 | Happy Holidays!
MCA's 110th Anniversary celebrations were both such feel-good events that I feel like they could carry us into the holiday season. It was heartwarming to reconnect with cherished members, and a real treat to see so many Legacy Partners, VIPs, and former Presidents show up to the evening celebration to congratulate MCA on staying strong well into the 21st century. The History Walk was a huge hit, as entertaining as it was educational, with almost a hundred people taking part and many more asking when we'd do it again (articles below). Kudos and deep gratitude go out to Merrily Pierce for her dedication to making the events a reality.
There are two more events before the year is up, and I hope you can make it to both of them:
- Legislative Town Hall co-sponsored by MCA. Hear from local representatives as they review this year's accomplishments, commend outstanding citizens, and discuss the upcoming legislative session. Enjoy entertainment courtesy of Cooper Middle School's award-winning symphony.
- McLean's beloved Winterfest Parade brought to you by McLean Revitalization Corporation. Join us -- and bring your families -- as we assemble at Greenberry's and walk behind the MCA banner!
As you plan your end of the year giving, MCA encourages you to consider a donation to its charitable arm, the McLean Community Foundation. MCF is a 501(c)(3) organization operating exclusively for charitable and educational purposes for the benefit of the McLean Planning District. For more information and to donate online, visit the MCF website.
Best wishes for a warm holiday season!
--Linda Walsh, President
|  | MCA's Historic Accomplishments
|  | | MCA Celebrates 110 Years
Local luminaries joined dozens of McLean area residents at the McLean Community Center in a celebratory toast to MCA in honor of its 110th Anniversary (photos). As the County’s oldest continuously operating civic association, MCA had plenty to celebrate. For 110 years, MCA has amplified residents’ voices and offered thoughtful comments to County agencies and others on proposed regulations and policies that affect our livelihood, families, and quality of life.
But MCA has done much more to make McLean what it is today. MCA was founded in 2014 to support the needs of the fledgling Franklin Sherman Elementary School, and eight years later it helped launch the McLean Volunteer Fire Department. MCA considers these long-standing institutions its Legacy Partners. MCA also helped create the recently renovated McLean Central Park, the McLean Trees Foundation, the McLean History Portal in the Fairfax County library’s Virginia Room, the McLean Community Foundation that gives grants to local non-profit organizations, and the McLean Community Center, a thriving hub of activity and entertainment for all ages.
Gerry Connolly, US Representative, 11th District, was delayed by business on Capitol Hill. In his stead, Maddy White, the Director of his Fairfax District office, presented MCA with a congratulatory certificate that had been entered into the Congressional Record. “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 110th Anniversary of the McLean Citizens Association (MCA),” it began.
Former Dranesville Supervisor (and former MCA President), John Foust, recognized MCA’s living past presidents, including several in attendance. One who received a particularly enthusiastic round of applause was Merrily Pierce, MCA President from 1995 to 1996, who organized the event.
Dranesville Supervisor Jimmy Bierman poked fun at the formality of MCA’s resolutions with a resolution of his own that concluded, “Be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby recognize and honor McLean Citizens Association for its dedication to community service and its advocacy on behalf of McLean residents.”
|  | History Walk Celebrates McLean
On Saturday, November 16th, McLean's historic firehouse was transformed into the first stop of an interactive museum exhibit showcasing McLean's history ( photos). With the support of the McLean Historical Society and the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, MCA, led by the tireless Merrily Pierce, mapped out a self-guided tour of downtown McLean's historic sites, many of which have significance for the 110-year-old organization.
Want to take the self-guided tour? Just curious to learn some McLean history? View the fascinating History Boards here.
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MCA: Making the Casino go Away
| | 'Tis the Season to Educate Your Friends and Neighbors
The casino issue is not dead. In anticipation of the introduction of a new casino bill during the Virginia Legislative Session in January, we're asking everyone to become anti-casino ambassadors. The attached Fact Sheet provides basic facts about the proposal for a casino in Tysons (or along one of the Fairfax County metro rail lines) as well as the societal and economic impact on individuals and families. The Fact Sheet is based on state-and county-supplied data for Virginia and other states and research by independent national experts who do not accept money from pro- or anti-casino interests. We hope that you find the information useful and encourage you to share it widely.
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Stay Informed and Inform Others
Our work is not done. We need your help! Simply go to the No Fairfax Casino Coalition Take Action page and do the following:
- Sign the No Fairfax Casino Petition -- Not sure if you signed? No problem - just click on the link and it will return a message regarding your status.
- Send an Email -- Urge Senators on the General Laws & Technology Committee, the Finance & Appropriations Committee, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to decline to act on or pass any casino legislation. Click on the "Get Template and Email Addresses" button and follow the instructions. It takes less than 2 minutes - simply cut and paste!
- Spread the Word -- Forward this email to your friends and families and urge them to Take Action!
- Be Social -- Post to social media and follow the NoFairfaxCasino Facebook page.
| | | There's a Reason MCA Has Been Around for 110 Years:
People Like You!
| Committee Spotlight: Membership
|  | Committee Spotlight: Membership Committee
The Membership Committee promotes membership in the MCA and manages membership records. The Committee also organizes or supports MCA Annual Membership meetings and MCA-sponsored public events and attends community events to get the word out about MCA. Committee members take the lead on designing membership surveys and materials. In addition, the Chair serves on the MCA Executive Committee as Second Vice President.
MCA-Sponsored Events We Support Include:
- MCA 110th Anniversary Celebration (10.14.24)
- MCA 110th Anniversary History Walk (10.16.24)
- Legislative Town Hall (12.16.24)
- Youth Job Fair (3.25)
- I Love McLean Celebration (3.25)
- Budget Town Hall (3.25)
- Senior Safety Summit (4.23.25)
- Annual Membership Meeting (5.25)
Community Events We Attend Include:
- McLean 5K (10.5.24)
- MVFD Open House (10.12.24)
- Winterfest Parade (12.8.24)
- McLean Day (5.25)
- School Board/Supervisor Debate (10.27)
Because we’re the Membership Committee, we can’t resist reminding everyone of all the reasons to Renew or Join today!
For more information or to join the Committee, email Membership Committee Chair, Steve Donovan.
|  | Committees: The Heart of MCA
Budget & Taxation (B&T)
Planning & Zoning (P&Z)
Transportation
Education & Youth (E&Y)
Environment, Parks & Recreation (EP&R)
Tysons
Membership
Liaison to McLean Community Center (MCC)
Liaison to McLean Planning Committee (MPC)
Liaison to McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC)
Public Safety Liaison
Senior Liaison
MCA's Committees study issues affecting residents of the McLean Area; develop MCA Resolutions and letters on issues of public significance; and organize public citizen information sessions where local elected officials, Fairfax County representatives and others address specific areas of interest.
Each Committee is made up of volunteers, many of whom have considerable experience and expertise on subjects that the Committee oversees.
You must be a member of the MCA in order to join an MCA Committee.
If you're interested in joining a Committee, or if there is an issue affecting the McLean Area that you think the Committee should investigate, contact the Committee Chair. Thank you for helping to keep MCA an effective advocate for the greater McLean community! | | |
Don't Forget to Renew Your MCA Membership
Click the Red Button Below
|  | | MCA Gives Conditional Support to McLean Crossing Redevelopment
MCA approved a resolution in support of the developer's applications for the McLean Crossing property, which is located on both sides of Anderson Road, east of Chain Bridge Road, west of the Commons Shopping Center, and north of the MITRE office campus.
In its application, the developer seeks to modify the site design, approved in 2013, and construct buildings with optional uses, including potential office, retail, and continuing care facility uses in lieu of additional residential dwellings. MCA conditioned its support on the Board of Supervisors holding the developer to its original proffer that Goodman Field, a full-sized athletic field sorely needed in the rapidly growing Tysons area, will be completed no later than December 31, 2035. |  | McLean CBC Annual Review: Development Still Below Milestone Level
Every year County Planning Division staff reports on the level of residential development in the McLean Central Business District (CBC). The Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 22, 2021 recommends an analysis to review the impacts of new development on the multi-modal transportation system, schools, and other public facilities when residential development levels approach 1,660, considered the "milestone level."
Residential development activity from July 2023 to June 2024 included the approval of two zoning applications, Astoria McLean and McLean Professional Park, which brought the total to 992 residential units existing and entitled in the Center and General Zones of the CBC, 668 units below the milestone level. See McLean CBC Annual Development Update 2024.
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| Meet Our Sheriff
If you've ever wondered what the Fairfax County sheriff does -- what the sheriff's responsibilities are and how those differ from and complement those of the police -- you've come to the right place. At the most recent meeting of the Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition (held concurrently with the MCA Tysons Committee) Sheriff' Stacey Kincaid, Fairfax County's first female sheriff and a proud graduate of Langley High School, answered those questions and many more. Meet her here.
| | | | Hands-Only CPR
Hands-only CPR is a simplified form of CPR that focuses on chest compressions without rescue breaths. Recommended for use by people who witness an adult suddenly collapse in an out-of-hospital setting, it can help gain precious time for a person experiencing a cardiac event by maintaining blood flow to vital organs. It is easy to learn and perform.
MCA is sponsoring a class led by representatives of the McLean Volunteer Fire Department. All are welcome to attend the free class, held immediately prior to our January MCA Board meeting, but registration is required:
McLean Community Center
Wednesday, January 8th
6:30pm - 7:30 pm
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