Falls Church Business News & Notes: November 12 - 18, 2009

By Sally D. Cole

Wednesday, November 11 2009 20:30

News

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ® Gold certification to 800 Broad, LLC for "The Flower Building," a recently completed construction in the City of Falls Church.

This award distinguishes 800 W. Broad Street as the first and only LEED-certified building in the City of Falls Church. It is one of only 19 buildings in the Northern Virginia region to receive any kind of LEED certification, and one of only seven to achieve a Gold level of certification. The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally-accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. "The Flower Building" features one of only three living/green roofs on a large commercial building in the City of Falls Church and it includes other green amenities, such as the inclusion of a tenant shower room to encourage the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transportation, use of high efficiency air handlers in a state of the art building envelope, ample daylight views and water-efficient landscaping. For more information, call Jefferson One at 703-356-8800.

Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company reported earnings of $23.9 million for the first nine months of 2009, an increase of 32% over the same period in 2008. Earnings per share totaled $124.51, also up 32% from last year. Revenue improved 31% to $68.8 million, up from $52.5 million in the previous year, which was itself a record year for the Bank. Return on average assets for the period was up 12% to 1.75%. Return on equity improved to 18.56%, an increase of 27%. Returns and overall financial performance at this level position Burke & Herbert Bank among banking industry leaders nationally. The Northern Virginia bank, established in 1852, is the oldest bank in the state and the oldest continuously operating bank in the Washington, D.C. area. It provides a full range of personal and business banking products and services through more than 20 branches in Northern Virginia along with its e-Branch, which enables customers to open a checking or CD account online. For more information, visit www.burkeandherbert.com.

Events

Curves Falls Church is presenting its 2nd Annual International Craft Fair to benefit artisans around the world on Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The event will include items from Ten Thousand Villages of Alexandria and other nonprofit groups featuring handicrafts from Africa, Asia and Latin America. A number of other local businesses are joining Curves by offering specials to help make this a block-wide celebration. Stop by the Curves location at 240 West Broad Street in Falls Church for a copy of the flyer, which includes the list of participants and discounts offered. For more information, call 703-536-0140.

North Shore Design is inviting members of the community to tour a recently remodeled brick rambler in Arlington. The Falls Church-based design build firm remodeled the first floor and added a second floor. The open house will take place from 1 - 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 860 N. Greenbrier in Arlington. Visit www.northsd.com for details.

Gregg Hassett and Heidi O'Leska will be the featured speakers at the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce's November Networking Luncheon. The speakers, both members of a local Chapter of BNI, "the world's largest referral organization", will present on effective networking strategies and skills. The Luncheon will take place 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Italian Café (7161 Lee Highway). Tickets are $27 for members, $32 for nonmembers. An additional $5 will be charged for walk-ins. Call 703-532-1050 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to reserve a seat.

The Business News & Notes section is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be e-mailed at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .