The Herndon Chamber of Commerce celebrates 50 years with an Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Feb. 21at 7 p.m. – midnight, at Westfields Marriott in Chantilly. The event is titled Hour Story: Fifty Years at the Herndon Chamber. Each hour will recreate one of the five decades through music, lighting, special celebrity appearances and a cascade of pictures on screen depicting history and chamber events from that decade. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at www.dullesregionalchamber.org/events. Contact the Chamber at 571-323-5304.
Two new businesses have opened at the Franklin Farm Village Center. American Health & Wellness Center, specializing in chiropractic care and sports injuries, and Homemade Pizza Company are now open.
* American Health & Wellness Center focuses on all aspects of health through chiropractic massage as well as fitness, nutrition and stress management according to Owner, Dr. Karl Petrie. Petrie is a certified strength and conditioning specialist, which allows him to help anyone from athletes to non-competitors and pregnant women to children overcome injuries, weight issues and cardiovascular health. The center is open Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. and Sunday by appointment.
* Homemade Pizza Company (http://www.homemadepizza.com/) is a new retail concept that provides bake-at-home pizzas. Using all natural ingredients, crews create made-to-order pizzas for customers to pick up and bake at home. In addition to pizza, the menu also features a variety of salads and desserts. Homemade Pizza Company is open Monday through Thursday 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. Delivery is available for an additional charge.
Franklin Farm Village Center is located at the intersection of Fairfax County Parkway and Franklin Farm Road in Herndon. The center includes Giant and Sears Appliance & Hardware. The shopping center is owned by Franklin Farm, LLC, and The Rappaport Companies of McLean, manages the property.
Chantilly's GoVacuum, a retailer of vacuum cleaners and accessories, celebrated the grand opening of a brand new state-of-the-art warehouse on Saturday, Feb. 7. The new facility in Chantilly, at 14500-G Lee Road, is an upgrade over the company’s previous location in Sterling; with 5,000 square feet, it is approximately three times the size of its predecessor.
Got filing questions about your 2008 federal and Virginia state taxes? It’s tax time again, and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants is offering free tax assistance to Virginia taxpayers through its Tax Resource Center — a special section on the consumer Web site www.FinancialFitness.org.
In addition, anyone filing federal or state tax returns in the Commonwealth of Virginia can get free online tax advice by e-mailing questions at www.FinancialFitness.org through the "Ask a CPA" Tax Help E-mail Program. Experienced, licensed certified public accountants (CPA) will provide answers to tax questions within three business days. Tax questions can be submitted online now through April 8, 2009.
Contact VSCPA Media & Public Relations Specialist Shawnte Reynolds at sreynolds@vscpa.com or 800-733-8272.
The Long & Foster Companies announced the appointment of Tim Wilson, 49, as president of Affiliated Businesses for The Long & Foster Companies, comprised of Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., the largest and most-respected privately-owned real estate company in America, Prosperity Mortgage Company, Long & Foster Insurance Agency, Inc., and Long & Foster Settlement Services. Wilson replaces Dave Stevens who was recently promoted to president of The Long & Foster Companies.
The Assistance League of Northern Virginia will be holding a raffle for a trip to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Ga., on April 11-12, 2009. The prize package valued at over $8,500 includes two passes to the final weekend of the tournament, three nights hotel accommodations, three day car rental and unlimited hospitality privileges at the 1018 Club. The fund-raising effort supports the Assistance League's philanthropic projects: Operation Hugs, which supplies comfort items to youth and adult victims of sexual assault; as well as packages of infant care essentials to needy mothers; and Operation School Bell, which enhances literacy skills for local at-risk early elementary school students. Tickets are $100. Mail to: P.O. Box 209, Herndon, VA 20172-0209. Go to www.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org. Call 703-476-2336.
Interested in doing business with the Commonwealth of Virginia? For free business counseling on eVA, the State's web-based purchasing system, or SWaM (small, women and minority) business certification contact the Mason Enterprise Center at 703-993-9415 or send an email to jleonard@gmu.edu. This program is provided by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. Seats are limited.
Meet local business owners and build your business network through the BNI Business Owner's Roundtable. Meetings are Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Eggspectation, 5009 Weston Plaza Dr., Chantilly. Cost is $8 for Continental breakfast or $12 for hot breakfast. Email Lauren Kirby at lkirby@turnaroundllc.com.
The Centreville Rotary Club has moved its meeting location from the I-Hop in Centreville to the EggsSpectations Restaurant in Chantilly. The Rotary Club meets Tuesdays from 11:30-12:30 p.m. for lunch. There is a new guest speaker every week with topics ranging from estate planning to how the Rotary helps during emergencies. Contact Gregg Caldwell at gregg@gandcauto.com.
The Clifton Business Connection chapter of BNI invites area business professionals to visit its weekly networking meeting held every Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Heart in Hand Restaurant in Clifton. Visit www.bninova.com.