All Night Grad Organizers Thank Businesses

BY SUSIE LARCAMP AND CECILY SHEA, CO-CHAIRS, 2011 GMHS ANGC
Special to the Falls Church Times

July 20, 2011

The 23rd annual George Mason High School All Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC) for the Class of 2011 is a wonderful memory thanks to the support of many Falls Church businesses, community members and hundreds of volunteers. Graduation night is one of the highest risk nights for a teen. While students attend parties throughout the year, peer pressure is highest when there is a momentous event  to celebrate. The ANGC is a drug and alcohol-free event held the night of graduation that gives every GMHS graduate a safe place to celebrate.

The ANGC committee extends its thanks to all of the local businesses that supported this worthy cause, and ask that when you frequent these establishments, please  thank them for supporting the Falls Church City schools and its graduates. These businesses donate because they care about our community and the George Mason High School All Night Graduation Celebration would not be possible without them:

Anthonys, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill, Arbonne-Maryanne Carlson, Argias, Arlington County Bar Association, Bagel Deli, BB& T, Browns Hardware, CD Cellar, Chipotle, Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, The Container Store, Direct Jewelry Outlet, DKG Designs-Chris Earmen, Dogfish Head Ale House, Dominion Jewelers, Dr. Lawrence Baker, Dr. Leslie Rye, Dr. Paul Cannon, Dr. Ralph Gallimore, Elevation Burger, EMW Properties, Falls Church Animal Hospital, Falls Church Art and Frame, Falls Church Community, Falls Church Education Association, Falls Church Police Association, Falls Church Sunoco, Falls Church Yellow Cab, Five Guys Burgers, Flippin’Pizza, Foxes Music Company, Functional Fitness, Galleria Florist, GMHS Parents, GMHS Athletic Department, Hair Cuttery, Ira Kaylin, Irelands Four Provinces, Italian Cafe, Jason’s Deli, Jefferson One-Bob Young, Jiffy Lube, Keller Williams Realty- Tori McKinney, Kendall Barrett, Kings Dominion, Korte Realty-Trina Rinaldi, La Cote D’Or, Lawerence Baker, Ledo’s Pizza, Legal Sea Foods, Les Brorsen, Lions Club, Mad Fox Brewing Company, Manekineko Japanese Restaurant, Massage Envy, Matt’s Tailor, McDonalds, Metro 29 Diner, Nash Hair Design, Natalia’s Elegant Creations, Old Dominion Brewery, One More Page Books, Open Kitchen Bistro, Original Pancake House, Papa John’s Pizza, Perfect Endings Hair Designs, Pie-Tanzia, Point of View Eyewear, Quiznos, Red White and Bleu, Redskins, 7-Eleven, Silpada Jewelry- Katherine Mason, Sonic Car Wash, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Tara Thai, Trader Joe’s, Tyronne Byrd- GMHS Principal, Washington Nationals Baseball Organization, Wegmans, Whole Foods.

Thanks to all these local businesses, the community and the tons of parent-volunteers-because of all of you-the 2011 GMHS grads had a safe and fun celebration. Congratulations to the Class of 2011! You will always be Mustangs!

Gardner Indicted on Three Counts

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF

July 20, 2011

Michael Gardner has been indicted on two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of object sexual penetration.  The Grand Jury of the Arlington Circuit Court handed down the indictments on Monday, July 18.

Mr. Gardner is due in Court tomorrow morning.  The judge will set a trial date at that time.

Rating Agencies Reaffirm City’s Bond Ratings

By FALLS CHURCH OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

July 20, 2011

Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service have reaffirmed the City of Falls Church’s bond ratings of AA and AA1, respectively.  Bond ratings (expressed in letters from “AAA” to “C”), are grades given to bonds that indicate their credit quality.  Private independent rating services provide these evaluations of a bond issuer’s financial strength, or its ability to pay a bond’s principal and interest in a timely manner.

        The S&P report notes: “Standard & Poor’s considers the City’s financial management practices “strong” under its Financial Management Assessment methodology, indicating practices are strong, well embedded, and likely sustainable.”

        In reaffirming the City’s AA1 bond rating, Moody’s Investors Service is indicating it is also satisfied with the City’s financial management plan.

         “This positive affirmation from the rating agencies reflects the City’s careful financial planning and solid financial management practices, especially during the recent economic downturn,” said Mayor Nader Baroukh.  “One key to they City’s high credit ratings was the City Council’s decision to dedicate revenues for fund balance restoration in the FY11 and FY12 Budget.  This indicates the City is in a good position to move forward as the economy continues to recover. ”

According to the City Council’s Finance and Budget Committee members Johannah Barry and Ira Kaylin, “The ratings affirmation reflects the City’s commitment to sound fiscal management which balances needed revenues with expenditures, maintains bond issuance at prudential levels and above all else reflects our citizen’s willingness and ability to support the City. Though difficult to measure, citizen support is one of the most important factors in determining our rating.”