Good afternoon, Mason District,

This week, Fairfax County proudly welcomed home the members of Fairfax 01 (USA-01) following their earthquake response mission in Venezuela. Seventy-nine members of the team and six search canines returned home after serving communities in need overseas, where they were greeted by their families and residents from across our region. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication, courage, and service, and we thank everyone who supported them throughout their deployment.

It's also been another busy start to the month here in Mason District. We celebrated America's 250th anniversary alongside neighbors from across our community, and we're excited to welcome two summer interns, Eshal and Alex, to our office. Be sure to keep reading to learn more about them!

If you're looking for something to do this evening, join us for the second performance in our Summer Concert Series at Mason District Park. Cougar Beatrice takes the stage at 7:30 p.m., and we hope to see you there for a great night of music.

In this edition of Mason Matters, you'll find important heat safety resources, opportunities to share your feedback through community surveys, information for first-time homebuyers, upcoming community meetings, sustainability programs, and much more.

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,

Music, community, and local businesses

Despite a little rain, our inaugural Summer Concert Series kickoff was a tremendous success! It was a pleasure to begin the evening by recognizing Celebrity Delly, which generously handed out gift cards and coupons to concertgoers, and to have our Fairfax County Park Authority Board appointee, Rick Healy, help kick off the festivities.

Events like these are about more than great music—they're an opportunity to bring neighbors together while highlighting the local businesses that help make Mason District such a vibrant community. We hope to see you tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Mason District Park as Cougar Beatrice takes the stage!

A neighborhood tradition

It was so much fun celebrating America's 250th with neighbors at the Lee Boulevard Heights Neighborhood Association's annual Fourth of July Parade! Despite the summer heat, we had a wonderful time marching through the neighborhood, chatting with our local firefighters, and wrapping up the celebration with the community potluck.

We were thrilled to welcome two new interns to the Mason District Office this summer, Eshal Malik and Alex de Dios. We're excited to have them on our team and look forward to the contributions they'll make over the coming weeks.

Eshal Malik is a rising senior at Thomas Edison High School and a student in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Passionate about public policy and healthcare, Eshal is actively involved in her community through leadership and volunteer service. She serves as President of Eagles Against Gun Violence, Treasurer of Healing Hearts, and volunteers at local hospitals while tutoring fellow students. Through these experiences, she has developed a strong commitment to public service and hopes to continue making a meaningful impact in her community while exploring careers in government and healthcare.

Alex de Dios is a rising junior at Georgetown University majoring in mathematics and a proud honor graduate of Falls Church High School. Outside of academics, Alex enjoys reading and jogging. He looks forward to gaining firsthand experience in local government this summer and learning more about serving the Mason District community.

First-Time Homebuyers May Qualify for Up to $50,000 in Down Payment Assistance

Community Meeting on Willston Tank Replacement



Join Fairfax Water to learn more about the Willston Tank Replacement Project on Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Willston Multicultural Center Basement Meeting Room. The meeting will be held in both Spanish and English.

Fairfax Water needs to replace the water storage tank near Wilson Boulevard and John Marshall Drive in Falls Church. The new tank will store more water for emergencies and help improve water pressure in the community.

Learn more at the meeting or on our website, fairfaxwater.org/willston-tank. For questions, please email the Willston Tank Project Team at willstontank@fairfaxwater.org.

Land Development Services Education Opportunities

Does the heat of summer have you thinking you need to upgrade from a sprinkler to a pool in your backyard? Does your barbecue hangout spot have a few loose screws or rotted deck boards? Or maybe your AC stopped working and you want to install the HVAC yourself!

Before you hand any money to a contractor or pick up a shovel to start digging, think about taking a Building Permits 101 class or Deck Details class from Fairfax County’s Land Development Services (LDS). We have classes available in several formats on our Education & Outreach website.

Learn about the building permit process before you start your next home renovation and save time and money today! Click here to request a Building Permits 101 class for your neighborhood organization!

Extreme Heat Resources

Rising temperatures should be taken seriously as they can pose significant health risks to you, your family, and your pets. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can quickly lead to heat-related illness, particularly for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic health conditions.

We encourage everyone to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and check in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones who may need assistance.

Be sure to visit Fairfax County's Extreme Heat resources page to learn about cooling centers, air conditioning assistance programs, and other services available to help residents stay safe throughout the summer.

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.

Enjoy free live music all summer long at Mason District Park

The Mason District Summer Concert Series is back with another exciting season of free live performances featuring local favorites, orchestras, tribute bands, and more. Bring your friends, family, blankets, and lawn chairs and enjoy music under the stars all summer long.

This year’s lineup includes:

• June 26 – The Fabulous Hazards

• July 10 – Cougar Beatrice

• July 17 – Falls Church Concert Band

• July 24 – Gotcha Covered

• July 31 – NOVA Symphony Orchestra

• August 7 – Kiti Gartner and The Valentines

• August 14 – Pat McGee Band

• August 24 – Orquestra Tropikiimba

Check out the full lineup and concert flyer for more information on performances and event details.

International Trade, Tariffs & Trade Deficits: Facts & Fiction

The Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia, an educational group for adults over 50, will hold its next in-person Forum on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at the Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA.

The guest speaker will be James Wallar, a former U.S. trade negotiator, who will address the issues associated with the many twists and turns of trade policy, including the misconception that exports are good and imports are bad. 

This program is free and open to the public without registration. More information is on the LLI/NOVA website. LLI/NOVA also provides more than 130 classes, programs and excursions a year to its members. For any questions, please e-mail LLI/NOVA at admin@llinova.org.

Plastic Free July: Save Money and Protect Your Health By Ditching Plastic

Did you know that the average family could save $1,000-$2,000 per year by swapping out single-use items like food containers, water bottles, coffee mugs, shopping bags, and utensils for reusable ones? Switches like these also go a long way toward reducing litter, conserving resources, and lowering hidden costs of managing plastic waste. What with the 16,000+ undisclosed chemical ingredients found in plastics, reducing your exposure also benefits your health.

This Plastic Free July, stop by the Annandale Farmers Market on Thursday, July 23rd, 2026 from 8:00AM - 12:00PM to learn more from Clean Fairfax. We’ll be demonstrating safer alternatives to plastics for food preservation and talking about reusables. Fairfax County’s Farmers Markets are leading the way in Virginia, now in their second year of being plastic bag-free, so remember to bring your own bag, box, tote, or cart to the market!

Plastic Free July is a global movement to reduce single-use plastic waste and join together to find safer, cheaper, and more creative alternatives.

Composting at Fairfax County Farmers Markets

Fairfax County is highlighting its growing compost collection program at all 10 Park Authority Farmers Markets. Residents can conveniently drop off food scraps—including fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, eggshells, and more—to help reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Since expanding countywide in 2023, the program has collected more than 438,000 pounds of food waste, transforming scraps into nutrient-rich compost that supports healthier soil and plants.

Composting is a simple way for residents to make a meaningful environmental impact while supporting a more sustainable Fairfax County.

Residents can conveniently drop off compost every Thursday at the Annandale Farmers Market at Mason District Park from 8 AM to 12 PM.

YARD WATCH: Tree of Heaven (Ailanthius altissima)

Tree of Heaven is a tree native to China and was first introduced to the eastern US in the late 1700s and used extensively as a street tree. Its ability to grow from roots and stumps, to grow just about anywhere, and prolific seeding makes it a major nuisance to farmers, homeowners and foresters alike. Identification information, along with native look-alikes, can be found here.

Tree of Heaven takes away space from native plants by being allelopathic, which means it spreads a chemical in the ground that inhibits the growth of other plants. It is also the host plant of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect also native to China. The spotted lanternfly feasts on soft-bodied fruits like grapes, reducing the incomes of farmers.

Control of the Tree of Heaven is rather problematic. Small seedlings can be dug up, taking care to remove all the rootlets. However larger trees need to be treated with herbicide using methods such as basal bark spray, hack-and-squirt, or foliar spray. For more information on herbicide application check the Blue Ridge PRISM’s fact sheet here and the University of Maryland's extension office here.

Native alternatives to the Tree of Heaven can be found here.

Brought to you by Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance

Forget the Foam: Final EPS Food Foam Phase-out

On July 1, 2026, all Virginia food establishments must eliminate EPS food foam containers from their operations. The ban will apply to food establishments of any size, including restaurants, food trucks, cafeterias (including schools!), and caterers. Larger establishments with 20 or more locations already had to comply with the ban starting last year; the second phase encompasses everyone.

What can you do? As a consumer, refuse EPS and other single-use items, bring your own reusable containers with you, and remind local businesses to phase out EPS products. If you are a food business owner, make a plan now to switch out any EPS foam takeout or beverage containers for reusable, recyclable, or compostable alternatives. For more info, visit the Clean Fairfax web page on EPS as well as Litter Free Virginia.

Student Member Wanted for the Commission for Women

The Fairfax County Commission for Women is seeking a high school or college student to serve as a voting member of the Commission for one or two school terms.

This is a unique opportunity for students interested in leadership, advocacy, and public service to help elevate issues impacting young women and girls across Fairfax County.

Learn more at Fairfax County Commission for Women and apply here: Student Member Application

Adopt a student through August 7

Give a local student the tools they need for a successful school year by participating in Fairfax County's Adopt-A-Student School Supply and Backpack Drive. Through August 7, community members can adopt a student by donating a new backpack filled with grade-specific school supplies based on Fairfax County Public Schools' recommended supply lists.

A small act of generosity can make a big difference, helping students begin the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

Support the Wolf Shack at Justice High School

Our office is proud to host a donation bin at the Mason District Government Center to support the Wolf Shack at Justice High School—a PTSA-sponsored, in-school pantry providing free food, toiletries, clothing, school supplies, and more to students in need.

Since opening in 2022, the Wolf Shack has grown into a vital, stigma-free resource serving thousands of students each month.

As demand continues to rise, we are collecting new, unopened, and unexpired toiletry items to help students over the summer. Please consider donating items like deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, and other personal care essentials.

Fairfax Agency on Aging

Local government needs your input! If you are a resident in Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, or City of Falls Church, and are age 50 or older, please take a few moments to complete the community-wide 2026 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults. Please complete the survey by July 14, 2026.  

polco.us/fairfaxaaa2026

This survey is conducted by The Department of Family Services’ Fairfax Area Agency on Aging in partnership with Polco, a research firm and civic engagement organization. The questionnaire, developed by National Research Center at Polco, gathers insight from persons age 50 and older into overall community livability, covering topics such as employment and volunteer opportunities, housing, accessibility, mobility, and physical and mental health. Results from this survey will help inform the development of strategic planning related to initiatives, and community programs that serve older adults in the community.

If you’ve already taken this survey because you were part of a randomly selected sample, no need to take it again, but please do help us spread the word by sharing the survey link with your neighbors and local networks.  

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging appreciates your participation and continued partnership in building insight into current and future needs of older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers in your community!