Please also consider making food donations to Loudoun Interfaith Relief this holiday season.  Loudoun Interfaith Relief's mission is to feed the hungry of Loudoun County.  They are located at: 750 Miller Drive, Suite A-1, Leesburg, Virginia 20175.  For more information about Loudoun Interfaith Relief, click here.

Food Distribution Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from 10:00 a.m.- 12:45 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday evenings (by appointment only); call 703-777-5911

Food Donation Hours:

Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Saturday from 9:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Congratulations to Karin's Florist

Karin's Florist of Vienna, Virginia has just been named "The Best Florist In America" by Steve Harvey's First Annual Neighborhood Awards. Congratulations to Karin's Florist and to Maris Angolia, President of Karin's Florist, for all they do for our community!

Steve Harvey wanted to recognize the unsung individuals and businesses in communities that exemplify excellence in their communities.  Thank you for your steadfast commitment to our community and donations to various local events such as the Wolf Trap Gala.

Click here to visit Karin's Florist website and here to watch a video of their events.

  

ORS 3 Mission Launches from Wallops

ORS 3 Mission successfully launched from Wallops Island Spaceport on Tuesday, November 19th. This Minotaur 1 Rocket was built by Orbital Sciences which is headquartered near Dulles International Airport.   

Among the 29 satellite participants on the mission include a satellite built by students from Thomas Jefferson High School.  This weblink summarizes the 29 satellite participants (http://www.space.com/23646-ors3-rocket-launch-satellites-description.html).  Congratulations on all your hard work and a successful launch! 

The Fairfax County Police Department recently received a federal grant of $1 million from the Department of Justice to fund a human trafficking unit in Fairfax County for the next two years. The award will enable to police department to have one full-time detective, Det. Bill Woolf, and one crime analyst focused on combatting human trafficking here in Fairfax County.  Half of the award will go to the non-profit Polaris Project, which will provide services to victims of human trafficking.  

It was great to serve as an "Ambassador" at theWomen Rule: Driving The Conversation program on human trafficking on Wednesday, November 20th. Thanks to POLITICO, Google and Tory Burch for making this event possible and to Greta Van Sustern, Cindy McCain, Meryl Chertoff and all the women who joined us.  I look forward to participating in the next Women Rule program on December 4th.

Over the summer, POLITICO, Google and the Tory Burch Foundation announced a joint partnership to produce extended programming dedicated to exploring how women are leading change in politics, policy and their communities.  The program, Women Rule, features prominent women in power and brought to life through events, video, print and digital media, polling, social media and products.

The cornerstone of Women Rule is a four-part, high-profile event series in Washington, D.C. featuring members of Congress, administration officials, leaders in business and entrepreneurs. The discussions, which are also livestreamed on POLITICO, examines the steps women leaders are taking to effect change - everything from spurring a movement to passing legislation. In addition, a roundtable conversation takes place at each event modeled on the Tory Burch Foundation's mentoring events for women entrepreneurs; these discussions provide an opportunity for influential women to offer advice and guidance to the next generation of leaders.

The 495 Express Lanes opened one year ago on November 17, 2012 and introduced the biggest change to the region's traffic patterns in more than 30 years.  Here are some fun facts highlighting the successes of the Express Lanes:

• Approximately 855,000 customers have used the Express Lanes since the lanes first opened on November 12, 2013.
• 59% of Express Lanes users are residents of the Commonwealth; including 24% from Fairfax County
• The average toll price is $1.63

The 495 Express Lanes has also done great work through their Community Grant Program which supports organizations that sustain, enhance and/or protect the local environment and neighborhoods.  Since the Express Lanes opened, 22 grants totaling more than $75,000 have been awarded to a wide variety of organizations including the Fairfax County Park Foundation, Greater Tysons Green Civic Association and a local Boy Scout troop. 

I joined several of my local and state colleagues, members of the Fairfax County Police Department and representatives from the McLean Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, November 14th for the Bike Hitch Dedication Ceremony.  This ribbon cutting celebrated the installation of several new bike racks throughout downtown McLean. 

I appreciate all the support from our local business leaders who helped make this project a success: Phil Pedlikin, Greenberry's Coffee Shop; Georges Tawill; McLean Square Shopping Center; Bob Montgomery, McLean Properties; James Makely, Jr. Giant Food; and Mark Welker, Staybridge Suites McLean-Tysons. 

Our Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) celebrated its 5th birthday on October 18, 2013. In just 5 short years the VWWP has grown from a concept to serving over 17,000 veterans and their families.  The VWWP provides:

• Individual assessment of individual and family needs
• Direct linking to needed services including behavioral healthcare, veterans' benefits, housing, and employment assistance programs
• Direct support provided by veteran peer specialists and resource specialists
• Peer and family support groups
• Assistance for incarcerated veterans preparing for reentry

The VWWP is a conduit connecting veterans and their families with multiple state and federal agencies who provide services from mental health to housing for the veterans and their families and guides them through the process.  For example, the dedicated personnel in DVS coordinate with 14 different housing agencies to identify and provide housing for our Homeless Veterans. Click here to watch a short video of some major success stories. 

Governor Bob McDonnell recently urged Virginians to join in the effort to help the people of the Philippines as they recover from devastating Typhoon Haiyan. The storm has left thousands dead, and the Philippine government has reported that some 2 million residents are now in need of aid.

There are many aid organizations working in storm-recovery efforts. Three of the biggest are the Philippine Red Cross, the American Red Cross, and UNICEF. We can donate to the organizations by visiting their web sites, which are listed below.

Philippine Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations

UNICEF: http://www.unicefusa.org/

Kick off the holidays with your family this year and attend Wolf Trap's Holiday Sing-A-Long complete with Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs and a special performance by the United States Marine Band. 

Admission is free (no tickets required), but please consider bringing a Toys For Tots donation to the entrance of the Filene Center.  For more information, please visit Wolf Trap'swebsite.  The Sing-A-Long will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7th. 

• 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 
• Now- January 6- Meadowlark Gardens Winter Walk of Lights Tour from 5:30 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, Virginia 22182.  Click here for more information about fees, hours and directions. 
• November 30- Small Business Saturday.  For more information, click here.
• December 1- McLean Winterfest Parade at 3:00 p.m. in downtown McLean.
• December 3- Great Falls Senior Center Holiday Celebration
  from 11:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 11550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Virginia 22066. 
• December 5- Women's Club of McLean 47th Annual Holiday Homes Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. beginning at Trinity Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Boulevard, McLean, Virginia 22101. 
• December 6- Leesburg's Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. on the Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.  Click here for more information. 
• December 7- Dr. Karen Garza's FCPS Listening Tour and Public Meeting at 10:00 a.m. at Cooper Middle School, 977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, Virginia 22101.
• December 7, 8, 14, 15- Loudoun Ballet School Performs The Nutcracker at Broad Run High School, 21670 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, VA.  Click here for more information about show times and to purchase your ticket. 
• December 14- Town of Leesburg Annual Christmas and Holiday Parade at 10:00 a.m..  The parade will line begin at Ida Lee Drive and will end at Fairfax Street.  Click here for more information. 

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, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You can reach me by email at[email protected] or by phone at 703-772-7168. Please don't hesitate to contact me about issues that concern you.

  Sincerely,