October 8, 2014

At a book signing for Daughters of the Dragon: A Comfort Woman's Story by William Andrews (right), translated into Korean by Corih Kim (third from left). Grace Han Wolf (left) of the Herndon Town Council attended as well.

Delegate Ken Plum's

Virginia E-News

Commentary

The Age Wave

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Last week, Bob Brink, a former colleague of mine who represented Arlington-McLean in the House of Delegates and who was appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe to be Deputy Commissioner for Aging Services, spoke to the Northern Virginia Aging Network's (NVAN) annual legislative summit. His talk, "The Age Wave: Ready or Not, Here We Come," highlighted the challenges of the aging of our population.

"By 2030, as the last of the age wave turns 65, we will number 1.8 million people here in Virginia--20% of the population," he said often flashing his Medicare card. "There are more of us, and we'll be living longer: the fastest growing segment of our population will be those 85 and older." While in 2010 nearly one in eight Virginia residents were 65 and over, by 2030 nearly one in five will be in that age range.

The age wave presents challenges to our society beyond the obvious impact on our health care system, he said. Adults age 65 and older are now twice as likely to be living in poverty as they were a decade ago. Almost 200,000 Virginia households, half of them 62 or older, are living in substandard conditions. Opportunity costs to those who are family caregivers will total more than $400 billion in lost wages, pensions, and Social Security. The cost of government services will rise at a time when revenues are not keeping pace or dropping.

The Northern Virginia Aging Network (NVAN) is made up of the six area agencies on aging serving the jurisdictions of the region, as well as the critically important regional service and advocacy organizations and volunteers. Brink indicated that the state Aging Division "will be aggressive in encouraging innovation in service delivery, including formation of public-private partnerships" to provide needed services. He praised the Fairfax County Elderlink (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/elderlink.htm), a public-private collaboration of the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, Inova Health System, and the Alzheimer's Association for care coordination of older adults.

NVAN had recommendations for meeting the challenges of the age wave, among them expanding Medicaid services that would provide direct benefits to about 62,000 older Virginians who do not have and cannot afford healthcare. Ironically, at a time of shrinking revenues the expansion of Medicaid would bring back to the Commonwealth five million dollars a day in taxes already paid by Virginians.

Recognizing that most seniors prefer to stay in their own homes, NVAN recommends tax credits and grants that would expand consumer access to livable homes. The professionals and citizen volunteers who make up NVAN see the need for a quality, cost-effective, continuously trained long-term care workforce to improve the quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities. The demand for long-term care workers is expected to increase by 160% by 2030. A critical element in building such a workforce is paying a living wage. An expansion of Virginia Public Guardianship Program is seen as needed for vulnerable adults.

Commissioner Brink implored those in attendance to reach across jurisdictional lines and outside bureaucratic boxes as we work to meet the needs of our aging population, or as he expressed it, "to ride the wave together."

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 (Verizon Channel 1981). Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference.

TONIGHT - Wednesday, October 8, at 10:30 p.m., Rev. Stephen Smith-Cobbs and Polly Lung, VOICE for Justice

Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 15, at 10:30 p.m., Cecelia Vergaretti, Capital Area Food Bank

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

Bulletin Board

Ebola Action Summary

Click here to download the Virginia Department of Health's announcement of actions to be taken if Ebola is diagnosed in Virginia.

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Bilingual Election Officers Needed in Fairfax County

More than 500 election officers are still needed for the November 4 Election Day in Fairfax County. There is a particular need for bilingual Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese speakers countywide. Qualifications include being a registered voter in Virginia and available to work on Election Day. Each election officer is required to complete documentation for employment eligibility in-person at the Fairfax County Office of Elections and attend a training class prior to Election Day. The compensation to work the full day is $175 and half-day shifts may be available. Click here for ways to apply. The November 4 General Election will include elections for member of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives for 8th, 10th and 11th Congressional Districts, as well as a proposed Virginia Constitutional Amendment and a Transportation Bond. More information on elections and voting in Fairfax County is here.

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NOVA Parks Fall Program Guide

Click here to download a copy!

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Fairfax 2015 World Police and Fire Games

Athlete Event Registration

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Archives Month in Virginia

Archives Month celebrates those institutions and individuals that help preserve and make accessible the important records of our actions as citizens, businesses, religious groups, government and society. Previously observed as "Archives Week," activities have expanded to include the entire month of October. Learn more at Virginia Archives Month.

Calendar of Events

Today: Wednesday, October 8, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., free evaluation by Carfit experts to determine the safest fit for mature drivers, at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department parking lot. Learn how to best position yourself to maximize safety when driving your vehicle. Call 703-255-6360 to register and for more information.

Today: Wednesday, October 8, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., Public Forum on Helping the Homeless and Persons with Special Needs (Including Persons with Mental, Physical, Sensory Disabilities, and Senior Citizens), Reston Community Center, Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. For additional information, contact Stephen Knippler at the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development at 703-246-5170, TTY 703-385-3578 or stephen.knippler@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Tonight: Free lecture by Washington D.C. gallerist George Hemphill, at Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.. Call GRACE at

703-471-9242 for more information.

Thursday, October 9, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 5th Virginia Immigrant Advocates SUMMIT, Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Registration fee: $40 (scholarships are available). More information and registration is here.

Thursday, October 9, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) Listening Session, at City Hall, 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax. For more information visit TheNoVaAuthority.org.

Thursday, October 9, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Reston Newcomers' Night, Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Free event to meet Reston Association board members and staff. RSVP to Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703-435-6577.

Friday, October 10, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Virginia Small Business Summit, Westin Tysons Corner, 7801 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Agenda available here. To register or sponsor, click here.

Friday, October 10, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m., Late Night in the Virginia Room, City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North Street, Fairfax. Download flyer here.

Saturday, October 11, Reston Home & Garden Expo from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., learn about products and services available to Reston residents, at Reston Association Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. More information is at Reston Home & Garden Expo.

Saturday, October 11, 1:00 p.m., panel discussion, "Views of--and from--Fairfax's 1799 Courthouse" at the Fairfax Historic Courthouse, 4000 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. The event is part of the Fall Festival City of Fairfax. For more details about the Fall Festival, call 703.385.7858 or visit Fall Festival.

Oktoberfest Reston, Saturday, October 11, noon to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 12, noon to 8 p.m., at Pavilion and Market Street. Enjoy food, wine, beer, live music and entertainment. General admission is free; purchase tickets for food and beverages. Presented by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Visit oktoberfestreston.com for more details.

Monday, October 13, "The People's Debate" between Senator Mark Warner and Challenger Ed Gillespie will be televised at 7:00 p.m. More information is at debate.

Tuesday, October 14, Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Advisory Committee, 7:00 p.m., Conference Rooms 9 & 10, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. More details available here.

Thursday, October 16, 5:30 p.m., Joint Public Hearing on the Commonwealth Transportation Board's working draft of the Revised Fiscal Year 2015-2020 Six-Year Improvement Program, at the VDOT Northern Virginia District Office, Potomac Conference Room, 4975 Alliance Drive in Fairfax. Details are at Public Hearing.

Thursday, October 16, 7:00 p.m., Reston Environmental Action (REACT) annual meeting at Nature House, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, with featured speakers Tom Carter and Ed Fendley. Call 703-476-9689 with questions.

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.

Friday, October 17, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., annual Empty Bowls fundraiser to fight against local hunger, at Chapel Springs Assembly of God, 11500 New Life Way, Bristow. Enjoy a heartwarming meal, select a handmade bowl to take home and--new this year--participate in a silent auction. For additional information, to purchase advance tickets (available until October 16), or to sponsor this event, visit Empty Bowls.

Friday, October 17, 5:00 p.m., Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma, at Reston Town Center, Pavilion & Market Streets. Celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer. Children's games, food from local restaurants, live music and entertainment until the 2-mile fundraising walk begins. Register at 703-960-1100 or lightthenight.org/nca.

Friday, October 17, 7:00 p.m., Free community movie, "For the Bible Tells Me So," a film introducing five Christian families, each with a gay or lesbian child. Parents talk about their marriages and church-going, their children's childhood and coming out, their reactions, and changes over time. At United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. For more information, call 703-620-3065.

Saturday, October 18, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., free conference on aging, " Maintaining the Temple," at Antioch Baptist Church Ministry Center, 6525B Little Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Keynote speaker is Margaret Pressler, Washington Post reporter and author of Cheat the Clock on the science behind healthy aging. Lunch is included. For more information, contact Brenda Adams at badams@antioch-church.org, or call 703-590-6562.

Saturday, October 18, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Reston Home Tour. For ticket sales and information, call 703-709-7700 or visit restonmuseum.org.

Saturday, October 18, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm., Latino Festival of Reston's Take it to the Streets Soccer Tournament, at Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston. Call 703-860-0676 or stop by the Southgate Community Center for more information and to register ($5 per team).

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.

Sunday, October 19, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., 11th Annual Help the Homeless Walk, visit Help the Homeless Walk for more information and to register.

Sunday, October 19, 1:30 p.m., Friends of the Virginia Room Annual Meeting, Sharing the Family Story with Artifacts and Heirlooms with Charles S. "Chuck" Mason, Jr., City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North Street, Fairfax. For more information, visit Virginia Room, download a flyer, or contact Elise Murray at eliseRmurray@yahoo.com or at 703-620-3803.

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 virginiawinesummit.com.

Friday, October 24, noon to 2:00 p.m., 2014 Arts Awards at the Fairview Park Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church. Visit Arts Awards for details and to purchase tickets.

Saturday, October 25, 8:30 am, GRACE Race, Pavilion and Market Streets in Reston Town Center. Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) has partnered with Potomac River Running and CRUNCH Fitness to offer the first annual GRACE Race. The 5K course begins in Reston Town Center, continues on the W&OD Trail, and finishes back at the Pavilion. A Fun Run for kids follows the race. Costumes are welcome! Enjoy free post-race family art activities sponsored by GRACE, refreshments, t-shirts, and prizes. More is at restonarts.org.

Trick or Treat at Reston Town Center on Saturday, October 25, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Costumed children can visit participating retailers and the Information Center for treats and goodies. Look for the pumpkin flyer in the window! Call 703-579-6720 for more information.

Tuesday, October 28, noon to 7:00 p.m., INOVA Blood Drive at Reston Town Center beside Pavilion. Register on-site or call 866-256-6372 or visit inova.org/donateblood to make an appointment.

Wednesday, October 29, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Domestic Violence Intervention Workshop for Faith Leaders, at Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. No fee to attend; Online registration is available. Participants may also register for this workshop by emailing the Community Interfaith Coordination Office at NCSInterfaith@fairfaxcounty.gov, or by calling 703-324-3453, TTY 711.

Wednesday, October 29, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Food Truck Wednesdays at Reston Town Square Park (last date for the 2014 season). A variety of food truck vendors offer their specialized lunch and dessert options. Cash and credit cards accepted. Call 703-579-6720 for more information.

Saturday, November 1, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., Social Action Linking Together (SALT) Advocacy Training Conference, at American Legion Post 180, Patriot Hall, 330 Center Street North, Vienna. For more information, contact John Horejsi at jhorejsi@cox.net.

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.

Tuesday, November 11, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 28th Annual Caregivers Conference, "Caregiving--Taking a Closer Look," will provide valuable information on ways to help your loved one and yourself along the caregiving journey. At First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King Street, Alexandria. Register online at nvdcc.eventbrite.com.

Wednesday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 2014 Commonwealth Institute Policy Summit, a statewide conference bringing together opinion leaders, subject matter experts, community partners, individual advocates, and grassroots groups to discuss the challenges facing the state, and to get new tools to make progress in the coming legislative session. At the Sun Trust Building, 919 East Main Street, Richmond. Register 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 are available. See details at vatransconf.org.

36th District

Reston, Virginia