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 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.
Don Beyer Volvo-Dulles, 21830 Pacific Blvd., Sterling, is collecting items through Sept. 15 for the Baton Rouge and Little Rock food banks to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. Items include bottled water, sports drinks and juices, nonperishable foods, "pop-top" canned goods, toilettes, blankets, pillows, baby supplies. Collections take place Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Loudoun County's Economic Development Commission wants local business leaders who can contribute time, energy and ideas to promote business growth, strengthen the local economy and preserve a high quality of life for county residents. The EDC expects several openings for three-year terms beginning January 2006, and leaders from all sectors of the local business community are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by 5 p.m., Sept. 16. Send letters of interest, along with resumes/bios, to EDC Nominating Committee, c/o Debra Jenkins, Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, 1 Harrison St., fifth floor, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg.
The commission has 27 voting members, and is responsible for updating and implementing the community's Economic Development Strategic Plan; providing program and policy recommendations to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors; coordinating economic development and marketing activities among public/private groups in the county and providing the Department of Economic Development with ongoing support and oversight. Visit www.loudoun.gov/edc.
Elegance will be holding a fashion, home dŽcor and craft exhibition, Sept. 17 and 18, 201 Loudoun St., S.W., Leesburg, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free gift for the first 50 guests. Retailers welcome. Free parking in rear lot. RSVP to Ruby Ali, Rubyali1@verizon.net.
On Monday, Sept. 19, the Holiday Inn Washington-Dulles will present a luncheon organized by the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce. The event is a fund-raiser to help provide relief to the displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina. At the luncheon, information about KatrinaÕs nationwide economic impact will be shared by a diverse panel of experts from the business, economic and social arenas. Tickets to the luncheon are $50, the menu is "surf and turf" and participants will receive information useful for business budgeting. The ticket proceeds that day will go entirety to Phase 2 of the Katrina relief effort, specifically Fairfax Families Care. For more information on that program, visit www.fxfc.org.
Old Dominion Brewing Company is donating 50 cents to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief for every growler, a half-gallon bottle filled directly from the tap for take home use, filled during September. In addition, Sunday, Sept. 25, the company will host a beer dinner to raise money for hurricane relief. The staff is donating their time to reduce costs. Visit www.olddominion.com.
Beyond Closets, 506 Shaw Road, No. 325, Sterling, focusing on custom home storage, is collecting donations to help Hurricane Katrina victims. The company will collect donations of clean clothes and new underwear at their showroom. Collection hours are Monday-Friday, 8-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. The company will sort all items and ship them to designated sites in the Gulf Coast and Texas cities offering relief. Contact Toya Evans at Beyond Closets 703-668-0505.
The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce has the following upcoming events:
* 2005 Golf Classic, Monday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. shotgun start. Event proceeds to benefit the chamber and Loudoun charities. Sponsorship and player opportunities still available. Belmont County Club, 19961 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn.
* Lunch & Learn, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. O'Faolains Irish Restaurant & Pub, 20921 Davenport Drive, Sterling. Per-person tickets: $15 member/$20 nonmember
RSVP to skeus@loudounchamber.org.
* Loudoun Expo Trade Show, Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Dulles Town Center. Annual business-to-consumer trade show attracts more than 20,000 attendees. Display tables start at only $450, visit www.loudounchamber.org. Dulles Town Center, 21000 Dulles Town Circle, Dulles. Contact Roxane Remley at 703-777-2176, Ext. 25 or e-mail rremley@loudounchamber.org.
* 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. All nominations are due by 5 p.m., Sept. 30.
* 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 and complete a registration form.
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:
* Monday, Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m.
* Thursday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m.
* 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.
Each year, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations from its members for its Board of Directors. Members of the Board serve two-year terms and meet as a Board of Directors monthly.
Chamber members are encouraged to submit names for consideration by the nominating committee. Be aware that the submission of a name does not constitute election to the chamber board.
Prospective chamber board member names should be submitted via e-mail to nominating committee chair Mindy Williams at mwilliams@accesspointpa.com. Chamber members should include the following information with the nominations: Nominee name, title, company, brief reason for nomination, and nominator.
The deadline for submitting names is close of business, Friday, Sept. 23.
Dan Brown has joined the Dulles-based moving and storage company, Relocation System, as the training, quality control, compliance and safety coordinator.
Loudoun Healthcare Inc. of Leesburg was one of five Washington, D.C.-area businesses named AARP 2005 Best Employers for Workers Over 50. It was recognized for offering flexible schedules that accommodate training programs at George Mason University with the possibility of earning a master's degree, emphasizing recruitment of retirees, monthly brown-bag diversity lunches and generous health/financial benefits.
Oatlands recently hired Katherine Farley of Purcellville as its new special events manager. Farley is responsible for all of OatlandsÕ special events, corporate meetings, co- sponsored events, property rentals and weddings.
Farley has been involved in events management for the past 15 years. She most recently worked in event sales and coordination for Tarara Winery in Leesburg. Her background includes work with various corporate and nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C., area., and recent studies in historic preservation. Farley also specializes in sponsorship programs and vendor partnerships.
Oatlands is located six miles south of Leesburg on U.S. Route 15. The 360-acre estate is a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.