---

Awards

The Journal Cup

Jackie Snelling

Jackie receives the Sun-Gazette Cup award from Scott McCaffrey, Editor of the Sun Gazette.

Journal Cup Remarks

by Frances Finta, Awards Committee Chair

Many people dare to dream- some turn their dreams into reality. The first Sun Gazette Trophy recipient is just such a person.

She has been a delegate to the Arlington County Civic Federation from the Lyon Village Citizens Association for several years. She has chaired one of the Federation's Public Services Committee subcommittees and has served as a Federation representative in a number of venues.

Her list of community accomplishments is extensive. It includes planning and zoning; education and empowerment. Better budgeting procedures; better groupings of school opportunities; higher standards of learning and performance and greater accountability are a few more.

Some of the programs in which she has been a leader are:

• In the Fall of 2002, the County Manager called for a citizen group dedicated to community preparedness. Arlington's Citizen Corps Council was the result.

• In August 2002, Governor Warner asked for a neighborhood-based program of CERTS trained volunteers. Within a month, 25 citizens were in class. This class was soon followed by one of the first CERTS classes taught in Spanish. There are now almost 300 CERT-trained volunteers in Arlington.

• She organized community-wide education forums and drills for the general public, all while wearing a dual Civic Federation/ Citizen Corps hat.

• She worked on specialized programs for the disabled, the elderly and school children.

• She assembled a community team to bring a nationally recognized multi-modal approach to emergency communications and marketed participation in Arlington Alert.

• She was the driving force behind Arlington Prepares, an undertaking that brought vital emergency information to 91,000 Arlington households.

While Arlington's emergency preparedness partnership programs have won numerous awards, one of the highest distinctions was recently announced. The County was named one of 50 semifinalists for the prestigious Innovations in American Government Awards given by Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. The reason for Arlington's selection was: "Arlington has created a cross-disciplinary approach to homeland security, combining police, fire/EMS, public health, 911-communications, Red Cross and citizens to prepare for, respond to and mitigate disasters and terrorist events." (Incidentally, our recipient is a graduate of Harvard University.) The 'and citizens' portion of this distinction can be attributed in large measure to our Sun Gazette Newspaper Trophy recipient.

On behalf of the Arlington County Civic Federation, it is with great pleasure that we present the first Sun Gazette Trophy to Jackie Snelling.

Certificate of Appreciation

Dr Alfred Taylor, President, Nauck Civic Association.

Burt Bostwick presents award to Dr. Taylor

Certificate of Appreciation presentation

by Burt Bostwick, Executive Committee Chair

It is with pleasure that we honor the Nauck Civic Association and its President, Dr. Alfred Taylor. The Nauck Civic Association has been a vital force in its community, and in Arlington, for decades. Nauck has been a member of the Arlington County Civic Federation since before 1959.

About four years ago, through its representatives on the Shirlington Road Revitalization Advisory Board, the Nauck Civic Association began its participation in actively crafting and obtaining County approval of a plan that will make Nauck a greater participant in the economic revitalization taking place in Arlington. The Nauck Revitalization Plan was completed in 2004.

In 2004, Nauck was active in developing a revised strategy to make Drew School a neighborhood educational and community resource while, at the same time, enabling the school to maintain its connections with all of Arlington. In so doing, Nauck has demonstrated how community-driven policy change can be successful and effective in advancing neighborhood goals. At the same time, Nauck has continued its regular community building efforts. It hosts an annual Nauck Day and some Community Clean-Up events.

During these years, Dr. Alfred Taylor was, and he still is, President of the Nauck Civic Association. He served on the Shirlington Road Revitalization Advisory Board and the Drew School Committee.

Dr. Taylor has had a life long involvement with the Nauck area. He lived there from his birth in 1934 until he moved to Washington, D.C. in 1952. He moved back to the area about five years ago. Even while living in Washington, Dr. Taylor remained active in church and civic activities in Arlington.

Ladies and Gentlemen, for his leadership of the Nauck Civic Association during these years, it is an honor to present a Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Alfred Taylor.

It is with pleasure that we honor the Nauck Civic Association and its 1st Vice President, Mrs. Portia Clark. The Nauck Civic Association has been a vital force in its community, and in Arlington, for decades. Nauck has been a member of the Arlington County Civic Federation since before 1959.

About four years ago, through its representatives on the Shirlington Road Revitalization Advisory Board, the Nauck Civic Association began its participation in actively crafting and obtaining County approval of a plan that will make Nauck a greater participant in the economic revitalization taking place in Arlington. The Nauck Revitalization Plan was completed in 2004.

In 2004, Nauck was active in developing a revised strategy to make Drew School a neighborhood educational and community resource while, at the same time, enabling the school to maintain its connections with all of Arlington. In so doing, Nauck has demonstrated how community-driven policy change can be successful and effective in advancing neighborhood goals. At the same time, Nauck has continued its regular community building efforts. It hosts an annual Nauck Day and some Community Clean-Up events.

During these years, Mrs. Portia Clark was, and she still is, 1st Vice President of the Nauck Civic Association. She served on the Shirlington Road Revitalization Advisory Board and the Drew School Committee.

Mrs. Clark has been an active member of the Nauck Civic Association for twenty-four years. She is President of Care, Inc., a community-oriented organization that focuses on the needs of disadvantaged adults and youths.

Ladies and Gentlemen, for her leadership role in the Nauck Civic Association during these years, it is an honor to present a Certificate of Appreciation to Mrs. Portia Clark.

Certificate of Appreciation

Rebecca Krafft
President, Douglas Park Civic Association

The back of Rebecca Krafft's head as she receives her award.

Certificate of Appreciation presentation

by Burt Bostwick, Executive Committee Chair

There are times in Arlington's civic life when one person indeed makes a difference in the community.

Last year a billiard parlor at George Mason Drive and Columbia Pike began aggressively pursuing a liquor license. The establishment had been a constant source of problems over several years. There had been three murders there and, starting with 1995, the police had records of 47 incidents involving their customers. Neighboring civic associations had been unable to have the billiard parlor closed. It seemed that adding alcohol to the already volatile mix was a prescription for disaster. The surrounding neighborhoods had been discouraged by recent cases where the Virginia ABC Board had been unresponsive to neighborhood protests. They were slow to react to the threat.

Enter our honoree, the Arlingtonian who made a difference. She rousted out the three civic associations bordering that billiard parlor. She organized meetings to get the protest effort off the ground. She enlisted the aid of Mr. Lane Nemirow, an exceptionally talented lawyer from Douglas Park . His thorough legal research built a strong case against the granting of a liquor license. Joining the effort were Chris Zimmerman of the Arlington County Board, Delegates Albert Eisenberg and Adam Ebbin and the Arlington County Police Department. They testified convincingly to the problems at the establishment. In a unique and unprecedented appearance Arlington County Attorney Stephen MacIsaac joined with Mr Nemirow to assist in representing the citizens' case at the July 2004 hearing. The ABC Board rejected the billiard parlor application for a liquor license.

In a sense this award recognizes the contribution of all of those named herein. Many of them are here tonight. However, we want to give special recognition to the sparkplug who got the process moving, that essential first step. For that, it is with great pleasure that the Arlington County Civic Federation presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Rebecca Krafft of the Douglas Park Civic Association.

Certificate of Appreciation

Joe Wholey, ACCF Housing Committee

Kathryn Scruggs accepts the award for Joe Wholey.

Certificate of Appreciation presentation

by Burt Bostwick, Executive Committee Chair

At this time we honor a man who has been a delegate to the Arlington County Civic Federation from the North Highlands Citizens Association for little more than one year. From that day forward, until he resigned the Chairmanship in January 2005, he served as the Chair of the Federation's Housing Committee.

In his capacity as Chair of this committee, he renewed and reinvigorated the activity of the Housing Committee. He spoke to the Dominion Hills Civic Association, the North Highlands Citizens Association and the Williamsburg Civic Association about the Federation resolution supporting efforts to assist Arlington's public employees to reside in Arlington.

He is a former member of the Arlington County Board. He has played a key role in the activities of the Alliance for Housing Solutions and was instrumental in the success of its two-day Housing Conference, including the Leckey Housing Forum. His depth of knowledge on housing issues, the County budget and public policy in general made him an ideal Chair of the Housing Committee.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that we present a Certificate of Appreciation to Joseph Wholey.

Certificate of Appreciation

Nancy Graham, Co-Chair, ACCF Legislation Committee

Nancy accepts her award from Burt Bostwick

Certificate of Appreciation presentation

by Burt Bostwick, Executive Committee Chair

Here we go again! Full circle.

Once upon a time this lady said that it was time for her to "get involved again." And that is what she did.

This awardee has been a longtime delegate to the Arlington County Civic Federation from the American Association of University Women. She became the Chair of the Federation's Legislation Committee. She has, year after year, done an outstanding job of leading that committee in the production of a balanced legislative package that has consistently won the support of the Federation. She has conducted a Forum on the Patriot Act. She is the Federation liaison to its State Senators and Delegates.

She has been the American Association of University Women Public Policy Chair. For several years, she co-sponsored its Candidate Forum. She has chaired the Worship Committee at St. George's Episcopal Church where she has also served as a volunteer in its Food Pantry Program delivering food to the homeless.

In 1998, the Federation honored her with a Certificate of Appreciation. In 2002, the Federation honored her with the Distinguished Meritorious Service Award. And now it is 2005-

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that we present a second Certificate of Appreciation to Nancy Graham.

Certificate of Appreciation

Beth Offenbacker, ACCF Public Relations Chair.

Beth and Chairman Patrick Smaldore

Certificate of Appreciation presentation

by Burt Bostwick, Executive Committee Chair

At this time we honor a woman who has been a delegate to the Arlington County Civic Federation from the Fairlington Citizens Association for little more than one year. From that day forward, she has served as the Chair of the Federation's Community Relations Committee.

In her capacity as Chair of this committee, she has maintained continuing contact with local media and community organizations. She has edited special versions of the Federation Newsletter for release to various media and community organizations. She has issued press releases describing resolutions passed by the Federation. She has provided the media with information about Federation agenda items

She has coordinated a meeting between the Co-Chair of the Alexandria Civic Federation and the Arlington County Civic Federation Executive Committee. She has been a guest on Channel 69- AIM (Arlington Independent Media) whereon she introduced the viewing public to the Arlington County Civic Federation.

Recently, she has been working with the Federation's Public Services Committee as they work toward assembling, at the request of the County's Citizens Corps Council, Civic Federation Liaison Areas.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that we present a Certificate of Appreciation to Beth Offenbacker.

---

President's Awards

President's Award:

Virginia Hospital Center

Jim Cole of Virginia Hospital Center
Accepting the President's Award

President's Award Presentation

by Patrick Smaldore, ACCF President

Just over 70 years ago, five women's clubs, at a joint meeting in 1933, decided that Arlington needed a hospital and that they would take civic action to fix that. The women collected $5.00 donations from 20 other civic, service and like organization to create, in 1934, the Arlington Hospital Association. From that small start, in just 10 years, the idea of an Arlington Hospital grew from a civic project into a full operational 100-bed facility in 1944. Sixty years later, the hospital, now named Virginia Hospital Center, has grown to 334 beds and it has become a first class facility that is such an integral part of our County that we tend to overlook it. All too often we forget that the spacious auditorium we use month after month is attached to an irreplaceable part of our County.

In many ways, our hospital has come to typify those qualities and values that seem to be uniquely "Arlington" in nature- and make it worthy of recognition for doing those civic things for our County. To list just a few:

• Over the past three years, the Virginia Hospital Center has provided the most charity care of any hospital in the region and it ranks third in the state for such care.

• Virginia Hospital Center helped establish- and provides substantial support- for the Arlington Free Clinic.

• It pays the rent for the Northern Virginia Crisis Link Center.

• Last Summer, the Hospital ran a free summer camp program called "CampMed" to give Arlington 7th and 8th graders a chance to explore future careers as doctors, nurses and health care specialists.

• In a typical month, the Hospital offers nearly 40 courses to our citizens ranging from expectant mother classes to smoking cessation courses. Included are such important gatherings as a support group for breast cancer patients, infant and child CPR and a gathering for recurrent cancer victims so that they and their families can share experiences with other people who have recurring cancer.

• This Spring, the Hospital will clear three properties it owns across 16th Street and build a Healing Garden, nearly one acre in size. This will be a unique open space, an asset to our community and, probably, a first in the state.

In all- while growing to become the Capitol regions's leading medical center, Virginia Hospital Center has remembered its roots in 1933. It has maintained its compassionate relationship with the community, providing health care services to those in need. Last year it provided $22,000,000.00 in uncompensated health care to our citizens. Year after year when we have met and debated in the Hospital's Hazel Auditorium, civic deeds of such magnitude were going on all around us- unnoticed and unheralded.

For that reason, as President of this civic-minded group, the Virginia Hospital Center has earned the recognition of the Arlington County Civic Federation's 2005 President's Award.

President's Award:

Debbie Powers

President's Award winner Debbie Powers

Debbie listens as Patrick praises.

President's Award Presentation

by Patrick Smaldore, ACCF President

I am pleased to introduce you to a woman whose unique attitude and approach to County staff work has made a difference in Arlington over a period of years.

She has served Arlington County in several capacities and is currently in charge of Special Events for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources. She is known far and wide for her stunning ability to get things done within the sometimes frustrating structure of the County government. When this woman volunteers to take on a new task, there is a collective sigh of relief as people realize that the problem is solved and the outcome is assured.

She has been a mainstay for the past several years in planning and running the Neighborhood Day program, the sparkplug who brought in help and resources from new participants and who coordinated the Parks support. The Federation is grateful for your energy and initiative in support of Neighborhood Day, an event that we cosponsor.

The list of her other accomplishments- past and present- is long and impressive:

• Staff Liaison and active Executive Committee Member for the Arlington County Fair.

• Taste of Arlington Steering Committee member.

• United Way Board member and organizer of a recent County award winning United Way campaign.

• Life Member of the Leadership Arlington Program and Resource Director for one of its classes.

• Staff Coordinator for the Arlington Bicentennial Task Force.

• First woman president of the Kiwanis Club.

• Member of the Board of Directors of the Arlington Chapter of the American Red Cross

• Member of the Program Committee of the Committee of 100

She is a long time Arlington resident and a long time member of the Cherrydale Methodist Church where she sings in the choir. She has been married to her husband, Bill, for more than thirty years and her daughter, Stephanie, is a graduate of Virginia Tech.

In recognition of her contribution to the County and to the activities of member organizations of the Arlington County civic Federation, I am honored to present this President's Award to Debbie Powers.

Our thanks to the Banquet Committee!

Frances Finta, Chair

Robert Atkins

Adam Croswell

Frank Emerson

Anna Medlen

Jean Mostrom

William Munson

Mary Van Fossen

This page was last revised on: April 9, 2005.