July 4 – 11, 2007
Have you found success after 60 as an entrepreneur? Bruce Frankel, a former a national reporter for USA TODAY and a senior writer for People magazine, is working on a book for Penguin about people who achieve first and significant success after 60. He is looking for examples of “old-fashioned, I'm-in-this-for-the-money entrepreneurs who’ve parlayed a little into a lot.” If you are interested in being interviewed for this book (an excellent way to garner exposure for your venture) contact Mr. Frankel by email at brucefrankel@mac.com or via regular mail at 250 West 99th Street, 5A, NY, NY 10025.
Business leaders and other interested parties concerned about the planned reconstruction of W. Broad Street between S. Virginia Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue in Falls Church are invited to attend a meeting with City officials requested by the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will take place in the Training Room on level G at City Hall (300 Park Avenue) from 2:00 – 4:00 on Tuesday, July 10. The reconstruction, to include roadway improvements, under grounding of utilities, and streetscape enhancements, is scheduled to take place 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for nine weeks. The initial start date of July 15, 2007 has been postponed. For information about the meeting or the Chamber of Commerce please call 703-532-1050.
Retail consultant and industry expert Heather Arnold of Retail Compass will speak at the Falls Church Economic Development Authority’s next Developer’s Forum scheduled for Tuesday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. Arnold has previously produced studies of the city’s retail inventory and trade area profile, identified retail market gaps and opportunities, and has advised the city on retail recruitment strategy. Additionally, Arnold was the project manager for the Street-Works consulting team that created the market based Falls Church City Center Strategic Plan that serves as the city’s adopted vision for the pending City Center project. Arnold will address the City’s retail future, industry trends and the opportunities and challenges in Falls Church. The meeting will take place in the City Hall Training Room, Ground Floor (enter through Police Center on east wing of City Hall). For information call 703-248-5491.
The Arlington Small Business Development Center is hosting "9 Steps to Success"- Jumpstart Your Business on Thursday, July 19. This seminar will include an introduction to the tools needed to successfully start and grow a small business. Arlington SBDC provides business information, technical assistance, management counseling and training to existing small businesses and new entrepreneurs. Any small business owner or person interested in starting a business may request assistance from the SBDC. For information on the Arlington SBDC visit www.arlingtonsbdc.org. For information on this seminar, click on “Events” and then on “July.”
July 3, 2007 marked Falls Church-based +SmithGifford 5th year anniversary. In that brief period, the full service advertising firm, which created the Falls Church Public Schools and Business in Education Partnerships logos, has won more new business than any other agency in the DC area. They have experienced an 80% win ratio and have retained most of the business they have secured. SmithGifford, voted “One of the Top 10 Places to Work” by The Washington Business Journal, begins its next five years with a new client, The Virginia Lottery. For more information visit www.smithgifford.com.
The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and The INOVA Health System recently honored PRS, Inc. with the prestigious Blue Diamond Award for being an outstanding Corporate Citizen, demonstrating an exemplary commitment to the community above and beyond its business contributions. PRS was founded in 1963 during the nationwide movement to deinstitutionalize patients in mental hospitals. As thousands of former mental patients were released from hospitals community organizations realized the vital need for community-based mental health services to help close the gap between hospital and community life. PRS was the first to serve this vulnerable population in Fairfax County, quickly setting a high standard for psychiatric rehabilitation. PRS has grown to be a leader and innovator in the “recovery” model of rehabilitation, which tailors services to each individual’s needs and goals. Based in Falls Church, VA with additional centers in Reston and Mt. Vernon, and residential sites throughout Northern Virginia, PRS offers day programs, employment services, residential services and home-based support services.
A number of Falls Church businesses are displaying art by local artists as part of Falls Church Arts' Gallery Without Walls program. Participating businesses and artists are as follows: Burke & Herbert Bank (225 W. Broad Street) – photographic images by Rich Tilley. First Horizon Bank (133 S. Washington Street) – colorful and varied paintings by Virginia Sywyj, Falls Church Housing Corporation’s Winter Hill Clubhouse (330B South Virginia Avenue) – watercolors by Bill Abel (Bill Abel Watercolors), Capital Area Pediatrics (Suite 100 at 407 N. Washington Street) – artwork created by students who entered the Kokolopori-Falls Church Sister Schools Art Contest. Falls Church City Hall is also participating in this program and exhibiting the photography by Shaun van Steyn. For more information about this program or Falls Church Arts visit www.fallschurcharts.org.
Viget Labs, a leading full-service 25-person Web consulting firm headquartered in Falls Church, has opened a new office in historic downtown Durham, NC. Viget, which was founded by DC-area brothers Brian Williams and Andy Rankin, has experienced 300% percent growth over the past three years. The geographic expansion reflects Viget's persistent dedication to adding premier talent and national clients. Viget's decision to open a second office, rather than to support a virtual team of remote workers at this time, is in line with the company’s belief that shared space facilitates the collaborative problem-solving and creative work for which Viget is well known. Viget is hiring Ruby on Rails developers, web designers, user experience consultants, as well as other roles. For more information visit www.viget.com.
