Some of my clients end up doing community service due to their traffic cases, whether it is court ordered or simply in preparation for trial. One question many of them have is: what counts as community service?

Court community service must be done at a non-profit organization. This means that you cannot simply volunteer for a business and call it community service. A non-profit organization is a group like a charity, school, church, or government body.

Easy non-profit examples include:

• Salvation Army
• Goodwill
• SPCA
• Public library

For people in the Fredericksburg area who need community service, these organizations should work fine for court-related purposes:

• Fredericksburg Area Food Bank
• Rappahannock Goodwill Industries
• Greater Fredericksburg SPCA
• Central Rappahannock Regional Library
• Spotsylvania County Parks and Recreation
• Stafford County Parks and Recreation
• Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation

If you are my client and are doing community service, please contact me to confirm that the group you selected qualifies for court. Do this before volunteering to ensure that you don’t have to redo your volunteer hours. I am always here to answer your questions.

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Originally published at AndrewFlusche.com. © 2010 Andrew Flusche. What Counts as Court Community Service?

I appreciate the readers who have been kind enough to read this blog at this website.  Starting tomorrow (September 1st) I will continue to post over at this site if you'd care to follow along.  Thanks again!

Given the parade of disturbances emerging off the African coast and trudging across the Atlantic we may yet get a chance at chasing the remnants of a tropical system.  Two successful such chases that come to mind happened in 2002 (Isidore) and 2004 (Ivan), and one chase that I missed was 2005 when the remnants of the awesome Katrina roared through.  All three instances spawned tornadoes and all three occurred during the month of September, lending credence to the climatological tropical storm peak during that month.  These all occurred when the moist tropical air was stirred by the vorticity (spin) imparted by the fading remnants of these storms and cooked by the still strong September sunshine.  A more direct hit - a la Isabel in 2003 - is not conducive to anything but flooding and wind damage, so we certainly don't want that to occur again.  Even if such a setup occurs there's no guarantee that I'll be able to chase given what appears to be a very busy September schedule looming around the corner.  But you can bet I'll have my eyes open for the opportunity to chase!

That's a very real question given the current synoptic setup.  With the dry high pressure currently overhead we'll be lucky to even see clouds the next couple of days, much less some needed rain.  Then Earl approaches the East Coast the latter part of the week, and if he stays offshore as forecast (see below) we may be hurting for rain for a while longer.

This graphic shows Earl departing our area just ahead of a cold front that might otherwise produce showers and storms for us.  However, the sinking air behind him will suppress frontal rainfall in our area as seen above, and our next forecast chance of rain doesn't materialize until late NEXT week.  That would mean at least two weeks of very dry conditions if Earl completely bypasses us.  I suppose we could keep our fingers crossed for rain from Fiona, the latest tropical system in a series of disturbances plowing across the Atlantic, but she's a bigger unknown than Earl at this juncture.  Looks like the rivers and lakes will continue to dwindle for a while longer.

Desserts! We need more desserts on this blog! 
This simple recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls is a cinch to make. However, this blog entry comes with a warning: Readers beware that it is hard to eat just one of these no-bake peanut butter balls, so in an effort to alleviate this problem I highly recommend you doubling this recipe. :)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
2 Tbs. sugar substitute (Splenda)
2 Tbs. water
3/4 cup lightly crushed cereal (Honey Kix, Rice Krispies, Cheerios, etc.) I used Honey Kix for this recipe
1/4 cup dry milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup raisins or nuts (I used chopped almonds for this recipe)
Place peanut butter, dry milk, and Splenda in a bowl. Add vanilla and water; blend well. Stir in cereal and raisins/nuts. Shape into about 12 balls. To store cookies, place in a covered container and refrigerate. For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
Total Servings = 12
Serving size = 1 ball
Points per serving = 1.2 points

RIFF 2010 has officially closed. The banners are down, weary staff and filmmakers have all gone home…..but it was a great festival. Each year seems to get better and RIFF 2010 was a lot of fun. Throughout the hectic weekend I tried to catch up with festival Director Paul Lewis. A very busy man indeed, it seems fitting that his remarks close the weekend Seen & Heard column. 

TINA:  Fans seemed very pleased as they left the Awards Ceremony last night. There was a lot of positive feedback on the festival. You must be proud as RIFF is a brainchild of the Athenaeum, one of many in fact, but is now in its third year. Tell us how it began and the progression you have seen.

PAUL: I guess it began with a love for film and independent film in particular. When the Athenaeum was looking to invest in a new cultural event downtown, we discussed a film festival idea with Ryan and Ian who had long wanted to do the same thing. Then we all jumped in, feet first. Three years later, here we are.

TINA: What is the best part of the festival for you?

PAUL:  Finally watching the community come through the doors, sit in their seats, and give themselves over to the experience. From that point on it’s the stories and the films that matter.

TINA: If folks want to become more involved – what should they do?

PAUL: Speak up! When they see or hear about this festival or if they like what they are experiencing and want it to continue, say so, and join us. There are many ways to help, from giving money, to volunteering to participating in the event itself. Let us know what we can do better and help us get there.

~Peace,

Tina

Tina.morris @ rifilmfestival (dot) com

The bad news:  Earl is forecast to become a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher).  The good news:  the forecast track has shifted to the east, which would steer Earl between the Outer Banks and Bermuda.  Given this scenario it could still make landfall on the New England coast but it's less of a threat for us here in the Mid-Atlantic.

My frustration while on Council during court discussions, which continues today, is the failure of those Council members who support moving forward with the current plan to explain their position beyond rather vague statements like, court order, or moral obligation; while expecting detailed answers on options they do not support. The courts project as currently proposed will be the largest in the city's history and is being considered at a time when the economy is in the dumps. The answers provided by the Council majority thus far are totaling inadequate in light of the challenges the city now faces.

The recent OpEd by Vice-Mayor Greenlaw gave a very good outline of the current court plans but addressed only in passing the reasons for why she supported moving the project forward. I strongly support having a public presentation and public hearing on the impacts the court project will have on city services and priorities. However, why are we having to wait for another staff presentation when the answers should be coming from Council members who must have considered all the implications prior to giving their support for the current course of action?

Below are a list of the questions that have put forward which deserve answers from those Council members who have made up their minds and are prepared to move forward with a $40M court project. Its time they, not staff, explain their positions to the people who will ultimately have to pay for their decision--city residents.

1. Some Council members referred to moving the courts project forward as a "moral obligation." Can you explain what you mean by that? Can you also put your position in context in regard to your views on the city's obligations to public safety and education?

2. Do you believe that the local judiciary can order court facilities be built and that they can also assume control of the project? If so can you provide your reasoning for this position and site examples to back it up?

3. You refused to request a moratorium on implementation of state code section 15.2-1643 on addressing court security issues last year. The General Assembly will grant such a moratorium thru 2012 if requested. Will you support such a request now? If not can you explain your position?

4. Former Council member Joe Wilson has stated that both the Executive Plaza and Maury School were put forward for court use and rejected by the local judiciary as late as 2002. This, along with recent renovation work on the courts, would seem to refute the position put forward that court needs have been ignored and should be addressed now. Do you agree with this position?

5. In the Moseley Report it was made clear that, "a cost of more than about $30 million for new court facilities is not affordable for the City at this time." Do you agree with this statement? If not, why do you feel the city can afford more than 30M and where do you plan on getting the funds to pay for it?

6. Based on the statement above staff recommended building on the JDR site--Princess Anne Option C. Why did you support other options such as the post office, or even the current plan, which exceeded the staff budget recommendations?

7. From the 2010 budget letter--"During a review of the City's ongoing financial situation, Fitch's Rating Service maintained the City's credit rating, but downgraded the outlook to negative. The rating agency cited three factors: declining sales taxes, declining real estate values, and declining fund balance positions." How do you think moving forward with the court facilities as planned will affect the City's bond rating?

8. Do you dispute the contention that to move forward with the court project as planned that it will negatively affect other City priorities and city services? If so, can you elaborate on why you believe this will not be the case?

9. In discussions with some local attorney's there are questions regarding the case load projections as well as court space needs. The impact of technology on court needs has also been brought up. Have you talked with any other groups outside staff, judges and consultants about the scope and needs of the courts? If so, whom have you talked with?

10. Would you support looking at a regional option? Can you please elaborate on your position?

Are there other questions you would like to see Council address?

Brad Lubin is a Virginian returning home to show his work. Speaking with the producer of The Patent Clerk before last night’s final screening, he told me a little about his career and why this project was important to him.

 TINA: How did you come to produce this film?

BRAD: I am a screenwriter by trade. Right now I live in Washington D.C. but originally I am from Virginia. Producing is a passion and something I do for friends. Mostly I write comedy and that’s what I do for a living.

TINA: Don’t you pretty much need to live in LA to be a screenwriter?

BRAD: Well, I did my time in LA and now I live closer to home. I have an agent and a manager and the move has worked out.

TINA:  How did you find RIFF?

BRAD: This film was made in California and was shown in Santa Barbara. We wanted to find film festivals that were relevant to us so I searched for festivals in Virginia and found RIFF. It was close to home and being from Virginia, showing the film here means a lot to me.

TINA:  That was quite an impressive entourage you came in with. Who is here with you tonight?

BRAD: There are nine people.  That is my family and some of them came all the way from Russia. It’s wonderful to have  them with me.

TINA:  I know you are very excited about the showing tonight. Tell us more about the film and the making of it. How was this shot?

BRAD: It was shot in 16 mm. Very low budget.

TINA: Ah, low budget… the independent filmmaker’s mantra. What about the talent? How did you find your actors?

BRAD: We recruited talent from LA casting and held auditions. You probably would not realize this but if you have ever seen pictures of Einstein as a child the actor that we found bore a striking resemblance.

TINA: Coincidentally, I study German was impressed with the dialog. The pronunciation rang true in my ears but it was textbook German. Who helped with the language?

BRAD: We put an ad on Craigslist and the person who responded was from out of state. She sent CDs and that is how we worked. You had LA actors tackling German so it was a challenge. 

TINA: Producer as a title can mean a lot of things. Sometime producers just put up the money, whereas others are more involved. Can you tell us more about your role with this project?

BRAD:  My involvement was definitely hands-on. I shepherded it through the entire process providing feedback on the script, hiring the talent, obtaining film permits, finding insurance etc.

TINA: Thank you, Brad. I appreciate your time. Break a leg.

 ~Peace,

 Tina

Tina.morris @ rifilmfestival (dot) com

RIFF 2010 was a success. Final screenings brought a hearty round of applause for the filmmakers and volunteers alike.

RIFF 2010 Winners

Best Documentary: Prayers for Peace

Best Short: El Cortejo

Best Student Film: Me, Myself & Your Husband

Best in Show: Oveja Negra

Audience Choice: The Patent Clerk

Congratulations and well deserved accolades to all! 

The After Party at the Kenmore Inn also rocked and was enjoyed until closing.  I would share more about that but someone hid my notebook (think it was Ryan). You’ll have to come find out for yourself next year.

~Peace,

Tina