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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
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Jane and I wish you all the best for a safe, healthy, and abundant 2010.
-- Delegate Ken Plum
December 30, 2009 |
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Commentary
A New Year and a New Decade
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
The opening of the decade of Y2K brought such promise. The country was in the midst of unparalleled prosperity, and the federal government had a surplus of $230 billion. Looking back on the decade there were no predictions of how things would turn around: a terrorist attack on our country, endless war, mounting federal deficits, and a recession so severe that historians are likely to relabel a depression. At the same time there were incredible advances in technology, especially in the area of communications with hundreds of new hand-held devices with thousands of new "apps." And there was the historic election of President Barack Obama in 2008.
Are there trends from one decade that will carry into the next? If so, they are not immediately obvious. Virginia that went blue in the presidential election has already turned back to red in its statewide and House of Delegates elections. Tax revenues continue to decline with Virginia suffering its first-ever decline in revenue for two years in a row. Governor Kaine has the distinction of being the first governor to leave office with a budget smaller than the one he had when he entered office. Clearly the new decade will present significant challenges.
Have a Happy New Year Day! Enter the New Year with optimism. By working together we can meet the challenges before us, and we can have a decade of prosperity and attain peace.
Please remember that your opinion always matters to me. Go to my website, www.kenplum.com, and complete my annual constituent survey. Join Senator Janet Howell and me for our Community Public Hearing on Wednesday, January 6, 7:30 p.m., at the RestonCommunity Center at LakeAnne, or join me in a Telephone Community Meeting on Thursday, January 7. To ensure that you are included in the call, send your phone number to kenplum@aol.com or leave it on a message at 703.758.9733. Feel free to email me at kenplum@aol.com or call my office at 703.758.9733 whenever you feel I can be of help to you.
Have a Happy New Year! |
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"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, December 30 at 10:30 p.m. - Jeri Kirschner, Reston resident and member of the Junior League of Northern Virginia - "'Kids in the Kitchen' for Healthier Children"
Tuesday, January 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, January 6 at 10:30 p.m. - Joan Packer, Conflict Resolution Specialist, Fairfax County Public Schools - "Restorative Practices"
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.
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Devotion to Children (DTC) is committed to providing access to high quality educational and childcare programs for children aged six and under from economically disadvantaged families. DTC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the needs of children ages birth to six so that they may become mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy members of society. Founded in 1994 in Falls Church, Virginia, DTC has collaborated with many like-minded organizations in the provision of childcare, health, and educational services for needy families and their children. In Virginia there are currently over 13,000 children on local waiting lists for childcare subsidies. Your charitable contribution will go a long way toward providing high quality educational programs for our youngest citizens. Visit www.devotiontochildren.org to learn more or to make a contribution.
Since 1970 Reston Interfaith has been serving and empowering those in need promoting self-sufficiency by providing support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, quality child care, and a variety of other needs. This award winning organization has a strong presence in Reston, partnering with businesses and welcoming help from citizen volunteers to ensure that our community remains a vibrant and safe place to live and raise a family. Visit www.restoninterfaith.org to learn more about this dynamic organization and how you can help RI during this time of unprecedented need.
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"To give without any notice, or any reward, has a special quality of its own." -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh |
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. |
 Don't Miss Delegate Plum's Telelphone Community Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 7, 2010
Delegate Ken Plum will be having a Telephone Community Meeting about the 2010 General Assembly session on Thursday, January 7, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. To ensure that you are included on the call, please e-mail your telephone number to Ken at kenplum@aol.com or leave your number on Ken's answering machine at 703.758.9733. He will be providing information on the legislative session as well as asking your opinion on the issues. |
| Climate Change Citizen Action
Successful "Electric Sunday" Program Expands
to Include Fluorescent Light Recycling
The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program, in partnership with Covanta Energy, Inc., is preparing to expand the "Electric Sundays" recycling program in 2010. These events will now offer residents an opportunity to recycle fluorescent light bulbs and tubes in addition to televisions, computers, and peripheral electronic devices including keyboards, speakers, printers, scanners, etc.
Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes contain a small amount of mercury. Given the high volume of flurescent light usage in Fairfax County, properly recycling these bulbs and tubes can prevent mercury from entering our waste management system. Disposal of these materials at a household hazardous waste collection site allows for the recovery and recycling of the mercury, glass, and aluminum contained in tehse bulbs and tubes.
The 2010 Electric Sundays will begin with the first event on Sunday, January, 24, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station located at 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax. |
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Announcements
The Virginia Department of Health is now recommending that all Virginians get the H1N1 vaccination. There is enough vaccine for each of us, our family members, friends, and neighbors to get this very important protection from the H1N1 influenza. H1N1 vaccine is available at a variety of locations in Virginia including physician offices, pharmacies, and local health departments. A useful tool to find vaccine locations is the flu vaccine locator tool on VDH's website (www.vdh.virginia.gov), or you can call the VDH Inquiry Center at 1-877-ASK-VDH3 for specific locations, dates, and times when the vaccine will be available near you.
The House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees will hold a Regional Public Hearing here on Friday, January 8, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., at the Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus. The Hearing will focus on the Governor's Proposed 2010-12 Biennial State Budget. This Hearing is open to the public.
Nominations are open for the 19th annual Best of Reston Awards and are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2010. Reston Interfaith and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce are pleased to present the 19th Annual Best of Reston, which honors individuals, organizations, and businesses that have put forth tremendous effort in their commitment to community service and improving the lives of others. Best of Reston will also present the Robert E. Simon Community Service Award to a past Best of Reston honoree who continues to exemplify the principles and character of this event through a sustained commitment to excellence and service in our community. All proceeds from Best of Reston benefit teh social service programs of Reston Interfaith. Visit www.restoninterfaith.org or www.grcc.org to download nomination guidelines and forms and for more information about this event. |
Calendar of Events
Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. will hold the first-ever FROSTIVAL, an exciting new winter-themed family festival, at the Dulles Expo and Conference Center in Chantilly on January 1 through 3, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. FROSTIVAL will feature programs targeted to elementary and pre-K aged children. FROSTIVAL will have interactive rides, games, attractions, crafts, storytelling, musical performances, exhibits, and vendors. For mroe information, visit www.Frostival.com.
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.
Area Boy Scout Brad Hodge and Troop 55 will accept donations of clothing (especially women's), household appliances and dishware, children's books, and electronics (no more than 5 years old) on Sunday, January 3, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. outside the CVS in the Great Falls Village Center. Furniture cannot be accepted. This collection will benefit Northern Virginia Family Service (www.NVFS.org) at a time when donations to the Clocktower Thrift Shop in Falls Church have dropped almost 50% while demand for these items remains high. Brad Hodge has organized this project to benefit NVFS as part of his Eagle Scout Project. Email Brad at TJHSlax@gmail.com if you would like donations to be picked up at your doorstep.
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.
Delegate Ken Plum is one of the speakers at the Northern Virginia Democratic Business Council breakfast on Thursday, January 7, at the Fairview Park Marriott. Networking is at 7:30 a.m. with the program and breakfast beginning promptly at 8:00 a.m. Registration and information are at www.nvdembiz.org.
Join in Delegate Ken Plum's Telephone Community Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 7, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. To ensure being on the call, e-mail your telephone number to kenplum@aol.com or leave your number on voice mail at 703.758.9733. This Telephone Community Hall Meeting will focus on the upcoming legislative session and YOUR opinions on the issues!
House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees will hold a regional budget hearing on Friday, January 8, 2010, 10:00 a.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus.
Fairfax County's delegation to the General Assembly will hold a pre-session Public Hearing on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Individuals who would like to speak can sign up by calling the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at 703.324.3151.
The January "Green Breakfast" will be held Saturday, January 9, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Brion's Grill, 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax (in the University Shopping Mall at Route 123 and Braddock Road, across the street from the Roanoke River Road entrance to George Mason University). Cost is $10 for the buffet, which includes tax and tip, with cash preferred. Speaker will be Jimmie Jenkins, Director of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. Jenkins will share his perspective on where DPWES has been and where it is going, including major environmental issues such as stormwater and energy. The Green Breakfast facilitator is the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.
The first day of the 2010 General Assembly session is Wednesday, January 13. Contact Delegate Plum by email at kenplum@aol.com or by calling his Reston number, 703.758.9733. Your call will be forwarded to his Richmond office at no cost to you. Visit http://legis.virginia.gov for up-to-date action by the General Assembly.
The Inauguration of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General of Virginia will take place at the State Capitol at noon on Saturday, January 16.
The Reston Community Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Dingwall Fleary will present "A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." on Saturday, January 16, 6:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. This special concert features Jasmine Muhammad, soprano; Beverly Cosham, song stylist; and MetroSingers, an outstanding choral ensemble based in suburban Maryland. The program includes Symphony No. 1 by Adolphus Hailstork, The Bamboula (Rhapsodic Dance) by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and a medley of Duke Ellington tunes. Admission to the concert is complimentary; your generous free-will donation in support of the orchestra is appreciated.
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.
The American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) will offer its Driver Improvement Course on Thursday and Friday, January 28 and 29, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street. This course will provide information on safe driving strategies and a thorough review of the "rules of the road." There are no tests. Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers (bring your AARP membership card with you). Participants also may be eligible to receive a discount through their auto insurance. Preregistration is required, and class size is limited. Students must attend both days of class to complete the course. Call 703.248.5020 to register.
A Fairfax County license is required by law for all dogs four months old or older. Licenses are $10 for each dog, are valid for 1 year, and must be purchased by January 31. License tags are issued free to charge to the owners of trained service dogs. Those who have bought tags in prior years automatically receive application forms in the mail in October. You may obtain a license in person, by mail, or online. Applications must include a $10 check payable to fairfax County and a copy of a current rabies certificate. Licenses also may be obtained in person at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax. For more information call 703.222.8234, TTY 703.222.7594.
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 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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