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Ken and Jane greeted the huge crowd at the Reston Holiday Parade. Don't miss the beautiful decorations and special events going on throughout the holiday season at the Reston Town Center.
Photo by Mike McKee |
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Commentary
 | | "Ken the Magician" performing for preschoolers last week at Barnes & Noble in Reston |
It Will Take More than Magic
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
A hobby I pursue infrequently is performing magic tricks. Recently I did a magic show for preschoolers to help the United Christian Parish Preschool that my wife Jane directs raise money to improve the preschool library. As I explained to my eager audience, magic can make the seemingly impossible take place. When the children were insistent that sticking a balloon with a needle would cause it to pop, they held their ears as I inserted a long needle in one side and out the other side of a transparent balloon. When I removed the needle, I told them they were right all along, and I popped the balloon by pricking it with the same needle. Part of the fun of performing magic is in knowing the secret technique, sleight-of-hand, or apparatus that makes what appears to be magic happen.
There is no sleight-of-hand or trickery that will help in my regular duties as a member of the House of Delegates, although some members continue to act as though there may be. Responses to our transportation challenges have been more illusionary than real in recent years.
A seminar sponsored last week by the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance (NVTA) entitled, "What Everyone Needs to Know about Transportation Funding," promised "just the facts." Actually the facts on transportation funding are well known, having been discussed thoroughly by NVTA President Bob Chase in an article in the Fall 2010 edition of Virginia Issues and Answers from Virginia Tech (www.via.vt.edu). As the career professional Commissioner of VDOT expressed it at the seminar, "VDOT does not have the money to do its job." As Bob Chase expressed it in his article, "the need for new, dedicated, reliable transportation funding is paramount and undeniable."
Some of Governor McDonnell's tricks to fund transportation like offshore oil drilling and selling the ABC stores have been shown not to be viable. Recent discussions on the issue seem to be more magic show patter than real solutions. In the end, there is no magic solution. What is needed is what Bob Chase refers to in his article as "political will." |
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| "Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, December 8 at 10:30 p.m. -
Patty Nicoson, President, Dulles Corridor Rail Association -
"Rail Right Here in Reston" Tuesday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 15 at 10:30 p.m. - Alice Foltz, President, Centreville Immigration Forum - "Building Community"
Online Viewing:
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In the Spirit of Giving...Ways You Can Help!
Send your suggestions for Holiday Giving to kenplum@aol.com and they will be included in this column each week between now and the end of the year.
Buy a fresh-cut Christmas tree, wreath, or greenery roping at Vale United Methodist Church, the white country church at the four-way stop at Vale and Fox Mill Roads, Oakton. All proceeds go to support the church's mission commitments including organizations in our own community such as the Embry Rucker Shelter, FACETS, the hypothermia project, and The Shepherd's Center. Stop by Monday through Friday, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Saturdays 9:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Have some cider and a cookie and warm your hands over a toasty fire while Vale's friendly volunteers assist you with your purchase!
Global Camps Africa was founded in 2003 by Phil Lilienthal of Reston. Its goal is to change the lives of South Africa's vulnerable orphans, children, and youth by providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and training through a high-impact residential camp experience in a secure environment. Contiuing education and ongoing support is provided through biweekly Kids Clubs. The first camp was held in 2004 and continues today serving South African youth, ages 11 to 16. Global Camps Africa has no endowments or government grants. Its support comes from generous indivuals, foundations, and businesses. Donations cover costs associated with the camps, and there is no charge to participants. Your donation of $50 will pay for tee-shirts for a cabin of 10 children at camp; $100 will purchase shoes for a cabin of 12 children. A donation of $1,000 will send a child to one residential camp and enable the camper to attend the year-round Kids Clubs, and also buy supplies for a cabin of 15 campers. Visit www.globalcampsafrica.org to learn more and make a donation.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains citizen volunteers who are then appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of an abused and neglected child in court. CASA volunteers help ensure that these vulnerable children find safe and permanent homes as quickly as possible. Last year 82 cents of every dollar donated to CASA was used for direct support to the children served. It costs approximately $1,200 to provide an advocate for one child for a year. To learn more or to donate to CASA as it helps our most vulnerable citizens, go to www.casafairfax.org.
Herndon-Reston FISH will collect and distribute food for 750 recipients for the December Holiday Season. Here is how you can help:
DONATE:
* Non-perishable food to FISH (tuna, peanut butter, pasta, macaroni, rice, tomato sauce, soup, dry cereals, canned foods, etc.)
* $$ to FISH to buy a $10 grocery store gift certificate for each food box
* Toys and gifts so FISH may give to each child in the family (infants to preteens)
VOLUNTEER:
* Volunteers are needed to collect, sort, and pack food and gifts in boxes - December 16-17-18-20 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at 11484 Washington Plaza West, Room 140, Reston, VA 20190.
* Drivers are needed to deliver donations to families on December 21 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
To donate food and gifts, volunteer, or request food pick-up, contact Robyn Kampf, 571.926.8019 or RHKampf@gmail.com. You can also make your tax-deductible check donations to Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc., 336 Victory Drive, Suite 200, Herndon, VA 20170. Note "Holiday Food Boxes" on your check.
"Stockings for Seniors" brightens Christmas for local seniors in need. Drop off needed "stocking stuffer" items to Comfort Keepers any time between now and December 15 at 459 Herndon Parkway, Suite 5, Herndon. Items will be stuffed into stockings and delivered to Cameron Glen Nursing Home, FISH, and other local seniors. Items for the stockings are toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, lotions, powders, shower caps, socks, candies, mouthwash, combs, brushes, and shampoo. Call 703.435.2500 for more information.
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Delegate Plum to Hold Public Meetings Before the 2011 General Assembly Session Begins in Richmond
Attend one or both of Delegate Ken Plum's pre-session Public Hearings:
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 - 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Fox Mill Elementary School Cafeteria 2601 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171 With Senator Mark Herring
Thursday, January 6, 2011 - 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191 With Senator Janet Howell
Bring your questions and comments about issues of interest or concern. Pre-registration is not required. Come prepared to speak or to listen -- all are welcome! |
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Take Ken's 2011 Pre-Session Survey - Your Views Count!
The 2011 General Assembly session will convene on January 12 in Richmond. Please take a moment to share your views on issues of interest to us all by clicking on the image below, or go to www.kenplum.com. A paper copy of this survey will also be available to all voter households in a newsletter arriving in mailboxes this month. Either way, paperless or paper, please share your opinions with Ken before session begins on January 12.
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Announcements
When preparing your holiday cards this year, take one card and send it to this address: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20307-5001 If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these special people who have sacrificed so much would get! Please share this with family and friends.
Holiday gift wrapping will be available December 19 through 23, noon to 8:00 p.m., and on December 24, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Reston (entrance off Market Street). This service is presented by and benfiting Kids R First, with wrapping sponsored by Hyatt Regency Reston and Appalachian Spring. |
Calendar of Events
The Governor's Transportation Conference will be held December 8-10, 2010, at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center in Roanoke, VA. Visit www.vatransconf.org for more details and to register. Learn about the work of Reston Environmental Action (REACT) and meet some of its members on Sunday, December 12, any time from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at 2011 Approach Lane, Reston. Approach Lane is in Wethersfield Cluster off Sunrise Valley Drive between Wiehle and Soapstone. After entering the cluster, make an immediate right onto Approach, with #2011 being the third townhouse from the end before you reach the corner. Park in any unnumbered space or in the shopping area next to the cluster on Sunrise Valley and walk up the hill on the paved trail at the end of the parking lot. Learn about REACT's ongoing projects like Reston Recycles/Close the Loop, Eco-Friendly Yard and Garden Care, and more. Check www.restonenvironmentalaction.org for other REACT information, or contact Mary Brown at cernybrown@earthlink.net or 703.620.0151. Help ensure that each family in our community has a holiday meal by bringing canned goods and non-perishable food items to the First Annual Driving Out Hunger Holiday Food Drive on Thursday, December 16, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in front of the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Perkowitz + Ruth Architects are sponsoring this drive to benefit Reston Interfaith. Every 10 pounds of food you bring enters you into a raffle! AARP Dulles Chapter's annual Holiday Gala meeting will be held on Thursday, December 16, 7:00 p.m., at the Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace Street, Herndon. It will be a "cultural heritage" theme potluck. Bring some of your favorite cultural dishes to share. Sandi Wickham will be making cards to note the name and origin of your dish, so contact Sandi with that information at Sandi@AARPdulles.org or call 703.437.0862. Guests are welcome; authentic native costumes optional. Visit www.AARPdulles.org for chapter information.
The Privileges and Elections Redistricting Subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates will hold a public hearing on legislative redistricting on Friday, December 17, 10:00 a.m. in the 9th floor Appropriations room of the General Assembly Building in Richmond. Questions regarding the meeting should be directed to Mary Spain in the Division of Legislative Services at 804.786.3591.
"Meet Me at the Movies" Senior Movie Day is Wednesday, December 22, 10:00 a.m. (doors open at 9:30) at the Rave Cinema at Reston Town Center. Reston Association presents this feature film; free to those 55+. refreshments and door prizes are provided prior to the movie. Call 703.435.6530 for more information.
Don't forget to give the gift of life this holiday season by donating blood at the INOVA Blood Drive on Tuesday, December 28, noon to 7:30 p.m. at Reston Town Center next to the Pavilion. Schedule your appointment at 1.866.256.6372 or inova.org/donateblood. You can also register onsite.
Join Delegate Ken Plum at one or both of his annual Pre-Session Public Hearings:
Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. with Senator Mark Herring at Fox Mill Elementary School, 2601 Viking Drive, Herndon.
Thursday, January 6, 2011, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. with Senator Janet Howell at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.
All citizens are welcome; pre-registration is not required.
Let's Help Kids! will celebrate its first annual "Dual" Gala (adults in one room, kids in another!) on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Springfield Golf & Country Club. Black tie optional. Visit www.letshelpkids.org to learn more about this wonderful organization.
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| 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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