April 13, 2016
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News
 
As part of the National Association for the Education of Young Children "Week of the Young Child" I visited the United Christian Parish Preschool and took part in their Taco Tuesday activity. More information is at NAEYC.org/woyc.

Commentary

Name Makes a Difference                       
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Almost a year ago the Washington Business Journal carried a headline, "George Mason University sells Patriot Center naming rights." For nearly $7 million over the next decade GMU agreed to change the name of the Patriot Center to the Eagle Bank Arena with the new name prominently displayed on the sides of the sports and events complex. If the deal is renewed for another decade, the deal would grow to $13.7 million. Selling rights to sports venues is of course not new. Most arenas, stadiums and fields are named for the highest bidder in the competition to get the recognition that comes with such naming rights. For the college or municipality the deal brings revenue to support the sports program and the facility. Some states are selling naming rights of bridges and highways as a way to raise revenue.
 
Just last week George Mason University announced pledges totaling $30 million to the George Mason University Foundation to support the School of Law.  "The gifts, combined, are the largest in university history," the GMU press release noted. The press release went on to say, "in recognition of this historic gift, the Board of Visitors has approved the renaming of the school to The Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University." That named was further revised when the unfortunate acronym of the original name was pointed out. Although the new name will not become official until the change is approved in July by the State Council of Higher Education, the webpage has already been changed to the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University.
 
I wrote to the President and Rector of the Board of Visitors of George Mason University expressing my strong opposition to the name change. While many have objected to the person for whom the School of Law is proposed to be named, my objection was that selling the naming rights to a school of the University was not appropriate. I recognize the realities of the sports world and the well-established practice of selling naming rights like that done with the Patriot Center. For a public university to sell naming rights to its academic schools is not good public policy. Name scholarship programs after the contributors, but leave the school name alone.
 
There is no greater honor for a school of law than to carry the name George Mason. Among the founders, George Mason insisted on and authored a declaration of rights in the Virginia Constitution that became a bill of rights in the federal Constitution. Imagine how different our history would be without Mason having overcome Jefferson's and Madison's opposition to including a bill of rights in the constitution. If Mason had his way, the slave trade would have stopped with the adoption of the new constitution.
 
Already there is understandable concern in the GMU community about the influence of private money on the direction of the University. The handling of the name change at the School of Law will only intensify that concern.  
 
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, April 13 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Elizabeth English about the Collaborative Classroom
    
Tuesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, April 20 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Dr. John Sullivan of the Family Centered Treatment Foundation

Virginia Report is also available for viewing online at
www.youtube.com/watch. Previous shows can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266. 


Bulletin Board  

Pirate Fest at Lake Fairfax Park
 

Click on the image for details and to download a flyer.
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 April 11-15

Click here for more details.

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May 1 Tax Deadlines and Resources for Residents



Visit May 1 Deadlines for more information.

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Express Lanes Mobile App

Transurban has launched a new mobile app to provide 495 and 95 Express Lanes customers with a variety of services   directly from their mobile devices. 

Use the Express Lanes mobile app to: 
  • Check out real-time toll prices
  • View live traffic cameras before you get on the road
  • Pay toll invoices or missed tolls on the go
  • Sign up for customized toll price alerts
  • Find entries and exits along your preferred route
  • See live advisory signs on the Lanes for any travel updates
  • Learn the rules of the road to safely use the Express Lanes
  • Get tips for using E-ZPassŪ
Visit Express Lanes Mobile App for more.

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Visit Senior Senior Prom to register.


Calendar of Events      

Tomorrow: Thursday, April 14, 10:00 a.m., Gun Violence Awareness Vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. The vigil commemorates the anniversary of the day 26 children and educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please DO NOT park in the NRA's parking lot. There is plenty of free parking in the office building lot on Fairfax Ridge Drive across Waples Mill Road. Signs and flags will be provided. 

Saturday, April 16, is Healthcare Decisions Day, meant to raise public awareness of the need to plan ahead for healthcare decisions related to end-of-life care and medical decision making whenever patients are unable to speak for themselves. Learn more at www.nhdd.org/resources.  
 
Saturday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Living Well, Aging Well Summit, at Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Free event, for older adults & people with disabilities. Download a flyer here. Register here.

Saturday, April 16, 5:30 p.m., Equality Virginia's 13th Annual Commonwealth Dinner, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street, Richmond. Virginia's largest gala for the LGBT community and allies celebrates the hard work of advocates across the Commonwealth during this year's General Assembly session. Find information and purchase tickets at Commonwealth Dinner.

Saturday, April 23, Healthy Strides Community 5K, 10K and Fun Run, at 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Learn more about the event at Healthy Strides 5K/10K. Volunteers needed: sign up here.
  
Saturday, April 23, noon to 6:00 p.m., Diva Central Event, at Reston Community Center Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza. The one-day event is open to any current high school student who is in need of a prom dress and other accessories. Everything is absolutely FREE. Limit one dress per person. Download a flyer here. 

Saturday, April 23, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m., FISH Fling Gala, at Hyatt Dulles Hotel, 2300 Dulles Corner Boulevard in Herndon. Download a flyer for the event here. For more information on FISH, visit herndonrestonfish.org.
 
April 23 to 30, Historic Garden Week. House & garden tours offered statewide. Learn more at vagardenweek.org.

Sunday, April 24, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Reston Citizens Association (RCA) 2015 Reston Citizen of the Year Award presentation, at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, Community Room, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. More information is at Citizen of the Year.
 
April 25-26, National Reduce Tobacco Use Conference, showcasing the latest in tobacco-use prevention, reduction, and cessation with youth and young adults. For more information, visit reducetobaccouse.org. 

Saturday, April 30, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout. Drop off medications at any of the eight Fairfax County District Police Stations (pills or liquids only, no pressurized canisters or needles). The event is hosted by the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County and other government partners. Learn more at Medicine Cabinet Cleanout.
 
Saturday, April 30, Fairfax CASA Run for the Children Race, Starting Time: 8:00 a.m., at the Fairfax County Courthouse complex. Features music, food, prizes and raffle items. Raises money to help Fairfax CASA volunteers advocate for those children under the court's protection. Details are at Run for the Children.   
 
Saturday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Ages 5-12 years, at the YMCA, 12196 Sunset Hills Road, Reston. Stop by anytime. Course takes 20 minutes to complete. Children must bring their own bicycles and helmets in order to participate. For more information, contact Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703-435-6577.
 
Saturday, April 30, 10:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m., Reston Home & Garden Expo, at Reston Association Headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. For more information contact Reston Association Member Services at Member_services@reston.org or 703-435-6530.

Saturday, April 30, 10:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m., Springfest Fairfax, at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Learn more at springfestfairfax.org.  
 
Sunday, May 1, Hopecam 5K Run/Walk. Hopecam uses technology to connect children undergoing treatment for cancer with their friends at school, and the 5K raises money for their mission. Start and finish are at 1890 Preston White Drive, Reston. Runners start is at 8:15 a.m. Race day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Registration and details are at 5K Run/Walk.  
 
Sunday, May 1, March for Babies, Family teams, company teams and people walking with friends to raise money for babies in our community. To register, learn more, or ask questions, visit March for Babies. 

Thursday, May 5, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) Open House and Public Hearing on "Transform 66 Inside the Beltway Multimodal Components." The Open House will begin at 6:00 p.m. The Public Hearing will start at 7:00 p.m. In the first floor conference room at NVTC headquarters, 2300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. More details are at I-66 Multimodal. 

Saturday, May 7, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Spring Festival, Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Rain or shine. Free event. All ages welcome. Volunteers needed. Contact 703-476-9869 or naturecenter@reston.org for more information or to sign up to volunteer. See reston.org for event updates.

Sunday, May 15, noon to 5:00 p.m., Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase, at Ash Lawn-Highland: the Home of James Monroe, 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville. The Showcase celebrates Virginia's Master Artists and their Apprentices with blacksmiths, costume makers and many more of Virginia's finest craftspeople. Visit Virginiafolklife.org or call 434-924-3296 for more information.

May 21 to 22, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Relay For Life of Reston, at South Lakes High School. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love. More information is at Relay for Life. 
 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 
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In This Issue
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar
Commentary..."Name Makes a Difference"

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News


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