Happy Friday, Mason District,

I hope everyone is doing well and continuing to have a great summer. As we're now over halfway through the Mason District Summer Concert Series, don't miss out on the few remaining free and family friendly concerts at the Mason District Park! Tonight, Kiti Gartner & The Drifting Valentines will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and the MYS Crepes food truck will be on site with delicious treats to purchase!

I also wanted to comment on a recent statement released by my office. Land use decisions must keep both critical infrastructure and community needs in mind. That's why yesterday, I called on the Fairfax County Planning Commission to recommend denial of Dominion Energy's Edsall road substation proposal. You can view my statement by clicking HERE.

In this edition of Mason Matters, you'll see what I've been up to recently, ensure you're prepared for back-to-school season, and be informed on helpful Fairfax County programs and offerings.

As always, thank you for staying engaged and connected with our community. If my office can be of assistance, please reach out at Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov or call our main line at 703‑256‑7717.

If my office can be of assistance, please reach out at Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov or call our main line at 703‑256‑7717.

Sincerely,

Mason District community engagement and neighborhood participation for National Night Out

National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building event that enhances the relationship between neighbors and first responders/law enforcement while fostering a true sense of community.

This year, various Mason District neighborhoods and communities hosted spectacular NNO celebrations that my team and I were grateful to attend.

Mason District Arts Council 250th celebration: The New Colossus Mural

Built with the vision of sharing the expression of belonging, it was great to see this beautiful new mural go up as part of our Mason Arts 250 celebration.

The mural located on John Marr Drive features The Statue of Liberty and lines from Emma Lazarus's poem, "The New Colossus." Huge thanks to Omaid Sharifi and ArtLords for leading the initial volunteer painting session at our Asian Night Market and to the Mason District Arts Council for driving this project forward.

FREE Meals for all children 18 and under through Fairfax County Summer Nutrition Program

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) runs the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to provide FREE meals to all children 18 and under at various schools across the county.

No registration or identification required. Find participating schools here: Summer Food Service Program | Fairfax County Public Schools

James Lee Community Center

This event is open to Fairfax County students in kindergarten through 12th grade who need school supplies to help them start the school year prepared for success.

In addition to free school supplies, families will have the opportunity to connect with representatives from various county agencies and community organizations at our resource tables, where they can learn about programs and services available to support them.

Students can also enjoy a variety of fun activities, including arts and crafts, face painting, and henna!

When: Thursday, August 13th, 5-7PM

Where: James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Rd #114, Falls Church, VA 22042)

Minnie H. Peyton Community Center



At this free and family-friendly event that is

open to all, children enrolled in 1st-12th grade and living in Fairfax County can receive backpacks and school supplies!

Registration is required and children must be present. Children under 13 must also be accompanied by an adult

When: Saturday, August 15th, 11AM-2PM

Where: Minnie H. Peyton Community Center (5920 Summers Ln, Falls Church, VA 22041)

Emergency Food Providers

The Fairfax Food Access Program connects residents with local resources that make it easier to find affordable, healthy meals. You can also explore the Emergency Food Access Providers Map to locate food pantries, community meal sites, and assistance programs across the county.

Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/health/food-access to learn more.

Virginia's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Eligible older adults ages 60 and older can receive a one-time $50 benefit through Virginia's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from participating vendors at farmers markets throughout Fairfax County and across the Commonwealth.

Applications are open through September 30, 2026. Eligible seniors are encouraged to apply online or through the Healthy Together app to take advantage of this opportunity to support local farmers while enjoying fresh, nutritious food.

Have questions about VA SFMNP in Fairfax County? Contact the Senior Farmers Market program team for support by emailing va-senior@freshfarm.org, texting 1-833-412-4863, or calling 855-827-3667.

Senior Cool Care Program Returns for Summer

The Senior Cool Care Program is now accepting inquiries to help eligible older adults stay cool this summer. Through this program, low-income residents age 60 and older may qualify to receive fans or window mounted air conditioning units to provide additional cooling at home during the hottest months of the year.

The program runs from May 1 through October 31 and is sponsored through a partnership between Dominion Energy, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.

Additional Cooling Assistance programs are also available for eligible households with seniors, young children, or individuals with disabilities. Residents interested in learning more can contact the Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948.

Ravensworth Road (Route 2864) between Braddock Road (Route 620) and John Marr Drive (Route 757) will be closed to through traffic from 9 p.m. TODAY, Aug. 7, until 4 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, for drainage pipe replacement.

You can get traffic, work zone and incident information online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, via the free mobile 511Virginia app, or by calling 511 in Virginia anywhere anytime.

Learn more here: Northern Virginia District | Ravensworth Road weekend closure in Annandale Aug. 7-10 | Virginia Department of Transportation