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A Note from Andres
Good morning! I'm so excited to share this edition of Mason Matters as we celebrate some big wins in our district. I want to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who came out and attended our first Mason District Open House! To say that Mason District showed up is an understatement. I'm especially thankful to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, former Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, and Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill for attending.
I'd like to extend a warm welcome to our newest team member Angela Gutierrez Mendoza, who joins our staff as an administrative aide. You can read about her background below.
This newsletter edition is chock-full of exciting events happening around the district, helpful resources, and important deadlines. But I want to take a moment to highlight a huge win for one of our Mason District community members: Annandale High School Orchestra teacher Annie Ray received the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. Check out the "Celebrating Mason" section below to learn about her incredible work with students with disabilities.
My office exists to serve you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly if I can ever be of assistance. You can email me at Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov, or call my office at 703-256-7717. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest Mason District updates.
Thank you, and I look forward to working with you to make Mason District the best community in Virginia!
My best,
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Andres Jimenez
Mason District Supervisor
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Annandale High School Orchestra Teacher Wins Grammy Music Educator of the Year!
I’d like to congratulate Annandale High School Orchestra Teacher Annie Ray on receiving the prestigious Grammy Music Educator Award of 2024. The prestigious annual award recognizes current educators who make a significant and lasting contribution to the music education field and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of public school music education.
Like all music teachers in the Spring of 2020, Mrs. Ray had to adapt to remote teaching, or as she so eloquently put it in her Ted Talk, she had to “learn how to make music when the world had gone quiet.” But Mrs. Ray went above and beyond, working with a group of students whom she had never met in person so that together they could grow beauty out of that silence.
It’s that same creativity and willingness to put herself into her students’ shoes that earned her the title of Fairfax County Public Schools Outstanding Secondary School Teacher last year for her work with children with disabilities. She tackles problems with empathy, respect, and the type of spark that we hope all our kids’ teachers possess.
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If you know a person or organization that should be featured in this section, please email Communications Director Eleanor Roy at Eleanor.Roy@fairfaxcounty.gov with the subject line "Celebrating Mason"
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Mason District's First Open House
Our first Mason District Open House was an absolute blast! In addition to more than 100 community members, we were joined by several local HOAs, civic clubs, community organizations, and others who shared resources with our neighbors. Thank you to everyone who came out. We're so appreciative of your support for Mason District.
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Safety & Security Committee
The opioid crisis has devastated too many lives in Mason District. I appreciate Chairman McKay's comments in last week's Safety & Security Committee meeting that we need to get creative in how we continue addressing this epidemic, especially in our schools. Thank you to Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County Police, and the Community Services Board for their continued efforts in building trust with our students, parents, and our community as a whole. If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid addiction, please know that the county has resources to help. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/opioids for info about recognizing fake painkillers, how to spot overdose signs, and to see the latest updates on how our community is combating this epidemic.
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Dominion Hospital Tour
Addressing Virginia's mental health crisis requires adequate opportunities for treatment. Since my tour of Dominion Hospital last week, I've been recalling some of the heartbreaking stories staff shared about patients' struggles. Thank you to the incredible care providers who are working to fill the gap and keep our community healthy.
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Meet our newest Mason Team Member!
Angela Gutierrez Mendoza - Office Manager & Scheduler
Angela was born in Peru and has lived in the Mason District area for over 20 years. After graduating from Annandale High School in 2014, she went on to study communications at the Northern Virginia Community College and later at the Falls Church Medical Assistant Academy Program. Angela previously worked in banking, and enjoys serving her community. She resides in Fairfax County with her husband and their baby girl.
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Listening Session Rescheduled
Our Community Listening Session with George Mason University's College of Public Health, Second Story, Fairfax County's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, and Kaiser Permanente has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 24. We want to meet with community residents and hear your thoughts about what changes you’d like to see in your neighborhood. Free lunch & childcare provided – all are welcome! No RSVP required.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to Noon Saturday, February 24, 2024
WHERE: Bailey's Elementary School cafeteria (6111 Knollwood Dr., Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041)
Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl: Fee-Waived Event for Large Dogs
Get ready for an electrifying showdown! The Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) presents the Adoption Bowl, a fee-waived adoption event for dogs 45 pounds and larger, taking place now through Sunday, February 8. Facing off is Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis and Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler in a chief vs. chief challenge. Each chief will lead a "team" of adoptable dogs and at the end of the event, the winning team will be announced based on the number of adoptions. It’s a friendly competition to see which chief can find the most homes for their canine companion squad. Learn more.
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NEW Mason District Art Advisory Committee seeking artists:
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a Master Arts Plan last year that will broaden community access and engagement with local arts and culture. The Master Arts Plans provide a blueprint for cultural facilities and for public art throughout the County to reflect its diversity, consider existing facilities, and anticipate future growth. Mason District is set to establish a hyper-local version of the plan with the goal of identifying needs, opportunities, and resources specific to Mason District. Artists are needed to develop a draft set of short, medium, and long-term actions that can help bring the plan to fruition. We are looking for community members in the Mason District who are interested in this process and may be willing to participate in some initial conversations. Please reach out to Christine.Delta@fairfaxcounty.gov if this is you!
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Considering going solar?
Fairfax County residents considering solar parnels can receive a free roof test and personalized recommendation through the Department of Energy and Environment's Solar Switch program. Registration is free for Fairfax County residents through February 13. Learn more.
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Calling all small businesses:
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Fairfax County’s newest initiative to help small businesses is accepting applications. The THRIVE program provides consulting services to small businesses to help them grow and continue post-pandemic recovery. The application will remain open until the last 500 slots are filled, or until April 30. Learn more.
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George Mason University accepting applications for Aspiring Scientists summer internship program
Budding scientists can apply now for Mason’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). The highly competitive program is an eight-week immersive internship offering hands-on lab experience, STEM career exploration and opportunities to strengthen scientific writing and creative thinking. ASSIP is open to high school and undergraduate students. Applications are due February 11. Learn more.
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Deadline extended:
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Calling call area high school student artists: The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is joining with the Community Engagement Campaign’s regional water utilities to hold its third annual Source Water Protection Art Contest. Local student artists, grades 9 – 12 can submit their art or short video which captures the importance of protecting our local water sources for a chance to win a prize. The application deadline has been extended to February 12. Learn more.
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Paint It, Fairfax!
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A new program establishes a pool of artists to paint murals across Fairfax County in certain designated areas. As the cultural hub of Fairfax County, Mason District is home to three of these areas, known as “Commercial Revitalization Districts.” Paint It, Fairfax! is a community-driven program featuring lots of collaboration with local stakeholders. Individual artists and teams must be at least 18 years old and can submit their applications online. Learn more.
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Vendors & exhibitors needed:
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Vendors and exhibitors needed: Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2024 Earth Day Festival is accepting applications for vendors and exhibitors to participate in this the largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax County. Applications are due by February 12. Learn more.
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Nominations open for artists:
ArtsFairfax will recognize its 2024 awards and is accepting nominations for artists who contributed to the arts in Fairfax County and the Cities of Falls Church and Fairfax. Self-nominations are accepted. The deadline for nominations is February 29. Learn more.
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Looking for something to do this weekend?
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Think local! Check the Made in Fairfax Directory for local small businesses around you. The Made in Fairfax Directory provides an opportunity for residents and supporters to connect directly with Fairfax County makers. Eligible small-scale production businesses located in Fairfax County can apply for a listing through this form.
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Interested in serving on a Board, Authority, or Commission (BAC)?
Interested in serving on a Board, Authority, or Commission (BAC)? Topics range from athletics and health care to ending domestic violence and development. Learn more here and send a resume to Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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- February 6, 2024 (Fairfax County Department of Transportation)
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Mason District is served by multiple stations of Fairfax County Police Department that include Mason, Franconia, Mclean, and West Springfield.
County-Wide Information
Fairfax County Police have issued several warnings about scammers involving gift cards, crypto, and AI-generated calls impersonating family members. Click here to learn more about these scams and how authorities say you can avoid them.
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Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month raises public awareness about the impact of dating violence on youth, educates young people about healthy relationships, and encourages the community to get involved to disrupt cycles of violence among teens. Learn more about teen dating violence. To stay on top of teen dating violence awareness events happening in Fairfax County this year, check out the Awareness + Action = Social Change campaign. For social media posts, go to the Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Community Engagement Toolkit.
703-360-7273; TTY 711
Mason District
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Neighborhood Watch meet & greet and training - Join the Fairfax County Police for a neighborhood watch training event at 6 p.m. Friday, February 16 at the Mason District Station (6705 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22033). The first half of the event will be a meet and greet with training following immediately after. Questions can be directed to MPO Sassano at Stacy.Sassano@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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Free car seat inspections – Come by the Mason District Station (6705 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22033) to get your car seat inspected on Saturday, February 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No appointment needed. Car seats will be inspected on a first-come, first-served basis. All car seat inspections/installations will be conducted by a certified Child Passenger Safety technician.
West Springfield District
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Personal Safety for Women Course – Officers from the West Springfield District Station will present Personal Safety for Women at 6:30 p.m. February 8 in the community room of the West Springfield Government Center at 6140 Rolling Rd. in Springfield. This lecture-based course is designed to provide information on situational awareness, how to recognize and react in various locations, and how to defend yourself in a dangerous situation. The presentation will take approximately one hour, with time for questions during and after the class. You do not need to register for this presentation. If there are any questions before the class, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 or Anthony.Capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov. Please note that we follow the Fairfax County Public School system for any weather-related cancellations.
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Free car seat inspections – Come by the West Springfield District Station to get your car seat inspected on Saturday, February 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Springfield District Station, 6140 Rolling Rd. in Springfield. No appointment needed. Car seats will be inspected on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive, come into the lobby and you will be given further instructions. Be sure to install the child safety seat yourself so the inspection can be performed. The seat will be properly re-installed if necessary, and you will learn how to install the seat properly in the future. Please direct questions to MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 or Anthony.Capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov. All car seat inspections/installations will be conducted by a certified Child Passenger Safety technician. We also have car seat inspections by appointment every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please call the West Springfield Station at 703-644-7377 and press zero to make an appointment.
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Scout Night - Officers from the West Springfield District Station will be hosting Scout Night on Tuesday, February 20. If your den or troop would like to visit the station and speak with officers. Evening slots are available, so please contact us for available times. We will give a presentation to the kids in our community room, a video tour of the station, and then a hands-on tour of the police car outside. Visits are limited to one den/troop every half hour. If your older scouts need specific requirements for a badge, please contact us and we can discuss arrangements. Contact either PFC Liam May at 703-277-2357, or MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 for scheduling or further questions.
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Free tax assistance
Need help with your taxes? Mason TaxAide is back this year with free tax preparation assistance for low- and moderate-income taxpayers with special attention to seniors. The services are available Monday through Saturday (times vary) at the Mason District Government Center (6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale). Walk-ins are welcome, but we recommend making an appointment by calling 703-249-9961. Learn more and download the Intake Packet and other helpful paperwork here.
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Dementia Friendly Fairfax Webinar
Dementia Friendly Fairfax is hosting a free webinar to learn how to become a dementia friend and turn your new understanding of dementia into a practical action that can help someone living in your community. The webinar will take place from Noon to 1:15 p.m. February 14. All webinars are free and open to family caregivers, older adults, adults with a disability, professionals, and the community at-large. For questions, contact Ayiguli.Saifuding@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 571-407-6961. Learn more and register.
Reminders for solid and yard waste pickup
As we head into Spring, our office received several questions regarding solid waste, yard waste, and recycling collection. Fairfax County Collection Customers can use the Public Works Recycling and Trash webpage to report problems, pay a bill, find drop-off locations, and more. Issues with solid waste pickup can be reported at dpwesswmptrashcs@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-802-3322.
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Want to lower your utility bills?
Is your home uncomfortable or difficult to heat and cool? CHP Energy Solutions provides no-cost, government and utility-funded improvements to increase the energy efficiency, health, and safety of your house or apartment. This can include installation of insulation, LED light bulbs, heating & cooling repairs and upgrades, and more. Homeowners and renters can see if they qualify by calling 888-229-3714 or by visiting chpenergysolutions.org. CHP Energy Solutions is the VA Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) designated weatherization provider for our community. All improvements are provided at no cost and are based on a site assessment and program guidelines.
Free notary services offered at Mason District
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Did you know that our office offers free notary services? Contact our office at Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-256-8035 to inquire about the types of documentation we can notarize and to schedule appointments.
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Library staff award nominations now open
Staff at the Fairfax County Public Library provide access to a range of materials, services, and spaces for all members of our community. You can nominate individual library employees for a Staff Excellence Award, sponsored by the Library Board of Trustees. Nominations can be submitted online at the link below or in person now through February 14. The Library Board will recognize winners at their March 13 meeting. Learn more.
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Volunteers needed for archeology program
Fairfax County's Archaeology and Collections Branch relaunched its spring program and needs volunteers. Opportunities include archaeological fieldwork, lab projects, cemetery preservation, and supporting museum collections. No experience is necessary, but registration and training are required. Spots are limited. An info session will be held from 10:30 a.m. to Noon on February 16 at the James Lee Community Center (2855-A Annandale Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042). Questions can be directed to fcpa-archaeology@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-534-3881.
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