Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
DivaFit Pole Dancing Studio, 20604 Gordon Park Square, Suite 110, Ashburn, is celebrating its two-year anniversary Saturday, Sept. 13, from 12-5 p.m., with a fund-raiser for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Thirty-minute classes, appropriate for beginners as well as experienced pole dancers, will be free to the public. Donations are requested for class participation, with all proceeds going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Last year, this event raised $1,000 for the foundation. Includes raffle prizes, student and instructor performances, giveaways and refreshments.
The Committee for Dulles presets an update on the state of the aviation industry, Thursday, Sept. 18, at 11:30 a.m., at the Hyatt Dulles, 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd., Dulles. Features James C. May, president and CEO of Air Transport Association of America. Reservations required by Sept. 15. Cost: $45 in advance, $50 at the door for members; $55 in advance, $60 at the door for nonmembers. Call CFD office at 703-430-8749.
Leesburg's Froots Smoothies in Lansdowne Towne is now under the ownership of Tani Patel, who also owns Virginia's other Froots store in Ashburn.
Loudoun County-based Breaux Vineyards came away with three distinctive awards and took the only Gold Medal in Virginia for its 2007 Viognier out of all the Virginia entries at the Riverside International Wine Competition.
JetBlue Airways announces plans to launch nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport to Fort Myers and West Palm Beach, Fla., beginning Dec. 18 and to San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dec. 20. JetBlue Airways will also launch daily nonstop from Washington Dulles International Airport to Cancun, Mexico, beginning Dec. 20.
The Verizon Foundation presented a check for $106,000 to Save the Children. The check matched dollar for dollar the amount of money contributed so far by Verizon employees to aid disaster relief in China and Myanmar. The presentation was made Wednesday, July 16, at a community investment fair at Verizon Business' Ashburn campus.
Allstate Insurance Company announces the opening of a new office in Ashburn, owned and operated by Patricia Booth, CPA. The office is located at 22855 Brambleton Plaza, Suite 204.
Ideal Schools is holding its opening ceremony Sept. 12, 3-5 p.m., at 44675 Cape Court, Suite 105, Ashburn. Refreshments provided. Call 703-729-2766.
All local area vendors are invited to attend Loudoun County Procurement's 2008 buyer/seller information exchange sessions. These sessions are to provide information on the county's procurement processes and upcoming contracts. The sessions will take place Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 10:30 a.m.; Thursday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. For locations call 703-777-0403 or send an e-mail to Rebecca Kummel at procurement@loudoun.gov.
The One Loudoun development team has entered into a partnership with Loudoun County Public Schools to improve landscaping surrounding Steuart W. Weller Elementary School.
One Loudoun has given the public school system a gift of $20,000 to augment the standard landscaping package at the county's schools. The funds will go towards planning and materials to beautify the exterior of the school. Steuart W. Weller Elementary School, which opens in September, is located on proffered land from One Loudoun on Marblehead Drive near the intersection of Loudoun County Parkway.
A locally based South of the Border-theme restaurant and a national chain featuring all-American cuisine plan to open late this year and early in 2009 at Brambleton's Town Center.
Cantina Cove, opening in early 2009, will spotlight a Mexican-theme with new twists, including tableside, freshly made guacamole, specials, outdoor seating and a second-story mezzanine.
Reminiscent of "feel-good Americana," Johnny Rockets plans to open in mid-November with a menu that includes hamburgers, hand-dipped shakes and malts, and freshly baked apple pie.
Zachary Casagrande, DDS, who opened his practice earlier this year, operates Northern Virginia Orthodontics, also at the Town Center. A Brambleton resident, Casagrande is a board-certified orthodontist and a provider for Invisalign, an invisible braces provider. He sees pediatric, adolescent and adult patients.
Loudoun Dental Institute, with Mahnaz Jafari, DDS, opens a practice of general dentistry in August at the Town Center. Jafari offers a general dentistry practice for all ages and specializes in implants and cosmetic dentistry.
Coming Oct. 1 is Lisa Settle's destination-shopping spot, The Pink Polka Dot, offering designs for the fashion conscious, the home and new little arrivals. A grand opening is planned mid- to late October.
The newly enhanced Black Olive Sports Bar at The National Conference Center has opened. It includes 16 42-inch, flat-screen televisions, extensive menu, top-shelf beer, wine and liquor as well as several pool tables and Wii Lounge.
Radiology Imaging Associates has installed the newest and highest-resolution MRI scanners available, the Achieva 3.0T system from Philips Healthcare.
Because of the level of anatomic detail it provides, the Achieva 3.0T can assist radiologists and physicians in the earlier diagnosis of a variety of medical conditions, including brain disorders and/or cardiovascular disease. The new 3.0T MRI will be patient ready in mid September at RIA's full service diagnostic imaging facility at Lansdowne.