Business News & Notes

By Sally Cole

The Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce invites all local business owners to attend its Tuesday, February 21 st luncheon with featured speaker Steve Winter, president and COO of Brotman-Winter-Fried Communications. This is an exceptional opportunity for business owners and managers to learn how to use public relations to effectively and efficiently market their business. Brotman-Winter-Fried, located in the City of Falls Church, is one of the region’s leading public relations firms. The event will take place from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Italian Café ( 7161 Lee Highway). Tickets are $25 for Chamber members and $30 for nonmembers. RSVP’s are required – call (703) 532-1050.

Falls Church City is hosting Mardi Gras Restaurant Week from February 21 through the 28 th (Fat Tuesday) to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. The City’s Hurricane Relief Task Force and local restaurants have partnered to host fundraisers throughout the week for one of three causes: Saint Bernard Parish Public Schools (outside New Orleans), CrossLink International (www.crosslinkinternational.net--Falls Church City-based CrossLink supplies medical supplies to those in need), and Homestretch (www.homestretch-inc.org--Falls Church City-based Homestretch has helped eight families displaced by Katrina in the Northern Virginia area, including one in the City).

Argia’s, Bangkok Blues, Idylwood Grill & Wine Bar, Ireland’s Four Provinces, Original Pancake House, Stacy’s Coffee Parlor, and 2 Sister’s Coffee are all participating. For details on their efforts and those of other participating restaurants, go to www.fallschurchva.gov or call 703-248-5003 (TTY 711).

The Original Pancake House will also be donating 15% of their sales to the Mary Riley Styles Library Foundation Trust on Thursday, February 23 rd. The Foundation funds unmet needs of the Mary Riley Styles Library of Falls Church. The Original Pancake House, which is open for breakfast and lunch, is located at 370 W. Broad Street

First Horizon Bank has extended its banking day for all full service financial centers in the Mid-Atlantic region. Customers will now receive same-day posting on all transactions processed in the financial centers Monday through Friday until 8:00 pm. With this new late cut-off for deposits, First Horizon is now the only area bank to offer a 12-hour banking day with same day processing. First Horizon Bank is part of First Horizon National Corp whose 13,000 employees provide financial services to individuals and business customers through hundreds of offices in more than 40 states. For more information go to www.fhnc.com.

Waterford Development has facilitated a $100 million line of credit to Caruso Homes, recently named America’s Best Builder by the National Association of Home Builders and Builder Magazine. The line of credit, provided by Waterford’s financial business partner, Bouwfonds Property Finance, is designed to help Caruso Homes expand beyond the Washington Metropolitan area into states throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Waterford Development, based in Reston, Virginia, has developed a number of exciting projects in the area such as The Palladium in McLean, The Broadway in Falls Church and The Spectrum which is currently construction in Falls Church.

Winchester Homes’sStockwell Manor community in Falls Church, was selected as a winner of the 2005 Fairfax County Conservation Award for Siltation & Erosion Control in the Linear Projects category. The award recognizes Winchester Homes and Stockwell Manor Land Development Project Manager, Joe Houk, for outstanding efforts in protecting downstream properties and natural resources from erosion and sedimentation during the land development process. Stockwell Manor is located on Great Falls Street on the boarder of McLean and Falls Church. For more information visit www.winchesterhomes.com.

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network named Mark Siciliano, a representative out of McLean, VA was named a Top 10 award winner for outstanding client service in the company’s Southern Region. Northwestern Mutual Financial Network is the marketing name for the sales and distribution arm of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (Northwestern Mutual. For more information go to www.nmfn.com.