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Thursday, September 2, 2010

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Legendary Local Politician Remembered

January 26, 2009 - Ellen Bozman, a community activist and local politician, died earlier this month at the age of 83.

David Schultz attended a memorial service in her honor and reports on Bozman's immense legacy...

Montgomery County Withheld Evidence of Water Quality Decline

January 26, 2009 - Officials in Maryland's Montgomery County have kept a report showing a decline in water quality in some areas under wraps. The waterways are near new developments in the northern part of the county. The County's environmental protection director says he and other officials have known about the data for at least six months and have been discussing possible solutions before releasing it.

An aide to County Executive Isiah Leggett, tells the Washington Post the administration wanted to be able to propose fixes when it releases the data and adds they are "not trying to withhold anything." They now plan to release the report this week.

Erin Stamper reports...

Recount Could Be Just The Beginning in Alexandria

January 26, 2009 - A recount is being held in Alexandria this afternoon for a special election to the Virginia House of Delegates. But as David Schultz reports, the recount might not determine the winner.

Loudoun County Property Values Drop

January 26, 2009 - Officials in Loudoun County, Virginia say 2008 property assessments have dropped by about 9 percent. According to the county assessor's office, residential property values decreased by an average of nearly 15 percent. The deepest decline was for condominiums, whose value dipped by an average of 24 percent. Sterling was hardest hit last year, where assessments dropped by 31 percent.

An analysis by the office finds that the property tax rate would have to increase slightly for the average residential tax bill to remain unchanged. County Administrator Kirby Bowers says he has not yet suggested a tax rate for next fiscal year. Officials began mailing the assessment notices to property owners last Friday. Residents can appeal the notices by filing a form within a month of the mailing.

Patrick Madden reports...

Power Breakfast - January 26, 2009

January 26, 2009 - The U.S. Senate moves onto a bill expanding the State Children's Health Insurance program. The Senate could confirm Timothy Geithner as treasury secretary as early as today. House Democrats say they'll have the economic stimulus bill on the floor by the middle of the week. And President Barack Obama is scheduled to sit down with GOP senators at their weekly conference lunch in the Capitol tomorrow.

Todd Zwillich reports...

Prince George's County May See Billions in Development

January 26, 2009 - Billions of dollars in development could be coming to an area near Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland's Prince George's County, under a plan being considered by county officials.

The President of the Greater Prince George's Business Roundtable says the project would lure retailers and restaurateurs to an area that has been under-served. The conceptual plan for the project, approved by the county's planning board last month, includes about 4,000 housing units, 600 hotel rooms and about 4,000,000 square feet of retail in the area of Westphalia.

Officials in the county are expected to consider a preliminary plan in February. The County Council must approve the plan before construction could begin.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

Fliers Promoting KKK Distributed in Virginia's Loudoun County

January 26, 2009 - Some people living in Leesburg, Virginia say they've found fliers in their driveways inviting them to join the Ku Klux Klan. The fliers outlined what the Klan called its fight for its rights as "white Christians." One resident says he gathered about six of them from his neighbors' driveways and saw more of them in front of houses on another street.

This is not the first time similar pamphlets have turned up in the area. A spokesman for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office says they appear every few years. He says that they are not illegal unless they target certain people and are placed in mailboxes.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

Former President Clinton to Headline Democratic Dinner in Virginia

January 26, 2009 - Former President Bill Clinton will be the featured speaker at this year's Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Virginia. Last year, a different Clinton and the current President were making headlines at the state party dinner. It fell during the run-up to the Presidential Primary in Virginia. Then Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both took the opportunity to plead their cases directly to the state's top Democrats.

This year, former President Bill Clinton will get the top speaking slot at the fund-raising event on February 7th in Richmond. A spokesman for the state party says the three Democrats running for Governor, state Senator Creigh Deeds, former Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe and former Delegate Brian Moran will also speak, along with the party's candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Matt McCleskey has more...

D.C. Coin Released

January 26, 2009 - The new D.C. quarter will be available at banks and through the U-S Mint, starting today.

Duke Ellington, the jazz musician and D.C. native, sits at his piano on the tail side of the coin. Below him, the District's motto: Justice for All.

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton began pushing for the coin seven years ago. A design advisory committee received input from more than 6,000 residents during their drafting process. The committee made a variety of recommendations, including putting "Taxation without Representation" on the coin.

The U.S. Mint ultimately rejected that suggestion, and agreed instead on the Ellington depiction.

A public event will celebrate the coin later this month.

Rebecca Blatt reports...

Children Lobbying for Health Care with Art
Stephanie Kaye

January 26, 2009 - With the Senate poised to take a pivotal vote on "S-CHIP," the state health care program for children, a group of youngsters were at Union Station lobbying on behalf of their peers in their own unique way. They are exhibiting powerful artwork at Union Station, part of an effort to raise adult awareness about health care. Their art will be on display at Union Station through Wednesday.

Stephanie Kaye reports...

Local Groups Tackle Youth Violence in the District
Jessica Forres

January 26, 2009 - The District is helping three local organizations tackle violence among teens and young adults living in the city's most dangerous neighborhoods. The organizations, Peaceoholics, The Latin American Youth Center and ROPE Inc., will share a $239,000 grant from the D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation. Ronald Moten, Peaceoholics co-founder, says he will hire five new employees with the money. Though the District is facing a budget shortfall, Mayor Adrian Fenty says funding for the program should be increased and part of the annual budget.

Jessica Forres has more...

The Environment Report...1/26/09

January 26, 2009 - The Bush Administration stopped California from setting stricter fuel efficiency standards but now the Obama Administration may allow the standards to go forward.

In today's Environment Report, correspondent Mark Brush says it’s a sign that big changes are ahead for automakers...

"Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - Monday, January 26, 2009
Stephanie Kaye

January 26, 2009 -

(Jan 24-Apr 24) ROMANCE OF THE ROSE Romance arrives at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore with Romance of the Rose: Visions of Love in Illuminated Medieval Manuscripts, on view through April 19th. Featuring a lavishly illustrated look at The Romance of the Rose, this book-length poem in Old French lays bare some of the greatest images of love ever produced and is displayed with a collection of carved ivory from the museum's collection.

(Through Feb 1) CHEVY CHASE CHOWS DOWN Bethesda and Chevy Chase in Maryland are chowing down as they present their annual restaurant week which runs through February 1st. Delectable meals are offered prix fixe as these communities showcase their local eateries.

Participating Bethesda-Chevy Chase restaurants include: Assaggi Mozzarella Bar, Clyde's of Chevy Chase, Gaffney's Restaurant, Hanaro Restaurant & Lounge, Jaleo - Bethesda, La Ferme, La Miche, McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi, Tragara, and Visions Restaurant.

Other participants complete the ensemble of distinguished restaurants: Bacchus of Lebanon, Bice Ristorante, Brasserie Monte Carlo, Divno Lounge & Restaurant, Famoso, Faryab Restaurant, Geppetto Restaurant, Grapeseed, Jean-Michel Restaurant, Lia's, Louisiana Kitchen and Bayou Bar, Oakville Grille and Wine Bar, Old Angler's Inn, Persimmon Restaurant, Pizza Zero, RAKU-Bethesda, Redwood Restaurant, Rock Creek Bethesda, Trattoria Sorrento, and Tavira.

(Jan 23-Feb 1) BALTIMORE WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK If Bethesda and Chevy Chase are too close to home, Baltimore's restaurant week is also underway, offering "northern" fare in some of its hottest restaurants from "Yumday" through "Dim Sumday", all this week.

"Romance" at the Walters Art Museum Really old-fashioned love gets the special treatment in "Romance of the Rose" through April 24th. courtesy of: The Walters Art Museum

Tejada Seeks Input On Diversity Issue

January 26, 2009 - In the outer suburbs of Northern Virginia, debates have come to a boil about the role of immigrants in society. Punitive measures targeting illegal immigration have been passed in both Loudoun County and Prince William County. The inner suburbs, however, have been a different story.

David Schultz reports...

Arlington Discusses Immigration Issues

January 26, 2009 - Residents of Arlington County are speaking out on the issues of immigration and discrimination.

David Schultz has the story...

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