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Dear MCA Membership:
December and holiday spirit continues with dinners, parties, and community. Please remember to stock our local food banks and help those in need, as our family does every year.
The community service provided by our Fairfax County Police and Fire Departments, including the volunteers, is outstanding. For example, the Fairfax County Police Department was selected as a national model for use of force review practices. Congratulations.
McLean Volunteer Fire Department is working diligently to raise money to replace its fire engine. Thank you to all who have contributed. Currently, they are selling a beautiful holiday ornament with Santa in their antique Pirsch fire engine. It is lovely (gold and red). I have one. You can find more details under Public Safety & Seniors, below.
As you are aware, MCA is collaborating with local organizations and our county and state government officials regarding ‘No Fairfax Casino.’ I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. I chose to use a well-known phrase, since I represented many – "We The People…" -- and added that MCA has been supporting our community for 110 years. You can watch the video here (casino testimony is at "3:00 pm Public Hearing").
I hope to see you at McLean's own Winterfest Parade on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Visit me at the MCA table and/or march with the MCA group. More Winterfest information is below.
Happy Holidays and be safe.
Camille
|  |  | Winter and Holiday Community Events:
McLean Art Gallery December Holiday Show Opening Reception. Friday, December 5th, 5:00pm-8:00pm, Chesterbrook Shopping Center, 6224B Old Dominion Drive. Enjoy a special small works exhibit and unique display of artful holiday gift items, along with wine and refreshments from local restaurants. RSVP here.
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.
JOIN YOUR FRIENDS AT MCA AS WE WALK IN THE PARADE!
MEET AT 1:30 PM AT GREENBERRY'S COFFEE COMPANY
6839 Redmond Drive, behind McLean Giant
| MCA Supports Onelife Fitness Building Redevelopment
At its December 3rd Board meeting, MCA approved a letter in support of the application for Paradigm Companies' redevelopment of the two-story building at 8250 Greensboro Drive in Tysons, the current home of a Onelife Fitness health club. Paradigm seeks to develop the site, which is adjacent to an approved future development known as Greensboro Park Place, a close walk from Tysons Galleria, and across Greensboro Drive from the Boro mixed-use development, into two residential high-rise towers, along with a playground and dog park.
The developer requests a modification from the 10-acre minimum for rezoning to the Planned Tysons Corner district, and MCA believes that the parcel’s approximately 2-acre size should not prevent the application's approval, given the benefits for current residents, as well as the positive impact of additional residential development on local restaurants, entertainment, and retail.
|  | MCA Gives Conditional Support to Spring Hill Reserve
Single-Family Home Project
Also at its December Board meeting, MCA approved a resolution in support of an application for redevelopment of an approximately 5-acre property located on Spring Hill Road at the Dulles Access Road and across from Sunrise of McLean assisted living. There are currently four older homes and accessory structures on the property, and the applicant proposes to replace those 1950s buildings with a single-family detached residential community consisting of 14 homes.
In its resolution, MCA notes the following in support of its recommendation for approval:
- Density: The resulting density of the new development will be 2.8 dwelling units per acre, consistent with Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan recommendations;
- Traffic: The community will be served by a single access point to Spring Hill Road, shared with the existing adjacent church and opposite from Turning Leaf Lane, with a left turn lane into the property, instead of the five driveways (serving the church and four houses) that currently exist;
- Community Feedback: The applicant met with the Lewinsville Coalition, representing many of the homeowners in surrounding neighborhoods, and the Coalition was generally satisfied with the proposal as it was presented.
MCA's support is contingent, however, on the applicant’s school proffers being paid at the time of the approval of the site plan or the granting of the first building permit.
The MCA Planning & Zoning Committee (P&Z) typically meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month; however, there is no meeting meeting in December. The Committee's next meeting is January 27th. For more information, contact P&Z Committee Chair Bob Perito. |  | Board of Supervisors To Vote on Inclusion of “No Fairfax Casino Language” in Legislative Program
URGENT ACTION NEEDED:
ONE MORE LETTER TO YOUR SUPERVISOR & CHAIRMAN MCKAY
The Board of Supervisors will adopt their 2026 Legislative Program on December 9th. The Legislative Program provides directions to the State Delegates and Senators regarding the County’s 2026 legislative priorities. The grassroots organizations opposed to a casino in Fairfax County have been advocating for “No Casino Language” to be included as one of the County’s priorities.
At a recent meeting, Supervisor Alcorn advised that he would be offering the following amended language to the draft Program:
"Oppose legislation in the General Assembly that authorizes a casino in Fairfax County without any request for such legislation from the Board of Supervisors, without implementation of a statewide Gaming Commission, and without a tax revenue split that substantially benefits Fairfax County as opposed to the Commonwealth. The designation and location of a casino is inherently a major land use decision and General Assembly intervention in Fairfax County’s land use processes would undermine decades of community consensus and economic success."
This is the clear “No Casino Language” that we have been lobbying for! We need everyone to send one last email to their Supervisor -- and Chairman McKay -- by COB December 8th to request they support Supervisor Alcorn’s amendment. Click here to access the Take Action automated letter writing tool. Please send the link to friends and family living in Fairfax County.
We also need a strong demonstration of No Fairfax Casino opposition at the December 9th Board of Supervisors meeting. Wear red and join us at 10:00 am at the Fairfax Governmental Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035. We will have a limited supply of No Fairfax Casino t-shirts available at the meeting.
| MCA, No Fairfax Casino, and Tysons Stakeholders Alliance Speak Before Board of Supervisors
Several leaders of organizations committed to opposing a Tysons casino spoke at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors public hearing on Tuesday, November 18th. Eight of the ten individuals who offered comments during the open comment period of the meeting spoke against the Tysons casino (notably, there were no pro-casino speakers).
Reprinted here by permission is TSA's testimony recap:
Paula Martino (President, Tysons Stakeholders Alliance): Martino outlined two requests for the Fairfax Board of Supervisors’ 2026 Legislative Priorities Agenda: (1)Support the establishment of a robust Virginia Gaming Commission (VGC) with a moratorium on gaming expansion. (2) Clearly oppose any casino legislation or attempts by Richmond to override Fairfax County’s land-use authority.
Linda Colbert (Mayor, Town of Vienna): Mayor Colbert returned to testify in front of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors for the second consecutive year to speak in opposition to a casino development in Tysons. She indicated that fighting a local casino is the number one item on the town’s legislative agenda going into the General Assembly session. Mayor Colbert noted that the issue is costing time, effort, and worry for council members and different groups, while more important and pressing matters should be addressed.
Chuck Anderson (Member, Vienna Town Council; Member, No Fairfax Casino Coalition): The No Fairfax Casino Coalition represents around 200,000 members in the region. Anderson urged the Board to include No Tysons Casino language in the Board’s legislative packet. He also asked the Board to not just include a statement that they haven’t asked for a casino, but instead include one that says that they clearly oppose it. Finally, Anderson requested the Board to support a VGC.
Camille White-Partain (President, McLean Citizens Association): White-Partain noted that McLean Citizens Association (MCA) members have appeared numerous times in front of the Board to oppose the casino proposal. MCA urged the Board to include an explicit statement within their legislative packet opposing the development of any casino within the county. On behalf of MCA, White-Partain recommended that the Board support the creation of the VGC, and halt expansion of gaming until the gaming commission is operational.
Sally Horn (Chair, Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition): Horn testified that the Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition has continued its efforts to advance a VGC and a moratorium on gaming expansion in the state. She testified that the Board’s prior work on the issue has not done enough to convince casino advocates in the Senate against a local development. She also urged the Board to be more explicit and clearly state its opposition to authorize a referendum for a casino in Tysons.
| McLean Volunteer Fire Department Holiday Ornaments on Sale Now
This year’s McLean Volunteer Fire Department holiday ornament features a charming design of Santa riding the MVFD's own antique Pirsch fire engine — a perfect keepsake to celebrate the season and honor our community’s firefighting heritage. Each ornament is $30, and all proceeds directly support the purchase of a new fire engine, helping MVFD continue to serve and protect the McLean community.
Available at these local stores:
McLean Hardware — 1445 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 22101
Child’s Play Toys and Books — 6645 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA 22101
You can also purchase one at Winterfest!!
Thank you for your incredible support — and happy holidays from all of us at the McLean Volunteer Fire Department!
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Dementia Friends Information Session
Wednesday, December 10, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Join the Dementia Friendly Fairfax Action Team for a virtual information session and become a Dementia Friend. Turn your new understanding of dementia into practical action that can help someone living in your community. Register here.
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