Send 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 Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454. This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Toll Brothers celebrated with the new Freedom High School in South Riding at the school's first assembly followed by a reception, held Oct. 17. During the assembly, which marked the beginning of the partnership, Principal Christine Forester thanked Toll Brothers for their support and presented John Tsitos, senior project manager, with a plaque to be displayed in the trophy case located in the school's entrance lobby.
The partnership includes Toll Brothersâ support for community-based programs and events. Thus far, Toll Brothers sponsored the student agendas; was the host and sponsor for "Freedom Fest," a community celebration that marked the opening of the school, which offered music, refreshments and entertainment for the children; managed the design and build of the school's two large courtyards, which entailed securing sponsors who donated services and materials from local landscape companies; and sponsored the dedication ceremony Oct. 24.
Moore Hummer Dulles will host Hummerfest 2005, from 12-4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at Moore Hummer, 25450 Pleasant Valley Drive in Chantilly. Hummerfest 2005 will be an afternoon of fun for the entire family, including Halloween games, face painting, a pumpkin toss and remote control Hummer races, seminars and off-road demonstrations. There will be food and prizes given away throughout the afternoon. Donations will be collected to benefit the American Red Cross and the Emergency Animal Rescue Service.
The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce announces it is seeking nominations for business awards in several categories. This is an opportunity for every business in the greater Dulles area to consider nominating a fellow business or oneÕs own for recognition at the chamberÕs annual Awards Gala, which is scheduled for Sat. night, Feb. 4, at the Dulles Hilton.
Last yearÕs winners were New Business: The Chocolate Chick; Small Office/Home Office: Meals By Day; Mid-Sized Business: HRI Associates; Large Business: Inova Fair Oaks Hospital; and Business Citizens: Gary and Tiffany Blackden (For Health and Balance).
To obtain a nomination form, visit www.herndondulleschamber.org, Events page or call 571-323-5300. The deadline for returning applications is Friday, Nov. 18.
Send your nominations to Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 327, Herndon, VA 20172; or fax them to 703-787-8859.
The Little Gym of Stone Ridge, which opens Oct. 31, is part of Scottsdale-based The Little Gym International, develops motor skills in children between the ages of 4 months and 12 years old. Using curriculum-based gymnastics, sports and other programs, The Little Gym students learn coordination, balance and flexibility. Such activities also enhance their listening, social and intellectual skills. For parents, The Little Gym also provides a bonding experience with their children.
Managing partner Chad Mussmon is a teacher-turned-businessman, and is opening his third The Little Gym franchise in Loudoun County and fifth overall in the Washington, D.C. area.
Loudoun Women Business Forum, Nov. 3, noon, at Zeffirelli's Restaurant, Leesburg. Speaker is Tamera Davidson discussing "Running a Household and Business-A Local Business Women's Perspective on Doing it All." $15, includes lunch. Call 703-728-8900.
James T. Barnette Jr., a certified financial planner and branch manager, registered principal at the Sterling office of Raymond James Financial Services inc., has been named to the firm's 2006 Leaders council in recognition of providing superior guidance and service.
Barnette earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Tennessee Technological University and an MBA from Boston University. He has been a licensed financial advisory since 1987 and a certified financial planner since 1989.
Image Matters LLC, headquartered in Leesburg, was recently nominated by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce for its Small Business Award in the Technology category. Image Matters specializes in developing and integrating geospatial technologies with the Semantic Web and other technologies.
Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P. (ÒTRIP IIÓ), owner of the concession for the Dulles Greenway toll road, announces the appointment of E. Thomas Sines to the position of chief executive officer. Sines was the former TRIP II chief operating officer and has more than 12 years of experience in a variety of management positions in the U.S. toll road industry and in toll road related companies.
Throughout October, LetÕs Dish! will do its part to support breast cancer research and awareness. For every customer who dishes or purchases the Pink Ribbon Stir Fry menu item, LetÕs Dish! will donate 10 percent of the dish proceeds to the Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center. LetÕs Dish! Ashburn is located in the Cameron Chase Village Center, 44260 Ice Rink Plaza No. 122, Ashburn.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Leesburg Downtown Business Association is adopting a "Paint the Town Pink" theme for the month of October. This community project is being initiated through the LDBA in order to raise public awareness of the plight of breast cancer.
Businesses of downtown Leesburg will be dressing up their shops in the breast-cancer awareness "pink" theme, helping to distribute brochures about breast cancer from the American Cancer Society, and running their own "Paint the Town Pink" promotions. Visitors to downtown Leesburg should look for the "Paint the Town Pink" ceramic pumpkins on display in participating businesses throughout October, along with the pink pumpkin LDBA float in the annual Leesburg Halloween Parade. This promotion is designed to raise public awareness for breast cancer and is not collectively a fund-raiser. However, many shops are considering a fund raising aspect to their individual promotions.
For more information and to participate, call Paige Buscema, president of LDBA and owner of the Eyetopia shop, at 703-443-6410 or Marilyn Helms-White, event chairperson and owner of the etceteras shop, at 703-777-0024.
Great Country Farms, Temple Hall Farm and the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in conjunction with the Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association, has joined for one promotion, "Imagine ...," which offers families one, free regular general admission to each of the three locations for the
2005 fall season. Call toll-free 1-866-771-2602 or
visit www.visitloudoun.org/imagine to request an "Imagine Family Fun Pass." Visitors who have their pass validated at all three locations by Oct. 31, may enter a drawing to win prizes including a 2006 season pass to Algonkian Regional Park Pool, a Loudoun gift basket or passes for mini-golf at Algonkian Regional Park.
As a founder of Loudoun Internal Medicine Associates, Dr. Jack Cook, celebrates the 25th anniversary of medical practice and service in Loudoun County this year. He is board certified in internal medicine and has as special board certification in geriatric care. Cook also serves as a pre-eminent leader to Loudoun Medical Group.
Cook was a commanding submarine officer in the U.S. Navy, attended Yale University Medical School, and earned his BS in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.
He spearheaded the growth and development of Loudoun Professional offices next to Loudoun Hospital.
Dr. Herbert Bravo is the owner and pediatrician behind Pediatrics@Nite, a concept that has been popular in other areas of the country. The practice is open 365 days a year and provides general medical care as well as acute medical care to children from infants to young adults.
In addition to general care, the practice offers x-rays and common lab exams on site and they take walk-ins.
The practice employs only board certified pediatricians and nurses with special skills in pediatrics. Pediatrics@Nite accepts most insurance.
Pediatrics@Nite is located at the Dulles Town Center, 21100 Dulles Town Center, Suite 120, and is open, from 5-11 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 2-11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Kelly Insurance Agency Inc. has joined United Benefit Advisors (UBA), an alliance of the independent benefit advisory firms. UBA is one of the nation's largest privately-held employee benefits advisory organizations with more than 1,600 experienced benefits professionals located in 150 offices throughout the country.
Celebrating its 38th anniversary in 2005, Kelly Insurance Agency Inc., headquartered in Leesburg, VA., employs more than 25 insurance professionals; and provides an array of insurance services.
Whitestone Farm, Aldie, ranked as second largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in Virginia having recorded 337 head of Angus with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2005, which ended Sept. 30, according to John Crouch, executive vice president of the American Angus Association.
Angus breeders across the nation in 2005 registered 324,266 head of Angus cattle compared to 298,770 in fiscal 2004.
Dr. Thomas P. Finley announces the opening of his new optometry office in Ashburn and the arrival of his new optometry associate, Dr. Paul T. Colbourne. Finley's Family Eyecare-Ashburn is located at 21785 Filigree Court, Suite 206 in the Professional Center.
Services offered include comprehensive eye examinations for adults and children, contact lens fittings and follow-up care for new and existing contact lens wearers, computer vision examinations, vision therapy and sports vision consultations, treatment of eye emergencies and infections, and laser vision consultations.
Colbourne will serve as the principal eye doctor overseeing most operations in the practice. Colbourne is originally from the town of High Wycombe in England. He received his bachelor of science degree in integrated studies from George Mason University and his doctorate of optometry degree from The Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He is married to Dr. Shannon Colbourne, also an optometrist.
Finley and Colbourne have worked together on and off for more than eight years. Both are members of the American Optometric Association, Virginia Optometric Association, and Northern Virginia Optometric Society. Finley will continue to work primarily in his Herndon office, which he has owned and operated since 1989.
Tucon Construction Corporation of Dulles has named Paul Taylor president and Chris Jenkins vice president.
Taylor, who previously served as Tucon's senior vice president, has 25 years of experience in commercial construction. His experience covers all phases of construction management, including conceptual estimating, bidding, client and subcontractor relations and project close outs. He acquired his B.S. degree in architectural engineering from the University of Texas in 1985.
Jenkins has been employed with Tucon since 1998 and has 26 years of experience in the construction industry. A lifelong resident of Loudoun County, Jenkins resides with his family on a homestead near Purcellville, where they are active in 4-H and other local activities.
UNO Communications announces Brigitta S. Touru–o, president, was appointed to the Loudoun County Community Services Board by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. She will serve a three-year term that expires June 30, 2008.
Reston Limousine announces as its new general manager, Jeff Morris and Kai Hebron, the new operations manager.
Morris has been in the transportation industry more than 20 years. Hebron has enjoyed a career in the meeting planning industry, most recently with USA Hosts. Hebron was hired by the last Presidential Inauguration Committee to handle all its transportation needs during Inauguration week. Reston Limousine is now based in its new 20,000-square-foot facility in Sterling.
Local area vendors are invited to the 2005 Loudoun County
Procurement's Buyer/Seller Information Exchange sessions. The purpose of these informal sessions is to give area businesses the opportunity to meet the county's procurement staff and become familiar with the county's procurement process. The next round of sessions are as follows:
* Friday, Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m.
* Thursday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m.
The sessions will be held in the Lovettsville Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., S.E., in Leesburg. Call 703-771-5142 or send an e-mail to sfields@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce has the following upcoming events:
* Technology 2008, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7:30-11 a.m. Featuring demonstrations of the latest technology for small business, now and what to expect in 2008. Guest speaker Steve Bass of PC World Magazine. River Creek Country Club, 43800 Olympic Blvd., Leesburg. Breakfast served; door prizes awarded. Free to chamber members; nonmembers $20. RSVP to skeus@loudounchamber.org.
* Business Showcase Breakfast, Thursday, Nov. 10, 7:30-9 a.m., at Belmont Country Club, 19961 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. Tickets $15 for members in advance, $20 for members at the door; $25 for nonmembers. Preregistration is required no later than Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m. RSVP to skeus@loudounchamber.org or call 703-777-2176.
* Small Business Awards Dinner, Monday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Call for nominations, visit the Chamber Web site at www.loudounchamber.org and complete a nomination form or fax a form to Roxane Remley at 703-777-1392.
* After Hours Business Mixer, Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:30-7 p.m. The winner of the 2005 Bankers Cup will also be announced. Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Tickets $5 chamber members, $10 nonmembers. RSVP to skeus@loudounchamber.org or call 703-777-2176.
* Holiday Celebration, Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30-10 p.m. Shop Loudoun will feature an array of Loudoun business presenting their wares for a shop and carry experience. National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Pace, Lansdowne. Interested vendors, visit www.loudounchamber.org.