VIENNA, Va. - Later this month, commuters will get a chance to talk to leaders about how to spend new transportation money to fix traffic congestion in Fairfax County.

With more than a million residents, Fairfax County is one of the biggest and most congested suburbs in our entire region. From the Fairfax County Parkway to Route 28, Route 123, Route 50, Route 29 and Route 1, there are no shortage of locations that could use some congestion relief.

"Reducing congestion is a very important piece of the puzzle, but it's not the only piece," says Fairfax County Transportation Director Tom Biesiadny. "I could come up with the best project in the world that relieves the most congestion and is the most cost effective, but if it runs through someone's backyard and the community doesn't support it, we're probably not going anywhere with that project."

Please help provide food to local families in need over the winter holiday season by participating in "Food for Trees".

HOW:

Pre-order your Christmas Tree or Holiday Wreaths at 50% off through Sunday, November 10 by visiting www.foodfortrees.org

WHEN:

On Saturday, December 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Bring $35 worth of non-perishable food items to be donated to Share when you pick up your freshly-cut tree or wreaths. Alternative pick-up date: Sunday, December 8 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

For the past 10 months, we've heard some great ideas about ways to improve the Express Lanes. We want to encourage an even greater exchange of ideas by reaching out to our customers and the community throughout the next month to determine how we can improve the 495 Express Lanes.

Confused about a sign? Have an idea about E-ZPass®? Think we could do something better? Let us know.

If you're interested in submitting an idea, please visit 495ExpressLanes.com/ideas. Submissions will be accepted through October 25. We hope you'll submit your ideas today.

We hope that you’ll participate in the campaign to make the Express Lanes an even better choice. We look forward to hearing from you.

Safe travels,
495 Express Lanes Team

It is very important that all of us who use and care about Fairfax County Public Libraries attend these meetings and speak up about what we want in our libraries. It appears that only a small window of opportunity is being offered for public input regarding the future of our libraries. It is already clear that the library administration intends to keep pushing the unpopular and ill advised "strategic redirection" (formerly known as the "Beta plan"). Only if the public speaks out loud and clear will we turn our libraries in a more positive, hopeful direction which is grounded in the wishes of library patrons.

Charles Keener

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON THE FUTURE OF FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Monday 10/07/2013, 1-3pm First Monday with Supervisor Hudgins: FOCUS ON LIBRARIES, October 7, 2013, 1 to 3 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Library 101 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180-5794, Vienna 703-938-0405 This FirstMonday session will focus on public libraries. In light of the library's "beta plan", Supervisor Hudgins would like to hear from you on how you utilize and value library services. You are invited to come and share your thoughts and experiences with Supervisor Hudgins.

Dear Dranesville Resident,

The U.S. Government's closure of Langley Fork Park (Colonial Farm Road and Georgetown Pike) and Great Falls Park (Georgetown Pike and Old Dominion Drive) is expected to affect parking, congestion and attendance at two County parks that remain open.

The closure of Langley Fork is impacting available parking for visitors to Clemyjontri Park (6317 Georgetown Pike). Clemyjontri Park is located across Georgetown Pike from Langley Fork Park. Patrons of Clemyjontri often use the Langley Fork parking area for overflow parking. During the U.S. Government shutdown, access to the Langley Fork parking lot is not available.

Friends,

The struggle continues against the misguided downgrading of Fairfax County Public Libraries under radical restructuring plans which were developed and are scheduled to be implemented with almost zero input from library users and front-line library staff.

There have continued to be numerous news articles and commentaries appearing on the situation .Here are the latest. Please share with others as we continue to spread the word on this crisis in Fairfax County :

Library staff, supporters battling plan to overhaul library system

Proposed Degradation of Fairfax County Public Libraries

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/walksafely-on-magarity/

Volunteer Coordinator Needed for McLean

Meals on wheels is looking for a volunteer who will coordinate two routes in McLean. If this very worthwhile cause sounds like something you would enjoy doing, please contact Jenny Phipps in Supevisor Foust's office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 571-232-6058.

Fairfax County Police urge motorists to be extra vigilant for pedestrians and bicyclists as county schools resume classes Tuesday, September 3.

Commuters should expect increased congestion throughout the week and build time into their schedules to accommodate for the traditionally heavy time period. Residents may also notice police officers posted in school zones and near bus stops helping ensure pedestrian safety as well as safe loading and unloading of students.

Police remind drivers that when bus lights and stop signs are activated, vehicles must stop in both directions, unless they are separated from the bus by a median.

In 2012, there were a total of 1,500 citations written for infractions involving school zones and busses, including 961 for speeding in a school crossing and 194 for passing a stopped school bus. Typically, these infractions occur between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Additionally, there were 79 reportable crashes that involved school busses in 2012 and there have been 43 so far in 2013.

Traffic safety is a high priority for the Fairfax County Police Department. To learn more about traffic safety issues contact Master Police Officer Allie Eggers at 703-280-0530.

[Upate 4:47 PM]: These dogs have been re-connected with their owners.

Two dogs were found today near Griffth Road and Arch Drive.

If you recognize these dogs, know their owner(s) or maybe are their owner(s) please contact us.