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Delegate Ken Plum visits with Bob Haley at the Hunter Mill District Democrats' Annual Lasagna Dinner last weekend. In the background is Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Photo by Mike McKee.
April 14, 2010 | |
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Commentary
A Wink and a Nod
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Last Friday, April 9, was the 145th anniversary of Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appamattox Court House in Virginia. Although hostilities ended that day, the war of words over the causes and outcomes of the Civil War continues to rage. Governor Bob McDonnell contributed to the controversy by issuing a proclamation that recognized April as Confederate History Month and that shockingly addressed the "four year war between the states for independence." Nowhere in the proclamation could the words "slaves" or "slavery" be found until days later after public outrage and the failure to defend the proclamation on educational and tourism grounds failed.
Days later the website of the Virginia Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans (www.scvva.org) continued the original language of the Governor's proclamation sans any reference to slavery. The site provides a link to thank Governor McDonnell for issuing the proclamation saying, "if the proclamation does anything, it hopefully will be a nail in the coffin of political correctness, an insidious disease infecting our nation." There is no reference to what it does for political accuracy.
Once again, Governor McDonnell appears with a wink and a nod to want to have it both ways. The proclamation appeals to some of his most ardent supporters; they got what they wanted. And when his biggest political contributor, Sheila Johnson, raised objections along with former Governor L. Douglas Wilder, he added some words on slavery to appease them. Which view reflects the personal position of the Governor?
The pattern of behavior repeats itself. When confronted with an unwillingness to issue a longstanding Executive Order to protect state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and when over-shadowed on the issue by his Attorney General saying there was no legal authority to protect such workers, the Governor issued a directive with no political effect on the subject. Wink, wink!
In his campaign for Governor he nodded to those who sought relief from traffic congestion by saying that he had a 19-page plan that proved during the legislative session to not produce a single new mile of highway construction. He winked at educational reform, but the bills he promoted will help but a small fraction of students, if any, at some distant time in the future. His zig-zag behavior from his base to trying to be a moderate has made him a regular target on late-night television. Virginians need more than a wink and a nod from the Governor if we are to survive these challenging times. |
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"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, April 14, at 10:30 p.m. - "On Track with Metrorail" with Patty Nicoson, Dulles Corridor Rail Association
Tuesday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, April 21, at 10:30 p.m. - "Inspiring Girls Through Running" with Catherine Keightley of Girls on the Run.
Online Viewing
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Climate Change Citizen Action
From April 16 through April 30, Habitat for Humanity in conjunction with Covanta Fairfax Inc., the owner and operator of the I-95 Energy/Resource Recovery Facility, is offering a $5 ReStore Chantilly gift card to Fairfax County households who turn in old mercury thermostats for recycling. The mercury bounty program is designed to encourage the proper handling and disposal of these mercury-containing devices. The gift card can be used in the ReStore Chantilly warehouse from April 16 to April 30.
"I applaud Habitat for Humanity and Covanta for partnering together on this important initiative and working to remove mercury from the waste stream," said Virginia Delegate Ken Plum. "Virginia took a step forward in this direction with the passage of legislation that encourages the collection of mercury-containing thermostats. Once in the waste stream, such devices may break and release mercury into the environment."
Plum passed legislation earlier this year that requires the Virginia Waste Management Board to adopt regulations to encourage the recycling of thermostats containing mercury. The bill also authorizes localities to prohibit the disposal of mercury thermostats in any privately operated landfill within its jurisdiction, so long as the locality has implemented a recycling program that is capable of handling all of the mercury thermostats within the jurisdiction.
"Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia is thrilled to work with Covanta Energy on this important initiative and we're grateful for their support to us," said Herb Campbell, Habitat ReStore District Manager.
Throughout the month of April mercury thermostats will be accepted form Fairfax County residents from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Habitat for Humanity ReStore warehouse located at 4262 Entre Court, Chantilly, VA. In addition, the first 200 residents to visit ReStore Chantilly will be given a tree seedling from Covanta Fairfax to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. |
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Announcements
Reston Community Helps Local Young Women Attend Prom
In today's difficult economic climate, many families might find buying an expensive dress that will be worn for one night impractical and an unnecessary extravagance. Reston Community Center (RCC) can help. RCC is proud to announce its 10th Annual Diva Central Prom Dress Give-A-Way Event on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 from noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza), Reston, VA. Participants must be actively enrolled in a high school and eligible to attend their prom. There is a limit of one dress per person. Admission is free.
For two days, the RCC's Jo Ann Rose Gallery (in the Lake Anne Building) will transform into a beautiful "boutique" showcasing over 1,000 designer dresses in all different colors, sizes, and styles. Local high school teenagers will have the opportunity to "shop" for thier prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, wraps, makeup, and accessories and create their very own prom look. To make prom night even more special, Diva Central will hold raffle drawings for prizes donated by local business sponsors. Last year's prizes included a chauffeured luxury town car to the prom, corsage and boutonniere for the winner and her date, spa services at local Reston salons, and gift certificates to popular Reston restaurants.
Since 2001 Diva Central's mission has been to promote confidence and self-esteem by providing free prom dresses to any area high school girl who might not otherwise be able to afford one. For further information or to volunteer for the event, contact Nakish Jordan, RCC Teen program Director, at nakish.jordan@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Hunter Mill District Hosts Tax Relief Assistance Workshops
Fairfax County residents with disabilities or who are age 65 or older are invited to workshop to receive assistance completing application forms for real estate tax relief and car tax relief. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Catherine Hudgins is hosting two workshops with Fairfax County Dept. of Tax Administration (DTA) representatives on site to provide assistance and anser questions. Workshop locations and dates are as follows:
Reston Community Center
Friday, April 23, 10 a.m. to noon
2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191
Vienna Community Center
Wednesday, April 28, 10 a.m. to noon
120 Cherry Street, Vienna, VA 22180
For more informaiton on the Hunter Mill District workshops, call 703.478.0283, TTY 703.736.4660. For more informaiton on tax relief, call DTA at 703.222.8234, TTY 703.222.7594, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Calendar of Events
Join your friends and neighbors to celebrate the best of our community at the 19th Annual Best of Reston Awards for Community Service on Thursday, April 15 at the Hyatt Regency Reston, Reston Town Center. A 6:00 reception kicks off the evening, with dinner and awards at 7:00. Black tie is optional. The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith have partnered to present an evening honoring individuals and organizations in our community that have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of others. All proceeds from the event benefit the social service programs of Reston Interfaith. Visit www.restoninterfaith.org for more information, reservations, and sponsorship opportunities.
As part of the Reston Master Plan Special Study, the public is encouraged to offer input about future land use around the Reston Parkway Metro station on Saturday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. at Langston Hughes Middle School cafeteria, 11401 Ridge Heights Road, Reston.
On Saturday, April 17, 7:30 p.m., the Reston Community Orchestra will be "Puttin on the Ritz," an Annual Benefit Orchestra Night in Black and White featuring Beverly Cosham. This gala affair will be held at the Sunset Hills Montessori School, 1180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. Enjoy silent and live auctions - Delegate Ken Plum will serve as auctioneer. Enjoy great music, dancing, dessert, and a cash bar. Tickets are $75 per person or $400 party of 6; black tie optional. Credit card purchase available at www.restoncommunityorchestra.org.
Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation will hold its "Dress Up with Grown-Ups Gala" on Saturday, April 17, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Fairview Park Marriott, Falls Church. Ticket prices are: Family Ticket for $300 per family (includes up to 2 adults and 2 children); $100 per extra adult; and $75 per extra child. The cost of one family ticket, $300, is the cost for medical care for an entire year for one child in the MCCP program. Bring your kids or your grandkids, or just come by yourselves. This unique gala will reflect the fact that MCCP Foundation raises funds for the medical care of uninsured children right here in our community. This event includes a silent auction, sit-down dinner, dancing to a DJ, family photo-op, and fun activities for the kids. For more information, contact Margery Leveen Sher at mlsher@mccpfoundation.org.
Join in the annual March for Babies walk sponsored by the March of Dimes on Sunday, April 18, at the Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with a 10:00 a.m. start time for the 4.5 mile walk. Enjoy the walk, a picnic, live music, and children's activities. When you walk in March for Babies you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money raised from the March for Babies is used in our community to help women have healthy, full-term pregnancies. The March also funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten babies. Imagine a day when all babies are born healthy! Visit www.marchforbabies.org or call 703.824.0111 for registration and additional information.
A "town hall" meeting with lcoal, state, and national experts to discuss common-sense solutions to the ever worsening gridlock on I-66 will be held on Monday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Ideas to be discussed include establishing a Bus Rapid Transit system in the corridor, increasing the use of shoulder lanes, opening the Monument and Stringfellow interchanges to non-HOV vehicles outside of normal HOV hours, and improvements to the interchange at I-66 and the Beltway.
Reston Hospital Center will sponsor a Blood Drive on Wednesday, April 21, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00. The Blood Mobile will be parked at the West Wing Entrance. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule your life-saving donation.
R4 Collection Day - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reston! - will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Bring computers, components, electronics, cell phones, paper for shredding, compact fluorescent bulbs, bicycles ($10/bike donation), bicycle accessories, handtools, portable sewing machines, eye glasses, and hearing aids. A full list is available at www.restontowncenter.com. Only listed items will be accepted. Event partners include: Bikes for the World, Bike Lane, Reston Lions Club, Secured Shred, and Turtle Wings.
In celebration of the inaugural year of Nature House at the Walker Nature Education Center, the Nature House 5K Race will take place on Saturday, April 24, 8:00 a.m. Help celebrate and make sure that this wonderful new facility continues to have the support it needs for a bright future. Registration is at www.active.com/running/reston-va/7th-annual-nature-house-5k-fund-run-2010. Deadline to register online is Thursday, April 22, at 11:59 p.m. Walkup registration at the Nature Cetner: Friday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, 7 a.m. You can also register on race day. Fee is $25 prior to March 31, $30 after March 31.
Celebrate Earth Day - make a day of it! The Reston Association Earth Day Festivagl will be held on Saturday, April 24, 1:00 to 5:00 at the Nature Center. Continue the celebration by joining REACT (Reston Environmental Action) members at Cafesano at South Lakes Village Center at 5:30 p.m. Look for the blue REACT bags!
Don't miss Sunrise Valley Elementary School's 10th Annual 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 1, 8:00 a.m. at 18890 Preston White Drive, Reston. This year's Run/Walk benefits Hopecam, an organization connecting homebound children to life through web cameras, high speed Internet, and laptops distributed free to qualified children and their schools. Register at www.ctive.com, and search for "Sunrise Valley Elementary School's 10th Annual...".
The Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services will host the Second Annual Technology Summit on Saturday, May 1, at the James Lee Community Center, 2855-A Annandale Road, Falls Church, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. The Technology Summit is an opportunity for individuals, groups, and corporations 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 spplies. To reserve your booth, contct Robert O'Quinn at 703.324.5588, TTY. Deadline for reserving booths is April 16.
Attend a Universal Design Workshop on Wednesday, May 5, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Universalist Unitarian Church, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Recent demographic studies in Fairfax County hae referenced the trend that our population is "aging in place." Universal Design is a concept that can assist with making aging in place easier through design modifications to make a home safer and more comfortable. Call the Hunter Mill Supervisor's office at 703.478.0283 for addeitional information.
"Project Take Back: where young people come together to create positive social change" is the theme of the fifth Northern Virginia Regional Youth Summit to be held Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Liberty Middle School, 6801 Union Mill Road, Clifton, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The free event, sponsored by the Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services' Teen Services Division, will provide training to young people to create change focused on improving health and well-being while also gaining experience and skills to become leaders in their communities. The event is open to Northern Virginia teens in grades 6 through 12. Chris Bowers, an expert in developing youth leadership, will be the keynote speaker and will talk to teens about the power they have to take risks and to have confidence in themselves. He uses humor to build camaraderie with students so he can encourage them to overcome their fear of failure and fear of what others may think of them. The summit will have prizes, food, promotional items, and other activities that appeal to teens. A media presentation from Motivational Media Productions entitled "One Day" will show teens how to make change in their lives one day at a time. Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec or call 703.324.TEEN, TTY 711 to have a registration form sent to you. Deadline for registration is April 15.
Sign up for the Devotion to Children 4 Miler on Saturday, May 15, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., at Browns Chapel Park, 11300 Baron Cameron Avenue, Reston, For those who want to help raise funds but don't necessarily want to run 4 miles, there will be a 1-mile fun run/walk. Sign up or donate at www.active.com/running/reston-va/devotion-to-children-4-miler-2010.
GRACE's 19th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will be held May 15 and 16 at the Reston Town Center. Online forms for volunteers are now available that allow you to learn about activity options, sign up with family or friends, and to choose your own shifts. Don't delay! Sign up now at:
ww.restonartsfestival.org/GRACE/VolunteerForm1.cfm.
Save the date - Celebrate Fairafx Festival 2010 will be held Friday, June 11, beginning at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, June 13, 6:00 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. All are invited to attend this weekend of fun, games, and special activities for the whole family. More details will be provided in the near future. |
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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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