August 14, 2013

36th District

Reston, Virginia

Jane and I are in Atlanta for this year's National Conference of State Legislatures' Legislative Summit. It gave us the chance to visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, one of the sites in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District.

Delegate Ken Plum's

Virginia e-News

Commentary

Leave It to the Churches

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

August 18 is the annual Works Sunday when the faith communities of Reston and Herndon join together to "make a difference for good." Twenty faith communities are working together for the 18th year to help members of the community who are in need. Communities of faith include the United Christian Parish--where the Reverend LaVerne Gill who was an intern at the time started the first program--and many other Christian, Jewish, Unitarian, Buddhist, and Muslim communities. Projects include gathering donations for the Abused Women's Shelter, Laurel Learning Center, Embry Rucker Shelter, Lunch for the Soul, and an adult winter clothing drive. Service projects include luncheons and programs in local senior homes, food and blood drives, and repairing group homes. I have found participation over the years to be very satisfying. To learn about specific activities and ways you can volunteer to help, go to

www.workssunday.org.

Faith communities have traditionally involved themselves in various mission and social justice programs to help the needy in the community. They have played a vital role in helping the poor, the sick, and the aged. As participation in houses of worship has declined, there has been a drop off in the ability of faith communities to meet the social service and welfare needs of the community. In fact, as important as the work of volunteers in the community has been, churches and temples and places of worship have never been able to meet the full extent of the needs in their local areas.

As the ultraconservatives seek to slash government programs including food stamps and other social welfare programs the rationale has sometimes been given that this work should be left to the religious institutions. Such a view is totally unrealistic in terms of the dimension of the need. A Bread for the World study calculated the funds religious institutions would have to raise if the food stamp allotment proposed in last year's House of Representatives budget had been implemented. The study concluded that every church, synagogue, mosque, and house of worship in the United States would need to raise $50,000 in additional monies every year for ten years. Obviously that is not going to happen.

Recently Reston Interfaith changed its name to Cornerstones. This important nonprofit structure providing housing and other social services that was started by Reston's faith communities has grown in its service area and in its range of programs. While the faith communities will continue to play an important role in its work, it is much more reliant for support on government contracts and grants and business support than from faith communities.

I hope everyone will join me on Works Sunday and will continue to support Reston Interfaith--now Cornerstones. Our contributions are critical to the quality of life for many in our community. We should not fool ourselves, however; we continue to need food stamps and the social and welfare programs that government can most realistically and efficiently provide.

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

Virginia Report 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, August 14 at 10:30 p.m. - Joseph Plummer, The Three Birds Foundation, "Engaging Students in Renewable Energy"

Tuesday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 21 at 10:30 p.m. -Teri Cochrane, Healing Paths, "Nutrition in the Hot Months"

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

Bulletin Board

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place 50 years ago on August 28th at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. It was during this march that Dr. King gave his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech that has reverberated for decades. While we celebrate all that has been achieved in the 50 years since that march, we recognize that the "Dream" has not been fulfilled and the battle for justice is ongoing. The name of the march on August 24, 2013 is the "National Action to Realize the Dream March." It is important to use the name when speaking about the march so that people understand that this march is not just a commemoration, but a continuation of the efforts 50 years ago. For more information and to register, visit nationalactionnetwork.net/mow/.

CERT Classes Offered This Fall:

Two identical classes will be conducted at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, 4600 West Ox Road. The first class is held on Mondays, beginning September 9, and the second on Wednesdays, beginning September 11. A third CERT class will be conducted at the Great Springfield Volunteer Fire Station 22, 7011 Backlick Road, beginning on Wednesday, September 11. Each class will have eight sessions, 7:00-10:00 p.m. The training is free and CERT furnishes personal protective equipment. Enroll in any of these three classes by going to the Fairfax County CERT website. Register as a new volunteer and when confirmed you can login and register for CERT class 73, 74 or 75. For further information contact the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Volunteer Coordinator's Office, 703-246-3926, TTY 711.

Volunteers Needed to Help Northern Virginia Adults Learn to Read and Write: LCNV logo The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia sponsors tutor training workshops to help volunteers provide individualized literacy instruction. More than 75 new volunteer Basic Literacy tutors are needed to help English-speaking adults learn to read and write. Currently on a waiting list to be matched with tutors, these adult students are eager to improve their literacy skills by working one-to-one with a trained volunteer. Each year, LCNV holds eight tutor training workshops to prepare volunteer tutors to provide individualized instruction. Each tutor is trained, matched with a student, and encouraged to meet weekly for an hour and a half to help the student improve his or her reading and writing skills. No teaching or foreign language skills are required. A one-time $50 training fee contributes to the cost of books and ongoing resources. All tutor training workshops take place at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, but the tutoring will take place in a library or community center in the tutor's neighborhood. Students and tutors are matched based on geographic proximity to make the weekly sessions as convenient as possible. The next 2-day Basic Literacy tutor training workshop will be held two Saturdays (both required): September 21 & 28 from 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at the James Lee Community Center. For more information, e-mail volunteers@lcnv.org or call 703-237-0866 x111.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Solicits Public Comment on Proposed High School Science Textbooks: FCPS is seeking community feedback on proposed new print textbooks and online materials for elective high school science courses. The books are available through Friday, September 13, in conference room D at the Leis Center, 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church. Leis Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and will provide extended hours until 8:00 p.m. on the following dates: August 15, August 26, September 3, and September 11. County residents are encouraged to review the proposed textbooks and online materials and complete comment sheets that will be forwarded to members of the Fairfax County School Board. Pending School Board approval this fall, the new books will then be available for schools to purchase. For more information, contact Myra Thayer, FCPS science coordinator, at 571-423-4785 or mthayer@fcps.edu.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) released the Draft 2013 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan for public review and comment. The comprehensive plan will provide a defined vision for passenger and freight rail transportation in Virginia through 2040. The Draft 2013 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan is posted online for a 30-day public review and comment period and can be viewed here. Comments received before 30 days will be summarized in the Plan. Direct comments to the Department's public information office at drptpr@drpt.virginia.gov or at this address:

Commonwealth of Virginia
Department of Rail & Public Transportation
600 East Main Street, Suite 2102
Richmond, VA 23219

Attention: Public Information Office - VSRP Comments DRPT logo

Calendar of Events

Secure Document Shredding, Saturday, August 17, 8:00 a.m. to noon at the North County Human Services Center, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston.

Works Sunday: Sunday, August 18, 20 faith communities are joining together for the 18th annual Works Sunday. Numerous opportunities are offered to help those in need in our community. For details on how you can help, go to www.workssunday.org.

Sunday, August 18, noon to dusk, 27th Annual Pakistan Independence Day Festival at Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville. The festival showcases Pakistani culture and is a fun-filled day for all ages. Free and open to the public. For details, visit www.pakistanfestivalusa.com.

Electric Sunday, August 18. Recycle your old unwanted electronics (televisions, computers, keyboards, speakers, stereos, etc.) along with unbroken fluorescent lights. Event runs from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax.

Thursday, August 22, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Reston Energy Fair's "Kick-Off" Meeting for the Reston Home Energy Conservation Challenge in the Reston Nature House Meeting Room at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Over 15 people/households who attended the Reston Energy Fair will be participating in the 1st Energy Challenge that runs from September 1 to February 29, 2014. Visit energystudies.net/ for details.

Reston Regional Library Children's Book Sale, August 22-25: Thursday 10:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.; Friday 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.; Sunday 1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m., 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. More information can be found at library events.

Plum Family Picnic, Saturday, September 7, 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the North Hills Picnic Pavilion in Reston. Send any questions to kenplum@aol.com.

Sunday, September 8, 9/11 Unity Walk; Registration begins at 12:00 pm at Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb Street NW at Massachusetts Avenue. For more information, visit 9/11 Unity Walk.

Thursday, September 12, 6:00-9:00 p.m., the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) begins a celebration of their 40th anniversary with an opening reception. The exhibition will include works by respected area artists connected to the institution's founding, as well as artists with national resumes who have exhibited at GRACE. For more information, call 703.471.9242 or contact info@restonarts.org.

Three Birds Sustainability Fair, Saturday, September 14, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Free carousel and hayrides all day. Co-sponsored by Katydid, Inc., and The Three Birds Foundation, a non-profit whose focus is renewable energy, student engagement and community identity. For more information, go to www.threebirds.org.

September 20-22: The KORUS Festival aims to bring together Koreans, Americans and other community members in the Washington DC metropolitan area to celebrate Korean culture. Many aspects of Korea's vibrant and unique culture will be on display in the form of music, dance, food and on stage performances. For more information contact Jennifer Oh at daavmedia@gmail.com or visit korusfest.org/.

Saturday, September 21, the 4th Annual Reston Latino Festival, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston. The festival celebrates the vibrant and diverse Latino community of Reston through cultural folklore and musical performances and connects individuals with Latino businesses, organizations, Fairfax County government agencies and local non-profits. For more information, contact Richard.Cabellos@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Saturday, September 28, Reston Multicultural Festival, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza, 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston. The festival is a celebration of the diversity and community spirit that is found in Reston. For more information, visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com/MulticulturalFestival.

Saturday, October 19, Reston Home Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With tickets purchased from Reston Museum, you can go inside five outstanding private homes in Reston's unique neighborhoods. All proceeds benefit Reston Historic Trust which operates Reston Museum. Go to www.restonmuseum.org/main_/rht_events.htm for more information.

Governor's Transportation Conference, December 4-6, 2013, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street, Richmond. Visit www.vatranscon.com for further information and to sign up to receive conference updates.

In This Issue

Commentary..."Leave It to the Churches"

"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.**