Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova

 
In This Issue
Disability Inclusion Conference
Celebrate Fairfax!
Pop Up Park
Fairfax Peak
June 11 Primary Election
Summer Stuff the Bus
Opportunities for Older Adults
Evenings on the Ellipse

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                     June 2019
Greetings, 

May and June are graduation months. On May 10th our family gathered for a weekend in Williamsburg for my grandson Alex's graduation from
My grandson, Alex, after receiving his diploma from The College of William & Mary
William & Mary. (You may remember Alex from his work on Fairfax County's 275th Anniversary and the fantastic musical he and his friends produced.) It was a joyous occasion, full of hope and promise. A major milestone. Such a bright future.
 
On May 30th, I attended another memorable graduation. This was at Key Center School on Franconia Road in Springfield. The Key Center serves students with severe developmental and intellectual disabilities. The graduating class consisted of just three young people. Families in attendance were no less proud and excited as the ones who celebrated their children's graduation from one of Virginia's "Public Ivies."
 
Proud and excited, yes. But also a little concerned. These young people had aged-out of our nurturing Fairfax County Public School System and would now enter a new arena in the "outside world". Fortunately, our County offers many good options for these individuals and their families. We work with families to ensure a path ahead for job training and coaching or for fulfilling day services. Not every community in this country can say that.
 
During the graduation at Key Center, I thought about what it might be like for a parent to learn that their newborn is not going to have a traditionally "typical" life. I thought about what difficult news that must have been to receive.  And yet, what I heard from the two parents who
J udd Nicely, 2019 Graduate of Key Center!
spoke at the Key Center graduation was all about their  love and hopes for their children, whatever their potential might be. They shared how these young people had enriched their families' lives.
 
What happens "next" is the subject of a Forum I am hosting on Saturday,  June 29th from 8:30am to 12:30pm at the Fairfax County Government Center. While Fairfax County Public Schools offers excellent programs and services to help children of all abilities in our school system thrive, what happens when these individuals are no longer in school? What social opportunities exist? How are public safety officers trained to interact with people who may behave differently? What about housing? Employment? How do businesses treat customers with disabilities? 

This conference, co-hosted with the Arc of Northern Virginia, will include booths, networking, a panel discussion and breakout sessions for parents, families, the business community, law enforcement, non-profits and individuals with disabilities who want to learn more about the ways Fairfax County welcomes and includes residents with developmental disabilities in community life. There will be something for all of us to learn.
 
Registration is available here. I look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
  


Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Disability Inclusion Conference | June 29
 


Come learn about employment opportunities, social clubs and organizations, inclusive housing initiatives and more at the first ever Disability Inclusion Conference hosted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Arc of Northern Virginia. This conference will include booths, networking, a panel discussion and breakout sessions for parents, families, the business community, law enforcement, non-profits and individuals with disabilities who want to learn more about all the ways Fairfax County welcomes and includes adults with developmental disabilities in community life.

This one of a kind event is designed to help build a bridge between the disability community and society to foster a more inclusive community where we all live and work together as One Fairfax. We will have five breakout session discussions including "business to business" tips and strategies for creating inclusive retail spaces, as well as general information for interested residents. There is something for everyone. Be prepared to engage in discussion, ask questions, and connect with community members as we work to build a vision for what inclusivity can look like. Coffee and light breakfast provided.  Register today!


Celebrate Fairfax Festival | June 7-9
 
The  Celebrate Fairfax! Festival  is a county fair and music festival hybrid, steeped in the history and vitality of Fairfax County and its 1.1 million citizens. Launched as the  Fairfax Fair  in 1982, the event was created by a blue ribbon commission consisting of elected officials and community leaders who realized that our fast-growing county lacked a unifying event or an established downtown. The resulting county fair was (and remains) the only major event designed to reach all of Fairfax's communities.


Celebrate Fairfax!, Northern Virginia's largest community-wide celebration, will take place June 7-9, 2019 at the Fairfax County Government Center. Presented by Celebrate Fairfax, Inc, the annual festival hosts tens of thousands of visitors during the three-day run.  The 25-acre site will be filled with fascinating sights and sounds of more than 300 exhibitors, food vendors, and interactive activities. Celebrate Fairfax! showcases live concerts on eight stages, Inova Children Hospitals's Avenue, a petting zoo, the Fairfax County Karaoke Championship, carnival rides, and summertime festival foods. Another fun free activity for kids is the Fairfax Express Trackless Train Ride.  Nightly fireworks, presented by Leidos, are a highlight of the festival, and one of many great family programs. This year's Bud Light Main Stage will feature top national headline performers: Better than Ezra on Friday night, and Smash Mouth on Saturday!

Tickets:

Dates & Times:
Friday, June 7th 6:00 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Saturday, June 8th 10:00 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Sunday, June 9th 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Festival Location:
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035

Free Parking:
Fair Lakes Circle and Fair Oaks Mall - Shuttles to and from festival entrance.


Annandale Pop Up Park Coming this Summer!
 
On June 29, an underused space at 7200 Columbia Pike will become Annandale's first "pop-up" park, featuring arts, fitness and family friendly activities. The 1,200-square-foot space is part of county-owned property that's currently leased to a local nonprofit. The space will be transformed from a bare concrete patch to a temporary community gathering spot with outdoor seating, game tables, a colorful outdoor piano and picturesque landscaping. 

Volunteers Needed:

To help prepare the civic space for its grand opening, volunteers are needed for a clean-up day on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To volunteer, please register by Friday, June 14. Learn more.

Fairfax Peak: Company Proposes Innovative Indoor Ski Slope in Lorton
 
Fairfax County's  I-95 landfill in Lorton may become home to the longest indoor ski slope in North America and one of the longest in the world.  Alpine-X submitted a public-private partnership proposal to Fairfax County to build a 450,000- square-foot snow sports facility with an expected 1,700-foot ski slope.  The facility's summit would reach an altitude of about 280 feet.  With this proposal in hand, Fairfax County will begin a formal procurement process to evaluate it, including seeking competing bids for the site.


Called Fairfax Peak, the proposed snow sports complex may include:
  • Multiple ski slopes at approximately a 20-degree angle, including a slope compliant with the Fédération Internationale de Ski's standards ensuring it can be used for competitions.
  • A specially designed area for skiing and snowboarding with a variety of ramps, jumps, rails, boxes and other features, capable for use in national snowboarding and freestyle skiing competitions.
  • A bunny slope for beginners, snow tubing run and area for skiers and snowboarders to perform tricks.
  • Restaurants, ski shop and sky bar and terrace at the summit.
  • A 100-plus room luxury hotel at the base of the indoor snow facility.
  • A gravity-powered, mountain coaster that will slide from the summit to Occoquan Regional Park.
  • A gondala to ferry riders from Occoquan Regional Park and the facility's base to the summit.
The complex would contribute to Laurel Hill's development as a regional recreation hub and arts destination.  The facility would complement the existing  equestrian center ,  Laurel Hill Golf Course,  and the  Workhouse Arts Center .  This project will be contingent on the company successfully achieving any required land use entitlements to allow for the proposed uses.  The land use process will include community public hearings and ultimately, the Board of Supervisors' approval. Read more on NewsCenter.
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What Voters Need to Know for June 11, 2019 Democratic Primary
 
Fairfax County will hold a Democratic   primary election for local and state offices on Tuesday, June 11. With the primary less than a week away, here are some reminders for where and how voters can cast their ballots:

The June election is only a primary for Democratic Party candidates because the county's Republican Party committee chose to select its candidates by other means. In Virginia, political parties decide how they nominate their candidates, including using caucuses, mass meetings, primary elections and other methods.

The  following offices are on the ballot:
  • Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman
  • Board of Supervisors, Braddock District
  • Board of Supervisors, Hunter Mill District
  • Board of Supervisors, Lee District
  • Board of Supervisors, Providence District
  • Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney
  • Virginia Senate: 31st, 33rd and 35th Districts
  • Virginia House of Delegates: 38th and 49th Districts
While only Democratic candidates will be the ballot, any registered voter can vote on June 11. Virginia holds open primaries, and voters don't register by party.



ABSENTEE VOTING: LOCATION AND DEADLINES

In-person absentee voting is available until June 8 at 5 p.m. There are  20 valid reasons to vote absentee in Virginia,  including working and commuting for 11 or more hours on election day. Check the list provided by the Virginia Department of Elections to see if you are eligible.  Currently, the only location to vote absentee in-person is the Fairfax County Government Center , Conference Rooms 2 & 3, 12000 Government Center Parkway, during these hours:
  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturdays, June 1 and June 8: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On June 8 only, 10 extra absentee voting locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in addition to the Government Center:

WHERE TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, JUNE 11

Voters must go their regular polling place on election day, June 11. All 243 polling places in the county will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Because some poll locations have changed since the November 2018 general election, voters should confirm their polling place online through the  Virginia Department of Elections .


CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION

Voters should also confirm they are registered by checking on the Virginia Department of Elections website. (To vote in the June 11 primary, the  last day to register or update your information was May 20.)


STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

For more information, please contact the Fairfax County  Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections.


Hunger Doesn't Take a Summer Break
 
Many individuals and families continue to go hungry in our community, and the demand becomes more acute in the summer when children aren't receiving meals at school. Our incredible local food pantries work tirelessly to provide for our neighbors, but they need your help to restock when their shelves run low.

Stuff the Bus is a food collection partnership that provides support to residents in need so that we, as a community, can continue to fight hunger in our neighborhoods. See below for upcoming Stuff the Bus collection events at a  grocery store near you:

June 15:

Village Center at Dulles Giant
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2425 Centreville Road, Herndon
Benefitting Cornerstones

Springfield Plaza Giant
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
6426 Springfield Plaza, Springfield
Benefitting Koinonia Foundation

McLean Giant
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1454 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Benefitting Share, Inc.

June 22:

Vienna Giant
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
359 Maple Avenue East, Vienna
Benefitting Committee for Helping Others

Elden Street Safeway
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
413 Elden Street, Herndon
Benefitting LINK

June 29:

Fairfax Walmart
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
11181 Lee Highway, Fairfax
Benefitting Britepaths

Safeway at Pan Am
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3043 Nutley Street, Fairfax
Benefitting Food for Others

St. Germain Giant
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
14125 St. Germain Drive, Centreville
Benefitting Western Fairfax Community Ministries

Thank you to our partners: Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, Office of Public-Private Partnerships, MV Transportation, our Nonprofit Community Food Pantries, Giant, Safeway, Walmart, and to YOU in the community for your continued support of the Stuff the Bus effort.
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Opportunities for Older Adults
  • Fairfax County and Inova Health System are offering a FREE Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Mondays, July 1-August 5 from 1-3 p.m. These workshops help people manage their chronic illnesses (arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, asthma, or any other chronic condition). Caregivers welcome! George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Tnpk., Annandale. To register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults and click on Chronic Disease Self-Mgmt. Call 703-324-7721, TTY 711.
  • The Fairfax Commission on Aging meets on Wednesday, July 17, 1-3 p.m. at the Mclean Governmental Center, Rooms A & B, 1437 Balls Hill Rd., Mclean. The public is welcome to attend and join in the comment period that begins each session.  Find out more. Call 703-324-5403, TTY 711 for meeting access needs.

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Evenings on the Ellipse Summer Concerts | July & August 
 
As summer approaches, so does one of my favorite annual events. From July 11th - August 29th, music, fun and dancing can be found every Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Ellipse of the Government Center for our Evenings on the Ellipse summer concert series. The concerts are free to attend, and with the acts ranging from Country to Jazz and Mariachi, there's a little something for everyone to enjoy. 


Fairfax County's two wineries, Bull Run Winery and Paradise Springs, will be providing complimentary wine tastings as well as selling individual glasses and bottles for guests to enjoy while listening to the evening's entertainment. 
 
I invite everyone to attend this wonderful concert series - feel free to bring a picnic! If it rains, the concerts will be moved indoors, so you can count on a lively event each Thursday. More information about Evenings on the Ellipse, including the performance calendar and information about other concert series around Fairfax County, can be found at  www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances. I look forward to seeing you there.