Commonwealth Clips

Birthday Bash

The Virginia Historical Society celebrates its 175th Anniversary this year with a showcase of treasures including 175 Years of Collecting: A Virginia History Quiz. Through exhibits you will discover answers to questions like, “why do we call it the ‘Old Dominion?’” “what former slave became the president of the colony of Liberia in Africa,” and “which famous Civil War commander was a prolific poet?” The exhibit runs through December 30, 2006. For more information contact Carol Anne Baker at (804) 342-9665, cabaker@vahistorical.org.

BOND, TRIPLE A BOND

Loudoun County’s triple A bond ratings have been reaffirmed by all three major bond rating agencies according to County Administrator Kirby Bowers. Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings issued the ratings in advance of the sale of $85 million in general obligation public improvement bonds on June 14. For more information and to learn what each rating agency had to say about Loudoun’s successes, contact Jim Barnes at (703) 771-5086.

CHURCH HILL CHOO CHOO

Mayor Doug Wilder announced a partnership with Gulf & Ohio Railroad executives along with the Virginia Historical Society Executive Director Charles F. Bryan Jr. an initiative to conduct a feasibility study to explore the recovery of a C&O locomotive with ten flatcars that have been buried in a tunnel that collapsed in 1925. A dramatic and tragic event in Richmond early 20th century history, the cave permanently entombed the train along with a few workers who lost their lives in the disaster. After the feasibility study is completed, a television documentary is being discussed. For more information contact Richmond Press Secretary to the Mayor Linwood Norman at (804) 646-0434.

DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION

George Mason University Office of Continuing Professional Education will present a two day seminar on Economic Development - Attracting and Retaining Jobs and Investment on September 14 & 15. For more information contact Carol M. Stockman, CPP, operations and program manager, office of continuing professional education, George Mason University, (703) 993-8335, www.ocpe.gmu.edu.

HAPPY TRAILS

A new Introductory Guide to Recreational Trails in Northern Virginia has been published by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. It is packed with information about the scores of trails, former railroad lines, and other hiking opportunities in a region of the state more often associated with sprawl and population density, and not for recreational opportunities. Each Guide costs $9.95 plus shipping and handling, and multiple discounts are available. For more information contact the NOVA Regional Commission at (703) 642-0700 or visit www.novaregion.org.

LET THE SUNSHINE IN

The Virginia Coalition for Open Government is calling for more public information on public-private infrastructure projects. According to Executive Director Frosty Landon, more disclosure earlier is the group’s goal. A state committee that is made up of government, industry, media, and representatives from the public is creating guidelines for this new openness. The PPEA and/or PPTA began in 1999 with transportation funding, and evolved in 2002 to include educational facilities and infrastructure. An example would be the $2 billion contract the state signed with Northrup Grumman last year that took place without public hearings and was decided behind closed doors. Then Governor Mark R. Warner pressured the Virginia Information Technologies Agency to reveal those who competed for the proposals when word got out that this was handled in this way. For more information or to contact the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, call (540) 353-8264, or log onto www.opengovva.org.

PAY AS YOU POLITIC

An organization called Campaign Talent has announced what they call “the first ever ‘all political’ job board site that is designed to address campaign staffing needs.” If you log onto the site, you have access to thousands of students in pre law, political science, and business who are available to work on campaigns. It also lists professional campaign staff members who have election experience on their resumes. For more information contact Jonathan Durfield at (702) 544-5389, or durfield@campaigntalent.com.

SMART START

Governor Tim Kaine has initiated a program he campaigned about called Smart Beginnings that directs new and improved resources to families with children from birth to age five. According to Governor Kaine, “The years from birth to age five are critical for developing the cognitive and social skills in children required for school achievement and eventual life success. I will lead Virginia towards a stronger, sustained commitment to a seamless continuum of child care and early childhood education that will not only benefit every child, but also our communities, our workforce, and Virginia’s economy.” For more information contact Kathy Glazer with Virginia Department of Social Services at (804) 726-7120, or log onto www.SmartBeginnings.org.