By Janice Miller, Chairman
City of Fairfax School Board
jmiller@fairfaxva.gov
Each year, we take time to thank the community members who work with the schools because their hard work and dedication not only make what we do easier — it makes it possible.
Volunteers assist in classrooms, chaperone field trips, help improve the school grounds, mentor and coach children, raise money to fund student activities — and the list goes on and on.
Let me take a moment to publicly thank four community members.
Each of these individuals took on the responsibility of representing the City on Fairfax County Public Schools advisory committees. They attended many meetings, participated in the important work of each committee, and reported on the committee’s work to the City School Board.
They include: Joan Rizak, who represented us on the Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities; Laura Welke, who was the City’s representative on the Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee; Pam Jones, who sat on the School Health Advisory Committee; Mitch Sutterfield, former Fairfax High School teacher and the City’s delegate to the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
Here’s to a great summer! We’ll talk to you again in July.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, send me an email: jmiller@fairfaxva.gov
Read more...
By Scott Golden, CFO
Scott@Golden-Cohen.com
Needless to say, when it comes to the changing world of health care benefits, we are in very interesting times. The economy continues to teeter and unemployment is still high. We are seeing those factors tie directly to health insurance benefits.
I am speaking, specifically, about COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 that was amended as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) signed by President Obama in February 2009.
How it works: “Assistance Eligible Individuals” pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums; the remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the coverage provider through a tax credit. The premium reduction applies to periods of health coverage that began on or after February 17, 2009 and lasts for up to 15 months.
A new trend: Although the COBRA subsidy has been around for 25 years, until recently few people opted for it when they left a job. Today, almost everyone who is terminated takes the benefit. It makes sense for the employee, especially in tough economic times when an employee doesn’t know when, or if, they’ll find a new job.
Read more...
Welcome to our newly designed monthly newsletter. Our aim is to provide you with more in-depth articles on hot topics in immigration law.
What you’ll find below: Scroll down to find two feature articles — one by Steve Trow, who offers insightful information on the intersection of immigration and tax planning for high net worth clients; the other, by Linda Rahal, who delves into the controversial Arizona immigration law. As always, we continue to provide you with important Immigration Updates on the law each month (see the column to the right for that information).
About our new website: We are also excited to announce the launch of our new website, www.trowrahal.com, which contains more comprehensive information about our services, as well as visa options and immigration regulations. You’ll find updated content on our key practice areas including: visas for hiring foreign nationals, visas for athletes and entertainers, visas for high net worth clients, avenues for obtaining permanent resident (green card) status, copies of our recent newsletters, and testimonials from our clients.
We appreciate your comments and feedback. We are looking forward to helping you with all of your immigration-related needs. _With warm regards from all of us at Trow & Rahal
Read more...
By Scott Golden, CFO
Scott@Golden-Cohen.com
On behalf of Golden & Cohen, I was invited to attend a recent invitation-only Health Care Reform Summit hosted by The Atlantic magazine. Featured speakers included Congressman Henry Waxman, Henry Aaron of the Brookings Institution, Christopher Dawes of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals, Henry Fineberg of the Institute of Health, and Ambassador Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The event was broken into three panel discussions, which included conversations about “the system,” “the patient,” and finally Congressman Waxman (pictured below) was interviewed by The Atlantic’s senior editor Joshua Green about health care reform.
While I found all of the discussions interesting and insightful, the conversation about the monetary ramifications intrigued me most. Read the entire newsletter to learn why.
Here’s to your good health!
Stephanie Cohen, CEO, stephanie@golden-cohen.com
Scott Golden, CFO, scott@golden-cohen.com
Jack Cohen, COO, jack@golden-cohen.com
Read more...
What Do Our Students Really Think About School?
By Ann Monday, Superintendent
City of Fairfax Schools
amonday@fairfaxva.gov
It was my honor to be at the April School Board Work Session where we heard from more than 20 middle and high school students about their perceptions of school.
This annual event is always enlightening, for as administrators we work hard to do the right thing for our students. Listening to their perspective is a welcome experience.
Click inside to hear what the students have to say.
Read more...
Hello, Powerhouse!
Women business leaders bring a powerful difference to the world of work because they tend to view life as an ongoing matrix of interconnected relationships — one that can be leveraged to achieve results.
In my experience, this constant outward focus is unique to women and their approach results in a rich environment that focuses on much more than the financial side of the business.
Yet this constant outward focus can be overplayed and become a liability.
Here’s why: For women business leaders to succeed, they need to focus inward on what brings them success. They also need to ask themselves what causes them to stumble.
In my work and in life I am a huge proponent of strategically planning personal development.
By planning, I mean more than just attending a sporadic conference or seminar. I advocate writing a clear and succinct development goal, which should be future oriented and closely linked with your business goals.
Read the entire April newsletter for useful tips on how to accomplish your goals — and stay sane.
Read more...
By Janice Miller, chairman
City of Fairfax School Board
The fundamental responsibility of any school is to provide a safe and secure environment for learning. This month’s Close-Up Online will focus on how our schools maintain positive environments and promote good citizenship.
Below, you’ll find information from City of Fairfax Police Chief Rick Rappoport, who at our March School Board Work Session shared information from the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force, which showed that community efforts to prevent gang activity are working.
Linda Burke, the Fairfax County Cluster Superintendent who supervises our schools, talked with us about how the County assesses school climate and what is in place in each of our schools to ensure student safety and positive behavior.
Scroll down for a recap of their presentations from Superintendent Ann Monday.
Read the entire issue here.
As always, the City School Board welcomes your feedback. If you have any questions or comments for us, email me at jmiller@fairfaxva.gov.
Read more...
Now that spring has sprung, we invite you to come in and celebrate by enjoying a refreshing Avenida Margarita. They are just $5 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Our Secret Recipe: Avenida Margaritas
Our bartenders Kevin and Kylie have a passion for Margaritas and mix up the meanest version we’ve tasted, starring fresh lime juice. Stop by to try this incredible concoction, but before you do try it yourself at home so you can compare. Cheers!
What you’ll need:
• 4 oz. tequila
• 1 oz. Triple Sec
• 2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 oz. simple syrup
• 1 cup crushed ice
Here’s how: Pour all ingredients into a shaker. Dance around the kitchen. Pour. Makes 2 servings.
Read more...
We are excited to announce that our first Sunday Brunch was incredibly successful. We invite you to come in and try some of our savory, original dishes that are sure to make the whole family happy.
For starters: There is a delicious Caesar Salad with masa croutons and fried capers, Fruit Salad, Gazpacho, Papusas with tomato sauce and curtido, Queso Fondido (vegetarian style, too), Spring mix salad _with queso fresco, jicima, strawberries, mango vinaigrette, and Tequila lime cured salmon with cilantro potato cakes — each $10, or less.
Our selection of brunch dishes includes: Capirotada Mexican Bread Pudding with honey butter and Zacapa syrup, Chilaquiles with green mole, fried eggs, queso fresco, crema, Frittata Del Dia with home fried potatoes, Grilled Chicken Torta with fried green tomatoes, avocado, bacon and salsa, Huevos Rancheros Tostadas with warm potatoes and refried black beans, and Zucchini Cheese Pastel with Spring Mixed Salad — each $12, or less.
For the kids: Scrambled Eggs with bacon, home fries and tortillas, for $7.
Read more...
In an effort to help the medical provider community better understand how insurance companies work with providers, Golden & Cohen CEO Stephanie Cohen has embarked on a program to bring the relevant parties together to have a meaningful and productive discussion on how to work more effectively together.
“Lack of communication between carrier and provider is one of the major issues in the health care delivery system,” Cohen believes.
On March 24, she kicked off the program with a presentation featuring Debra Carter, Director of Provider Relations for Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia of United Healthcare at the Inova Practice Administration in Alexandria.
“More than 45 people were in attendance for this useful presentation which outlined the tools that are available to each provider — and ways to use them best so we can make the filing process easier for everyone involved,” Cohen explains, noting that much of the presentation addressed how to navigate through United’s system. “Most of the information offered was actually applicable to all insurance carriers. I found it very helpful.”
Cohen adds that what was most interesting was that the goals of both United and the providers seemed to be aligned. “Obviously, the primary goal is to enhance the performance of the health and well-being of the people they serve in each community. United is committed to getting claims paid, and the providers are committed to getting paid for their services. During the group discussion, it was clear to all who attended that communication and teamwork are the key to a successful relationship.”
Alberta Seith, the Physician Liaison at Inova Alexandria Hospital, says: “The meeting drew a large audience that included practice administrators, billing managers and physicians,” Seith says. “Stephanie Cohen gave a detailed presentation that was easy to follow and generated active participation from the group. Participants agreed it was valuable information and they appreciated receiving contact information for additional questions.”
Cohen says she was honored to be able to get these parties together in a very constructive dialogue that can help everyone in the health care system. “I am looking forward to hosting more of these events with additional doctors and hospitals this year.”
Read all about it in this month’s newsletter
From all of us at Golden & Cohen, here’s to your good health!
Stephanie Cohen, CEO, stephanie@golden-cohen.com
Scott Golden, CFO, scott@golden-cohen.com
Jack Cohen, COO, jack@golden-cohen.com
Read more...
Friend us on Facebook
Connect on Google+
