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Ken waved to the large crowd at the Reston Town Center's Holiday Parade the day after Thanksgiving. This year's Parade was the kickoff event for the Town Center's year-long 20th Anniversary Celebration.
Photo by Jim Kirby of Reston.
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| Commentary
Nature House
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Reston's latest addition is now open -- Nature House, and what a gem for the community Nature House is! Located in the Vernon Walker Nature Center on Glade Drive, Nature House was made possible through the contributions of more than a thousand persons listed on its Legacy Wall. Congratulations to Friends of Reston who spear-headed the effort and insisted that it be such a quality product.
Many of the naturalist programs of Reston Association will take place at Nature House (www.reston.org). The House itself provides valuable lessons. The way the community and businesses came together to make the structure possible is a worthy case study in community partnership and collaboration. Nature House is expected to achieve the gold LEED standard, the recognized measure of a structure's energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Such a high rating is indeed impressive and will be the first gold building in Hunter Mill District and among the first dozen and a half in Virginia. A review of the steps that were taken in its construction to make it environmental friendly is worthy of consideration of anyone building or remodeling a home. The previous small building on the site was recycled-not demolished. As much as possible, recycled materials were used in the construction process. A very efficiently insulated wall panel system was used in the construction. A geo-thermal system provides high efficiency heating and cooling.
In addition to being a very energy efficient building, Nature House is a very comfortable place to be. At least a half dozen people at Nature House's opening echoed my thoughts when they said they could live there. It will not be open for overnight guests, of course, but there is a wonderful resource room with a bay window with seats that would be a very comfortable place to spend an afternoon.
Nature House stands also as a reminder that we need to consider our own impact on the environment and that of our homes. There are numerous ways that an energy audit can show us how to save money and energy by better insulating and taking other actions with our homes. We can seal off our fireplaces that waste tremendous amounts of energy. Air leaks around doors and windows can be sealed. Lower the thermostat on your home heating at night with a programmable thermostat, and lower the hot water heater to 120 degrees. And visit Nature House periodically to be inspired. |
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"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, December 2 at 10:30 p.m. - Elizabeth Vandenburg and Bill Campbell - "Laptops for Success at South Lakes High School"
Tuesday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 9 at 10:30 p.m. - Andre Sauvegeot, Reston resident and transportation expert - "Worldwide Hydrogen and Super Highways"
Online Viewing
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| The Gift of Giving
Giving reminds us of our own riches and blessings and how easily we can make an impact on the lives of those in our community who are not as fortunate. This holiday season make a donation of time and money to a local organization that is helping others. Suggestions for charitable organizations that would appreciate your help are listed below. Send your family's suggestions for charitable giving to me at kenplum@aol.com. I will be pleased to list them here.
- Goodwill of Greater Washington has provided job training and employment since 1935, helping tens of thousands of people find jobs while giving them hope, dignity, and independence. Goodwill is a non-profit, charitable organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to its full amount. Goodwill also has several retail stores in Northern Virginia, each stocked with a vast variety of merchandise. Visit www.dcgoodwill.org to find retail store locations or to make a donation.
- Helping Hungry Kids provides food packages for needy elementary school students in our community. Help with their food drive on December 12 or help assemble packages. Contact Sandy at 703.758.7493 or smamato@verizon.net.
- The Giving Circle of Hope helps people in need in Northern Virginia by issuing grants and participating in ongoing and one-time service projects. Operating much like an investment club, members combine their resources and collectively decide how to use them to impact a specific cause or interest area. Sponsored events include the Empty Bowls fundraiser for hunger relief and the upcoming "Gifts That Give Hope Market," an alternative gift market to be held on December 12 in Fairfax City. Visit www.givingcircleofhope.org to find out more about donating to this dynamic organization and supporting its events.
- To make a tax-deductible contribution to help people who cannot afford their electric bills or to inquire about EnergyShare assistance, call 1.888.667.3000 or visit www.dom.com, keyword: EnergyShare.
- The Jo Ann Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne, will be open daily until January 6 with a special "Gifts from the HeART" featuring works of art for gift-giving that are available for purchase. Proceeds help benefit Reston Interfaith.
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"The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving."
--- Albert Einstein |
Delegate Plum and Senator Howell to Host Public Meeting on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at Lake Anne
Join Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell at their annual pre-session Public Meeting on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 7:30 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza (near the intersection of Village Road and North Shore Drive). Come with your comments, questions, and concerns about state government issues and the upcoming General Assembly session. Written testimony is appreciated but not required. This event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. |
Announcement
What will the Reston community be like in 45 years? Will the community be able to retain its amenities and quality of life? What will traffic be like? Where will teh future businesses, homes and roadways be located? Will the open spaces remain? Finding answers to those questions begin now. A Task Force on the Future of Reston has been formed to study these issues and will meet on Tuesday, December 8, 7:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609A Washington Plaza. On the agenda is: 1) discussion of task force policies, procedures, and ground rules; 2) presentation of special study scope and schedule; and 3) overview of task force responsibilities. The meeting will be hosted by Sueprvisor Catherine Hudgins' office. Reston is your community, and its future depends upon your involvement! |
Calendar of Events
The Dulles Corridor Rail Association's Annual Meeting and Reception will be held tonight, December 2, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gannett Company Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, Tysons Corner. The event will honor the progress of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project and the people who are making it happen. For sponsorship information or to RSVP contact dcra@dullescorridorrail.com or 571.296.1552.
"Solar Energy Focus Conference: Fall 2009" will be held December 3-5 at the Hilton Hotel, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, Maryland. This event will include an exhibit hall, morning plenary speakers, a state and local policy review, and breakout sessions. For more information, contact Marisa Applestein at marisaapplestein@360jmg.com or Peter Lowenthal at director@mdv-seia.org. Additional information may also be found at www.MDV-SEIA.org.
Shop at the Alternative Gift Market on Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Avenue, Reston. Choose from 30 booths of socially conscious gift ideas from local and international charitable organizations. Purchase gifts that can save or change a life as you shop for the holidays and other occasions!
Lake Anne welcomes the holidays on December 5 with a variety of activities including a Holiday Market, ornament making for children, a petting zoo, and live entertainment on the plaza, with the fun beginning at 10:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. Santa arrives by barge at 6:00 p.m., followed by tree lighting and caroline at 6:30 p.m. and a Christmas Concert at Washington Plaza Baptist Church. All are welcome.
The Reston Chorale will present its Holiday Concert, "The Wonder of the Season," on Saturday, December 5, at two performances, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods. These performances are guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit with Vivaldi's Gloria, O Holy Night, Carol of the Bells, and many more old and new favorites. Contact the RCC Box Office at 703.476.4500 for ticket information.
Attend the Reston Chorale's "Messiah Sing-Along" on Tuesday, December 8, 7:30 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods. All singers are welcome, but if you do not wish to sing, you can come and listen to this beautiful and iconic music of the season.
Reston Association's annual Winter Bird Count will be held on Saturday, January 2, 7:00 a.m. to noon. Meet at Nature House, 11450 Glade Drive. Learn tips on identification and have fun while helping to obtain important information about birds wintering throughout Reston's natural areas.
Attend the annual pre-session Public Meeting hosted by Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 7:30 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. All are welcome; pre-registration is not required.
A performance by "The Capitol Steps" on January 24, 7:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Reston will kick off Reston Interfaith's fortieth year of support for our community. It comes at a time when there has never been greater need for all of RI's substantive programs that give people the means to learn to help themselves. Go to www.restoninterfaith.org or call 571.323.9555 for more information. |
| Go Green |
 Go Green - consider the environment! Please print this newsletter only if necessary. | |
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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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