| Photos from McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) Movie Under the Stars, Friday October 3rd, at Franklin Sherman Elementary School: Above left, McLean Community Foundation Board member Barbara Zamora-Appel, MCA President and MRC Board member Camille White-Partain, MCA Public Safety & Seniors Liaison Patrick Smaldore. Above right, MCA Board member Sarah Bloom, MCA President and MRC Board member Camille White-Partain, MCA Board member and MRC Board member Peter Appel, and MRC Board member Jessica Wu. | | Above left, from MRC's Movie Under the Stars, MCA Board member Raj Mehra, MCA Public Safety & Seniors Liaison Patrick Smaldore, McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) Firefighter Harrison, MVFD Captain Allen, MVFD Firefighter Carlo, MVFD Firefighter Clavijo Cortes, and MVFD President Patricia Moynihan, stand behind MCA President and MRC Board member Camille White-Partain. Photo from McLean Project for the Arts Artfest, Saturday October 5th, at McLean Central Park: MCA President Camille White-Partain, MCA Board member Martin Smith, and MCA Membership Committee member Martha Vera, with Martin's grandchildren, Charlie and Aubrey Smith. | | Above left, from the McLean Volunteer Fire Department Open House, Saturday October 11th, MCA Recording Secretary Rick Fry welcomes McLean families; MCA President Camille White-Partain and MCA Public Safety Liaison Don Sumihiro flank the MCA membership table. |
Dear MCA Membership:
November brings thoughts of giving thanks, family, helping others, and hot chocolate or cider by a warm fire. We have not needed a fire yet (and many have non-wood burning due to condominium regulations and air quality concerns), but MCA is still addressing "hot topics" like No Casino in Fairfax County, tax dollar distribution, land use and zoning, schools and education, parks and environment, and public safety and seniors. Our committees work all year with local government officials in support of our community and citizens.
McLean is active and vibrant during this fall season, and we have many family activities to participate in such as events at MCC’s Alden Theatre, MPA Art exhibits, the McLean Antique show, the McLean Art Society’s non-profit pop-up gallery in the Chesterbrook shopping center, and the MRC Winterfest Parade on December 7th, which this year includes a post-parade block party.
You are invited to join one of our committees or liaison groups of your interest. Enjoy this season and your membership in MCA.
Camille |  | Upcoming Fall (and Winter) Community Events:
Highlighted Events Happening THIS Weekend
McLean Antiques Show & Sale. Friday, November 7th, 10am - 6pm; Saturday, November 9th, 9am-4pm, McLean Community Center. 49th year of this special McLean tradition featuring antiques and collectibles. Coffee and cafe on-site. Admission $11 (children 17 and under free).
McLean Art Gallery. November Show "The Poetry of Art" opening reception. Friday, November 7, 5pm-8pm, Chesterbrook Shopping Center, 6224B Old Dominion Drive (behind Starbucks). 150 new works, wine, refreshments, and live music. Free.
McLean Area Red Cross Blood Drive. Tuesday, November 25th, 10am - 3pm, VFW Post 8241, 1051 Spring Hill Road, McLean 22102.
McLean Winterfest. Sunday, December 7th, 2:30pm - 7pm, Old Chain Bridge Road & Langley Shopping Center. 2:30 pre-parade activities with dance troupes and performing artists; 3:30 parade; 5pm-7pm block party with Santa includes music, arts, food, and fun. Bring your family and guests to McLean's favorite wintertime family event.
|  | MCA Comments on Plan Forward Land Use Element
At its November 3rd Board meeting, MCA approved a letter commenting on the Land Use Element of Plan Forward, the multiyear effort to update and modernize the Policy Plan component of Fairfax County’s Comprehensive Plan. The Plan has not been comprehensively updated since its adoption in 1990, when the county was significantly smaller, less urban, and more homogeneous.
The letter, presented by the Planning & Zoning Committee, commends county authorities on the inclusion of new policy areas:
- The Suburban Village Center concept, which would enable residential use in areas currently zoned for commercial or mixed use;
- An emphasis on placemaking and the arts, which enhance community identity;
- A focus on equitable development to create economic opportunity while preserving cultural heritage and legacy businesses; and
- Addition of a data center policy.
At the same time, the letter requests that policies address issues resulting from office-to-residential conversions where the office building has been approved but not yet built, with particular focus on the cumulative impact of multiple proposals for new housing developments without the provision of supporting infrastructure. The letter also requests that the Plan articulate an intent to minimize impacts on existing residential communities.
View the Plan Forward Staff Report here.
Plan Forward is scheduled for public hearing before the Planning Commission on November 12th at 7:30pm (decision only - rescheduled from October 15th), and before the Board of Supervisors on November 18th at 4:30pm.
The MCA Planning & Zoning Committee (P&Z) typically meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month; however, because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the next meeting is November 18th. For more information, contact P&Z Committee Chair Bob Perito. |  | No Fairfax Casino and Tysons Stakeholders Alliance Speak at General Assembly
On Monday, October 20, the Virginia General Assembly's Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing a Virginia Gaming Commission met to examine issues related to casinos and whether a Virginia Gaming Commission would be helpful in that sphere (earlier hearings had addressed other issues, such as I-gaming). The last speakers of the day were MCA's Liaison to the Greater Tysons Citizens Association (GTCC), Sally Horn, who spoke on behalf of the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance; and the Honorable Chuck Anderson of the Vienna Town Council, who spoke on behalf of the No Fairfax Casino Coalition.
Both grassroots groups urged the General Assembly to establish a Virginia Gaming Commission and pause consideration of legislation for new gaming options until such a commission is established, and both groups emphasized that the ultimate decision regarding a casino must be local.
The MCA approved a letter to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) seeking they include the above recommendations in their legislative program, along with a statement that Fairfax County is not seeking designation as a casino location and a requirement that any request for such designation should be initiated by the BOS. The letter also points out the results of a recent Global Strategy Group survey conducted on behalf of Freedom Virginia showing that 75% of Fairfax County voters oppose a casino in Tysons and 76% of respondents believe that the BOS should increase its efforts to oppose the development of the casino.
See also the letter to the General Assembly's Joint Subcommittee submitted by GTCC (discussed below).
| Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition | Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition Hears from Local Planning Commissioners, Approves Letter Re Gaming
On October 21st, the GTCC hosted a discussion with Planning Commissioners Alyssa Batchelor-Causey (Dranesville) and Jeremy Hancock (Providence) at the McLean Community Center (video). After the Commissioners introduced themselves, GTCC Chair Sally Horn moderated a Q&A session. Members of GTCC, joined by members of MCA's Planning & Zoning Committee, probed the commissioners' thoughts on issues relevant to Tysons, such how the Commission will assess the cumulative impact of multiple office-to-residential conversions on the provision of services, including schools.
Following the meeting with the Commissioners, GTCC held a business meeting to discuss the Virginia General Assembly's Joint Subcommittee's hearing on Monday, October 20th and the recommendations that both the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance and the No Fairfax Casino Coalition offered at that hearing, and to consider a draft letter to Virginia's Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing a Virginia Gaming Commission regarding its work. The GTCC approved the letter which supports the establishment of a gaming commission and a pause on the introduction of legislation for new gambling options until the commission is operational (see also No Casino, above).
The next GTCC meeting is scheduled for December 11th and will be virtual, with a Zoom link sent to all members. Fairfax County Urban Center’s Section Director Suzanne Battista will discuss the Tysons Urban Plan -- framework, implementation, challenges and opportunities.
For more information, contact Sally Horn, GTCC Chair/MCA Liaison to GTCC.
| Safe Community Coalition Hosts Parenting Chats
November 13, 2025, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Exploring Boundaries in Parenting: Pros, Cons, and Consequences
Dr. Heather Tedesco and Mimi Weisberg, LCSW
Setting effective boundaries for children and teens helps create healthier family relationships. We will explore setting reasonable expectations and boundaries for different developmental stages. We encourage discussion about scenarios and techniques that you found effective, and we will provide tools and resources to help with the challenges of parenting. Register here.
December 11, 2025, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Navigating the Digital World: A Parent Discussion on Teen Phones & Screen Time
Dr. Laura Gray, Becky Kohm, M.A.T., Ed.S., and Dr. Heather Tedesco
Are you constantly battling your teen over screen time? Feeling overwhelmed by the influence of smartphones and social media? You're not alone! Connect with other parents to share experiences and challenges. Join us for an open and supportive discussion session where licensed professionals will share their successful strategies for managing phone and screen time with children and teenagers. We'll explore practical tips for setting healthy boundaries, fostering responsible digital habits, and encouraging a balanced approach to technology. Register here.
The discussions are held at the McLean Community Center and facilitated by the SCC Mental Health Committee's experts. There will be plenty of time for questions. For more information, contact: Sarah Tyler. | MCA Mourns Devoted Director/Officer Bruce Jones
On October 17th, MCA lost a special colleague and friend, Bruce Jones, a devoted MCA Director, Officer, committee member, and great citizen.
At its November meeting, MCA passed a resolution in appreciation of Bruce, who, in the words of former President and long-time MCA member Merrily Pierce, "epitomized the ideal MCA member, serving as Secretary and keeper of our historic record and participating in our committee structure by lending his non-confrontational studied expertise to the issues that came before the organization. It was always a pleasure to work with this kind, gentle person. The MCA will always be the beneficiary of his years of loyal membership."
The Lemon Road Civic Association that Bruce served for many years also penned its own tribute.
Rest in peace, Bruce.
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