Rocketrek
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Oklahoma City hosted the annual Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) that I attended last month. As with any host city, Oklahoma City showed off its best from its Native American and Cowboy heritage to its present modern development. One of the conference speakers, John B. Herrington, epitomized the Oklahoma story. Herrington is a Native American member of the Chicasaw Nation and is the first Native American to fly and walk in space. On August 13, 2008, Herrington started his latest adventure, Rocketrek, a 4,000-mile bicycle ride from Cape Flattery, Washington, to Cape Canaveral, Florida. The purpose of his trip is to encourage students to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Herrington, a retired United States Navy Commander and NASA astronaut, is a very engaging speaker, and he explained to the assembled legislators at SLC the motivation for his Rocketrek journey. Although he now has a bachelor of science degree in applied mathematics and a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering, he graduated from high school in 1976 as a less than average student with few goals in life. His major interest was rock climbing at which he apparently excelled. A person who became interested in him encouraged him to go to college, and he received his first degree seven years after finishing high school. He went on to Aviation Officer Candidate School and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1985. He logged over 3,800 flight hours in over 30 different types of aircraft.
Herrington joined NASA and the space program in 1996. He flew on the Endeavour as part of the sixteenth Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. He logged over 330 hours in space including about 20 hours walking in space. Retired now, he has turned his attention to motivating young people to develop personal goals and aspirations and to understand the value of studying the STEM courses. Already this country faces a shortage of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians. Virginia has a legislative study underway to increase enrollment in STEM.
Rocketrek will take Herrington on his bicycle to schools of Native Americans along the way and to schools involved in the NASA Explorers program. Follow his journey on www.rocketrek.net and encourage young people you know to do the same. They can participate in his journey by tracking his daily trek on Google Earth, watching trip video, and solving science problems related to the trek.
Not everyone can become a rocket scientist, but we need to ensure that everyone achieves his or her potential. Sometimes it takes an encouraging word to point someone in the right direction or to encourage that person to seek higher goals. Herrington is a role model for young people interested in science and technology. And he is a role model for other adults to be helpful to young people as well.
|
|
Fairfax County will host a free brown-bag lunch seminar on foreclosures for homeowners and renters who live in the county on Wednesday, August 20, noon to 1:00 p.m. in Room 120-C of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. Due to limited seating, register by calling 703.246.5086.
Attend Pioneer Network's 8th National Conference, "A Call to Action," on Thursday, August 21, 2008. This conference will offer concurrent sessions about issues and experiences dealing with long term care. For more information about changing the culture of aging and long term care of elders in America, and to register for the National Conference, visit www.pioneernetwork.net.
The DC Hemophilia Open will be held on September 5 at the Old Hickory Golf Club in Woodbridge. Shotgun start is scheduled for 12:00 noon with a Captain's Scramble format. The day will end with a dinner and silent and live auctions featuring vacation getaways, concert tickets, and sports packages. The Hemophilia Association – Capital Area utilizes proceeds from the Open to provide funding for research, education programs, and financial assistance to families.
The 2008 Reston Multicultural Festival – "Discover the World in Reston!" – will be held on Saturday, September 6, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza. The event is free. Get more information at www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
The annual Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) takes place at the Williamsburg Marriott September 7-9. COVITS brings together a community of senior-level executives and technology decision makers from state and local government, business, and education to identify, discuss and propose solutions to Virginia's critical technology issues. Visit www.covits.org for event information.
Join the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council for a Conservation Landscaping Tour of sustainable landscapes in Fairfax and Prince William Counties on Friday, September 12, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration is required by September 5. The $25 fee includes lunch and transportation. For details and registration, contact Carol Heiser, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, at 804.367.6989, TTY 711, or Christin Jolicoeur, Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District, at 703.324.1423, TTY 711.
The 2008 International Children's Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (rain or shine) at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. This year's theme, "Connecting Cultures Through the Arts," will feature the Canadian percussionists ScrapArtsMusic, performers from China, Finland, Ghana, and Jordan, hands-on arts activities, and wonderful surprises throughout the park. Visit www.internationalchildrensfestival.org for more information.
Virginia Voices is joining Every Child Matters in a non-partisan, nationwide event, "Step Up for Kids Day" with a rally in Virginia on September 16, 2008, to draw public attention to issues affecting America's children such as poverty, health care, juvenile incarceration, early care and education, and foster care. Get more details by emailing voices@vakids.org.
A Restoration Celebration will be held at Montpelier, home of James and Dolley Madison, on Constitution Day, September 17, 2008, beginning at 11:00 a.m. to observe the completion of the architectural restoration of Madison's lifelong home. Festivities will include appearances by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Jim Lehrer of The News Hour, a "Living Flag" with 2,500 school children, the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, a special appearance by James and Dolley Madison, and more. Food vendors will be available; admission is free. Visit www.montpelier.org for more information about this and other events at Montpelier.
Attend the Commonwealth of Virginia Energy and Sustainability (COVES) Conference, "Meeting the Climate Challenge," on September 17-19 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA. For more information, go to www.vsbn.org/coves2008.
Fairfax County will host the 9th annual Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference on September 18-20 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean. For more information visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2008/166.htm.
The Third Annual Race into Autumn 5K and 1 Mile Run sponsored by the Therapeutic Recreation Department of Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC) will be held at NVTC on Saturday, September 27, at 8:00 a.m., 9901 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA. This Race will benefit the Northern Virginia Training Center, a state run residential facility for adults with intellectual disabilities. for details and registration go to www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1602665&assetld=d5e316.
Ride in the Blood, Sweat & Gears Bike Ride, a 25k, 50k, or 50 mile loop through the Virginia countryside, on September 27, rain or shine. The ride starts and stops at the YMCA at 12196 Sunset Hills road, Reston. The Hemophilia Association – Capital Area sponsors this event. Go to www.hacacares.org and click on Chapter Activities to view more information about the Ride.
The 8th Annual Greater Washington Arts Committee (GWAC) Youth Art Fest will be held Saturday, September 27, at the Pavilion at Reston Town Center, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. The GWAC Youth Art Fest is a celebration that brings together professional artists, artisans and performers to share their work and talent with children and their families. The goal of the GWAC Youth Art Festival is to expose children to a variety of artistic mediums and to work directly with professional artists in developing their artistic talents. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit Devotion to Children, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to providing high quality educational and childcare programs for children aged six and under from economically disadvantaged families. Visit www.YouthArtFest.com for more information about this year's theme, participants, judging, sponsorship opportunities, and more.
The Youth for Tomorrow Country Fair & Auctions will be on Saturday, October 4, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the YFT Campus, 2 miles south of Manassas, Route 28 & Linton Hall Road. This event will be hosted by Joe Gibbs, YFT's founder and chairman and former Washington Redskins coach. Visit www.youthfortomorrow.org for more event information.
The Virginia Recreation and Park Society's 54th Annual Conference with The Governor's Conference on Greenways, Blueways and Trails will be held October 4 through 7 at the Greater Richmond convention Center and the Richmond Marriott. Visit www.VRPS.com for information and online registration.
Oktoberfest is returning to the Reston Town Center Pavilion on October 10 and 11, 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the best in fall brews and delicious traditional Oktoberfest faire from area restaurants will be featured. Enjoy live entertainment at the main Pavilion throughout the event. Visit www.restonchamber.org for information about sponsorship and restaurant participation opportunities.
The 7th Annual Reston Home Tour will be on Saturday, October 18, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year's tour, "A New Perspective," will feature five private homes and a special chef presentation at Linden Springs Manor House. Get tickets online at www.restonmuseum.org. Those interested in being a Reston Home Tour docent may contact Donna Shaffer at donnas17@verizon.net or 703.437.1099. The Reston Home Tour is presented by Reston Historic Trust to benefit Reston Museum at Lake Anne Village Center.
The Virginia Council for Litter Prevention & Recycling will host a conference October 22-24 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fredericksburg. Save the date; more information on registration will be available soon.
|
