Senator Mark Warner told the Richmond Times Dispatch that he has already voted for the amendment. He said, “I believe in nonpartisan redistricting, and it’s an improvement over our current broken redistricting system. Voters should choose their elected leaders, not the other way around.” Virginia’s other United States Senator, Tim Kaine, who also served as Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Virginia supports Amendment #1 as does Congressman Don Beyer who was also Lieutenant Governor.

While there is opposition to the amendment by those who see a loss of partisan political power if the amendment passes, there is broad support among others including Common Cause, the Brennan Center for Justice, Princeton Gerrymandering Project, Campaign Legal Center, AARP Virginia, ACLU, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, and political scientists in Virginia’s colleges and universities. The editorial boards of the Washington Post and the Richmond Times Dispatch and all major newspapers in Virginia have endorsed it.

While there have been suggestions that a better amendment could be written, no one in the nearly four decades that I have worked on this issue has come forward with specific language that has the broad support of this one. I urge your vote for its passage. Send questions or comments to me at kenplum@aol.com.

10/27/2020 — Teens and Young Adults Can Enroll in Free E-Cigarette Quit Program. COVID-19 attacks the lungs and there is growing evidence that vaping can harm lung health overall. Read about the program.

10/27/2020 — Fairfax County Gives Businesses More Tools to Operate Through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Read the details.

10/27/2020 — Governor Northam Announces $65.8 Million to Increase Child Care Access, Help Providers. The new funding will increase access to child care and support child care providers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read the release.

10/27/2020 — Governor Northam Announces $22 Million for Virginia COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Funding will support statewide vaccination program when vaccine is approved. Read the details.

10/27/2020 — CDC Outlines Research on Reinfection of the Virus that Causes COVID-19. Read the information.

10/27/2020 — CDC Gives Guidance on When to Quarantine. Read the guidance.

Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday

Enroll or renew from November 1 to December 15. Starting November 1, you can log in to HealthCare.gov, fill out an application, compare plans and premiums, and enroll. Learn more at www.healthcare.gov

This crowd-sourced survey will run for a period of six weeks on several platforms. The survey is available to anyone who lives in Virginia and provides useful information about the activities and desires of outdoor recreation for all Virginians. Reports on this crowd-sourced survey will be included in the 2023 Virginia Outdoors Plan which is the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Complete the survey here.

Check locations and hours before you go. Registered voters can cast their ballot at any early voting site.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through November 1, 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Reston Farm Garden Market's Fall Festival. The festival days will be broken into five 90-minute ticketed sessions with a 30-minute period between each to allow for staff to clean and sanitize the area. Learn more and purchase tickets at Fall Festival.

Now through October 31, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Annual Pumpkin 5K and Movement Challenge! This is a unique, month-long celebration of good health and fitness that allows you to participate virtually with people from all over our community. Learn more at Pumpkin 5k & Movement Challenge.

Wednesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 29, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Virtual Construction Update Meetings for Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold two virtual construction update meetings this week to discuss recent construction progress and upcoming activities on the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. The online meetings will include a presentation and question-and-answer period with representatives from VDOT, I-66 Express Mobility Partners, and FAM Construction. Each night will cover a different portion of the project corridor. Find more information about the meetings by calling 703-662-3892.

Thursday, October 29, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Zoom information session for the Sorenson Institute's 2021 Political Leaders Program. Join Sorensen staff and PLP alumni at one of the Political Leaders Program info sessions to learn more about this standout leadership development program designed for residents of Virginia engaged in the political, civic, business, nonprofit, or governing life of their locality, region, or the Commonwealth. Register here. Applications due November 9.

Sunday, November 1, 8:00 p.m., Reston Community Players begins a special month-long concert series, RCP Gives Thanks, to show gratitude to the Reston community for its support this year. The virtual mini-concerts will feature some of RCP’s performers while generating donations for their organization in addition to other local non-profits in the Reston area. The fundraising campaign will take place via RCP’s Facebook page. 

Wednesday, November 4, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Zoom information session for the Sorenson Institute's 2021 Political Leaders Program. Join Sorensen staff and PLP alumni at one of the Political Leaders Program info sessions to learn more about this standout leadership development program designed for residents of Virginia engaged in the political, civic, business, nonprofit, or governing life of their locality, region, or the Commonwealth. Register here. Applications due November 9.

Saturday, November 7, noon to 4:00 p.m., Town of Vienna Shop and Stroll. Each month, designated shopping centers will host safe and socially distant seasonal activities and in-store promotions for all to enjoy. View or download a flyer.