Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – May 24, 2006
COMMENTARY
Getting to Jamestown: Then and Now
May 13 was the 399th anniversary of English immigrants landing at a place they called King James His Towne to establish the first permanent English settlement in the New World. While later immigrants came to escape tyranny and to practice their religion, these first settlers were investors and day laborers eager for what was promised in popular London plays: “I tell thee, gold is more plentiful than copper is with us…all their dripping pans are pure gold…all their chains with which they chain up their streets are mossy gold…all the prisoners they take are fettered in gold.” (Parker Rouse, Jr., Jamestown’s Story – Act One of the American Dream, 2006). Jane and I celebrated the anniversary with a visit to Jamestown to take part in the official opening by the Association for Preservation of Virginia Antiquities of the archaerium, a special kind of museum where selected archaeological finds will be displayed from the more than one million pieces discovered at Jamestown in recent years. While major festivities will wait for the quadricentennial next year, the opening of the archearium is likely to stimulate interest and curiosity in the first settlement at Jamestown.
Jamestown has always had special significance to me as a field trip to the island when I was in fourth grade was one of the early experiences that stimulated my interest in history and public service. After all, the House of Delegates traces its history to 1619 when the colonists met in the church at Jamestown to form a representative governing body. I was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation which is responsible for many of the activities at Jamestown Settlement and for programs in 2007.
As a warm-up to the activities for next year, see the recreated Godspeed, one of the ships that landed at Jamestown in 1607, in Alexandria on June 4, 2006, at the waterfront. Numerous activities will be taking place locally to celebrate the historic milestone. Visit www.jamestown2007.org for details on local events. Plan a trip to the historic triangle of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown next year as part of the celebration. Early planning and reservations are advised; visit www.jamestown2007.org for suggestions. Jane and I stayed in a rustic but comfortable cabin at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Less than an hour’s distance from Jamestown, the trip often takes more than twice that amount of time because of the traffic congestion at most all times of the day on I-64 and the Hampton Roads tunnels.
And I thought I could finish a column without mentioning transportation! Or no budget! It was a relaxing weekend contemplating Virginia’s start at Jamestown. Now, back to work. We need a budget by June 30.
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Governor Kaine Appoints Delegate Plum to Start Strong Pre-K Council
Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced on May 17 appointments including Delegate Kenneth R. Plum to the Start Strong Pre-K Council, which will focus on developing an affordable, effective, and efficient blueprint for expanding access to high-quality, pre-kindergarten education to every child in Virginia.
“High quality preschool is vital to a child’s success later in school and in life,” said Governor Kaine. “There is a compelling educational and business case for high quality early education. It is critical that all of Virginia’s children have the fundamental skills to read on grade level by the third grade and succeed in school.”
“I am pleased that Governor Kaine has appointed me to this Council,” Plum said. “Preschool programs can make such a tremendous difference in children and in their future successes.”
The Start Strong Pre-K Council will develop strategies to build on the existing network of public, private, and faith-based providers across the Commonwealth. The Council shall meet at least quarterly to oversee the development of early childhood education programs in the Commonwealth. Members of the Council will serve without compensation.
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THANK YOU!!!
The Top of the Town Relay for Life American Cancer Society Team thanks everyone for their contributions to this year’s Relay at South Lakes High School, making it a great success with over $300,000 raised including more than $14,000 from the Top of the Town Team. Thank you! Please let us know if you would like to be part of our exciting and dynamic team next year.
Ken Plum and Margrit Kenny, Co-Captains
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report”
on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Wednesday, May 24 at 10:30 p.m. – Howard Jennings, Arlington Transportation Partners – “Transportation Demand Management”
Tuesday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 31 at 10:30 p.m. – Colleen Maguire, ALS Association of DC-Maryland-Virginia – “ALS and You – Strike Out Lou Gehrig’s Disease”
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to Dr. Tom Wilkins, Elizabeth Link, and Frank Bensinger for receiving “Educator of the Year” awards from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation at its annual Awards and Scholarship Luncheon on May 20.
A Trust Fund for the family of Michael Garbarino, Fairfax County Police officer who died last week from gunshot injuries sustained in the line of duty earlier this month, has been established. Donations can be sent to: Garbarino Family Trust Fund, c/o Fairfax County Federal Credit Union, 4201 Members Way, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Tonight – the Fairfax County Planning Commission will begin a discussion on Transit-Oriented Development tonight, May 24, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Conference Room (1st floor behind Board Auditorium), 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
Attend the Voices Workshop on May 25, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike - “Finding Supports and Resources for the Child with Emotional/Behavioral Special Needs.” See the details at www.vakids.org/Health/MH%20Advocacy%20Workshop.pdf or contact Kathy May at 703.955.6325 or KMay@vakids.org.
“Maintaining Service Levels” is the theme of Fairfax County’s Pandemic Flu Business Summit to be held on Friday, May 27, for Fairfax County businesses and business owners. Leaders from a variety of industries will give presentations and serve on panels as Fairfax County businesses come together to address planning needs in preparation for a possible pandemic. For more information on the Summit, contact the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs at 703.324.3187, TTY 711.
Issues Fairfax: Workforce Housing will bring together a broad cross section of over two hundred stakeholders from our county’s business, government, community, and non-profit sectors to engage in a day-long forum about market-based and public policy strategies for addressing this issue. Attend on June 1, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Questions? email jkarr@fccc.org or call 703.752.7517.
A replica of the Godspeed, one of three original ships that brought the first permanent English settlers to Jamestown, will be at the Alexandria waterfront beginning Saturday, May 27, through Saturday, June 3. America’s 400th Anniversary Celebration launches with an 80-day sail of the newly commissioned replica of the Godspeed. The ship, sponsored by Jamestown 2007, will visit six ports along the eastern seaboard, including the local port of Alexandria. For more information about Jamestown 2007 and the Virginia 2007 program, visit www.americas400thanniversary.org or www.jamestown2007.org.
Volunteer for America’s 400th Anniversary! When the Godspeed comes to Alexandria, the ship will be accompanied by a lively “Landing Party Festival,” offering families, students, and visitors a glimpse into early 17th-century America and the legacies on which our nation was founded. The festival features musical performances and family entertainment as well as historic and cultural displays. Volunteers are needed to help enhance the experience in your port of call by assisting and directing visitors, helping stage managers and cast members, escorting local community groups and tours, and staffing information booths. Volunteers must be 18 years of age and should ideally be able to commit at least one full day or two half days to the volunteer effort. The Godspeed and its landing party will be in Alexandria’s Old Towne Waterfront May 27 through June 3. Volunteer applications may be completed online by visiting the Volunteers section at www.Americas400thAnniversary.com or by downloading a form, completing it, and mailing it to Lynn Smith, Volunteer Office, Historic Triangle Host Committee, 412 W. Francis Street, William Byrd III Stable, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Call Lynn at 757.220.7008 for more information.
Mark your calendar for the Reston Garden Tour on June 3, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit twelve of Reston’s best gardens. A variety of sizes and styles of gardens will be featured – something for everyone – have an enjoyable day while getting ideas for your own garden. The Tour is co-sponsored by Reston Association and the Reston Garden Club. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Nature Hosue. Tickets are $20 and are available at Reston Association, The Bird Feeder, and The Reston Storefront Museum the month of May.
The roads and trails of Northern Virginia will be blazing on Sunday, June 4, as cyclists of every age and fitness level will be participating in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure. Joining them will be three-time Tour de France winner and cycling legend, Greg LeMond. The event will raise money for diabetes research, information and advocacy for the 423,000 people in the Washington, D.C. market who have diabetes. Whether they are riding 100 miles or 12, Tour de Cure participants will be pedaling for a good cause to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lies of all people affected by diabetes. LeMond will ride in the morning and address the crowd afterwards at a post-ride program beginning at 1:00 p.m. All events take place at the Reston Town Center. For more information, call 1-800-DIABETES.
The 2006 Watershed-Friendly Garden Tour will be held on June 4, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax County. Tour local homes that feature watershed-friendly elements, such as cisterns, rain barrels, rain gardens, backyard wildlife habitat, and native species. Visit www.arlingtonenvironment.org and click on “Watershed-Friendly Garden Tour” to download the program on tour locations and information.
Join the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 6, 2006, for the 20th Chamber Cup at Westfields Golf Club, 13940 Balmoral Greens Avenue, Clifton. Registration and lunch begin at 11:00 with a Shotgun Start at 1:30 p.m. and Dinner and Awards at 6:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chamber’s scholarship program for Herndon High School and South Lakes High School. Visit www.restonchamber.org for more information.
The e-ffordable.org newsletter is available online. Go to www.e-ffordable.org for information on affordable housing. The newsletter is provided by the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development.
In March The History Channel filmed the restoration project underway at Virginia’s Capitol building. Two days of filming included the Capitol’s interior and exterior renovation, construction of the underground extension and a series of interviews about the design concepts applied by the Commonwealth to enhance and preserve this historic building. Hosted by Steve Thomas, formerly of “This Old House,” the documentary will highlight four of Thomas Jefferson’s building designs: the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, his retreat home at Poplar Forest in Bedford County, the University of Virginia, and his home at Monticello in Charlottesville. The documentary is slated to air on June 17, 8:00 p.m. EST on The History Channel. For information about the Capitol Restoration and Extension Project, go to www.VirginiaCapitol.gov.
Hear Delegate Ken Plum’s Annual State of the Commonwealth over breakfast on June 20, 8:00 a.m., at Hidden Creek Country Club. For sponsorship opportunities and invitations, contact kenplum@aol.com.
Mark your calendar for the 24th Annual Reston Century Bicycle Tour on Sunday, August 27, rain or shine, starting and finishing at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Riders can select from three routes of approximately 34, 65, and 102 miles. Registration is available online at www.restonbikeclub.org.
Save the Date – Saturday, September 16, 8:30 to noon – for the Rain Garden Workshop for homeowners, Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park, Vienna. Attendees will receive useful information and observe the construction of a small (home-sized) rain garden.
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Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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