March 13, 2013
  

36th District

Reston, Virginia

 

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with Walter Alcorn

 

Delegate Plum with Walter Alcorn who had just received the Katherine K. Hanley Public Service Award from Leadership Fairfax.

 

      
 crocuses on Cobblestone    
     
Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News  

Commentary

    

No Place Like Home

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

 

A couple of weeks ago dozens of volunteers fanned out across Fairfax County and Falls Church City to interview those who are living under bridges and in the woods because they are homeless. As difficult as the task was to find the homeless, 462 individuals were surveyed. The purpose of the activity, which is part of the "100,000 Homes" national campaign (www.100khomes.org), was to identify the most vulnerable persons through a process called Registry Week. As a result of this effort we now know who the homeless are, and we know more about them in terms of their health and needs. Such information will allow the agencies and organizations doing work on behalf of the homeless to prioritize those most in need of housing and other services.

 

I attended a community debriefing last week and heard team members talk about their very moving experiences in meeting the homeless where they sleep and getting to know more about them. Nearly a fourth of the homeless interviewed were between the ages of 18 and 34 years old. A little over a fourth were 55 years or older. Forty-two percent were working full or part-time. As the 100,000 Homes campaign points out, medical research has highlighted several health and social conditions that make people more likely to die on the street. Of those interviewed in Fairfax, 105, or 23 percent, have permanent physical disabilities that limit their mobility. Eighty individuals, or 17 percent, have had serious brain injury or head trauma. Of those surveyed, 165, or 36 percent, are mentally ill. Using the survey indicators, that means there are 107 individuals or nearly a quarter of those interviewed who are at risk of mortality because they are homeless.

 

Lack of affordable housing is the main cause of homelessness. The majority of people without homes in our community are children and working families who face both low incomes and expensive housing. It is impossible to pay for an apartment when earning minimum wage--even if you work 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Monthly rent for a typical one-bedroom apartment is $1,134. A family must earn $22.25 an hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment.  Eighty-two percent of homeless families earn less than $14.24 an hour. Tied to the inability to afford housing is the statistic that close to 45 percent of persons in families are homeless due to incidents of domestic violence.   

  

This registry is the first of its kind for Fairfax County, putting a real face on homelessness. The government agencies and community partners like FACETS and Reston Interfaith are now at work to house the most vulnerable. The goal is to move 150 of the most vulnerable homeless into homes within three years. It is important for the community at large to become engaged in helping to meet the goal. Continue your support and increase it if you can of Reston Interfaith, FACETS and other community organizations working with the homeless or donate at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/100khomes/    

 

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

  

A special edition of Virginia Report airs on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming. 

 

"Virginia Report" is also available online at www.rctv28.com/virginiareport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad.  

 

Bulletin Board 

 

DMV logo
Check out the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, dmvNOW.com. You'll find a new design and features to better serve customers. The website features improved navigation to key content such as driver licensing and vehicle titling and registration information as well as better promotion of the agency's social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter.

 

Basic Literacy tutors are needed to help English-speaking adults learn to read and write. The mission of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV) is to teach adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English in order to empower them to participate more fully and confidently in their communities. Each year, LCNV holds eight training workshops to prepare volunteer tutors to provide individualized instruction to adult students. No teaching or foreign language skills are required. For more information, visit www.lcnv.org.

 

The 60-day public comment period on TRAP (Targeted Regulations of Abortion  Providers) is now open. The VA Board of Health will make their third and final vote on April 12 and will be hearing public comments in the form of writing and phone calls through March 29, 2013. Submit your comment through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website at Town Hall comments.

 

If you are interested in submitting comments on the potential purchase of RELAC, the Lake Anne-area's cooling system, follow these directions: Visit http://scc.virginia.gov. In the "Quick Link" area find "Submit public comments on a case" and select. In next screen is a list of all cases that you could submit public comments and a "Submit Comment" button. The RELAC case is: PUE-2012-00131 - Joint Petition of Aqua Virginia, Inc., and Reston RELAC LLC for approval of a change in control and transfer of assets. Fill out the required information, comment, and submit.

 

Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC) provides services to victims of domestic violence or stalking and their families who reside in Fairfax County or were assaulted and/or stalked in the county. Referrals for offender services are also available through the intake telephone number only (no offender walk-ins). DVAC Information & Intake: 703-246-4573 (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) Walk-In Intake Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Historic Courthouse, 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 2702, Fairfax, VA 22035. The Historic Courthouse is Building # 2. Enter on the side facing West Street.

 Domestic Violence Action Center 

Calendar of Events      

  

Tomorrow: Metro will host its last open houses to share information with customers and residents about the Silver Line, which is scheduled to open later this year. At the event, participants will be able to view information exhibits, ask questions of Metro representatives, and learn about changes to Metrorail and Metrobus service as a result of the new line. The final open houses will take place Thursday, March 14, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, (Fairfax Connector RIBS 1/3, RIBS 2 & Route 551) and Saturday, March 16, 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel, 1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington. The public comment period runs through March 18. You may submit comments at the open houses or online on the project's website: wmata.com/silverline.

 

Tomorrow: March Used Book Sale at the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Thursday, March 14, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Friday, March 15, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 16, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 17, 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For future book sales dates and the locations of branches with ongoing sales, visit the library's website www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library. Money raised during Friends-sponsored book sales supports the library. Donate used books and DVDs to your local library branch.

 

Tomorrow: Farmers Table, Fresh Local Food & Friends Weekly Open House, Thursdays now through April 25, 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center. For more information on this and other events, visit events calendar.

  

Friday, March 15, 7:00 .p.m - Environmental Film The 11th Hour documents the grave problems facing the planet's life systems. Global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of the oceans' habitats are all addressed. Reston Nature House, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. For reservations,  call 703-476-9689 or email naturecenter@reston.org. Free, suggested donation $5 to Sustainable Reston/Fairfax Coalition for Smarter Growth and Friends of Reston. 

 

The Northern Virginia Dental Society (NVDS) is hosting its 10th Mission of Mercy (M.O.M.) Project on March 15 & 16 at the Northern Virginia Community College, Medical Education Campus in Springfield, VA. Numerous volunteers from the dental profession will be working side-by-side with participating social service agencies and community volunteers to provide care for an anticipated 800 plus patients over this two-day period. For more information, visit Mission of Mercy

 

Saturday March 16th, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Lake Anne Elementary hosts its 12th Annual Spring Fiesta and Silent Auction. Enjoy games, festive food and music, Zumba classes, popcorn, cake walk, prizes, balloon creations, and more. Bid on $26,000 worth of Silent Auction items, plus ten top-notch getaway items such as tickets to the Emmys and a Sonoma California Getaway. The online auction is live at http://laes.dojiggy.com and all are welcome to bid, even if you can't come to the Spring Fiesta. All proceeds will be used to support PTA programs designed to enrich the school life of every student.

 

The 2nd Nowruz Festival, a celebration of the Persian New Year, will take place Sunday, March 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Market Street in Reston Town Center with more than 50 musicians, vocalists, dancers and DJs, along with more than 75 artists, jewelry-craft makers, food providers, goods and vendors. For more information, visit www.nowruzfestival.org.

 

On Sunday, March 17, at 4:00 p.m., the Reston Community Orchestra will be presenting "Birthday Boys," their third concert of the season. They will be offering music by Verdi, Gould, Wagner, and Britten, Fry, and Williams. The program will be held at the Reston Community Center in Hunters Woods at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Joining maestro Dingwall Fleary, will be guest Conductor Jim Villani, formerly an associate conductor and clarinetist with the then Reston Chamber Orchestra. For more information see www.restoncommunityorchestra.org.

 

A reduced-cost rabies clinic will be held on Sunday, March 17, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. The cost is $12. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are eligible for vaccinations. Dogs must be on leashes. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers. All pets will receive a 1-year rabies vaccine. To obtain a 3-year vaccine, bring your pet's rabies certificate showing your pet's current rabies vaccination and expiration date. Only those who can show proof will be eligible for the 3-year vaccination for their pet. Only rabies certificates will be issued (no tags). For more information, visit Rabies Clinics.

 

Lunch n' Life "Forecasting Weather & Life," Monday, March 18 at noon, will feature Emmy award winning meteorologist Doug Hill, ABC7/WJLA-TV, who has 30 years of experience and has earned a reputation as the most accurate and entertaining weather forecaster in the Washington metro area. He will speak at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, VA 22181. Cost: $10.00 per person; reservation and prepayment required by March 11. For more information and to register, call 703-281-0538 or email office@scov.org.

 

Healthy Brain Aging Session: Attend a free information session led by the Alzheimer's Association on Tuesday, March 19, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center (RCC) Hunters Woods. The presentation will identify three areas that affect the brain, strategies for keeping each of the areas healthy, and exercises to keep the brain active and fully charged. Free but registration is required. (Reg. #505576-3C). Register in person at RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, or RCC Lake Anne, 1609 Washington Plaza N, Reston, or by fax to 703-476-2488. For more information call 703-476-4500.

 

Newcomer's Night, Thursday, March 21 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. New or not so new to Reston? Come learn more about Reston Association (RA) and its many services, amenities and programs as well as other local organizations in the community. Meet RA Board members and staff and find out how you can get involved in Reston. Light refreshments will be available and door prizes will be awarded. RSVP to Ashleigh@reston.org  or call 703-435-6577.
  

"Re-Energize," a Conference & Expo for the people who live in and work in condominiums, cooperatives and homeowner associations, presented by the Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute, will be held Saturday, March 23, 2013, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW in Washington, D.C. For further conference details, visit www.caidc.org.

  
FY 2014 Fairfax County Advertised Budget: Town Hall Meetings

--Hunter Mill District Budget Meeting, Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna.

--Herndon Budget Meeting. Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m., Herndon Town Council Chambers, 765 Lynn Street, Herndon.  

--Hunter Mill District Budget Meeting, Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m., Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna.

 

The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking volunteers to support iCan Shine, a five-day camp that teaches children with disabilities to ride two-wheel bicycles. The camp will be held during Fairfax County Schools' spring break, March 25 to March 29, at Lee District RECenter in Franconia, VA. Volunteers will earn one free RECenter day pass for each camp session worked. At iCan Shine camp, attendees learn to ride bicycles independently by improving balance, mastering steering, and overcoming the fear of falling. Volunteers will serve as "spotters" to run alongside children and to provide physical and emotional support. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. A five-day commitment is required. For more information, call Adapted Aquatics Coordinator LeeAnn David at 703-324-8565.  

 

The Children's Science Center, in partnership with George Mason University, presents its spring Signature Event, Nano Days 2013: The Biggest Event for the Smallest Science on April 6, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at George Mason University. Learn about nanotechnology and how it impacts the world around us through hands-on family activities at this free event. Registration is required, and space is limited. Register at http://bit.ly/NanoDays2013. For more information contact the Children's Science Center at info@thechildrenssciencecenter.org.

  

Dress Up with Grown-Ups Gala, Saturday, April 6: Charles Mann, former Redskin, three-time Super Bowl champion, businessman and philanthropist, will emcee the Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation's annual Dress Up with Grown-ups Gala on April 6 at The Mason Inn on the GMU campus. This gala is designed for people to bring their children and grandchildren if they wish...as long as they "dress up"! The gala benefits the MCCP Foundation which provides medical and dental care to children in low-income families who do not have access to doctors and dentists. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Dress Up with Grown-Ups Gala.
  

Equality Virginia hosts its 10th Annual Commonwealth Dinner on Saturday, April 6, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians (LGBT). For more information about the dinner visit Commonwealth Dinner.  

  

FREE Family Fun at Reston's 10th Annual Founder's Day! A Community Celebration of Reston's 49th and Bob Simon's 99th Birthday on Saturday, April 13, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m., Lake Anne Village Center. For more information, call 703-435-6530.
  
FISH Fling Gala & Fundraiser is Saturday, April 20 at the Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport Hotel, 2200 Centreville Road, Herndon. For more information on attending, donating or sponsorships, send email to FISH@HerndonRestonFISH.org.

  

2013 Signature Conference The American Civil War at Home, Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the College of William and Mary.
This Signature Conference--the fifth in an annual series--brings together noted Civil War historians to consider how the Civil War changed Virginia and the nation 150 years ago in the year of the war's turning point, 1863. For more information on the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, visit

www.VirginiaCivilWar.org.    

   

Save the date for the 10th Annual Nature House 5K Fund Run/Walk on Saturday, April 20. Pre-register or register the morning of the event beginning at 7:00 a.m. Enjoy the amazing Nature House facility, the place for environmental education in and around Reston! For more information, visit 10th Annual 5K Run.     

 

In This Issue
Commentary..."No Place Like Home"
"Virginia Report" on Comcast Channel 28
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News
703-758-9733 * kenplum@aol.com * www.kenplum.com 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
 
and paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum.