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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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March 09, 2009 - Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine plans to sign legislation that bans smoking in most restaurants and bars in the Commonwealth. The bill was the product of a bipartisan compromise, originally negotiated between Kaine and House Republican leaders. It restricts smoking to separately ventilated rooms in restaurants and private clubs.
Kaine will join health advocates and lawmakers in Virginia Beach to sign and celebrate the smoking ban this afternoon. The restrictions go into effect December 1.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
March 09, 2009 - These days, it's almost a requirement for politicians on the campaign trail to promise more 'green collar jobs' and to announce that we must wean ourselves off foreign oil. Well, a company in College Park Maryland is working on solving our fuel dependency problem. They're promising a greener alternative and say they've even figured out what to do with all the garbage we generate.
Patrick Madden reports...
To see an audio slideshow about the company and their discovery, click play.
March 09, 2009 - In Virginia, Fairfax County officials are proposing cuts to public safety programs to help slim down the county budget. The County Board of Supervisors will take up proposals over the next two months, including reducing the number of police and firefighters by nearly 200 uniformed posts.
The fire department faces losing two of its ''heavy rescue'' units that respond in major incidents such as car crashes. In addition, the board will consider pulling police officers posted at middle schools and shopping malls, including the Fair Oaks, Tysons and Springfield malls. Among other police cuts, the motor carrier safety unit that inspects trucks also could go.
County Executive Anthony Griffin has proposed hundreds of program cuts as part of a $3.3 billion spending plan.
Jonathan Wilson reports...
March 09, 2009 - The faltering economy has caused electronics retailer Circuit City to close its doors. But smaller stores are also feeling the pinch.
David Schultz reports...
March 09, 2009 - With national electronics retailer Circuit City going out of business, a smaller competitor in the Washington region is weathering the economic storm by remaining local.
David Schultz reports...
March 09, 2009 - MEN The Goethe Institut is screening "Men" tonight at 6:30 near the Convention Center in DC. This German film follows a successful and philandering designer who moves in with his wife's lover to get back at her for cheating on him.
BETTY LAVETTE "Great Lady of Soul" Betty Lavette hits DC's 9:30 Club at 9th and U tonight at 7, 46 years after releasing her first Motown single. She's been covered by Ann Pebbles and Tina Turner and her duet with Bon Jovi at the Inaugural concert was a crowd favorite. Lavette is known for her gritty, passionate and beautiful tones.
HOMELESS CHILDREN'S ART AUCTION Artwork created by children in local homeless shelters will be auctioned Thursday night at 6:30 at the Hilton in Arlington. The paintings are based on the book, "A Very Hungry Caterpillar". Proceeds will benefit The Reading Connection, a non-profit that promotes children's literacy. The auction is part of the group's 20th Anniversary celebration and will include wine tasting and awards.
SHARKWATER The film ["Sharkwater"] (http://www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org/films.php?date=2009-03-10) swims onto screens tomorrow morning at 10 at the Warner Theatre as part of a preview of DC's Environmental Film Festival. You can follow shark conservationists through gun battles and espionage as they try to protect one of the planet's oldest living species.
March 09, 2009 - A local non-profit is hoping that a little sprucing up in D.C.'s Adams Morgan neighborhood will help business owners attract more customers.
Jessica Forres has more...
March 09, 2009 - The right to representation and the right to bear arms clash in a key vote in the House. The Senate is set to vote on an amendment to kill a Democratic plan to let the controversial D.C. school voucher expire.
Todd Zwillich reports...
March 09, 2009 - Officials from Prince George's County, Maryland are considering major cuts to close a projected $132 million budget gap. Proposed cuts include 320 jobs. That would reduce about 5 percent of positions across several departments. The plans would eliminate 122 positions from the county police, 48 from the fire department and 37 from the Department of Corrections. Police union officials are urging county leaders to find other ways to save money. They say the force is already understaffed.
County Executive Jack Johnson's official budget is due March 16th.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
March 09, 2009 - Students and members of Congress team up on a joint construction project next week on the National Mall. The group "YouthBuild" is supplying more than 100 volunteers to start construction on a "green house," on St. Patrick's Day. But the green has more to do with the home's energy-efficient features than with the Irish holiday. It'll be on display before being moved to Texas where Merary Rios, a single mother, is waiting to move in. Her mobile home was damaged last year by Hurricane Dolly.
President Obama has proposed expanding the program from 8,000 to 50,000 participants as part of his national service platform. $50 million was set aside for the organization in the economic stimulus bill.
The green house marks YouthBuild's 30th anniversary.
Stephanie Kaye has more...
March 09, 2009 - The federal stimulus bill included just more than $170 million for energy conservation projects in Maryland. How local governments spend the money will be up to them.
Matt Bush reports...
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