August 27, 2014

36th District

Reston, Virginia

 

Like me on Facebook



Ken with former Virginia Senator Mary Margaret Whipple who is on the board of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators.
Sign up at peoplesclimate.org/march
Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News  
Commentary       

 

The Climate is Changing

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 

 

"Climate change, once considered an issue for a distant future, has moved firmly into the present," according to a report, Climate Change Impacts in the United States, that was released this year and that includes the findings of 300 experts affiliated with the National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee (http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/). Their findings are the same as I heard discussed last week at the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators National Issues Forum in which I participated (www.ncel.net). A couple of speakers brought unique backgrounds and insights into the issue of climate change. Retired Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn is a widely recognized energy and national security expert. He insists that climate change is a threat to our national security. Dr. James Hansen, formerly Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and currently an adjunct professor at Columbia University's Earth Institute, started in the 1980s raising awareness of global warming and speaks forcefully today of the need to take action to protect the future of young people and all species on the planet.

 

In legislative chambers in Virginia and throughout the country, climate change continues to be debated by politicians some of whom question whether or not climate change is actually occurring and whether humans have anything to do with causing it. Meanwhile, there is a clear conclusion among scientists as expressed in the Climate Change report:

 

"Evidence for climate change abounds, from the top of the atmosphere to the depths of the oceans. Scientists and engineers from around the world have meticulously collected this evidence, using satellites and networks of weather balloons, thermometers, buoys, and other observing systems. Evidence of climate change is also visible in the observed and measured changes in location and behavior of species and functioning of ecosystems. Taken together, this evidence tells an unambiguous story: the planet is warming, and over the last half century, this warming has been driven primarily by human activity." (Page 6)

 

Climate change means hotter and more erratic weather, warmer oceans and fresh water sources, heavy downpours, global sea level rise, and reductions in glaciers and sea ice, among other changes. Shrinking land ice along with an expansion of the ocean as it warms and natural land subsidence that occurs along the coast will result in areas being inundated with increased episodic flooding. The Virginia coastline will be especially hard hit.

 

Actions can and should be taken by legislators to protect our communities, children and future generations from the dangers of climate change. We need to reduce harmful emissions for sure, and I have put a lot of emphasis in my work on renewable energy. We need to deal with big polluters some of whom receive government subsidies recognizing that alternative energy sources are becoming increasingly available to us from rapidly growing clean industries. Above all, however, politicians need to be honest with the public in acknowledging that the climate is changing, and we can do something about it!


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 (Verizon Channel 1981). Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference.
 
TONIGHT - Wednesday, August 27 at 10:30 p.m., Kathleen Kelmelis, Fairfax Sexual and Domestic Violence Program

Tuesday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 3 at 10:30 p.m., Sandra Cook, Virginia Organizing
 

Virginia Report is also available online at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266 for viewing on your computer or iPad.        

 

 
Bulletin Board 
 
Food Truck Wednesdays
Tomorrow!

Reston Town Square Park hosts food trucks on the last Wednesday of each month through October 29. A variety of food truck vendors provide lunch and dessert options. Both cash and credit cards accepted. August vendors listed here. 
 
______________________________

SourceLink Virginia

 

SourceLink Virginia is a project of the Virginia Community Economic Network. This online portal is designed to connect aspiring, emerging, and established entrepreneurs to business assistance providers who can help them grow and succeed. SourceLink Virginia provides entrepreneurs with free and easy access to the resources they need--when they need it. Click here: SourceLink Virginia.
 

_____________________________

    
Fairfax Pets on Wheels 
Paws for a Cause 3K Walk

Fairfax Pets on Wheels will hold its 19th annual Paws for a Cause 3K Walk on Sunday, October 5, at noon. Begins at Weber's Pet Supermarket, 11021 Lee Highway, Fairfax. Registration is $20 prior to September 18 and $25 after. Register online at fpow.org. Walk-in registrations welcome. Potential walkers and businesses interested in providing sponsorships or donating door prizes for participants should call 703-324-5424 or email dfspetsonwheels@fairfaxcounty.gov. 


 


Calendar of Events

Tonight: Wednesday, August 27, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., first two episodes of the documentary film Standing on Sacred Ground at Rust Library, Meeting Room, 380 Old Waterford Road in Leesburg. More about the film is at Standing on Sacred Ground. Contact Natalie Pien at 703-777-1772 or natcpien@verizon.net for more information about tonight's event.

Tuesday, September 2, 1:00 p.m., first meeting of the Reston Garden Club for the 2014-2015 year, at Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. John Magee of Magee Design will present on "Water Gardens." More information is at therestongardenclub.org.

Saturday, September 6, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ChalkFest, at Reston Town Center, Market Street, between Library and Presidents streets, open to everyone of all ages and artistic abilities for the joy of creating street-art with chalk and prizes offered in various categories. More information is at ChalkFest.

Saturday, September 6, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Reston Community Yard Sale, (rain date September 7). Location: Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Nearly 100 families will be selling a variety of items. Vendor space is SOLD OUT. In case of rain in the forecast, call 703-435-6577 the morning of the event for a recorded message. No calls for space please.

Saturday, September 6, Plum Family Picnic, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., North Hills Picnic Pavilion, North Village Road and Hollow Timber in Reston. Call 703-758-9733 for more information.  

Saturday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Northern Virginia Parents of Multiples fall children's consignment sale at Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Fairfax. Details are at consignment sale.

Saturday, September 13, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Three Birds Foundation presents the Northern Virginia Sustainability Fair, at Frying Pan Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Free event, click here for more information.

 

Sunday, September 14, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Touching Heart's Kids on a Mission Fun Run, at South Lakes High School. To register or donate, visit Kids on a Mission Fun Run.    


Sunday, September 14, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Concerned Citizens Against Gun Violence monthly vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. Park across the street.        

 

Sunday, September 14, Mobilizing Against Gun Violence, simple meal at 12:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF), followed by a vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Contact John Monroe at jmonroe@uucf.org for more information. 

 

Monday, September 15, noon, Harmony Heritage Singers at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna. Hosted by Shepherd's Center of Oakton Vienna. Cost is $10 per person; reservation and prepayment required by September 8. Call 703-281-0538 to register, then mail your address and payment to SCOV, 541 Marshall Road SW, Vienna, VA 22180. Call 703-281-0538 if you need a ride. 

 

Thursday, September 18, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Open House at Shepherd's Center of Oakton to learn more about Fall 2014 Session of Adventures in Learning Classes, at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF). Printed registration forms may be mailed any time during the term with payment. Location, class schedule and registration form are available at www.scov.org.   

 

Saturday, September 20, Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull, at Dulles Airport. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. Schedule, directions and other information are at Plane Pull. 

 

Sunday, September 21, 11:30 a.m., People's Climate March in New York City. Sign up and details at People's Climate March. 

 

Tuesday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. to noon, Pirate Party for ages 3-5, at Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Registration required, RA members $4; Non-members $6; Contact Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703-435-6577 to register.

 

Saturday, September 27, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the 14th annual Reston Multicultural Festival, at Lake Anne Plaza. Rain or shine. Contact the Community Events Director at 703-390-6166 or kevin.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov if you need more information.   

 

Saturday, September 27, noon to 5:00 p.m., Oak Hill Mansion Open House, a free event for the whole family, 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale. Details are at Oak Hill Open House. 

 

Tuesday, September 30, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., What You Need to Know About Transportation program and reception, Capital One Auditorium, 1680 Capital One Drive, McLean. To register and for more information click here.

 

Friday-Saturday, October 3-4, 2014 Virginia Environmental Assembly at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond. To register and find more information, visit Virginia Environmental Assembly.    

 

Friday, October 17, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Asian American Business Summit & Expo, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Learn more at Asian American Business Summit.    

 

Saturday, October 18, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., 5th Annual Latino Festival of Reston, Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston. For more information, or for a table, food vendor or performer application, call 703-860-0676.

 

Tuesday, October 21, The Virginia Wine Summit at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. Tickets to the day-long event, priced at $199, are open to the public and include entry to the post-summit reception where guests can end the day with a selection of sparkling Virginia wines. To register for the event and for more information, visit www.virginiawinesummit.com.   

Saturday, November 8, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fairfax County History Conference, "Fire, Flight, and Fury," admission $20 per person, download brochure and registration form here.

Registration is open for the 2014 Governor's Transportation Conference to be held November 12-14 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Exhibitor booths and sponsor packages available. See details at vatransconf.org

  
In This Issue
Commentary..."The Climate is Changing"
"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.