Delegate Ken Plum has been reappointed to the Advisory Committee on Adult Education and Literacy by the Virginia Board of Education.  Members of the advisory committee are recognized for their expertise and interest in adult education and literacy and have demonstrated contributions and service in these areas.  Delegate Plum is a retired educator and school administrator, having served for nearly 30 years as Director of Adult & Community Education for Fairfax County Public Schools. 

Sales Tax Holiday August 5-7 for School Supplies and Clothing

The annual Sales Tax Holiday for school supplies, clothing, and footwear is August 5-7, 2011.  During this three-day period, purchases of certain school supplies, clothing, and footwear will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax.  Each eligible school supply item must be priced at $20 or less, and each eligible article of clothing or footwear must be priced at $100 or less.  Supplies include binders, chalk, book bags, calculators, tape, clay and glazes, compasses, composition books, crayons, dictionaries, erasers, folders, glue and paste, highlighters, lunch boxes, markers, musical instruments, art supplies, paper, etc.  Computers do not qualify as "school supplies."  Clothing means any article of wearing apparel and typical footwear.  For a complete list, visit www.tax.virginia.gov.

Heat-Related Illness and Heat Stroke

Be alert for the signs of heat-related illness like heat stroke.  It occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature:  the body's temperature rises rapidly, loses its ability to sweat, and is unable to cool down.  There are several warning signs people should look for during prlonged, extreme heat exposure:

* extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees)

* red, hot, dry skin (no sweating)

* rapid, strong pulse

* dizziness, nausea, paleness

* throbbing headache

* shallow, fast breathing

If these symptoms are present, call for immediate medical assistance because heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided quickly.  While medics are en route, caretakers should get the symtomatic person to a cool, shady area.  Cooling the person with a hose, cool shower, or tub bath is important.  Monitoring the person's temperature and continuing cooling efforts are critical.  From 1979 to 1999, excessive heat explosure caused over 8,000 deaths in the U.S. according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  During this period, more people in this country died form extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined.

Help Yourself to a Healthy Life

We recommend the publication Nutrition Action Health Letter published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit health-advocacy group (www.cspinet.org).  The current issue has an aricle, "Easy:  50 Insider Tips to Keep You Health."

Restorative Justice Group Needs Volunteers

Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources (OAR) of Fairfax County is a local non-profit restorative justice organization established in 1971 to provide opportunities, alternatives, and resources to offenders and their families.  Male mentors are especialloy needed to help inmates at the county jail think through the choices they have made and guide them in making better choices in the future.  The time commitment is 1-2 hours weekly for 15 months.  Mentoring begins three months before an inmate's release and 12 months afterward  There are many other volunteer opportunities at OAR, and all inquiries are welcome.  For detailos call 703.246.3055 or 703.246.3139, or email tcoleman@oarfairfax.org or ewilliams@oarfairfax.org.