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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia
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Commentary
A Crazy Quilt
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
I was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1977 as part of the five member delegation representing the northern half of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. A similar five-person delegation represented the southern half of Fairfax County. These several members at-large districts came about as Virginia was forced by the federal courts to reapportion its representation to reflect the population shift of the state from rural to suburban regions.
I was defeated in my first bid for re-election in 1979 but was re-elected in 1981. I returned to the House of Delegates just in time for the court challenges to multi-member districts. Just as I had trouble being re-elected in a huge district, the courts found the large multi-member districts to be unconstitutional in not allowing minorities and others an equal opportunity for election as offered in single member districts. The Virginia legislature was required to redraw its district lines twice resulting in elections in 1981, 1982, and 1983. The final acceptable lines were for single-member legislative districts. That experience along with the advocacy of Common Cause made me aware of the potential of having legislative district boundaries to be drawn by an independent redistricting commission. In 1982 I introduced legislation to establish such a commission in Virginia, and I re-introduced the bill more than a dozen times and as recent as this year. It was defeated each time, first by a Democratic majority and more recently by the Republican majority. Each party views redistricting as a way to maintain or expand its majority.
The most recent patchwork of crazy district lines demonstrates once again the value that could come from having an independent commission doing the work. I do not consider the commission appointed by Governor McDonnell as a bipartisan group to be the same as an independent commission of retired judges and academics. His commission was appointed too late with an unclear mandate to influence the outcome. With all the slicing and dicing of communities that has occurred in the current plans, I am pleased that Reston continues as a community of interest within one delegate, one state senate, and one Congressional district.
The plans passed by the General Assembly must be signed by the Governor, approved by the Department of Justice as Virginia is still under the federal Voting Rights Act, and possibly defended in a court suit over whether minorities are appropriately represented. If the plans are thrown out at any of these stages, we could possibly have a repeat of the 1980s with elections this year followed by elections next year and the next. Not an attractive crazy quilt! |
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"Virginia Report" on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, April 13 at 10:30 p.m. - Tracy Soforenko and John Bailey, National Federation of the Blind - "Changing What it Means to be Blind"
Tuesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, April 20 at 10:30 p.m. -Catherine Meloy, President & CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington - "Training and Work Opportunities through Goodwill"
View "Virginia Report" online via video streaming using the following link: www.rctv28.com/shows/studio/community/virginiareport.html
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MS Walk at Reston Town Center
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Ken enjoyed talking with Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and her staffer, Martin Taylor, at the MS Walk at Reston Town Center. Congratulations to all who participated and raised funds and awareness! |
Photo by Mike McKee |
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Announcements
Replacing Your Old Lawn Mower This Spring?
Consider this: EPA estimates that gas-powered lawn mowers account for five percent of air pollution in the United States. One traditional gas-powered mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars. Alternatives: electric mower with a cord, or the new battery-powered mower, or a push mower. Great for excercise as well!
Support IPAR's Book Fair April 8-15
The Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) is hosting a book fair through April 15 at Barnes & Noble in the Spectrum Center, 1851 Fountain Drive in Reston. With each book and NOOK you buy, use the checkout code 10438091, and 10% to 20% of your purchase goes to IPAR to support public art in Reston!
"The Closet" - More Than Just a Hang-Up!
The Closet, located at 845 Station Street, Herndon, was founded in 1974 by a handful of churches to assist low-income families by supplying quality used clothing at affordable prices. The Closet accepts a wide variety of donated items -- clothing, linens, dishes, electronics, sporting goods, books, boys, videos, musical instruments, and more. Every year The Closet donates approximately 75 percent of its profits after expenses to a variety of worthwhile causes in our community. Between 1985 and 2008, these donations totaled more than $2 million. Store Hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Donation Hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To find out more about shopping, donating, or volunteering, phone 703.437.7652, email TheClosetInc@verizon.net, or go to www.TheClosetInc.org.
Be Energy-Wise and Save Money
Receive a free energy efficiency kit and a chance to win a home improvement store gift card when you complete a WarmWise Home Savings Evaluation through Columbia Gas of Virginia. Find out how your home compares to similar homes in your area. Save up to $130 per year with your free energy efficiency kit that includes one kitchen faucet and two bathroom faucet aerators, two low-flow shower heads, and pipe insulation materials. Visit www.columbiagasva.com for details.
Reston Concerts on the Town - June Schedule
It's another wonderful lineup of great music at the Reston Town Center on Saturday nights, 7:30-10:00 p.m., rain or shine. Mark your calendars for June. Call 703.912.4062 for additional concert information. (Note: Other than the June 8th Taste of Reston event, alcohol is permitted at restaurants only.)
6/4 - Here Comes the Sun - Hard Day's Night (Beatles Tribute)
6/11 - New Orleans Piano Legend Henry Butler & NONY Funk (jump blues, New Orleans jazz, funk)
6/18 - Dance Those Blues Away - Texas Chainsaw Horns (blues-based rock) - this is also "Taste of Reston" weekend
6/25 - Celebration! David Akers & the Epitome (Hits from the 40's through today) |
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Calendar of Events
Today, April 13, is another R4 Collection Day at the Reston Town Center Pavilion & Market Street - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reston! Bring computers, components, electronics, cell phones, paper for shredding, compact fluorescent bulbs, bicycles ($10/bike donation), bicycle accessories, hand tools, portable sewing machines, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. Full list is available at www.restontowncenter.com; only listed items accepted from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Event partners include Bikes for the World, Reston Lions Club, Secured Shred, and Turtle Wings.
Your preschooler will enjoy "Ribbit, Ribbit," an activity for children ages 3-5 on Thursday, April 14, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Walker Nature Education Center, 1140 Glade Drive, Reston. Cost is $5/child RA members, $8/child non-members. See what's croaking at the Nature Center. Bring your listening ears to hear sounds of spring. Make your own floating frog, listen to a frog story, and explore what's hopping at the pond. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For reserations call 703.476.9689 or email naturecenter@reston.org. A Brush with Kindness, a program of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, is dedicated to preserving the vibrant character of neighborhoods in Northern Virginia by assisting low income families with exterior home repairs. Low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability, or family circumstances often struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes. A Brush with Kindness helps these homeowners revitalize their homes and improve the look of their communities. Able-bodied homeowners are encouraged to work alongside the volunteers in a cooperative effort. An information session will be offered this Saturday, April 16, 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 3500 S. 19th Street, Arlington. Learn more about A Brush with Kindness and have the opportunity to fill out an applicaiton. Light refreshments provided. More information contact Bobby Akines at rakines@habitatnova.org or Noemi Riveira at noemir@habitatnova.org or 703.521.9890 ext. 101. Free document shredding will be available on Saturay, April 16, 8:00 a.m. to Noon, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Attend a Symposium sponsored by The Friends of Fairfax County Archaeology and Cultural Resources (FOFA), Cultural Resources Management and Protection, Fairfax County Park Authority, and The Northern Virginia Chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia on Saturday, April 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church. Free admission; no reservation required. Lunch on your own. Hear presentations of projects receiving current national interest and selected local archaeological undertakings. Dennis Stanford, Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Paleoindian/Paleoecology Program, will speak on current paradigm-shifting very early paleoindian discoveries in the lower Chesapeake Bay region, including his work with Darrin Lowery. More information: fofarch@gmail.com. Children ages 1-8 will love Reston Community Center's Annual Eggnormous Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Brown's Chapel Park, 11300 Baron Cameron Avenue. Highlights include the egg hunt that begins at 10:30 sharp, a 6-foot Bunny for photo ops, carnival games, and moonbounces. Rain Date is April 23. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com for directions and other information. Give blood and save a life at the INOVA Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 26, noon to 7:30 p.m. at Reston Town Center alongside the Pavilion. Schedule a time at 1.866.256.6372 or www.inova.org/donateblood. You can also register on site.
This month's "Meet Me at the Movies - Senior Movie Day" is April 27 featuring "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" at the Reston Town Center Theater. Doors open at 9:15; show time is 10:00 a.m. This event is free for ages 55 and older. Refreshments are provided,and door prizes are distributed prior to the movie.
Attend the 20th Annual Best of Reston Awards on Thursday, April 28, at the Hyatt Regency Reston. This special evening honors individuals, civic and community organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated significant contributions in their commitment to community service, excellence, and involvement and is presented by Reston Interfaith and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.restoninterfaith.org or www.restonchamber.org for sponsorship opportunities and ticket information for this spectacular event. Proceeds go to the work of Reston Interfaith in helping clients build more stable lives by connecting them to vital resources that solve their needs for housing, childcare, food, or financial assistance.
Empty Bowls, an annual fundraiser for hunger relief sponsored by the Giving Circle of HOPE, will be held on Friday, April 29, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. A $20 ticket buys you a soup dinner and a handmade pottery bowl that you select. Reserve your tickets at emptybowls@givingcircleofhope.org. Lake Anne Elementary School (LAES) will celebrate its Spring Fiesta on Saturday, April 30. LAES students, their families, friends, faculty, and staff will celebrate the rich diversity of the LAES population with fun games, great food, and many exciting activities. The Reston Chorale, with The Amadeus Orchestra, will present "King David" on Saturday, April 30, 7:30 p.m. at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park Street NE, Vienna. Through music, narration, and media this dramatic and artistic work tells the biblical story of King David's life. Tikets can be purchased in advance at www.restonchorale.org or at the door the evening of the performance. The Northern Virginia Jewish Community's 3rd Annual Yom Ha'Shoah (Holocaust Day) Community Commemoration will be held on Sunday, May 1, 7:00-8:30 p.m. on the George Mason University Fairfax Campus, Student Union Building II (SUB II). This year's theme is "Closing Doors: Immigration Policy during the Holocaust Years." Enjoy readings, reflection, music, a candle lighting ceremony, and keynote address by author and historian Professor Severin Hochberg. Additional seminars and discussions will take place between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Visit www.jcouncil.org for more information. Interfaith Communities for Dialogue presents "The Messiah: Who, When, How? What Judaism, Christianity and Islam Believe" on Wednesday, May 4, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. (registration at 6:45 p.m.) at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, 3159 Row Street, Falls Church. Register by email at CILUSER@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703.324.3452 by April 29. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will conduct a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2012-2017 Six Year Improvement Plan (FY 12-17 SYIP) on Wednesday, May 4, 7:00 p.m. at the Virginia Department of Transportation's Northern Virginia District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax 22030. Written comments can also be submitted during the hearing, or they can be mailed or emailed after the hearing. If you cannot attend the hearing, you may send your comments to Programming Director, 1401 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 or email them to Six-YearProgram@vdot.virginia.gov. Foundation Fighting Blindness' Northern Virginia VisionWalk will be held on Saturday, May 7, at Browns Chapel Park in Reston. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m ; walk begins at 10:00 a.m. Tony Perkins of Fox 5 Television will again serve as event emcee. This event is a fun, family oriented walkathon event with hundreds of people gathering in support of curing retinal diseases. Register for the VisionWalk and learn more about the work of Foundation Fighting Blindness at at www.fightblindness.org.
The Women Supporting Women (WSW) Family Fun Fest will be held on Saturday, May 7, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the grounds of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 432 Van Buren Street, Herndon. This awesome afternoon of fun for the whole family is a charity fundraiser for Artemis House, a domestic violence shelter. The Family Fun Fest will feature a petting zoo, story telling, yoga for adults and kids, music, entertainer Groovy Nate, arts & crafts, ongoing activities for all ages, a silent auction, and much more. Auction items include gift certificates for food, services, and products at great places like Landsdowne Resort, Massage Envy, McCormick & Schmick's, Pony to Go, Jammin Java, Wintergreen Resort, Big Bowl, Skatequest -- the list goes on and on! Enter to win JetBlue airline tickets, an iPod shuffle, dinner at Bazin's on Church. Learn more about Artemis House at www.shelterhouse.org. Find out more about the Family Fun Fest, donating, and sponsorship opportunities at www.wswonline.org. It's a Bicycle Safety Rodeo on Saturday, May 7, ongoing from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. (stop by anytime; course takes 20 minutes to complete) at the Lake Newport Pool Facility, 11601 Lake Newport Road! Join the Reston Association, State Farm Insurance, and The Reston Bicycle Club for the Annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo. Children will complete eight safety stations which include a bike inspection and earn their bicyclist's license. Children must bring their own bicycles and helmets. No registration required. If you have a bike you wish to donate for a child who may not have one, you can drop it off at this event. Bikes will be donated first to children who wish to participate in the Reston Kids Triathlon in August. Event will be canceled in the event of rain. Contact Ashleigh@reston.org or all 703.435.6577 for more informaiton or weather-related cancellations.
The American Cancer Society's 2011 Reston Relay for Life will be held on Saturday, May 14, at South Lakes High School.
Sign up to start a team, join a team, or make a donation at www.relayforlife.org/reston.
Sign up for The Fourth Annual 5k Race - 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk for Spinal Health - "We've Got Your Back"- to be held on Saturday, May 14. Race begins and ends at The Virginia Spine Institute (corner of Wiehle Avenue and Sunset Hills Road). The 2011 course has been redesigned to challenge the most competitive runners and provide a scenic and enjoyable workout for walkers. Check out the race course map and register at www.wevegotyourback5k.org. Race Festivities and Spinal Healath Fair will be held from 8:00 a.m. to Noon at the site at 1831 Wiehle Avenue. Packet Pickup is May 13, 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Virginia Spine Institute. Form a team - dash for cash (over $1,000 in prizes awarded) - donate your gently worn footwear to people in need at a Soles for Souls collection bin at the site. This event's Honorary Chairs are Redskins players Reed Doughty, London Fletcher, Rocky McIntosh, and James Thrash - all will be there, along with a special appearance and autographs by the Redskins cheerleaders.
The 2011 Bike to Work Day celebration in Reston will be held on Friday, May 20, 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. This year's event will feature food and drinks for the cyclists, gift raffles every half hour, and information displays from a number of local and regional organizations. Join the festivities to find out more about biking to work!
The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will be held on May 21 and 22 at the Reston Town Center. This year's Festival will also be a celebration of its 20th anniversary with exciting new activities including dance performances and entertainment, a raffle for a unique piece of art, and additional merchandise dedicated to the 20th Anniversary. Visit http://northernvirginiafineartsfestival.org/GFMS/VolunteerForm1.php to volunteer.
Herndon-Reston FISH (friendly, instant, sympathetic help) invites you to lunch on June 12 at the Port of Baltimore on the Carnival Pride Cruise Ship. Through Anoop Mittra (Cruise Partners of Herndon), Carnival Cruise Lines has offered Herndon-Reston FiSH another lovely fundraising opportunity. Carnival is sponsoring a five-course grand luncheon with wine on their ship Carnival Pride. Reston Limousine will provide transportation from Reston to and from the ship, which is docked at the Baltimore harbor, an increasingly popular departure point for cruises. Carnival is donating 25 spots at this luncheon to FISH. Transportation fee is $25 per person with $10 of that fee going to Carnival's charity, St. Jude Children's Hospital. There will be an opportunity for participants to donate to FISH on the minibus ride to Baltimore. Sign up by April 20 via email to Sherri.Longhill@HerndonRestonFISH.org or call Sherri at The Bargain Loft at 703.437.0600.
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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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