December 23, 2015 
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News

Commentary  

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus           
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 
 
The editorial in the September 21, 1897 New York Sun, responding to a letter from eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon who had inquired about whether there was a Santa Claus, has become the most reprinted newspaper editorial, according to the Newseum (newseum.org/2014/12/22/). Virginia's father had told her that if she read it in the Sun it was certain to be true. The editor wrote, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy."

Virginians, especially those around the capital city, have long believed in Santa Claus. The "Legendary Santa" has been meeting with boys and girls at Miller & Rhoads--first a department store and now a hotel in Richmond--for more than 75 years. There is ample proof that he is the "real" Santa Claus for he is able with assistance from the Snow Queen and some technology to call every child by name. We go with our grandchildren to see him at his latest location at the Children's Museum of Richmond. Read more about this Virginia tradition in Legendary Santa's Stories from the Chair (Children's Museum of Richmond, 2011, www.c-mor.org/santa/book). On page six is a photograph of young Jane Durham (now Plum) and her brother visiting Santa many years ago. 

Throughout the capitol there is a quickened pace of activity during the holiday season in anticipation of the General Assembly convening on January 13. There are wish lists from all the agencies and special interests. And, yes, Commonwealth, if there is a Santa Claus here is my wish list for the legislative session, essentially duplicating my list from the last several years. 

Virginia should extend health insurance to nearly half its uninsured working poor by expanding Medicaid. Not only would more people have access to preventative care as well as treatment, but Virginians would get more of their federal tax dollars back and a boost to the economy with the health care jobs being created.

While I am wishing, I want the General Assembly to expand background checks for all gun purchases to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and violent people. Just this past week I attended a vigil on the third anniversary of the massacre of 20 children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the second highest such shooting after Virginia Tech in 2007, and yet commonsense gun safety laws have not been enacted. I also want the legislature to approve my bill to establish an independent redistricting commission that will fairly and objectively draw legislative boundaries. We would on my wish list outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. And while we are at it, we need to get the state back to the position of being an equal partner in funding public schools. 

None of these goals will be reached by simply wishing for them. Hard work, determination, and public pressure can make them reality. Just like in Santa's workshop, there needs to be a lot of work done behind the scenes. Could this be the year I get what I want?
      

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, December 23 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Dan Flavin of GraceFul Homeshare
    
Tuesday, December 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 30 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Rachel Wood of Scrawl Books

Virginia Report is also available for viewing online at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266 
   

Bulletin Board 

Give a Gift that Really Matters 
   
The Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships (OP3) serves as a clearing house and point of contact for public agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses interested in working together. You can donate to any of these Fairfax County nonprofits in honor of anyone on your gift list. It makes shopping easy and offers you a nice tax deduction. But best of all, it helps those organizations succeed in bringing goods and services to those who need them most at this special time of year. More information is at Ways to Give. 
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Virginia Council on Women - STEM Essay Contest

The Virginia Council on Women is pleased to host the 5th annual STEM Essay Contest.  Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the contest. The Council will award five scholarships (one in each of five regions) to a female junior or senior who will be pursuing a STEM education at an institution of higher education. Essays will be judged by a panel of Council members and women who hold a degree in or work in STEM fields. Full details and eligibility requirements are at STEM Essay Contest.  

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Women Giving Back


Women Giving Back was founded in June 2007, by a core group of building industry sales and marketing professionals. The goal is to supplement the great work HomeAid Northern Virginia does in renovating shelters by helping transitionally homeless women and children get on their feet with clothes to help them enter the workplace. Learn more about the organization at Women Giving Back. Their calendar for accepting donations is at WGB Calendar. 

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Grasses for the Masses

You can help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia's rivers by participating in CBF's Grasses for the Masses program. Participants in the program grow wild celery (Vallisneria americana), a type of underwater grass, in a simple grow-out system in their homes for 10-12 weeks. After 10-12 weeks of grow-out, participants will gather to plant their grasses in select local rivers to bolster grass populations and help restore the Bay. General Program Timeline:
  • Workshops: early to mid February
  • Grow-out period: February to May
  • Plantings: April to May
Workshop schedule and details are at Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

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Free Income Tax Preparation
See if you qualify!

Families throughout Northern Virginia received over $8.7 million in federal refunds last tax season through this free service. If you worked in 2015, and earned less than $54,000, then you may qualify. IRS certified volunteers will ensure you receive the maximum tax refund and help determine if you are eligible for the earned income tax credit. Sites open starting mid-January through April. See the list of sites and hours here. More is at Volunteer Income Tax Preparation. 

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Do you live near Lake Anne, Tall Oaks or North Point?


Consider running for a seat on the Reston Association Board. 
Learn more at Why run?


Calendar of Events     

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

Thursday, January 7, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Town Hall Meeting with Delegate Plum and Senator Janet Howell, in the Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. Call 703-758-9733 or email kenplum@aol.com for more information.

Saturday, January 9, 9:00 a.m., Annual Fairfax County Public meeting, at the Fairfax County Government Center. Those who would like to speak and voice their thoughts and opinions about what is happening in their county may contact the Office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by noon on Friday, January 8. For ADA accommodations, contact  Ellen Volo (703-324-2640) or Katie Boyle (702-324-2649). ADA requests should be made by January 4.

Wednesday, January 13, Virginia General Assembly session begins. More information, including links to watch the live stream of daily House and Senate proceedings, can be found at General Assembly. 

Saturday, January 16, 4:00 p.m., "Remembering the Dream." Reston Community Orchestra's 10th Annual MLK concert celebrates the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through symphonic works, spirituals, and songs inspired by his legacy. Featuring baritone Bryan Jackson and Reston's own Beverly Cosham. At Reston Community Center -- Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Free Admission -- No Tickets Required -- Seating is Limited. More information is at MLK Concert. 
Saturday, February 6, Virginia Polar Dip 2016: Freezin' for a Reason. Registration at noon, Dip at 2:00 p.m., at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne Village Center, Reston. The goal is to send many more children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind retreat in Casco, Maine. Click here for details. 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 

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In This Issue
Commentary..."Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus"
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
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Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
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