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Patrick O'Connor, CEO, recently announced that William B. Moffitt is one of three senior members of the firm elected to serve on Cozen O'Connor's executive committee. Based out of the firm's Washington, D.C., office, Moffitt concentrates his practice in complex criminal defense. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, and named one of the "Top Black Lawyers in the Country" by Black Enterprise Magazine, Moffitt has served as president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Virginia College of Criminal Defense Lawyers, as a fellow in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and faculty member for the National Criminal Defense College. He is a member of the International and Virginia Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Alexandria Bar Association. A regular lecturer throughout the country on a wide variety of criminal justice topics, he is also frequently an expert on race and the criminal justice system for the U.S. Senate and the United Nations, as well as the nation's leading media, from the Today Show to CNN.
A resident of Reston, Moffitt earned his undergraduate degree from University of Oklahoma (B.A., 1971) and his law degree from the Washington College of Law at American University (J.D., 1975). He is licensed to practice in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Reserve Lance Cpl. Ryan M. Bemish, son
of Deborah Sherman of Marietta, Ohio, and Nicholas Bemish of Reston, and a member of the reserve Marines of Company A, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, home-based in Charleston, W.Va., recently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bemish's unit's primary mission is to provide close combat engineer support to the 4th Marine Division, in the area of mobility, counter mobility, survivability and general engineering. Bemish is a 2001 graduate of Warren Local High School of Vincent, Ohio, and joined the Marine Corps Reserve in January 2002.
The Wayne M. Kidwell American Legion, Post 184 will be holding its annual Installation of new officers in a ceremony June 15, at the Herndon Moose Lodge, rear entrance, 779 Center St., Herndon. The ceremony will follow the monthly meeting beginning at 8 p.m. The public is invited to attend. A buffet will be served after the ceremony.
The newly elected offers are: commander, David Kirby; first vice commander, Doug Swisher; second vice commander, Bob Thompson; adjutant, John Rogosky; finance, Dan Gillespie; chaplain, Dmytro Andriuk; service officer, Dmytro Andriuk; sergeant at arms, Ron Sanders; historian, Bob Thompson; national security, Herb Nunnenkamp; Americanism, Herb Nunnenkamp; public relations, Doug Swisher.
The Fairfax Alcohol Safety Action Program and the Northern Virginia Mothers Against Drunk Driving presented their Fourteenth Annual Awards for Excellence in Community Service and Public Safety Friday, May 20, at 10 a.m. The ceremony was held at the Tysons Westpark Hotel. The awards ceremony recognizes the dedicated work of law enforcement personnel from the Northern Virginia area who have been diligent in their efforts to combat drinking and driving in the past year. Fairfax County police officers who made the highest number of DWI arrests during 2004 were honored. PFC Elizabeth Melendez of the Reston District Station, with 31 DWI arrests, was among those honored.
Ridge Loux, current president of the South Lakes PTSA, was honored at a surprise reception held to thank him for his many years of dedicated service to the school. Along with other gifts, Terry Jennings presented him with a lifetime pass to all South Lakes activities and a plaque naming a meeting room after him.
Reston magician Don Freedman was installed recently as president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians’ Ring 50, the National Capital Ring.
Freedman, 66, succeeds Glenn Gary of Sterling as president of the local chapter of the international organization of magicians and magic enthusiasts.
A magician with more than 30 years of experience, Freedman, who performs under the stage name Mr. Mysto, often uses magic to illustrate the principles of his graduate-level lectures. Freedman is a management consultant specializing in Defense Department acquisitions with the firm Welkin Associates based in Chantilly.
He also has performed at various professional symposiums and corporate development sessions where he ties his magic performance to the session theme and the presentations of the major speakers.
A native of the Boston area, Freedman became interested in magic more than three decades ago when his youngest son, Joel, was a member of Indian Guides. Another father in the group volunteered their children to produce a magic show and Freedman ended up learning and teaching magic tricks to the children ages 6 through 8, and emceeing the show. He remained interested in magic and began incorporating it into his teaching.
Other officers installed for the 2005-2006 term include Dwight Redman, vice president; Rucj Uffelman, treasurer; Bob Fay, membership secretary; Geoff Weber, sergeant at arms and James Munton and Wendy Seigelman as directors.
The new officers were sworn in at a candle-lighting ceremony conducted by International Brotherhood of Magicians Territorial vice president Jim Flanigan.
Ring 50 meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month except July, at the Holiday Inn, Alexandria, at I-95 and Telegraph Road, adjacent the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station. Visit www.ibmring50.org.
Daisy Girl Scout Troop No. 105 conducted a Sock Drive May 14-June 11 to collect socks for orphans in Russia. Each girl handed out flyers and plastic bags, donated by Giant, around their neighborhoods. The girls returned a few days later to pick up any bags that were left on the door. The socks were to be new, sized to fit ages 3 to 18, white or colorful, striped, patterned or plain. Their goal was to collect 500 pairs of socks. On Saturday, June 11, the girls had a pizza party to celebrate and count the number of socks received. They collected 1,038 pairs of socks. The socks will be distributed by Children’s HopeChest, care of Clubhouse Jr. Magazine. Children’s HopeChest works with 40 orphanages in Russia. There are more than 842,000 Russian orphans.
“Horsing Around Loudoun” jury members chose 32 artists from numerous submitted entries. Artist’s designs range from the literal to the whimsical, with name such as “Irises,” “Equus Cumulus,” “Horsefly” and “Horse and Bogey.” The jury evaluated the submissions on artistic excellence, creativity, originality, variety and weather resistance.
Local winning artists include Miles Carter of Reston and Rachel Garcia-Palmer of Reston.
“Horsing Around Loudoun” is a countywide, outdoor arts project spearheaded by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Loudoun and its long-standing equine tradition. Local artists will transform 32, life-size equine fiberglass sculptures into unique works of art. Sculptures will be placed at public locations around the county in late July and remain on display for about three months. Businesses interested in sponsoring a horse can visit http://www.horsingaroundloudoun.org or call the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce at 703-777-2176.