Friday, September 4th, 2026

A Note from Andres

Happy Friday, Mason District,

I hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to Labor Day Weekend! As a reminder, my office is closed on Monday, September 7th for the holiday.

Additionally, my office is aware of the fallen power lines, trees, and affected roadways following last night's intense thunderstorm. We are actively working with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Department of Cable and Consumer Services, and Dominion Power to ensure that services are restored as soon as possible.

In this edition of Mason Matters, you'll see what I've been up to recently 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.

Sincerely,

Andres Jimenez

Mason District Supervisor

View the Cooling Centers Map

Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

Domestic and Sexual Violence 24 Hour Hotline

Call: 703-360-7273

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

Call: 9-8-8

Fairfax County Mobile Crisis Unit

Call: 703-573-5679

Around the District with Supervisor Jimenez

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Year

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Lunch at Westlawn ES!

With back to school officially in the books, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than kicking off our Mason District Teacher and Staff Appreciation Year!

As a way to thank the incredible crew of teachers, faculty, and staff at Westlawn Elementary School, my office partnered with Paisanos to organize a back-to-school pizza party! I had a wonderful time speaking with everyone and learning how I can continue to support their teachers and staff.

Celebrating Women's Equality Day

The 106th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

Last week I attended the Women's Equality Day Celebration at the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial (TPSM) in Occoquan Regional Park - the historic site where suffragists were jailed in 1917 as punishment for picketing the White House.

While there, I had the privilege of speaking with various women's rights advocacy groups, including Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi.

Thank you to NOVA Parks, the American Association of University Women, Delta Sigma Theta, the League of Women Voters, and the Virginia National Organization for Women for a powerful morning of remembrance.

A New Mural at Bailey's Elementary School

Honoring the Arts and Sciences at Bailey's Elementary School

Over the last month, my office has been working with local artist John Hartt and the Mason District Arts Council to bring a new mural to Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences.

Thank you to John and his team for this incredible new mural that is now home to Bailey's! A huge shoutout to James Albright and the Mason District Arts Council for their continuous advocacy of the arts here in Mason.

Justice High School Back to School Night

Wishing Justice High School an Amazing 2026-27 School Year!

I had a wonderful time attending yesterday's Back to School Night at Justice High School!

Being the only Title 1 High School in Fairfax County, Justice High School is uniquely equipped to help students thrive and meet academic standards. Furthermore, Justice HS has the largest AVID program in the entire Commonwealth, supporting higher education for first generation students post-high school.

I'd like to thank all the incredible teachers, faculty, and staff at Justice High School that work so hard to ensure our kids have an amazing education.

Mason District Transportation Fair

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 10th!

The 3rd Annual Mason District Transportation Fair!

Do you want to learn more about local public transit and Fairfax County transportation resources? Save the date Mason District!

The transportation fair serves as a FREE opportunity to learn more about public transportation in Mason District, talk to local and regional transportation entities, and find out about transportation programs, opportunities, and exciting new projects here in Mason District and Fairfax County!

When: Saturday, October 10th, 11am-1pm

Where: Minnie H. Peyton Community Center

Stay tuned for additional announcements coming soon!

Events & Resources

Free Student Bus + Metrobus

Attention Student Bus Pass Plus Metrobus Users!

Fairfax County's Free Student Bus Pass + Metrobus program has expanded to include a total of five schools: Justice High School, Annandale High School, Falls Church High School, George C. Marshall High School and Davis Center.

Students who attend these schools can ride Metrobus for FREE in Northern Virginia, along with Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE. When you sign up for the pass, you'll receive a specially designed and programmed Smart Trip card. Interested? Get started by completing the application with permission from a parent/guardian. Then turn in the form to your school's administration office and you're good to go!

The application is also available in Spanish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic and Chinese. To request a copy in one of these languages, email Saul.CiezaMejia@fairfaxcounty.gov

Fairfax County 250th Commission Movie Screening

The Fairfax County 250th Commission happily presents the movie “1776"

Come enjoy this musical retelling of the American Revolution's political struggle in the Continental Congress to declare independence. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and slave holders in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single "nay" vote will forever end the question of independence. Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants.

When: September 18th at 7:00pm

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

No tickets required! First come, first seated!

Fall Festival at Leopold's Preserve

Join the Northern Virginia Conservatuon Trust for their annual Fall Festival at Leopold's Preserve!

Co-hosted with the White House Farm Foundation, this annual festival features outdoor activities, local vendors, and raffles throughout the day.

You can expect:

Native Plants and garden goods for sale
Rockland's BBQ food truck
4M Vending food truck
Free face painting
Animal Encounters with rehabilitated wildlife
Raffles for fun prizes
Guided nature hikes
Tables from local environmental and outdoor organizations

Parking is free but limited! We encourage carpooling; it's not only good for the environment but also saves you a headache on festival day!

Emergency Food Service

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.

Animal Service Opportunities

Donate to the Mason District Pet Pantry!

Interested in donating to the Mason District Pet Pantry?

Having fed 48 dogs and cats just last month, the Mason District Pet Pantry is in need of additional donations ahead of their upcoming distributions!

Please consider donating via their Amazon Wishlist, or by emailing hollyhazard@gmail.com!

Animal Services Corner

Senior Summer Resources

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

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.

Contact Mason District

Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mason

Email: Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov

Phone: 703-256-7717

Mason Governmental Center (6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003)

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm (Please note: we will be observing Summer Fridays starting this week through mid-August and closing at 3pm).

Fairfax County does not discuss individuals’ personal information unless authorized or required to do so by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act or other law. Any e-mail or other correspondence sent to a member of the Board of Supervisors, or any other public official and/or employee of Fairfax County may be subject to disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.