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Plum Center for Lifelong Learning
The Plum Center for Lifelong Learning, named in honor of Delegate Kenneth R. Plum who headed Fairfax County Public Schools' Adult & Community Education (ACE) Department for nearly thirty years, is our school system's visible commitment to one of the nation's best adult and community education programs.
Photo of the ACE summer catalog is from an original oil painting by Fairfax County artist and ACE student Karen Randall. | |
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| Commentary
Importance of Lifelong Learning
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
The summer edition of the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Adult and Community Education (ACE) course catalog featured a picture of an oil painting by ACE student artist Karen Randall of the PlumCenter for Lifelong Learning at 6815 Edsell Road in Springfield. I was honored by the cover and was pleased as I leafed through the pages of the catalog to realize that nearly a dozen years after I left the helm after an almost thirty-year career running ACE that it continues as a vibrant and important part of the community.
As budgets tighten with the economic recession and program reductions are necessary, school divisions will need to stay close to their core mission of educating children. I believe that an important strategy to use in effectively educating the diverse student body of FairfaxCounty is the involvement of parents in the schools. That is where adult education comes in with the supportive role of assisting the school system in meeting its main mission of educating children by involving parents in educational programs at the same time. A child who returns from school to a home where his or her parents or guardians are furthering their own education through adult education literacy or high school completion programs is much more likely to be a motivated learner. Parents involved in English as a second language classes can assist their own children's learning of English or is sometimes the case can be assisted by their own children in learning English.
The unique administrative structure of the FCPS program permits adult education to be an innovator for the school system in trying out new ideas and programs that could then if proven successful be transferred into the regular school operation. The before school-after school extended day care program, parent volunteer program, career education, parent education program, and alternative school programs are some examples of programs that were first implemented in adult education before being transferred to the regular school operation or in the case of extended day care into a county operation.
Public school adult education programs are recognized as an effective way to provide a return to taxpayers who pay for the school buildings but do not get a direct benefit because they no longer have children in school. Being able to go to the local community school to learn a foreign language, pursue a hobby interest or a new career, or explore an avenue of interest makes for a happy citizen much more likely to vote for the next bond referendum.
Adult education is an important supportive component to assisting the public schools in realizing its mission of educating children. An administrative structure needs to remain in place to allow the program to raise the funds it needs to be largely self-supporting while being innovative and responsive to community interest. The Plum Center for Lifelong Learning is, I trust, a visible commitment of the public school system to continue its leadership of having one of the largest and certainly the best public school adult education programs in the country. |
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| "Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, March 25, at 10:30 p.m. - John Montross and Michael & Ashley Hall - "Marching with the March of Dimes"
Tuesday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, April 1, at 10:30 p.m. - Linda Burchfiel and Rekha Nadkarni - "Living in a Cool Neighborhood"
Online
Watch this week's show and other "Virginia Report" programs at:
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| Climate Change Citizen Action
Costco is now selling phosphate-free dishwashing detergent under the Kirkland brand name. The detergent is also free of dyes and perfumes and claims to get dishes sparkling clean while gentle on the environment. This information was sent from Kristen Skowronski of Oak Hill, who originally brought her research to me in 2007 about the harmful effects on the Chesapeake Bay from phosphates in dishwashing detergent. That research resulted in my bill that was passed by the 2008 General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor providing for dishwashing detergent that is manufactured, sold, or distributed in Virginia to be phosphate-free by July 1, 2010.
The next Electric Sunday is April 19, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station located at 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax. Fairfax County residents may bring their old televisions, computers, and other peripheral electronics to be recycled at no charge.
Don't miss Delegate Ken Plum's weekly television program, "Virginia Report," on Reston Comcast Channel 28 on March 31 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 1 at 10:30 p.m. The program will be a discussion about "Cool Neighborhhoods" and ways we can reduce our own carbon footprint . |
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Announcements
Find out how to keep your family and neighborhood safe at the Reston Neighborhood Watch Workshop on Tuesday, March 31, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston. Child care and light dinner will be provided. Registrations for this free event are due by Monday, March 30. For information including related links, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2009/reston-neighborhood-watch-workshop-march-31.htm.
Congratulations to The Closet, a Herndon-based nonprofit thrift shop that has contributed more than $2.4 million to Fairfax County organizations, social services, and scholarships. The Closet is celebrating 35 years of service to the communities of Herndon, Reston, Sterling, and much of western Fairfax County and eastern Loudoun County. The Closet's anniversary kickoff will be held on Saturday, April 4, 9:30 a.m. See details about the celebration below in the Calendar of Events section.
Large flocks of Canada geese are attracted to areas that provide food, water, and protection. Lakes and ponds in urban areas offer the resources they need to survive, but this also means dealing with goose droppings that pollute local waters, inappropriate nesting areas, and at times aggressive behavior. Two identical workshops will be held to discuss proven strategies for humanely stabilizing and reducing Canada geese populations:
- Today, March 25, 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 2 and 3, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
- Saturday, March 28, 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Herrity Building, Room 106, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
For information and to register, email Nicholas.Kokales@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703.324.1420.
The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is seeking a high school student to serve on the Council from July 2009 through June 2010. The EQAC student member will help make decisions and recommendations that impact the county's environmental policies. Serving on EQAC is a great opportunity for growth and hands-on education. For information visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2009/eqac-seeks-student-member.htm. Applications must be postmarked by May 1.
Governor Timothy M. Kaine has launched an overhauled Simulus.Virginia.Gov, transforming the state's original, pioneering website into Virginia's comprehensive online portal for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The website is transitioning to present a wide range of information related to the ARRA - including maps, graphs, charts, and downloadable tables that allow citizens to see where proposals have originated, where money is flowing, and what specific projects and geographies are benefiting from recovery plan funding. The revamped Stimulus.Virginia.Gov website mirrors the principles of Recovery.gov by posting this disclosure information as it becomes available. This additional reporting allows Virginians to monitor how the recovery plan is working throughout the state and ensure tax dollars are being spent productively and responsibly. The site will show all available ARRA funds by Cabinet Secretariat, and map expenditures by locality and will be updated on a continual basis.
Teen Services of Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services is sponsoring an art contest for kids in grades 7 through 12. Two dimensional art or photographs depicting the concept of "Dream" will be accepted until April 2. Teens must be a Fairfax County resident and be registered with a county Teen Center or an After School Middle School program. Teens may register at a Center any time. Entry in the contest is free, and prizes will be awarded. All teens entering the contest will receive a T-shirt. Informaiton and an entry packet are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec or call 703.324.8336 for more information.
Volunteers are needed to help Northern Virginia adults imporve their English skills. The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia sponsors tutor training workshops to help volunteers provide individualized English literacy instruction. The next English literacy tutor train workshop will be held on three consecutive Sundays, April 18, April 25, and May 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. No teaching or foreign language skills are required. A $35 training fee covers the cost of books, materials, and instructions. Each tutor is trained, matched with a student, and encouraged to meet weekly for an hour and a half to help the studentimprove his or her English skills. All tutor training workshops take place at teh James Lee Community Center, but the tutoring will take place in a library or community center in the tutor's neighborhood. Students and tutors are matched based on geographic proximity to make the weekly sessions as convenient as possible. Contact volunteers@lcnv.org or call 703.237.0866 for more information.
The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging's (AAA) Meals on Wheels program needs drivers in the Herndon, Oakton, Reston, and Vienna areas. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Volunteers may choose to drive weekly, biweekly, monthly, or be a substitute. For information call the Volunteer Intake Line at 703.324.5406, TTY 703.449.1186, or email dfsaaavolunteer@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
Calendar of Events
Attend "Keep Tysons Moving," an executive business briefing on the Capital Beltway, HOT Lanes, and Dulles Corridor Metrorail Projects, on Thursday, March 26, 7:30 a.m. at Capital One, 1680 Capital One Drive, McLean. RSVP at outreach@virginiahotlanes.com or (877)495-VDOT.
Attend the Virginia Kick-Off Party for the National Capital Tour de Cure for Diabetes Research on Thursday, March 26, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Bike Lane, 11943 Democracy Drive, Reston. RSVP now, as this facility can only host 70 people. Contact Krystina Murawski at 202.331.8303 ext. 4537 or kmurawski@diabetes.org to RSVP or for information.
Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools will hold the countywide 2009 Unified Prevention Coalition Conference, "What Today's Youth Need You to Know," on Saturday, March 28, 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna. The substance use and violence prevention conference will focus on the trends reported in the 2008 Fairfax County Youth Survey, as well as issues pertinent to raising healthy families. For complete information visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2009/substance-use-violence-prevention-conference.htm.
Fairfax County will host the 2009 Mega Job Fair and Entrepreneurship Expo - "Envision Your Success" on Saturday, March 28, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. The event is free, open to the public, and no pre-registration is required. The expo offers connections for job seekers and employers, business resources and tips for current or prospective entrepreneurs, and a special workshop for teens on how to find and keep a sumemr job.
Fairfax County Park Authority's Annual Watershed Clean-up will be on March 28, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Events will be held in a variety of locations. For site information and reservations go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks or contact the Park Authority at 703.324.8702, TTY 711.
On March 28, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., millions of people around the globe will be turning off the lights for one hour - Earth Hour - to make a bold statement about climate change.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will host a public meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 6:00 p.m., at Fairfax City Hall, 10455 Armstrong Street, Room 111, Fairfax, to collect public input on a comprehensive plan to address long-term funding reductions. Citizens may also submit comments via e-mail to vdotinfo@vdot.virginia.gov by April 15. For more information about proposed service impacts or changes to VDOT operations, visit www.virginiadot.org/news/blueprint_meetings.asp.
The 20th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium, "Sustainability - The Nexus of Economic Prosperity & Environmental Stewardship," will be held March 31-April 2, 2009, at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. For more information visit www.environmentva.org.
The Closet's 35th anniversary kickoff will be held on Saturday, April 4, 9:00 a.m., in front of their facility at 845 Station Street, Herndon. Tours of the facility will be available for all who would like to see firsthand how The Closet fulfills its mission. Let them know you will attend by emailing lauragreenspan@comcast.net.
The 21st Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 9:00 a.m. to noon. For more information please visit www.trashfreepotomac.org or contact Ginny Harris, Potomac River Watershed Cleanup Coordinator, at gharris@fergusonfoundation.org, 301.292.5665.
The Virginia Leadership Institute, Inc. presents "Prepare Yourself to Run for Office and Work on Political Campaigns" for anyone interested in political candidate or campaign training on Saturday, April 4, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. This event features workshops on fundraising, lessons from election 2008, grassroots organizing, candidate experiences, and more. For more information visit www.virginialead.org.
Attend the "Transportation During the War Between the States" symposium on Saturday, April 4, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the John Barton Payne Building, 2 Courthouse Square, in Old Town Warrenton. The symposium is free, but seating is limited to 100. Call Paula Johnson at 540.341.7019 for more information.
Attend Reston Association's Annual Members Meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sheraton Reston Hotel, 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Learn about the services and projects underway. The results of the Board of Directors election will be announced. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP by Monday, April 6, to Luciano@reston.org or 703.673.2035.
Attend the Green Expo on Thursday, April 16, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE (between Park and Center Streets). The Green Expo will present practical information and demonstrations to help you make green choices. Presentations and discussions for children and adults from local organizations and businesses including efficiency tips, purchasing local organic products, creating green gardens, recycling options, and much more to save you money and help the environment. No advance registration is necessary.
Attend the EMPTY BOWLS Fundraiser for the benefit of Food for Others and hunger relief in Northern Virginia on Friday, April 17, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. On the night of the event, guests choose a bowl which they use for their meal and get to keep. In exchange, they give a minimum donation which is given directly to a hunger fighting organization.
Walk with the March for Babies on Sunday, April 19, 10:00 a.m., at the Reston Town Center. This annual event sponsored by the March of Dimes and begun in 1970 is the oldest and one of the best-loved walking events in the United States. Registration for the March begins at 9:00 a.m. Join in this family-friendly, festive event that includes food and children's activities. Money raised at the March for Babies allows the March of Dimes to continue its important work in education, research, support, and advocacy locally. Premature birth is the number one cause of newborn death in the U.S. and is growing at an alarming rate. Register for the March for Babies at www.marchforbabies.org or call 703.824.0111, ext. 21.
The next Electric Sunday will be on April 19, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station located at 4618 West Ox Road. Fairfax County residents may bring their old televisions, computers, and other peripheral electronics to be recycled at no charge. For more information go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/recycling or call 703.324.5052.
On April 25, the Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services' Community Centers Division will host the First Annual Technology Summit at James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. CRS is offering individuals, groups, and corporations the opportunity to set up and display their technology, science, and engineering endeavors for the public. Space and tables are free and will be allotted on a first come, first served basis. You must provide your own equipment and supplies. To reserve your booth, contact Robert O'Quinn at 703.324.5588, TTY 711 or via email at Robert.O'Quinn@fairfaxcounty.gov. Deadline for reserving booths is April 10. Fairfax residents of all ages are invited to this fun event and to participate in everything from a computer building competition, robotics, GIP displays and educational stations, and rocketry displays to gaming booths, a Jeopardy technology game, displays from local companies, and much more.
Fairfax County's Annual Earth Day-Arbor Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike. There is no cost for admission, entertainment, games, and activities. Free parking is available in the student parking lots. For more information go to www.cleanfairfaxcouncil.org or call 703.324.5471, TTY 711.
This year's annual benefit concert by the Reston Community Orchestra, "Family Fun at the Pops," will be held on Sunday, April 25, 5:30 p.m., at the South Lakes Montessori School, corner of South Lakes Drive & Ridge Heights Road. Beverly Cosham, Reston's own chanteuse extraordinaire, will be featured in a cabaret setting. The orchestra will also perform popular light classics and music from the Silver Screen and Broadway. More information, email mmckee101@yahoo.com.
Join with Walk MS on Sunday, April 26 and enjoy a leisurely stroll through a wooded, fully accessible trail around Lake Anne and alongside some of Reston's most charming homes. Walk MS starts at 1930 Isaac Newton Square in front of the Reston Association Building with check-in and staggered starts beginning at 8:00 a.m. through 10:00 a.m. The route will close at 2:00 p.m. More information about Walk MS and the work of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is available at www.MSandYou.org.
The Virginia Guardianship & Elder Rights Conference will be held April 27-28 in Richmond. The Conference will focus on activities of special interest to individuals with disabilities and their family members, caregivers, service providers, advocates, and decision-makers. Limited scholarships are available for individuals with disabilities to attend. For more information visit www.vgavirginia.org/conferences.asp.
Attend the 2009 Best of Reston on Thursday, April 30, at the Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center. Best of Reston, presented by Reston Interfaith and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, is an event honoring individuals, organizations, and businesses that have put forth tremendous effort in their commitment to community service and improving the lives of others. To learn more about the event, sponsorship, and ticket purchase, contact Amy.McDowell@restoninterfaith.org 571.323.9582.
Attend a conference, "Accelerating Social Entrepreneurship: How Technology is Knocking Down Doors and Fueling Social Innovation" on Monday, May 4, George Washington University, Cafritz Conference Center, 800 21st Street, NW, in Washington, DC. For registration and information, visit www.aseconference.org.
Mark your calendar now to join Herndon-Reston FISH for a sparkling evening of dining, dancing, and fun in celebration of 40 years of community service at the annual FISH Fling on Saturday, May 9, in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Herndon. Visit www.HerndonRestonFISH.org or call Marcia DiTrapani, president, at 703.758.0346 for more information.
Join hundreds of bicycle commuters to celebrate Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15, 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the Reston Town Center pavilion. Each year since 2002, cyclists have gathered at the Town Center for a free breakfast, raffles of bike-related prizes, and bicycling information handouts. Pre-registered riders also get a free t-shirt. To register visit www.waba.org/events/btwd/ and select the Reston pit stop.
The Reston Community Orchestra presents "All About Youth" on Saturday, June 6, 4:00 p.m., at Hunters Woods Village Center. Featured are Dr. Michael McKee, Narrator; Jamey Turner, Glass Harmonica; and a youth soloist. Selections include Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev, Haydn's Symphony No. 94 (the "Surprise"), and Overturn & Waltz from Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck. The concert will also feature an "instrument petting zoo" and other educational elements that will be sure to delight children and youth.
Help with the Reston Lake Cleanup on Saturday, June 13, 9:00 a.m. to noon. The annual lake cleanup provides a chance for residents who care about Reston's lakes to volunteer to pick up litter and other non-natural debris. Join fellow boaters and lake enthusiasts. A sponsor and site leader for each of the lakes is needed. Please contact Ha Brock, RA Volunteer Coordinator, at 703.435.7986 or email habrock@reston.org for information about volunteering or sponsoring.
Celebrate Reston's heritage and its 45th Birthday at the Reston Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, at the Reston Town Center. To volunteer the days of the event, join the planning committee, be a sponsor, entertainer, food vendor or crafter call the Festival Information Line at 703.435.7989 or check out www.restonfestival.com.
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| Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News.
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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