Delegate Ken Plum's
 
Virginia e-News
 
 
March 7, 2012

DRCC Gala 
 Delegate Ken Plum is shown with Eileen Curtis, President of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, at the Chamber's annual Gala.  Ken served as "celebrity auctioneer" at the Gala's paddle auction where he helped Chamber members and guests raise $17,000 for the USO.

 

Photo by Naiffer Fashion Photography. 

 

Commentary

 

General Assembly Session Stalled

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

 

The beautiful red and pink camellias on Capitol Square in Richmond have been blooming for a couple of weeks.  In a normal year that would be a sign that it is time for the General Assembly to quit and go home.  In the early period of its history, Virginia established a schedule for the legislature to meet in the winter to allow its farmer members to go home in the spring and plant their crops.  There are few farmers in the legislature these days, but the legislative schedule established in the Constitution is still followed.  Things do not change very quickly in Richmond.

 

This session of the General Assembly has been anything but normal.  In even-numbered years The Assembly meets for 60 days in order to deal with regular legislative business and to pass a budget for the next biennium.  This year's adjournment date of March 10 is not likely to be met.  The hang-up is the budget.  The equally divided State Senate of 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans cannot agree on a spending plan because they cannot agree on a power-sharing plan.  The Republican Lieutenant Governor who presides over the Senate and who has been breaking tie votes all session is prohibited from voting on the budget.  After winning an equal share of the members in last November's election, the Republicans took over all the committee chairmanships and dictated the committee membership because the lieutenant governor was available to break any ties.  With the budget some accommodation or compromise must be reached.  And in an all-too-familiar context, the budget must be approved by June 1 in order to keep the government running.

 

In the meantime, the General Assembly is likely to recess while the negotiations around the organization of the Senate and the biennial budget continue.  That will give our farmer members time to plant their crops and others to return to their businesses and families.

 

If you are keeping score on the hot button issues, the Governor signed the bill to repeal the law that limited hand gun purchases to one a month.  I voted against the repeal as it is likely to cause more problems than it solves for the persons who want to buy more than a dozen pistols a year.  A modified requirement for an ultrasound before an abortion passed and will be signed by the Governor.  I voted against it.  The public outcry over the original requirement for a transvaginal ultrasound led to the change to be an abdominal procedure that apparently provides little or no information but will be legally required whether or not the doctor sees the need for it.  New requirements for registration and voting passed to solve no identified problem but could poise Virginia in the presidential election to be the Florida of 2002 in 2012.

 

We will pass a budget in due course.  Too bad we passed some really bad bills.  Watch for an announcement of the schedule of my community meetings to discuss other bills considered and passed this session.

"Wrap-Up from Richmond - Week 8"  
KenFloorSpeech  

 

 
 
 
 
 
  Click on the link below (you may need to copy and paste it into your browser) for a brief update  from Ken on last week's highlights from the General Assembly.  

 


Watch some of Ken's floor speeches in the House of Delegates along with prior Wrap-Ups from Richmond at the link below:

 

 

 

"Virginia Report" and "Report from Richmond" on Comcast Channel 28
 
Episodes of Ken's weekly television program, "Virginia Report," are available online at www.rctv28.com/VirginiaReport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad.  Programs from Richmond will be available periodically during the General Assembly session, so check this box each week to see if a program will be aired from Richmond.
 
Ken looks forward to resuming "Virginia Report" after the session ends on March 10.
In This Issue
Commentary - "A Budget Divide"
"Wrap-Up from Richmond - Week 8"
"Virginia Report"
Announcements
Calendar of Events - What's Going On?

 Capitol Building
Announcements
 
 
Info Sessions to Discuss Dulles Rail Phase 2, Silver Line Station Names in Fairfax County
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold four public meetings and one Ask Fairfax! online discussion to inform the public about Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.  The sessions will provide information related to Phase 2 project cost, financing, physical layout and Silver Line station names.  Participants will be able to complete the online Fairfax County Station Names Survey in person at the four public meetings.  The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will also hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the Phase 2 project.  Members of the public can provide their feedback in the following ways:
* Attend one of the four public meetings
* Participate in the Ask Fairfax! online discussion
* Submit comments online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/dullesmetro until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16
* Complete the Fairfax County Silver Line Station Names Survey at www.wmata.com/silversurvey
* Register to speak at the Board of Supervisors public hearing
The feedback session schedule is:
* Ask Fairfax! online discussion:  Firday, March 9 at 11:00 a.m.
* Public Meeting on Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m., Hutchison Elementary School Cafeteria, 13209 Parcher Avenue, Herndon.  Transit:  Fairfax Connector Route 950
* Public Meeting on Thursday, March 15, 6:30 p.m., Westgate Elementary School Cafeteria, 7500 Magarity Road, Falls Church.  Transit:  Metrobus 3T
 * Public Meeting on Monday, March 19, 7:00 p.m., Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 9/10, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.  Transit:  Fairfax Connector routes 605, 621, and 623
* Board of Supervisors' Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 20, 8:00 p.m., Fairfax County government Center, Board Auditorium, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.  Register to speak at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speaker_bos.htm.  Transit:  Fairfax Connector routes 606, 621, and 623.  For information about Dulles Rail Phase 2 or to submit online comments, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/dullesmetro.
 
Dulles Debuts Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Electric vehicle owners will now have a new amenity av
ailable to them when visiting Dulles Airport.  Eight parking spaces in Dulles Airport's Daily Parking Garage 2, Level 3, are now served by four electric vehicle charging stations which can accommodate two cars each.  The charging stations feature two types of charging:  Level 1, which is a 120-volt outlet, and Level 2, a 240-volt connector.  Although the amount of time it takes to charge a vehicle varies by car, it is said that the lower voltage outlet could charge a Chevy Volt car in about eight hours, while the 240-volt connection would take about three to three-and-a-half hours to charge a Volt.  The charging stations are activated onsite via the Chargepoint "Change Pass" smartphone app, RFID-enabled credit card for identification purposes only, or a toll-free call to a 24/7 service center.  There is no fee to use the stations through 2013, but regular parking rates apply when drivers exit the garage.  Users of Reagan National Airport will soon have charging stations available in Daily Garage B, Level 1.
 
Ice Skating Season Ends March 11 at Reston Town Center Ice Pavilion
Last chance for the Friday Night Rock 'N Skate and Saturday Morning Cartoon Skate is this Friday, March 9, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 10, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Enjoy a live DJ and music on Friday night; share the ice with Scooby-Doo and Tweety Bird on Saturday.  The Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion will re-open on November 1 for the 2012-2013 season.
 
Identifying Non-Profit, Faith-Based, and Government Programs in Fairfax County
How do you identify non-profit, faith-based, and government social service programs in Fairfax County?  Where are they?  How can they be contacted?  What are the eligibility programs?  Come find out at the Faith Communities in Action meeting on Wednesday, March 14, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, Rooms 2 and 3, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.  the NEW Fairfax County Human Resource Information Guide will be presented.  You will learn how to navigate this Web-based Social Service On-Line Tool.  Also speaking will be Anne Cahill talking about "Putting Food on the Table:  food Security and Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food in the fairfax-Falls Church Area."  This is a recently released study on "food security" in Fairfax County and Falls Church.  Hear Juani Dias talk about "Applying for SNAP (Food Stamps) on-line.  RSVP to Ciluser@fairfaxcounty.gov or call Tenia Simmons at 703.324.3453.

                          Capitol Building

 

Calendar of Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spring Fling Awards Reception, an event for League of Reston Artists, will be held this Saturday, March 10, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at Parkridge 5, 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Building #5, Reston.  Several League of Reston Artists members will be honored with awards by judge Betzi Robinson.  This reception is open to the public.  Consider decorating your home with this great original artwork and photography.  All exhibited pieces will be for sale unless marked NFS.

 

The 55th Green Breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 10, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Brion's Grille in Fairfax. 

 

Enjoy "A Commemoration of the Star-Spangled Banner and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812" on Sunday, March 11, 2:00 p.m., in the Carriage House at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg.  Journalist, historian, and author Marc Leepson will give a talk on the little-known facts surrounding Francis Scott Key's writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the story behind the convoluted road it took to become the official National Anthem.  Following the talk and refreshments, attendees will make the short drive to Rokeby, where they will tour the privately owned home in which the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution were stored during the British occupation of Washington, D.C., in 1814 during the War of 1812.  Tickets are $65 for Mosby Heritage Area Association (MHAA) members; $75 non-members.  For reservations and information, call the MHAA at 540.687.6681 or go to http://mosbyheritagearea.org/events.html.
 

Join the Virginia Historical Society and the Virginia Environmental Endowment on Friday, March 16, at Noon in Richmond for a FREE day-long conference, Before It Was "Virginia":  Setting the Stage by Helen Rountree, focusing on the historic relationship between Virginia's environment and its people.  Presentations by environmental policy makers and scholars and a roundtable discussion moderated by the Honorable Gerald L. Baliles highlight the conference with a reception and book signing to follow.  To reserve your space and order a box lunch, register online at www.vahistorical.org/news/veeconf.htm or contact Matthew Weber at mweber@vahistorical.org or 804.342.0658.  This event is free to VHS members and registered conference attendees.

 

Attend a workshop series, "Live Your Best Life" on Saturdays, March 17 through April 21, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road. This series is designed to support individuals who are thinking about retirement, those transitioning into retirement, and those who have already retired. People in the process of transitioning from their work careers are sometimes called Third Agers because they have one-third of their life left to live after they retire. The course syllabus will be provided prior to the first class. Professionals from around the region who are affiliated with the Positive Aging Coalition will lead the weekly sessions. Cost is $40 Reston residents; $80 non-residents. Ages 50 and older. For registration or information contact Karen Brutsche, RCC's Senior Adult Program Director, at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

 

The Reston Chorale with The Reston Chorale Jazz Trio presents "Music Americana!" on Saturday, March 17, 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.  The Reston Chorale has excited audiences with its musical excellence and versatility for over 40 years.  This concert will highligh music from a wide range of American composers from Aaron Copland, Irving Berlin, Stephen Foster, and Rodgers and Hammerstein to Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.  For details and ticket information, visit www.restonchorale.org or call the RCC box office at 703.476.1111.

 

Clyde's of Reston will hold its annual St. Patrick's Day Party in the Pavilion at Reston Town Center on Sunday, March 17, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Bacon & Kegs Irish Breakfast will be served in the Pavilion at 10:00 a.m. Enjoy Clyde's food, Guinness beer, Irish folk dancing and fun children's activities including a moon bounce and face painting. Join the Running of the Leprechauns at 3:00 p.m. and enjoy live entertainment 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

 

Celebrate the Persian New Year - Nowruz - on Sunday, March 18, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Pavilion and Market Street at Reston Town Center. Discover more than 3000 years of old traditions, customs, and festivity of the Persian New Year (Nowruz) with music, dance, group performances, and costumed characters along with a Persian Bazaar offering exotic food, good, art, and more. Call 202.369.1515 for more information.

 

A discussion about "Life After Alzheimer's Diagnosis" will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 1:30 p.m. at the Alzheimer's Family Day Center, 2812 Old Lee Highway, Suite 210, Fairfax.  Learn some of the practical things you can do to help you and your loved one plan for future care as the disease progresses.  Call 703.204.4664 for more information.

 

When was the last time you visited the National Museum of Natural History? Take a tour of this wonderful museum on Wednesday, March 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bus departs from Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, and from Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road. The tour is for citizens 55 and older; cost is $15 Reston residents, $30 non-residents, and includes transportation. Whether looking at civilization's history and cultures, examining ancient life forms including the ever popular dinosaurs, or exploring the beauty of rare gemstones such as uniquely colored diamonds, the Museum's temporary and permanent exhibitions educate, enlighten, and entertain millions of visitors each year. Current exhibitions include The Evolving Universe, the Chilean Mine Rescue, and Dinosaurs in our Backyard. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to spend the day at one of the world's preeminent museums! Contact Karen Brutsche, Reston Community Center, at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

 

The 5th Annual Positive Aging Fair - Tools for Creating Aging will be held on Thursday, March 22, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.  Cost is $18; advance registration includes kosher lunch.  To register, call 703.323.0880 or go to www.jccnv.org.  The fair offers interactive and informative programs and workshops that promote active aging through healthy lifestyles, which help us live longer, more independent and positive lives.  Keynote speaker is Judith "Miss Manners" Martin.

 

Do you love a good sale?  Don't miss "The World's Fanciest Rummage Sale" on Sunday, March 25, 12:00 Noon at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Boulevard, McLean.  This great event benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fairfax County.  The World's Fanciest Rummage Sale will feature upsscale, new or like-new items for sale including designer clothing and shoes, furniture, and home goods at ridiculously low prices.  Home delivery for large items available for hire on site.  Participants will enjoy amazing bargains, a live DJ, delicious food, and multiple opportunities to purchase raffle tickets for prizes ranging from hotel stays, luxury dining experiences to spa packages, dinner with a celebrity, gift certificates, and more - all while supporting our most valuable asset - the children of our community.  Tickets to the event are $5 per person.  Persons with a military ID will be admitted free of charge.  A donation of $25 sponsors one child for an entire year at a local Boys and Girls Club.  Entrance tickets, raffle tickets, and $25 sponsorships may be purchased online or at the door.  Online registrants will receive one free raffle ticket at the door.  $25 sponsors will also receive one free raffle ticket for each sponsorship purchased, also given at the door.  Odds of wining raffle prizes increase with each $25 sponsorship purchased.  Register at:

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=6bt89fcab&oeidk=a07e5iclj4b0b47b612&oseq=.  Email wkang@bgcgw.org or call 703.304.8631 for more information.

 

Join the Reston Community Orchestra for a concert, "Mostly Baroque," and embrace the exuberance and grandeur of the great Baroque composers including pieces by Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi on Sunday, March 25, 4:00 p.m., at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.  Admission is free.  For more information, visit www.restoncommunityorchestra.org or call 571.449.7095.

 

Save a life by signing up for the INOVA Blood Drive on Tuesday, March 27, Noon to 7:30 p.m. at the Reston Town Center beside the Pavilion.  Schedule your appointment at 1.866.256.6372 or inova.org/donateblood.  On site registration is also available.

 

Come to a free seminar, "Disabled and Proud," on Thursday, April 5, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.  Cost is free; registration required.  Learn about the various civil rights laws that protect people with disabilities as well as the strategies to use in order to get the most out of the protections that they have to offer.  Nearly 15 percent of the population has one form of a disability or another -- it isn't something to be ashamed of, and should not impact a person's ability to live comfortably at home, shop, dine out, travel, be gainfully employed, access public transportation, and enjoy socializing in community settings.  Whether it is physical access for using a mobility device or a modification in the way a service is provided, utilizing these programs, services, and amenities isn't a icety; it is a civil right!  Contact Karen Brutsche to register or ask questions at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

 

Reston Association's Annual Members' Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Reston Association's Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston.  Learn about RA's accomplishments in 2011 and plans for 2012.  Hear the results of the Board of Directors' Election.  Meet your neighbors.  Light refreshments will be served.  RSVP to annualmeeting@reston.org or call 703.435.6530.

 

Celebrate Reston's 9th annual Founder's Day presented by the Reston Historic Trust on Saturday, April 14, at Lake Anne Plaza.  The festivities will begin at noon with a special performance by World View, a multicultural group of musically talented students from Park View High School in Sterling.  The newly installed commemorative bricks will be dedicated on the Plaza, and then all attendees are invited to the Reston Museum for birthday cake to celebrate Reston's 48th and Reston found Robert E. Simon's 98th birthdays.  The 2nd Annual Amazing Founder's Day Hunt, this year titled, "Where in Reston is Bob Simon?" will begin at 1:30 p.m.  Don't miss this amazing afternoon of celebration!

 

Save the Date for the 9th Annual 5K Fund Run/Walk to benefit Nature House on Saturday, April 21, 8:00 a.m. at Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston.  Adult fee is $25 prior to April 1, $30 regular.  Children's fee is $15 prior to April 1, $20 regular.  Register at www.active.com.  The Fund Run/Walk is a community-based and sponsored event.  Timing is by Reston Runners.  Enjoy a rolling, scenic and mostly wooded course through Reston neighborhoods and parkland.  Don't want to run or walk?  Consider volunteering by contacting Ha Brock at ha@reston.org.  Funds go to Friends of Reston, a 501(c)(3) organization, to benefit Nature House.  Donations above and beyond the race entry fees are tax deductible.

 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation's Annual Dream Maker's Gala will be held on Thursday, April 26, at the McLean Tysons Hilton Hotel in McLean.  Visit www.mlkculturalfoundation.org for details about the reception and dinner.  This is an event you won't want to miss!

 

Everyone is invited to the Spring Festival on Saturday, May 5 (rain or shine), 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston.  This event is free!  Enjoy entertainment, live animals, fishing activities, crafts for kids, displays and information from environmental groups, and canoe and kayak rentals on Lake Audubon ($3 rental).  If you would like to be a volunteer worker at the Spring Festival, contact Ha Brock at ha@reston.org or call 703.435.7986.

 

Save the date - Saturday, May 19 - for the Annual FISH Fling!  FISH (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help) will once again host an evening of dinner and dancing along with one of the area's best silent auctions.  Proceeds from this gala event help fund the services Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. provides to some of our area's citizens in times of crisis.  Visit www.HerndonRestonFISH.org to learn more.

 

 

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