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I'm happy to report that the STEAM Fest was a tremendous success! Thank you to the 300+ children, parents, and volunteers who attended the event! Participants engaged in over 40 STEAM activities, including drone racing, virtual reality, and riding on a hovercraft.
It was also an honor to welcome and give a tour of the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub to the President of George Mason University, Dr. Washington, and the Founder of STEM NOLA, Dr. Calvin Mackie.
| The STEAM Fest aims to expose children to emerging technologies to build their interest in high-paying tech or science-related careers. This event is just one way my office, along with Melwood and Building Momentum, is providing access to technologies typically out of reach for communities located in the Richmond Highway corridor, Springfield, and other communities in Southeast Fairfax. |  | |
Also, 13 additional early voting sites, including the Franconia Governmental Center, are open for early voting. Every early voting site will be open on weekdays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. except for the Fairfax County Government Center. (8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.)
Early voting will also be offered at all locations on two Saturdays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the second time ever, the County also will offer voting hours on a Sunday: Oct. 30, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Any voter may cast their ballot early without needing a reason or excuse.
More information on voting: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/13-additional-early-voting-locations-open-starting-oct-27?fbclid=IwAR3L2iCESjmydSSeLln1h46ieHEZL7kfnHpQK71-t3zTlwCzW_UCRXCEjy8
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Please contact my office if we can assist you. | |
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Email: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov (My team is working on an updated email)
Phone 703-971-6262
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- Supervisor Lusk in the Community
- Supervisor Lusk in the News
- Your Guide to Halloween 2022
- The Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards
- Beacon of Groveton Community Meeting
- Public Facility Plan Update
- Give Feedback for new BRT Bus Station Names
- Help Plan for a More Aging-Friendly Community
- Cirque De Soleil
- Affordable Housing Preservation Community Feedback
- Domestic Violence Impacts
- P.L.U.S. Update
- Make a Plan during Blue and Yellow Line Construction Period
- COVID-19 Resources
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Supervisor Lusk in the Community | |
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It was a pleasure to welcome guests and provide opening remarks at NVMS Conflict Resolution Center's Bridging Communities Welcome Breakfast held at the Hybla Valley Community Center.
The Bridging Communities Welcome Breakfast is an endeavor by the NVMS Conflict Resolution Center to become a community bridge builder. The program included an interactive conversation with stakeholders, mediators, restorative justice facilitators, trainers, and other supportive friends to learn more about how the public can participate in this initiative for our communities.
Thank you to the panelist for the engaging conversations and Larry Miller for hosting!
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I joined local leaders for two ribbon cuttings celebrating Richmond Highway's first parklet at Mount Vernon Plaza and the opening of Della J's Delectables! Congratulations to Della J's owners Jerry Young (Proud Alexandria City High School Titan' 74) and Lydia Tynes-Young, on your second restaurant opening.
The parklet at Mount Vernon Plaza would not have been possible without the partnership between Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation and Federal Realty Investment Trust. The parklet will be a valuable amenity that will stimulate local growth and attract visitors from across our region.
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As the weather gets colder, you can expect leaves to fall, snow to drop, and a successful community coat drive organized by Chief Willie Bailey and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department!
It's safe to say that the children were excited to receive their new coats just in time for the cold weather. Thank you, Chief Bailey and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department team at Penn Daw Fire Station #11, for all you do for our community!
Please consider donating: http://www.ffandfriends2therescue.org/donate.html
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Thank you to Phyllis Walker Ford, Pamela Anderson, and the staff at the Laurel Grove School Museum for inviting me to your fall open House! Learn more about the Laurel Grove School here: http://www.laurelgroveschool.org/ | |
It was a pleasure to conduct the ceremonial coin toss for the 3rd Annual LMVSC Coaches vs Breast Cancer Game! All donations went to the National Breast Center based in Alexandria. Congratulations to all the participants! | |
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Last week, my office hosted a garden harvest dinner to celebrate the successful first season of the community garden located at the Hybla Valley Community Center. Residents made nutritious meals representing different cultures with ingredients grown in the garden to commemorate the occasion.
As the weather gets colder, we will be moving some garden plants indoors to continue our mission to teach garden practices and provide healthy food to residents in need.
If you would like to get involved in our community garden program, please email leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov or call our office at 703-971-6262.
This would not have been possible without our partners:
Northern Virginia Association of Realtors
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture
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Supervisor Lusk in the News | |
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Fairfax looks at Revising Policies to Accommodate Equity
By Brian Trompeter of Sun Gazette Newspapers
https://www.insidenova.com/news/fairfax/fairfax-looks-at-revising-policies-to-accommodate-equity/article_4394ea1e-4f0e-11ed-85fc-d316652164a1.html
“There’s so many places in our county government where we have vacancies and it would be awesome if we could get people who are in some of our under-represented areas to be able to work in those positions,” agreed Supervisor Rodney Lusk (D-Lee).
Lusk also approved of efforts to reduce the wealth disparity, calling it “one of the most important, one of the most crucial and one of the best ways that we can help address the issue of poverty and disparity in our community.”
“This is not rocket science,” Lusk said. “The reason that so many people are struggling in Fairfax County is because they don’t make enough money to survive and live and support their families. We have to do better.”
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STEAM Fest connects Fairfax County youth with learning opportunities
By George Mason University
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2022-10/steam-fest-connects-fairfax-county-youth-learning-opportunities
More than 300 K-12 students, parents, volunteers, community leaders and partners attended Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Fest at the Hybla Valley Community Center in Alexandria on Saturday.
The event, co-sponsored by George Mason University, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and the Fairfax County’s Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub, was targeted to underserved youth in the Richmond Highway Corridor, Springfield and other Southeast Fairfax County Communities.
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Community Shopping Area Adorned by New Parklet
By Mike Salmon of the Connection Newspapers
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2022/oct/20/community-shopping-area-adorned-new-parklet/
Supervisor Rodney Lusk (D-Franconia) and Dan Storck (D-Mount Vernon) are also part of the efforts going on in this area to spruce up the environment and modernize things. “This is just the beginning of what’s going to happen on this corridor,” Lusk said.
Following the parklet ribbon cutting, the community organizers and elected officials walked across the parking lot and cut another ribbon on a new restaurant, “Della J’s,’” part of the improved picture this area is experiencing.
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Tech Fest For K-12 Students Coming To Hybla Valley Community Center
By Mark Hand of The Patch Newspaper
https://patch.com/virginia/greateralexandria/tech-fest-k-12-students-coming-hybla-valley-community-center
Fairfax County Supervisor Rodney Lusk, together with George Mason University President Gregory Washington and the Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub, is hosting a free STEAM Fest for K-12 students on Saturday at the Hybla Valley Community Center.
“Providing the next generation of the workforce access to emerging technologies is critical in building their interest towards high-paying tech or science-related careers,” Lusk, Franconia District supervisor, said in a statement.
“The S.T.E.A.M Fest is an opportunity to expose our local youth to technologies that are typically out of reach for those located in the Richmond Highway corridor, Springfield, and other communities in Southeast Fairfax,” Lusk said.
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Your Guide to Halloween 2022 in Fairfax County | |
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Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls will soon be coming out all over the area.
Halloween is a festive occasion that we need to celebrate safely. Some communities, cities, and counties designate a day other than Oct. 31 for trick-or-treating. Fairfax County Government does NOT set a different date. Halloween is Monday, Oct. 31. Your homeowner’s association or apartment complex may set times for events, but neighborhood trick-or-treating is the evening of Oct. 31.
🎃 TRICK-OR-TREATING TIPS
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
- Plan and discuss your child’s route if you are not joining them.
- Children should only visit homes with porch lights on or active Halloween decorations.
- Remind children never to enter a stranger’s house.
- Carry a flashlight!
- Make sure children know their phone number and address — and they should be able to provide this information in an emergency or if lost.
- Watch for any power cords or other decorations that might cause kids to trip and fall.
More information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/guide-to-halloween
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The Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards | |
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It was my honor to nominate Juana Cruz and Ed Joseph as this year's Franconia District Lord and Lady Fairfax. The Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards Program yearly honors two volunteer leaders from each Magisterial District.
Juana is a Community Ambassador for Colchester Towne Condominiums, where she has helped organize community events such as National Night Out and a multi-community celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month at the new Hybla Valley Community Center. Juana is also the lead volunteer for the Community Garden at the same community center. Under her leadership, the garden completed a successful first season, providing fresh vegetables to several communities. Her motto is: "Always remember to do it with love."
Ed Joseph has been an active participant in the life of the Franconia District since moving to Fairfax County almost 30 years ago. In 1995 he was elected to the board of The Mews Homeowner's Association and served on the board for many years in various capacities, including as president. He's represented his HOA on the Lee/Franconia Land Use Committee since 1996 and has been chair since 2013. Ed was also chair of the Site-Specific Plan Amendment Task Force. Ed is committed to giving back to his community as chair of the Land Use Committee and SSPA Task Force. He takes pride in ensuring these bodies function fairly, effectively, and professionally to guide growth in Franconia District.
Congratulations to Lady Cruz and Lord Joseph!
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Beacon of Groveton Community Meeting | |
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My office is hosting a community meeting on November 3, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom on a proposed development at Richmond Highway and Groveton Street, which is currently an interim park. RH Senior Housing, LLC has proposed to build a 55,000 square foot, 54 – unit affordable age-restricted apartment building at 6858 Richmond Highway.
The first step in the review is an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan, which is the County’s long-range plan for land use and development. Comprehensive Plan Amendment 2022-IV-MV1 (Beacon of Groveton) considers a comprehensive plan amendment for an affordable age-restricted, independent living facility up to 70,000 square feet
Visit the project web page for meeting link and further information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/beacon-of-groveton.
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Public Facilities Policy Plan Update | |
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Attend Virtual Meetings to Learn How the Public Facilities Are Planned and Reviewed – If you would like to learn how our public facilities are planned and how the county’s Public Facilities Element of the Policy Plan is being updated, please join a virtual meeting on November 2, 3 or 9. The Policy Plan’s Public Facilities Element provides recommendations as to where new public facilities like schools, libraries, community centers, police and fire stations are built. These policies guide agencies and decision makers on where and how to locate new and expanded facilities throughout the county.
After the virtual meetings this November, there will be additional opportunities for the community to provide input on any recommended changes.
Check this out for more details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/virtual-meetings-to-focus-on-public-facilities.
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Give Feedback for New Bus Station Names | |
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The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is currently seeking feedback on potential station names. As a next step in refining the plan for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and in response to community ideas about better ways to reflect station location and community character, Richmond Highway BRT is revisiting station names for three of the nine stations:
· Station #2 (Cross streets: N Kings Hwy / S Kings Hwy; Currently named "Penn Daw")
· Station #5 (Cross streets: Boswell Ave / Fordson Rd; Currently named "Hybla Valley")
· Station #6 (Cross street: Sherwood Hall Ln; Currently named "Gum Springs")
They will be gathering feedback through November 4.
To share your views, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/richmond-hwy-brt
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Help Plan for a More Aging-Friendly Community | |
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Fairfax County, together with the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, continues to collect input to learn more about the aging experience in our area to plan for a more aging-friendly community.
SHAPE the Future of Aging Town Halls - The plan includes collecting additional input from the community. If you would like to attend an upcoming town hall meeting, please register:
Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 - Register
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Reston Community Center - Rooms 1, 2, 3 & 4
2310 Colts Neck Road
Reston, VA 20191
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 - Register
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Hybla Valley Community Center - Gymnasium
7950 Audubon Avenue
Alexandria, VA, 22306
Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 - Register
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Fairfax County Government Center - Room 120-C
12000 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035
Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 - Register
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Annandale Heritage Center – Rooms A & B
7611 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003
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Cirque du Soleil brings new and surprising twists to its big top magic with a story about evolution and the symbiotic unions that our future depends on. Poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics and technologies come together in a spectacle exploring the precious balance between humans, animals, and the world we share.
Cirque du Soleil has announced that its newest touring show: ECHO, will hold its U.S. Premiere in Fairfax County. This is the first time in Cirque du Soleil's history that the Washington, DC area will host the U.S. debut. The show will debut under the Big Top at Lerner Town Square in Tysons, VA on September 6, 2023.
ECHO, a brand new show for the acrobatic company, will be first performed in Montreal, Canada before premiering in Tysons, kicking off the U.S. left of the tour.
Use code VFAIRFAX to get exclusive pre-sale tickets between October 25-November 1, 2022. Public on-sale will start November 2, 2022.
https://www.fxva.com/coupon/exclusive%3a-pre-sale-tickets-for-u-s-premiere-of-cirque-du-soleils-echo/4176/
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Affordable Housing Preservation Community Feedback | |
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The comment deadline for the proposed Affordable Housing Preservation is *extended* through Friday, November 4, 2022!
This proposed policy encourages the preservation of existing affordable rental housing uses and structures throughout the county. Please take a few minutes to review the policy and submit your thoughts about it. Community feedback will be used to inform any additional changes to the proposed Comprehensive Plan text.
Following this comment period, the plan text and public comments will be provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for consideration in a series of public hearings in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/affordable-housing-preservation
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Domestic Violence Impacts | |
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Domestic violence can impact anyone at any time and in any relationship.
The Department of Family Services' Domestic and Sexual Violence Services offers compassionate and comprehensive state-accredited programs for women, men, teens and children who have been affected by domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking.
Learn more at the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence Services: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/domestic-sexual-violence
24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273.
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What is PLUS?
PLUS will be the central platform to create and submit applications online, pay fees, track application status and receive electronic notifications. Customers will complete their zoning, building, permitting, or other land development, and submit complaints and environmental health processes online through the PLUS portal.
During the transition, PLUS and the legacy system (ProjectDox) will be unavailable for 10 days, while FIDO and PAWS will be in view mode.
Legacy systems (FIDO, ProjectDox, and PAWS) will not return to use after the outage and will be replaced by PLUS beginning Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. The outage will impact customers conducting business with the agencies below:
- Land Development Services
- Department of Planning and Development
- Fire and Rescue Department, Office of the Fire Marshal
- Health Department, Environmental Health
- Department of Code Compliance
More information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/plan2build/plus
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Major Blue and Yellow Line Construction | |
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Metro is extending the closure of six stations south of Reagan National Airport due to unexpected site conditions and remediation efforts for the future Potomac Yard Station. The announcement today comes three weeks before stations were scheduled to reopen to give our customers time to plan their trips accordingly.
Work to tie-in new tracks to the station, which was slated to conclude on Saturday, Oct. 22, will now end on Saturday, Nov. 5. Free shuttle bus service will continue to be available to customers through the extension following the same pattern that our customers are using today. The Metroway - Potomac Yard line will continue to be free, and parking fees at Franconia-Springfield, Huntington, and Van Dorn St stations will continue to be waived.
More Details: https://wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Major-Blue-and-Yellow-Line-Construction/index.cfm
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Fairfax County COVID-19 Resources | |
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Rodney L. Lusk
Franconia District Supervisor
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