Carlos Justiniano was awarded the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute scholarship. The scholarship provides an opportunity for young people to pursue an educational curriculum in law enforcement or criminal justice. Justiniano graduated from Bishop J. O'Connell High School and plans to attend Marymount University where he plans to study criminal justice.
Arlington Rotary Club is adopting the Inova Blood Donor Services blood drive held at Arlington Central Library eight times per year. The Rotarians will not only manage this particular event, but they will also recruit donors from the community and from within the club itself. Those who are at least 17 years of age, in good general health, weigh at least 110 pounds and have a photo ID may be eligible to donate blood. Routine medications are generally acceptable. Christina Spencer, Arlington recruiter for Inova blood donor services, worked with the Rotary Club to kick start their involvement. The next two blood drives will be Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 2:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the Arlington Central Library. Visit www.arlingtonrotaryclub.org for a complete schedule. Appointments are taken at 1-866-256-6372.
Capitol City Brewing Company in Shirlington hosted a fund-raising event on Sept. 20 for the American Red Cross, Arlington County Chapter. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the event went to support the programs and services of the chapter. This was the second Restaurant Night in the 2005-06 Arlington Restaurant Night season. The full schedule is available at www.arlingtonredcross.org.
FOLLOWING OPENING CEREMONIES at the 23rd annual Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, Saturday, Sept. 17 at Falls Church High School, over 50 Arlingtonians competed in track and field events.
Gold medals were awarded (in age groups) to Gary Blessington, men’s 50 and 100 meter dash; Mary White, women’s 50 meter dash; Charlotte Perdue, women’s 50 and 100 meter dash, running long jump and discus throw; Curran Tiffany, men’s 100, 200 and 400 meter run; Alease Brooks, women’s 800 meter walk and 50 meter dash; and Charles Toftoy, men’s standing and running long jump.
The Tennis competition in the 2005 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, brought gold medals to senior (50 and older) Arlingtonians in mixed doubles, Dennis and Betty Sheffield, Marty Lythgoe and Jose DeJesus, Lin Kolb and Donald Tomb; singles (men) Donald Tomb and Bill McCarthy, (women) Sun Yang. In the swimming events, gold medals were awarded to Mary Schade, backstroke; Herb Levitan, Curran Tiffany, breaststroke; freestyle, Mary Schade, Herb Levitan, Charles Toftoy; ½ mile swim, Mary Schade and Herb Levitan.
Dignitaries introduced at the opening ceremonies were Jeffrey Marin, deputy director, Arlington County, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (PRCR) and Barbara Karro, manager, Office of Senior Adult Programs. PRCR is a co-sponsor of the NVSO with Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun Counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church. The Virginia State Police Guard presented the flag ceremony and the National Anthem was sung by Miriam Witherspoon, marketing associate, Goodwin House, Inc. Also recognized were 2004 Ms. Senior America Virginia Jackie Bong-Wright and Gold Patron sponsors Goodwin House, Inc., Sunrise Senior Living, Greenspring Village Retirement Community and Silver Patron Debbie Miller, McEnearney Associates. For more information about NVSO, call 703-228-4721.
Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette announced the formation of a new community task force to develop a community response to Hurricane Katrina relief, the Arlington Response to Katrina (ARK) Task Force.
The Board appointed Ellen Bozman of the Arlington Community Foundation and Randy Anderson of Virginia Commerce Bank as co-chairs of the ARK Task Force. Bozman is a former Arlington County Board Member.
The 16 members appointed to the ARK Task Force represent the broad spectrum of the Arlington community. The Task Force will develop recommendations for a community-wide response to Hurricane Katrina, focusing on long-term needs and community re-building efforts.
The Task Force is expected to make its recommendations by Oct. 25.
Appointed to the ARK Task Force:
* Co-Chair Ellen Bozman, Arlington Community Foundation
* Co-Chair Randy Anderson, Virginia Commerce Bank
* Mary Agee, Northern Virginia Family Service
* Karen Cleveland, Habitat for Humanity
* Loretta Franklin, DeVry University
* Betsy Franz, Leadership Arlington
* Dr. Leonard Hamlin, Macedonia Baptist Church
* Fred Jones, Arlington Interfaith Council
* John Moore, Ballston Common Mall
* Tom Parker, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
* Ed Rea, St. George's Church
* Sam Sweet, Signature Theatre
* Dr. Tsehaye Teferra, Ethiopian Community Development Council
* Andres Tobar, Shirlington Education and Employment Center
* Meg Tucillo, Arlington Public Schools
* Pat Williamson, WETA