AROUND THE REGION/AROUND THE NATION September 30, 2005 TOUR OF SOLAR HOMES GORDON BIERSCH OPENS AT TYSONS CORNER CENTER This year’s 15th Annual Tour of Solar Homes and Buildings will be held on October 1 and 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will feature 34 Washington metropolitan area homes. <strong>The</strong> tour is sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Virginia Solar Council, Maryland Energy Administration, Sierra Club, MD-DC- VA Solar Energy Industries Association, and the Potomac Regional Solar Energy Association. Homes on the tour are located in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia, and many are within easy <strong>Metro</strong>rail access. Nine of the homes are in Montgomery County. <strong>The</strong> featured homes showcase a wide range of innovative methods designed to reduce energy consumption and impact on the environment. A number of homeowners on the tour save up to 80 percent on their heating bills with solar and energy-efficient features such as photovoltaic panels, solar thermal hot water systems, energy efficient appliances, and “superinsulation.” Many of the homes also contain other environmentally-friendly features, including rain barrels, worm composting, and paints that are low in volatile organic compounds. To participate in the Solar Homes <strong>The</strong> NAACP mourns the passing of Senior U.S. District Judge Constance Baker Motley, a distinguished jurist and a member of the NAACP legal team that successfully argued the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, that legally ended public school segregation. Judge Motley died in a New York City hospital following a brief illness. She was 84-years-old. In 2003, Judge Motley was awarded the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s highest award, “for her contribution to the pursuit of equality for black Americans in the period 1945 to 1966.” <strong>The</strong> Spingarn citation also noted that she won nine of 10 cases she personally argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. NAACP President & CEO Bruce S. Gordon, said: “Judge Motley’s legal prowess helped pave the way for expanded freedoms from which we all Tour, pick up or download a free Tour Booklet, which will serve as the ticket. Booklets are available online at http:// solartour.org.. <strong>The</strong> booklets contain maps and descriptions of each home, as well as information about solar energy initiatives, assistance with system design and installation, and much more. For additional information, check the tour website, call 202-564- 1088 or email Garlow.Charlie@ epamail.epa.gov. County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and County Council President Tom Perez have designated October as Solar Awareness Month in Montgomery County. To celebrate, <strong>The</strong> GreenMan Show, which airs daily on County Cable Montgomery, is featuring a show on solar energy and the tour of solar homes from now until October 15. <strong>The</strong> County’s Department of Environmental Protection offers fact sheets and information about solar energy. In addition, DEP has applications for the Maryland Solar Grant program for those considering installation of a solar energy system for the home. This program offers tax credits and grants that could save a considerable amount on a solar installation. For more information, check the County’s website at www. montgomerycountymd.gov/dep or call DEP at 240-777-7770. 2003 SPINGARN MEDALIST JUDGE CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY DIES benefit today. As a successful civic and political leader she made a difference in the lives of New Yorkers.” Judge Motley was the first African American woman to win election to the New York state senate and in 1965 became the first woman President of the Borough of Manhattan. Julian Bond, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, said: “In a distinguished legal career, Judge Constance Baker Motley broke down barriers almost every day. She participated in the NAACP’s most important cases. Her legal brilliance illuminated many dark courtrooms where justice was denied and let its light shine in.” President Lyndon Johnson nominated Judge Motley to the Southern District Court of New York in 1966. She was the first woman appointed to the Southern District bench and the first African American woman appointed to the federal judiciary. She was named chief judge in 1982. Judge Motley received her senior judge status in 1986. From 1945 to 1965 Judge Motley served as a law clerk and an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. During that period, she also served as a member of the New York State Advisory Council on Employment Insurance and as a New York State Senator (1964-65). When responding to an ad, tell them you saw it in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Metro</strong> <strong>Herald</strong> Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant (Tysons Corner Center, 7861-L Chain Bridge Road) will offer guests an original restaurant alternative and serve as the only on-site brewing restaurant in the Tysons Corner area when it opens its doors on Friday, September 30, 2005. <strong>The</strong> relaxed and inviting atmosphere will make diners feel at home while they enjoy a wide range of flavorful dishes and specially brewed beers. Situated in the new expansion wing of Tysons Corner Center, this location marks the 17th Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in the country. <strong>The</strong> 8,800 square-foot restaurant boasts a seating capacity of 476 and features both an indoor dining room atrium and beer garden/bar patio. <strong>The</strong> spacious bar area will offer plenty of seating inside as well as in the beer garden and features 6, 42-inch plasma televisions. Joe Cominsky will serve as General Manager of the new Gordon Biersch. Cominsky brings over 20 years of restaurant experience to the table. <strong>The</strong> Dallas, PA, native has had stints as a Regional Director for Rock Bottom Restaurants and also as General Manager for Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill. “Having the only on-site brewery in the Tysons Corner area presents something unique and different to our customers,” said Cominsky. “We want them to come in and sample all of what Gordon Biersch has to offer, and that’s our own beer, outstanding food, and also a fun atmosphere.” <strong>The</strong> Gordon Biersch menu consists of appetizers and entrees influenced by a variety of cuisines including favorites such as Gordon Biersch signature Garlic Fries, Blackened Ahi Tuna, Gorgonzola Pear Salad, Flame Grilled New York Strip, Goat Cheese Ravioli, and Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry. All entrees are designed to complement their signature lager beers which have been recognized at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup Competition. <strong>The</strong> restaurant will offer five regular freshly brewed beers on tap and one seasonal option. Gordon Biersch will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Hours are Sunday thru Thursday, 11:30am to 11:00pm with the bar open until12:00am; Friday and Saturday, 11:30am to 12:00am and the bar is open until 2:00am. Reservations and private parties are accepted and encouraged. <strong>The</strong> Gordon Biersch brand offers an eclectic, sophisticated décor that distinguishes itself from other brewery restaurant concepts. At the core of the company’s philosophy is a passion to produce and deliver the highest-quality and freshest products. On-site brewing and fresh, made-from-scratch menu items illustrate the company’s dedication to this principle. Gordon Biersch restaurants promote a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, where attentive and friendly service complements the fresh food and beer. Since the first opening in Palo Alto in 1988, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group, Inc. has opened brewery restaurants in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee as well as two in the Washington, DC metro area with one location downtown DC and this most recently opening in Tysons Corner Center (McLean, VA). ROGER MINAMI APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF DOT’S OSDBU/MRC Last month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta announced the appointment of Roger Minami as Director of Office of the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Minami comes to DOT from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) where he served in that agency’s OSDBU, as well as its Foreign Agricultural Service, and Marketing and Regulatory Programs. In those positions, he helped small and disadvantaged businesses find opportunities in the food industry by nego- Roger Minami tiating with organizations such as the U.S. Food service and the National Minority Supplier Development Council. His efforts were recognized by the USDA with a Team Excellence Award in 2004. According to Secretary Mineta, it is this experience working with small, disadvantaged businesses, coupled with his commitment to their success, that makes Mr. Minami the ideal leader for DOT’s OSDBU. “Roger brings to DOT a strong recognition of the potential of small businesses to help us build a safer, more efficient and more reliable transportation system,” Secretary Mineta says. “I look forward to working with him as we continue our efforts to involve all segments of the business community in our programs.” Before working for the government, Minami helped create and produce Central Coast Seniors, a weekly news program for older adults living in Santa Barbara and nearby coastal communities in California. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor of arts degree in communications and comes from a family farming background himself. Minami’s appointment as OSDBU Director makes him the first Asian- American to hold such a position. 4 THE METRO HERALD
September 30, 2005 THE METRO HERALD 5
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