Brazile Speaks at Women’s Conference Saturday
The 17th annual Women’s Issues Conference hosted by Rep. Jim Moran will take place in Arlington this Saturday, Sept. 13, featuring high-profile news commentator, author and professor Donna Brazile.
A total of nine seminars on an array of subjects, five beginning at 11 a.m. and four at 1 p.m. will be held. Free and open to the public, the event will offer a pizza lunch, and will again be held at the Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Rd. Participants are urged to register on Moran’s website at www.moran.house.gov.
Warner Endorsed by U.S. Chamber, Virginia FOP
Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate this November, earned the endorsements of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) this week. The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses. “The Chamber believes that as Senator, Warner will be an effective legislator and supporter of businesses of every size, if elected,” said Chamber senior vice president Bill Miller. The Virginia FOP endorsement came out of Richmond, citing Warner’s “consistent efforts to support law enforcement and protect public safety during challenging fiscal times.” Warner is running against former governor Jim Gilmore, the GOP candidate, seeking to fill the seat of the retiring Sen. John Warner.
2 F.C. Elected Officials Nominated for “Heroine” Award
City of Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner and School Board member Susan Kearney are among 11 finalists for the eighth annual 2008 Heroines in Technology Awards that will be announced Nov. 14 by the Women in Technology and March of Dimes organizations. In their “day jobs,” Gardner is a strategic account manager for GTSI, and Kearney is an executive vice-president at the Falls Church-based Smith Gifford marketing company. The awards recognize women and women-run businesses for their exemplary commitment to community service. The winners will be announced at a black-tie gala on Nov. 14 in Reston.
Choralis’ Chamber Ensemble Concert in F.C. Sept. 13
The Falls Church-based Choralis choral arts and education organization opens its new season this Saturday, Sept. 13, with a chamber ensemble, Echos, concert at the Falls Church Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. Under Art Director Gretchen Kuhrmann, the concert will feature works by a variety of 20th and 21st century composers, including by Washington, D.C., composers Gary Davison and Deidre Robinson, who will be on hand to meet the public at a post-concert reception. Tickets cost $35 or $25, $5 for students under 22, and free to ages 12 and under.
Fairfax Co. Launches Absentee Voter Initiative
Fairfax County announced this week a “Voters on the Move” initiative to educate voters about options to cast absentee ballots in the Nov. 4 general election. Voters who will be commuting and working for more than 11 hours on Election Day, in the hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., may qualify to vote by absentee ballot, it was noted. The county’s Office of Elections will offer in-person absentee voting at the county’s Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, beginning Friday, Sept. 19 through Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and also at seven satellite locations around the county beginning Oct. 15. Information on who is eligible to vote on an absentee ballot is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb/absentee.htm.
Webb Honored With Military Coalition Award
Virginia Senator Jim Webb, a long-time resident of the Lake Barcroft section of Falls Church, was honored Tuesday with the Military Coalition’s Award of Merit for his leadership in successfully steering his Post-9/11 GI Bill into law. The consortium of 35 military and veterans groups presents this top honor to individuals who have championed the causes of pay and benefit improvements for military veterans. Webb introduced the bill his first day in office, Jan. 3, 2007, and navigated its passage and signage into law on June 30, 2008.