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COMSTOCK FOR DELEGATE BLOG

Thursday, November 15, 2012
The Comstock Connection





In This Issue
495 Express Lanes Update
Veterans Day Ceremonies
McLean Orchestra "Salute To The Military"
QL + Veterans Day BBQ
Veterans Now Eligible For Telecommunications Equipment
Stop Hunger Event
Hurricane Sandy
Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular
Update: Save Tysons Last Forest Effort
Feeding Academic Success Forum
Boys Scout Troop 1916
Coming Up: Ways To Give Back This Holiday Season
Upcoming Telework Summit
McLean Holiday Homes Tour

Save the Dates

Contact Me

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

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

Paid for and authorized by Friends of Barbara Comstock

November 15, 2012
Dear Friends,

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am thankful for the so many wonderful things in my community and for my family and friends and what a privilege it is to serve the 34th District in the General Assembly. I would like to take the opportunity to share information with you about the many events coming up this holiday season as well as showcase wonderful events that have already passed.

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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (703) 772-7168 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Have a safe and blessed holiday season!

495 Express Lanes Update

I was pleased to join Governor McDonnell, Virginia Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton and many others at the Opening of the 495 Express Lanes at the Sheraton Premiere on Tuesday, November 13th.

The 495 Express Lanes are scheduled to open on November 17th providing Northern Virginia drivers with a new option for a faster, more predictable commute on the Capital Beltway in Virginia.

Key project benefits of the 495 Express Lanes project include:

  • First-time introduction of HOV and reliable transit options to the Beltway and Tysons Corner
  • Replacement of more than $260 million of aging infrastructure, including 58 bridges and overpasses
  • Replacement of existing sound walls and construction of 80,000 linear feet of new sound walls to double existing noise reduction tools for surrounding neighborhoods
  • Construction of carpool ramps connecting I-95 with the Beltway to create a seamless HOV network
  • Upgrades to 12 key interchanges and new access points at Route 29/Lee Highway, Westpark Bridge and Jones Branch Drive

This is a new transportation concept for Northern Virginia, so I'm especially interested in receiving your comments about how well the Hot Lanes work for your commute. For more information, please visit www.495expresslanes.com.

Veterans Day Ceremonies

I had the pleasure of attending two ceremonies in remembrance of Veterans Day in Great Falls and McLean on Monday, November 12th. A special thanks to the Boy Scouts from Great Falls Elementary for their participation in the ceremony at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial and thanks to American Legion Post 270 for all they did to honor our service men and women at McLean High School.

McLean Orchestra's "Salute To The Military"
On Sunday, November 11th, I attended McLean Orchestra's Third Annual "Salute To The Military" at Vinson Hall in honor of Veterans Day. It was a wonderful performance to recognize the sacrifices our service men and women make everyday to protect our heritage of freedom and liberty. This was the Third Annual "Salute To The Military" by the McLean Orchestra and a wonderful tradition. May God bless our veterans and their families.
QL+ Veterans Day BBQ

On Sunday, November 11th, I had the pleasure of attending the 4th Annual Quality of Life Plus Event and Veterans Day "Empowering Heroes Through Technology" Barbecue at the Pavilions at Turkey Run. The event raised vital funds for the QL+ Program and publicized their mission: to foster and generate innovations to improve the quality of life of those injured in the line of duty.

QL+ is a not-for-profit organization that engineers innovate adaptive technologies to empower our nation's wounded veterans and others injured in service to America, across all aspects of their daily lives. A special thanks to Jon Monett, Founder and Chairman of the Board at QL+, and other members of leadership for putting on this wonderful event: John Gerber, Richard Holm, Col. David Hunt, Scott Monett, Scott Dondershine and Demetra Matthews.

Veterans Now Eligible For Telecommunications Equipment
Governor McDonnell, The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
and Virginia Relay recently announced a new program that will provide equipment for military veterans living with hearing or speech loss. Military veterans living with a hearing or speech loss are now automatically eligible for telecommunications equipment through Virginia's Technology Assistance Program (TAP).

Adaptive telecommunications equipment, including text telephones (TTY), captioned telephones (CapTel) and other devices are available to individuals who meet the following qualifications:

  • A veteran with a hearing or speech loss and proof of an Honorable Discharge
  • A veteran with a hearing or speech loss and documentation of a service-related disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • A surviving spouse or child of a veteran who was killed in the line of duty and has a hearing or speech loss
  • An active member of the Virginia National Guard who has completed the required initial active-duty service

To learn more about VDDHH, Virginia Relay and TAP for veterans, call 1-800-552-7917 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-552-7917 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit www.vddhh.org.

Stop Hunger Event At Redeemer Lutheran Church
On November 10th, I had the pleasure of joining SHARE for a Stop Hunger Event at Redeemer Lutheran Church. This food packing event was coordinated by Bob Hahne, of McLean, and the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner.

I presented a resolution to Bob Hahne in honor of his late wife, Barbara Williams Hahne, in celebration of her many charitable and community activities including her steadfast commitment to help in the fight to end world hunger.

In participating with her husband in the activities of the Rotary Club of McLean, Barbara Hahne started the McLean community effort to prepare one million meals for the starving people of the world with the help of the Stop Hunger Now organization (SHN). At the time of Barbara Hahne's passing, three events had been completed producing 450,000 of those meals with an organization in place to complete the initial goal of packing 1,000,000 meals. She energized numerous other organizations in the compassion she had for others to carry out similar events with SHN. Barbara Hahne has left a wonderful legacy with the Stop Hunger Now events and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by family members, friends, and admirers. A full text version of the resolution is available here.

Stop Hunger Now is a nonprofit that provides nutritious, nonperishable meals that are shipped to education-based food programs in countries all around the world. Over a period of eight hours this past Saturday, more than 900 volunteers assembled 250,000 meals to help Stop Hunger Now in the fight to eradicate hunger worldwide and raised more than $62,500-or 25 cents a meal-from participating individuals, organizations and corporations.

Hurricane Sandy
About 200,000 people in Virginia lost power due to the high wind gusts and flooding caused by "Frankenstorm," Hurricane Sandy. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Governor McDonnell, the Virginia Department of Transportation, Dominion, other service providers, police, firefighters and first responders.
They worked tirelessly before the storm hit, held daily conference calls with local leaders and disseminated important emergency contact information. It was very helpful in keeping everyone safe throughout the storm.

VDOT and Dominion worked together in the response efforts here in Northern Virginia. Dominion brought their Mobile Command Center Unit to the Great Falls Library to deal with the aftermath, answer questions from residents and respond quickly and efficiently to restore power.
Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular
Despite the storm, the Great Falls community had a great celebration on Halloween with the Great Falls Village Spooktacular. It was great to see you all and see the community come together after the storm.
Update: Save Tysons Last Forest Effort
On October 30th, along with Delegate Mark Keam, Senator Janet Howell and Senator Chap Petersen, I sent a letter to Secretary Connaughton voicing our opposition to a proposal that would build a ramp off the Dulles Toll Road through Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley. I want to thank Pam Konde, who is heading up the community efforts here, for all of her help with this issue and the efforts of all 15 neighborhood coalitions who have joined Save Tyson Last Forest Initiative. This option should be taken off the table and no additional money or time should be wasted on the state or county level in pursuing this. I have an op-ed in the Vienna Connection this week which highlights the problems with this Option and why it should be removed from consideration and no additional money should be spent on this proposal.

Click here to learn more about Save Tysons Last Forest effort and to join me in signing the petition: http://www.savetysonslastforest.org/. Also, see a full text copy of our letter here.

Feeding Academic Success Forum

On October 23rd, I had the opportunity to attend the Feeding Academic Success Forum at Marshall High School. The event was sponsored by Real Food For Kids whose mission is to work in collaborative ways to increase the quantities of healthy foods in Fairfax County by supporting programs that educate our students and their families on making healthier lifestyle choices.

Rights and Duties of Citizens Meeting With Troop 1916

I was honored to have the chance to speak with Boy Scout Troop 1916 at their meeting on October 23rd specifically about the rights and duties of being a well-informed, responsible citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Scouts are such a bright group of young men whom I trust will be the future leaders of our community. Thanks to Troop 1916 for allowing me to be a part of their event.

Coming Up: Ways To Give Back To The Community This Holiday Season
2012 Christmas Wish List For Wounded Warriors
Please consider participating in the 2012 Christmas Wish List for Wounded Warriors this holiday season. Bob Nelson is joining efforts with "Our Military Kids" to bring some holiday cheer to the children of 40 of our injured and fallen service members. I hope everyone will consider serving as Santa for an individual child or entire family.
All you have to do is call Bob Nelson at (703-999-5812 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 703-999-5812 end_of_the_skype_highlighting) or e-mail [email protected] to see a list of children/families you may adopt this Christmas. They will give you the contact info for the family so that you can get gift ideas from them, and then you can simply send your gift(s) directly to the family. I would also encourage you to visit www.ourmilitarykids.org to learn more about this wonderful grassroots organization. You can also follow their progress on their website: www.bobnelsonteam.com.
Santa Is Coming To Clemyjontri Park
Come over to the Clemyjontri Park Playground Picnic Shelter on December 8-9th to take your holiday photos with Santa! Santa will be at Clemyjontri from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on both dates, regardless of the weather. The cost is $10 per one child and $5 per each additional child in the picture. This includes a carousel ride and goodie bag for all children and digital picture emailed to you.

All proceeds go directly to park operations. For questions, please call 703-388-2807 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 703-388-2807 end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 0.
Join Delegate Comstock At Upcoming Telework Summit
I cordially invite you all to join me and my colleagues Delegate Rich Anderson (VA-51) and Delegate David Ramadan (VA-87) at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce on November 19th. The Summit will be held at 9720 Capitol Court #203 in Manassas.


Together, my colleagues and I are demonstrating Telework's potential by using it as the vehicle to conduct this Summit. You don't actually have to drive to the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, you may participate on-line. This event will be shared with the public using Cisco technology. The event will be live streamed and available to the Commonwealth, the Nation, and the world via the internet.

Ryan Galloway, Delegate Anderson's Legislative Assistant, is the Project Manager and Media Relations focal point for this Summit. For more information about this event, you may contact Mr. Galloway at [email protected].
Join Delegate Comstock: Buy Your Ticket For The 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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (703) 356-9646 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or Laura Sheridan, (703) 556-0197 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (703) 556-0197 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

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.

Save the Dates
  • Every Friday- McLean Farmer's Market from 8:00 p.m.-12:00 p.m. at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean Virginia 22101
  • Every Saturday- Great Falls Farmer's Market from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Great Falls Village Green Day School, 790 Walker Rd., Great Falls, Virginia 22066
  • First Wednesday of Each Month- McLean Citizens Association Meetings at 8:00 p.m. at the McLean Community Center,1234 Ingleside Ave.,McLean, Virginia 22101
  • Second Tuesday of Each Month- Great Falls Citizens Association Meetings at 7:30 p.m. at the Grange, 9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Virginia 22066
  • November 17- Joyful Noise Holiday Bazaar from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Dominion High School, 21326 Augusta Drive, Sterling, VA
  • November 17- Household Hazardous Waste Collection with Loudoun County's Department of Construction and Waste Management at Heritage High School, 520 Evergreen Mill Road, Leesburg, VA.
  • November 19- Telework Summit beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, 9720 Capital Court #203, Manassas, VA 20110
  • November 26- Annual Church Street Holiday Stroll from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Church Street in Vienna between Lawyers Road and Mill Street. For more information, visit their website or call (703) 938-5187 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (703) 938-5187 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
  • December 1-2- Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show at Ida Lee Recreation Center from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m on Saturday. and from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
  • December 1- Celebration of Lights and Annual Christmas Tree Lighting from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Great Falls Village Green.
  • December 2- McLean Winterfest Parade
  • December 6- McLean Women's Club Holiday Homes Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at select locations. See above for more information.
  • December 6- MarketPlace Fundraiser by Women's Club of McLean from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. See above for more information.
  • December 7- Leesburg Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Leesburg Town Green.
  • December 8- Leesburg Annual Christmas and Holiday Parade beginning at 10:00 a.m.
  • December 25- Hands On Hanukkah Event from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031. For questions and more information call Laurie Albert at, 703-537-3064 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 703-537-3064 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

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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