Alexandria — The Fountains at Washington House’s Medicare-certified skilled nursing center, known as The Springs, has earned the highest five-star quality rating and four-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, according to Connie Haworth, executive director of the Alexandria retirement community. The Fountains at Washington House, 5100 Fillmore Avenue, is one of 32 communities operated by Watermark Retirement Communities. For more information, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com or call 703-845-5000.
Key promotions and new hires at Unwined, located in Bradlee and Belle View Shopping Centers: John Spina, general manager, King Street; Holly Rocco Feraci, marketing director; Savannah Brown, wine associate; and David Grabosky, wine associate and craft beer specialist. Title changes: Renée Lorraine, senior buyer and general manager, Belle View; Suzanne Ruscio, assistant manager, Belle View; and Nick Borek, assistant manager, King Street.
Six of Bean, Kinney & Korman’s attorneys were recently selected for inclusion in the 2013 Virginia Super Lawyers listing. The attorneys were recognized for their distinguished legal work in five different practice areas. These attorneys are: Raighne C. Delaney, Business Litigation; Timothy R. Hughes, Construction Litigation; Jonathan C. Kinney, Land Use/Zoning; James W. Korman, Family Law; James R. Schroll, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights; and Sara Leiner Schuler, Family Law.
Rooftop Chimney Sweeps, LTD celebrates 35 years of business in August.
Worldwide Speakers Group has acquired the Richmond, Va.-based Arnett & Associates.
Acme Mid-Century + Modern is opening a boutique vintage and modern home furnishings shop in the atrium of the historic Crilley Warehouse. Visit www.acmemidcentury.com.
Story Store Media, a video production company, has signed a three-year lease for the mezzanine level of 2001 Mount Vernon Ave. Story Store Media has called the Del Ray home for more than two years, but has expanded to accommodate business growth.
Tonya L. McCray is Alexandria Transit Company’s new director of finance and administration. McCray will be responsible for overseeing the finance and accounting functions and the coordination of those functions with the city's systems. McCray has more than 15 years of experience in the finance and accounting profession. Contact DASH at 703-746-DASH (3274) or visit www.dashbus.com.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board approved, for future sale, the Royal Street bus barn located between Royal Street and North Pitt Street in Old Town. The Alexandria facility will be replaced by a new WMATA bus garage located in Fairfax County. WMATA plans to issue a solicitation in the fall of 2013 for sale of the Royal Street site upon groundbreaking of the new Fairfax bus garage. The community will have opportunity to provide public input to the redevelopment of the bus barn site through the city’s development review process, which will culminate in a set of City Planning Commission and City Council land use discussions. Call 703-888-7166 or contact Dirk Geratz at dirk.geratz@alexandria.gov.
Sport Clips Haircuts opened a new location in Mount Vernon Plaza, 7732B Richmond Highway. The national company specializes in precision haircuts, shampoo, styling and neck and shoulder massage for men. Sports Clips is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.haircutmenalexandriava.com.
The Women's Center at Northern Virginia Community College's Alexandria Campus has received a $17,000 donation from the Fairfax County's Office of Public Private Partnerships. The donation will allow the center to provide students with financial help such as tuition assistance, books and emergency funds. Additionally, the partnership will help the center provide better access to community services and resources for struggling students, including those who face domestic, dating and sexual violence.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is welcoming Shai Chu to its staff as the new event rental coordinator. Shai has a background in customer service, events management and marketing, most recently working for the online company Razoo.
Newly appointed Head Bartender Dean Feddaoui is taking creative approaches to his new cocktail menu at Jackson 20. His cocktail includes flash-smoked Jack Daniels, Old Fashion bitters, Sweet Vermouth and is garnished with lemon peel.
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has appointed Richard Gottwald as president and CEO and a member of the board of directors. Gottwald brings more than 26 years of relevant association experience to his new role, having previously served as executive vice president of the International Sign Association.
Dominion Dental Services Inc. has been selected by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management as a regional dental carrier for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Dominion becomes one of 10 carriers participating in the program that makes dental benefits available to federal employees, retirees and their families. Dominion will be the only Dental HMO plan offered in the FEDVIP program.
Alexandria City residents, Susanna and Maria McPhilomy, recently opened an English school, Forum Intensive English Center, in Old Town Alexandria that offers English language training to local immigrants in the D.C. metro area. The McPhilomys have experienced the challenges of immigration first hand, as both are of Armenian descent and immigrated to the U.S. in the mid-1990s. Knowing that English is the key to success in this country, the mother and daughter duo decided to combine Susanna’s 37 years of teaching experience with Maria’s communications background and tap into the international market of the D.C. area. Classes start in the beginning and middle of each month and are offered three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evenings and weekend classes are available as well. Forum is located near King Street and Braddock Road metro stations off of the blue and yellow lines. More information can be found at www.forumenglishcenter.com.
Moody’s Investor Service has upgraded the City of Alexandria’s credit rating outlook from “negative” to “stable” as a result of also moving the U.S. government’s ‘AAA’ rating to a “stable” outlook on July 18. Alexandria was one of 37 local governments and four states that were elevated to “stable.” Standard and Poor’s Rating Services, another major credit rating agency, continues to maintain its ‘AAA’ credit rating for the city.