End of Year Reminders: CWCA Dues, Leaf Vacuuming, and Yard Waste Pick Up

Hello CWCA Neighbors,

We have a few end of year reminders to share:

  1. DUES: We are off to a strong start with dues payments! Many thanks to the 234 households who have already paid. If you have not paid yet, please do so now. Winter is here, and with it the potential snow removal is right around the corner. Read below for more information on the three ways to pay and cross that off your list!
  2. LEAF VACUUMING: For those of us who have County leaf vacuuming, the next round in our neighborhood will be the week of 12/22. Because we have a bit of time before this next collection, please consider timing when you move more leaves to the curb until AFTER Light Up Chesterbrook on 12/13 to keep streets somewhat clear for that night.
  3. YARD WASTE PICK UP PAUSE:
    1. The county’s yard waste pick-up pauses from Christmas to early March (except for Christmas tree pick-up). During this period, you can either put your yard waste in a regular bin or save it until service resumes.
    2. March 6th will be our first yard waste pick up of 2026.

THREE WAYS TO PAY YOUR CWCA DUES:

  1. By Zelle – send $40 payment to susan.garrahan. You will see “Chesterbrook Woods Citizens Association” after you enter that email address. Enter the dues amount and include your CWCA address (# and Street) in the memo section so we can credit your household.
  2. By PayPal — Go to paypal.me/chesterbrookwoods and send $40. Include your name and CWCA street address in the “What’s this for?” memo, so we can credit your household.
  3. By Check — Make your $40 check payable to “CWCA” and include your street address, so we can credit your household. You can bring your check to the Oktoberfest party or mail it to Susan Garrahan at 1714 Oak Ln, McLean, VA 22101.

We wish you a merry holiday season,

The CWCA Board

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❄️❄️ Light Up Chesterbrook – Help us pull this off ❄️❄️

LIGHT UP CHESTERBROOK | Saturday, December 13th

Thanks to everyone who ordered from us. Now on to the fun parts!

Our luminaria kit assembly extravaganza is the morning and early afternoon of Saturday, December 6th.

We’ll need help loading our shipment into cars at Amanda’s house, sorting candles and luminaria bags for all the orders you’ve placed at Chesterbrook Elementary, and delivering them throughout Chesterbrook Woods, Chain Bridge Forest, and Potomac Hills.

You can sign up for one (or more!) shifts using our Sign Up Genius link.

Teens who help out can earn community service hours. Get in touch with one of us if you have questions about that.

Didn’t get a chance to order luminaria kits? We’ll have a few extras on hand, and we’ll keep taking orders at lightupcw.com as long as there are enough.

Over the next couple of weeks, look for more information about our food trucks, a map of all the houses participating, and one or two timely reminders.

If you’re using your own candles, we’d still like to include you on our neighborhood map. Let us know by “ordering” for $0.00 here or send us an email.

Carla, Amanda, Chris, Leah, Maria, Mary, Amy, Melinda, Nancy, Robin, and Dave

lightupcw.com

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❄️❄️ Light Up Chesterbrook – Last weekend to order ❄️❄️

LIGHT UP CHESTERBROOK | Saturday, December 13th

It’s officially the middle of November, and we’ll be assembling luminaria kits to deliver to the neighborhood just 3 weeks from today!

This weekend is your last chance to order from us at lightupcw.com.

We’ll have a sign-up link out shortly for helping with kit assembly and delivery. (It’s fun!)

❄️❄️ ❄️❄️ ❄️❄️

A reminder about the 501(c)(3) charities we’re supporting this year with the net proceeds from our sales –

SHARE – Supports our community by providing food, clothing, and other necessities. The need is particularly critical this year.

McLean Matters – A program of the McLean High School PTSA to help students in need, and by extension their families.

Northern Virginia Family Service – Works to lift individuals and families in Northern Virginia from poverty.

McLean Volunteer Fire Department – The community gives essential support for our local fire and rescue services, as it has for the last hundred years. (And they give Santa rides in the community throughout the holiday season.)

Ho, ho, and all that.

Carla, Amanda, Chris, Leah, Maria, Mary, Amy, Melinda, Nancy, Robin, and Dave

lightupcw.com

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Coyote Sighting

Several different neighbors have reported seeing what they think is a coyote on Laburnum Street. The county animal warden advises if a coyote is behaving abnormally or aggressively, like a rabid dog, then call the county police non-emergency number (703-691-2131) and they will dispatch an animal control officer, or try the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries toll-free wildlife conflict helpline (1-855-571-9003).

Advice Regarding Coyotes
The best way to prevent coyotes from becoming a problem is to not give them a reason to take up residence in your community. If anyone in the neighborhood is feeding wildlife directly, or indirectly, it can cause trouble for everybody. Feeding wildlife will cause coyotes and other wildlife to lose their natural fear of humans.

  • Keep trash inside until the morning of trash pick-up or place trash in an animal proof container, such as a metal or plastic trashcan with latches on the lids.
  • Do not leave pet food outside; keep pet feeding areas clean.
  • Remove bird feeders when problem species have been seen around them.
  • Close up all openings under and into your buildings. Animals look for places to den and raise their young – don’t give them that opportunity.
  • Clear fallen fruit from around trees.
  • Keep brushy areas in your yard cut down to prevent cover for coyotes.
  • Keep small pets inside, and on a leash when outside; they may be viewed by a coyote as prey. Larger dogs are viewed as a threat particularly from January to June while mating and birthing coyote pups.
  • Install coyote proof fencing to protect unsupervised pets.

Regards,
CWCA Board

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❄️❄️ Light Up Chesterbrook – Orders are open! ❄️❄️

In just a few weeks – on Saturday, December 13th – it will be time for our sixth year of Light Up Chesterbrook.

Fill the streets, sidewalks, and driveways with thousands of luminarias, pick up dinner from one of our awesome food trucks, join your neighbors in and around Chesterbrook, and enjoy a magical evening.

Yes, we’re barely into November. But the time to order luminaria kits is NOW. To get everything here in time, we need to order from our supplier in just a couple of weeks.

You can get luminaria kits (candles and bags) from us at lightupcw.com. Please place your orders by Sunday, November 16th.

Keep in mind that our sales raise money for local charities. They need our help more than ever this year. Buying luminaria kits through our website is a great way to help support the broader community.

We’ll have more information about the evening, and how you can help us make it happen, in the weeks to come. In the meantime – before it slips your mind – place your first order of candles today!

With many thanks,

Carla, Amanda, Chris, Leah, Maria, Mary, Amy, Melinda, Nancy, Robin, and Dave

lightupcw.com

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CWCA Directory: FINAL CALL for Young Entrepreneurs, Directory Updates and Art

Hello CWCA Residents,

We are finishing updates to the 2025-2026 CWCA Directory. The planned schedule is for block captains to distribute in late November or early December. If you know someone who has recently moved into the neighborhood who hasn’t talked to a block captain yet, please ask them to send an email RIGHT AWAY to chesterbrookwoods so we can get their information added to the directory.

Thanks to everyone who has filled out the Young Entrepreneurs form for this year. If you have a child who is 12 or older who would like to promote services like babysitting, sports or academic tutoring, dog walking, yard work, and you or they haven’t filled out the Young Entrepreneurs form this year, please cwcaweb. Submission Deadline: November 7th.

Thanks to the everyone who has submitted ‘tree’ artwork drawn by their children. If your child was working on a drawing but you haven’t submitted it yet, please do so now! We will choose one of the pictures for the cover of the directory and will include as many as possible of other submitted pictures on an interior page.

Here are the guidelines:

  1. The drawing must be original art showing a tree, trees, or a house with trees
  2. Any medium may be used as long as it is scannable, however the artwork will most likely be printed in black and white
  3. The drawing must fit on a standard 8 1/2" by 11" sheet of paper
  4. Paper orientation should be "Portrait", not "Landscape"
  5. One entry per artist
  6. Artist’s name should be included separate from the drawing, however, artist may sign the drawing.
  7. We will attribute the artist’s name with the drawing if the drawing is selected for inclusion in the directory
  8. The Board reserves the right to decide which artwork will be included in the directory
  9. Only drawings from Chesterbrook Woods residents ages 18 years and below are eligible to be considered for the contest
  10. Scan the drawing and send it in a jpg format to chesterbrookwoods (art must be received by Friday, November 7th).

Thank you!
CWCA Directory Team

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A note on 2025-2026 CWCA Dues Rationale

Some neighbors have asked about reasons for the recent dues increase to $40. Below is a summary of the productive discussion we had about this at the in-person Fall meeting.

For context, from ~ FY 18/19, dues were $15/year with over $40K in reserve. The reserve was high due to previous years when dues were $25 to $50/year coinciding with several years with no snow removal cost. The low dues – $15/year – was set to slowly draw down the high reserve.

In FY 24/25, dues rose slightly to $20. We started the year with $28.9K. We had snow and spent $11K on plowing/sanding and $8.5K on non-snow items (Insurance, Directory services, and the Fall party). Our reserve is now $18K.

Looking ahead, it can help to think about our planned expenses (budget) on a per household basis. There are 535+ households in CW. Since dues are voluntary, we typically collect from 300-380 households (more and targeted reminders lead to the higher-end participation rate).

This year’s budget (which matches last year’s expenses):

  • $11K for snow removal – or $29 per paying household (if 380 pay)
  • $8.5K for other expenses – or $22.50 per paying household

Instead of setting dues at $51.50 (the total of above) to fully fund this budget, we opted for $40. Thus, if snow removal costs $11K this year, we will need to use reserves to fully cover expenses (-$3.5K in reserves needed). The Board does not believe it is prudent to assume no snow in the coming year since, as you can see, snow plowing costs are significant and swiftly reduce our reserve.

Of course, if we get minimal snow, next year’s dues will likely decrease. But if we get big storms, we may deplete our reserve and need an emergency collection.

We know CWCA members (dues-payers) want even higher participation, so this year we added a new payment method (Zelle).

We encourage you to pay your dues EARLY. We are a volunteer organization, and it lessens our workload if you pay now!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAYING DUES:

  1. By Zelle – send $40 payment to susan.garrahan. You will see “Chesterbrook Woods Citizens Association” after you enter that email address. Enter the dues amount and include your CWCA address (# and Street) in the memo section so we can credit your household.
  2. By PayPal — Go to paypal.me/chesterbrookwoods and send $40. Include your name and CWCA street address in the “What’s this for?” memo, so we can credit your household.
  3. By Check — Make your $40 check payable to “CWCA” and include your street address, so we can credit your household. You can bring your check to the Oktoberfest party or mail it to Susan Garrahan.

**Payment by cash will be accepted at the Oktoberfest Party only (but not thereafter).

CWCA Oktoberfest Party TOMORROW + We Need Volunteers!

Hello neighbors,

Just a quick reminder that our annual Chesterbrook Woods Oktoberfest & Halloween Party is tomorrow, Sunday, October 26th from 3-6pm at the Laburnum Street Cul-de-Sac! We can’t wait to see you there. Costumes are encouraged for all ages!

What to Bring:

  • A dessert to share or water or juice boxes (voluntary)
  • CWCA Annual Dues payment of $40 (cash, check, Zelle or PayPal)
  • $10 per adult to defray party expenses (voluntary)
  • A donation for Share of McLean (our local food bank, voluntary)

We Still Need Activity Volunteers!

We’re looking for 6 more volunteers to help with activities throughout the event. Shifts are just 45 minutes starting at 3pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the party too! We especially need help with:

  • Moonbounce monitors (must be 18+)
  • Face Painting/Craft Helpers

Middle & high schoolers — this is a great opportunity for volunteer hours! Please reach out to CWCAFallFun@gmail.com if you can help.

Give Back: SHARE of McLean Donations

We will have a table to help collect donations for SHARE of McLean. They have a particular need for:

  • Coats, scarves, hats
  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes

Any contributions you can bring will be greatly appreciated!

See you soon!

Thank you to our community sponsors!

  • Lizzy Conroy, HBC Group at SERHANT
  • Cabell Fooshe, Links Realty Group at KW McLean
  • Paul’s Best Lawn Service
  • RFG Homes
  • Endlessly Contracting – Nelson Garcia

CWCA News: Another car break in – LOCK DOORS on vehicles!

CWCA Residents-

We had another contractor truck/car break in yesterday afternoon at the corner of Chesterbrook Road and Forest Lane. Please remind all of your contractors to LOCK DOORS or to secure their valuables somehow.

We are working with Officer Dan Goldman of the FCPD who supplied us with this crime prevention presentation and is talking to us on ways to combat this issue. One idea is for more of us to get the RING cameras and then register the cameras with the FCPD. We will continue to research and report back.

Until then, we can all just be more vigilant and report anything suspicious to the FCPD non emergency line at 703-691-2131.

If there is an incident please try to file a report immediately so we can get it on record and stay on the radar of the FCPD.

Regards,
Cabell Fooshe
CWCA Security Director