Email from Salim for State Senate Sep/Oct Edition Friends, As we head into fall, I wanted to provide you with an update of some of my office’s activities. Hurricane Helene Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed devastation across the Southeast caused by Hurricane Helene. The hurricane’s impact was felt in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and right here in Virginia. Many communities, particularly in Southwest Virginia, have been severely affected, leaving homes destroyed, families displaced, and infrastructure in ruins. In response, our state and federal partners have been working tirelessly to provide relief and support to those impacted. Emergency declarations were signed by President Biden for Virginia and other affected states, enabling immediate deployment of resources. FEMA has shipped millions of meals, millions of liters of water, generators, and tarps to the hardest-hit areas. Additionally, at least 50,000 personnel are on the ground working to restore power and provide assistance. In Virginia, I encourage you to support relief efforts in SWVA by donating to the SWVA United Way Relief Fund at salimva.com/SWVA. For a complete list of resources and ways to help, visit salimva.com/help. Election News: Early Voting Has Begun! On a brighter note, early voting for the upcoming election has begun and is going strong across the Commonwealth! Voter turnout is high, and we’re seeing great enthusiasm as Virginians cast their ballots early. If you’re in Falls Church, learn more about where and how to vote by visiting salimva.com/fcc. If you’re in Fairfax County, you can find detailed information at salimva.com/fcvote. Finally, if you are in Fairfax City, you can learn more at fairfaxcityvotes.com. And here’s a pro tip for all voters: Voting early not only ensures your voice is heard, but it also removes your name from campaign lists, meaning you’ll get fewer calls, texts, mailers, and knocks on your door! Photo Gallery Celebrating the 50th Anniversery of the W&OD Trail in Vienna Falls Church City 75th Anniversary Touring the NOVA Annandale Campus The Unveiling of Former Sen. Salsaw's Portrait in Richmond Virginia Maritime Association Port Tour Sen. Salim at the City of Fairfax Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Sen. Salim at the Groundbreaking of Affordable Housing in Fairfax City ARTS by George 2024 at GMU "Caring for the Most Vulnerable" event at Providence Presbyterian Church   Metro to close some Downtown Blue, Orange, and Silver Line stations for maintenance from Dec. 20-30 Beginning Dec. 20, Metro is altering train service and closing some Downtown Blue, Orange, and Silver stations as part of a major construction project to improve tracks, signaling, and make a smoother ride for customers. Free shuttle buses will replace trains during the 11-day project. Work will be completed in two phases. From Dec. 20-26, Farragut West, McPherson Square, and the lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center will be closed. From Dec. 27-30, Farragut West, McPherson Square, lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, and lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at L’Enfant Plaza will be closed. Stations will reopen Dec. 31. Construction includes replacing grout pads, replacing fasteners and studs, welding open joints, upgrading platform edge lighting, and more. Metro strategically picked closure dates to minimize customer impact. Typically, this time of year has lower ridership. One longer closure also prevents months-worth of weekend shutdowns in the same area. Metro has reached out to several community and business groups to let them know about the upcoming work. During the closure, shuttle buses will replace train service at affected stations, providing customers with alternate access to stations. Shuttles will also use the existing bus lanes on H and I streets to speed travel. All stations affected by the winter closures will re-open on Dec 31. Detailed information about the shuttle bus service will be available in the coming weeks. Metro encourages all passengers to stay informed and plan their travel accordingly. Metro previously announced this work in February and other upcoming major work through 2026. As a new school year kicks off across the Commonwealth, the Senate Clerk's Office's Information & Civic Education team (formerly known as Legislative Information & Constituent Services "LINCS") is excited to share with you our new dynamic "Civics with the Senate of Virginia" resource sites for constituents of all ages! Providing a truly interactive learning experience, these new sites offer activities, games, and video components to share information and history about the Senate of Virginia, the General Assembly, the Commonwealth, and Virginia's legislative process. The resource sites are easily viewed on both desktop computers, and mobile devices. Senators may use the activities found within the sites as part of your presentation when meeting with school groups, civic organizations, and other constituents. Our student-oriented resources also include connected lesson plans for teachers. These resources replace our former printed materials. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has partnered with AAA Tysons Corner and opened a DMV Select office on September 3. The new DMV Select, located at 8300 Old Courthouse Road, Suite 110, will offer vehicle-only transactions. Services available include vehicle titles and registrations, license plates and decals, disabled parking placards, transcripts and more. The new AAA Tysons Corner DMV Select will be open for walk-in service Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Contributions During the annual legislative session, legislators are forbidden from accepting political donations. Now that the session is over, please consider making a donation. During non-election years, your donations are crucial towards paying staff and keeping my operations going. Click HERE to contribute. Donate $25 Donate $50 Donate $100 As always, thank you for staying engaged and informed. Together, we will continue to build a safer and stronger Virginia. Sincerely, Senator Saddam Azlan Salim Virginia State Senate District 37   Send me your Thoughts! PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY FRIENDS OF SADDAM AZLAN SALIM THIS NEWSLETTER WAS PAID FOR BY CAMPAIGN FUNDS. NO TAXPAYER FUNDS WERE USED IN THE CREATION OF THIS NEWSLETTER. Friends of Saddam Azlan Salim | P.O Box 249 | Merrifield, VA 22116-0249 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice