October 5, 2016
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News

Delegate Plum with Virginia Tech President Tim Sands and Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn at the opening of the 
Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab at Virginia Tech's 
Northern Virginia Center(vtnews.vt.edu).



Commentary
 
Cyber Security
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month as designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The purpose of the month is "to engage and educate public and private partners through events and initiatives to raise awareness about cyber security, provide them with tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency of the Nation in the event of a cyber incident." Certainly the news of cyber attacks and hacking almost daily have made the public more aware of the reality of cyber security. One campaign--Stop.Think.Connect.--sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security is designed to promote safe online behavior and practices by members of the public (dhs.gov/about-stopthinkconnect).

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe who is serving as chairman of the National Governors' Association has made cyber security a centerpiece of his leadership of the organization. The Governor reported that since January 1 of this year, the state of Virginia has experienced 53 million cyber attacks--roughly four attacks per second.

According to Governor McAuliffe, there are 650 cyber security companies in Virginia, and the estimates are that cyber security jobs will increase 25 percent by 2022. He said there were 17,000 cyber jobs open in the state of Virginia alone and the starting salaries are $88,000. A recent edition of The Voice of Technology published by the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) indicated that 55 percent of its members are hiring cyber security professionals this year. Of the 33,000 tech sector job openings in Virginia, 17,000 are in cyber. NVTC also reported that 46 percent of the 2015 Greater-Washington venture capital funding supported cyber solutions.

Training for the cyber field is close at hand in Northern Virginia. Northern Virginia Community College has the highest recognition as a trainer for cyber workers. It has a two-year Associate Applied Science degree in cyber security, and George Mason University has a bachelor's degree program. The two institutions of higher education have one of the most successful articulation agreements in the country permitting students to move from one school to another.
The need for attentiveness toward cyber security extends beyond this month of organized awareness. Each individual has a role to play in securing their information. Simply, do not click on links that are suspicious. There is a high likelihood that they are phishing for your information. Be sure you know who that e-mail is from.

Additionally, for individuals seeking better paying jobs, a career field, or new challenges, the field of cyber security offers many possibilities. Check with the staff at NOVA or GMU to discuss those possibilities. Virginia has recently introduced an apprenticeship program in cyber security. You can help keep vital information safe for businesses, organizations and individuals. That makes for fulfilling work.

To learn more about the Virginia programs, go to cyberva.virginia.gov or the Northern Virginia Technology site nvtc.org/techtalent. 
 
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 5 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Piper Phillips of Phillips Programs for Children and Families 
  
Tuesday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 12 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Beth Tudan and Tony Shivers of Fairfax County Council of PTAs 

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


Fairfax County Services for Older Adults 


Fairfax County has a wide variety of services for older adults in transportation, healthcare, education, recreation and wellness, and more. A full list can be found here. 


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Virginia Thanksgiving Festival
November 6, 2016


View or download a flyer here.

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Through the Eye of the Needle



A Group Exhibit from Cotting Quilters
RCC Lake Anne * Jo Ann Rose Gallery
Exhibit Dates: October 31 - November 28, 2016
Reception: Sunday, November 6, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Cotting Quilters present "Through The Eye of The Needle" their first quilt show at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. The Cotting quilters are an active Reston group who focus on traditional and modern designs, community service projects and social interaction through their mutual love of quilting. This is an exhibit without hard and fast rules featuring full-sized quilts, art quilts, wall hangings, table runners and other fabric art. 

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Calendar of Events

Tonight: Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., A Path Toward Tomorrow meeting, hosted by Fairfax County Human Services and the Giving Circle of HOPE, with Delegate Ken Plum, at Lake Anne Rose Gallery, RCC, 1609 Washington Plaza N., Reston. 

Thursday, October 6, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Food Truck Thursdays, Reston Town Square Park, 11990 Market Street. On the first Thursday of each month, through October, a variety of food truck vendors provide lunch and dessert options. Cash and credit cards accepted. Details are at restontowncenter.com. 

Saturday, October 8, noon to 11:00 p.m., Oktoberfest Reston, at Reston Town Center. Details are at Oktoberfest Reston.

Saturday, October 8, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Partnering for Powerful Citizenship: Voter Re-enfranchisement, Registration, Photo IDs and Workshop, at Lake Anne Community Center, 1609 A Washington Plaza in Reston. For more information, call 703-860-1203.

Saturday, October 8, 6:30 p.m., Washington Plaza Baptist Church (WPBC) Cabaret Night, in the downstairs Plaza Room.  Hor d' oeuvres will be served before the show. WPBC welcomes a $5.00 donation to benefit WPBC's annual Christmas Concert. Contact WPBC's Church Office at 703-471-5225 with any questions.

Thursday, October 13, 7:30 p.m., Reston Environmental Action Member (REACT) Annual Meeting at the Reston Association headquarters at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Lindsay Trout, Terreset Elementary Principal, Jann Canestra, Terreset Elementary Outdoor Learning Coordinator and their eco-savvy students will share their experiences in creating a school community that combines learning with a native plant garden, butterfly way station, composting, recycling, energy-efficiency and much more. (See page 24 of the Spring Reston Association Magazine to learn more about their work.) For more information on REACT, contact Mary Brown at cernybrown@earthlink.net or 703-620-0151. 

Friday, October 14, 10:00 a.m., Gun Violence Awareness Vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. The monthly 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, October 15, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., Social Action Linking Together (SALT) Advocacy Training Conference, at Virginia International University, 4401 Village Drive, Fairfax. Topic is "Justice for All: Working to set things aright in Virginia so all may flourish." Download a flyer here.

Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Fall Stream Cleanup, at various sites. For more information contact Ha Brock at 703-435-7986 or habrock@reston.org. Sign up here to volunteer: http://bit.ly/2016FallCleanup. Gloves and supplies are provided.

Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Reston Home Tour 2016: Embracing Change. The 15th annual Reston Home Tour benefits the Reston Historic Trust and the Museum. This year's theme, Embracing Change, celebrates lives that have changed and homes that reflect their owners. Tickets available online and at the Reston Museum, Chesapeake Chocolates, Appalachian Spring, the Wine Cabinet, and GRACE. Advanced tickets $25 in person through October 7 and $30 online. Learn more and purchase Home Tour tickets here. 

Wednesday, October 19 through Tuesday, October 25, 
Washington West Film Festival, at Bow Tie Cinemas, 11940 Market Street, Reston Town Center. D.C.'s fastest growing film festival, screening more than 50 world-class, premiere, and award winning films. 100% of box office net proceeds are donated to solving problems of hunger, illness, or poor education. Schedules and tickets are at Washington West Film Festival. 

Thursday, October 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Reston Association's 2016 Open House for New Members and Longtime Residents. At Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. RSVP to member_services@reston.org or call 703-435-6530. 

Sunday, October 23, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Generosity Feeds meal packing, at Langston Hughes Middle School, 11401 Ridge Heights Road, Reston.
For More Information, contact erinn@generosityfeeds.org. Register for this event if you want to help children in Fairfax County. Unable to attend the event?  You can still make an impact by donating--$30 will provide meals for 30 children. Learn more at www.generosityfeeds.org. Donate here.

Sunday, October 23, 3:00 p.m., CAPITOL STEPS - "What to Expect When You're Electing," A Benefit for the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna, at Oakton High School, Vienna. For tickets visit http://www.scov.org/fundraiser-tickets or call SCOV at 703-281-0538. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 at the door. 
Tuesday, October 25, noon to 7:00 p.m., INOVA Blood Drive, Pavilion, 1900 Market Street, Reston Town Center. Appointments at 1.866.256.6372 or inova.org/donateblood. On-site registration beside Pavilion. 

Thursday, October 27, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Annual Harvest for Hope Leadership Breakfast, hosted by Volunteers of America Chesapeake, Inc. and NovaSalud, Inc., at the Sheraton Hotel Pentagon City, 900 S. Orme Street, Arlington. Volunteers of America Chesapeake, Inc. is one of the largest nonprofit organizations providing housing services, homeless prevention and diversion resources in Northern Virginia. RSVP or donate here. 

Thursday, October 27, 7:00 p.m., "Under the Gun" Screening and Expert Panel, in the large theatre inside McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean. "Under the Gun" is a thought provoking documentary narrated by Katie Couric about how America has failed to respond with meaningful action on gun violence prevention. What is keeping the two sides of this debate from finding common ground? This Forum will shed light on the answers to this critical question. If you have questions, contact 

Saturday, October 29, noon to 4:00 p.m., Trick or Treat at Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street. Costumed children can celebrate Halloween with visits to participating retailers and the Information Center for treats and goodies. Look for the pumpkin flyer in the window. The whole family can enjoy a spooky, magical performance for all ages by Turley the Magician at 1:00 p.m. in Fountain Square. More is at restontowncenter.com.

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 

Read Governor McAuliffe's proclamation on National Cyber Security Awareness Month here.
In This Issue
Commentary..."Cyber Security"
Virginia Report
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar

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


Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
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