Panel Discussion. Thursday, Feb. 26 from 8-9:30 p.m. at Old Dominion University, 21335 Signal Hill Plaza, Sterling. "The 'Six Pack' of Key Business Advisors That Every Successful Business Owner Has." Panel members will include a banker, attorney, financial advisor, insurance agent, CPA,
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<lst>Send business announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Lauren Warchol at 703-917-6449.
Afghan Grill has opened a new location in CountrySide mall in Sterling. The restaurant, which serves authentic Afghani cuisine, offers "family-style prices" for lunch (Monday-Friday) and dinner. It includes a full-service bar, in-house catering and is open for takeout during normal operating hours. Afghan Grill's other location is in Woodley Park in Washington, D.C. Call 703-444-5569.
Italian Gardens, a new restaurant in the Regal Center, offers a full menu of quality Italian food at moderate prices. The menu focuses on family dining with special offers for children. Dine in or carry out are available. Italian Gardens is located at 20921 Davenport Drive, Sterling. Telephone: 571-434-1870 or Fax: 571-434-9090.
Santini's New York Style Deli bought Jimmy G's Deli in September of 2003. As part of the sales agreement, the new owners were required to change the name but have no plans to change the quality or quantity of the food served. The new owners have retained the entire staff, with the exception of the former owner and his son, and have added more service personnel. Santini's offers a 75-seat dining room, free of charge for parties or gatherings of any kind, and is equipped with a large-screen TV, a buffet service table and a presentation area. Santini's is located under the old Clock Tower in the Sugarland Crossing shopping center on Route 7 in Sterling and can be reached at 703-450-4444 or www.santinisdeli.com.
Haynesworth Pediatrics announces its opening of a new pediatric practice in Ashburn. Haynesworth Pediatrics is located at 20608 Gordon Park Square, Suite 170, Ashburn. The phone number is 703-858-2424 and the website is www.haynesworthpeds.com. Haynesworth Pediatrics offers services in English and Spanish.
The Doctor's Speakers Bureau will be offering a free community workshop on " 5 Secrets to Permanent Weight Loss" at the Curves of Sterling from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17. For more information, call 571-434-2999.
The Leesburg location of Check-It Paintball opened on Jan. 5 at 212-A Loudoun Street in Leesburg. Check-It Paintball Supplies has two other stores in Fairfax and Chantilly. The store's web site, www.check-it-paintball.com, will take equipment reservations, orders, provide coupons, post tournament news and offer a bulletin board for discussions between paintball enthusiasts. Hours will be Monday- Friday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, call 703-737-0001.
Randall Travel Marketing recently performed a study of visitors to Loudoun County to better understand the demographic of those visiting. The report confirms a high-volume of day-trippers (51.49 percent) and the average amount of expenditures per day-- $400. The typical visitor to Loudoun is most likely female, by 2-to-1, is either retired, an educator, a homemaker or professional. Their median income is $60,000 to $80,000 and they reside in a Mid-Atlantic state (Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina or New York.) The study also identifies the travel party size as 79.5 percent being adults only. First time visitors were 53.1 percent and repeat visitors were 78.1 percent.
The Loudoun Business Roundtable will be held Tuesday, March 9 from 8-11:30 a.m. in the Board Room of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street SE, Leesburg. Topics to be covered include top reasons for locating a business in Loudoun County; priority transportation improvements needed; major stumbling blocks seen with development in the Routes 28, 50, 606 and Dulles Greenway corridors, along Route 7 and in the Towns; and the future economic development direction for Loudoun County.
Loudoun Chamber of Commerce will hold its fourth annual Administrative Professionals Luncheon at Belmont Country Club on Wednesday, April 21. The Chamber will announce the recipient of its "Administrative Professional of the Year" award at the luncheon. Nominations for this award will be accepted until March 15. Advance tickets and information on nominating this year's "Administrative Professional of the Year" can be obtained from the Chamber (703-777-2176) or online at www.loudounchamber.org. The Chamber is selling advance discounted tickets for $40 a person and $360 for a reserved table of eight. Sponsorships and display tables also are available. For more information contact Tina Johnson of Johnson Promotions & Events at 703-777-8577.
The Technology Committee of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce will present: "How to get the best deal on business technology" on Feb. 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Old Dominion University, 21335 Signal Hill Plaza, Sterling. Cost per seminar is $10 for Loudoun Chamber members, $15 for non-members. Register online for the Brown Bag: Office Technology Education Seminar at www.loudounchamber.org. For more information, call Stephanie Norton at 703-777-2176.
Loudoun Cooperative Extension is offering a seminar on "Starting a Family Child Care Business." Topics will include getting started in the family child care, zoning, advertising, contracts, arranging space, activity planning, and preparing nutritious foods in family day care. The program will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Rust Library in Leesburg. The registration fee is $10 to cover the resource manual provided. For more information, call Beverly Samuel at 703-77-0373.
Gray Ghost Vineyards won silver medals in the Wines of the South competition on all 5 wines entered. The award-winning wines are the 2002 Chardonnay, 2002 Reserve Chardonnay, 2002 Adieu, Victorian White and Victorian Red.
Local area vendors are invited to the 2004 Loudoun County Purchasing's Buyer/Seller Information Exchange sessions. The purpose of these sessions is to give area businesses the opportunity to meet the County's Purchasing staff and become familiar with the County's procurement process. These will be an informal sessions open to all vendors to discuss the County's processes, upcoming contracts and any vendor questions or concerns. Representatives of area businesses are invited to attend. The sessions are scheduled for: Thursday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.; Wednesday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday, April 13 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday, June 16 at 2 p.m. The Buyer/Seller Information Exchange sessions will be held in the Lovettsville Room on the 1st floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., in Leesburg. To reserve a seat, call 703-777-0403 or send an email to sfields@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly networking Business Showcase Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Belmont Country Club in Ashburn, Va. This monthly networking event averages between 100-150 attendees. It is an innovative program bringing businesses together to meet, exchange business cards, develop new prospects and strike a few deals. Each attendee has the opportunity to stand up and introduce themselves to the group and participate in roundtable discussions that showcase each business. The cost is $15 for pre-paid members, $18 for members at the door; $20 for non-members with pre-registration required. A full buffet breakfast is included in the cost. Register online at www.loudounchamber.org or call Stephanie Norton at the Chamber office, 703-777-2176 ext 25.
A Business Owner's Guide to Intellectual Property. Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 11-1:30 p.m. at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. The seminar will cover: definition and comparison of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret rights; how to identify what constitutes a protected right; how to acquire and protect intellectual property rights, including a simple checklist of steps to identify and secure them; comparison of enforcement rights and procedures; the importance of intellectual property safeguards in a technology-driven marketplace, and; maximizing the value of intellectual property for the small business owner. It is free of charge, but pre-registration is required. Call the Center at 703-430-7222 or email sbdc@loudounsbdc.org to register and obtain additional information.
Start Your Business. Thursday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. Highlights of the seminar will include: taxes, licensing, zoning, accounting & record keeping, business plan development, sources of financing, marketing, and insurance. An open discussion period will follow the presentation to address specific questions. Free of charge, but pre-registration is required. Call the Center at 703-430-7222 or email sbdc@loudounsbdc.org to register and obtain additional information.
Babies "R" Us is kicking off its first "Baby Extravaganza." Every Saturday in February from 12-4 p.m., the Babies "R" Us store in Sterling will host a variety of extra special in-store activities and events centered around themes related to caring for babies. The themes for each Saturday in February are as follows: Making Baby's Trip Extra Comfy, Feb. 14; Making Baby's Home Extra Safe, Feb. 21; Making Baby's Day Extra Fun, Feb. 28. Activities include free seminars, giveaways, product demonstrations, informational brochures, fun activities and entertainment for children. For more information, call 571-434-8850.
Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Networking Event. After Hours Mixer on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. hosted by the Small Business Development Center, 21145 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost: $5 Chamber Members, $10 Non-Members. Bring business cards to this monthly networking event. Register online at http://www.loudounchamber.org or call the Chamber at 703-777-2176 ext 25.
Media veteran Dan Sousa announced the opening of WildFire Media Relations LLC, a full-service public relations firm that specializes in media relations. In addition to media relations, WildFire (www.wildfiremediarelations.com) will offer clients writing, editing and research services, a Loudoun County-based clipping service focused on local media, and other public relations programs.
Loudoun Career Fair. Thursday, March 4 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Dulles Town Center. For local job seekers and employers. More information about the fair, including exhibitor registration packet, is available on the Loudoun County Government Website at www.loudoun.gov/services/career.htm.
The Loudoun Cooperative Extension is offering a food safety course on March 2 and 9 from 8.30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Rust Library in Leesburg. The extension offers a ServSafe Sanitation Program to restaurant food managers and others involved in food handling and preparation. The cost for text, examination and certification is $104. To register or for more information, call Beverly Samuel, Loudoun Cooperative Extension Office at 703-777-0373.
In recognition of continued positive financial and service performance, two national bond rating services have upgraded their ratings of Loudoun Hospital Center. Fitch Ratings has upgraded Loudoun Hospital Center's ("LHC") bond ratings to "BBB+; Stable Outlook" (from "BBB"). Standard & Poor's raised its rating to "BBB; Stable Outlook" (from "BBB-; Positive Outlook). Specifics cited by the national firms include: strong operating trends in the past three years as a result of the financial turnaround plan implemented in 1999; improving liquidity position with unrestricted cash; adequate debt-service coverage; market position; and positive inpatient/outpatient volume trends.
Loudoun Hospital and Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) announced their community partnership to address small business health care. The announcement was made at the LCCC annual meeting on January 27. The goal is to find solutions for affordable and accessible health care insurance for Loudoun county citizens, with funding up to $100,000 from Loudoun Hospital’s Community Health Services Fund. The partners will put together a working group as a part of the project. Loudoun Hospital will represent health care providers in Loudoun County, and the Chamber will represent the county businesses. The group will also include representatives of federal, state and county governments that serve Loudoun County, and representatives of individual small businesses in the county.
Dulles-based SER Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of outbound contact center solutions today announced that its breakthrough Quality Monitoring Solution, Sertainty, was named 2003 Product of the Year by Customer Inter@action Solutions magazine.