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CHAMBER FACTOID
Impact on Small Business:
When customers know that a
small business is a member of
the Chamber of Commerce they are 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.
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STRATEGIC SPONSORS
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MARK INGRAO ON
COMCAST LOCAL EDITION
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HEALTH CARE WITH YOUR CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP
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Your Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce membership gives you access to a wide range of health plan choices offered through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield – the #1 health insurer in the country with the largest network of providers in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.
Groups of 2-99 employees are eligible for plans such as Anthem HealthKeepers, Anthem BlueCare and Anthem KeyCare - all of which include “extras” and Added Value Benefits available only to Association members at no cost.
Find out more about these exciting benefits at our Chamber member orientations. Learn More>>
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
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The Reston Town Center and Lake Anne Village Center continue with events this fall that are sure to get the family going and bring excitement to your day. From seasonal festivals to wine tastings and book readings to movie nights, the Reston area is sure to be filled with exciting experiences for you and your family! Check out the schedules and plan a visit to these two thriving event hotspots.
Reston Town Center>>
Lake Anne Village Center>> |
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RESTON NAMED AS ONE
OF THE NATION'S BEST
HEALTHY PLACES TO RETIRE
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Reston's creator, Robert E. Simon (RES-ton), says the town he founded in Fairfax County, Va., is supposed to be, if nothing else, "a collection of all the wonderful things about living." It's a high claim that the planned community seems to do a pretty good job living up to.
The town, about 20 miles from Washington, is Simon's 1960s brainchild, designed to encourage human interaction and whimsy. The European-style plazas foster socializing, outdoor concerts, and farmers' markets in the summer. Over 50 miles of paved walking paths, which weave behind houses, through woods, and under roads, make the entire town pedestrian-accessible. At the old Reston town center, Lake Anne Plaza, townhouses sit atop restaurants and stores, each with a garden on the roof. Its unique layout and amenities also make it one of the most healthful places to retire—Simon himself, still sprightly at 94, lives there.
As you wander through, you are likely to pass one of the many sports facilities that all residents of Reston can use free of charge as members of the unusual homeowners association that governs the town. "It's like being a member of a country club, except you're not part of a club; you're part of a community," says Roger Lowen, a 76-year-old triathlete who has lived in Reston since 1988.
Read the Rest of this Article Online>>
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| YOUR CHAMBER MAKING NEWS |
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Announcing a Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership
Building on a successful partnership started during the 2009 General Assembly session, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce has joined the Dulles Regional and Loudoun County chambers, to provide Northern Virginia businesses unprecedented representation during the 2010 legislative session as they seek to put Virginia’s economy back on the right track.
For the first time, the region’s leading business organizations in the Dulles Region (including the Dulles Corridor, western Fairfax, Reston and Loudoun County), the Commonwealth’s most vibrant economic market, are working together to ensure the needs of area businesses are represented before Virginia’s key public policy decision makers in state government. With the Dulles Region as the single largest business district in the Commonwealth and among the two most dynamic, growing business corridors in the nation, our Chambers determined it was our duty and obligation to secure professional General Assembly representation, demonstrating our commitment to fight for the interests of our members and our Northern Virginia community.
Rail to Dulles Update – Report of Reston Master Plan Task Force Activities
On Tuesday, Fairfax County and the Reston Master Plan Task Force hosted a community forum to discuss guiding principles for the development of Reston. The community forum involved a brief overview by County Staff of the original goals for Reston, proposals by three community groups for new/additional guiding principles, and a discussion of the proposals with comments and questions from members of the community.
Heidi Merkel of the Department of Planning & Zoning described the original goals for Reston established by Bob Simon, the founder of Reston, in 1962. She noted that County Staff believes these original goals created a solid foundation for Reston and that the County expects to include these goals in the draft Comprehensive Plan language to be developed during the special study.
County Staff believes the Task Force should consider adding to or enhancing the original goals. To this end, County Staff produced a draft of guiding planning principles for Reston. County Staff intends the draft planning principles to begin a discussion with the Task Force and the community, and the document is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive of other proposals. Read the Full Release>>
President & CEO Testifies Before Fairfax County Planning Commission in Favor of Reston Hospital Center Master Plan
On Thursday, January 7, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce president, Mark S. Ingrao, testified to the Fairfax County Planning Commission in support of the Reston Hospital Center Master Plan. Everyone who testified to the Planning Commission was in favor of the Master Plan. Among those who testified include Milton Matthews of Reston Association, Kerrie Wilson of Reston Interfaith, and Joe Ritchey of Prospective, Inc. Its adoption would ensure that Reston, as well as the western portion of the Dulles Corridor, would be served by a state-of-the-art healthcare facility. The Master Plan passed the Planning Commission with one abstention and now moves on to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for final approval. Please go to the GRCC website at www.RestonChamber.org, click on “Chamber Newsletter,” and follow the links to read the full testimony.
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| UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS |
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2/16 – Non-Profit Lunch with the President
12:00pm - 1:30pm | GRCC Office
The Non-Profit Committee will host a special lunch with the President & CEO, Mark Ingrao, on Tuesday, February 16 from 12:00pm - 1:30pm at the GRCC Office. Our discussion will be central to the topic, "Non-Profit Engagement in the Reston Community." Mr. Ingrao will be presenting his vision for non-profits within the Chamber and the community at large. This will be a fantastic opportunity for the non-profit sector to bring suggestions, comments, and questions to the Chamber about everything from education, community engagement, membership, or anything that may come to mind. The Chamber invites all non-profits and interested members to attend this special luncheon and discuss opportunities for further growth and development. Registration is $25 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members. Contact the Chamber at 703.707.9045 or visit our Calendar of Events at www.RestonChamber.org to register.
2/19 – February Speed Networking
8:00am - 9:30am | The Westin Washington Dulles Airport Hotel |
2520 Wasser Terrance, Herndon
The Greater Reston Chamber’s high efficiency, high impact business development mixer is back! Join us at The Westin Washington Dulles Airport Hotel for a networking event that is sure to drive results even for those who are networking-phobic. As you well know, sitting around and waiting for the phone to ring in this challenging economy is no way to build a sustainable business. The concept is simple: Sit down across the table from one Chamber member and introduce yourself and your business for exactly 3 minutes each. After exchanging business cards, the bell rings, and everyone moves on to their next prospect. Bring plenty of business cards – you’re guaranteed quality face time with a dozen or so fellow Chamber members! Arrive at 7:30am to register and mingle before the event – Speed Networking in pairs will begin promptly at 8:00am sharp. This event always sells out and is reserved for Chamber members only, so register early to save your spot!
2/23 - February Network Night
5:30pm - 7:30pm | The Business Bank |
1900 Centennial Park Drive Reston
Grab some business cards and join us at The Business Bank for an evening of good food and great networking! Red Hot and Blue will be serving up their sassy ribs, delicious pork and chicken and of course all of their well known favorite sides. With a special wine tasting from Horton's vineyard and fantastic door prizes to include dinner for two at Jasmine Café, Massage’s from Yully’s Massage Therapy and even a weekend stay at The Westin Hotel, this is one Network Night you don’t want to miss.
2/25 – Virtual Realty Tour
7:00am - 10:30am | Hyatt Regency Reston
Now more important than ever is the need to differentiate your properties from all the others. Use Northern Virginia’s premier commercial realty event to showcase your portfolio and attract significant new tenants. This event is always a sell out with major corporate executives, government agencies and commercial brokers in attendance. To register to attend or become a sponsor visit us online today at www.RestonChamber.org and click on the Virtual Realty Tour ad for additional information.
5/13 – Chamber Cup Golf Classic
11:30am | Westfields Golf Club
Join in on the Fun and Put Your Skills to the Test! Every participant will have the opportunity to win a brand new Cadillac courtesy of our Hole-in-One Sponsor, Moore Cadillac Chantilly. This year's sponsors are encouraged to join in on the fun by creating unique contests or promotions - the sky is the limit! This year’s event will be held at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton, Virginia. Registration will begin at 11:30am and the tournament will begin at 1:30pm with a shotgun start and a scramble format. Dinner and awards will begin at 6:30pm. Your sponsorship and financial support will help fund our Tracey M. White Scholarship Fund benefiting the seniors from South Lakes and Herndon High Schools who are hoping to further their education in pursuit of a career in business.
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| BUSINESS NEWS |
Money-Saving Chamber Benefit: Northwest Federal Credit Union
Northwest Federal Credit Union (NWFCU) is proud to serve the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce members and their families. Get lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and fewer fees at NWFCU. NWFCU offers 33,000+ free ATMs nationwide, free auto locating, free overdraft protection with checking, no-fee balance transfers on credit cards, mortgages, real estate rebate (get 20% of agent’s commission back at closing), annual scholarships, free financial consultations, and more. Join today by opening a savings account with $5 or more at www.nwfcu.org. Select “I work for a Member Company/Organization” then, click on the drop down list and select “Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.” Or join in person at our Herndon, Chantilly, Vienna, and Manassas branches.
Cardinal Bank Community Fund Awards $20,000 to Local University Foundation
Cardinal Bank announced today that the Cardinal Bank Community Fund has awarded $20,000 to the George Mason University Foundation to benefit a new Basketball Practice Facility and Academic Center. This grant award will help provide funding for a top-notch basketball training and academic facility at George Mason University, and other program enhancements necessary to recruit and sustain talented student-athletes and coaches in the Colonial Athletic Association. Read the Full Release>>
AdviCoach of Northern Virginia Announces a New Breakfast Series of “Small Business Roundtable” Forums Beginning in February
AdviCoach of Northern Virginia announces a new breakfast series of “Small Business Roundtable” forums starting in February. Whether you are just starting a company, wanting to increase your profitability, needing to improve your systems, wishing to expand your operations, needing basic business training and tactics, or even seeking to exit your business, these discussions will help you. The events will take place at local venues in and around Reston and include a subject matter expert covering a variety of current topics critical to your business success including how to differentiate yourself from the competition, the importance of testing and measuring your marketing activities, bolster your revenue with a sales management system, the criticality of a strategic plan for your business, and how to hire right people for the right positions. Look for Dates and Topics on the GRCC Member Calendar or at our website www.advicoachnva.com.
Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. Reports a Fourth Quarter Profit and Continued Reductions in Non-Performing Assets
Virginia Commerce Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income to common stockholders of $2.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with earnings of $1.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2008. Net interest margin expansion and reduced provisions for loan losses, as non-performing assets declined during the quarter, drove the improvement in earnings on a year-over-year and sequential basis. Fourth quarter earnings were impacted by $1.1 million in loan loss provisions, a $1.4 million impairment loss on securities and a $3.0 million provision for a contingent liability related to an off-balance sheet letter-of-credit. However, overall results represent a significant turnaround as total non-performing assets and loans 90+ days past due decreased $25.4 million, or 20.6%, from $123.5 million at September 30, 2009, to $98.1 million, and net-charge-offs of $6.1 million were down from $17.9 million in the third quarter. Read the Full Release>>
Reston Town Center – Where Outside is In!
Stay Connected for Events, Sales & Nightlife in New Ways: Now there are more ways than ever to stay connected to all of the great events and happenings in Reston Town Center. Aside from checking out our website, you can now subscribe to our e-news for event info, sale info, or nightlife updates, depending on your preferences! You can also receive daily happenings and updates by becoming a fan of Town Center on facebook, by following us on twitter, and by browsing our photos on flickr. Make sure you check out our new blog, www.whereoutsideisin.com for up to date information on events, happenings, sales and nightlife!
Parent Advocates & Teachers Unite to Form “Fairfax Education Coalition - FEC”
Leaders from respected and influential parent advocacy groups announced today they have officially joined forces with Fairfax County teachers and community members to form the “Fairfax Education Coalition” – a new coalition that will use its collective influence to advocate for improved accountability, transparency and community participation in the Fairfax County Public Schools’ decision-making process. Coalition group members include representatives from: The Fairfax Coalition of Advocates for Public Schools (FairfaxCAPS), the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted (FCAG), The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT), The Fairfax Education Association (FEA), FAIRGRADE, SLEEP, and Zero Tolerance Reform. Read the Full Release>>
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BULLETIN BOARD
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2/4 – Kickoff for Relay for Life of Reston
Join the fight against cancer! The kickoff for Relay for Life of Reston is Thursday, February 4 at 6:30pm at the Sheraton Reston Hotel. Everyone is invited to stop by to learn more about the Reston Relay and how you can help in the fight. RSVP to the American Cancer Society at 703.938.5550 or relay@topsitesforyou.com.
2/6 – Your Last Diet!
Do you want to lose weight? Take the challenge with Dr. Mick Sicre of Active Family Chiropractic (AFC) in the Reston Home Depot Center. We are introducing a diet program that our fellow Chiropractic colleagues have found to be immediately successful. Dr. Mick is convinced that this temporary diet and rest of the pancreas makes the most sense for him personally. Come take this journey with Dr. Mick, his staff and 27 of our current patients and their friends. Dr. Mick just completed his first 2 weeks on the program and has lost 15 lbs., Jenny at our front desk started the program 12/16/09 and has lost more than 20 lbs. and many of our patients are thrilled to be shedding pounds, inches and body fat percent too! Interested in learning more? Our next two free informational meeting at AFC are Saturday February 6th and/or 20th, 2010 at 10:00am. If you too have been told by your doctor to eliminate sugars, fats and refined carbohydrates, then this may be the answer for you. This diet does not require working out and averages 5-7lbs. a week for males and 3-6 lbs. a week for females. To review this program before the meeting to see if this sounds like the right diet for you, go to www.idealprotein.com. Dr. Mick would love your camaraderie during his journey with the diet. This program is open to not just our patients and the chamber members, but to those you know and love. Please RSVP to Jenny at frontdesk@afcreston.com, 703.689.3500 or in person at our office. www.afcreston.com
2/10 – Marymount's Reston Center to Host Business Programs Info Luncheon
A Business Programs Information Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 10, at 11:30 a.m. at Marymount's Reston Center located at 1861 Wiehle Avenue. Programs include the "Essential MBA" which can be completed in as little as 21 months. Graduate programs in Management and HR Management are also offered. There is no charge to attend the luncheon. To register for the event, call 703.284.5902 or visit www.marymont.edu/reston.
2/15 – Open Your Heart to Public Art in Reston
Join the Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) and Hunters Woods Elementary School PTA for some great, family-friendly fun, Monday, Feb. 15, 4:00pm to 7:00pm, ice skating at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Admission is $10 per person and includes the skates rental fee. The skate is open to the public, and proceeds from admission, hot chocolate and cookie sales will benefit IPAR’s first public art project—the creation of a permanent Reston underpass mural involving an artist-in-residence working in collaboration with students from Hunters Woods, a Fairfax County magnet school for the arts and sciences. For more information about the fund-raising skate and IPAR, call 703.467.9797, e-mail info@publicartreston.org, or visit www.publicartreston.org.
2/19 – Best Business Practices of E-mail Marketing
Marybeth Henry, with Mary Kay Cosmetics, will be hosting a Constant Contact Workshop on Friday, February 19 from 12:00pm - 2:00pm, entitled "Best Business Practices of E-mail Marketing." Come learn how to grow your list, boost your open rate and even how to format and create your e-mail campaigns. You do not have to be a Constant Contact customer to attend this seminar, so come learn what all the excitement about and see if e-mail marketing can help grow your business. This event will sell out, so you must pre-register to attend. Registration is $25 before February 12 and $30 thereafter. To register, go to http://www.wahmfest.org/womensbusinessnet and click on the Events tab. Doors will open at 11:30am and lunch is included. Please contact Marybeth directly at mbbeauty@cox.net with any questions.
4/10 – FISH Fling Gala and Fundraiser
SAVE THE DATE! The annual FISH Fling Gala and Fundraiser will take place on Saturday, April 10 at the Dulles Crowne Plaza Hotel in Herndon, Virginia. Please support FISH this year as well as attend the event. It will be a great evening of dining, dancing, games, and auctions! The Gala is in need of your sponsorship to help support the efforts of Herndon-Reston FISH. FISH supports people in crisis in our community through help with rent, utilities, medications, and other necessities of life. Since July 1, 2009 FISH has provided over $120,000 in financial assistance. Show your support today by calling 703.391.0105 or visit www.HerndonRestonFISH.org today for ticket and sponsorship information.
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