November 25, 2015 
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News


Jane and I wish you a happy Thanksgiving and hope you'll join us on Friday at 11:00 a.m. for the Holiday Parade at Reston Town Center!

Commentary  

More on Session Agenda        
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 
 
The General Assembly will convene for its regular session on January 13. Major work in the even-numbered years is passage of a biennial budget. With some recovery in the Virginia economy it should be possible to pass a required balanced budget without program or staff cuts, but it will not be possible to fund all the budget requests or pent-up demand from the dire budgets of the past decade. Budget deliberation will be controversial, however, because of the refusal to accept federal funds for Medicaid expansion that would free up about $350 million of state monies that could be used for other purposes.
 
Many of the issues that concern me will face an up-hill battle. We should fully fund the state share of public education, but there are those who will resist those efforts. I support expanding Medicaid to provide health insurance for the working poor. I am also concerned that Virginia's lax gun laws can lead to more gun violence. We need to expand background checks for all gun sales. We should take action to keep guns out of the hands of persons against whom protective orders have been issued by a court. Likewise, commonsense laws should be passed to keep guns out of the hands of children. Looking to the next round of legislative redistricting we need to pass a constitutional amendment to require independent, nonpartisan drawing of legislative boundaries. A constitutional amendment would permit the people to vote on it.
 
Last week the Republican majority was reported to have announced its priorities for the upcoming session. I understand that in public education their priority is passage of a constitutional amendment to allow for the establishment of charter schools. Such an amendment passed the General Assembly last year and with passage this year would go to the voters for approval. With public schools already having the power to establish alternative schools; magnet schools; and vocational, gifted, and special education centers it is difficult for me to see the value or need for charter schools that would drain resources from public schools.
 
Although the misleading campaign against tolls on I-66 had little impact on the outcome of recent elections, the majority intends to propose legislation to prohibit tolls on I-66. Their bill can lead to a full discussion of the tolling proposal. They can explain to single-occupant car drivers why they oppose access to I-66 during the rush hour if a driver is willing to pay a toll. Or, how they will raise the money to widen I-66 without toll revenue. Or why other roads will continue to have tolls.
 
A perennial favorite with the majority party is to pass bills and resolutions to say that Virginia does not have to comply with federal law. This year the aim is the clean air regulations issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. There also apparently will be a further attempt to tighten voter registration that will also make it more complicated and may discourage registration.
 
Republicans called their priorities "a broad, bold agenda." Others may find their session agenda to be too confrontational and controversial.
   

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, November 25 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Karyn Sandelman and Dave Trachtenberg of Minds, Inc.

Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 2 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Gwyn Whittaker about a Green Diet 
 
Virginia Report is also available for viewing online at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266 
  

Bulletin Board 



12 Holiday Favorites from Northern Virginia Experts


Delegate Plum says the Reston Holiday Parade is one of his favorite holiday traditions. See his reflections and 11 others here.
 

      
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Lake Anne Fall Farmers Market

While the Reston Farmers Market has ended for the season the Lake Anne Reston Condominium Association (LARCA) is sponsoring the Lake Anne Fall Farmers Market which runs through Saturday, December 19. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Visit Lake Anne Fall Farmer's Market for a list of participating vendors.
 
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Hypothermia Shelter Program Provides Critical Refuge

For Fairfax County's chronically homeless and vulnerable men, women and children, the frigid winter temperatures can be frightening and life-threatening. Last winter, the county's Hypothermia Shelter Program provided more than 1,000 homeless community members with a warm and safe place to stay. The program is a partnership of the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness with local nonprofits and faith-based organizations. For information on how you can get involved with this critical program, call the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness at 703-324-2307. If you see someone unsheltered in freezing temperatures, call 703-691-2131.  

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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Winter Term Registration Begins December 1
Nearly 100 courses and special events including parties, concerts, and local/national trips. No exams or homework. Sample OLLI with two free class visits. Classes held in Fairfax, Reston, and Loudoun County. Call 703-503-3384. 

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Reston Association Board of Directors Election


Find out how you can run for one of three seats in the 2016 Board of Directors election. Watch video here.



 

Calendar of Events  
   
Tonight: Wednesday, November 25, 7:30 p.m., Annual Ecumenical-Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Eve Service, at United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. Call 703-620-3065 for more information. 

Now through December 22, Vale United Methodist Church of Oakton's Christmas tree lot is open. Proceeds from the tree sale will be donated to the global relief organization Stop Hunger Now. Vale Church is located at the corner of Vale Road and Fox Mill Road in Oakton (11528 Vale Road, Oakton). Hours are weeknights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 703-620-2594 or email vale.church@verizon.net.

Now through December 31, Meadowlark Gardens' Winter Walk of Lights, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, in Vienna. Tickets are available at Winter Walk of Lights.  

Friday, November 27, 11:00 a.m., "Home Sweet Home," 25th Annual Reston Holiday Parade, Market Street, Reston Town Center. See Macy's-style balloons, marching bands, dancers, antique cars, community groups, costume characters and more welcoming the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. Visit Holiday Parade for details on the parade and other holiday events. 

Wednesday, December 2, 8:00 p.m., Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods - the CenterStage, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Embracing the spirit of the source Langston Hughes work, Black Nativity serves as a deep exploration of cultural identity, pride, and unity within the African-American community while also bringing a fresh voice to this holiday classic. Purchase tickets here.

Friday through Sunday, December 4 through 6, Abilities Expo DC Metro, at Dulles Expo Center. Learn more and register for free at Abilities Expo.

Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Alternative Gift Market, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Avenue, Reston. Visit over 30 booths of socially conscious gift ideas from local and international charitable organizations. Check out the Shopping List on the website to see the 60+ gift options available. 100% of all donations and proceeds go directly to the charity of your choice. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, visit uureston.org/agm. Download a flyer here.

Saturday, December 5, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 17th Annual Gifts from the HeART to Benefit Cornerstones, at Reston Community Center Lake Anne's Jo Ann Rose Gallery, 1609-A Washington Plaza North, Reston. Artists display and sell original works of art in mediums like watercolor, mixed media, clay, photography, wood and fused glass. RCC Lake Anne becomes a festive marketplace of crafts, fine art and gifts as shoppers enjoy holiday refreshments while perusing the many tables of original artwork that include ornaments, paintings, note cards, textiles, pottery, and jewelry. All entry fees and 10% of sales are donated to Cornerstones to support their important work in the community. Details are at Gifts from the HeART.  
 
Saturday, December 5, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., The Wonder of the Season: Around the World. Celebrate the holidays with The Reston Chorale performing beloved carols from around the globe, plus Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata, featuring the Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet. The concerts will take place at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Tickets are available online or at the RCC Box Office, 703-476-4500 Ext. 3.

Wednesday, December 9, 7:30 p.m., Reston Sings! Handel's Messiah, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church (Chapel), 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. Join the chorus this holiday season with The Reston Chorale's annual Messiah Sing-Along, benefiting Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith). Bring a new or gently used coat--or new hat, gloves, socks or scarf--and receive $5 off the price of admission. Tickets and information are available online, or call 703-834-0079.

Thursday, December 10, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Tom Gjelten Conversation and Book Signing, Arlington Central Library,
1015 N Quincy Street, Arlington. Hear author and NPR correspondent, Tom Gjelten, discuss his latest book, A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story that features five immigrant families who live in Fairfax County. Sponsored by the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. See more at Book Signing.
 
Saturday, December 12, 4:00 p.m., A Celebration of Christmas Choir Concert, at Washington Plaza Baptist Church, 1615 Washington Plaza, at Lake Anne in Reston. Call the church at 703-471-5225 for more information.

Saturday, December 19, 4:00 p.m., Holiday Play/Sing-Along, at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road in Reston. Free Admission, no ticket required, but space is limited. Accepting donations for Embry Rucker Community Shelter, which provides emergency housing for men, women, and children. Urgent need this season for gas station gift cards and Metro Smart cards bottled water, new unopened toothpaste, brand-new socks for men, women, and children. More details are at Holiday Sing-Along.
 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 
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Commentary..."More on Session Agenda"
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
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Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
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