Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce

April 2005

Inside
2005-06 Board Nominees
Calendar Updates
Message from the President
Business Spotlight
Member News
Business News
Community News

Over 75 New Members!

Now that the dust is starting settle from the Chamber’s annual membership drive, we have some preliminary figures to share with our members. But first a big thank you to our Team Captains, Billy Thompson, David Stevenson, Gary Golman, Pat Hackerson, and Steve Salley, who in conjunction with Chamber Resources, Inc. oversaw the most successful membership campaign in Chamber history. Together with their teammates and a phone bank located at Karin’s Florist, the Team Captains helped to push the Chamber membership over 460 by generating over 75 new members. Be sure to read the May Enterprise for more details on who our new members are, the winners of the membership drive, and participating members who supplied prizes and incentives for our volunteers.

Hundreds Lu-“Wowed” at the Casino Night Luau

Our 2005 Casino Night & Taste of the Town, held on Saturday March 12, was an incredible success! Thank you to everyone who attended this exciting annual event! Visit www.vtrcc.org/casino and complete our feedback form for $5 off your ticket to Casino Night 2006.

More than 300 people enjoyed a wide variety of food from Aarathi Indian Cuisine, Bonefish Grill, Cold Stone Creamery, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, The HoneyBaked Ham Company, Infusion Indian Cuisine, JR's Stockyards Inn, Ledo's Pizza, Maggiano's Corner Bakery, Peking Express, Pie Gourmet, Ltd., Tequila Grande, That's Amore, Vienna Inn, and Whole Foods Market®... Vienna.
A special thanks to our sponsors, participating restaurants, and those who donated prizes. We appreciate your support throughout the year, but most especially at this special annual event. We strongly encourage Chamber members and other event participants to patronize supporting businesses.

Bar Sponsor: BB&T - Cedar Park

Valet Parking Sponsor: Virginia Commerce Bank

Gold Sponsors:
The Business Bank
Cardinal Bank - Greensboro
Cox Business Services
Nautilus Communications
The Networking Community
Northwest Federal Credit Union
Rees, Broome & Diaz
Shula's Steak House
United Bank – Vienna

Table Sponsors:
AIM Home Financial
All Star Movers
Brennan & Waite, P.L.C.
The Burdette Smith Group, PC
Cedar Run Landscaping Company
Connection Newspapers
The Freedom Bank of Virginia
James Monroe Bank
Karin's Florist, Inc.
Keller Williams Realty
Long & Foster Realtors (Debbie Earman & Family)
Omnino Networks
Potomac Bank of Virginia - Vienna/Tysons Corner
Riggs Bank, NA
Sunrise Assisted Living at McLean
U.S. Automotive Leasing Services/USAL Cellular
Winning Ways, Inc.

Many Thanks Also...

To our Official Photographer: TR Cook, Cook's Photo-Art Studio

To our Host: Westwood Country Club

To our Leadership:
Bill Daly - Chairman, Casino Night & Taste of the Town
Maris Angolia - Chairman of the Board, VTRCC
Billy Thompson - Incoming Chairman of the Board, VTRCC
Debbie Earman / Tana Keeffe - Sr. VP of Fundraising, VTRCC

To our Steering Committee:
Russell Brannan, Joe Cacciapaglia, Mark Chernisky, Steve Craddock,
Tom Hanton, Katherine Hutt, Rich Irons, Claire Liston, Kendra McDougal, Betsy Pond, Gary Powers, Jodi Scholes, and David Stevenson

To our Volunteers:
A number of volunteers helped make this evening a success. We could not have done it without you!

Casino Entertainment provided by Entertainment Connection

What is ‘Voice-Over-IP’?

VTRCC’s Technology Committee is working hard to help Chamber members understand and implement cutting-edge technology to help their businesses grow and prosper. Don’t miss the next in the Small Business Technology Series: “What is ‘Voice-Over-IP’ and What Can It Do for My Business?” Clem Munno, Telecommunications Expert & Executive Vice President of TELFORWARD, Inc., will cover topics such as IP Phone Calling vs. Telephones, IP Calls & Quality of Service (QOS), Voice Messages in your E-mail (Unified Messaging), and Benefits & Costs of VOIP. The event will be held on Friday, May 6 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Jammin’ Java (277 Maple Ave. East). The cost, $15 for members with RSVP and $20 for non-members and walk-ins, includes Continental Breakfast. RSVP online or to 703-281-1333.

2005-2006 Board of Directors Nominees

The VTRCC wishes to extend a special thank you to Billy Thompson (All Star Movers), Chairman of the 2005 Nominating Committee, and Committee members: Joe Cacciapaglia (Signature Title), Malcolm Lee (BB&T Bank), Jodi Scholes (Northern Virginia Massage Center), Joan Fletcher (Winning Ways, Inc.), Bill Daly (Rees, Broome, & Diaz), and Dallas Oskey (Telforward) for their effort in qualifying the following members to serve on the 2005-2006 Board of Directors.

Chairman -- Billy Thompson, All Star Movers
Chairman-elect -- Joan Fletcher, Winning Ways, Inc.
Past Chairman -- Maris Angolia, Karin’s Florist
Treasurer -- Bonnie Hoopengardner, Goodman & Company, LLP
Sr. VP Fundraising -- Tana Keefe, Long & Foster
Sr. VP Membership -- Dev. Jim DiModica, APT Impact
Sr. VP Member Services -- Tom Hanton, Networking Golfers Club
VP Government Affairs -- Roy Baldwin, The Baldwin Law Firm, LLC
VP Youth & Education -- Pat Hackerson, Weichert Realtors
VP Member Benefits -- Jodi Scholes, Northern Va Massage Ctr
VP Business Development -- Steve Salley, Legg Mason
VP Organizational Services -- Rebecca McKeever, Courtyard by Marriott – Tysons Corner
VP Community Affairs -- Bill Daly Rees, Broome, Diaz
General Counsel Harvey Silverman, Harvey A. Silverman, Esq.

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce, we the 2004 Nominating Committee are pleased to present the above nominees as candidates for the specified positions. The Bylaws provide for additions to this slate of candidates by method of petition. A copy of the Chamber Bylaws setting forth this process can be obtained from the Chamber office by anyone interested in the process. Election of directors will be at the May 12 General Membership Meeting at Tysons Corner Marriott. The Installation Luncheon will be June 9 at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW for these special events.

Calendar Updates

Click here to see our April and May calendars.

April Business Spotlight
STEPHEN SALLEY
LEGG MASON WOOD WALKER, INC.

May Business Spotlight
JOE CACCIAPAGLIA
SIGNATURE TITLE

Click here for more information about these members or to find out how your business can be "Member of the Month".

Message from the President

Dear Members of the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce,

It is with mixed feelings that I write this. I am saddened to inform you of my decision to resign as President of the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce (VTRCC) effective May 31, 2005. I am happy to share with you that my wife and I have decided to relocate to Richmond, Virginia.

I can think of no finer organization to have worked for than the VTRCC. Over the past four years it has been a privilege to represent our membership as President. I am proud to have worked with Past Chairmen Larry Murphy, Amelia Toten, Renee Younes, Bob Stemetzki; the current Board of Directors; and my talented staff. I am especially fortunate to have had the pleasure to work alongside Maris Angolia during her term as Chairman of the Board.

I would like to thank our members and the VTRCC Board, past and present, for their support, guidance, and dedication during my Presidency. Over the past four years, we have together grown our membership to over four hundred businesses, established successful Tip Groups, hosted numerous events and activities for the area business community, and strengthened our organization. As a result, we have positioned the Chamber for positive growth in the up-and-coming Vienna-Tysons area. I am confident that the current VTRCC Board and the one being assembled by Incoming Chairman Billy Thompson will continue the hard work of growing and strengthening our Chamber of Commerce.

After relocating, I will continue to look for networking and business opportunities for our members in the Richmond area. I hope to join you in Richmond in January 2006 for Chamber Days at the Capital. If there is anything I can do for your business before I leave the area, please do not hesitate to call upon me.

Francis G. Powers, Jr.
President

Member News

Washington’s Original Political, Satirical, Musical Review, Returns To Vienna! HEXAGON will be performing on Sunday, May 22, at 2:30 pm at James Madison High School. The HEXAGON fundraiser will benefit The Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna. The Shepherd’s Center is a non-profit interfaith organization sponsored by congregations and community organizations. The primary purpose of The Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna is to provide services assisting older adults to continue to live independently and offer programs which supply opportunities for enrichment, learning and socialization. HEXAGON is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that has used theatrical arts to serve the community since 1955. They have raised over $3.5 million for community organizations. HEXAGON’s musical theatre review is known for their political jokes and Rockettes-style kick line. Each show is written by HEXAGON members and is completely original. "It's a big giggle," said HEXAGON cast member Neil McElroy. This year: “With Levity and Jesting for All.” Invite your family, friends, and neighbors! Tickets are $20. To purchase tickets mail your name, address, and telephone number to: SCOV, 541 Marshall Rd. SW, Vienna, VA 22180. Make checks payable to The Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna. For further information about the fundraiser please call The Shepherd's Center office at (703) 281-0538.

Scott Burr, President of Tech Painting Company, also serves as chairman of DC Baseball.org, a group which helps organize and provide youth baseball programs to the children of DC. As their fundraiser this year they are holding a raffle for two season tickets to the Nationals. The seats are in Section 318 (seats 6 and 7) and are valued at $4860. The raffle tickets will be sold for $150 per ticket, which is a great deal as they expect to sell only around 200-300 tickets. If anyone is interested in purchasing a raffle ticket, please call Scott at 703-684-7702. DC Baseball.org is a certified 501c3 so your contribution is tax deductible.

NEW PREMO MEMBER! Pond Roofing Company, residential specialists serving Northern Virginia for over 40 years, has consistently been recognized by Checkbook magazine for its outstanding work and reputation, is offering PREMO members a 5% discount on new roofing or repairs, including gutters and skylights. Please mention your membership affiliation when you call Betsy Pond at 703-573-8000.

Dan Williams, Founder of The Networking Community, is pleased to announce TNCs' newly launched city: Milwaukee, Wisconsin. TNCs' networking resource center and weekly calendar will further expand over the next six months with the events calendar additions of New York, Chicago, Dallas, and Denver. The web site, www.TheNetworkingCommunity.com offers personalized one-click access to each city's event calendar page, while adding value to our networking communities with TNC's radio show broadcast link and networking tip of the week. It's all in the spirit of better serving you, continuous improvement, and making your networking life easier. Visit www.TheNetworkingCommunity.com to find out what events are scheduled for this week—and to find out why Henry Ford's personal friend, an insurance agent, lost the largest insurance policy from Mr. Fords' estate.

Educational Connections has opened a new Learning Center in Vienna and will be hosting an open house on Thursday, April 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Learning Center is located at 301 Maple Avenue in Suite E of the Birch Building. Chamber members are encouraged to attend and are welcome to invite guests. Light refreshments will be served. Since its founding in 1998, Educational Connections has helped thousands of students in Northern Virginia through in-home tutoring services. The new Learning Center will also provide a full complement of educational programs from kindergarten to college levels. For more information, please visit www.educational-connections.com or call 703-93-TUTOR (938-8867). See you at the open house!
Announcing the Vienna SportsCombine - All Vienna High school and youth sports are now found in one place, http://vienna.sportscombine.com. Over 7000 Vienna Families per month follow their kids on SportsCombine viewing 128,000 pages. SportsCombine provides team websites for all teams in Vienna Youth Football, Vienna Youth Basketball, Vienna Youth Lacrosse, Vienna Little League, Madison High School, and Marshall High School. At the end of the year, SportsCombine memorializes their season in Almanacs that include Team pictures, action shots, rosters, game results and final standings. Vienna merchants make all of this possible, and are seen on every page displayed via The Vienna GoLocal Business Directory. The merchants are also seen throughout each Almanac, giving their advertisement 40 year shelf life. SportsCombine has now created “Special Sections” that will also appear on every page giving merchants even more exposure to the Vienna families that visit the site. The “Special Sections” include “Something Special for Mom” (Featuring Vienna florists, jewelers, fine dining, etc.), “What’s for Dinner” (Featuring family restaurants), “Vienna Professionals” (Featuring Vienna doctors, dentists, attorneys and CPAs), and “Vienna Real Estate Pros” (Featuring Vienna Realtors, mortgage brokers, settlement and title companies etc.). Other new Sections will also be added. If your company needs cost effective exposure to over 7000 Vienna families every month, contact Casey Samson at 703-508-2535 or casey@sportscombine.com.

TML Copiers & Digital Solutions, a locally owned and operated Office Technology Dealer, is proud to announce the introduction of Doc2NET, our electronic, paperless filing system. Liberty Doc2NET is a simple-to-use, yet powerful electronic document filing software. It can free your office from the costs and inefficiencies of paper filing by providing secure access to all types of critical business information. This enables you to scan documents directly into your computer in either TIFF or PDF formats. No more wasted time retrieving old files. Once retrieved, documents can be viewed, e-mailed, printed and faxed, greatly streamlining your document communication process. Doc2NET has a password-protected login, thereby restricting access to your documents. Contact any of TML’s Account Representatives at 703-330-1010 to assist you with Doc2NET for your office.

Business News

Job Fair For Professionals With "Active" Clearances – SecurityClearanceEXPO will be held April 26th, 2005, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., at the Tysons Corner Ritz Carlton. For registration information including pricing and discounts, please call Jeff Foster at 703-652-6323 or send an e-mail requesting a complete registration form to jeff@securityclearanceexpo.com.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA):

Curbs to Abusive Class-Action Lawsuits Called A Big Win for Small Business - Following President Bush's signing of a bill limiting class-action lawsuits, SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto issued the following statement: "This is a big win for the nation's small-business community, which after all represent 99 percent of all businesses… The passage and signing of this bill helps to better the environment for this vital segment to our economy. Abusive lawsuits can result in significant added costs to doing business. With this worry now off the table, it will give American small businesses more time to focus on what's really important to them: growing their businesses and creating more jobs."
Ronald Bew is named to direct SBA programs in Virginia - Ronald Bew has been appointed to the position of district director in the Richmond, Va. office. In this position, he will manage the delivery of SBA programs and services to small businesses throughout the state. "Ronald Bew was instrumental in developing and employing changes in our commercial loan programs with unparalleled results," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "His management of the agency's financial-assistance portfolio produced more loans to small business owners than at any other time in our history. He has done a magnificent job for us in capital access and I know he will be successful in Virginia.” The Richmond District Office services a 92-county area that contains approximately 360,000 small business owners. During fiscal year 2004, the office approved loan guaranties valued at more than $192 million.
SBA Honors Nation's Best Small Businesses During National Small Business Week - Small Business Person of the Year winners from 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam will converge on Washington, D.C. in late April to mark the annual celebration of National Small Business Week during SBA Expo '05. One of them will be selected as National Small Business Person of the Year. The announcement will take place at the U.S. Small Business Administration's SBA Expo '05, being held April 26-28 at the Hilton Washington Hotel. The winners represent a diverse cross-section of American small businesses from building contractors to restaurateurs, from motorcycle dealerships to hybrid vegetable producers. The event also features a special awards ceremony for Government Procurement winners, Women in Business, Small Business Advocates, Phoenix Awards, and the SBA's Hall of Fame, which recognizes successful companies that once were small and now are large, and got their start with SBA assistance. Business owners, business organizations, other individuals and the news media can register for SBA Expo '05 events online at www.sba.gov/expo.
The 2005 State Small Business Person of the Year from Virginia is Louis Zak, President of PowerSystems International, Inc. (Natural Bridge Station, VA)
SBA has created a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to help non-profit, grassroots organizations learn about and access SBA-backed programs and loans. As part of the initiative, all current technical assistance grant recipients - including SCORE, Women's Business Centers, and Small Business Development Centers - have extended their programs to faith-based and other non-profit organizations that focus a significant portion of their activities on aiding small businesses. The Center is part of the SBA's implementation of the President's Faith-Based and Community Initiative, which supports the compassionate efforts of faith-based and secular grassroots organizations to improve their communities. The initiative is designed to open government programs to these organizations by ensuring that grassroots leaders can compete on equal footing for federal dollars, receive greater private support and face fewer bureaucratic barriers. For more information on the SBA's Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, go to the SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/fbci, or contact the SBA district office in your area.
Study Shows Reducing Marginal Tax Rates Increases Entrepreneurship - Reducing marginal income tax rates on entrepreneurs increases entrepreneurial entry, decreases exit from entrepreneurship, and lengthens the duration of entrepreneurial ventures, according to a new Office of Advocacy study. The study was released at a panel discussion entitled “Tax Policy and the Entrepreneurial Sector,” sponsored by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. It analyzes tax return data from 1979-1990. This period encompasses the tax policy changes of the 1980s, which allowed the authors to closely examine the effects of tax rate changes on entrepreneurship.
• Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration is the only independent agency of the federal government with the sole purpose of helping small businesses to start, grow and prosper. Through its extensive network of SBA Regional, District, and Branch offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA services the public throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. SBA is available to the existing or prospective small business owner. Its commitment is to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small-business concerns; to preserve free, competitive enterprise; and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

The National Academy of Sciences released an independent report mid-March finding that a draft study prepared for purposes of implementing a preferential federal contracting program for women-owned small businesses is seriously flawed and should be revised in accordance with the report’s recommendations. Persons interested in obtaining the full report, conclusion and recommendations may visit http://www.nap.edu/books/0309096111/html/.

Community News

April 6 Event Highlights Issues Affecting Women in Fairfax County - If you care about the well-being of women and girls in Fairfax County, let your voice be heard! Come to the 2005 Women’s Voices Forum on April 6 at the Fairfax County Government Center, a free event sponsored by the county’s Commission for Women and Office for Women. This is a chance to hear from panel experts and participate in discussions about key issues affecting women in our community: affordable housing, domestic violence, financial independence, nontraditional career paths, nutrition, and issues affecting seniors. Information from the day’s discussions will be shared with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and other policymakers. Maxine Baker, Vice President, Community Relations for Freddie Mac and President and CEO of the Freddie Mac Foundation, is the event’s keynote speaker. Sharon Bulova, Supervisor for Fairfax County’s Braddock District, is also a featured speaker. The forum is open to the public, free of charge, and a light lunch will be provided. Preregistration is required. You can make a difference in the lives of women and girls in Fairfax County. The event will be held Wednesday, April 6, from 9:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035). For more information, to make reservations or to request special accommodations, please call the Fairfax County Office for Women at 703-324-5730 (TTY: 703-324-5706) or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofw.

Don’t Get Hooked by Identity Thieves - Going “phishing” is the latest technique used by identity thieves to steal your personal financial information. Phishing is a technique used to lure consumers into divulging their financial information, such as bank account or credit card number. By posing as a legitimate financial institution, identity thieves send consumers e-mails, asking them to “confirm” their account information. When unsuspecting victims take the bait, their personal financial information will be in the hands of identity thieves. The Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection offers the following advice:

Do not give personal information about yourself over the phone, the Internet or by mail unless you initiated the contact, or you are sure you know who you are dealing with. Also, be cautious about providing personal information on a cellular or cordless phone.
Do not put your address, telephone number or driver’s license number on a credit card sales receipt.
Remove your Social Security number from your driver’s license. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will provide another number for you; call 1-866-368-5463 for more information, or visit www.dmv.state.va.us.
Do not carry your Social Security card, Social Security number, birth certificate or passport with you unless they are necessary. These documents should be placed in a secured location.
• Check monthly credit card statements for charges you did not make and bank statements for transactions you do not recognize. Immediately report all discrepancies.
• Get a copy of your credit report from each of the major credit bureaus each year. Check your report for mistakes and immediately report any unauthorized information or accounts.
• Shred financial or confidential information.
Identity thieves victimized nearly 10 million Americans last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In Virginia, the FTC reports that more than 4,200 people had their personal information stolen in 2003. Unfortunately, identity theft is just the latest trick for con artists. Consumers also can get ripped off when they take their car in for repair or hire a home-improvement contractor. To learn other consumer protection tips, visit the Government Center or view tips online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cccp/consserv/default.htm. If you think you are the victim of identity theft, contact the county’s Consumer Protection Division for help at 703-222-8435, TTY 711.

Volunteers Needed for the 2005 Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup - The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, in conjunction with the Fairfax Watershed Network, a dedicated group of agencies and individuals that support and promote the improvement and protection of the county’s streams and watersheds, announce the 17th Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup to be held April 2, from 9 a.m. until noon, rain or shine. Volunteers are needed this year to help with a designated cleanup site or to organize a cleanup site in their neighborhoods. This year’s theme is “Take Pride in Our Potomac: It Starts in Your Back Yard!” and emphasizes the impact on the Potomac River from the streams that drain into it. Trash left on our sidewalks and streets finds its way into storm drains that dump the litter into nearby streams or into the Potomac River itself. Last year, over 3,600 volunteers across the region participated in the event and removed 162 tons of trash from 38 tributaries and shorelines of the Potomac River in three hours. In Reston alone, 121 volunteers helped remove 3.2 tons of trash from nearby streams and in Mason Neck, 20 miles of shoreline were cleaned of trash. The Network’s goal for this year is to double the number of registered cleanup sites in the county and increase the number of volunteers. The cleanup, sponsored by the Alice Ferguson Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fosters environmentally responsible behavior, has grown steadily over the years. Since 1989, the foundation’s cleanup has removed more than 1,000 tons of trash from the Potomac River. People or groups willing to organize a site in their neighborhood are urged to contact the cleanup coordinator, Wende Pearson, with the Alice Ferguson Foundation at 301-292-6665, TTY 711 or visit the Web site at www.PotomacCleanup.org for site locations in need of volunteers. The foundation provides free gloves and trash bags for the cleanup sites and coaches site leaders on how to organize their site.

Learn More About Tornadoes and Tornado Preparedness - The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management invited county residents, business owners, schools, nonprofit organizations, homeowners associations and others to participate in Virginia’s Tornado Preparedness Day on March 15. “Last year there were 86 tornadoes in Virginia,” said C. Douglas Bass, coordinator of Emergency Management. “One of those tornadoes struck in Fairfax County and damaged approximately 70 properties…” The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management offers residents these tornado safety suggestions:

“Go low and stay low,” which means to go to the lowest level of a structure away from windows and crouch in a low position with your head covered.
Mobile homes and cars are extremely unsafe during a tornado. Take cover inside a nearby sturdy building. If that’s not possible, lie down in a ditch away from your mobile home or car and cover your head with your hands.
Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch means current weather conditions may result in a tornado. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted. When a tornado warning is issued for your area, take cover immediately.
The majority of tornadoes occur between 3 and 9 p.m. Think of where you would normally be during that time – at school, at work or in the car. You may only have a few seconds to react. Decide now where you would go if a tornado warning was issued.
Tornadoes can also occur with little or no advance warning. It’s important to have a weather radio nearby so you can listen for tornado watches and warnings. If the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for your area, your weather radio will sound an alert, indicating you need to move to a safe area immediately.
Most of the tornadoes in Virginia last year occurred in August and September and were associated with the remnants of Hurricanes Gaston, Ivan and Jeanne. However, tornadoes can occur any time of the year and often strike with little or no advance warning.
The Office of Emergency Management also encourages residents to sign up for the Community Emergency Alert Network, or CEAN. (see below)

Fairfax County Announces the Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN). The CEAN will be used by county officials to deliver important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to county residents during a major crisis or emergency. Messages will be delivered to e-mail accounts, cell phones (text messaging costs may apply; check with your service provider), text pagers, satellite phones and wireless PDAs registered on the system. Persons registered on the CEAN will be provided a personal connection to real-time updates, instructions on where to go, protective actions that need to be taken, and other important information. Alerts may include personal safety, weather, major accidents involving utilities or roadways, or disaster notification such as a terrorist attack. In addition, residents may also register for any or all of the additional CEAN alert categories: county government closings/schedule changes, severe traffic disruptions, severe weather 24/7 and severe weather 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. To register for the Community Emergency Alert Network, visit the Fairfax County Web page, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean. For additional information on the CEAN, contact the Office of Emergency Management at 703-324-2362, TTY 711. Fairfax County Government offers the CEAN as a public service that will be used in conjunction with other public notification methods, such as cable Channel 16; the Fairfax County Government Web site; the Fairfax County Government Emergency Information Line (703-817-7771, TTY 711) and area media, both radio and television.

The Vienna Elementary School PTA is hosting the Vienna Elementary Run for Fun, a 5K race and one-mile fun run and walk, on Sunday, May 1 at the school (128 Center St., S). To host an event of this magnitude, PTA organizers are looking for race sponsors. Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $1,000 and include listing on race t-shirts and inclusion in race advertising. The deadline for sponsorships is April 1. For more information, visit www.vienna5Krun.org. To date, Gold sponsors include CSI Printing, Metro Run & Walk, McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtors. Silver sponsors include Mindbank Consulting Group, Charmingly Chic Interiors, bikes@vienna, All Star Movers, Vienna Shopping Center, www.hirefrank.com, Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Brown, DDS. Proceeds will benefit the educational enrichment programs of the Vienna Elementary School PTA.

Governor Mark R. Warner has announced the award of a $500,000 Early Childhood Partnership grant to Fairfax County. Early Childhood Grants, a component of Governor Mark R. Warner’s Education for a Lifetime preschool initiative, target community-based organizations which can demonstrate an ability to bring together people and organizations on a local or regional level to create a comprehensive system of early care and education for young children. The Office for Children of the county’s Department of Family Services, Fairfax County Public Schools, Northern Virginia Community College, and Fairfax Futures: the Fund for Early Learning and School Readiness have come together as the Fairfax County School Readiness Collaborative. Fairfax Futures, a newly created nonprofit organization which invests in early childhood education, will engage the business community in this effort. To qualify for the grant, the Collaborative had to show that it had designed and developed a comprehensive infrastructure that supports quality early education and school readiness at the local level.

2005 Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards Nominations - Fairfax County is accepting nominations between March 1 and May 31 for the sixth annual Environmental Excellence Awards Program. Citizens, community groups, environmental organizations and local businesses are urged to submit nominations. One or more awards will be given in each of the following categories: Fairfax County residents, Fairfax County organizations, Fairfax County businesses, and Fairfax County government employees. The Environmental Awards Program is designed to recognize volunteer efforts that promote the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ environmental goals: Environmental protection, Open space conservation, and energy conservation. To obtain nomination forms: visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2004/envaward.pdf. For more information, call the Fairfax County Environmental Coordinator at 703-324-1788, TTY 711.

Town of Vienna

The Town of Vienna’s adult coed softball league begins its spring season April 24. Games will be played on Sundays at Southside Park (1315 Ross Drive, SW). The registration fee of $400 per team includes 10 regular season double-header games, a post-season tournament, umpire fees, softballs and awards. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit of 12 teams. For more information, call Keith Fees at 703-255-6352 or e-mail fees@ci.vienna.va.us.
Registration is underway for the Men’s Summer Basketball League sponsored by the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department. League play begins June 20 through August 5. Two 10-team divisions will play a round-robin schedule, with the top teams from each division competing in a league championship tournament. The fee is $500 per team plus an additional charge of $20 for each non-Fairfax County player. For more information, call Keith Fees at 703-255-6352 or e-mail fees@ci.vienna.va.us.
Springtime Walking Groups - An evening walking group for adults will meet each Wednesday beginning April 6 in front of the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. The group will leave at 5:15 p.m. sharp for a three-mile walk along local trails and scenic paths. There is no fee for this program and no registration is required. A morning walking group will meet on Mondays, April 4-May 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. The fee of $5 for Town of Vienna residents and $6.25 for out-of-town participants includes a guide, trail maps and written materials. The Friday morning group will meet April 8-May 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. at different locations around Fairfax County. The cost is $12 for Town of Vienna residents and $15 for out-of-town participants, and includes guides and maps. For more information, call the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department at 703-255-6360.
Spring cooking classes for adults begin in April at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. Join the chefs of “A Cook’s Quest” for instruction in all types of food preparation, from smoking and barbeque to a Napa Valley style dinner party and many more throughout the spring. For information on dates and fees for each class, call the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department at 703-255-6360, or visit www.ci.vienna.va.us.
• Babysitting Fundamentals, for boys and girls age 12 and older, will be held on Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. Learn how to care for infants and young children, including bathing, games/activities, basic first aid, diapering, and safety practices. The fee of $30 per person includes a manual and certificate upon completion. Bring a bag lunch and a doll. For more information, call the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department at 703-255-6360 or visit www.ci.vienna.va.us.

The Virginia 2007 Community Program Committee for the Town of Vienna is pleased to invite you to attend a Special Program about Jamestown, Virginia. It will be held on Friday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Beverly "Bly" Straube, the Senior Curator for the Jamestown Rediscovery Project of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, will present "Digging Up Dirt on Jamestown: Ten Years of Archaeological Rediscovery" The purpose of the Virginia 2007 Community Program Committee for the Town of Vienna is to support the Jamestown 2007 400th Commemoration of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, "Our Nation's Birthplace." For more information, contact Paul D. Snodgrass, Committee Chairman, at 703-560-6631, or e-mail: paulsnodgrass@cox.net.

County Executive Proposes $3.0 Billion Budget for Fiscal Year 2006; School Funding Increased $112.72 Million - Fairfax County Executive Anthony H. Griffin has proposed a General Fund budget of $3,004,161,761 for Fiscal Year 2006 (July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006), an increase of 6.93 percent over the FY 2005 Revised Budget Plan. The total of all Appropriated Funds is $5.06 billion. For the fifth consecutive year, average residential real estate assessments have increased by double-digits, consistent with the experience of other jurisdictions in the Metropolitan Washington area where most have seen average increases of over 20 percent. In Fairfax County, residential equalization (the reassessment of existing housing) is increasing 23.09 percent. In the past several years, this growth in the residential tax base has provided the primary, and many times, the only source of funding for increasing County service requirements.

Den 3 of Cub Scout Pack 1152, Great Falls, and Mrs. Dori Hargrove’s fifth grade class of Flint Hill Elementary School, Vienna, have been named this year’s winners of the “It’s Cool to Recycle” contest. The contest, sponsored by the Fairfax County Recycling Program, was part of the Clean Your Files/Closets Week, held January 24 - 28. Community and school groups created projects to find beneficial uses for items not needed. Den 3 Cub Scout Pack 1152 won the prize for community groups by collecting 18 bags of items including toys, clothes and household goods for families temporarily residing at the Anchorage Motel in Fairfax. Mrs. Hargrove’s fifth grade class won the prize for school groups by collecting more than 200 pounds of gently used school supplies for children impacted by the Southeast Asian tsunami. Winners received a Ben & Jerry’s gift certificate for ice cream. This is the second year the Fairfax County Recycling Program, part of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, held the “It’s Cool to Recycle” contest. For more information, call Meredith Eisenberg at 703-324-5313, TTY 711 or send an e-mail to Meredith.Eisenberg@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council Seeks Student Member - The Environmental Quality Advisory Council of Fairfax County is seeking a high school student interested in serving on the council from July 2005 through June 2006. As a member of the council, the student will be involved in the process of making decisions and recommendations that impact the environment in the county. It is a great opportunity for growth and hands-on education. The council’s chief function is to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for improving the county's efforts in environmental protection and enhancement. During monthly meetings, issues such as hazardous materials, water and air quality, land use, noise, solid waste, ecological resources, deer management, visual pollution, and light pollution are investigated. In addition, the council holds a public hearing each year to obtain citizen input on issues of environmental concern and submits an Annual Report on the Environment to the Board of Supervisors. High school sophomores or juniors in good standing who are residents of Fairfax County, Clifton, Herndon, or Vienna may apply. Homeschooled students may also apply. Applications are available from the science department chair, guidance counselor, social studies chair or principal of each public, private or parochial school in Fairfax County. Interested students may also contact Noel Kaplan of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-324-1210, TTY 711, or via e-mail at eqac@fairfaxcounty.gov. Information about the council and the student member position is available on the county’s Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eqac. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline of May 6, 2005.

The Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (DTA) issued real estate assessment change notices to approximately 99% of the 339,849 taxable parcels in the County. The remaining 1% of taxable parcels have no change in their 2005 real estate assessment. The assessed value of properties may change for a variety of reasons. Among these are appreciation and value declines (i.e., equalization changes); and, structural changes (additions, remodeling), rezonings, and land divisions (i.e., growth). The relatively large percentage of properties that have an assessment change for 2005 reflects the strong price appreciation and solid sales volume in the 2004 residential real estate market. Based on equalization changes, the mean assessed value of most single family-detached homes for 2005 is $526,160, up approximately 22%; townhouse/duplex properties have a 2005 County-wide assessment average of $325,433, an increase over 2004 of approximately 26%; and the mean assessed value for condominiums is up over 30% at $231,343. Inquiries concerning any assessment should be directed to the DTA at 703-222-8234 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta. Property owners are encouraged to review their assessment notice upon receipt. Administrative appeals can be filed with DTA if citizens believe their assessment is not equitable in comparison with similar properties or if they believe their assessment exceeds fair market value. Appeal applications can be obtained by calling DTA or from DTA’s homepage. DTA requests that appeal applications be filed by April 4, 2005.