Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
Dear Neighbor,

As we go into the weekend, this email includes a message from the Park Authority about some upcoming operational changes at the RECenters, information on the importance of getting your annual flu shot this year, and on the Stuff the Bus event held tomorrow, September 26. In addition, there are some important dates coming up next week for a public safety community input session, a virtual public meeting for a proposed storm water and intersection improvement project at Chesterbrook Road/North Albemarle, the deadline for submitting grant applications to the McLean Community and when DMV Connect will be in McLean to serve residents by appointment.

I also want to note the early voting and drop box schedule. While there is early voting taking place at the Fairfax County Government Center on weekdays, there will not be early voting on Saturdays until October 17th. Please note that the satellite locations, including the McLean Governmental Center, will be open October 14 -31 and the Great Falls Library will only be open for Saturday hours. Drop boxes will only be open during voting hours.

Please share this email with your friends and neighbors and do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance; email Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-356-0551.

Sincerely,
John
Message from the Park Authority
As we move forward with our phased approach to RECenter operations, we need your help to assure that we can continue to operate safely in an ongoing pandemic. Beginning this fall, our RECenters will begin to offer a modified class program schedule and swim team pool rentals. Balancing these additional member needs with the requirements to assure appropriate COVID-19 safety measures will be more important than ever. Please help us ensure that we can make the most of our limited space so that all members have the greatest access possible to our facilities. 

To that end, we ask that you please:
  • Respect your fellow members and only reserve the times that you will actually workout at the RECenter. 
  • Cancel your reservation if you are unable to make your workout time by calling the RECenter or the Park Authority registration office at 703 222-4664 (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.) or use this Contact Us form to cancel. We ask that you cancel at least 24 hours in advance so we can remove your reservation and make it available to other members. 

Beginning Monday, October 5, 2020, the online reservation page will look different as we introduce some new practices to accommodate an increase in capacity. Reservations will no longer be divided between Membership and General Admission. The new reservation titles are:
  • Fitness Center Tickets
  • Lap Swim/Water Walking Tickets
  • Recreation Swim Ticket
  • Aqua Flex Ticket

Under the new system:
  • Your reservation will be held for 30 minutes. If you do not check in within that timeframe, the reservation will be made available to others on a walk-in basis. 
  • Members that have two no shows in a week will be contacted, to help resolve any issues.
Our primary goal remains the safe accommodation of as many current members, class participants and contracted swim organizations as possible under current COVID-19 standards. 

Use these RECenter links or call the facility of your choice to make a reservation:
Get Your Flu Shot
With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full force and influenza season now starting, it’s more important than ever that everyone do their part to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. We encourage everyone 6 months of age and older to get a flu shot this year and every year. Roll Up Your Sleeve Now to Keep Respiratory Illnesses Down.

Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. While flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, one key difference is that there are vaccines to prevent flu. Read more from the Health Department on the importance of getting a flu shot here.

Getting an annual flu vaccine protects yourself, your family, and the vulnerable people in your community. Find a flu vaccine clinic here.

For information on flu vaccination clinics for older adults click here.

See the CDC Frequently Asked Flu Questions: 2020-2021 Season here.
Stuff the Bus Saturday
For the past nine years, Stuff the Bus has held food drives twice a year during times when donations often drop off – after the winter holidays and during the summer. Hosting drives during these critical times ensured that area nonprofits were able to meet the needs of hungry people in Fairfax County.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for food in our area, so Stuff the Bus is working to respond to the demand. In May, food drives were held on two days at 21 locations throughout Fairfax County. The response was immense, with 33.6 tons of food collected for area nonprofits.
 
Fastran or CUE buses will be parked at 21 locations throughout Fairfax County to collect food donations on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
McLean Government Center
1437 Balls Hill Road
McLean, VA 22101
Great Falls Library
9830 Georgetown Pike
Great Falls, VA 22066
For the full list of the 21 locations and more information on Stuff the Bus, click here.
 
For those who are unable to donate in person but want to contribute, donations can be made to the virtual Stuff the Bus food drive by visiting Volunteer Fairfax’s Donation Page to connect with and donate to nonprofits serving our community. 
Public Safety Community Input Session
On Wednesday, September 30th at 6:30 p.m. Fairfax County Public Safety Officials are holding a community input session. The entire event will be dedicated to hearing from residents and various advocacy groups. During your time, you may provide testimony or ask the panelists questions on any public safety related subject.
Attending will include:
  • Public Safety Committee Chair Supervisor Rodney Lusk
  • Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano
  • Deputy County Executive Dave Rohrer 
  • Police Chief Ed Roessler 
  • Fire Chief John Butler

The community input session will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center Board Auditorium. To register click here.
For those who can not physically attend please call 703-324-1020 at the time of the hearing or submit a pre-recorded video testimony to leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Little Pimmit Run Tributary at Woodland Terrace
Stream Restoration and Stormwater Improvement Project
In fall 2019, Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. started the initial survey and assessment field work. The assessment phase and concept design are now complete for the stream channel and intersection improvements at Chesterbrook Rd. and North Albemarle St.

Please join the Stormwater Planning Division for a virtual community meeting to discuss the project on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at 7:30 pm.

To receive an email with a link to the meeting please contact Fred Wilkins at the email address provided below.

Project specific information can be found here.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the project manager Fred Wilkins at 703-324-5189, TTY 711 or Fred.Wilkins@fairfaxcounty.gov.
DMV Connect - By Appointment Only
DMV Connect staff will be at the McLean Governmental Center on September, 29, 30 and October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This service is by appointment only.
To book an appointment click here.

DMV Connect offers:
  • REAL ID
  • Drivers' licenses
  • Identification cards (adult & child)
  • Disable Parking Placards
  • Vehicle titles
  • Address changes
  • Vehicle registrations
  • E-ZPass transponders
  • Compliance summaries
  • Transcripts
  • Hunting and fishing licenses

For a calendar of mobile services click here.
More than 40 transactions available online here.
MCF Grant Request Deadline Oct. 1
The McLean Community Foundation (MCF) is a non-profit formed in 1978 by the McLean Citizen’s Association to meet the philanthropic needs of a growing McLean community. The focus is entirely on efforts that benefit the McLean community.
In its 40 year history MCF has granted almost $1.8 million dollars to non-profits in McLean and those that service McLean residents. Most recently, MCF donated $15,000 to SHARE, Inc to support their efforts to help families in crisis due to the economic impact of COVID-19. Additional grants were awarded to Clemyjontri, McLean High School, Churchill Road Elementary School, and Franklin Sherman Elementary Schools.  

The McLean Community Foundation is accepting grant requests for its current grants cycle until October 1, 2020. Applications can be found on the MCF’s website here.
Early Voting Hours
Any registered Fairfax County voter can vote early, and can cast their ballot at any early voting site. You do not need to submit an application to early vote, but you must be registered to vote. Check your voter registration before you come.

Ballot drop-off boxes are located outside the voting room. You may drop off your completed mailed absentee ballot to locations when they are open for early voting (hours are below). At the Fairfax County Government Center, the box is located in the lobby. There’s no need to wait in line, and a poll worker attends the box at all times.

NOW: ABSENTEE IN-PERSON/EARLY VOTING AT THE FAIRFAX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER IS OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY FROM 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday hours do not begin until October 17
October 14 - 31 hours will be: Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

ABSENTEE IN-PERSON/EARLY VOTING AT SATELLITE VOTING LOCATIONS
October 14 - 31
Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 
Great Falls Library is only open on Saturdays (Oct. 17, 24 and 31) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The last day to vote early is Saturday, Oct. 31, at 5 p.m.

This and more information is available on the Office of Elections website here.
Stay Informed about COVID-19
Fairfax County is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources listed below: