This month we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans. Based on the recent Census data, Hispanics/Latinx make up more than 17% of the fabric of our nation and accounts for more than half of the country's population growth. Here in Mount Vernon 13.5% of residents speak Spanish at home. We recognize and celebrate these communities that continue to make diverse contributions to the cultural, educational, economic and political viability of our country and county.

This week we celebrated our 2021 Fairfax County Lords and Ladies. The Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards Program honors two volunteer leaders from each Magisterial District for their outstanding volunteer service in their home districts or for an act of heroism. This year’s Lady Fairfax is Lisa Sales. Lisa is a trailblazer in women’s equity, domestic and sexual violence prevention and victim support, and racial equality. Her advocacy efforts include the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia, representing the Mount Vernon District on the Women’s Commission and the addition of a domestic violence shelter in South County. Keary Kincannon is this year’s Lord Fairfax. Keary founded Rising Hope Mission Church and was a founding pastor of VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) a broad-based, multi-racial, multi-faith, multi-issue, non-partisan citizens' organization dedicated to social justice issues of low/middle-income residents. After 26 years of ministering, Keary is officially retiring, but he has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many residents and he will remain an active leader in our community. Read more about Lisa and Keary…

We continue to get good news on the COVID front, while we still need to be vigilant and get the vaccine. Here in Fairfax Health District, 81% of residents 18 and older have received at least one dose. Now Pfizer booster shots are readily available for those who qualify.

Early voting is already happening throughout the County, including at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, click here for dates and times. I know there is still much confusion about what sites are open on different days and times, so I strongly encourage you to check the website link before you leave home. I also encourage everyone to get out and vote! Election day is Tuesday, November 2.

Join me for our annual community bike ride on Saturday October 23, at 8:30 a.m., starting and ending at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House. The Tour de Mount Vernon brings cyclists on a fun ride through the northern and central portions of the Mount Vernon District including a scenic route through Fort Belvoir. The route will consist of paved roads, paved trails and will have several challenging sections. Ride monitors and Fairfax County Police will be on hand to help with directions and keep everyone safe.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Ribbon Cutting for the new Teen and Senior Centers at Original Mount Vernon High School (OMVHS) on Wednesday, September 22. Over 100 teens, seniors and those in between joined us for the celebration, remarks and a tour of the new facilities. The combined centers serve as a multigenerational facility to accommodate clients of diverse ages and abilities. If you missed it, watch the Channel 16 video...

Did you miss the September 25 meeting? Watch the video to learn more!

At the Board’s Land Use Policy Committee meeting on September 28, we received a presentation about the upcoming proposed changes to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. What does this mean?

Some properties will be mapped into the floodplain; some properties are already in the floodplain and will remain there; and some properties will be mapped out of the floodplain. County staff are in the process of generating notification letters and maps to all property owners that are affected by this change, including the properties that will be newly mapped in, as well as the ones that will be mapped out. The notifications are expected to be mailed in early October 2021.

You can view the preliminary maps online through the FEMA Map Service Center and FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer.

At the Board’s Land Use Policy Committee meeting on September 28, we received a presentation on a new proposed framework for inclusive community engagement, presented by Lloyd Tucker, director of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) and the Chief Equity Officer, Karla Bruce. I definitely support the effort for more inclusive community engagement. It is a vitally important strategy for continued engagement with communities along the Richmond Highway Corridor as the EMBARK Plan develops, and key in ensuring that no one is left behind. I especially want to emphasize the importance of improving language access support. Every department should have bilingual engagement/outreach staff/resources that can support interpretation at ALL community engagement events. Learn more and access the materials...

The National Park Service (NPS) has begun making roadway safety improvements to the southern portion of the GW Parkway. Improvements include restriping the roadway between the City of Alexandria and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. In addition, the NPS will implement a “road diet” (updating the markings so now there will be two northbound, one southbound and one turn lane) between Stratford Lane and Tulane Drive. These updates are based on the recent safety study and are expected to improve safety along the roadway. Read more...

Roadway improvements are happening on West Grove Boulevard and Rollins Drive at the Fort Hunt Road intersection. The sign crews have repositioned the stop signs and cleared vegetation that had obstructed visibility.

VDOT is adding new 4" white lines (skip lines) along the sides of the roads at the intersection to create the illusion of a smaller roadway. This has been shown to create a visual cue which prompts drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. This new striping will also happen during the repaving project for Fort Hunt Road.

In addition, VDOT will be increasing the size of the stop signs on Westgrove to 36” and installing “Stop Ahead” signs on Westgrove Boulevard and Rollins Drive. Lastly, “cross traffic does not stop” signs will be added under these new larger stop signs.

National Faith and Blue Weekend is a powerful initiative that builds bridges to more engaged communities. At the heart of this initiative is the reinforcement of connections between law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve through the reach of the houses of worship. There is no resource that can match the depth of the faith community in facilitating productive engagement with law enforcement, which is needed now more than ever.

You and your families are invited to support Faith and Blue Weekend at two events this weekend. Join officers of the Mount Vernon District Police District Station on Friday, October 8, from 10 a.m. - 12 noon in the front lobby for a “Faith & Blue Morning Coffee”. Coffee will be provided. Please RSVP to ensure there is enough for everyone, and the officers look forward to seeing you there! Questions? Email Marvin Goodley.

On Saturday, October 9, our Fairfax County Police and Sherriff’s Department will be at Saint Bernadette Church from 9 a.m. -12 noon. Static Displays, Motor Squad and Marine Patrol units, as well as patrol vehicles will be displayed. Sheriff's Deputies and volunteer Reserve Deputies will be on site to offer child id services. Saint Bernadette Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22152. For additional information please contact Rick Caporali, or visit.

For information on Fairfax County Police Department case follow ups, road closures, weekly crime recaps, most recent arrests, and more, visit www.fcpdnews.wordpress.com.

Energy Efficiency Day presents an opportunity to focus on the many benefits of taking action to save energy. Many energy and climate experts use the phrase “efficiency first” when talking about ways to make a real difference, and for good reason. Energy efficiency is fundamental to our clean energy future and is critically important to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Efficiency measures are often inexpensive, quick, and easy to implement. Everyone can embrace energy efficiency. What’s more, becoming more energy efficient can reduce utility costs for residents and businesses. When we use energy wisely, we can cut back on our overall consumption and lower our monthly bills. In fact, reducing energy waste saves U.S. consumers billions of dollars on their utility bills every year, up to $500 per household from appliance efficiency standards alone. Learn more...

Five board members of the American Horticultural Society (AHS) who backed the sale of historic River Farm, including the board chair, have resigned, they announced Thursday. Their departure from the evenly split governing body leaves only members who have opposed selling the Potomac River property that once formed part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. AHS Board Chair Terry Hayes and the other departing members said in a statement that they were resigning “to allow for the institution to forge a new path forward.” Read more in the Washington Post...

While it has been a challenging COVID year, and an eventful one in Mount Vernon and Lorton, we have come together as friends and neighbors to protect and support each other. Thank you to everyone who has gotten their vaccine – over 80% of Fairfax residents over the age of 18 are vaccinated! If you are not, please consider doing so as soon as possible. Read more about this year in the annual Connection Newcomer Guide:

For the last three years, 4th grader Sydney Harris has made a commitment to helping feed kids and families in our community. Syd holds an annual lemonade stand to raise funds for LCAC’s Fall for LCAC event. Since 2019, Syd has raised over $3,300 for LCAC to purchase meat, fresh produce and other needs for our neighbors. Thanks Syd for your outstanding commitment to our community!

Gina Lynch, Chairwoman for Fairfax County Animal Services Advisory Commission (ASAC) and Mount Vernon representative, was recognized by the Virginial Animal Control Association (VACA) with the Presidents Award! This award is presented to a community member who has made a difference in the community by assisting animal control on a local level. Supervisors in the Animal Protection Police (APP) felt that not only her 20 plus years of dedicated service to ASAC was worthy of a nomination, but also her relentless pursuit for justice in criminal cases against those who abuse animals. Last year she met with Mr. Descano on several occasions and was able to convince him that animal abuse and cruelty cases needed to be prosecuted in Fairfax County. Thank you for your service to animals and their humans in our community, Gina!

The Mount Vernon Governmental Center is not a voting location on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2. Please report this day to your regular voting precinct location. COVID protocols at all voting locations will be the current County Health Guidelines. Masks are currently required. Read more...

New County iPhone and Android apps are now available for you to download and have County information even closer to your fingertips. This latest version of the County app includes push notifications that you can opt in to receive about topics such as:

The in-app notifications do not replace current methods to be notified about important information, but offer yet another way you can stay connected with your County government. Learn more...

Library staff and Friends of Sherwood Library invite the Mount Vernon community to join us on Saturday, October 16, 2021, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. We will have events inside the library during that time and outside in the library parking lot. Inside the library we invite people to participate in a scavenger hunt, learn about the history of the library, participate in papermaking or a children's craft (while supplies last) and explore our STEM-focused Tech Lab. Outside the library we will be hosting a children's performer, Groovy Nate at 11 a.m., our very own Mount Vernon High School Varsity Singers Choir at 1 p.m. and a Mariachi Band (Mariachi Aguila DC) at 2 p.m.

Additional parking will be available adjacent to the library and in the Whitman Middle School parking lot. Please plan to bring your friends and family to help celebrate this great milestone in the Mount Vernon community!

I was honored to attend Walt Whitman's 60th anniversary Celebration last week. During the ceremony, T.A. Simmons, Former Creative Writing Teacher 1998-2008, read a poem of her own composition that I am pleased to share with you!

Sixty years, six decades… a structure of hexagonal strength.

Built like bees creating a honeycomb, extending to extra lengths.

Whitman mirrored the honeycomb, as it prepared for young minds,

Creating vessels of possibilities that were intricately designed.

Dementia Friends gives people an understanding of dementia and the small things you can do that make a difference. One-hour virtual Dementia Friends Information Sessions are being offered by Dementia Friendly Fairfax on the 1st Friday of each month at 1 p.m. and 3rd Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Lean more and register....

You are invited to nominate a Chamber business for a 2021 The Best in Business Excellence award. Businesses will be recognized at the annual Holiday Biz Awards on Friday, December 10, at Mount Vernon Country Club. Awards will be made in multiple categories. When making a nomination, think of businesses giving extra community service during Covid-19; businesses with a great reputation for customer service or quality products. Nominate people and businesses who make a difference in our community! Nominations must be received by October 10. Learn more...

This past year, more than ever, it has been the arts that have sustained, entertained, and helped heal us through many different challenges. The arts show how we live and more importantly, how we thrive. ArtsFairfax invites the community to celebrate 10 years of recognizing local arts visionaries during their Arts Awards on October 15. Join the celebration honoring the National Museum of U.S. Army, 1st Stage, Traveling Players Ensemble, Reston Community Town Center, and artist Kelli Schollard-Sincock, at the new Capital One Center. Learn more...

Fairfax County Public Library changes, updates and innovates offerings and services to bring its free resources within reach for all community members. Learn more...

Mount Vernon Genealogical Society (MVGS) announces Annual Conference. Putting off writing your memoir because you don’t know where to begin? Or, have you unearthed fascinating stories about your ancestors you want to share? The MVGS offers guidance on where to begin telling your story and the stories of your families at its Annual Conference, Saturday, October 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more...

Join Water Keepers of Little Hunting Creek on Saturday, October 16 at 1 p.m. for a day of fun, food, give-a-ways and music! Meet us at Creekside Village Community Center (7941 Janna Lee Avenue) to talk to organizations about how they can support you in making your community better! Learn more...

First, Elsa the cat is still looking for her forever home. Read more about Elsa.

Meet Simba aka Joanakie! Simba is a super happy, playful, funny-eared Terrier, American Staffordshire Mix! He arrived to the shelter as a stray, and the best guess is that he was abandoned by his owner; he was found just running around an apartment complex. So, safe to say he likes cardio! He's been suuuuper nice while in shelter care!! He sits nicely while waiting to be leashed up to go outside, gets adorably nervous when he first hears the outside noises, and he LOVES getting attention! Read more about Simba, other available pets and steps to adoption.

Food Lion, 7760 Gunston Plaza, Lorton

Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Businesses and community event organizers can request to host a vaccination team to provide COVID-19 vaccines or education/outreach services so that people can learn more about the vaccines. Requests will be reviewed and matched with an outreach or nursing team from the Fairfax County Health Department. Contact the Health Department at 703-267-3511.

Masks are one of the best ways our community can help to fight the spread of COVID-19, especially kids who are not eligible for vaccinations yet. Since the start of the pandemic, we have collected and distributed more than 80,000 masks to Fairfax County residents to help stop the spread.

This time, we are asking for your help to collect kids’ masks! Our goal is to collect 10,000 masks in October for our younger residents (toddler and youth) who are not vaccinated. The biggest need right now is small masks for toddlers and youth size masks for school-aged kids. We have requests from our non-profits that we cannot fill because we don’t have enough masks. You can help by donating either homemade face coverings or store-bought masks. All masks must be new and unused.

Fairfax County is currently accepting donations at all local police stations. By Monday, October 4, there will be a donation bin in each district station specifically for collecting masks.

The Zoning Ordinance prohibits parking on the grass on some residential lots. In the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 zoning Districts, on lots that are 36,000 square feet or less in size and developed with a single family detached dwelling, vehicles in the front yard must be parked on the driveway or other surfaced area, which includes asphalt, poured or precast concrete, brick, stone, gravel, or any other impervious surface, or grasscrete or other similar pervious surface. However, there is an exception that allows temporary parking on a unsurfaced area in the front yard for a period not to exceed 48 hours for loading, unloading, cleaning, or repair of vehicles or trailers.

MV District Office: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Help serve your community by serving on a Fairfax County Board, Authority or Commission (BAC). Please ask your friends, neighbors and community members if they are willing to help serve Fairfax County.

To grant recognition for accomplishment of outstanding worth in advancing and improving public service in County by merit system employees.

Advises the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the needs, concerns and aspirations of limited-income persons; and recommends policies that promote meaningful change.

To promote the full equality of women and girls in Fairfax County.

The board shall preserve and prevent the despoliation and destruction of wetlands within its jurisdiction while accommodating necessary economic development in a manner consistent with wetlands preservation. The objectives and procedures of the Fairfax County Wetlands Board (the Board or the Wetlands Board) are those set forth in Title 28.2, Chapter 13 of the Code of Virginia, (Virginia State Wetlands Act) and in Chapter 116 of the Code of Fairfax County (Wetlands Zoning Ordinance).

There are several At-Large positions available as of August 2021 on County BACs.

Volunteering on these committees increases citizen participation in our District. If you are interested in serving on a county board, authority, commission, or committee (BAC), please provide a current résumé to Carmen Alfaro-Morawski. For more information, please download the brochure for a brief guide to BACs, or learn more on the County website. You can also check out the County's Volunteer Management System for information on these and other volunteer opportunities near you.