Vacation Time

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Jane and I just returned last week from a wonderfully relaxing, ten-day vacation in Italy.  It was our first visit to that country.  We both love history, and Italy provides plenty of it.  From exploring the ruins of the Coliseum and the Forum in Rome to the mercantile capital of its time in Venice and to the beauty of the arts in Florence we could not have had a better time.  We discovered while driving along the mountain ridgeline in Tuscany why some call the vistas the most beautiful in the world.

For every big vacation we take we go on many mini-vacations, as we call them, for a day, a weekend, or for several days.  All are driving trips, and many are right here in Virginia.  They are good for couples, families, and grandparents.  There is an endless list of places to go in Virginia.

Recently Trekaroo, an Internet-based travel blog, started listing its "top ten things for families to do" in each of the 50 states.  I found its list for Virginia to be particularly interesting.  Two of its top ten recommended attractions for Virginia are Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, both former Virginia state capitals, and the Frontier Culture Museum near Staunton.  Colonial Williamsburg is peerless as a reconstructed town with re-enactors.  On nearby Jamestown Island it is now possible to see the outlines of the original fort that for many years was thought to have been lost to erosion of the island.  The Archaearium displays the many items the archaeological work has uncovered in the last decade.  Nearby Jamestown Settlement has a beautiful museum and outdoor re-creation of the original fort and the three ships that brought the first settlers in 1607.  Check www.historyisfun.org.

Another recommendation of Trekaroo is the Frontier Culture Museum (www.frontiermuseum.org) near Staunton.  Four different historic farms were moved from their countries of origin including Wales, Germany, and Scotland and reconstructed at the museum.  Most recently an Igbo village was constructed to authentically depict the lifestyle of African people who were captured, enslaved, and brought to this country.  At all the sites, re-creators in appropriate costume tell the story of adaptation from the country of origin to America.  I serve on the boards of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and the Frontier Culture Museum and highly recommend both as impressive and enjoyable destinations for your next mini-vacation.

Trekaroo recommends Shenandoah Caverns near Woodstock (www.shenandoahcaverns.com), but my first choice would be Luray Caverns (www.luraycaverns.com) not because it is in my home county of Page but because it has the most color and stone formations.  Certainly visit a Virginia limestone cavern whether it is one of these two or Endless, Skyline, or Natural Bridge Caverns.  Speaking of Natural Bridge, Trekaroo recommends a stop there, an arching geological formation carved out of limestone (www.naturalbridgeva.com).

Lots to see and do in Virginia.  I expect to take several mini-vacations this summer.  Lots of opportunity to learn and to relax.  Maybe I will see you at one of these stops.

E-Z Pass Fee Structure Under Consideration for Increase

With the anticipated expansion of the E-ZPass program in Virginia due to new toll facilities opening, the Virginia Department of Transportation is considering a new fee structure to provide customer support for the increasing number of accounts, transponders, and electronic toll collections.  Various fee structures are under evaluation, including a monthly $1 set fee which was presented to the Commonwealth Transportation Board on April 18.  Public comment is requested.  Send your comments and questions to vdotinfo@vdot.virginia.gov.  All comments are reviewed and will become part of VDOT's public record.  Delegate Plum has sent in his comments OPPOSING the fees.

Giving Circle of HOPE Seeks Grant Applications

The Giving Circle of HOPE, which helps people in need in Northern Virginia by awarding grants and conducting service programs, has opened its 2012 grant cycle.  Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to local non-profit organizations through a competitive screening process.  Grant applications are due by August 15 and may be accessed at www.givingcircleofhope.org or requested by email at grants@givingcircleofhope.org.  Since the Giving Circle of HOPE was formed in 2004, it has given over $500,000 to organizations in Northern Virginia.

New and Improved 511 Virginia Traffic Information System

The Virginia Department of Transportation recently launched the next generation of 511 traffic information.  Motorists can download a free mobile app that will give them real-time traffic information, visit the new 511 website with live streaming video of traffic conditions, or call the improved 511 phone system.  The new system includes several features and enhancements, all accessed via www.511virginia.org:

* Mobile apps for Android and iPhone featuring real-time traffic cameras, travel times, electronic message signs, and traffic maps

* New and improved 511 phone service with a better voice recognition system

* Website showing incidents, construction zones, electronic message signs, travel times, and traffic cameras

* The majority of traffic cameras stream video at 15 frames per second, providing sharp and clear images

* Reach the Beach information that shows the fastest routes to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and the Outer Banks Expressway

The system can be accessed by calling 511 from any land line or cell phone in Virginia or visiting www.511Virginia.org. 

Read for Fun:  Library's Summer Reading Program

The Fairfax County Public Library invites kids and teens to participate in the 2012 Summer Reading Program.  Held in cooperation with Fairfax County Public Schools, the library's Summer Reading Program runs June 15 through September 1 and encourages students from preschool through high school to read for fun during the summer.  To participate, register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library or visit a branch beginning June 15.  Preschoolers through six graders read 15 books (kids can have books read to them), and those in grades 7-12 read eight books.  Kids can read any books they choose; those who want a list of reading suggestions can find them on the library's website or pick up recommended lists at a branch.  Those who finish reading the required number of books by September 1 will receive a coupon book with a variety of prizes and discounts, including free ice cream, pizza, bowling, laser adventures, admission to water parks, admission to some Fairfax County Park Authority faciities including RECenters, nature centers and miniature golf, as well as craft supplies, a free doughnut, and other discounts.  More than 25 businesses and organizations have donated over $4.5 million worth of coupons for free and reduced priced items to reward Fairfax County students for reading during the summer.

RA and GRCC Join Forces in Food Drive

The Reston Association and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to participate in the Governor's Bowl Chamber of Commerce Challenge Food Drive - a competition among select Virginia chambers of commerce and their member businesses.  The drive runs through Independence Day.  At its conclusion, the chambers that collect the most food statewide will be recognized.  You can drop off food at one of the following Reston Association collection boxes through July 2:

* Member Services - 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive

* Nature House - 11450 Glade Drive

* Central Services Facilities - 2250 Sunset Hills Drive

All donations will be given to the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB),which will then be distributed to several nonprofits in our community including Reston Interfaith.  Ultimately the food will be given to people in need across Fairfax County, so give generously!