E-Honora: GRAWA’s Electronic Newsletter

In the News - December 2005/January 2006

The debut of a 30-minute weekly television interview show, hosted by Sharon P. Stiller, was publicized in a recent Democrat and Chronicle article. The program, called Predominantly Legal, airs on a Buffalo-based network for American Muslims and focuses on legal issues ranging from immigration and border detentions to discrimination in the workplace. Stiller was approached by Bridges TV to host the program and 13 programs have been filmed. The show is offered on Dish Network channel 578.

As the University of Rochester announced a more robust tuition benefit program for faculty and staff with ten or more years of experience, the implementation of the new benefit has created some controversy. Patricia A. Gibbons was quoted in a recent article in the Democrat and Chronicle expressing her dismay that her daughter, who is currently a freshman in college and considering a tranfer to the University of Rochester, is ineligible for the 100% tuition waiver since it only applies to students who begin their undergraduate education in 2006. Gibbons is in the process of organizing a group of UR employees to propose a phased implementation plan that would show appreciation for long term UR employees who already have children in college.

GRAWA Secretary, Heidi Schult Gregory, was elected as a partner at Harris Beach, PLLC where she concentrates her practice in health services and business and commercial litigation. Previously, Heidi served for two terms as Co-Chair of GRAWA's Family and Careers Committee.

Susan Schultz Laluk was recently elected president of Digital Rochester, a networking and educational community formed to promote Rochester's image as a thriving technology center. As a member of ROC City Coalition, Digital Rochester boasts a growing membership and expanded calendar of events that ties directly to the area's efforts to attract, retain and empower young adults.

Beth Wilkens of Harris Beach, PLLC was selected for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America 2006.”

The December issues of Business Strategies Magazine included quotes from Sara Ashcraft and Eileen Buholtz. The entire issue focused on legal matters and both women responded to a question about election vs. appointment of judges.

Carla Palumbo was elected by a unanimous vote of her party to serve as the Democratic leader of the Monroe County Legislature. Palumbo was first elected to the Legislature in 2001.

The waiting is over -- Leslie Swift delivered a baby girl (6 lbs. 11 oz.) whom they named Grace. Joining the list of “moms-to-be” are Aimie Allen (clerk to Judge Fisher) and Jennifer Powers Iacubucci (clerk to Justice Pine).

Liz Wolford has joined the board of directors for Sojourner's House.

In the local authors section of the Democrat and Chronicle, Nora Jones was recently featured for her publication of Meditations for People Managers. She was also the guest speaker for a recent GRAWA book club meeting.

A Democrat and Chronicle article on November 24 discussed next year's race for the 25 th Congressional District (including Irondequoit, Penfield and Webster, along with Wayne and Onondaga Counties and parts of Cayuga County ). Paloma Capanna has already announced her intention to run and willingness to force a primary.