The Falls Church City Public Schools today announced four nominees for their "Support Staff Employee of the Year" award. Each nominee was surprised today by a visit from Superintendent Dr. Lois Berlin, who showed up to personally present each with a balloon bouquet and a copy of their nomination letters.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that a Chinese-owned company, Mercury Paper, Inc., will invest $21.2 million to expand its existing facility in Shenandoah County and relocate its North American headquarters to the site. The expansion will create 150 new jobs. Mercury Paper, a growing paper towel and tissue products company located in Strasburg, is owned by the Sinar Mas Group, one of the world's leading pulp and paper companies headquartered in Shanghai, China.

Smith-Gifford, the City of Falls Church-based marketing firm that developed Falls Church's "The Little City" new brand, the logo for the City schools and Chamber of Commerce and other local contributions, was honored at the Washington Area Advertising Association's annual "Addy Awards" fete in D.C. last night, winning "Best of Show for Broadcast" for the second year in a row, and topped that by winning "Best of Show - Overall" as well. The agency also won 17 other awards for clients such as the National Geographic Museum and the Virginia Lottery. Matt Smith, the principal at Smith-Gifford, is a City of Falls Church resident.