Local
Comings & Goings
New roles for locals at ConferenceDirect and EDF
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Michael Sicheri
Michael H. Sicheri has taken a new position as Global Account Executive with ConferenceDirect, a leading provider of global meeting planning solutions. Sicheri said he is proud to be working with them the company because, “We help clients save time and money by securing the best hotel accommodations, meeting space, conference venues and hospitality services available at the most favorable terms possible.”
Sicheri has more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He has worked at hotels including the Omni Shoreham Hotel, as a senior sales manager; the Loews Madison Hotel, as a national sales manager; and the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, as sales manager. In addition to his work with ConferenceDirect he is an owner of Cruise Planners, Travelisto.
Sicheri is a past vice president of Alexandria Gay Lesbian Association; past president of Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. He also served in the United States Navy. He is a Persian Gulf War veteran stationed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. He graduated from Mercyhurst University with a bachelor’s in Business/Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Management.
Mark W. Rupp recently began a new position with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) as director, Wildlife Campaign. Within the organization he will coordinate the activities and strategies among several EDF functional areas: political affairs, ecosystems, marketing and communications and legal. He will also facilitate activities and strategies with outside partners and coalitions and represent EDF to elected officials and members of the administration.
After President Trump’s election, Rupp left his position at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where he served as deputy associate administrator for intergovernmental relations. Prior to that, he worked for former Washington State Gov. Christine Gregoire as director of her D.C. office and as legislative counsel to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
He worked as a law clerk for both the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the San Francisco Environmental Law and Justice Clinic. Rupp has been active in the community as a member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., and was on the board of the Community Coalition for Environmental Justice. He has received numerous awards including a 2016 Recognition for Service to the Environment and the States, Environmental Council of States (ECOS); 2012 Appreciation for Leadership on behalf of the Chair, Western Governors Association; and 2005 Distinguished Congressional Staff Award, National Association of Community Health Centers.
Mark Rupp
Scott Widmeyer was recently named chair of the School of Media and Public Affairs Council at The George Washington University. The National Council for Media and Public Affairs functions as the director’s advisory body for the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA). Comprised of distinguished national and international alumni and friends, the Council works to address issues impacting the growth and development of SMPA. In addition, members help to promote the mission of the university and SMPA through their work on the Council.
Widmeyer is a founding managing partner at Finn Partners and founder of Widmeyer Communications. Talking about Finn Partners, he said, “In June, we celebrated the fourth anniversary of Widmeyer Communications joining Finn Partners. It’s been a good and evolving endeavor. At mid-year, Finn Partners, a global marketing communications firm, is approaching nearly 600 employees in 14 offices throughout the U.S. and globally. Our most recent acquisition of Ying Communications enables Finn to establish its Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore.”
Scott Widmeyer
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
Rehoboth Beach
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance
Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.
Thursday (9/3)
Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.
After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Friday (9/4)
The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Saturday (9/5)
The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.
Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.
Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.
Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.
The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.
Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.
Sunday (9/6)
Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.
Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.
John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.
Monday (9/7)
The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.
Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.
Maryland
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Conservative groups challenged system’s policy
By JESSICA CALEFATI | Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff cannot use transgender students’ preferred names if their parents oppose it, according to an internal document reviewed by the Banner, a change that comes after conservative groups challenged the school system’s approach to gender identity.
Teachers union president Kristina Korona told members in an Aug. 20 email that the new guidance undermines district policy on acceptance and inclusivity and “will begin harming affected students immediately.”
Previously, the district didn’t require parental permission to use a high school student’s chosen name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity, the internal document says. Now it does. The change comes as parents challenge the suburban school system’s gender identity policy and regulation in court and the Trump-Vance administration threatens the district’s funding.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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