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COMSTOCK FOR DELEGATE BLOG

Monday, October 15, 2012
The Comstock Connection 10/15





In This Issue
Fairfax County Arts Luncheon and MPAartfest
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

25th Annual Sterlingfest and Vienna's Oktoberfest

Save Tysons Last Forest Block Party

MWAA Board Update

McLean 5K Run With The Warriors Event

McLean Holiday Homes Tour

Congratulations To Kevin McCormick

Coming Up: Great Falls Studio Art Tour

Save the Dates

Contact Me

Richmond Office:
General Assembly Building
#406
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 698-1034

District Office:
PO Box 6156
McLean, VA 22106
(703) 772-7168
Campaign Office:
Friends of
Barbara Comstock
PO Box 6171
McLean, VA 22106

Paid for and authorized by Friends of Barbara Comstock

October 15, 2012
Dear Friends,

I hope you are enjoying all of the autumn festivities that the 34th District has to offer this year! As you know, I am always available to you and if you have any questions or concerns, please email or call my office. I can be reached directly at [email protected], or on our district phone at (703) 772-7168.

Fairfax County Arts Luncheon and MPAartfest

The Fairfax County Art Council's Luncheon on Friday, October 12th at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner was a great success. I sponsored a table along with Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn as Co-Chairs of the House Arts Caucus in the General Assembly. This was a great event where Fairfax County residents came together to recognize the extraordinary contributions of artists, arts organizations, individuals and businesses in our community. A special congratulations to McLean Project for the Arts for receiving The Arts Education Award for their outstanding educational arts programs for students, adults, and seniors.

On Sunday, October 14th, MPA also held the MPAartfest. It was a beautiful day to gather in McLean's Central Park to celebrate and support our community's incredibly talented artists. This year in the General Assembly I passed HJ 288 Commending the McLean Project for the Arts on its 50th anniversary. Congrats to all MPA leaders and supporters!

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every three minutes throughout the world, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. We know regular screenings do make a difference in saving lives and we are fortunate in Virginia to have some of the best health care services available to all.
On Saturday, October 27th, INOVA Hospitals has a Free Screening Mammogram Day at INOVA Hospitals and screening centers throughout NOVA.


25th Annual Sterlingfest and Vienna's Oktoberfest

I had a wonderful time visiting with you all at the 25th Annual Sterlingfest and Vienna's Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 6th. Both festivals had phenomenal music, food, games and fun for the entire family. It was also nice to see so many of you coming out to support our local businesses.
Save Tysons Last Forest Block Party

On Saturday, September 29th, I enjoyed the opportunity to attend the Tysons Forest Coalition Neighborhood Block Party which focused on saving Tysons Last Forest. I join the community in strongly opposing the proposed ramp through the forest and will continue to work with them to remove this option.

This is certainly not a red or a blue issue, but a green issue as my colleague Mark Keam said. Currently, Option 3 includes plans to construct a highway ramp through the forest. I have signed the "Save Tysons Last Forest" petition and I am committed to working with Fairfax County, state, and federal officials, and most importantly, the neighborhoods impacted, to eliminate Option 3 from the Tysons Corner Redevelopment Plan.

Click here to learn more about Save Tysons Last Forest effort in a recent Washington Post article and to sign the Petition, go to:

http://www.change.org/petitions/fairfax-county-board-of-supervisors-to-save-tysons-corner-s-last-forest-and-stream

MWAA Board Update

In recent months, some MWAA Board Members have received national attention for their questionable management, travel and ethics policies. As a result of these ongoing performance issues and mounting pressure, US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Governor Bob McDonnell co-signed a letter requesting that MWAA promptly institute a number of reforms that were raised in an Interim Report from the Transportation Department's Inspector General. Only recently and after reaching a settlement with the state of Virginia did MWAA Board Member, Dennis Martire, agree to resign. And, finally, the DC City Council decided to conform Washington, D.C. law to the federal law just last week. This action by DC Council members will permit MWAA to add two new Board Members from Virginia as well as one from DC and Maryland respectively.

These are important steps towards increasing the transparency and accountability of MWAA but there is still much to do. Governor McDonnell mentioned in a letter to MWAA Chairman, Michael Curto, that he is hopeful that the new Board members will be present at their next meeting on October 18th: "These new members working together as good stewards of the taxpayer's money represent the best opportunity to turn the page for MWAA as an organization and usher in a new culture of cooperation and accomplishment." Governor McDonnell recently appointed Caren Merrick, Elaine McConnell and Dr. Lynn Chapman as the new members representing Virginia on the MWAA Board of Directors.

McLean 5K Run With The Warriors Event

I was honored to have the chance to participate in

the awards ceremony at the Annual 5K "Run With The Warriors" event on Saturday, October 6th. The 5K Run was sponsored by Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation and CENTURY 21 Millennium and all the proceeds from this event went to the Wounded Warrior Transitional Housing Project at Vinson Hall in McLean.

I met so many inspirational individuals and was pleased by the turnout from our community showing their support for our servicemen and women. Over 900 runners, walkers, families and veterans alike participated in this event. Thanks to our local elementary school students who sang the National Anthem and the Warrior Spirit Band who played some great American classics. As always, I want to especially thank those who serve our nation and make daily sacrifices to preserve our freedom.

McLean Holiday Homes Tour

As an Honorary Tour Host for The Woman's Club of McLean Holiday Homes Tour, I cordially invite you all to join me at my home on December 6th to kick off this year's tour. This self-guided tour lasts from 10:00 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m. in the secluded River Oaks neighborhood in McLean.

Ticket sales for the McLean Woman's Club annual Holiday Homes Tour are planned to start at three local businesses in early October and continue until Dec. 6 the day of the tour. The tickets will be for sale at Mesmeralda's Gifts of McLean (1339 Chain Bridge Road, McLean), Karin's Florist (527 Maple Ave., E., Vienna) and Great Dogs of Great Falls (9859 Georgetown Pike).

Tickets will also be available on Dec. 6 at the tour houses and at a separate Woman's Club "Marketplace." Tickets before the day of the tour will cost $25, and tickets bought on Dec. 6 will cost $30. All proceeds of the Homes Tour and Marketplace will be donated to local charities and nonprofits, as well as used for scholarships and education. For more information, please contact Virginia Sandahl,(703) 356-9646, or Laura Sheridan, (703) 556-0197.

In addition to the Homes Tour, the Woman's Club is sponsoring a Marketplace in central McLean at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd., on the same day and during the same hours as the tour. No admission will be charged. It will have over a dozen vendors from local businesses, a lunch and dessert concession and a silent auction of merchandise and services. It will also sell tickets for the tour.

Congratulations To Kevin McCormick

On Sunday, October 7th, I attended Scout Troop 55's Honor Court Ceremony honoring Kevin McCormick of Great Falls. Kevin was presented the Heroism Award commending his efforts as a camp counselor in saving a youth from drowning this past summer.

Last year, the Boy Scouts of America presented only 130 of this award to Eagle Scouts nationwide, compared to the approximate 50,000 youths who achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations Kevin; I am proud to have you as one of my constituents!

Coming Up: Great Falls Studio Art Tour

Join me for the Great Falls 9th Annual Studio Art Tour this weekend, October 20-21st from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at select locations throughout Great Falls. Be sure to come visit some of our best local artists in a self-guided tour to their home studios. For more information and a list of participating artists, click here . To read The Connection's recent coverage on the Arts Tour, click here .
Save the Dates

I try to be accessible to my constituents in as many ways as possible. For more information, please visit my website, www.delegatecomstock.com, where you can read my blog for up-to-date information on Virginia, click to follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You can also email me at [email protected]. Please don't hesitate to contact me about issues that concern you.

Sincerely,

Signature
Delegate Barbara Comstock

Paid for and authorized by Friends of Barbara Comstock.



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