We are very excited, after two years of pandemic challenges, to be back in-person at Mount Vernon High School with the 35th Annual Town Meeting, with virtual options as in past years! Of course, we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation, taking all CDC recommended safeguards, and will adjust our format as needed.

Join us on February 12 from 7:45 a.m. – noon to engage and learn about topics and issues that are important to you in our District, County and schools. Our very popular Exhibit Hall runs from 7:45 – 9:30 a.m. with many, many County agencies and local service providers, providing an opportunity to connect with these services and mingle with your neighbors. The Mount Vernon High School Athletic Booster Club will be on hand selling hot coffee and morning treats.

Looking for an easy, convenient way to get your COVID-19 Vaccine? The Fairfax County Health Department will be on hand to provide them. Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome. Visit the Town Meeting webpage for registration information.

The morning’s program will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a year-in-review slideshow, recognition of special guests, a musical performance and an update on ALL that is happening in the District. You will hear from Supervisor Dan Storck about District updates, Fairfax County Board Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay and County Executive Bryan Hill on County priorities and Mount Vernon District School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders regarding schools. George Washington Parkway Superintendent Charles Cuvelier, Congressmen Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly, and others will also make remarks. Throughout the meeting, there will be opportunities for you to question your local leaders and hear their responses.

The highlight of the morning will be taking a “virtual tour” of the changing Mount Vernon District from Huntington to Lorton.

Prefer not to join us in-person this year and still want to watch now or later? The Town Meeting will stream live on Facebook, YouTube and Channel 16. Anyone can ask questions during the Q & A sessions, or in advance, by emailing us, commenting on Facebook or Tweeting us. Use #MVTownMeeting! For more information and updates on the Town Meeting, visit our website.

Hopefully, by now you have received our annual year-in-review Advisor mailer at your home detailing key accomplishments of the past year and our focus for 2022. I would love to hear your thoughts about it and suggestions to make it better!

February is also Black History Month, and like everything else, we have abundant Black History representation in the Mount Vernon District. In fact, African American history is Mount Vernon history with the Quander family, the oldest documented African American family in the Country, and Gum Springs, the oldest African American community in Fairfax County located right here. You will see more about Black History Celebrations throughout the County in the newsletter below.

The COVID-19 vaccine community resources are updated weekly. Please download and share these resources that include videos, flyers, social media posts and other materials. We need your help to spread the word and keep our community safe and healthy!

Recently posted information includes testimonials from local pediatricians on COVID-19 vaccines and children, impact of COVID-19 on families, and more. In addition, there are several videos on the following topics:

Address: 8646 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria

Dates:

The Community Testing Center (CTC) at the main Fairfax County Government Center is now accepting walk-ups. The site, set up in a large tent, will be in parking lot B on the southwest corner of the Fairfax County Government Center. The CTC will operate Saturdays through Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

If you or someone you know takes an at-home COVID-19 test, please use Fairfax County’s self-reporting portal to report POSITIVE test results. You may also call 703-267-3511 (FCHD).

Explore the Past, Present and Future as we honor the Black Community with remarks from County leaders and musical performances on February 11 from 7 - 8 p.m., virtually. The celebration will include: Recognition of Churches, Young Highway Task Force, The “Real Talk” Barbers AND MORE, led by Master of Ceremonies Nelfred “Tilly” Blanding. Learn more...

Thank you to everyone who joined us on January 26 for groundbreaking ceremony to launch construction of the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail. This $6.8 million construction project completes missing segments of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail between Richmond Highway and Southwood Drive for a length of approximately two miles. Once complete, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail will provide a continuous facility for pedestrians and cyclists along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway from Richmond Highway to the Mount Vernon Estates. The project will consist of constructing a 10 foot Shared Use Path within the missing segments, which includes a pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway bridge crossing Dogue Creek. In addition, this project will improve pedestrian crossings by providing marked crosswalks and curb ramps approved by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and standards. Visit the project webpage...

In a new effort that just began in mid-January, Fairfax County is evaluating the names of the Board of Supervisors districts with a focus on equity. The Redistricting Advisory Committee will recommend if any districts should be renamed, as tasked by the Board of Supervisors. The committee will complete its work by March 1. However, the committee will not propose new names — only make recommendations if any districts should be renamed.

Public input is key to this process, and the public is encouraged to participate in the committee's weekly virtual meetings. Tell the committee about any districts that should or shouldn't be renamed, offer insight into any community or economic impacts, or express other thoughts or concerns. The Mount Vernon District is represented on the Committee by former Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland and resident Lisa Sales. You can email them at fairfaxcountyredistricting@fairfaxcounty.gov. Learn more (available in multiple languages)...

At the request of the Hollin Hills community, the County is considering establishing boundaries and regulations for a Hollin Hills Historic Overlay District (HOD). Public hearings for proposed Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance Amendments, as well as a rezoning to for this consideration will be held this month and next. My office has led this effort over the past four years with the Hollin Hills community and there is broad community support to move forward.

I have heard from many community members regarding the recent Planning Commission hearing for the Alexandria Crossing project (RZ/FDP 2021-MV-008) which includes redevelopment at 6228 & 6238 Quander Road, 6211/6213/6215/6217/6223 Richmond Highway, and 6235/6239 Shields Avenue. This development application does not include the adjacent Penn Daw Terrace Mobile Home Park and the property owner has strongly advised me that the Mobile Home Park is not for sale.

After more than two years and hundreds of engagements, the community endorsed and approved the Richmond Highway “Embark” plan in 2018, which includes major changes along the Richmond Highway corridor. The Alexandria Crossing property owners have been seeking redevelopment of this site since at least 2009. The proposed redevelopment consists of up to 466 residential units to include 385 multifamily residential units, 46 stacked townhomes, and 35 townhomes on approximately 7.61 acres of land. Forty-seven of those units will be workforce affordable homes and more than $500,000 has been committed to building the new County Park next to the site. Read more...

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA), located at Access Fairfax at the Gerry Hyland Government Center, 8350 Richmond Hwy, will provide Tax Services by appointment only for clients with an income of $58,000 or less.

In-Person Tax Preparation: Bring your photo I.D., Social Security Cards, and tax documents needed to prepare your return. Complete the intake form, and an IRS-certified volunteer will prepare your taxes. Your taxes will be electronically filed once you have reviewed all forms. Allow 2 hours for the in-person filing appointment. If you require any accommodations, please let VITA know in advance in the notes section, by calling Loulit Tadesse at 703-533-5320 711 VA Relay or emailing. One appointment is available daily for each person. All customers will receive an email to confirm their appointment and a reminder of the Fairfax County Government health and safety guidelines that must be followed during their appointment. Schedule an appointment today...

For the past two years, a community/public/private group has been working together to provide safe spaces for County residents to talk about mental, physical, social and financial wellness through virtual events. One of the successes of this partnership has been the Real Talk Barbershop conversations, in which local businesses have held discussions about mental health and suicide prevention – issues that are often overshadowed and underrepresented in the Black community. Learn more...

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis has begun sharing monthly crime statistics with the Board of Supervisors and I will, in turn, share these statistics with you. These numbers are County-wide and compare 2022 Year-to-Date (YTD) statistics with those of 2021. Highlights shared by Chief Davis:

Lorton’s iconic lantern is mysteriously re-lit and glowing with a faint light visible at night, but there’s been no new light shown on the mystery of the lantern’s origins, who built it or owned it decades ago. The land where it sits was part of a July 2002 land transfer to the Fairfax County Park Authority. Located in Laurel Hill Park near the park’s Central Green, the cement and quartz monument with iron grill work, once lit with electricity but dark until recently, presents a quirky and artful marker for the park, and a reminder of the land’s historic uses. In addition, a Secret Garden has emerged from shrouds of invasive plants with work of volunteers. Read more in the Connection...

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is touting a new milestone in the transit agency’s installation of new, improved faregates at “nearly” 50% of Metro stations around the D.C. area. The agency said in a release that one third of the new faregates had been completed. As part of the upgrades, Metro said SmarTrip cards bought before 2012 are being phased out. The reason being that they have outdated chip technology and don’t work with the new faregates. Learn more on WTOP...

Department of Tax Administration (DTA), will host Virtual Tax Relief Workshops on Monday, February 21 and Monday, March 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon both days. DTA staff will be presenting information and answering questions about completing the 2022 Tax Relief application form. For privacy reasons, the virtual workshop will not include individual application consultation. We will be glad to make an appointment to serve residents and their authorized representatives if personalized help is needed. No registration is required for residents to attended either of the two identical sessions, however a free download of Microsoft TEAMS will be needed to view the video link. Learn more...

Permit applications increase every spring for popular projects such as decks, screened porches and pools. Many of these projects require homeowners or contractors to submit architectural plans and plats as part of the permit application. Higher volumes of applications increase wait times for permit processing. Obtain your permit now and avoid the rush. Our Land Development Services department has many resources available online to make your permit process go as smoothly as possible. Learn more...

Experience young minds marketing, selling, counting money and feeling accomplished at the Fort Hunt Children's Business Fair, Saturday, February 12 from 9 a.m. - 12 noon at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road! Come be a shopper and help Fort Hunt’s young entrepreneurs launch their businesses! Learn more and meet the young entrepreneurs in advance...

Get where you need to go FREE and FAST! Students can sign up for the Free Student Bus Pass Program at all FCPS middle and high schools: Visit the Fairfax Connector website for more information and to download the application. Learn more...

The annual Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District seedling sale begins March 1. All species sold are native to Virginia and are important to bees, as well as serving as valuable food sources for wildlife. Using native plants in your home landscape can help you attract wildlife, protect water and air quality, conserve energy, and reduce carbon emissions. This is a low-cost option for residents to purchase seedlings to enhance the urban forest and support local environmental stewardship and engagement programs. Learn more...

Whether you take Metrorail or Metrobus occasionally or for your daily commute to work, WMATA is seeking your input on its proposed FY 2023 budget through February 15. The proposed budget focuses on providing safe, reliable and affordable transit service to the region. It also includes the planned launch of Metrorail service to six new Silver Line stations, expanding Metro access to Dulles Airport and beyond, and the opening of the Potomac Yard Station on the Yellow and Blue lines. You can provide input via an online survey or a virtual/in-person public hearing for Virginia residents on February 7. Learn more...

Learn how to recognize online relationship scams in this thirty-minute webinar! Lots of people meet friends and potential love interests online through dating sites, social media, or mobile apps. It can be a great way to meet people, but recognize that not everyone is who they say they are online. These scams aren’t just targeted at people who are looking for a relationship on a dating site or app. They can occur through social media and even through email. In this 30 minute webinar, we’ll discuss the red flags to be on the lookout for anyone engaging in online relationships. Don’t let scammers ruin your Valentine’s Day! Registration link...

Are you a 60+ resident who would like someone to connect with you? CareRing is a free program with friendly staff who call people to chat, check-in on you, and offer reminders. They’re available 24 hours a day. You can choose when you’d like to receive their calls. CareRing partners with local law enforcement and first responders, so if you have an emergency and can’t answer the phone, they have a way to check on you.

Subscribe to Disability Rights and Resources' Access Fairfax for more news and events for people with disabilities.

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging and the Fairfax Caregiver Seminar Consortium are pleased to announce their 2022 Caregiver Webinar Series. The webinar series is designed to support family caregivers of older adults and/or adults with a disability. All webinars are free and open to family caregivers, older adults, adults with a disability, professionals and the community-at-large.

Join Fairfax County Villages in celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the Village Movement and the positive impact Villages are having on the experience of aging. On Tuesday, February 15, Villages are being recognized on National Village Day. From its beginnings in 2002 to a thriving network today of more than 300 nonprofit community-based Villages across the country, the Village model is now established as a cost-effective, sustainable solution for healthy, vibrant aging – a milestone worthy of celebration! For more information on the Fairfax County Villages, including how to start one in your neighborhood, contact Villages@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-246-8962. Learn more...

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.

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

There are several At-Large positions available as of December 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 mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov. 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.