Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce named the 34 finalists selected to compete in nine business categories for the 2008 Small Business Awards. The winners in each of nine categories will be announced at the Annual Gala Awards dinner Nov. 6, at the National Conference Center. Visit www.loudounchamber.org/CWT/External/WCPages/WCNews/NewsArticleDisplay.aspx?ArticleID=30 to see the finalists.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sonak Family Chiropractic is hosting its 7th Annual Lend a Hand for the Hungry Day and will be collecting canned food donations in exchange for complimentary chiropractic service. Includes food and door prizes. All canned food donations will be given to help the less fortunate in Loudoun County. Sonak Family Chiropractic is located at 46859 Harry Byrd Hwy, Suite 102, Sterling.
BMW of Sterling will be taking part in the 2008 BMW Ultimate Drive, Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. During the event 25 vehicles will be available for test drives and for every mile driven, BMW will donate $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. BMW of Sterling is located at 21826 Pacific Blvd. Call 571-434-1944 for more information.
All local area vendors are invited to attend Loudoun County Procurement's 2008 buyer/seller information exchange sessions. These sessions are to provide information on the county's procurement processes and upcoming contracts. The sessions will take place Thursday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. For locations call 703-777-0403 or send an e-mail to Rebecca Kummel at procurement@loudoun.gov.
Benihana and Best Buddies International are making it easy for people to make a difference by launching a "Round Up" program, which runs through Nov. 20, at participating Benihana restaurants nationwide. After enjoying a meal at Benihana, guests can round up their check to the amount they’d like to give. Benihana will match guests’ contributions up to $50,000.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is one of 20 colleges and technical schools selected by the American Association of Community Colleges to participate in the Wal-Mart Workforce and Economic Opportunity Initiative. Each college receives an $86,000 grant. NOVA will use the grant for the American Dream Team initiative, which aims to help the growing population of low-income, legally documented, limited English-speaking adults increase their earnings through employment-focused English as a Second Language (ESL) programs that lead directly to new careers or to affordable career training and college education.
Hooked, located in the Great Falls Plaza, Sterling, has been named the best seafood restaurant in the Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area by OpenTable.com’s Diner’s Choice Awards.
Virginia National Guard honored the Dulles Hotel Connection along with several other companies at its C/3/116th Freedom Salute for contributions made to support the soldiers attached to the Leesburg Armory that are serving in Iraq. The Dulles Hotel Connection, located in Dulles, is comprised of eight hotels and the Executive Conference & Training Center.
The inaugural Housekeeping Olympic Games, hosted by the team from Holiday Inn Washington Dulles Airport Hotel, featured housekeepers from 14 Washington, D.C.-area hotels and showcased events with a housekeeping theme. Teams competed in three "sports," which included toilet seat basketball, bed making race and the housekeeper obstacle course.
Competing teams included Hampton Inn Cascades, TownePlace Suites & SpringHill Suites by Marriott Dulles Airport, Best Western Dulles Airport and Hampton Inn & Suites Dulles Airport.
Cryptek Inc., a innovator of secure information sharing and information assurance products and solutions, announces it has appointed James W. LaJeunesse as chief financial officer. LaJeunesse will lead the company’s global financial team and will be responsible for developing and executing worldwide finance and investment initiatives. LaJeunesse joins Cryptek from Unisys Corporation where he served as vice president and chief financial officer of federal systems.
Agnes E. Holland, MD, PhD, joins Washington Radiology Associates, and will see patients at the Sterling branch. Holland is a diplomat of the American Board of Radiology, an accomplished research scientist and has published numerous peer-reviewed papers.