COMSTOCK FOR DELEGATE BLOG
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Comstock Connection
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The Comstock Connection
June 22, 2011
Dear Friend,
Summer is here! As always, we want to keep up to date with you in the 34th District and hear from you on any of your concerns. Thank you all for your continued input, advice and support.
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High School Graduations
Congratulations to the Class of 2011! Last week I was honored to attend the graduation ceremonies for McLean and Langley High Schools. I also want to congratulate the graduates of Marshall High School, Madison High School, Potomac Falls High School, and Dominion High School.
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Resolution Commending Fairfax County Schools
Yesterday I visited Langley and McLean High Schools to present Principal Ragone and Dr. Jackson with copies of House Joint Resolution 916. The resolution, which I sponsored, commends Fairfax County Schools that received the Governor's Award for Educational Excellence, Board of Education Excellence Award, or the Board of Education Competence to Excellence Award. Congratulations to Langley High School for winning the the Governor's Award for Educational Excellence and to McLean High School for winning the Board of Education Excellence Award.
 
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Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce Education Awards Luncheon
I recently joined The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce and Burke & Herbert Bank for The Education Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 9. Congratulations to the McLean and Langley Students of the Year, Kais Sorrells and Caitlyn Cox and the McLean and Langley Teachers of the Year, Sandy Hamilton and Lonnie Bickel.
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Youth for Tomorrow
I recently met with Gary Jones and leaders at the Youth for Tomorrow residential campus for abused and at risk children in Bristow, Virginia. Youth for Tomorrow is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and compassionate environment for at-risk youth who have been abandoned, abused, or otherwise alienated from family and community. For more information on this organization, click here.
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Keep Your Children Safe
I recently held a Town Hall Meeting in Great Falls, with the Fairfax County SAFE Kids Coalition, entitled: Keep Your Child Safe. We addressed the followiing issues:
Hyperthermia Risks:
Inova Fairfax Hospital - Injury Prevention Coordinator, Linda Watkins, discussed hyperthermia risks. "In just ten minutes, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise 19 degrees," said Watkins. Never leave a child alone in a car, even for a minute. For more information on hyperthermia and car safety visit: http://www.safekids.org/nlyca.
Drowning Risks:
Great Falls resident, Rebecca Fish, leads the coalition efforts for drowning prevention and discussed her research and findings from the Virginia Drowning Prevention project. "Did you know that drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for young children in Virginia? Most victims are little boys, and these accidents usually happen with no splash or sound to alert caregivers. In fact, almost 90% of children are being supervised at the time of a drowning accident," said Fish.
Fish explained that these children drown silently you won't hear a splash. She emphasized that we need to constantly supervise children in and around water, not just sit nearby and also to remember to always use flotation devices for young children when they are in the water. She recommended learning CPR and keeping a phone by the pool in case of emergency.
This educational, water safety, program is endorsed by the Virginia American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. For more information on drowning prevention, click here.
Lyme Disease:
Sharon Rainey, President and Founder of myNeighborsNetwork, and author of "Making a Pearl from the Grit of Life" discussed Lyme Disease. She informed people that you can get Lyme Disease even if you were not bitten by a tick. In order to prevent being bitten by a tick, wear pants tucked into socks when you are outside, use bug spray, and check all over your body for ticks or tick bites after being outside. She provided information on the wide variety of symptoms that Lyme Disease has, including the bulls eye rash, lethargy, unusual rashes, memory loss, joint pain, sensitivities to sound, light, smells, temperatures, sleep issues, unexplained fevers, digestive issues, repeated bouts of the flu or mono, increase irritability, recurrent bronchitis.You can find more information on Sharon's website:http://sharonlivingwithlyme.com/.
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Lyme Disease Resolution Presented to Sharon Rainey
As part of the Keep Your Child Safe Town Hall Meeting, I presented Sharon Rainey with a copy of House Joint Resolution 643. The resolution permanently designates May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Virginia. Sharon has been a leader in alerting our community to the threat of Lyme Disease and its effects. You can read the resolution here.
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Shouse Village Community Association Meeting
This Saturday, June 25, the Shouse Village Community Association is holding a potluck lunch for residents from 1:00-3:00pm at the Shouse Village Community Center. I look forward to meeting everyone there and discussing issues important to you.
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INOVA Loudoun County Hospital
Last week I had the opportunity to visit INOVA Loudoun Hospital. I was able to learn about their new Mobile Health Unit called "Mobile Hope." This initiative will be focused on supporting the needs of the homeless children within Loudoun County. There are an identified 600 students who are homeless within Loudoun County Public Schools alone, and 40% of those don't have a guardian or a parent. The hospital's Mobile Health Services is establishing partnerships with schools, churches, police, government officials, health officials and community leaders to address the needs of these children.
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"Who Has Their Hands in Your Wallet?
Preventing Frauds and Scams That Target Senior Citizens"
I recently held a program for Senior Citizens at the Sunrise Senior Living Center, with Juanita Balenger, the Community Outreach Coordinator and TRIAD Director for the Attorney General. The purpose of the program was to educate seniors on the frauds and scams that target Senior Citizens.
Balenger reminded everyone in attendance that, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it is too good." She discussed reasons that senior citizens may be targeted for these scams, including their tendency to trust people, their assets, their health issues, and the time they have to listen.
The Attorney General's office a good source of information on identity theft, consumer fraud, medicaid fraud, technology crimes, and otherconsumer information. The Federal Trade Commission also has some great information on preventing identity theft.
Also, if you have been the victim of any of these frauds you are not alone and you can call the following places for help:
- Attorney General's Fairfax Office: 703-277-3540
- Attorney General's Consumer Hotline: 800-451-1525
- Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs: 800-552-9963 or 804-786-2042 (in Richmond)
- Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: 800-371-0824
- FTC: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
My office is also available to help you. We can be reached at 703-209-3787 or [email protected].
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The Greater Washington Technology CFO Awards
I recently joined the Northern Virginia Technology Council for the 15th Annual Greater Washington Technology CFO Awards. Congratulations to Nigel Morris, co-founder of Capital One Financial Services and managing partner of QED Investors, who received the Michael G. Devine Hall of Fame Award, as well as the following winners:
- Public Company CFO of the Year: Samuel Strickland, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Group/Division CFO of the Year: Michael Waple, CGI
- Private Company CFO of the Year: Greg Cole, K2M Inc.
- Emerging Growth CFO of the Year Award: Joel Reiser, SMARTHINKING Inc.
For more information, click here.
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Clemyjontri "Concert in the Park"
On September 23rd, 2011, the Friends of Clemyjontri will hold the Second Annual "Concert in the Park." Clemyjontri is Virginia's first all-accessible playground, built so that all children can play side-by-side without differentiation or limitations. To learn more about this special event to raise money for this unique park, see the new website.
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It is a great honor to serve in the House as your Delegate and I am very grateful to the many people who have provided support, talent, counsel and ideas as we have worked to respond to the quality-of-life issues that are your priorities. As always, we appreciate hearing from you. We can be reached at: 703-209-3787.
I invite you to share this newsletter with any friends or colleagues who might be interested and to keep in touch with us. We are always working to improve our outreach and communication and make sure you receive information and we receive your input.
If you have other events, news, or issues of concern, always feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Barbara Comstock
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Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Barbara Comstock |
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