The Embassy of Spain and the Washington Post selected six skilled teachers of Spanish for teaching fellowships to the University of Salamanca this summer; one of them was our neighbor Janet Beckmann. After she returns from Spain, Janet will travel to San Diego for the convention of the National Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portugese to make a special presentation.
POPCORN PRIZE
Janet has worked for several years on a National Endowment for the Humanities project at the University of Virginia. She and her colleagues have worked up a program in which students watch clips from real Spanish movies and television programs until they understand what is being said. Then they get to watch the whole movie, and Janet supplies popcorn.
Two of Janet’s students also received scholarships this summer. One is at Governor’s School here in Virginia. The other is one of only four U.S. students chosen to travel all over the world through Spanish-speaking countries.
BREAD FOR THE WORLD
Janet’s husband David has just organized a large convocation at National Cathedral dealing with the problem of hunger.
"While hundreds of millions of people around the world have escaped from hunger and poverty, it’s a long way to the Promised Land," he declared to 1000 people.
30TH ANNIVERSARY
Mike Curry and Bob Eiffert entertained a large group of friends with a luncheon at Monroe’s restaurant to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Among the Alexandrians present were Sen. Patsy Ticer, Vice-Mayor Del Pepper, Marian Van Landingham, Harlene and Bill Clayton, Norma Gattsek, Molly Abraham, Bob Evans, Patty Metz, Susan and Bernie Kellom, and Joann Miller.
"We are so glad that we decided to move to Alexandria in 1983," declared Bob.
"This is a wonderful town full of supportive people. We are especially proud that this was the first jurisdiction in the state of Virginia to include sexual orientation as a protected class in anti-discrimination laws."
TREES IN DANGER
"Tell everyone to pray for rain" said the city arborist "and please water any newly-planted trees".
He says the much-mourned tree on Linden Street, although healthy, was about be killed by sidewalk repair anyway, and that his suggestion of putting the sidewalk in a bulb-out was not approved by Transportation and Environmental Services.
I guess those who wish to save large trees need to talk to T. and E.S., or perhaps our city manager.
— Lois Kelso Hunt