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League of Women Voters^®
of Arlington

Nancy Tate. What We Eat--And Why.... Integration. I-66. League Leadership. Bulletin.

President's Message

November's Letter from Nancy Tate

This fall, the Arlington League has expanded its voters service efforts. Twenty-five League members registered 75 voters and handed out numerous absentee ballot applications at the Central and Shirlington libraries. In addition, members Bonnie Franklin and Barb Sherrill registered nearly 100 inmates at the Arlington County Jail. League members also undertook voter registration efforts at other local events. As a result, Arlington League members can be proud of our contributions to the 14% increase in voter registration in Arlington County this year.

We also co-hosted a well-attended candidates' forum with AAUW. We heard from candidates for federal office, as well as the County Board and the School Board. That event was taped by Arlington Independent Media and is being replayed periodically on Comcast channel 69 and Verizon channel 38. Our Voters' Guide has been available online as of October 24th at http://www.LWV-ArlingtonVa.org and at http://www.VOTE411.org as well as on the LWV VA site and NBC Channel 4. Many thanks to Voters Service Chair Ann Garrison for all her efforts, and to Susan Trice and Dorothy Nieweg for their work on the Voters' Guide.

In addition, activities are beginning in the League action area as well. Unit meetings were held on the LWV-VA study on the restoration of the civil rights of ex-felons. Many thanks to Eileen Williams and Barb Sherrill for serving as the resource people on this topic.

Please be sure to join us on November 18, for a general membership meeting on the topic of "Setting Our Action Agenda for the New Political Era". We will discuss the issues that concern us at the local, regional and state levels, and will make determinations about what, if any, studies or updates are needed to make sure we can advocate effectively. This is a social event as well, so please come and mingle with your League compatriots before the meeting. Food will be served. More details are on pages 1 and 3.

On other fronts, Marjorie Hobart is heading our Arlington efforts to make the League's view on the importance of redistricting reform known to our State senators and delegates. In addition, Karen Darner is about to begin the Arlington Pre-K study. Please let either of these ladies know if you'd like to work with them.

I look forward to working with you on one or more of these new initiatives.

What We Eat--And Why...

Last month's program featured a panel discussion on the political and public policy implications of the food we buy and eat. Our speakers were Marsha Weiner, a local leader in the international Slow Food movement, which seeks "to inspire a transformation in food policy, production practices and market forces so that they ensure equity, sustainability and pleasure in the food we eat"; and David Robishaw, Marketing Specialist with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, who is responsible for promoting locally grown products in central and northern Virginia. Turnout was great + many Leaguers brought friends + and the questions and answers were enlightening.
Ms. Weiner and Mr. Robishaw discussed a wide range of topics, including tensions within the Slow Food movement over whether it's better to buy organic products from distant sellers or to buy non-organic food grown locally, the challenges facing the Slow Food movement in enlarging its cause, and the question of how to reach people who feel they don't have the time to be environmentally conscious cooks. We also learned about a federal-state program in which low-income mothers and seniors receive vouchers to buy produce from farmers' markets + a program that simultaneously supports local farms and improves nutrition among the disadvantaged population.

Commemorating School Integration

Vice President Kristin Goss reports:
Community-wide Meeting on Commemorating School Integration
Roughly 30 leaders from the Arlington schools and civic and educational organizations gathered to discuss plans for commemorating the 50th anniversary of the beginning of integration in the Arlington Schools.
At the October 21 meeting, which the League helped to initiate and which Nancy Tate and Kristin Goss attended, we learned that historical materials supplied by the League over the summer are already being used by students at HB Woodlawn, which sits on the site of Stratford Junior High, the first school in Virginia to integrate. (Thanks to all the Leaguers who found these documents in public and private archives!)

The school system also is creating a web page that will post information on the commemoration, including events sponsored by groups around the County. All 15 civic groups attending the meeting expressed interest in commemorating the events in some way. The League made an open offer to discuss collaboration with any interested parties.
On or about February 2, the actual anniversary of integration, the school system plans to host a public forum.

Kristin Goss will serve on the steering committee. If you have ideas for the forum (themes, speakers, etc.), please email Kristin at lwvarlington@yahoo.com.

Action: Report on I-66 Hearing

Madeline Jervis reports on the I-66 meeting October 27th

Design Public Hearing by VDOT on the I-66 Spot Improvements VDOT information at <http://www.I-66spotimprovements.com> The meeting was held to solicit public comment about the proposed improvements that are being planned within the current right of way of I-66. Three improvements are planned, all of which would widen entrance ramps, merging lanes, and shoulders on the Westbound lanes of the road.
More of Madeline's report

LWV Leadership

2008-2009 Officers

President: * email Nancy Tate
Vice President: * Kristin Goss
Secretary: * Beth Cogswell
Treasurer: * Bonnie Franklin (June-Dec)
* * Sharon Simkin (Jan-May)
Past President: * Eileen Williams

Board of Directors:

Action-County Board: * Madeline Jervis
Action-School Board: * tba
Bulletin Editor: * Susan Trice
Director * Marjorie Hobart
Election Projects: * Sue Swisher email
Environment: * Holly Williams
Membership: * Joan Howe
Voters Service: * Ann Garrison

Off-Board Directors: _________________ 2009 Nominating Committee

Finance: * Mary Finger .................... * Joan McDermott, Chair
Public Relations: * Ann Rudd ............ * Polly Liss
Webmaster: * Marjie Mayer .............. * Margaret "Peg" Nelson

Arlington Bulletin

Read the monthly Bulletins in pdf format.
November 2008 ∆ October 2008 ∆ September 2008 ∆ August 2008 ∆ June 2008

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: November 19, 2008 11:56 PST.