It took a lot of hard work, long hours and dedication to get us to this point. I hope you will join me this Thanksgiving in thanking the countless healthcare workers, Health Department staff, county staff, first responders, and our nonprofit and business community who worked together to help us get vaccinated as soon as possible. It has been a huge feat that will continue for the foreseeable future. Vaccine and booster clinics are available countywide, if you or someone you know needs to be vaccinated.

I am also thankful for our very generous Hunter Mill District residents! There has been a great need for assistance in our community, especially for those who have been impacted by the pandemic. You continue to step up with donations for the Winter Coat Closet, Stuff the Bus and other community needs – and it is much appreciated.

Note: The Hunter Mill District newsletter will not publish next Wednesday, Nov. 24; the next issue is Dec. 1. Fairfax County Government will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26. Learn more.

Vaccine Options for Ages 5 to 11

The blog post notes that if you live in one of Fairfax County’s older neighborhoods and have too many leaves to leave on your grassy areas, you should consider consider leaving the leaves in the garden and flower beds and using your lawn mower on its highest setting to mulch the ones on the lawn. This feeds the lawn with a natural fertilizer. Michigan State research found an overall reduction in dandelions and crabgrass over time because leaf mulch covered any voids in the turf where the weeds would germinate in the future. This practice may allow homeowners to reduce their herbicide and fertilizer use. It's good for the environment and your back! Learn more.

The ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan team is developing recommendations for a Fairfax County Safe Streets for All Program, a comprehensive initiative to address systemic transportation safety issues for people walking, biking and using other forms of active transportation. Fairfax County Department of Transportation is holding a virtual public meeting to present the draft recommendations and take questions and comments from attendees. Learn more

The Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force has weekly meetings scheduled through the fall. Information on the upcoming meeting is below. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. Meeting details and agendas will be found here. You can watch live streams of the meetings on YouTube Live, as well as the video archive of all past task force meetings.

 Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m.

The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use code: 2339 873 6536. For information, contact Jose Delcid, 703-478-0283.

The county is evaluating potential changes to the Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process (SSPA) and wants to hear from you. A community survey is open now through Friday, Dec. 10 and is an opportunity to share your thoughts and priorities for future long-range planning studies for individual sites. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Korean, and many other languages. Take the survey now.  

Learn more about traffic safety in Fairfax County.

There are two more opportunities to donate to the Winter Coat Closet, which is a partnership between my office and Cornerstones to provide (new/gently used) coats, as well as (new only) hats, gloves and scarves to neighbors in need. Please drop off your donations on Dec. 11 and Jan. 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., Reston. Learn more, including Coat Closet distribution dates.

The Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate and the Reston Teen Center are collecting donations through Dec. 10 for the Elf Store event. Through donations of new or gently used items, staff create a store-like environment where young residents can select a free gift for special adults in their lives. Donations can be dropped off at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate, 12125 Pinecrest Road Reston. Suggested donations include jewelry, scarves, picture frames, candles, tea towels, robes, nail polish, home goods, DVDs, ties, gloves, sports items, wallets, flashlights, tools, shaving kits, gift cards, as well as wrapping paper, gift bags and tissue paper.

Last week I attended the Vienna Business Association's (VBA) annual Thanksgiving luncheon. The food was delicious and it was a great opportunity to hear about many of the small businesses that make Vienna a vibrant community. Thank you VBA!

Through Dec. 31, holiday shoppers who make purchases from at least five designated retailers in Vienna can enter a holiday shopping pass to win one of 100 gift cards at a drawing on Jan. 4. Learn more.

The Town's holiday stroll event is Monday, Nov. 29, 6 to 8:30 p.m. on historic Church Street. Enjoy live holiday music from local groups, a tree lighting led by Mayor Linda Colbert and great deals from local businesses. More information: call the Vienna Community Center at 703-255-636.

Dr. Sara Faggi, of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, will be the guest speaker for the Park Authority’s “Webb Space Telescope Virtual Countdown Kickoff” event on Saturday, Nov. 20, 4 to 5 p.m. This virtual event will also include fun astronomy activities and games. The program is designed for ages 7 to adult, and the cost is $5. A link to the program will be sent a day before the event. Learn more.

Fairfax County is facing an invasion from a dangerous pest and the tree it likes to call home, so it’s time for everyone to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) and the invasive Ailanthus altissima, also known as tree of heaven. More information.

Feel the magic of the season on a mile-long drive featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive decorations and live farm animals, when Holiday Lights on the Farm returns to Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. Be sure to buy tickets early as this event sold out last year. More information.