Local bartender shakes it up for the U.S. 

Todd Thrasher, mixologist and sommelier for Restaurant Eve, The Majestic and PX, won first place and a spot to represent the U.S. in the Cocktail World Cup during a national competition in New York last Sunday. 

The World Cup will be held March 23-28 in New Zealand.

His winning entry I Have Too Much Thyme on My Hands Right Now at This Point in My Life, features 42BELOW Vodka, lime thyme, syrup, house-made apple bitters and is garnished with compressed apple thyme balls. The competition is sponsored by 42BELOW Vodka.

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Stafford to keynote Alexandria Business Philanthropy Summit

Earl W. Stafford, named one the nations 150 most influential African Americans by Ebony magazine, will be the keynote speaker at Alexandrias 12th Annual Business Philanthropy Summit, part of the 3rd Annual Spring for Alexandria celebration of giving and service.

The summit, to be held the morning of April 30 at the First Baptist Church at 2932 King St., will kick off the annual Community Service Day that will engage hundreds of volunteers across the city to work on community improvement projects.

Stafford, who recently sold his company, Unitech, to Lockheed Martin, has also teamed with Bill Cosby to promote community service. In January, the pair launched Doing Good: The Peoples Project, which uses the web to promote service by highlighting the good work done by volunteers. The effort follows The Stafford Foundations 2008 Peoples Inaugural Project, which brought hundreds of disadvantaged people to Washington to participate in the presidential inauguration. Stafford credited the volunteers who helped organize that event with inspiring him to promote volunteerism.

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DASH fares to rise

The Alexandria Transit Companys board of directors approved fare increases to DASH bus service during their February meeting but they delayed any decision on potential service cuts. Fare increases will take effect this July.

The board approved a 25-cent increase in the base fare of $1.25, a 25-cent increase in the rail-to-bus transfer charge (currently free) and a $5 increase in the price of the monthly DASH Pass.
 
However, the board approved the proposed service reductions as supplemental budget reductions and will only implement the cuts if the amount of the subsidy DASH receives from the city is reduced, according to ATC General Manager Sandy Modell.

This is a time that we should be growing the system instead of reducing service, Modell said. But we understand that the city has funding constraints and that all city services may be asked to make sacrifices.

The proposed reductions are cost-saving measures in response to potential city budget reductions expected for the 2011 fiscal year. 

ATC evaluated service on routes with the lowest ridership and developed criteria based on reductions that would impact the least number of riders and those with availability to alternative routes and connections, according to Modell.

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Burke and Herbert growing

Burke and Herbert Bank and Trust Company recently reported a record net income of $32.7 million, or $170.17 per share, for 2009, according to a bank spokesperson. That marked a 30 percent increase for the year.

Loans rose by $175 million or 16 percent and deposits increased 21 percent or $269 million. The banks total assets now surpass $2 billion, up 18 percent over 2008.

Burke and Herbert Bank continues to perform at a high level thanks to our loyal customers and dedicated team members, said Chairman of the Board Charles Collum.. We plan to open more branches in convenient locations in 2010 to help sustain the momentum we have established.

Achieving $2 billion in assets provides the foundation for our banks continued growth, added Scott McSween, president and COO.