Good afternoon, Mason District!

Graduation season is well underway across Fairfax County, and over the past few weeks I have had the immense pleasure of attending three high school graduation ceremonies alongside my colleague on the School Board, Dr. Ricardy Anderson. It has been inspiring to celebrate the hard work, determination, and achievements of these graduates as they embark on their next chapters—whether that be college, careers, military service, or other exciting opportunities.

June has been a busy and meaningful month throughout our community. From celebrating Pride Month to honoring Juneteenth, there are many events and opportunities to come together, reflect, and celebrate the diversity that makes Mason District such a vibrant place to live.

As we look ahead, summer is just getting started. At the end of the month, we will kick off the Mason District Summer Concert Series, one of my favorite traditions of the year. I encourage you to join us for an evening of great music, community, and fun. Be sure to stay tuned for additional events and activities throughout the summer months.

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,

Strengthening federal partnerships and advancing local priorities

Last Thursday, I, along with Supervisor Bierman, spent a productive day on Capitol Hill in my role as Legislative Chair, meeting with our federal partners to advocate for Fairfax County’s priorities. When I first stepped into this position, one of my goals was to bring back in-person advocacy days because there is no substitute for sitting down face-to-face with decision-makers and sharing the needs of our residents directly.

These discussions focused on transportation funding and the investments needed to keep our region moving. As a community that is deeply connected to the nation’s capital, Fairfax County has a unique opportunity to engage directly with federal leaders and ensure local perspectives are part of the conversation.

Improving Our Community

It was great to join more than 70 volunteers for a community cleanup in the Culmore area! Thank you to our partners from Second Story, Friends of Holmes Run, Bailey's Crossroads Rotary Club, HACAN, and the Place-Based Initiative for helping make this effort possible.

Working together, volunteers spent the morning beautifying the community, removing litter, and helping keep our neighborhoods, parks, and waterways clean.

Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and volunteered their time to make a difference in Culmore!

Honoring culture, community, and tradition at the Songkran Festival



It was great to join community members and Senator Mark Warner at last weekend’s Thai Songkran (New Year’s) Festival at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space.

Events like Songkran are a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors, welcome visitors, and celebrate the many cultures that make Mason District such a vibrant community.

Thank you to the organizers, performers, vendors, and volunteers who brought this colorful celebration to life and helped share their wonderful Thai traditions with residents from across the region!

Taking the Mound with Mason Little League

One of the best parts of serving as Supervisor is getting to share in the everyday moments that bring our community together. Last week, I had the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Mason Little League game—probably only the second baseball pitch I've thrown since I was seven years old!

It was a pleasure to spend time with our young athletes, their families, coaches, and volunteers. Thank you to the team for having me!

Fifth graders showcase research, leadership, and community impact

I was delighted to attend the Primary Years Programme Exhibition (PYPX) at Bailey's Elementary and see, firsthand, the incredible work of our fifth-grade students.

As part of the International Baccalaureate program, Bailey's Elementary students spent months researching topics that interested them, exploring real-world challenges, and taking meaningful action based on what they learned.

Honoring the achievements of Mason District’s newest graduates

Graduation season is one of my favorite times of year, and I was honored to join the communities of Falls Church High School, Justice High School, and Annandale High School to celebrate the Class of 2026.

Our students come from all backgrounds and experiences, yet they share a common commitment to learning, growth, and building a brighter future. Whether graduates are heading to college, entering the workforce, joining the military, pursuing technical training, or exploring new opportunities, they leave our schools equipped with the skills and experiences needed to succeed.

Congratulations to every member of the Class of 2026! Mason District is proud of you, and we look forward to all that you will accomplish. 

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.

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.

Learn valuable safety skills and connect with local police officers

The West Springfield District Station will host several free community programs and safety trainings throughout June and July, giving residents opportunities to connect with officers and learn practical safety skills.

Upcoming events include a Personal Safety presentation on June 25, and a special Personal Safety session for college-bound students on July 11. Additional trainings on Neighborhood Watch and avoiding scams and fraud will also be offered later this summer.

These programs are designed to help residents stay informed, prepared, and connected to public safety resources in our community. Most events are free and open to the public with no registration required. For more information, please contact the West Springfield CAC lead!

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.

Join the Annandale Toastmasters!



Founded in 1960, the Annandale Toastmasters Club has empowered generations of members to become stronger communicators, leaders, and community builders. As part of Toastmasters International, the club connects you to a global network dedicated to personal and professional growth.

Guests are always welcome—whether you're looking to improve public speaking, build leadership skills, or expand your community connections. Come try out this friendly, dynamic club and see how Toastmasters can support your goals.

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.

EPS, commonly known by one of its trademarked names, Styrofoam, is a plastic product made from petrochemicals. Although it is cheap and light and insulates well, it causes serious health and environmental harms. EPS breaks up in the environment into tinier and tinier crumbles, but it never actually breaks down. Hot food in EPS containers (like coffee, soup, or takeout meals) may become contaminated with toxic chemicals that leach into the food. Exposure to those chemicals can lead to hormone disruption and other health impacts.

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.

The student member will also help connect schools and student organizations with the work of the Commission and bring youth perspectives into important community conversations.

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

Congressman James Walkinshaw is inviting high school students across Virginia’s 11th Congressional District to apply for the 2026 Youth Leadership Council.

Open to public, private, and homeschooled students in grades 9–12, the program gives young people the opportunity to engage directly with the work of Congress while building leadership, civic engagement, and policy skills.

Participants will discuss issues affecting the community, debate legislation, develop policy recommendations, and hear from guest speakers through a mix of virtual and in-person meetings running from September through December 2026.

Applications open May 1st and close June 30th at 5 p.m. Learn more and apply through Congressman Walkinshaw’s website.

Celebrating the stories and cultures that shape Fairfax County



Fairfax County Public Library is inviting students ages 5–18 to participate in an Immigrant Heritage Month art contest celebrating the diverse communities that make Fairfax County special.

Students can create artwork inspired by prompts such as “Home means…,” “This is my family’s journey,” and “Many cultures, one community.”

Winning artwork will be featured in an exhibit and all submissions will be included in a virtual gallery. Entries will be accepted online from May 15 through June 15, 2026, with winners announced on June 27. Open to students who live or study in Fairfax County.

Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary

Help local students start the school year prepared and confident

The Mason District Police Station is once again hosting “Stuff the Cruiser,” a community backpack drive supporting students ahead of the new school year. Residents are encouraged to donate new or gently used backpacks on Saturday, June 13, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Marshalls located at 5830 Crossroads Center Way.

Every donation helps provide local children with the supplies they need to start the school year ready to learn and succeed. Join us in supporting students and families across our community by helping make a difference—one backpack at a time.

This year, all of the FCPD organizations are working together as a collective to pool resources so we can reach as many students as possible.

If you are planning a back-to-school supply event, please reach out to us at FCPDMasonCPO@fairfaxcounty.gov so you can join the coordinated effort.

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.