Above and Beyond
Four honored for volunteer service.
Volunteer Alexandria presented the 19th annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria Awards Oct. 25 in a tribute honoring the exceptional volunteer service of four individuals.
Oakton Women’s Club Supports Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna
Each year the Oakton Women’s Club hosts their fashion show in Oakton to raise money to support the local community. The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) was the recipient of the net proceeds for the 2013 fashion show and received a generous $1,000 donation. Pictured (from left) Jayne Young, office administrator of SCOV, and Linda Byrne, president of the Board Oakton Women’s Club. Centered is a photo of Jeanne Robertson, the headliner for SCOV’s annual fundraiser. Their event is already sold out with 1,000 attendees expected at the Oct. 27 event in Vienna. Founded in 1997, SCOV is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for adults (50-plus) to seek rewarding lives and to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. In 2012 SCOV provided services and programs to more than 3,000 older adults in the Oakton, Vienna, Dunn Loring, Merrifield and portions of Reston and Fairfax areas. In 2012 it was voted the Best Nonprofit of the Year (2012) by the Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce. In September, 2013 SCOV was selected the Charity of the Month by WTOP 103.5FM Radio.
Stunned by the ‘War’ Theme
To the Editor: The false slogan of “war on women”—trumpeted throughout the 2012 election—is being dusted off to slander a candidate who, unlike his opponents, has spent a verifiable lifetime of helping Virginia’s women.
Girl Scout Earns the Gold Award
Girl Scouts, known for selling cookies, do more than that. The Girl Scout Award is the highest honor earned annually by fewer than 3,000 Girl Scouts in the entire U.S. who have demonstrated superior leadership, organization and a higher commitment to community service. Gold Award projects cover a range of issues from anti-bullying campaigns to tutoring to promoting healthy behaviors.
Vienna Girls Recognized for Community Service
Girl Scouts Alison (Aly) Luckett and Taylor Lane of Vienna have earned their respective Silver Trefoil Awards. That award, which is unique to the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, recognizes commendable community service. Specifically, Aly and Taylor each completed over 100 hours of service in a variety of categories, including Girl Scout community service hours, national service hours (including volunteering with federal, state and local government entities) and global service hours.
Farmers Market Closes With a ‘Thank You’
Bulbs planted at Faith Baptist Church in appreciation of the church’s support.
The Vienna Farmers Market closed its 2013 season with assistance from the Ayr Hill Garden Club and children visiting the market on Saturday, Oct. 26. To thank Faith Baptist Church for its partnership and use of church grounds, market master Sarah Jane Brady teamed up with the garden club to plant spring bulbs in a little garden out back.
Letter: Misleading Implications
I write in my personal capacity only. I was surprised and disappointed by the Gazette Packet's front-page story [“Conflict of Interest,” Oct. 24] concerning the city's internal and external legal counsel. It was replete with inaccuracies.
Week in McLean
Knights of the Round Table Support SHARE The Northern Virginia Knights of the Round Table (NOVA) presented the 2013 Excalibur Service Award of $750 to SHARE, Inc., McLean. SHARE, a local nonprofit community group also recently received a total of $1,600 from NOVA to assist them in providing food and emergency assistance to community residents in need. The NOVA Round Table is a non-political and non-sectarian community service group celebrating 60 years of service this year. They have partnered with a number of service groups working with persons with disabilities and other needy persons. It is a chapter of The Loyal Knights of the Round Table International. Community minded citizens are welcome to attend weekly luncheons sponsored by the group in Falls Church. Those interested in their activities and speakers program can contact: John Theon, President at 703-356-1435 or jtheon@starpower.net
Comstock Wants Accountability
Delegate Comstock laid out a clear plan for ethics reforms at the McLean Citizen’s Association debate. Delegate Comstock pointed out that currently there are no substantial punishments or penalties for breaking an ethics law. In order to change the behavior of certain politicians, on both sides of the aisle, laws need to be in place to hold candidates that misuse campaign money accountable with financial or personal penalties.
Elections Matter if We Mean Business
As campaigns across Virginia make their final push to engage voters, disaffection about the election is capturing headlines and salting conversations from kitchen tables to online chats. According to news reports, many voters, especially younger voters, have tuned out or turned off the whole statewide campaign scene claiming fatigue from 2012, disgust with the negative advertising or cynicism about whether any of it really matters to them. Considering that state decisions affect so many aspects of our lives, the reaction is alarming.
Colors of Democracy
Something seems different. Actually, 59,629 things seem unusual. Why such a specific number? It is the almost exact number of registered voters in Virginia’s 34th House of Delegates district (the same district that Great Falls is a part of). And what is so precisely different about these voters? Their shifting political tendencies.
Cooper Journalists Meet Sports Columnist
On Friday, Oct. 18, Cooper journalists met with award-winning USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan. She talked to the journalists about the path that lead her to becoming a ground-breaking female sports writer. She shared her thoughts on various sports scandals, her opinion on Washington’s football team name, and her anticipations for the upcoming Winter Olympics, which she will be covering.
Two Art Talks Scheduled at Great Falls Library in November
The public is cordially invited to attend two special evenings at the Great Falls Library on Thursdays, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Great Falls Azzurri Blue U-10 Wins Columbus Day Tournament
The Great Falls U-10 Azzurri soccer club won their division at the Richmond Strikers annual Columbus Day Tournament in Richmond Monday, Oct. 14. The Great Falls Azzurri Blue won the top "Nina" division and finals by amassing 27 goals over a four game stretch and beating a tough St. Marys Maryland-based team 5-1 in the tournament finals. Members of the Azzurri Blue are: Ethan Addington, Kian Ambrose, Dorian Cushing, Ryan Duenkel, JackEllinger, Annabeth Holsinger, Spencer Paulsen, Evan Preta, Jeffrey Stark and Jake Sachtleben.
Great Falls Senior Center to Host Holiday Potluck
The Great Falls Senior Center (GFSC) is hoping to repeat the success of last year when it holds its second holiday potluck celebration for area seniors. The center is wrapping up its program year with this social occasion. Once again, the theme is “Celebrating and Sharing This Wonderful Season.”
Prudent Governance
Over the past year a majority of the current City Council has, through public conversation and legislative action, given the distinct impression that contributions to affordable housing preservation and creation are the highest priority of this local government. The Alexandria City Council has effectively placed affordable housing above schools, public safety, human services, transportation, sewer infrastructure, and the myriad of essential services of our city.
A Test of Leadership
I attended a debate On Tuesday, Oct. 22, between Barbara Comstock and Kathleen Murphy, candidates for State Delegate for the 34th District. After all the nasty flyers I've been receiving, it was good to hear the candidates respond to each other face to face and debunk some false claims. But more striking than the answers was the conduct of the audience. Most of the hundreds of attendees were polite and respectful. But five or six Murphy supporters were scattered throughout the audience hissing, jeering and laughing every time Ms. Comstock spoke. Although Kathleen Murphy refused to ask her own supporters to behave, Ms. Comstock, the moderator, the host and the ushers eventually were able to silence them.
Langley Wins ‘Cosby Cheer for the Cure’
The Langley cheerleading junior varsity team won first place at the “Cosby Cheer for the Cure” invitational in Richmond, held Saturday, Sept. 28 to benefit breast cancer. The team was also led to place second out of 10 teams by coaches Greg O'Brien and Nina Palazzolo at the 6th annual Spirit Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Stone Bridge High School.
Letter: Elections Have Consequences
Elections Have Consequences
I write in reaction to an article published in the Alexandria Gazette October 24 edition title “Conflict of Interest?” by writer Michael Lee Pope. The article discusses the hiring of the McGuire Woods law firm by the City of Alexandria to provide legal services in connection with the waterfront development.
Letter: Beyond Conflict Of Interest
Beyond Conflict Of Interest
When the Virginia journalism awards come out, I hope Michael Pope’s exposé of city hall using the same law firm as the waterfront developers gets an award for investigative reporting. Michael’s feature [“Conflict of Interest,” Oct. 24] is on par for the local level with what major dailies do on a national scale.