| |  | Friday, August 21st, 2026 | | | | |
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Happy Friday, Mason District,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful end of Summer and feeling ready for back-to-school! Tonight is the final installment of the Summer Concert Series, so don't miss out tonight's free performance by Orchesta Tropikiimba who will take the Mason District Park amphitheater stage at 7:30 p.m. sharp!
I also wanted to comment on a recent statement released by my office. Last week, right here in Mason District, Carolina Molina was confronted by armed ICE agents for simply expressing her first amendment rights. Mason District is the most diverse community in Fairfax County and is a place where every resident deserves to live without fear. I've called for transparency, justice, and for federal agencies operating in Mason District to give residents an honest accounting of what took place. You can view my full statement HERE.
In this edition of Mason Matters, you'll see what I've been up to recently, learrn about ways in which you can support stray animals in our region, 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,
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Andres Jimenez
Mason District Supervisor
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Around the District with Supervisor Jimenez | | Welcoming a Hometown Music Legend! | | |
Pat McGee comes back to Annandale!
Last Friday I had the privilege of welcoming the Pat McGee band at the Mason District Park for their spectacular Summer Concert Series performance!
An Annandale native, Pat McGee came back to perform a free concert for his hometown community for the 2nd year in a row! Thank you to Pat, the amazing band members, and everyone that joined us for the concert.
| | Back-to-School Preparedness! | |
Oakview Gardens & Culmore's Community Engagement
With back to school right around the corner, Oakview Gardens and Culmore Community Center organized back-to-school resource drives for members of their communities.
Through my office's close partnerships with these community organizations, I had the privilege of helping distribute resources alongside community members making such strong impacts here in Mason District.
| | 2nd Annual Mason District Appointee Appreciation Dinner | | |
Thank you Mason Appointees!
Community engagement and input is crucial and of the utmost importance to me. That's why our Mason District Appointees are paving the way for community voices to drive important conversations around Fairfax County policies and programs here in Mason.
This week, we hosted our 2nd annual Mason District Appointee Appreciation Dinner, thanking everyone for their service and dedication to caring for the area we collectively call home. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to everyone and hearing many exciting updates!
A special thank you also goes to Celebriy Delly for catering our delicious dinner!
| | A New Mason District Park Map! | | |
Mason District Park has a new accessible and multilingual map!
With Mason District being home to some of the most diverse communities in Fairfax County (aka the cultural hub!), this new map of Mason District Park might be small in size, but large in meaning. As Mason District Supervisor, accessibility, diversity, and transparency are extremely important to me. That's why I could not be more excited for this new map, located for all to utilize at the Mason District Park kiosk.
The map features clearer information on trail routes and distances, key park amenities, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and multilingual QR codes to improve accessibility for park visitors.
Thank you to the Korean Community Services Center of Greater Washington, the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association for your tremendous leadership on this project!
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Teacher & Staff Appreciation Year | | Gratitude for Mason District Teachers and Staff | | |
New School Year = New Recognition Efforts for Teachers and Staff
Schools mean so much to me because they're where I see Mason District's diversity turned into strength! As a father of two young daughters and an immigrant who found opportunities through education, I see every school in Mason District not just as a policy priority, but as a place where our future is being shaped.
Teachers and school staff deserve endless gratitude for their service to our youth. That's why I'm thrilled to announce that my office will be leading a 2026-2027 Mason District Teacher and Staff Appreciation Year!
Stay tuned for more!
| | Animal Service Opportunities | | Clear the Shelters August 21st-23rd! | | |
Find your new best friend from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23!
Fairfax County Animal Services is waiving adoption fees for all pets all weekend long. Whether you are looking for dogs, cats, or small animals like birds, reptiles, or guinea pigs, your perfect match is waiting. Help us clear our shelters!
Older pets make wonderful companions and have so much love to give. If you choose to open your home to a cat or dog that's 6 years or older, you will receive a $250 care credit at Pender Veterinary Centre. Thank you to the Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter for supporting our senior pets with this credit.
About Clear The Shelters:
NBCUniversal Local is teaming up with hundreds of shelters across the country to host Clear the Shelters in August 2026, a nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign that helps find loving homes for animals in need. More than 1 million pets have found homes since 2015.
| | Temporary Closure of Michael R. Frey Animal Services Campus | | |
HVAC Renovation at Michael R. Frey Campus
Beginning August 31, the Michael R. Frey Campus at 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA will be temporarily closed for HVAC renovations.
The project will take approximately six months. During this period, all county residents can continue accessing Animal Services at our Lorton Campus, located at 8875 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079.
If you have questions about the renovation or anything else, you can find updates and details on the Fairfax County Animal Services website.
| | 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 distribution on Thursday, September 3rd, at 1:00pm!
Please consider donating via their Amazon Wishlist, or by emailing hollyhazard@gmail.com!
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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.
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George Mason University Part-Time Job Fair: August 25th | | |
Your Next Great Hire Is a Patriot: Connect with Mason Talent Aug. 25
Connect with George Mason students seeking part-time opportunities at the University Career Services Part-Time Job Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus. Whether you're hiring for the semester or building a talent pipeline for the future, this is your chance to meet motivated students ready to contribute to your organization.
Reserve your spot today and find your next great hire! Learn more HERE.
| | Don’t Miss Out on Virginia SUN Bucks! | |
Apply for Virginia SUN Bucks by August 31st!
Virginia SUN Bucks helps eligible families pay for groceries during summer break, when most schools are closed. In 2026, each eligible school‑age child will receive a one‑time $120 benefit. Benefits will be added to your household’s SNAP EBT card. Eligible families who do not have a SNAP EBT card will be mailed a separate Virginia SUN Bucks card that works like a debit card.
Learn more and check eligibility HERE.
| | 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
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Learn or strengthen your English language skills!
The fall term for Adult ESOL classes through FCPS ACE begins September 14. Placement testing is required for all new students, and begins August 24.
Learning English can open doors to new opportunities, stronger connections, and greater confidence in your everyday life. With adult English classes through FCPS ACE, you can build practical English language skills to help you communicate at work, support your children’s education, engage with your new community, and achieve your personal goals. Classes are designed for learners at all levels and provide a supportive environment where you can practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing with experienced instructors.
FCPS ACE offers affordable, in-person classes for adult learners from beginners to advanced, and specialty courses for career advancement. Classes are held at convenient FCPS locations throughout Fairfax County, with day and evening classes available. Testing is required for all new students to ensure you are placed in the correct learning level.
The Adult ESOL Fall Term is scheduling now. Scholarships are available. If you're interested in strengthening your English Language skills, please visit the FCPS ACE website for more information and scheduling
| | Registration is Open for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University | | |
Discover, learn, and connect with OLLI at George Mason University
Fall registration is now open at OLLI Mason (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University)!
Adults age 50+ can choose from hundreds of classes, lectures, special events, and clubs designed to engage the mind, strengthen community connections, and support lifelong learning.
Learn more and register HERE.
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Congratulations to the Mason District ArtsFairfax Operating Support Grant Awardees! | | | | |
For Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), ArtsFairfax awards $601,900 in Operating Support Grants to 65 local arts nonprofits representing all arts disciplines and all nine Fairfax County magisterial districts as well as the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church.
Congratulations to the seven incredible Mason District grantees who won awards!
ArtsFairfax receives public funding for the arts and disburses funds through three grant opportunities: Operating Support, Project Support, and Ticket & Participation Subsidy. As the largest ArtsFairfax Grant program, Operating Support Grants provide funds for the basic operation of local nonprofit arts organizations.
Learn more about ArtsFairfax grants HERE
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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.
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