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Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – November 29, 2006 Commentary
Spread the Holiday Bounty Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
This week marks the beginning of the frenzied holiday shopping spree for many people. Too often such shopping can be a search for presents for persons who have more material goods than they can possibly consume. The gadgets or gizmos to purchase for the person who has everything is the challenge as is the calculation of the price that must be paid for the item that will convey the appropriate level of respect or affection. In public service I am made aware of the great number of people who do not share in the community’s largesse. Even in Fairfax County as one of the richest jurisdictions in the Nation, there are people who do without basic necessities on a daily basis, much less the frills of the holidays. Some will spend the holidays homeless and with the dread of explaining to their children why they do not enjoy the abundance of everyone else during the holidays. Government assistance for such families and individuals is meager. Fortunately many charitable organizations fill some of the void with their programs to feed and house the homeless and to provide food baskets and toys at holiday time. These groups can be successful only to the degree that they receive our support and financial contributions. There are many opportunities for helping others by giving and sharing. Following is an incomplete list that I hope will stimulate your thinking toward spreading the bounty at this holiday season. Consider adopting a family and providing holiday gifts from the family’s wish lists through Reston Interfaith (www.restoninterfaith.org; 571.323.9566). Help the children of victims of AIDS observe the holiday by adopting a family through Northern Virginia Aids Ministry (jbeddoe@novam.org; 703.533.5325 ext. 15). Provide food for the hungry during the holiday season and throughout the year through Friendly Immediate Sympathetic Help (FISH) at 703.437.0600. Visit the Bargain Loft operated by Herndon Reston FISH at 336 Victory Drive in Herndon as the proceeds from the Loft assist local families throughout the year. For other ideas or gift giving that helps charitable organizations, go to the Alternative Gift Market at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston on December 2, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (www.uureston.org). Send a child whose life is affected by HIV/AIDS in developing countries to a camp experience directed by Phil Lilienthal of Reston (www.worldcamps.org). Or sponsor the education of an orphan in Rwanda through the United Christian Parish in Reston. Contact Yvonne@Kauffmans.com for details. Join in the spirit of giving at the Toys for Tots kick-off event on December 15, 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Reston Town Center (www.restontowncenter.com). We live in a wonderful community in a wonderful state and nation. Let the holiday season be a time to spread our bounty and cheer to others!
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, November 29 at 10:30 p.m. – Ms. Kerrie Wilson, Executive Director, Reston Interfaith – “Taking Care of our Neighbors at Holiday Time”
Tuesday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 6, at 10:30 p.m. – Mr. Brooks Cressman, Sierra Club of Virginia – “Facing Today’s Environmental Challenges in Virginia”
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
“Adopt-a-Family” for the Holidays. The Northern Virginia Aids Ministry (NOVAM) is seeking individuals, families, or groups to “adopt” a family or child for the holidays who is affected by HIV/AIDS. Volunteer donors are given individual wish lists and asked to buy 4-5 gifts for each child. The sky is the limit for how much each volunteer wants to spend on gifts (the average is around $100 per child). Gifts are to be wrapped and delivered to NOVAM’s office in Falls Church by Wednesday, December 13. Contact Jane Beddoe at 703.533.5505 x 15 or jbeddoe@novam.org for more information.
The Reston Citizens Association (RCA) is accepting design submissions until tomorrow, November 30, for art and a slogan for a proposed Reston license plate. The RCA is looking for entries that will “show off to all the world what a great place Reston is!” All entries must be from Reston residence. The link to the license plate application and further information on where to send the application, in addition to instructions for the design contest, are available from the RCA’s web site at www.restoncitizensassociation.org. Information is also available by calling 703.437.4386, TTY 711.
Attend the Governor’s Housing Conference, November 29 to December 1, 2006, at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside. The Governor’s Housing Conference is presented by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This is Virginia’s largest and most comprehensive affordable housing conference of the year with nearly 800 participants. To register and find out more, visit the DHCD website at http://dhcd.virginia.gov.
Attend the Dulles Corridor Rail Association Annual Meeting and Reception, November 30, 6-8 p.m. at Capital One headquarters in Tysons Corner. For more information or to rsvp, email dcra@dullescorridorrail.com or call 703.855.5068.
Best Buddies Virginia will be hosting the annual carriage rides at the Reston Town Center on Saturday, December 2, 11:30 to 4:00 p.m. Best Buddies chapter members will be on hand to spread this season’s holiday cheer by selling homemade cookies, assisting patrons in and out of the carriages, and singing along with the Fairfax County Youth Choir. The mission of Best Buddies is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Join Best Buddies on December 2 at the Reston Town Center for a carriage ride, a holiday treat, and some great music!
The 7th Annual Green Living and Energy Expo will be held December 1 & 2 at the Roanoke Civic Center. The Expo is presented by the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals and is a great opportunity to learn about energy conservation and energy efficiency. Browse the exhibits, view the demonstrations, attend seminars, and win door prizes. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.aecp.org.
Are you getting frustrated trying to find that perfect gift for someone who has everything? Find a solution at the Alternative Gift Market, December 2, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston. All monies collected from Alternative Gift Market goes directly to support charitable organizations. All donations are tax deductible. For more information or directions, visit www.uureston.org.
A “Teleworking Event” co-sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Telework!VA will be held on Thursday, December 7, 8:30 a.m. to noon, at NWF Headquarters, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston. The event is free, but advance registration is required. Please RSVP by December 1 to Carolyn Curry-Wheat at currywheat@nwf.org or 703.4389.6248.
Fairfax Releaf is in great need of volunteers for its December 2 “Planting Bee” at Route 28 and the Air & Space Museum Parkway. For more information call 703.324.1409 or send an email to trees@fairfaxreleaf.org.
Reston Historic Trust will hold a Reston Attic Auction on Wednesday, December 6, 5:30 p.m. at Reston Museum, 1639 Washington Plaza at Lake Anne Village Center. A Silent Auction begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Live Auction at 6:30 p.m. with Phil Tobey as auctioneer. Light refreshments will be served. Up for bid are posters, art, books and memorabilia that cannot be archived but have priceless nostalgic value. Auction items will be on display for preview at noon on December 6. All auction proceeds will benefit Reston Museum. Reston Museum is still accepting donations of Reston-related items that may be stowed in anyone’s attic, for the auction, or for the archives. Call the Reston Museum at 703.709.7700 for more information.
The Reston Center of Northern Virginia Community College is hosting an Open House, Tour, and Reception on Wednesday, December 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Our NVCC campus is located at 1831 Wiehle Avenue.
Attend “Energy Independence, Climate Change and Virginia’s Future,” on Saturday, December 9, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Anthony’s Restaurant, 309 W. Broad Street, Falls Church. This will be a discussion about how Virginia can advance energy independence, create jobs, reinvigorate depressed rural economies, and address global climate change by replacing the dying tobacco industry with a biofuels industry based on switchgrass and ethanol. Al Weed, Chairman of Public Policy Virginia, will lead the discussion. The Event is sponsored by the Virginia Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America. RSVP to Todd Smyth at toddsmyth@gmail.com.
Get in the holiday spirit by joining the Reston Museum on Sunday, December 10 for an easy holiday stroll around Reston Town Center to take in the lights and decorations and learn the story behind the skating rink. The walk will include a stop at the Embry Rucker Shelter to deliver a few holiday goodies, and sing a few carols under the leadership of Squire Muse. Head back to Panera Bread for a warming finale. Meet at Reston Museum at Lake Anne Village Center at 2:00 p.m. or in front of the Reston Town Center Christmas tree at 2:30 p.m.
The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) has scheduled a public hearing to solicit comments on the state of the environment in Fairfax County. The public hearing will be held on Monday, December 11, 7:30 p.m. in the Board Auditorium of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The public is encouraged to attend and share views on the state of the environment and to identify any environmental issues applicable to Fairfax County including water quality, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, solid waste, stream valley protection, wildlife management, light pollution, visual pollution, land use and transportation, and the use and preservation of ecological resources. To be placed on the speakers list or for additional information, call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703.324.1380, TTY 711, or email EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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