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PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Dear Leaguers,
It may be the middle of the winter, but that isn't stopping us from bringing you two very important events in the next few weeks.
First of all, on
February 21st at 3PM at the Community Center, the local affairs committee will be presenting a
forum on commercial development in Falls Church. Four different perspectives will be addressed and an information paper will be available at the meeting. Don't miss this one!
On
March 6th at 3PM at the George Mason High School Auditorium, we're presenting an award-winning
environmental documentary called Extreme Realities.
Following the film, a very high-powered, knowledgeable panel will discuss the film, plus other elements of the effects of climate change.
The film screening on March 6th is a fundraiser, and we are expecting
ALL of you
to either attend or encourage your friends to purchase tickets. Funds generated by the ticket sales will be used to further our efforts of community education, through forums, information papers, and voters guides. Adult tickets are $35, with a tax-exempt donation of $20 built into each ticket. Student tickets are $15. Our website is set up with PayPal, so purchasing is easy.
A notice on the film went out to you last week. Please download the flyer and send it to your friends and any organizations that you belong to. We're looking for wide distribution to boost ticket sales.
To enhance the event on March 6th, we'll be serving light refreshments. We'll need your help - see article below.
Don't forget to
vote in the March 1 Primary. Hasn't this election season been amazing? Who knows what's going to happen next? Stay tuned; there's always a debate somewhere!
Sincerely,
Ellen
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LOCAL ISSUES FORUM:
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - 3 p.m.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT:
FOUR PERSPECTIVES
The League of Women Voters of Falls Church will host a local issues forum Sunday February 21 entitled "Understanding Commercial Real Estate Development in Falls Church: Four Perspectives." The forum will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street.
Commercial real estate taxes now represent more than 10 percent of city revenues and commercial real estate development now impacts the city on many different levels. The forum is designed to share the perspectives of government officials, developers, retailers and local residents on this important issue.
The discussion will feature a panel of speakers: City Councilman Phil Duncan; Bruce Leonard, managing principal of Streetsense, a collective involved in designing retail projects around the country and metro area; Keith Thurston, president of the Village Preservation and Improvement Society; and developer Robert Young, principal in The Young Group. Following their presentations, the forum will include a question-and-answer period.
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FILM SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION TO BENEFIT LOCAL VOTER SERVICES
The League of Women Voters of Falls Church will host a screening and panel discussion of the environmental documentary "Extreme Realities" at 3 p.m. Sunday March 6 in the auditorium of George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Ticket sales for the program will support the League's voter services activities in the city.
The film, narrated by Oscar-winning actor Matt Damon, investigates the link between severe weather, climate change and threats to our national security. It considers whether recent unusual weather events are merely once-in-a-hundred-year storms or an early warning signal-a tipping point for even greater problems. The film was produced by Emmy-award-winning documentarians Hal and Marilyn Weiner.
Following the movie, an expert panel will further explore the issues raised by the movie. Serving as panelists will be Moderator Dr. Richard A. Meserve, president emeritus of the Carnegie Institution for Science, which has a major program of basic science directed at the issue of climate change; former U.S. Rep. Phil Sharp (D-Ind.), who currently serves as president of Resources for the Future, an energy and environmental think tank; Mona Sarfaty, MD and director of GMU's Center for Climate Change Communication's Program on Climate and Health; and former Falls Church City Councilman John C. Gannon, whose national intelligence experience has included stints as chairman of the National Intelligence Council, staff director of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, and president of the Intelligence and Security Sector of BAE Systems, among other positions.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for students if purchased by March 4, and $40 on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased
here. Proceeds from the event will support the Falls Church League's non-partisan work to register new voters, promote voter turnout and inform voters about the positions of candidates seeking election.
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CALL FOR REFRESHMENTS!
Calling all League members. Do you have a favorite finger food you like to make? Are you willing to bring snacks or drinks to an event? The League needs your help to make our programs more convivial.
At our last Board meeting, the Board decided to try and enhance the sociability of our League events by serving light refreshments at future programs. Food and drink can make any event more enjoyable.
The League will be serving refreshments at our big fundraising event Sunday, March 6 at George Mason High School Auditorium where we will be screening the film "Extreme Realities."
Will you pitch in and help provide refreshments? We expect a decent crowd, hopefully about 100 people. You can help make this event a success by signing up to bring food or drinks.
Here's what's needed:
4-5 volunteers for sweets (tray of brownies or a batch of cookies, etc.)
4-5 volunteers for savories (chips, salsa, pretzels, nuts)
4-5 volunteers to bring large containers of lemonade, cans of soda, bottled water
1 volunteer to bring cups and napkins
1 volunteer to bring a cooler with ice
Bob Crowe has agreed to coordinate the effort for Sunday, March 6th. Please contact him at
[email protected] and put "Food" in the Subject line or 703-200-3379 and let him know what you will bring. He needs to hear from you by March 1.
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VOLUNTEER FOR NATIONAL CONVENTION 2016: MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK - FOR ALL!
The LWVNCA is the host League for this year's national convention. We are hard at work to make sure Thursday, June 16 through Sunday, June 19 will be a great experience for all delegates from near and far. We want to give all member Leagues the opportunity to participate in helping to ensure a successful convention.
You can volunteer for a date and time of your convenience by using Sign Up Genius - which will go live soon. For each day of the Convention, there are short descriptions of the various 4 -5 hour time slots for Hospitality, Information Desk, Volunteer Room Coverage, Registration/Credentials, Plenary Session floor duties and Wares Market help. You may volunteer for more than one slot. For questions about Sign Up Genius, email Zaida Arguedas at
[email protected].
Help us find the 100+ volunteers that are needed.
Each volunteer receives a FREE ticket for the Capitol Steps!
For Convention questions, ask Diane Hibino, Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC),
[email protected] or 240-669-8169.
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| 2015-2016 LWVFC Board and Off-Board Members President Ellen Salsbury Vice President Linda Garvelink Programs Co-Chairs Robert Crowe Renee Andrews Local Affairs Chair Wendy Frieman Secretary Martha Cooper Treasurer Ruth Rodgers Voter Service Co-Chairs
Liaison to NCA Ellen Gross Administrative Team Madalyn Cafruny Genie Flahie Edith Snyder Special Projects Cindy Donaldson Bunny Jarrett Marty Meserve Jane Scully
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Understanding Commercial Real Estate Development in Falls Church: Four Perspectives
Sunday, February 21
Falls Church Community Center
3 p.m.
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"Extreme Realities"
Film Screening
& Panel Discussion:
Sunday, March 6
3 p.m.
George Mason High School Auditorium
Advance Tickets:
$35 / $15 students
Must be purchased by 3/4
Day of Event:
$40
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LWVUS National Convention
Making Democracy Work - For All!
June 16 - June 19, 2016
Registration and convention details
here.
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MOVING THE FALLS CHURCH LEAGUE FORWARD
The fact that we've been a prominent part of the Falls Church community for 65 years can largely be explained by the strong leadership of the League's Board.
The nominating committee is looking for members to fill certain vacancies on the board for the 2016/17 slate. Having league knowledge is helpful but not a prerequisite. A desire to be a part of this dynamic group is a great starting point. There are many long-time leaguers who are willing to serve as mentors in any position that is open. Its's amazing how much collective knowledge we have available to share.
Positions open this year are president, voter service co-chairs, and a membership co-chair. All are doable with excellent back up help available. For example, this will be a year in which voter service chairs can learn on the job, as there are no local elections this November, so no candidate forums will take place. Former co-chairs have already pledged to be there to help. If you are interested, contact any member of the Nominating Committee.
Madalyn Cafruny
Genie Flahie
Sally Phillips
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Nancy Maurer Perry
1928 - 2016
League member Nancy Maurer Perry died suddenly Tuesday evening, Feb. 2. Loving mother of Ann Perry of Bridgewater, NJ; Kimberly Perry of St. Louis, MO; and Joan Perry of Arlington, VA; mother-in-law of Mark Allison, Charles Manley and Steve Fustero; grandmother of Kelly Allison Dziak, David Allison, Perry, Charles and Robert Fustero; sister of Warren Maurer (wife, Carole); and friend to many.
Nancy was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 10, 1928. She obtained her B.A. from Pennsylvania State University, where she met Robert Perry, to whom she was married for 60 years until his death in 2011. In addition to helping to raise their daughters, Nancy was the "go-to" substitute teacher before becoming the administrative assistant at George Mason High School. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters for over forty years. Nancy served as the Board Chairman of the Northern Virginia Community College and established a scholarship through the Falls Church Education Foundation to support GMHS students attending NOVA. Nancy was a woman of energy, commitment, and integrity as well as a legendary pie-baker. A memorial service will be held at a later date in conjunction with services at Arlington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Goodwin House Foundation, the Falls Church League of Women Voters, Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington or to a charity of your choice.
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