<i>Send announcements to The Herndon Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Jean Card at 703-917-6437, with questions. This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost. </i>
Enjoy food and beverages at the YMCA Thursday, Aug. 18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and allow the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce to help you find a "Power Partner" that complements your business with whom you can swap leads. Preregistering online at www.HerndonDullesChamber.org/Events. Fees $10 members; $15 nonmembers. Members, call to learn if display spaces are still available, 571-323-5303. Directions: From the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267), exit at Fairfax County Parkway North, immediate right on Sunset Hills Road, immediate left into parking area.
The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) announced the advancement of eight employees to new positions within the organization. These appointments help to properly support CIT in meeting the changing needs and goals of the organization.
* Brooke A. Bell has been promoted to the position of regional director. Bell has been with CIT since 1999 as the associate regional director for the Greater Richmond Regional Office, in addition to serving as the regional marketing coordinator and client coordinator. Prior to joining CIT, she served as a research associate for the University of Virginia’s Plastic Surgery research team. Bell received a B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University and a M.B.A. from Averett University.
* Henry “Hap” Connors Jr. has been promoted from director to vice president, government and public affairs. Connors has 20 years of public relations and marketing experience in executive positions in both public and private sector organizations. He is also vice chair of the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors.
* Daniel Harris has been named to the position of research analyst. Formerly with Overnite Transportation, Harris joined CIT and most recently served as the client coordinator for the Greater Richmond Regional Office. A graduate of Liberty University, Harris has been with CIT since 2004.
* Karen R. Jackson will serve as vice president, broadband programs. Jackson has been with CIT since 1995, working in numerous positions within the organization, including regional director and director of broadband outreach, where she has worked with local officials throughout the Commonwealth to help them implement broadband programs. Prior to joining CIT, she held various management positions in the information technology industry.
* Louis McDonald has been promoted to chief technology officer. McDonald has more than 20 years of experience in information systems, strategic planning and project management, and has been with CIT since 2000. He has advanced degrees in computer science and information systems from the University of Southern California and George Washington University, respectively.
* Maggie Pomerleau has been promoted to accountant from her most recent position of junior accountant. Among her duties will be federal program accounting. Before joining CIT in 2003, Pomerleau worked as an accountant, payroll supervisor and inventory manager for more than 35 years in private industry and with the Department of Defense and State Department.
* Torre St. Saviour has been named to the position of research analyst. St. Saviour joined CIT in 2004, serving as client coordinator at the Tidewater Regional Office and as a liaison to the Hampton Roads Technology Council. Prior to coming to CIT, St. Saviour served as a research administrator at the Greater Hartford Academy of Math and Science and as a project coordinator at Hezel Associates, an e-learning research and evaluation firm out of Syracuse, N.Y. She received a B.A. from the University of Maine and a M.S. from the University of Hartford.
* Joseph S. Svetina will serve as director, business development. Svetina has been a regional director in the Newport News office, and also serves as director for the NASA Innovative Partnerships Program. Svetina has more than 20 years of experience in executive management, engineering and research and development positions. He is a former small business owner, and has a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Pennsylvania State University.
Hair Cuttery is celebrating the 7th anniversary of its Share A Haircut campaign, which helps tens of thousands of children served by social service agencies. For every child's haircut, up to age 18, purchased at any Hair Cuttery salon between Aug. 1-15, Hair Cuttery will donate a free haircut to an underprivileged child. Washington, D.C.-metropoltian area Hair Cuttery salons will donate up to 8,000 free haircuts valued at $80,000 to area children in need. Nationwide, Hair Cuttery expects to donate more than 50,000 haircuts, totaling $500,000.
The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a series of events in the month of August.
* Business After Hours. Thursday, Aug. 4, 5-7 p.m., at Residence Inn Marriott Chantilly Dulles South, 14440 Chantilly Crossing. The focus of this monthly event is to provide local businesses with a relaxed and fun setting where busy people can meet, greet and eat while exchanging business cards and learning how to promote their business locally. Tickets: $5 at the door. Food provided by Pitalicious Lebanese Grill. RSVP to Claudia Patchen, claudia.patchen@marriott.com, for directions, call 703-376-6946. Sponsored by the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce and The Chronicle.
* New/Prospective Member Orientation (Chamber 101). Wednesday, Aug. 17, noon to 1:30 p.m., at ITT Technical Institute, 14420 Albemarle Point Place, Suite 100, Chantilly. This monthly seminar teaches members how to use Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce events and programs most effectively. It includes a free lunch and networking with 30 to 40 other businesses, bring business cards. Free, but preregister with Membership Director, Ellen Kaminsky, 571-323-5302 or e-mail membership@HerndonDullesChamber.org. Sponsored by Washington Business Journal. Directions: Route 28 South, right on Willard, right on Lee, right on Albemarle Point Place.
* Mixer-"Power Partners." Thursday, Aug. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the YMCA-Reston, 12196 Sunset Hills Road. Enjoy food and beverages at the YMCA with other chamber members and guests and allow the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce to help you find a power partner that complements your business with whom you can swap leads. Save time in line by preregistering online at www.HerndonDullesChamber.org/Events. Fees $10 members; $15 nonmembers.
The FCPS Adult Education and VA DOLI announced the top plumbing apprentices at the recent Plumbing Apprenticeship Graduation Banquet. Two of the four top apprentices are part of the My Plumber organization. They are Eric A. Sami, first-year apprentice and fourth-year graduate apprentice, Kenneth W. Miller. Other top plumbing apprentices are second-year Mark D. Herold and third-year Pablo D. Perez Chusin.
Of the 33 graduating apprentice plumbers, two are My Plumber employees. They are David W. Bellovich and Kenneth W. Miller. It takes 60 hours of class work with passing grades and 1,400 hours of on-the-job training to reach this point.
The Foster and Respite Care Programs of Northern Virginia Family Service are seeking gift basket donations from Northern Virginia residents and businesses. Gift baskets will be presented for distribution at the upcoming annual Foster Care Appreciation Luncheon. Items can include seasonal items such as new gardening tools, barbecue items, outdoor games for families, or home improvement items.
Those wishing to donate new items can call Maggie at 703-219-2126. For more information on becoming an NVFS foster or respite care provider, call Ginny Snaider, 703-219-2184.
In its ongoing efforts to support military dogs stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, Happy Tails Dog Spa raised more
than $8,500 and washed nearly 160 dogs at a fund-raiser at its headquarters on Tyco Road.
Beginning July 4, Happy Tails Dog Spa launched a summer-long campaign to raise money, create awareness and collect donated items to support America's military dogs and their handlers stationed overseas. All proceeds generated from the dog wash and other fund-raising events will defer the cost of cooling equipment for the dogs and heat-resistant clothing for their handlers.
The dog wash on Sunday included a steady stream of customers, as four wash stations worked non-stop throughout the afternoon.
Along with the money raised, Happy Tails Dog Spa has also collected the following items for the dogs and their handlers: 210 pounds of dog bones, 40 pounds of dog treats, 10 pounds of beef jerky, 30 pounds of sunflower seeds, 81 rope toys, 143 tennis balls, 42 flying discs, 1,305 tubes of lip
balm and 153 bottles of sunscreen, as well as other supplies.
From now until Sept. 5, Happy Tails will be concentrating on raising funds to purchase and send more specialized equipment and supplies for the dogs and handlers. Those interested in participating in this cause should visit or mail checks to Happy Tails Dog Spa, 8528-F Tyco Road, Tysons Corner, VA 22182.
With a gift from the Arlington Women’s Civic Alliance (AWCA), Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) Special Foster Care program will be able to assist families with foster children whose needs require resources outside the realm of normal funding. NVFS’ Special Foster Care program received a $2,350 check from the alliance at its June meeting in Washington, D.C. These funds will help a foster child who needs cochlear implants and provide sign language education for both the family and child.
For more information on foster care or to become an NVFS Special Foster Care and Therapeutic Respite Care provider, call Ginny Snaider at 703-219-2184.
On July 9, more than 100 volunteers gave four hours of their time to help clean up Runnymede and Stanton Parks. More than 3.72 tons of invasive flora and debris were removed to protect the area, in addition to 15-20 bags of trash. The project was organized by Boost Mobile RockCorps, Herndon Parks and Recreation Department, Volunteer Fairfax, and DC101's Elliott in the Morning. Volunteers were given Coldplay tickets for the upcoming Nissan Pavilion concert in September.
For more information on volunteering with the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department at 703-435-6800 or Fairfax County Park Authority at 703-324-8586.