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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia
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Delegate Ken Plum congratulated Marie Travesky on her receiving the Founder's Day Award from the Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA) last week. Plum is a former recipient of the Award. |
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Commentary
U.S. Chamber Recommendation
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
When the United States Chamber of Commerce as the world's largest business federation and I are on the same page as closely as we are on supporting early childhood education, I want to announce it in the headline. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2010 issued a report through its Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) entitled "Why Business Should Support Early Childhood Education." (www.uschamber.com/icw) Its conclusion: "With current early childhood education resource levels, too many kindergartners will continue to begin school ill-prepared, language skills and achievement scores in math and reading will likely remain at mediocre levels, costs for interventions during the K-12 years and after will continue to rise, high school graduation rates and postsecondary degree completion rates will likely remain unchanged, and businesses will lack the necessary workforce to fill the jobs of the future."
Citing the numerous studies that have been done on early childhood education programs, the U.S. Chamber's ICW found that "the research is clear. Early learning opportunities for children from birth to age five have great impact on a child's development and build a strong foundation for learning and success later in life." Dr. James Heckman, professor of economics at the University of Chicago whose research has been cited in this column before, found in his studies with experts from a number of different disciplines that great economic gains can be had by investing in early childhood development for disadvantaged children. The U.S. Chamber picked up on Dr. Heckman's economic conclusions and cites him in its report: "Dr. Heckman's research on the rates of return to human capital investment at different ages clearly shows that the earlier the intervention occurs, the greater its payoff...The later the investments are made, the lower the return on investment."
In encouraging local chambers to become involved in promoting early childhood education programs in this area, the U.S. Chamber points out that preschool programs can be conducted in a variety of settings including schools, public and private child care centers, homes, and Head Start agencies. Unfortunately, in a time of diminished public resources, budget cuts are often aimed at programs that have been operating for the shortest period of time. Too many times that has included preschool programs. The National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University reported that total spending for preschool programs declined by $30 million nationwide between 2009 and 2010. In fact, per-child state spending for pre-kindergarten programs was almost $700 below its 2001-2002 level. Virginia's spending per child enrolled decreased form $4,398 in 2002 to $4,221 in 2010. Hopefully the Chamber's support will help keep government's investment in preschool education from further reduction because of its high rate of return on investment.
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"Virginia Report" on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, May 11 at 10:30 p.m. - Lu Ann McNabb, VTV Family Outreach Foundation - "Ensuring Campus Safety and Reaching Out"
Tuesday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 18 at 10:30 p.m. -Diane Blust, Sustainable Reston - "Turning Toward a Sustainable Reston"
View "Virginia Report" online via video streaming using the following link: www.rctv28.com/shows/studio/community/virginiareport.html
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Announcements
Bell of Peace & Harmony to be Dedicated at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens on May 14
This week a three-ton bell from Korea was installed in the custom built bell pavilion at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna and will be dedicated on May 14, 11:00 a.m. in a ceremony open to the public. The bell is the crowning jewel of the Korean Bell Garden that has been taking shape over the last year. The bell itself is just under 7 feet in height. It is engraved in the ten traditional symbols of longevity (turtle, deer, pinetree, stone, sun, moon, cloud, water, great blue heron) and the Rose of Sharon (the national flower of Korea) with the Dogwood (state flower and tree of Virginia). This is the only traditional Korean garden with a bell in the western hemisphere and the only Korean bell on the east coast. The bell combines images of nature from both Korea and Virginia as a true symbol of the Korean-American population in this region. According to an old saying in Korea, "A bell implants a righteous spirit and gives rise to a hope and a cherished desire in a person, alarms people against a disaster and gathers people for a united action, in order to bring prosperity happiness, friendship, freedom, and peace for the people." This event will include free food and cookbooks, as well as Korean artists. Enjoy your day in the Korean Bell Garden on May 14. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is located at 970 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22182, off of Beulah Road between Routes 7 and 123, and south of the Dulles Toll Road.
Traps Set to Prevent Spread of Emerald Ash Borer
Glue traps will be hung in ash trees across Fairfax County to detect the emerald ash borer, an insect that kills these trees. The large, purple traps will help to monitor this pest's presence in the county. Officials ask the public to report traps that have fallen to the ground, and they advise not to touch them since they are covered with extremely sticky glue. Call the Fairfax County Forest Pest Branch at 703.324.5304, TTY 711, to report fallen traps or to permit traps to be put on private property. The triangular traps are non-toxic. They don't contain pesticides or chemicals. To catch the insects, however, the traps are baited with natural plant oils and covered with non-toxic glue. Emerald ash borers have killed more than 25 million ash trees in the US. The borers are native to Asia, and they probably first arrived in this country in the 1990s. For more informaiton about the trapping program, call the Fairfax County Forest Pest Branch at 703.324.5304, TTY 71, or the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services at 804.786.2373, TTY 711.
Shopping Locally at Fairfax Area Farmers Markets
Wednesday:
Frying Pan Farm Park - Now thorugh October 26, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
2709 West Ox Road in front of Frying Pan Country Store
Oak Marr - Now through November 16, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
Oak Marr Recreation Center, 3200 Jermantown Road
Reston - Now through October 26, 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.
11890 Sunrise Valley Drive
Thursday:
Herndon - Now through October 27, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
Old Town Herndon, 777 Lynn Street next to Red Caboose
Saturday:
Reston - Now through October 29, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
Lake Anne Village Center, off North Shore Drive
Store Your Boat, Camper, Trailer, or RV
Twenty and 30-foot recreational vehicle storage parking spaces are open and available to be rented from Reston Association. Call RA's Central Services Facility at 703.437.7658 for more information.
Renovations Close Pool for Season
Dogwood Pool, one of Reston Association's 15 popular outdoor facilities, will not open this year so that renovations can be made to the pool and surrounding area. |
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Calendar of Events
The 2011 Asian American Business Summit & Expo will be held tomorrow, May 12, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Waterford at Fair Oaks. Join leading Asian American businesses in the DC Metro Area to learn more about opportunities in government procurement, import-export, marketing strategies, and much more. For more information or to register, contact Cindy Shao at 703.201.3167 or cindy@asian-americanchamber.org. Visit www.asian-americanchamber.org/2011 Expo for complete event details.
The American Cancer Society's 2011 Reston Relay for Life will be held this 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 Health 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.
Run/walk to raise awareness about ovarian cancer at the Break the Silence 5k & 1 Mile Walk on Saturday, May 14, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Reston Town Center. Registration, entry fee information, and other details are at www.ovarian.org.
Reston's annual Community Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, May 14, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Reston Association parking lot, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Come by to browse for great bargains at RA's multi-family community yard sale. This event is an opportunity to find great buys for a new home or college dorm. Vendor space is sold out. Contact Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703.435.6577 for information on weather-related cancellations. Rain date is Sunday, May 15.
The next "Green Breakfast" will be held on Saturday, May 14, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Brion's Grille in Fairfax. Speaker will be Marshall Cohen, Senior Director, State and Local Government Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute, speaking about "Electricity from Nuclear Energy" and giving an update on the situation in Japan and current and future status in the US. Cost for the buffet is $10, which includes tax and tip; cash is preferred. You may bring fliers about your organization's events and activities. There will be time for announcements. For more information, contact Nicholas Kokales at Nicholas.Kokales@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The March of Dimes Annual March for Babies will be held on Sunday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Enjoy a 4-mile walk, picnic, live band, and children's activities to support the March of Dimes. Go to www.marchforbabies.com or call 703.824.01111 for more information.
The Colvin Run Historical Street Fair will be held on Sunday, May 15, Noon to 4:00 p.m. on Colvin Run Road in Great Falls. Experience daily life going back to the year 1811 to the present at the Colvin Run Schoolhouse with a school reenactment, reflections by descendants of the era, historic artifacts, and the story in photos. Delight in Colvin Run Road today with face painting, balloon animals, a magic show, games, a historic costume competition, refreshments, and music. Visit the Colvin Run Mill for a demonstration of milling in the 1800's and talks by historic interpreters. Shop at the General Store and enjoy a dulcimer band. Don't miss this celebration of the 200-year Colvin Run Community!
The Fairfax County Human Rights Commission will officially recognize disability rights advocacy in its 33rd annual awards ceremony. Reston's own Ken Fredgren, along with John Horejsi of SALT (Social Action Loinking Together), Good Spoon, and Langley Residential Support Services will be recognized. Attend this important event on Tuesday, May 17, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. There will be a Reception from 6:30 to 7:30 pm followed by the awards ceremony in the Board Auditorium. Keynote speaker wioll be Paula Young Shelton, author/teacher and daughter of civil rights leader Andrew Young.
If you are 55 years of age or older and have been wanting to go to New York City, join in the day trip to the Big Apple on Wednesday, May 18, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. This is a chartered bus trip with bus pick-up locations at Hunters Woods Shopping Center, Thoreau Place, and Lake Anne Fellowship House. Fee is $43/Reston Association members, $49/Non-members. Participants will be dropped off at Bryant Park on 40h Street and will be on their own to catch a Broadway matinee or to explore the city. Registration is rquired; forms can be found at www.reston.org. For more informaiton contact Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703.435.6577.
All are invited to a special meeting to learn more about the opportunity to initiate a Bank On Northern Virginia on Wednesday, May 18, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Our Daily Bread, Inc., Rowland Conference Center, 10777 Main Street, Suite 320, Fairfax City. Bank On is an initiative that works to bring un-banked and under-banked individuals into insured financial institutions and to provide financial education opportunities. Bank On initiatives provide the opportunity for the unbanked to obtain a consumer friendly account in which to save money and provide the means to avoid dependence on check cashers, payday lenders, pawnshops and other costly alternative financial service providers. Bank On initiatives benefit both the individuals who participate and the communities in which they live. To learn more about Bank On, go to http://joinbankon.org/about/joinbankon.aspx. For a step-by-step guide to form a Bank On initiative, visit www.nlc.org/find-city-solutions/iyef/family-economic-success/asset-building/bank-on-cities-toolkit. Visit www.economicinclusion.gov for an FDIC national survey of unbanked and under-banked households.
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, to promote the use of bicycles as an alternative to motorized vehicles. Employees are encouraged to leave their cars at home and ride their bicycles to work. Bicycling is a pollution-free, low-cost, fun way to get to work. 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!
REACT (Reston Environmental Action) invites you to join members at Greenberry's in the Home Depot Shopping Center at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Directions are at www.greenberrys.com/locations_reston.php. Feel free to just stop in and say hello or stay awhile to meet REACT members and find out about the important environmental work REACT is doing in the community. Look for members' blue REACT bags and pull up a chair.
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. This top-rated, juried festival providing an interactivee experience to view and purchase art from more than 200 unique and talented aaists from across the nation is not to be missed! Children's art area, live entertainment, and more, presented to you by the Greater Reston Arts Center. Visit http://northernvirginiafineartsfestival.org/GFMS/VolunteerForm1.php to volunteer.
The next Electric Sunday TV and Computer Recycling Event will be on Sunday, May 22, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station at 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax.
Give the gift of life by donating blood at the INOVA Blood Drive on Tuesday, May 24, Noon to 7:30 p.m., beside the Pavilion at Reston Town Center. Schedule your time at 1.866.256.6372 or www.inova.org/donateblood. You can also register on-site.
The next REACT (Reston Envlrionmental Action) board meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 24, at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Room 1, at 7:30 p.m. The public is always welcome to attend all REACT board and committee meetings. Learn all about a variety of environmental projects going on in Reston that are organized by REACT members.
The next Senior Movie Day at the Reston Town Center Theater is Wednesday, May 25 featuring "Secretariat." Doors open at 9:15 a.m. show time is at 10:00 a.m. This event is free for citizens ages 55 and older. Refreshments are provided, and door prizes are distributed prior to the movie. Movie titles are posted at www.reston.org or contact Ashleigh@reston.org or 703.435.6577.
Learn how your faith community can make an impact - learn about our community's efforts to end homelessness - at "Faith Communities Housing Engagement Event" on Wednesday, June 1, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center Board Auditorium, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Learn how the Housing Blueprint supports ending homelessness and how to leverage faith-based assets to provide housing subsidies and create affordable housing. For more information, contact Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH) at 703.324.9492, TTY 711, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless.
The Positive Aging Colition presents "Exploring the Bonus Years" on Saturday, June 11, 8:30 to Noon, at George Mason University's Johnson Center Cinema on the Fairfax Campus. Well-known author and Washington Post columnist Abigail Trafford will speak on her book, My Time: Making the Most of the Bonus Decades, and will explore the exciting potential benefits in this new stage. Register by emailing msouder@gmu.edu. Registration is free but required, as space is limited.
Reston Association presents a Washington Nationals Father's Day Baseball Game Trip on Sunday, June 19, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Bus pickup location is at Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Fee is $32/Reston Association members; $36/Non-members. All ages are welcome; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Relax and enjoy door-to-door service, traveling on a chartered bus to cheer the Nats to victory over the Baltimore Orioles. The first 20,000 fans will get a Nationals baseball cap. Bring food/drink for the bus ride to and from the ballpark. Seats are behind home plate and under cover. Registration required; all sales final. Registration form is at www.reston.org. Contact Ashleigh@reston.lorg or call 703.435.6577 for more information.
Registration is now open for the Reston Kids Triathlon on Sunday, August 14. This event is for kids and youth ages 6-14 and is hosted by Reston Association and the YMCA Fairfax County Reston. Registration information is at www.restonkidstri.org. Volunteers and sponsors are needed for the overall event as well as for individual triathletes. To be a volunteer or event sponsor, contact Laura Kowalski, Aquatics Manager, at 703.435.6528 or pools@reston.org.
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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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