Spring finally seems to be upon us, and local calendars are reflecting an increase in community activities. As the weather warms, attention turns from boots and firewood, to spring cleaning, as well as other activities. Some opportunities in Mason District include:

• Culmore Multicultural Day is this Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Woodrow Wilson Library, 6101 Knollwood Drive in Falls Church. Free live entertainment, games, face painting, and many other fun activities can be enjoyed by the whole family.

• The Vienna Arts Society, in collaboration with my office, will host an open house on Friday, April 15, for the current art exhibit at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Come and enjoy pastels, watercolors, oils, and fused glass, and meet some of the talented local artists. The Open House will be held from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Most of the art on display also is for sale through the individual artist.

• The Fairfax County Animal Shelter, in partnership with my office, the Pender Veterinary Clinic, and the Mason District Police Station, will host a low-cost rabies clinic on Sunday, April 17, from 12 noon – 2 p.m., also at the Mason District Governmental Center. All dogs must be on leashes; cats and ferrets must be in carriers. Fairfax County dog licenses, sold separately, cost $10, cash or check only.

• The Fairfax County Division of Solid Waste will provide Document Shredding on Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. – 12 noon, at the Mason District Governmental Center. This free event is open to Fairfax County residents, as well as Vienna, Herndon, Clifton, Fairfax City, and Falls Church City. There still is plenty of time to gather those old documents that may contain sensitive personal information. Put them in a cardboard box or paper bag for easy transport to the shredding site. For more information about what should be shredded, visit the Web site at www.fairfaxcounty,gov/dpwes/recycling/intro-programs.htm.

• The same day, April 23, you can join your neighbors for the Culmore Clean-Up and/or the Annandale Clean-Up. Both events will be held 9 a.m. – noon. Culmore Clean-Up volunteers will gather at the Woodrow Wilson Library, 6101 Knollwood Drive in Falls Church. More info is available at www.facebook.com/culmorecleanupday. The Annandale Clean-Up will begin at the George Mason Regional Library, 7100 Little River Turnpike in Annandale, same hours. For both locations, adult and youth volunteers will pick up litter along local streets. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Gloves and trash bags will be provided at the gathering sites.

Finally, a note of congratulations to Nick Benton and the Falls Church News-Press on its 25th anniversary as the local hometown newspaper, serving Greater Falls Church. Nick and his staff have provided news, opinion, laughter, tears, and a historical context to our community that few can replicate. A local small business is hard enough to maintain, but 25 years as the voice of the community is even harder to do. FCNP has many readers, and many voices, and for that, Nick deserves a huge community Thank You!

 Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.