Community Notebook: Law Students Offer Help Restoring Voter Rights

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Law students at The College of William and Mary’s School of Law are offering assistance to help ex-offenders restore their voting rights this month. The Senior Services Coalition has elected its leaders for 2012, and next month, Colonial Williamsburg will host jazz vocalist Jane Monheit. Read on for details.

Law Students Offer Voter Restoration Services

The W.C. Jefferson Chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at the William and Mary School of Law will offer free assistance to community members seeking to have their voting rights restored or to groups conducting voter restoration outreach.

Since Gov. Bob McDonnell took office, a new process was implemented to increase voter restorations to ex-offenders.

BLSA students trained by specialists from the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia are available to guide offenders through the restoration process. Ex-offenders can attend a restoration workshop at noon on Saturday at the William and Mary Law School or can reserve a time to speak by phone with a BLSA member.

To request assistance, contact Jonathan Peterson at japeterson01@email.wm.edu or send a letter with your name and number to: Black Law Students Association, William and Mary School of Law, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187.

Senior Services Coalition Chooses Officers

From left, Nancy Harrison, Sharron Cornelius, Carol Wilson and Barbara Watson.

The Senior Services Coalition has elected its 2012 officers.

Sharron Cornelius, the recently retired executive director of the United Way of Greater Williamsburg, will serve as president. Carol Wilson, director of palliative care and advance care planning for Riverside Health System, was elected vice president. Nancy Harrison, chief financial officer of Williamsburg Landing, serves as secretary.

The Senior Services Coalition has also named Donna Dittman Hale as project coordinator and Sheila Crist as office administrator. Dittman Hale will coordinate volunteer efforts to implement the 10-year Community Action Plan on Aging.

CW Hosts Winter Jazz Concert

Colonial Williamsburg will host the 2012 Winter Concert Series the weekend of March 2-4.

Jazz vocalist Jane Monheit headlines a weekend of jazz with two performances in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge, at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. March 3. She will be accompanied by jazz musicians Michael Kanan on piano, Neal Miner on bass and Rick Montalbano on drums. The weekend includes performances by local jazz artists, jazz-inspired dining events and a hotel package.

Seating in the Virginia Room is cabaret-style. Tickets are $35 and $45, available by phone at (757) 282-2822, online here or at the Virginia Arts Festival box office at 440 Bank Street in Norfolk. Military and seniors receive a 10 percent discount and AAA members can receive a 15 percent discount if tickets are purchased by telephone.

Arc of Greater Williamsburg Hosts Special Olympics Liaison

York County Special Olympics Liaison Pat Burnett and her daughter, Christina, recently spread awareness of Special Olympics at The Arc of Greater Williamsburg.

The Arc has provided support services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than 35 years in the form of education, cultural, recreational and social opportunities. More than half of the audience at The Arc’s meeting were former or current participants in Special Olympics, and shared their awards and stories. Learn more about The Arc here.

Pictured are: (back row, from left) Angie Jarman, Susan Ackerman, Christina Burnett, Amber Chew, Jeff Kime. Middle Row, Kirsten Bender, David Joppa, Amy Gootzait, Joon Lee, Casey Pickreign, Jason Rohde. Front row, David Joppa, Amelia Rigby and Jordan Campbell.