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.
Loudoun Women Business Forum, is June 1, noon, at the River Creek Country Club, Leesburg. Speaker is Gary Golman on the topic of How to be a High Performance Professional Networker. $13.50, includes lunch. 703-728-8900.
The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce presents the LeadShare Luncheon, Friday, June 2, 10:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Washington Dulles, 1000 Sully Road, Dulles. Special presentation by Geno Stampora of Creative Consulting. Tickets, includes lunch, $25 chamber members in advance; $30 chamber members and nonmembers at the door Free for current LeadShare members, but must preregister.
RSVP to Programs@loudounchamber.org or call 703-777-2176, Ext. 9023.
Eclips KidÕs, a salon and day spa for youngsters, will celebrate the grand opening of its second location in the Ashburn Village Shopping Plaza, at 44110 Ashburn Village Shopping Plaza, Suite 180, Ashburn. The new Eclips KidÕs will cater to a younger clientele.
This new location opened for business Tuesday, May 23, and will be celebrating its grand opening Saturday, June 3, including free face painting, door prizes, refreshments, $5 gift cards.
Small Business Golf Tournament, Wednesday, June 7, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start, Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club, 41601 Raspberry Drive, Leesburg. Cost $100 per player, includes 18 holes, green fees, open range, barbecue lunch, prizes and more. Register by calling 703-777-2176, Ext. 9023 or RSVP to programs@loudounchamber.org.
The Loudoun County Chamber is holding a business showcase breakfast, Thursday, June 8, 7:30-9 a.m., Belmont Country Club, 19961 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn, which requires business attire. Tickets $15 for members in advance; $20 for members at the door; $25 for nonmembers.
Registration and payment required no later than Tuesday, June 6, at 5 p.m. Visit www.loudounchamber.org to register online or RSVP to programs@loudounchamber.org.
The Loudoun County Chamber is holding lunch and learn, Tuesday, June 13, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at That's Amore Restaurant, 46300 Potomac Run Plaza, Sterling. Speaker Rick Miller, master fitness trainer and owner, Total Fitness Group, on aging. Tickets $15 per person chamber members, in advance; $20 per person chamber members and nonmembers at door. Register by calling 703-777-2176, Ext. 9023 or RSVP to programs@loudounchamber.org.
My Safe Zone, 43723 Lees Mill Square, Lansdowne, a new company making safety and security realistic for families, opened operations April 14. The company offers safety and security inspections by highly trained crime prevention and safety specialists, plus seminars, a safety and security kit and more.
Specialists will visit homes to check for 123 different criteria to protect against crime and promote child safety, emergency preparedness, fire prevention, cyber safety and identity theft. David Harbour, a former Washington Redskin, formed the company with fellow real estate agent and former IT executive Jeff Lubell.
The Nova Medical and Urgent Care Center Inc. has hired three new staff members to the Nova Medical Group.
Elise Schroeder, ND (naturopathic doctor), holds a BS degree in human biology from the University of Albany, and completed her Doctorate in naturopathic medicine at National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Ore.
Michael Jabalee, Lic. Ac., M.Ac., joins the group most recently from Mancos, Colo. He is a licensed and nationally certified acupuncturist practicing five element acupuncture for more than 14 years. He holds a BS in biology, pre-med from Salisbury State University and a masterÕs degree in acupuncture-herbs-nutrition from the TAI-SOPHIA Institute in Laurel, Md.
Stephanie Dacko, MS, RD, joins Nova having worked in outside medical practices for several years. She holds a bachelorÕs degree in dietetics from James Madison University and a masterÕs degree in exercise, fitness and health promotion from George Mason University. She is a registered dietitian credentialed with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and is an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University.
At its April 6 meeting, the Community Services Board recognized Michaels Arts and Crafts general manager, Jeff Green, and members of the River Creek Home and Garden Club for their support of people with mental disabilities.
Green, was recognized for the influence he is making in the lives of two clients that work at Michaels through the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Job Link Program, which helps people with mental retardation or serious mental illness get and keep jobs in the community.
The River Creek Home and Garden Club was recognized for its $1,794 donation to the Healing Garden at Friendship House, Loudoun County's psychosocial rehabilitation program in Leesburg that provides opportunities and support to people with mental illnesses allowing them to develop the work and social skills required to live successful in the community.
Two staff teams were also recognized the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention and Community Outreach Services staff and the Division of Mental Retardation Potomac Terrace Group Home staff.
Mason Dixon Funding, a full-service mortgage lender, has been recognized by The Washington Business Journal as one of the regionÕs best places to work. The award recognizes the companyÕs achievements in creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains employees through a combination of employee satisfaction, working conditions and company culture. Mason Dixon Funding, headquartered in Rockville, Md., with offices in Fairfax, Chantilly, Culpeper and Sterling.
Randy Collins, former president and CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, has joined McLean Insurance Agency as its operations manager. Collins started his position March 13. Collins left the Loudoun Chamber in January after 10 years as CEO.
Relocation Systems, a Dulles-based moving and storage company, has hired Brian Martin. Martin has two years of moving experience in all aspects of the business, mostly recently in moving sales. He is pursuing a degree from University of Maryland.
The second Let's Dish! held a grand opening event, April 25, at Leesburg's Prosperity Center, 705 E. Market St., with Leesburg Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd, Supervisor Jim Clem, and Loudoun Chamber of Commerce president Bob Steere on hand for the ribbon cutting and ceremonial ÒFirst Dish.Ó The company's Ashburn store has been open since August 2005.
On April 1, Laila Oinas, general manager of Candlewood Suites Sterling, was named operating partner by The Generation Companies LLC (Generation), a Research Triangle Park-based real estate developer, asset manager and operator of extended stay hotels. The Operating Partner Program, promotes hotel general managers to owner-partners, giving them not only more autonomy, but also more financial interest in their hotel.
Oinas has won numerous awards, including 2003 Assistant General Manager of the Year, Candlewood Suites-Herndon; Intercontinental HotelsÕ 2005 NewComer Hotel of the Year, Candlewood Suites Sterling; and 2005 Generation Squeaky Clean Candlewood of the Year, Candlewood Suites Sterling.
Vaaler Real Estate Company, in Leesburg and Winchester, has been chosen by Middleburg Bank as its exclusive broker to identify appropriate Northern Virginia building sites and assist with acquiring those new properties.
JK Moving & Storage will be on national television Friday, June 16, from 8-9 p.m., for its role on HomeTeam DC, a nationally-syndicated reality/ÒcauseÓ television show that airs in the Washington, D.C. market on WJLA-TV 7.
Filmed in dozens of markets throughout the nation HomeTeam selects deserving individuals or families to appear on the show, then surprises them with a new home of their own, by providing a cash down payment for the new home; as well as all of the housing costs, aside from utilities, for the entire first year; and significant home improvements and furnishings along with life skills and financial coaching.
The next Loudoun County Procurement's Buyer/Seller Information Exchange is Thursday, June 22, 2 p.m., in the Lovettsville Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., S.E., in Leesburg. The purpose of the informal session is to give area businesses the opportunity to meet the county's procurement staff and become familiar with the county's procurement process. Call 703-771-5142 or send an e-mail to sfields@loudoun.gov.
The next Loudoun County Procurement's Buyer/Seller Information Exchange is Monday, July 24, 10:30 a.m., in the Lovettsville Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., S.E., in Leesburg. The purpose of the informal session is to give area businesses the opportunity to meet the county's procurement staff and become familiar with the county's procurement process. Call 703-771-5142 or send an e-mail to sfields@loudoun.gov.
The Maids Home Services of Sterling, a professional residential cleaning service owned by Mark and Helena Gilbert, was honored with the companyÕs PresidentÕs Club Award for outstanding achievement in franchise sales and growth during the past year. The GilbertsÕ franchise was selected from more than 160 franchises throughout the United States.
Inova Loudoun Hospital has been awarded the Magnet designation, the highest institutional honor awarded for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Only 2 percent of the 6,000 hospitals in the United States have earned this designation, Inova Loudoun being only the fourth in the state of Virginia, following its sister organization Inova Fairfax Hospital, which was one of the first in the country to be recognized. There have only been 202 hospitals in the nation to earn Magnet designation.
JK Moving and Storage was honored as a finalist for the Washington Business JournalÕs award for the Best Place To Work in the Large Company, Headquartered Locally Division. JK was recognized among a field of 15 competitors. The announcement took place Friday, May 12, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Tysons Corner. The Washington Business Journal profiled the companyÕs achievement its May 12-18 edition.
Hamid and Sahar Tavassoli are opening a Web-based children's themed-parties business and preschool enrichment program, Oogles n' Googles, to serve Northern Virginia, Chantilly and South Riding. Fifteen themes are available for parties; while the enrichment program is designed to complement existing preschool curriculum. Visit the Web site at www.ooglesngoogles.com.
The World Trade Center Dulles Airport and Signature Worldwide, a leading provider of training outsourcing and business solutions based in Columbus, Ohio, plan to partner together to develop an international sales and customer service training program. The WTC Dulles Airport is an organization that assists foreign companies in entering the U.S. marketplace.
The international sales and customer service training program will be offered at the WTC Dulles Airport and will be located in the future 365-acre, mixed-use project One Loudoun, a business, retail and residential community.
The Washington, D.C., Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA-DC) announced the winners of the 2006 M Awards, May 11, recognizing regional marketers and their successful initiatives.
The 2006 Hall of Fame Award winner was Ted Leonsis, vice chairman of AOL and president of the company's audience business and chairman and majority owner of the Washington Capitals hockey team. The award recognizes his pioneering work in Internet and new media marketing. This year's M Awards marketing campaign winners were: Marketer of the Year, Home Safety Council; Education, Mindshare Interactive Campaigns, LLC; General Business, Hinge Inc.; Government, Military and Politics, Federal Trade Commission and JDG Communications Inc.; Health Care, George Washington University Hospital; Media and Multimedia, Booz-Allen Hamilton; Nonprofit/Association, Home Safety Council; On a Shoe String (Under $100,000), SQN Communications Design; Technology and Telecommunications, iDirect Technologies and Member of the Year, April January.