Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

Tune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming. Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference. Watch these upcoming programs:

TONIGHT - Wednesday, July 3 at 10:30 p.m. - Marybeth Hazelgrove, Preemies Today, "Supporting Families of Children Born Prematurely"  

Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 10 at 10:30 p.m. - Jon Liss, Virginia New Majority, "Comprehensive Immigration Reform"   

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

Bulletin Board     

Participate in the Countywide Transit Network Study: The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is holding its third round public meeting on the Countywide Transit Network Study where staff will present preliminary recommendations for the High Quality Transit Network concept and describe the benefits of the network in helping achieve county goals to connect, grow, and thrive. Attendees will be invited to mark up copies of the proposed concept. The next steps in the study will be to respond to the commentary received on the proposed concept, consider and incorporate potential revisions, and develop final study recommendations during fall 2013. Wednesday, July 10: Open house at 6:00 p.m.; presentation at 7:00 p.m. Fairfax County Government Center, Conference room 4/5, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Meeting accessible via: Fairfax Connector routes 605, 621 and 623. View the presentation and handouts from previous meetings on the Countywide Transit Network Study Resources page.     

Fairfax County residents who need help to keep their homes cool and prevent a health emergency may be able to get assistance from two programs locally administered by the county's Department of Family Services. The Cooling Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households with at least one person considered especially vulnerable to heat. Applications for the Cooling Assistance Program will be accepted from June 15 through August 15. Apply online at Public Assistance Benefits or for more information or an application form, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services Cooling Assistance page. Then complete the application and mail it along with a copy of your current electric bill and a pay stub to: Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Lake Anne Building, 11484 Washington Plaza West, 4th floor, Reston, VA 20190. You may also request an application by calling 703-787-3100; TTY: 711, or pick one up at any of the county's DFS offices. The Fan Care Program is another way to help older Fairfax area residents stay safe in the summer heat. To qualify for Fan Care, a person must be at least 60 years old, need a fan to prevent heat-related health problems and meet income eligibility requirements.The Fan Care Program begins on June 1 and runs through the end of September. To request an application, call the Fairfax County's Department of Family Services - Fairfax Area Agency on Aging at 703-324-7694, TTY 703-449-1186. 

Reston Community Orchestra's Summer Reading Sessions will be held on Monday nights from 7:30-10:00 p.m. Save the dates now for July 22 and 29, and August 5 and 12. Cost is $10 a night or $35 for 4 nights. The sessions will be held at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. Sign up at Summer Reading. Specify your instrument and the dates you will attend.

Calendar of Events      

Lake Fairfax Park July 4 Festivities: Park grounds open at 7:00 a.m. The Water Mine will be open 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. but generally hits capacity very early. There will be vendors near the park main office offering a variety of foods, the carousel and marina will be available from 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. with a puppet show from 6:00-8:00 p.m. near the carousel. When you enter the park, please follow the directions of the parking staff. The fireworks show will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. They are shot off over the lake so the view can be seen from almost any portion of the park!

Celebrate Independence Day by running for a good cause, July 4, 8:00 a.m. Potomac River Running is sponsoring the 4th annual Firecracker 5k benefiting the USO of Metropolitan Washington.
Reston Town Center, 11911 Democracy Drive, Reston, (Potomac River Running Store).

Join Ken at a patriotic July 4 Holiday Parade in historic Fairfax City, 10:00 a.m.-noon.  Because of limited parking in the Fairfax Historic District, free shuttle buses are available to take you from parking areas to the parade. Buses will run from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:45 p.m. from George Mason University, Woodson High School and Fairfax United Methodist Church.   

The Town of Herndon's Fourth of July Celebration begins at 5:00 p.m., Monday, July 4 with small rides, bounce houses and more. At 6:30 p.m. festive food will be on sale and games, bingo, arts and crafts activities and more will begin. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be choreographed to music. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair! Free, though some portions will have an associated cost.  

One-on-one conversation with Delegate Plum, Saturday, July 6, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Farmer's Market at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston. No appointment needed. Stop by and share your concerns with your elected representative to state government. 

July 6, 7:00 p.m., Mount Vernon Nights Concert. Lively tunes followed by a patriotic fireworks show at dusk. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. The Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Free. Call 703-584-2900 for information.   

Energy Efficiency in Your Community workshop, July 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the NRECA Conference Center (Ballston Metro Stop) at 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. Learn how citizens, businesses and communities are reducing their footprint in the Northern Virginia region. Come meet some of the people making it happen, and learn ways to get involved.   

4th Annual Ukulele Festival, Saturday, July 13, 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at the Lake Anne Plaza (Waterfront). The free music festival will feature performances by internationally known and local ukulele musicians, music demonstrations, open-to-the-public jam session, beer garden, festival vendors and other family-friendly activities. More information is at www.lakeanneplaza.com.