|
Dear Neighbor,
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week!
| |
|
Take the time to thank a teacher in your life who positively impacted you, or is positively impacting students in Fairfax County.
FCPS teachers go above and beyond to support their students and help them to achieve their dreams.
The Board of Supervisors recently presented Annandale High School Orchestra Director Annie Ray with a resolution after she was named Teacher of the Year at the GRAMMYs earlier this year.
Her dedication to her students, and their families, is inspiring. She is just one example of the many talented and dedicated educators we have here in Fairfax County.
Charge Up Fairfax
| |
|
Accelerating the transition to electric vehicles is key to reaching our goal of being a carbon neutral county by 2050, and we are working to ensure that EV charging is available everywhere in Fairfax.
Community associations in Fairfax County interested in installing electric vehicle charging stations for their residents can now apply for technical assistance and partial reimbursement through the Charge Up Fairfax program.
HOAs, condominiums, clusters, and co-ops who participate in the program receive a site visit and assessment from an engineering firm.
If community associations choose to proceed with the purchase and installation of Level 2 EV charging stations, they’ll hire a contractor to perform the necessary permitting, electrical upgrades, installation of equipment, and final inspection. Once work is complete, associations can receive partial or full reimbursement of expenses.
Up to eight community associations will be accepted into the program during this application period, which runs through June 30. Another application period will open in the fall.
Communities should prepare to apply now by surveying residents, identifying charging locations, and reviewing governing documents and funding options. More details about how to take those steps is included on the Charge Up Fairfax webpage.
Stamp Out Hunger
| |
|
The Letter Carriers of the Burke, West Springfield, and Central Springfield Post Offices are joining ECHO this Saturday, May 11, to “Stamp Out Hunger."
This event will help ensure that neighbors do not go hungry during the summer months! Carriers from these Post Offices will pick up donations of non-perishable foods that residents leave next to their mailboxes early that morning. These donations will then be brought to ECHO to be sorted and shelved to help get through the lean months ahead.
You can see a complete list of most-needed items at ECHO's website.
| |
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:
- GMU Graduation Traffic Impacts
- Braddock Bark
- Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival
- Middle School Start Time Forums
- Chairman McKay's Spring Social
- GMU Wellness Event
- Health Matters: A Spotlight on the Health of Women and Girls in Fairfax County
- Early Voting Happening Now!
- May 29 Meeting to Discuss Braddock Road Traffic Between Herend Place/Red Spruce Road
- Second Community Meeting to Present Findings on Route 29 Corridor Study Scheduled for June 5
- Nominate a Champion of Character!
- Aging in Place Website Updates
- Rechargeable Battery Warning
| |
GMU Graduation Traffic Impacts | |
|
George Mason University will be hosting graduation ceremonies on campus for their students at EagleBank Arena at various times of the day this weekend beginning today until Sunday, May 12.
There will also be ceremonies at the Concert Hall but they are not expected to significantly impact traffic on Braddock Road.
Doors will open up to one hour before ceremonies begin and traffic impacts will vary depending on the day.
Subscribe to Mason Alerts or Fairfax Alerts for up-to-date details on high-impact areas and alternative routes.
High school graduations at Eagle Bank will be held from June 1 - June 18. The Braddock District staff will include that schedule in Advisories closer to the first graduation ceremony date.
| |
|
Supervisor Walkinshaw's 3rd Annual Braddock Bark is next Sunday, May 19, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the McLaren Sargent Pavilion at Lake Accotink Park (5650 Heming Avenue, Springfield) for pet activities, adoption opportunities, local vendors, and more!
Additional info can be found on the Supervisor's Facebook page.
Interested in volunteering at the festival? Read more about the opportunities or sign up today!
| |
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival | |
Middle School Start Time Forums | |
|
FCPS invites the public to be part of the process of exploring options for adjusting middle school start times. Attend a forum to hear about adolescent sleep research from an expert, learn about the ongoing middle school start times study, and participate in small group discussions.
All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Breakout sessions will be held for middle school students to share their voices. Students are encouraged to attend!
Register for a forum by clicking on one of the following dates:
| |
Chairman McKay's Spring Social | |
|
Join Chairman Jeff McKay for a Spring Social on Tuesday, May 14, at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax) from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Celebrate spring with neighbors, music from the Lake Braddock Secondary School Flute Choir and light refreshments!
Registration is required.
| |
|
George Mason University is hosting a free Wellness Event at the Wellness Center for Older Adults (4027B Olley Lane, Fairfax) on Wednesday, May 15, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
In a partnership with the School of Kinesiology and the Department of Social Work, researchers will provide tests of physical function, cognition, social determinants of health, and mood.
Assessments are free and open to people over 55 years of age who can speak and understand English, have corrected to normal vision and hearing, and can walk unassisted with or without an assistive device. Total participation time is about 1 hour.
Researchers will provide the results from your assessments for your primary caregiver, but they are not medical providers and do not offer any treatment. Walk-ins are welcome but registration is encouraged.
Register for the event today!
| |
Health Matters: A Spotlight on the Health of Women and Girls in Fairfax County | |
|
The Fairfax County Commission for Women invites you to join them for a panel discussion on the health and well-being of women and girls in Fairfax County on Friday, May 17, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).
The Commission plans to spotlight some key findings in the recently released report “The Status of Women and Girls in Fairfax County, Virginia.” The Commission hopes to engage with the community and welcomes recommendations that would create positive change in the health of women and girls in Fairfax County.
Learn more on the event page.
| |
Early Voting Happening Now! | |
|
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 three locations until June 15:
-
Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax - Conference Rooms 2/3)
- Weekday hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Saturdays (June 8 and June 15): 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-
Mt. Vernon Governmental Center (2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria)
- Weekday hours: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturdays (June 8 and June 15): 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-
North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston)
- Weekday hours: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturdays (June 8 and June 15): 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
All three of these locations will be closed on Memorial Day
Beginning Saturday, June 8, voters can cast ballots at 13 additional early voting sites, including at Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke) and West Springfield Governmental Center (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield). These locations will be open on weekdays from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays (June 8 and June 15) from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
You can find all the locations, operating hours, and detailed information on Saturday voting on the Office of Elections’ website.
Mail-In Voting
Registered voters may request a mail-in ballot by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, through the Virginia Department of Elections citizens portal. 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 with video surveillance outside the Office of Voter Registration & Elections, or at any polling place during voting hours. Mail-in ballots should be returned by 7:00 p.m. on June 18 or postmarked by June 18.
Voter Registration
The deadline for voter registration is May 28. The easiest way to register to vote or check your registration status is on the Virginia Department of Elections citizens portal.
After the voter registration deadline, same-day registration will be available for voters to cast a provisional ballot at any Fairfax County early voting location for the primaries.
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.
| |
May 29 Meeting to Discuss Braddock Road Traffic Between Herend Place/Red Spruce Road | |
|
Within the past few months, there have been three significant additions to the area near the intersection of Braddock Road and Burke Station Road in Fairfax: The Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV’s) Braddock Road Customer Service Center, Erickson Senior Living’s Woodleigh Chase development, and Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing’s (APAH’s) Ilda’s Overlook development. Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, which also generates significant vehicular traffic, is located directly across the street from Woodleigh Chase and the DMV. Because these entities are located in close proximity, traffic to and from each combines to impact the approximately four-block area of Braddock Road from Red Spruce Road on the west to Herend Place on the east.
Many community residents have contacted our office regarding traffic patterns that are negatively impacting the area, most notably left turns and U-turns. The Braddock District Office has previously spoken with the DMV, Erickson, and APAH about ways to encourage use of the signalized intersection at Braddock Road and Burke Station Road instead of disruptive and dangerous traffic movements.
Supervisor Walkinshaw has scheduled a listening session to allow these organizations to hear directly from the community about what you are seeing and experiencing in this area. Our hope is to facilitate a dialogue in order to consider and implement actions that could improve safety and traffic flow. We have invited representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation, which is responsible for Braddock Road, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, the DMV, Erickson, APAH, and Fairfax Memorial to participate. We have also invited the General Assembly members representing the area, as VDOT and the DMV are state entities.
The virtual meeting will be on Wednesday, May 29, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. We hope that those who are impacted by traffic movements in this area will be able to participate.
- Join the online meeting via Teams
- Join online via the Web
- Meeting ID: 254 809 905 194
- Passcode: 3x3bMj
- Dial in to the meeting: (571) 429-5982
-
Phone Conference ID: 443 560 787#
| |
Second Community Meeting to Present Findings on Route 29 Corridor Study Scheduled for June 5 | |
|
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is conducting a study of the Route 29 corridor, between Buckleys Gate Drive/Summit Drive near the Fairfax County Parkway on the west and Jermantown Road at the line with the City of Fairfax. The purpose of this study is to reassess the long-term needs of the corridor and develop solutions that serve residents and commuters, including pedestrians and cyclists, while taking into consideration impacts on development, the environment, and cost to taxpayers.
As part of the study, an online survey was conducted during February 2024 and the results were presented at a community meeting on March 12. The meeting video and presentation are available on the Route 29 study webpage.
FCDOT will hold a second public meeting on Wednesday, June 5, at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of this virtual meeting will be to summarize feedback from the online survey and first community meeting, and to present potential intersection improvements and modifications that address bicycle and pedestrian comfort and safety, as well as operational efficiencies. If you live near or use this segment of Route 29, you are encouraged to participate in this meeting.
A final report with recommendations to help inform the Fairfax County Comprehensive Transportation Plan is anticipated later this summer.
| |
Nominate a Champion of Character! | |
|
Nominations are open for the 2024 Champions of Character Awards. 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.
Although the awards are presented in the fall, the Athletic Council is reminding folks to submit nominations early. 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 our deserving athletes, coaches, and parents in the Braddock District.
| |
Aging in Place Website Updates | |
|
The Braddock District Council (BDC) has made major improvements to the Senior Outreach/Aging in Place website to make a wealth of materials that have been part of meetings over the past few years available.
Under "RESOURCES" you can now find:
- Recordings of the virtual meetings done via the Zoom platform. Both current year and an archive of those from 2023, 2022 and 2021 are provided.
- Digital documents of presentations and any additional materials provided by the subject matter experts
- NEW – Latest scam and fraud information available to those attendees of the AARP-organized Scam Jam 2024 hosted at Fairfax County Government Center on April 19. This includes publications from AARP, Better Business Bureau, and key federal and Virginia State agencies. Braddock Supervisor Walkinshaw was one of the presenters and the entire meeting is viewable as a recording through links provided.
BDC hopes the above are helpful for you whether you want to catch up on any meetings you missed, to keep yourself re-educated on these topics, or to share these resources with other family or friends
| |
Rechargeable Battery Warning | |
|
Fire officials and waste haulers across the metropolitan Washington region are imploring residents and businesses to adopt safe battery management practices to prevent fire incidents in the home and within waste and recycling centers. Officials gathered recently to raise public awareness on the dangers of improper battery use and disposal, as part of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Battery Management Campaign.
Fire incidents resulting from device overcharging and/or improperly disposed of batteries are on the rise. While the exact causes of fires are not always known, local fire departments have documented several incidents of fires linked to rechargeable batteries. Just two months ago, DC Fire and EMS reported an electric scooter as the source of an apartment fire that left one person in critical condition and dozens of others homeless.
Rechargeable batteries, including Lithium-Ions, pose a particular fire risk when overcharged, overheated, or punctured. This can create dangerous conditions when batteries enter the waste and recycling collection process. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2021 report titled “An Analysis of Lithium-ion Battery Fires in Waste Management and Recycling” found that between 2013 and 2020, 64 waste facilities across the country experienced 245 fires causing injuries, emergency service responses, service disruptions, and monetary loss.
“Batteries are an everyday item for all of us—they power our lives: our phones, watches, electric tools, and other equipment. But when their lifecycle is over, they are simply NOT everyday trash. It’s on all of us to keep each other safe by knowing how to safely use these items, and ensure we dispose of batteries through the proper channels,” said Montgomery County Hazardous Materials Battalion Chief Ivan Browning at a recent event.
Area officials encourage the public to follow these tips to make sure rechargeable and “button cell” batteries are being disposed of properly:
- Do not throw away rechargeable batteries in trash or recycling bins. These batteries can overheat or get punctured, increasing the chances of an explosion or fire.
- Rechargeable batteries NiCd, NiMh, Lithium-Ion, Button, and regular batteries greater than 9 volts must be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill Complex.
- Small “button cell” batteries, commonly found in wristwatches, hearing aids and calculators, must be recycled because they contain silver oxide and mercury. If you have this type of battery replaced by a professional retailer, they will usually recycle the old one for you.
- The safest methods of transporting rechargeable batteries are to place each battery individually into a clear plastic bag or tape the ends with masking tape.
Finally, be mindful of overcharging by unplugging devices once they reach a full charge. Batteries powering e-bikes and e-scooters are powerful—they should never be charged inside the home. Instead, charge these devices in a garage or outside, and away from any flammable materials. With all rechargeable devices, use the charger provided by the device manufacturer and avoid using third-party charging devices or battery packs.
For more information on battery management, visit the County's Public Works website.
| |
Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube | | | | |
