happy father's day 2008 - The Metro Herald

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COMMUNITY NEWS June 13, 2008 ALEXANDRIA JUNE GENEALOGY PROGRAM On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, the Mount Vernon Genealogical Society (MVGS) will meet in room 112 of the Hollin Hall Senior Center in Alexandria, Virginia. The meeting will start at 1:00p.m. and is free and open to the public. The meeting will feature a presentation entitled “Digital Reference, Digital Resources and Digital Maps at the Library of Congress.” The program will be presented by Ed Redmond. As Geography and Map Reference Specialist, Ed Redmond provides library members, Congressional staff, national and international scholars, other federal agencies, and the general public with access to the Library of Congress’ cartographic collections. He has held this position for 19 years. Previously, Ed has served as a map librarian and a social studies and history teacher at the primary, secondary and university levels. He has served as President of the Washington Map Society and is a member of the Association of American Geographers. The discussion will focus on family history resources available on various Library of Congress web sites with specific focus on the Library’s cartographic collections www.loc.gov/rr/ geogmap. The Hollin Hall Senior Center is located 4 miles south of Alexandria just off Fort Hunt Road at 1500 Shenandoah Road in Alexandria, Virginia. MVGS is a nonprofit organization and has over 260 members residing in Alexandria, Fort Belvoir, the counties of Fairfax, Prince William, Montgomery, and Prince Georges, as well as several states. Additional information about the meeting and MVGS can be found at www.MVGenealogy.org/. Any questions about the program should be directed to Harold McClendon at 703- 360-0920 or haroldm@erols.com. ALEXANDRIA’S FIRST HALF OF 2008 REAL ESTATE TAX DUE MONDAY, JUNE 16 The City of Alexandria reminds property owners that payment of the first half of their 2008 Real Estate Tax and Refuse Fee is due BLACK FACT On June 13, 1937, Eleanor Holmes (later Eleanor Norton) is born in Washington, DC. A graduate of the Yale University School of Law, Norton will become chairperson of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and a Georgetown University law professor before being elected a non-voting delegate to Congress representing the District of Columia. Monday, June 16. To avoid late payment penalty and interest charges, payment must be received by the City or postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than June 16. Real estate tax bills were mailed on Tuesday, May 13. Property owners who have not received a tax bill in the mail and do not have their real estate tax paid by a mortgage company should call the City’s Treasury Division at 703-838-4777 or e-mail payments@alexandriava.gov to request a duplicate bill. Failure to receive a tax bill in the mail is not grounds for waiving the late payment penalty and interest or extending the June 16 due date. The Finance Department urges Alexandria property owners to avoid waiting in line at City Hall by using one of the following convenient payment options: Pay by eCheck online at alexandriava.gov/payments to have the payment deducted from a specified checking or savings account. There is no additional fee for using this service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pay by automatic bank debit. Real estate tax payments can be automatically deducted from a specified checking or savings account in monthly installments, or in two equal installments on each of the semi-annual tax due dates. There is no fee for using this service. However, registration is required at least 14 days before the desired debits are to take effect. Failure to enroll for the lump sum payment option by June 1 may result in a late payment if the tax is not paid by Monday, June 16. For more information, call 703-838-4777 or visit alexandriava. gov/payments . Pay by credit card (Visa, Master- Card, American Express, or Discover) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at alexandriava.gov/payments or by calling 1-800-272-9829. Official Payments Corporation will assess a convenience fee for using this service. You will need to reference the City’s jurisdiction code 1007. Pay by mail using the envelope enclosed with the bill or mail the payment to Treasurer’s Office, P.O. Box 34750, Alexandria, VA 22334-0750. Checks should be made payable to “City of Alexandria.” A drop box located on the Royal Street side of City Hall is also available 24 hours a day. Pay at any SunTrust Bank branch located in the City of Alexandria by 5p.m. on Monday, June 16. SunTrust Bank will only accept payment of the total amount printed on the real estate tax bill. There is no fee for this service. Tax bills can still be paid in person at the Treasury Division, City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 1510. Office hours are 8a.m. to 5p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 14. Tax bills may be paid in person by cash, check, or Discover Card. Discover will assess a fee for using this service. You may also pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover online at City Hall, Room 1700, during normal office hours. Official Payments Corporation will assess a fee for using this service. You may utilize the City’s real estate tax history search and pay at alexandriava.gov/finance. This program allows you to verify current and prior year real estate taxes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, the program provides property owners with the option to pay their real estate taxes online by eCheck or credit card. For information on real estate assessments, appeals or to update a mailing address, please call Real Estate Assessments at 703-838-4646 or email realestate@alexandriava.gov. For information on real estate tax and refuse fee payments, late payment penalty and interest, or to request a tax bill, please call the Treasury Division at 703-838-4777 or email payments@ alexandriava.gov. Si usted requiere asistencia en Español, por favor llamar al 703-519- 6506, extension 583. FAIRFAX COUNTY FAIRFAX COUNTY SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FEES TO INCREASE On July 1, the disposal fee most private trash collection companies pay to dispose of trash at one of the Fairfax County disposal facilities will increase $5.05 per ton. This increase will offset operational cost increases and the elimination of General Fund support for some elements of the county’s Solid Waste Management Program. The average household in Fairfax County generates approximately 2 tons of trash each year. As a result of the increased charges at disposal facilities, the average household can expect its solid waste collection fees to increase by about $1 a month. Most households will see this increase passed on to them either by their trash collection service or through their homeowners associations. The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program does not regulate solid waste collection fees charged to residents or businesses. While trash collection companies may have other legitimate reasons for increasing their disposal fees, only about $1 a month is attributable to the change in the county’s disposal fees. Residents who contract with private solid waste collection companies should contact their collection service to discuss any concerns over disposal fee increases. For more information about Fairfax County’s Solid Waste Management Program, contact Pamela Gratton at 703-324-5498, TTY 711, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/recycling. RENTERS FACING FORECLOSURE SHOULD KNOW THEIR RIGHTS Fairfax County officials want renters to know their rights if the property where they are living is being foreclosed. To learn more, renters should contact Fairfax County’s Consumer Affairs Branch to find out their options or get help negotiating with landlords. Call 703-222-8435, TTY 711, or get help in person at 12000 Government Parkway, Suite 433, Fairfax, between 8a.m. and 4:30p.m. While a property is going through foreclosure, landlords and tenants must follow the terms set forth in the lease. Once a foreclosure is final, the lease is terminated. Lenders or new property owners are not bound by the lease with the original landlord. If they must move out before the end of their lease, renters may be able to sue their landlords for breach of contract. However, the best advice for renters is to take action as soon as they learn their landlord is facing foreclosure. They may ask to end their lease early without penalty, as well as work out an agreeable date to move out. There are other important facts for renters to know: • Tenants should continue to pay rent until a foreclosure is final. Otherwise, a landlord can go to court to evict a tenant for failure to pay rent. Any court action, even if not carried out, can make it difficult to rent another property. • Tenants might learn for the first time that property has been foreclosed after being contacted by a lender or new owner. In this case, tenants should talk directly to the lender or new owner about an agreeable date to move out. • Lenders or new property owners can’t remove tenants or their belongings without a court order. • Tenants do not have a legal right to continue living in a property that has been foreclosed. • Tenants are entitled to the return of their security deposit based on the terms of the lease after a foreclosure is final. For more information, contact the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch at 703-222-8435, TTY 711. MONTGOMERY COUNTY UPCOUNTY REGIONAL SERVICES CENTER TO HOST FORECLOSURE SOLUTIONS WORKSHOP Montgomery County’s Upcounty Regional Services Center and the County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs are hosting a Home ownership and Foreclosure Solutions Workshop on Saturday, June 21 from 10a.m. to 3p.m., at the Upcounty Regional Services Center located at 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown. The free workshop is open to the public and will include a panel discussion with federal, State and local experts and housing leaders; a presentation on what to do when faced with a home foreclosure; housing resources/ information booths; one-on-one housing counseling and legal consultations; and networking opportunities with housing professionals and service providers. Individuals interested in the free legal and housing counseling must pre-register by calling 240-777-8045. The workshop will provide valuable information to anyone facing foreclosure or anyone interested in learning about buying their first home. For more information, call the Upcounty Regional Services Center at 240-777-8000. ALS MEETING On Saturday June 7 the ALS Caregiver Resource Support Group will meet from 1 to 3pm at The ALS Association, Administrative office, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville. This support group for all caregivers of ALS patients and interested friends is sponsored by the ALS Association. For more information on this free event, call 301-978-9855 or visit www.ALSinfo.org. (ALS is also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.) 2008 MONTGOMERY COUNTY FARMERS MARKETS READY FOR BUSINESS The 2008 Montgomery County Farmers Markets season officially runs from June through October, but several of the county’s 13 markets are already open, and will stay open later through the fall. Each market offers a wide range of farm fresh fruits, vegetables, bedding plants, baked goods, herbs and more. Farmers markets are located throughout the county in Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Rockville, Wheaton, Kensington and Takoma Park. Two new markets include the Olney Farmers Market, which celebrates its first full-season this year and the Clarksburg Farmers Market, in the heart of the Clarksburg Town Center. “Farmers markets provide a very important source of income for local farmers, while at the same time providing a relaxed community gathering place where residents can catch up with each other as they purchase farm fresh local products,” said Jeremy Criss, manager, Agricultural Services Division, Department of Economic Development. “Customers really enjoy having the opportunity to ask farmers how their products are grown and get first-hand advice on the best ways to prepare them.” For a complete listing of market locations, days and hours of operation, and variety of produce and other goods available, go to www. montgomerycountymd.gov/ farmersmarkets. SPRINGFIELD, VA GREATER SPRINGFIELD CHAMBER UNVEILS COMMUNITY FLAG The newly designed Greater Springfield community flag will be raised for the first time on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 10:00AM at the Springfield American Legion. The flag raising ceremony will be performed by members of Boy Scout Troop #881 under the direction of Mr. Bill Swarm. The American Legion is located at 6520 Amherst Avenue. The public is invited to attend. The flag was designed by Matthew Tiemann in conjunction with The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s 50th anniversary celebration as the Chamber moves into its second half century of community service. Matthew, son of Michael and Cindy Tiemann, of Burke, Va., attended Braddock Secondary School and received a $1,000 scholarship for his winning design. The design contest was open to all school students, elementary through high school, residing or attending school in the Greater Springfield area. Over eighty (80) students submitted entries in the flag initiative competition. Elements of the flag include the white graphic encircling a blue field framed in green. The center white outline reflects the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, the official Virginia Commonwealth symbol, as well as reflecting the Springfield crossroads and interchange of 3 major highways. The blue field represents Greater Springfield’s 80 square mile sphere of influence. Flag colors are blue for fidelity, green for suburban landscape and white for purity. Flags are available at the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, 6434 Brandon Avenue, Suite 3-A. For more information call 703-866-3500. 10 THE METRO HERALD
EDUCATION June 13, 2008 PITNEY BOWES AND WNBA TEAM UP ON NATIONAL LITERACY PROGRAM Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI), the world’s leading mailstream technology company, and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) are coming together to raise awareness and funding for literacy across the United States. Six WNBA teams will participate in the season-long initiative to engage fans while raising funds for local, community-based literacy programs. Pitney Bowes’s participation with the WNBA will help build or renovate a Reading and Learning Center at the end of the season in the community of the team that raises the most funds for literacy. The Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics are the six participating WNBA teams in the national literacy program. Each team will kick-off a local literacy program when the WNBA season starts in May. Fundraising efforts will include a donation supporting literacy when fans purchase special tickets, as well as additional activities. Fans who participate in the program will be seated in a special section at designated homegames and kids will also have opportunities to participate in reading sessions with WNBA players at “Reading Time Out” events. Pitney Bowes will also support the WNBA’s Read to Achieve events throughout the season with the six participating teams. Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative that promotes the value of reading and online literacy and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children. To introduce the national literacy program, Pitney Bowes and the WNBA are holding a Youth Reading Rally in Tampa, Florida today with young students from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa. Participants will include a WNBA legend and current players, local dignitaries, and WNBA and Pitney Bowes executives. The event will be held at a local Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) location. “Reading is the foundation upon which all other learning is based and having this foundation can help prepare children with the skills necessary to succeed in school and outside of school,” said Juanita James, Chief Communications Officer, Pitney Bowes. “We are delighted to work with the WNBA, its local teams and RIF to help educate youth around the country on the importance of reading and literacy.” “The WNBA is pleased to work with Pitney Bowes as we align our commitment to improving the lives of our youth,” said WNBA President Donna Orender. “Through this new literacy program, our young fans will have a great opportunity to interact with their favorite WNBA stars and at the same time, learn about the importance of education and reading.” For additional information on the Pitney Bowes and WNBA literacy program, visit: www.readingisyourticket. com. For more information on the WNBA visit www.wnba.com. GAR-FIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SELECTED TO ATTEND CONGRESSIONAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Eduardo Vazquez, a sophomore at Gar-Field High School, has been selected to attend the 2008 Congressional Student Leadership Conference (CSLC) on Defense & Military Strategy, sponsored by LeadAmerica. The CSLC is a collegeaccredited invitational leadership program for academically talented and promising young leaders from across the United States and internationally. Eduardo will join other high school students with exceptional records of academic achievement and extracurricular or community involvement who are invited to participate. The CSLC on Defense & Military Strategy is a 10-day leadership program in which students learn to plan and execute strategic military operations. In a hands-on learning environment, Eduardo and fellow students will put their tactical skills into action in a paintball simulation in which they will hone their teamwork and personal leadership skills. The CSLC on Defense & Military Strategy is held at the Military College of Georgia at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, GA. The conference includes military and confidence-building exercises and briefings and discussions with military leaders, strategists and veterans. “Leadership can make important differences in the lives of teenagers - in their academic and personal performance, in their acceptance to the college of their choice, and in their level of focus, passion and purpose,” says Chris M. Salamone, Esq., Founder and Executive Director of LeadAmerica. “It is the key to what they do with their lives and how well they do it. In today’s world, it is imperative that we nurture leadership potential from a very young age.” “Since 1989 I have had the privilege of seeing more than 60,000 exceptional students from over 51 countries learn first-hand about leadership and explore its role in a variety of educational disciplines. It’s my sincere hope that LeadAmerica will give young leaders the skills to help them along the road toward a successful and rewarding life of leadership,” says Salamone. LeadAmerica is the nation’s premier youth leadership organization. With a commitment to providing quality leadership education, LeadAmerica empowers teenage leaders and instills in them ethical and principled leadership values, attitudes and skills. Each of its high school conferences is college-accredited and its programs are approved activities of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. LeadAmerica sponsors the Congressional Student Leadership Conference for high school students, the National Junior Leaders Conference for middle and junior high school students, Ambassadors Abroad international study programs in China, Australia and Europe, and Washington Summer Scholars, a college-level academic program held in partnership with American University. Further information on LeadAmerica and the CSLC can be found at www.lead-america.org or by calling 866-FYI.LEAD (394-5323). DDOT SCHOOL TRANSIT SUBSIDY PROGRAM INFORMATION The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) would like to remind DC residents of the following with regard to the School Transit Subsidy Program. District law mandates that in order for students to receive discounted travel on Metrobus and Metrorail they must meet all of the following three qualifications: • Be under 19 years of age with the exception of student with disabilities who are eligible until 22 years of age. • Be a resident of the District of Columbia. • Be enrolled in an elementary or secondary public, charter, private or parochial school that is located in the District of Columbia. All students and/or parents must obtain a Student Travel Application from their school before coming to DDOT. (Travel Card Applications are no longer given at DDOT’s School Transit Subsidy Office.) Have your Student Travel Application signed, dated and stamped by your school principal before you arrive at DDOT, Mass Transit Administration. Bring all completed applications to the following address for processing: DDOT, Mass Transit Administration; 2217 14th Street NW; 2nd Floor (Near the intersection of U Street and Florida Avenue NW); 202-673-1740; Monday–Friday 8:15am–4:45pm; Wednesdays 8:15am–7:00pm (June-July) Students who are working Summer Jobs are not qualified to use the School Transit Subsidy Program during the summer months. If you meet the above criteria, follow the steps above and bring your signed, dated and stamped application to DDOT’s School Transit Subsidy Office. If you have questions or concerns please contact Ms. Nancy Green- Johnson at 202-673-1742. JOIN THE ADVENTURE AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR HOME Hosting a high school exchange student is like bringing the world to your doorstep. Foundation for Intercultural Travel (FIT), a State Department designated exchange visitor program is currently matching international students, ages 15 to 18 with host families in this area. Families of all “types” are eligible to host, retired couples to single parent families. Not only two parent families have enjoyed hosting an international son or daughter. Students arrive approximately one week before your school’s start date, and bring their own spending money for clothes, entertainment and other expenses. They have their own medical insurance. Most importantly, they bring a sincere desire to become part of your family. Host families agree to include their student as a family member. We have one semester, as well as full academic year students. All students speak English and will be arriving from Germany, Brazil, Denmark, Spain and various other countries! For more information about hosting a student, or joining our team of local area representatives, without any obligation, please call Foundation for Intercultural travel- Maryann at 1-877-439-7862. THE METRO HERALD 11
Page 1 and 2: VOLUME XVII, NUMBER 24 IN THIS ISSU
Page 3 and 4: AFRICA UPDATE June 13, 2008 ATTACK
Page 5 and 6: AROUND THE REGION June 13, 2008 MET
Page 7 and 8: AROUND THE NATION June 13, 2008 INS
Page 9: HEALTH & WELLNESS June 13, 2008 PHY
Page 13 and 14: FATHER’S DAY 2008 June 13, 2008 A
Page 15 and 16: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT June 13, 2008
Page 17 and 18: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT June 13, 2008
Page 19 and 20: SPORTS & RECREATION June 13, 2008 O
Page 21 and 22: CLASSIFIED ADS/BIDS & PROPOSALS Jun
Page 23: June 13, 2008 24 THE METRO HERALD

happy father's day 2008 - The Metro Herald

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