dog Park Shade Structures
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Yesterday I was joined by the Fairfax County Park Authority, Friends of the Monticello Dog Park Group, the Fairfax Tree Stewards, and community members with their pups to celebrate the new shade structures and trees at Monticello Dog Park!
There are so many people to thank who helped see this project through. Jenny Healey first met with me last summer to share the need for shade at the park, and acted as a liaison with the community for feedback and updates throughout the process. Andrea Lewis is my Environmental Staff Aide and handled the logistics, met many times with FCPA and the community, and kept this project on schedule and within budget.
Jeanne Kadet with the Fairfax Tree Stewards and Adam Wynn from FCPA worked with our office to strategize planting trees around the park to provide additional shade while contributing to our County's tree canopy goals. The Tree Stewards planted 10 new trees over Earth Day weekend and we'll be adding more in the Fall.
I'm thrilled that both human and canine visitors to the park will now have some shade to enjoy, especially in light of the heat wave that we are currently experiencing. This was a great community effort and it was a joy to celebrate together yesterday!
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Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw | |
Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Braddock District news and updates. | |
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Continue reading below for more information on:
- Fairfax County's Heat Response Plan
- Graduation Traffic Advisory
- School's Out!
- Car Seat Saturday
- "Where We Belong" Art Contest
- Let's Talk
- Braddock District Council Election
- Monument Garage Opening
- Public Comment Period for FCDOT’S Route 29 Corridor Study Recommendations Open Until June 21
- Early Voting Available Until June 15
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Fairfax County's Heat Response Plan | |
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A heat wave is forecasted for next week and will likely not be the only one this summer.
When the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory, excessive heat watch, or excessive heat warning, the County activates its Extreme Heat Response Plan, which includes the following elements:
- Offering space for residents to cool off in an air conditioned area with water available along with other heat-related supplies.
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Spaces available include all libraries, Rec Centers, community centers, and human services buildings during operating hours.
- Providing messaging through the County’s communications platforms about resources available and preventing heat-related illnesses.
- Sending targeted messages through Fairfax Alerts to unsheltered residents.
- Activating overflow shelter space at the County’s emergency homeless shelters.
- Deploying homeless services outreach staff to check on unsheltered residents and provide them with supplies.
Since last year, the County has doubled the amount of heat supplies and bus passes provided to homeless services providers. These supplies have been distributed and are available at the emergency shelters, consumer wellness/day support sites, and meal sites.
Subscribe to Fairfax Alerts for extreme weather alerts and warnings. The County has made it easier for unsheltered residents to sign up for Fairfax Alerts by texting 'FXOPEH' to 888-777.
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Graduation Traffic Advisory | |
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High school graduation ceremonies at EagleBank Arena continue until Tuesday, June 18.
Doors open up to one hour before ceremonies begin and traffic impacts vary depending on the day.
To help you plan your commute or travel near campus, subscribe to Mason Alerts or Fairfax Alerts for up-to-date details on high-impact areas and alternative routes.
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Fairfax County Public Schools are now on summer break! Below are a few resources to supplement some of FCPS' services.
Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations
This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or social worker by phone or videoconference.
Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.
We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at (703) 503-2520.
Summer Reading Adventure
Youth and adults can join the Fairfax County Public Library's (FCPL) Summer Reading Adventure and earn prizes when they reach their reading goals! You can find out more and sign up on FCPL's website.
Guide to Summer
There are plenty of things to do in Fairfax County this summer. View the County's quick guide to summer.
Using FCPS Facilities
In addition to all the possibilities at County parks and other places to enjoy summer, Fairfax County Public Schools also welcome you to use campus grounds. School blacktops, playgrounds, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, and tracks are available for use by individuals (not organized groups) without being scheduled.
Please keep the following in mind when using these facilities:
- Use is allowed from dawn to dusk, except during school hours or when being used for school activities or other scheduled programs.
- Facilities must be shared with anyone else who wishes to use them.
- Please leave the facilities as you found them. Remove any waste or debris from the property.
- Animals, alcohol, drones, and tobacco products are prohibited on school grounds.
Visit FCPS' availability webpage for more information on the usage of school grounds and facilities.
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Get your child’s car seat inspected on Saturday, June 15, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the West Springfield District Police Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield). No appointment is needed.
Car seats will be inspected on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive, go to the lobby and you will be given further directions. All car seat inspections/installations will be conducted by a certified Child Passenger Safety technician. Be sure to install the child safety seat yourself so the inspection can be performed. If necessary, seats will be properly re-installed and you will be shown how to install the seat properly in the future.
Reach out to MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363 or email anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov if you have questions. Car seat inspections are also available, by appointment, every Tuesday from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Call the station at (703) 644-7377, and press zero to make an appointment for those days
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"Where We Belong" Art Contest | |
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FCPL invites students to celebrate Fairfax's diverse community by showing their creativity and participating in a new art contest, Where We Belong!
The contest is open to Kindergarten - 12th grade students who live or study in Fairfax County. Participants are asked to create artwork in a medium of their choice based off one of the following prompts:
- We all belong in Fairfax County.
- This is my family portrait.
- This is where I am from.
- We celebrate the contributions of our immigrant community members.
Three winners will be selected per age group (K-2nd grade, 3rd-6th grade, and 7th-12th grade) and the winning pieces will displayed in a traveling gallery. Students can submit photos of finished art pieces online by June 15. Winners will be announced on June 21. All submissions will be uploaded to a virtual gallery.
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Did you know the West Springfield District Station covers over 66 square miles, and has over 200,000 community members, 40 public schools, 70 houses of worship, around 110 police officers, and ten different patrol areas?
If you would like to know more about the West Springfield District Police Station, crime prevention, or just have questions, attend the virtual community meeting on Tuesday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Join on Zoom. Contact MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363 with questions.
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Braddock District Council Election | |
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The last Braddock District Council regular business meeting of the 2023-24 operating year will be held on Wednesday, June 19, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Braddock Hall (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke).
On the agenda is the election of board officers for 2024-2025. The official announcement of the election and the slate of candidates have been posted on the Council’s website and sent to the mailing list. For the election to be held, there must be a quorum; all member associations are urged to have a voting representative at this meeting.
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Supervisor Walkinshaw and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is delighted to announce the grand opening of Monument Garage, a pivotal addition to Fairfax County’s infrastructure.
The garage is convenient to the I-66 Express lanes. This state-of-the-art facility features 820 free parking spaces, access to over 20 bus routes, rideshare lines, and secure bike storage.
The Garage is part of Fairfax Connector Services’ project to connect Centreville, Chantilly, and the Vienna Metrorail to Tysons and Franconia. Monument Garage symbolizes the County’s commitment to enhancing commuter experiences, reducing traffic congestion, and fostering sustainable mobility solutions.
There will be a ribbon cutting for the garage on Thursday, June 20, at 3:00 p.m. Parking is available at 12113 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
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Public Comment Period for FCDOT’S Route 29 Corridor Study Recommendations Open Until June 21 | |
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The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) held a second public meeting about the Route 29 corridor on June 5. At this meeting, FCDOT summarized feedback from the first meeting and survey conducted earlier this year and presented recommendations for long-term intersection improvements and modifications. The videos and presentations from both community meetings are available on the Route 29 study website.
FCDOT found that all intersections along this corridor need improvement. Long delays for making left turns topped the list of intersection concerns cited by the community. Short turning lanes at the Shirley Gate Road/Waples Mill Road and Route 29 intersection were called out, as was vehicle-pedestrian conflict at both the Jermantown Road/Rust Road (Walmart) and Lowe’s intersections. To address these, FCDOT has recommended corridor-wide pedestrian/bicycle improvements, including:
- Adding a crosswalk at all legs of intersections, or wherever a segment is missing
- Pulling crosswalks back where feasible to shorten the crossing distance
- Providing a pedestrian push button for all crosswalks
- Providing sufficient time for pedestrians to cross at intersections
- Constructing missing segments of sidewalks/shared-use paths
- Changing lane geometry at several intersections
FCDOT found that making these changes would significantly reduce delays at intersections and improve pedestrian/biking conditions along this segment of Route 29.
A second public survey is now open for the community to provide feedback on proposed improvements. Your responses will help VDOT finalize their recommendations. If you live near or travel through this segment of Route 29, you are encouraged to participate in the survey. It will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21. A final report with recommendations to help inform the Fairfax County Comprehensive Transportation Plan is anticipated later this summer.
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Early Voting Available Until June 15 | |
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Early, in-person voting for the June 18 Dual Primary Election is underway and continues until Saturday, June 15. There are two separate ballots for Democratic and Republican candidates. You can view sample ballots by precinct.
Voting is available at 16 locations throughout the County until Saturday, June 15. Three are in/around the Braddock District:
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Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax - Conference Rooms 2/3)
- Weekday hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 15: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke).
- Weekday hours: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 15: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- West Springfield Governmental Center (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield).
- Weekday hours: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 15: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
You can find all early voting locations, operating hours, and detailed information on Saturday voting on the Office of Elections’ website.
Mail-In Voting
Mail Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before June 18 and received by 12:00 p.m. on June 21.
Voters should follow the mail-in ballot instructions to return completed ballots. There is a choice to return by mail, a secure drop box, or at any polling place during voting hours. Mail-in ballots must be returned by 7:00 p.m. on June 18 or postmarked by June 18.
Voting On Election Day
If you plan to vote on Election Day (Tuesday, June 18), polls are open from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. If you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you will be able to vote.
Voter Registration
Although the regular voter registration deadline has passed, same-day registration is available for voters to cast a provisional ballot at any Fairfax County early voting location for the primaries. The provisional ballot is counted when the voter’s eligibility is confirmed.
Voters who turn 18 by the general election on November 5, 2024, can register to vote in the primary.
For more information on voting, visit the Office of Elections’ website.
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