April 17 – 24, 2008
Supervisor Gross Signs International Environmental Pact
Representing Northern Virginia, Mason District Supervisor Penelope Gross added her signature to a “Declaration of Cooperation” on climate change and energy conservation issues with representatives of U.S. and European metropolitan regions. The declaration emanated from the first-ever U.S.-European Conference of Metropolitan Regional Councils held in Alexandria, Va., last week. Gross signed on behalf of the Northern Virginia Regional Council. Representatives of more than 20 U.S. and European regional councils participated, including those from Scotland, Germany, France, Finland, England, Turkey and the Netherlands, and from the U.S., Washington, D.C., California, Kentucky, Texas, New York, Missouri, Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
F.C. Dem Committee Cancels Delegate Election
Only eight City of Falls Church residents submitted applications as committed and pledged delegates to the Democratic Party’s 8th District and state conventions this week, one less than the number of slots allotted the City as a result of the Democratic Presidential Primary in February. Therefore, an advertised election to select delegates and alternates for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton this Saturday has been cancelled, according to the Falls Church City Democratic Committee Chair Betty Coll. Four delegates pledged to Obama and two pledged to Clinton were certified, along with two alternates for Obama. Jeffrey T. Person, Cathy Kaye, Robin Gardner and Michael Gardner are delegates for Obama, with Jeanne Moore Duross and Thomas Clinton as alternates. Betty Coll and Christine Ryall are delegates for Clinton.
Pennington’s MDA Benefit Raises Over $20,000
Northern Virginia-based men’s figure skating phenom Parker Pennington organized and pulled off a highly-successful figure skating exhibition, a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Connecticut last Saturday, raising over $20,000 for the cause. A stellar cast of top drawer skating competitors from six states traveled to perform in addition to Pennington, who has been sixth in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. They included from Northern Virginia, Tommy Steenberg, who in January qualified for the World Junior Championships, and Marci Andress, a junior level skater from the Flint Hill school. Pennington organized the event in honor of his dad, who has staunchly supported his son’s skating career since he was three despite his own fight with muscular dystrophy. Pennington has also been involved for four years with the Skate for Hope annual charity event.
N. Va. AIDS Ministry Benefit Gala Set for April 26
“Party with a purpose” is how the Falls Church-based Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM) opens its press release about its annual benefit gala on Saturday, April 26, at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria. The event is the largest AIDS fundraiser in Northern Virginia. Last year, $171,000 was raised, constituting 10% of NOVAM’s annual income. The evening begins with private dinner parties in individual homes throughout the region, and the guests then migrate to the Torpedo Factory for desserts, cocktails, live entertainment featuring the D.C. Cowboys and an auction. For more information on attending or hosting a party, call (703) 237-1527.
Providence Players Complete 10th Season With “Steel Magnolias”
The Falls Church area’s acclaimed Providence Players will complete their 10th anniversary season with the comedy “Steel Magnolias,” beginning May 2 with a run at the new 224-seat James Lee Community Center theater on Annandale Rd. between Rt. 29 and Rt. 50. Eight performances will be held between May 2 and 17. A member and grant recipient of the Arts Council of Fairfax County, the non-profit troupe is the resident company at the county’s new venue. The Providence Players earlier this season performed “Saturday Sunday and Monday,” and Ken Ludwig’s “Moon Over Buffalo.”
Tina Thronson directs the new production with a cast including Liz Smith, Beth Hughes-Brown, Joyce Montgomery, Beth Whitehead, Amy Baska and Courtney Fontaine.
