Commentary

James and Dolley Madison's Montpelier
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Last week on Constitution Day, September 17, I had the honor of visiting the newly restored home of President James Madison and his wife Dolley as part of the "National Celebration of the Restoration of James and Dolley Madison's Montpelier." Selection of the date for the event was obvious with James Madison being considered by most historians as the "Father of the Constitution." Dolley Madison is known as America's first First Lady.
 
Madison grew up at Montpelier, lived there with his wife Dolley, returned there after his Presidency, and died in the study at the mansion in 1836. Restoration of Montpelier to its 1820 state is almost complete. Two large wings that had been added to the mansion by the duPont family in the early 1900s have been removed.
 
Just a pleasant, two-hour drive through the Virginia countryside from Reston, Montpelier is well worth a visit. In addition to the mansion, there are other features that include a hands-on restoration tent, the Madison family cemetery, formal gardens and dense forests, active archaeological sites, and the Center for the Constitution that is a resource for Constitutional education. For more information visit www.montpelier.org or write to me at kenplum@aol.com.
 
The program on Constitution Day appropriately focused more on James Madison the person and less on his home as attractive as it is. PBS Newshour anchorman Jim Lehrer served as the master of ceremonies. Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that now owns Montpelier, having been given it by the duPont family, called Madison "the most underappreciated but most indispensable of the Founding Fathers." Governor Timothy M. Kaine spoke of the intellect and strength of character of Madison. The Governor suggested that Madison's writing of Federalist Paper Ten first recognized the pluralism of our society that is brought together under the Constitution. The strength of Madison's character was evident according to the Governor in supporting the addition of the Bill of Rights that he had initially opposed, even if today he might be viewed as the first "flip-flopper." But the highest compliment paid to the 5'4", shy, and somewhat sickly Mr. Madison was by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., who said that the most fitting memorial to Madison was not his home but rather was all around us in a free country governed by the rule of law.

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Voting Information for November 4 General Election

Announcements

The air in all parts of the Commonwealth meets the federal health-based standards for short-term exposure to fine pollution particles. In a letter to Governor Kaine, EPA Mid-Atlantic Administrator Donald S. Welsh wrote that EPA has determined "that the entire Commonwealth of Virginia is in attainment [of the standard] at this time. This is truly good news for the residents of Virginia." 
 
The Sorensen Institute is now accepting applications for its 2009 Political Leaders Program and Candidate Training Program. The application deadline is Monday, November 10, at 8:00 a.m. Visit the Institute's website at www.sorenseninstitute.org/programs/applications for details.
 
 The Commonwealth of Virginia's new official state transportation map is available online and can be ordered on the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT's) Web site at www.virginiadot.org/travel/maps-default.asp. Maps are available at state Welcome Centers and local and regional visitor centers.
 
The Fairfax County Police Department, the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, and Inova Fairfax Hospital will conduct free child safety seat seminars and inspections throughout the year. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/police30a.htm or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/sheriff/news/safetyseat.htm for more information, including locations.

Calendar of Events

The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia's Back to School Night for Volunteer Recruitment will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. All individuals who are interested in learning more about the rewarding volunteer opportunities that promote adult literacy are welcome. For more information or to RSVP, contact Belle at volunteers@lcnv.org or 703.237.0866.
 
A foreclosure information meeting for county homeowners and renters will be held on Thursday, September 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center, 1086 Elden Street, Herndon. For information visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2008/203.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.

Explore the newly reconstructed streams along Snakeden Branch at a Stream Restoration Walk with Reston Association Watershed Supervisor Nicki Foremsky on Saturday, September 27, 10:00 a.m. to noon. You will hike down the stream and natural area behind the Hunters Woods Village Center, so be sure to wear boots that can get wet and wear long pants and insect repellant. For more information call 703.435.6560 or email nicki@reston.org.

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.

Attend the Fifth Annual 8k Run/Walk, "Kit's Miracle Mile – Rejoicing in the Triumphs of Survivors with Brain Injuries," on Sunday, September 28. Register online at www.kitsmiraclemile.org.

Attend a seminar – "Building a 21st Century Mainstreet-Dulles Corridor & Transit-Oriented Development" – on Tuesday, September 30, at the George Washington University Loudoun Campus at 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn. Registration and continental breakfast are at 7:30 a.m.; program is from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Confirmed speakers include Lawrence Rosenstrauch, Director, Loudoun County Department of Economic Development; Sharon Affinito, Commuter Services Specialist, Loudoun County Office of Transportation; and Ron Kirby, Director of Transportation Planning at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Co-sponsors of the event are Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA), Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA), Tysons Transportation Association (TYTRAN), Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Committee for Dulles. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Contact info@datatrans.org or call DATA at 703.817.1307 for information and registration.

The Virginia PTA will be hosting four Internet Safety Town Hall Meetings around the state to launch a program sponsored by the Internet safety organizaiton Enough is Enough (EIE) and the Virginia PTA in order to introduce and distribute the "Internet Safety 101: Empowering Parents" teaching DVD and workbook. The Virginia PTA and EIE Public Town Hall Meeting will be held in our area on Tuesday, September 30, at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, with registration and refreshments beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the program in the auditorium beginning at 7:00 p.m. Online registration is available at www.novadistrictpta.org/events/EIEtownhall.htm.

Join the Brain Aneurysm Race for Awareness 8k on Saturday, October 4, 8:30 a.m., starting and ending at South Lakes High School. There will also be a 2k Fun Run. Olympian and U.S. record-holder for the one mile run, Alan Webb, will be at the race. This race has been organized by the family of Tim Susco, who grew up in our community and graduated from South Lakes High School. Susco died of a brain aneurysm in August. He and Webb were teammates on the south Lakes High School Track and Cross Country Teams. Visit www.susco8k.com for details about the 8k Race, registration, and course maps.

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.

Are you new to Reston? Get to know your Reston Association (RA) at an event for newcomers and also for those not-so-new to Reston on Thursday, November 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at RA's Main Conference Room, 1930 Isaac Newton Square. Learn more about RA and its many services, amenities, and programs available to you. Meet staff and Board members, and find out about volunteer opportunities. Light refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded.

Join the Reston Epilepsy Awareness Stroll on Saturday, November 15, 2008, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School. For questions, to volunteer, and to register, contact Dana Douglas at danadouglas@cox.net, 703.698.0229, or contact Kristen Cortes at klcortes@yahoo.com, 724.944.7685. There will be free t-shirts for walkers donating $20.00 or more.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

Delegate Kenneth R. Plum | 2073 Cobblestone Lane | Reston | VA | 20191