September 4, 2013

36th District

Reston, Virginia

 

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Marching with a Purpose

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

I was in college in 1963 in Norfolk, Virginia when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his now famous "I Have a Dream" speech. While I agreed fully with the purpose of the March on Washington, I did not have the money nor was I resourceful enough to make my way to Washington, D.C. to participate. I did not have any sense of the importance the march would have or the eloquence of one of the many speakers that day that would resonate through history.

 

Last week I took part in both the "National Action to Realize the Dream March" on August 24 and in the "50th Anniversary March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom" last Wednesday, August 28. I marched for several reasons. I believe in righting the many injustices the marches were intended to highlight. I wanted to honor the dream that Dr. King expressed and that I am committed to. Being at the marches gave me an opportunity to make a clear statement by my physical presence that we can do a lot better in this country on many issues. Further, I wanted to help swell the crowd as a demonstration that there are many who are concerned with the direction of our country on key matters.

 

Congressman John Lewis--the youngest speaker at the 1963 march--reminded us in his 2013 speech that we have come a long way. The obvious vestiges of segregation have been removed. But, along with the other speakers including three Presidents, Congressman Lewis reminded us that much remains to be done.

 

Former President Jimmy Carter spoke about the changes in voting laws in this country in recent years that are designed to make it harder to vote as the laws in 1963 denied the people the right to vote at all. There is a certain irony in the fact that he might find it necessary to bring election observers he has used to help ensure fair elections in other countries to elections in some of our states. Similarly, former President Bill Clinton's foundation's initiatives that help to relieve poverty and suffering among children in other countries might have to be applied to children in this country as federal food and nutrition programs are cut. And, security for public events has to be so tight it took marchers hours to get through the check points to listen to the speeches in hopes of preventing violence that our lax gun safety laws and "stand your ground" provisions too often lead to.

 

The march to the Lincoln Memorial with long lines and delays getting through security in the light rain that fell on Wednesday was the easy part. The march from Washington back into our daily lives where we seek to fully realize the dream is the challenge. Economic injustice in this country must be addressed. Too many are left with too little, and a few have abundant resources that they can use to influence elections and policies. Belief in the American spirit and the faith that reasonableness will prevail is what keeps most of us from fearing that some of the dream might be turning into a nightmare. Marching is a small part of the purpose of ensuring that all remaining injustices are addressed!

 

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

 

Virginia ReportTune 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, September 4 at 10:30 p.m. - Cherie Lejeune, Fairfax Federation, "Livable Communities for the Aging"       

      

Tuesday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 11 at 10:30 p.m., Tram Nguyen, New Virginia 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

September is College Savings Month: If you have a future college student in your life, take note. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) reports tuition and fees at Virginia's public four-year colleges increased 71 percent over the past ten years, a trend also reflected in other states. With the expense rising, you may wonder how you or your kids will afford college. Saving now is the best way to prepare. A popular college savings strategy is using a 529 account as your savings or investment vehicle.  They are named for the section of the Internal Revenue Code that allows earnings in the accounts to be exempt from tax--and remain tax free when used for qualified higher education expenses. Virginia is fortunate to have four highly-ranked 529 programs, all administered by Virginia529 College Savings Plan. Virginia529 accounts can be used at public and private colleges, universities and training programs around the world. In addition to tax-free growth, Virginia taxpayers may deduct from state income tax filings up to $4,000 in contributions per account per year. Get started saving for future college expenses with as little as $25. Use promo code "EDUCATE" to waive the $25 application fee when you open an account online. Learn more and open an account at Virginia529.com.

Free Online Courses: The University of Virginia has partnered with online-learning pioneer Coursera to offer learners access to world-class faculty from UVA. In 2013-14, Coursera offers 11 UVA courses online for anyone to take, for free. Classes are designed to help a student master the material. Courses are offered in a wide range of topics to help achieve learning goals and build a portfolio. For details, visit coursera.org/uva.

Fairfax County's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Workshop Series: Free workshop series for individuals concerned or frustrated by living with an ongoing health condition in everyday life. Space is limited, and preregistration is required. Caregivers welcome! For more information, call 703-324-5489, TTY 711, or email Colleen.Turner@FairfaxCounty.gov.
--Friday sessions will be held for six weeks from September 6 to October 11
from 1:00-3:30 p.m. at Ashby Ponds Independent Living Community, 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard, Ashburn.
Register here: Ashby Ponds
--Monday sessions will be held for six weeks from October 21 to December 2 (No meeting on November 11) from 1:00-3:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Register here: Hunters Woods

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University offers over 100 stimulating, diverse, exam-free daytime courses, plus social and cultural activities. Classes are held in Fairfax, Reston, and Loudoun County. Sample the program with two free classes, if space is available. If interested, there's a one-term rate of $150, or a year of classes for $360 (can be paid in monthly installments). For more information, call 703-503-3384, email olli@gmu.edu, or go to www.olli.gmu.edu.  
 

Calendar of Events           

 

Mosaic Harmony Concert for Global Camps Africa, September 5, 7:30 p.m., at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston. Meet Camp Sizanani counselors and enjoy an evening of great music in support of Global Camps Africa. Buy tickets here or if you prefer to pay at the door, email Ann Granger at ann.granger@globalcampsafrica.org to reserve your seat.     

 

Community Yard Sale, Saturday, September 7, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. (Rain date September 8) Contact Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703-435-6577 for more information.

  

Plum Family Picnic, Saturday, September 7, 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the North Hills Picnic Pavilion in Reston. 

 

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   

   

What it Will Take to Make Transportation Regionalism Work, Thursday, September 12, 9th Annual Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance "What You Need to Know about Transportation" seminar. At Gannett/USA Today, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean. For additional information email info@nvta.org or call 703-883-1830.     

  

Journey Through Virginia's Historic Homes Statewide Promotional Weekend, Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15. For a list of the participating homes and specific details of each home, as well as their hours of operation click here. Don't forget to click on the "time travelers" link while on the site and print your passport in order to be granted free admission. 

     

Tuesday, September 17, 7:00 p.m., A Place at the Table. The Northern Virginia Chapter of the Virginia Interfaith Center invites you to a free screening of A Place at the Table and a community discussion about hunger and poverty, particularly as it impacts children in Virginia. Refreshments and fellowship at 6:30 p.m., at the Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike. Free and open to the public. Download a flyer here and invite your congregation, neighbors and friends! Please consider bringing a canned food donation for a local food pantry.       


Friday, Sept 20 at 7:00 p.m. United Christian Parish of Reston will be showing the film, A Place at the Table. UCP is located at 11508 North Shore Drive in Reston. This event is free. Please consider donating an item of food to go to a local food pantry.
  

  

September 20-22: The KORUS Festival brings 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.     

 

September 21-22, Green Festival at the Washington, DC Convention Center. A two-day festival of fun and inspiration for sustainability and social justice. For a full preview booklet, click here Green Festival 2013

 

Saturday, September 21, Ribbon Cutting for the new 2013 Midtown Community Mural located in the Reston Town Center, 10:00 a.m. to noon, followed by a 1:00 p.m. artist seminar.

 

Governor's First Biennial Natural Resources and Energy Law Symposium on Monday, September 23 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA. Symposium addresses "The Future of Energy" and brings all sides together for rational discussion about legal barriers and solutions to some of the country's most pressing energy challenges. For more information, visit Governor's Natural Resources and Energy Law Symposium.      

Thursday, September 26, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Let's Move the Needle on Childhood Obesity at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly. To learn more and to register, click here.   

  

Thursday, September 26, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 2013 Vendor Forum. Small business owners and those interested in starting a small business in Fairfax County should plan to attend the 2013 Vendor Forum at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. More information can be found at this link: Vendor Forum.      

 

Saturday, September 28, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Social Action Linking Together (SALT), "Meet and Greet With Your Legislators and Candidates" for state offices in the fall election. Keynote Speaker Michael Petit, president of Every Child Matters Education Fund, will speak on "Time to Invest in Virginia's Children: Every Virginia Child Matters." At the American Legion Post 180, Patriot Hall, 330 Center Street North, Vienna. For more information visit Meet and Greet .  

 

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. Everyone is encouraged to dress in attire from their own cultural roots. Information is at www.restoncommunitycenter.com/MulticulturalFestival.  

  

Wednesday, October 2, 8:30 a.m. to noon, A Policy Path to Double Energy Productivity: State and Local Success Stories. Russell Senate Office Building, Room 325, Washington, DC. Find information and register here.

  

Thursday, October 10, Newcomer's Night, Reston Association, for more information, visit Newcomer's Night.      

   

Saturday, October 19,Fall Stream Cleanup, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
All ages are welcome. Rain or shine. Details are at stream cleanup.

  

Saturday, October 19, Reston Home Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With tickets purchased from Reston Museum, you can tour the inside of five outstanding private homes in Reston's unique neighborhoods. All proceeds benefit Reston Historic Trust which operates Reston Museum. Visit Reston Museum for details.    

Friday, October 25, Halloween House and Trick or Treat Trail, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., tickets go on sale September 30. Visit  Halloween House & Trick or Treat Trail for more information.    

 

Festival on the Square, Sunday, October 27, noon to 4:00 p.m. Reston Heights, 11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. For details visit thefestivalonthesquare.com.      

 

Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to vote by mail is October 29, 5:00 p.m.  Last day to vote in-person is November 2. More information is at Absentee VotingIf you are not registered, you can register online.


Tuesday, November 5, Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
For more information, visit State Board of Elections.  

  

Saturday, November 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Ninth Annual Fairfax County History Conference, "Voices for Freedom: Abolitionists, Oral History and Documenting the Past." At the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. For more information, contact Lynne Garvey-Hodge at 703-322-1811 or lynnegarveyhodge@verizon.net.   

 

Wednesday, November 13, Bullying and Violence Prevention Symposium at Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Road in Fairfax. The keynote speaker will present research on emotional regulation difficulties and evidence-based therapies, with a panel discussion on effectively training youth to understand and manage their emotions to reduce conflict and aggression. More information is at www.fairfaxyouth.org.  

    

Saturday, November 16, A Taste of Fall with FACETS, at Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Register at www.FacetsCares.org; early bird ticket pricing ends Friday, September 20. 

  

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...Marching with a Purpose"
"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.