8.8.24

Dear Neighbor,

Tuesday was 2024 National Night Out, a nationwide event to build partnerships between public safety agencies and the communities they serve. Fairfax County is the safest jurisdiction of our size in the nation because of the strong relationships between our Police Department and our neighborhoods. The 159 National Night Out events across the county this year were a strong demonstration of those relationships.

 

Alongside Captain Crawford from the West Springfield Police Station, I joined the Waples Mill Mobile Home Community, University Square, Middleridge, Olde Forge/Surrey Square, Long Branch, North Springfield, Hollow Oak Court, and Oakland Park Drive neighborhoods.


If I didn’t make it to your neighborhood’s event this year, I hope to be there next year!

Farmer's Markets


August 4-10 is National Farmers Market Week! The Braddock District has two markets, Wakefield Park (8100 Braddock Road) and Burke (5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke).


Fairfax Farmers Markets are abundant sources of food, connection, and entrepreneurship in our communities, but they don’t happen on their own. Behind the scenes of every successful farmer's market in Fairfax is the Fairfax County Park Authority and a group of dedicated volunteers, making the market thrive for the vendors and residents.


Select farmer's markets in Fairfax County offer a Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) matching program to eligible shoppers. Customers can charge their EBT cards at the SNAP Information Table and receive double the amount to purchase extra fruits and vegetables. Fairfax County has SNAP programs at five of its farmers market locations, including Wakefield Park. Volunteers run the SNAP booths where customers swipe their EBT cards to redeem tokens to spend at the market. More information on redeeming SNAP at the participating markets, including flyers in several languages, is available on FCPA’s website.


FCPA has brought composting to all Farmers Market locations in the County! You can drop off food scraps for composting during market hours.


View the full list of vendors for the Burke and Wakefield markets or check out all of Fairfax’s Farmers Markets locations.

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VA-TF 1 Deployed

On Monday night, Fairfax County's Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF 1) deployed a 45-person team to South Carolina to assist with recovery efforts for Tropical Storm Debby.


At the time of writing, VA-TF 1 has touched down in North Charleston, SC, been briefed, held a press conference instructing residents on safety measures, prepared equipment, and surveyed key points with elected officials to prepare for emergencies that could arise in the area upon landfall.


The team will remain in the South Carolina area at the request of FEMA. Fairfax County is proud that VA-TF 1 can assist our neighbors to the south and we are looking forward to their safe return home. 


You can follow the team's journey on their Facebook page.

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8/9 Braddock Nights at Lake Accotink Park: The NOVA Brass Ensemble

Formed in 1997, its members come from the brass section of the NOVA Symphony Orchestra, the Reunion Music Society Jazz Orchestra, and additional musicians. The ensemble performs a wide and diverse repertoire, covering a range of sixteenth-century music and the latest Broadway show tunes.

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8/9 Braddock Nights at Royal Lake Park: Cumbia Heights

Cumbia Heights is a DC based alt-tropical Latinx music group that’s been playing cumbia, psicodélica, rock and anything else that comes to mind through original and classic Latinx music.

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8/10 Arts in the Parks: The Great Zucchini

The wonder of magic, silliness of comedy, and interactive nature of The Great Zucchini's show keeps children on the edge of their seats. Watch how animated and excited the children get when they yell "Wake up Zucchini," when he accidentally falls asleep during the show or when his puppet, Ruffles the Rabbit, keeps coming out of the hat without The Great Zucchini noticing.

Yours in service,

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.

Continue reading below for more information on:

  • Storm Resources
  • Wakefield Tennis and Pickleball Public Comment Ends Tonight
  • Braddock Summer Entertainment Series
  • Animal Shelter Updates
  • Juice Box with a Cop
  • Apply for FMAP Funding
  • Celebrate Lake Accotink
  • Champions of Character Nomination Deadline Extended

Storm Resources

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The National Weather Service is forecasting Tropical Storm Debby to impact Fairfax County throughout the weekend. Here are resources for the expected storms:


Report Power Outages


Report Other Utility Problems:

  • Verizon: Website | 1-800-837-4966
  • Cox: Website | (703) 378-8422 or text 54512
  • Comcast/Xfinity: Website | (800) 934-6489
  • Washington Gas Emergency: Website | (844) 927-4427, select option 1, TTY 711 or (800) 735-2258
  • Columbia Gas: Website | (800) 544-5606, TTY (800) 231-3238
  • Fairfax Water: Website | (703) 698-5600
  • After Hours Emergency: (703) 698-5613

Wakefield Tennis and Pickleball Public Comment Ends Tonight

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The Fairfax County Park Authority held a virtual community meeting last month to present a proposal to better accommodate both pickleball and tennis players at Wakefield Park, as well as receive comments and questions from the community. 


The 30-day public comment period end at midnight tonight, August 8. Members of the community can submit comments online through the comment form which is hosted on the project website. You can view the presentation from the July meeting and a recording on YouTube.


Wakefield Park is home to nine tennis courts, two dual-use courts (two tennis courts or four pickleball courts), and two dedicated pickleball courts. The Fairfax County Park Authority reports that, over time, the use of the dual-use courts has trended strongly towards pickleball and created fewer tennis opportunities.

Braddock Summer

Entertainment Series

The 2024 Braddock Summer Entertainment Series has been a huge success!


There are are only two Arts in the Parks children's shows remaining on Saturdays from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. at Wakefield Park in front of the Audrey Moore Rec Center (8100 Braddock Road, Annandale).


Braddock Nights evening concerts are on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at Royal Lake Park (5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax) and Lake Accotink Park (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield) and will continue throughout the summer.


For information about weather cancellations, you can call the hotline at (703) 324-7469 (SHOW) one hour prior to the scheduled start time of a show for an update.


If attending a show, please be mindful of the surrounding neighborhoods and residents. Section 82-5-1 (a) (2) of the Code of Fairfax County prohibits parking within 10 feet of driveways.

Animal Shelter Updates

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Reduced Fee Vaccine and Microchip Clinics

As part of Fairfax County Animal Shelter's Pet Resource Center, Fairfax County residents have the opportunity to have their pet vaccinated and microchipped without the cost of a veterinary exam.


All clinics are first-come first-served and are cash only. Clinics are held at either the Michael R. Frey or Lorton Campus.


The Animal Shelter will host their next clinic on Friday, August 9, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton). For more information on upcoming dates or for more details, visit the Animal Shelter's website.

Lost and Found Pets

Have you recently lost your pet in the Braddock District? The Fairfax County Animal Shelter might have them!


If you have information about any of these animals in the photo or if they are your lost pet, check out the Animal Shelter's Lost and Found Pets page, call (703) 324-0299, or email the Shelter.


Found pets may be located at either the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton) or Michael R. Frey Campus (4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax); please call or email to confirm the pet's current location.


Do you need help keeping your pet? Is this your pet, but you can no longer care for them? Are you concerned about fees or need assistance finding a new home for them? Please reach out to the Animal Shelter at (703) 324-0299 or check out their Pet Resource Center. They are ready to help!

Juice Box With A Cop

The commanders and officers of the FCPD West Springfield District Station will host “Juice Box with a Cop” on Saturday, August 10, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the West Springfield District Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield). There will be free car seat inspections and a visit from McGruff the Crime Dog. 


During this event, FCPD will be supporting their area partner, Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO), with collecting school supplies for those who need them. You can also help by donating an item in new condition:

  • High School Backpacks (17 to 19 inches)
  • #2 Yellow Pencils (Ticonderoga Brand preferred)
  • Elmers Brand Glue Stick regular size
  • Wide Rule ONLY Composition books
  • College Rule ONLY Spiral notebooks
  • 2-inch Binders
  • Plastic Pencil Boxes
  • College Rule ONLY Loose-leaf paper
  • Paper folders with pockets
  • Crayola Brand Colored Pencils 12 pack
  • Crayola Brand Broad Markers
  • Crayola Brand Crayons 24 pack
  • Blunt scissors
  • DRY ERASE Broad tip Markers
  • Primary Writing paper pads
  • Small packs Construction paper

If you have any questions before the event, contact Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363 or Anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Apply for FMAP Funding

County residents, property owners, common interest communities (CIC) and places of worship may now be eligible for financial assistance with their floodproofing and mitigation efforts through the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP).


The program took effect on July 1, through a partnership between the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD). Due to climate change, the county can expect an increase in heavy rainfall events that surpass the capacity of the stormwater management system, which will lead to more flooding. FMAP will be an invaluable resource to many who need assistance to protect their property.


Those who meet eligibility requirements may be reimbursed for 50% of the purchase and installation costs of approved flood reduction practices, up to $5,000 per property. Commercial properties are ineligible for the grant, as are residential properties in the towns of Vienna and Herndon.


Read more about the program on DPWES' website.

Celebrate Lake Accotink

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Come with friends and family to Celebrate Lake Accotink with the Fairfax County Park Authority and Friends of Lake Accotink Park, on Saturday, August 24, from 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., at Lake Accotink Park (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield.)


There will be a variety of free entertainment activities to enjoy, including:

  • Boat Rentals
  • Carousel
  • Mini Golf
  • Face Painting
  • History Activity Pavilion
  • Nature Activities
  • Pollinator Garden Tours


For more information, visit the County's website or call (703) 569-3464.

Champions of Character Nomination Deadline Extended

The nomination deadline for the 2024 Champions of Character Awards has been extended to September 15, submit your nominations today!


This program honors youth, coaches, and parents for extraordinary service in pursuing victory with honor on and off the field of competition. Instituted by the Fairfax County Athletic Council, the program aims to support the tradition of amateur athletics in cultivating teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship, and community service. Awards are presented to a female athlete, male athlete, coach, and parent in each Supervisory District.

 

If you know youth, coaches, or parents who have demonstrated extraordinary service in the athletic community while modeling the basic traits of good character, nominate them today. Don’t forget those individuals from the fall or winter seasons who stood out for their dedication and sportsmanship.

 

Complete the nomination form today to recognize deserving athletes, coaches, and parents in the Braddock District.

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