Business After Hours. Thursday, Jan. 5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Residence Inn by Marriott, 14440 Chantilly Crossing Lane, Chantilly (near Costco). The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce is starting the new year off by enabling guests to chat with the head of the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly — Gen. Joseph T. Anderson. This museum, adjacent to Dulles Airport, has attracted 3 million visitors from all over the world since it opened two years ago. Rub shoulders with Gen. Anderson and business folks in a relaxed setting while feasting on Famous Dave's pit bar-b-que. Fee $5. Pay at the door; RSVP to Crystal Smythe 703-376-6943 or register via email: crystal.smythe@marriott.com.
Gluten Free Meals. Thursday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. Dinner My Way, 14215-F Centreville Square, Centreville. Dinner My Way, a make-and-take meal operation, is offering gluten-free entrees. Customers can assemble their own entrees or pick up preassembled entrees. For more information, including how to sign up, go to www.dinnermyway.com and choose Centreville as the location, call 703-266-4200 or email centrevilleva@dinnermyway.com.
Navy Federal Credit Union, located at 5900 Centreville Road, Suite 110, is sponsoring a coat drive to benefit the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries in Chantilly. Donations are being accepted for new or gently worn coats, hats, gloves and boots for adults and children through Jan. 31.
"Entrepeneurship 1-1: Starting a Business in Fairfax County" seminars will continue in 2006 with nine dates for the upcoming year. The Fairfax Economic Development Authority conducts the workshop for individuals interested in beginning a business in Fairfax County.
The workshops are held on the first Tuesday of each month at FCEDA headquarters, 8300 Boone Blvd., Suite 4550, Vienna. Sessions begin at 8 a.m. with refreshments and networking. Sessions are free but pre-registration is required. Interested participants can register on the FCEDA's Web site at www. FairfaxCountyEDA.org. The scheduled 2006 dates are: Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.
The FCEDA promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic information.
Business and Professional Women (BPW) of Greater Fairfax will present Nancy Rosen, CEO of the Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation, speaking on “The Importance of Knowing Your Risk Numbers” at its monthly dinner meeting on Monday, Jan. 9, from 6:30 - 9 p.m., at Tysons Corner Embassy Suites, 8517 Leesburg Pike, Vienna. The mission of the Sister to Sister Foundation is to educate women about heart disease prevention and healthy lifestyles, and to provide free heart health screenings. Cost of the meeting is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Call Elyse Galik at 703-652-8364.