Dear Mason District Residents,

Welcome to May! As we head into the summer season, there is so much happening across Mason District and Fairfax County.

I also want to take a moment to recognize our incredible Tax-Aide volunteers, who spent countless hours at the Mason District Government Center helping residents file their taxes at no cost.

For tax year 2025, the Mason District site was the second busiest in the state—electronically filing 2,011 returns, a 10% increase from last year, and returning more than $2.3 million in refunds back into our community. More than 60% of those served were over the age of 60, with an average refund of $1,500.

Thank you to these dedicated volunteers for their service and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents.

As we move into the warmer months, I encourage everyone to stay mindful on our roads. With more pedestrians, cyclists, and families out enjoying our community, practicing safe driving habits is more important than ever.

You’ll also begin to see new Capital Bikeshare stations installed across Mason District in the coming weeks—an exciting step forward in expanding transportation options and improving connectivity throughout our community.

Finally, the Board of Supervisors will take the next step in the FY2027 budget process with a vote on adoption at next Tuesday’s meeting. I look forward to continuing this work to ensure our budget reflects the priorities and needs of our residents.

Thank you, as always, for staying engaged and connected to Mason District.

Please reach out to my office at Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov or by phone at our main phone line 703-256-7717 if we can be of service.

Sincerely,

Celebrating community and Shine On Week

Last Friday, I had a great time joining the Justice High School community for their annual Springfest, the culminating event of Shine On Week—a meaningful tradition honoring former student Casey Schulman and focused on gratitude, reflection, and appreciation. I was proud to support this event and help make it possible, ensuring students could enjoy a fun and memorable celebration.

It was wonderful to see the Justice community come together, and I especially enjoyed stopping by to connect with the rowing team. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting our Justice Wolves and strengthening our Mason District community.

Celebrating excellence in public service

This morning, I was proud to attend the Fairfax County Outstanding Performance Awards Ceremony and recognize employees for their exceptional service. I was especially pleased to celebrate our very own Vanessa Simpson, who received a Team Excellence award for her role as a volunteer member of the Joint Training Academy Steering Committee. Her dedication and impact reflect the very best of public service in Fairfax County.

A visit to the Friends of George Mason Library Book Sale

On Tuesday, April 23, I celebrated World Book Day by visiting the Friends of George Mason Library’s annual book sale with staff. It was great to explore their incredible selection of books and support a program that helps fund library resources and community initiatives across Fairfax County.

Celebrating local flavor

Our office recently stopped by Celebrity Delly, a Mason District favorite that’s been nominated for a RAMMY Award in the “Hottest Sandwich Spot” category. The RAMMYS, hosted by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, recognize the best in the region’s dining scene—and this category highlights restaurants known for standout sandwiches and loyal followings.

We’re excited to see a local business earn this recognition for their creativity and quality. Be sure to stop by, try their sandwiches, and cast your vote in support!

Celebrating James Albright’s impact on the arts in Mason District

We were proud to recognize James Albright, Chair of the Mason District Arts Council, as our 2025 Mason District Community Champion.

James’ leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on our local arts community. As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, the Mason District Arts Council is leading the “Mason Arts 250” initiative, bringing together artists and residents for a series of events this summer featuring music, poetry, theater, and more.

Learn more at masondistrictarts.org.

Innovation and technology growing in Mason District

I had the opportunity to share opening remarks and attend the ribbon cutting for Mathtech’s new Integrated Communications Systems Group (ICSG) testing facility. This state-of-the-art space will support the testing and validation of equipment used by the military and defense industry.

It’s exciting to see this level of innovation right here in Mason District—reinforcing that our community is not only a cultural hub, but also a center for technology, science, and forward-thinking industry.

Celebrating One Year of Noticentro

Noticentro is celebrating its first year of providing critical Fairfax County updates entirely in Spanish, helping to reduce barriers and ensure more residents can access important information and resources. Since its launch, the newsletter has grown to more than 600 subscribers, reflecting a strong and growing demand for accessible, language-inclusive communication.

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.

AANHPI Celebration at Mason District Park



Join the Fairfax County Park Authority and community partners for a celebratory day honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) heritage on May 9th, from 12:30PM - 5PM at Mason District Park.

The event will feature live performances, cultural demonstrations, food vendors, exhibitors, a parade, and an art showcase highlighting the richness and diversity of AANHPI cultures.

Community members are also invited to participate by performing, showcasing cultural offerings, volunteering, or supporting the event in other ways. This is a great opportunity to celebrate heritage, share traditions, and come together as a community.

OLLI Mason Ideas Festival

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institude (OLLI) at George Mason University, a nonprofit that provides adults age 50+ with opportunities for intellectual stimulation, physical activity, and social connection, is hosting its first-ever OLLI Ideas Festival on May 8–9. This free, two-day event will feature 19 sessions offering a preview of the wide range of classes and activities available through OLLI Mason. While designed primarily for older adults, the event is open to all. Learn more at olli.gmu.edu/ideas-festival.

Celebrate Big, Waste Less: Sustainable Tips for May Gatherings

May means many celebrations—Mother’s Day, birthdays, weddings, prom, graduations, Memorial Day, and more. As you plan picnics and parties, it’s worth remembering that celebrations are about connection, gratitude, and community—but how we celebrate has real consequences. Waste from gatherings adds up quickly, but so do the solutions.

Americans spend more than $14 billion per year on disposable tableware alone, but small changes can make a big difference. Choosing reusable items, reducing single-use plastics, and normalizing sustainable parties can help save money while protecting the environment. Clean Fairfax will soon offer a reusable party kit available for anyone to borrow - email cfc@cleanfairfax.org to get on the waitlist.

Here are a few simple swaps that make a real difference:

YARD WATCH: Lesser Celandine (Ficara verna)

Lesser Celandine is native to Asia, Africa and Europe and was brought to the US in the mid to late 1800’s as an ornamental plant. It has since escaped gardens and is an invasive plant in at least 31 states in the US. Lesser celandine is one of the first plants to bloom along with the native spring ephemerals. It spreads quickly and creates extensive dense mats, crowding out native plants.

Here is a video describing the identification and detrimental effects of lesser celandine. It prefers moist or wet habitats and often covers entire streambanks. It spreads both by bulbils present at the base of each leaf and by tubers in the ground. The bulbils detach easily and can be carried by streams. Additional information on lesser celandine can be found here.

Control of lesser celandine is very problematic. Manual removal by digging is only possible for a small clump or two that shows up in your yard or streambank on a private property. Care must be taken to remove all bulbils and tubers to prevent further spread. Mowing is not recommended as tubers could get left behind in the soil and the bulbils can detach and spread. Chemical treatment is preferred, however, there is usually only a 2-week window after blooming for herbicide application over a wide area.

Brought to you by Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance

Share your creativity and inspire climate action

Sustain Fairfax invites students to participate in the 2026 Youth Art Contest, showcasing how young artists are taking action for a more sustainable future. Open to youth across the county, the contest encourages original artwork that highlights climate awareness and environmental stewardship.

Selected submissions will be recognized and featured as part of the county’s ongoing sustainability efforts.

Learn more and submit your entry: 2026 Youth Art Contest

Donate essential items and help students this summer

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.

There are many ways to support the Wolf Shack: make a financial contribution, donate items directly, purchase from their wishlist, organize a drive, or volunteer your time. Every contribution helps ensure students have the resources they need to succeed.