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Claim Your PREMO Prizes!

Did you know that your quarterly expenditures at PREMO businesses could be earning you prizes? It’s not a contest, but a reward-based system. If you can show at least 10 receipts totaling $500 in the last fiscal quarter, you’ve already won! Want to find out more? Contact Jodi Scholes at 703-255-1500 or jodi@novamassage.com.

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2005 Awards Nominations

Have you nominated your picks for our 2005 Awards? VTRCC will name "Business of the Year", "Business Person of the Year", "Entrepreneur of the Year", "Nonprofit of the Year", and "Citizen of the Year" and present a special "Lifetime Service Award". A new award, "New Member of the Year", will also be selected. Click here to make your nomination(s) using our online form.

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June Business Spotlight CAROL MCDONOUGH THE WOMEN'S CENTER July Business Spotlight TOM THEIMAN AMERICAN HOME CARPET CARE 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 VTRCC Members and Friends of the Chamber,

 It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to each and every one of you as the new President of the VTRCC. I am delighted to be a part of such a vital and gracious group of people – my introduction at the May luncheon was so hospitable that I already feel “at home”.

Although I am reluctant to make any promises this soon in my tenure as President, I will commit to this: to work diligently on behalf of the Chamber and all of you that have entrusted us to help support your business initiatives and I am very excited about the prospect of doing so. I hope to have the opportunity to meet each and every one of you over the upcoming summer months, and encourage you to attend our upcoming events, which promise to be both productive and FUN.

Looking for other ways to get your name out in the community? You may want to consider any or all of the following: Advertise in the Enterprise, distributed via the Sun Gazette newspapers to over 10,000 area residents and businesses. By doing so you’ll be getting superior visibility for your business and will be supporting the initiatives of the VTRCC as well. For additional information please contact Megan McMahon 703-738-2524. You could also sponsor an upcoming VTRCC event: get visibility at a breakfast, lunch or mixer, or at the Golf Tournament or Carnival—wherever your potential customers are likely to be. For additional information, please call the VTRCC office.

Don’t forget that June is VTRCC renewal month. If you have not yet paid your dues for the 2005-2006 year I’d like to encourage you to do so right away. Only those companies that have renewed prior to August 1, 2005 will be included in the next Chamber directory. As you are likely aware, the VTRCC has a very small staff and limited resources – we depend upon a prompt return of your membership dues fees to maintain our services and we are grateful for your support.

As the “new kid on the block” I’m extremely receptive to hearing from those of you that have constructive comments to share… after all, we can only be as good as the information we have, so I’m relying on each of you to help us be as good as we can be. Also, keep an eye on your email in-box. Coming soon will be a first-ever online membership survey which will give you additional opportunity to voice your opinions on the things that matter most relative to your membership participation with the VTRCC. In the meantime, feel free to contact me directly via email at egalant@vtrcc.org or phone at 703-281-1333.

One final reminder and request: the deadline date for nominations for our annual awards ceremony in July is June 15, 2005. In order to make the process as easy and accessible as possible, we have set up an online nomination form which can be accessed by visiting www.vtrcc.org/awards. Please take a few moments to complete the nomination form. Recognizing those who have given so much is an important part of your responsibility as a Chamber member. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, please remember that the more involved you are with the Chamber, the greater benefit you’ll reap in return. Thank you!

Once again, thank you for your warm welcome to the Chamber. I look forward to working together!

Warm Regards,
Ellen Galant

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Legislative Affairs

By Fairfax County Supervisor Joan DuBois 

Over the last few months, there have been stories in the media about the future of Tysons Corner and the County’s proposal to re-examine the vision of the current Comprehensive Plan, last examined by a 24-member task force over a decade ago.

The County has retained a consultant, Cambridge Systematics, to undertake a five-part analysis of Tysons Corner that will closely link urban design and transportation elements of the Plan. The first phase is underway. An existing conditions report is being prepared to include the following elements: roadway and sidewalk configurations, traffic levels at 20 intersections, existing land use, and transit access. The consultant will use these findings to evaluate a maximum of 10 combinations of land use and transportation network alternatives.

Last fall, 19 proposed land use changes for the Tysons Corner area were deferred from consideration and will now be examined in the context of the consultant’s findings and the recommendations of a Tysons Corner Transportation and Urban Design Special Study.

In the meantime, the owners of Tysons Corner Center have submitted a land use application that would almost double the amount of development on that site. Their project would include office, residential, and possible hotel use, and would be phased-in over a 10-year period. County staff and the Providence District Supervisor’s office are currently reviewing this application. Public hearings by both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors are required before any final decisions are made.

The business community in Vienna must become aware and engaged in the future planning that recognizes the changes coming to Tysons Corner. Over the next 20 to 30 years, Tysons Corner is envisioned to evolve into a more urban environment. Increased density is already permitted in the areas where future rail stations are to be located. The proximity of Tysons Corner can have far reaching impacts on all smaller nearby business districts. I believe that the question of whether these impacts are positive or negative depends heavily on the ability of those nearby business and retail entities to anticipate and shape their own communities into a complementary niche of retail, residential and office uses.  

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Member News

Second Annual Weichert, Realtors Charity Tag Sale - Do you need to lighten your load a bit and get rid of items you don't need anymore? Weichert, Realtors in Vienna will be hosting a charity tag sale on Saturday, June 8 starting at 8 a.m. All proceeds from donated items will be used to benefit the following charities: Kid Save International (KSI), which helps foster/orphaned children find homes, and Committee for Helping Others (CHO), which provides food, clothing, furniture, and emergency care for those in need. We will be happy to pick up your "gently used" donations. Please call Lynelle Massey at 703-938-6070 x143. Or you may drop off any donations after June 7 at our office, located at 313 Maple Avenue, W. (next door to the Amphora Restaurant). Cash donations are always welcomed. Please note: we will not be able to accept infant strollers or car seats.

New Chamber member Intelligent Office invites you to their open house on Thursday, June 9 from 3-6 p.m. and Friday, June 10 from 8-10 a.m. Enjoy light refreshments as you mingle, increase your networking, and meet your neighbors! Take a tour of a brand new Intelligent Office that offers smart, affordable and professional services to the business community. Dedicated executive office suites are also available! Intelligent Office is located at 1934 Old Gallows Road, Suite 350, Vienna, VA 22182 (next to Borders-above Bertucci’s). 

Dyer-Gunnell American Legion Post 180 invites everone to play in their 5th Annual Golf Tournament. It will be held at Penderbrook Golf Course on Friday, June 17 (Shotgun start 8:30 a.m.) The cost is just $80 per person or $320 per foursome for four-Person Captain’s Choice. Your fee includes greens fees, golf cart, beverages, and the awards dinner at Post 180 following the tournament. PROCEEDS BENEFIT OUR VETERANS. Registration is limited to 144 players, so sign up early! Send your name, address, phone, player name(s), and check (payable to American Legion Post 180) to P.O. Box 495, Vienna, VA 22183. For more information, contact Dan Dellinger or Bill Murphy at 703-938-9535. 

Focuspoint, Inc. is proud to announce that they have been selected by the International On Hold Messaging Association (OHMA) for the coveted OHMA “Holdie Award.” The concept of the Holdie Award was initiated by former OHMA Chairman, Creston M. Owen, as a Grammy-type award to pay tribute for exceptional work by the best, most creative minds in the On Hold Messaging Industry. Focuspoint Vice President of Sales Joe Martin responded to the Holdie Award announcement by stating that, “The Focuspoint Team is honored to be recognized as having one of the best on hold messages in the world, and [he] would like to thank Focuspoint’s winning production team led by Chris Zemba, Production Specialist, and Jim Theuer, Production Technician, for all of their outstanding work.”

America's Cash Back Network (ACBN) announced a strategic alliance with The Networking Community (TNC), a groundbreaking move to deliver rich benefits to TNC's community of networkers and networking organizations. The alliance marks a major step forward in the early momentum now being experienced by ACBN, a new and growing business enterprise that is focused on providing real opportunity to individuals, small business and the non-profit sector. Kevin Rather, a founder with America's Cash Back Network and also the co-founder of The Freedom Training Centers of America saw a natural fit with the two companies and was instrumental in bringing the chief executives together. TNC Founder Dan Williams also shared his optimism for the newly formed relationship: "It is not often when Management, Mission and Vision in today's competitive business climate aligns itself with two separate companies. When it does, you know there is a fit. That is why we believe that it's in the interest of both companies that we initiate our exciting, new community-enhancement business platform immediately." The combined resources of ACBN and TNC can massively spread the word and provide a solid value proposition to merchants nationwide as an alternative to the high costs of merchant processing. Until now the "interchange" or the customary 2-4% paid by merchants on credit and debit card transactions has been the exclusive province of banks, processors and Independent Sales Organizations nationwide. ACBN challenges that status quo by sharing the proverbial 'action behind the transaction' with community supporters and partners such as TNC.

Cavalier Telephone, a leading provider of integrated local, long-distance, Internet and data communication services in the Mid-Atlantic region, announced results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2005. For 1Q05, Revenue grew to $63.7 million, 6% growth over the fourth quarter 2004. On a year over year basis, first quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached $13.4 million, growing 58% over 1Q04 while Cavalier's total 1Q05 revenue was up 29% over the same period. In the business services segment, billed revenue increased 3% 4Q04 to 1Q05. Year over year revenue growth for the same period was 21%. This was led by strong performance in Cavalier’s wholesale and carrier division. In the residential services segment, billed revenue increased by 16% 4Q04 to 1Q05 while year over year revenue growth for the same period was 51%. This was led by improvements in the following key areas: DSL service at 77% growth, residential local services at 50% growth and residential toll services at 40% growth. Cavalier Telephone now services over 35,000 small, medium and enterprise businesses and over 163,000 residential customers in Richmond, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia, Delaware, Southern New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. Cavalier Telephone is a facilities-based, full-service local telephone company (CLEC) offering the latest in advanced telecommunications products, including advanced telephone features and high-speed Internet access for business and residential customers. To find out about Cavalier’s services, contact Senior Account Executive Michael J. Waligorski, Jr. at 571-323-4559 or mwaligorski@cavtel.com.

United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI) reported diluted earnings per share of 57¢ for the first quarter of 2005, which represented an 8% increase from diluted earnings per share of 53¢ for first quarter of 2004. United generated net income of $24.8 million for the first quarter of 2005, an increase of 5% from the $23.5 million earned in the first quarter of 2004. The earnings growth for the first quarter of 2005 from last year’s first quarter was primarily due to increased net interest income. Tax-equivalent net interest income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2005 was $55.8 million, an increase of $3.5 million or 7% from the first quarter of 2004. This increase in tax-equivalent net interest income from continuing operations was due mainly to a $399.3 million or 7% increase in average earning assets as average loans for the first quarter of 2005 grew $394.6 million or 10% over last year’s first quarter. In addition, the average yield on earning assets for the first quarter of 2005 increased 25 basis points from the first quarter of 2004 as a result of higher interest rates. Partially offsetting these increases to net interest income for the first quarter of 2005 was a 35 basis point increase in the cost of funds from the first quarter of 2004 due to the higher interest rates. On a linked-quarter basis, United’s tax-equivalent net interest income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2005 was relatively flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2004 as growth in average loans of $97.2 million or 2% for the quarter was offset by an increase of 19 basis points in the cost of funds. On a consolidated basis, which combines the results from continuing and discontinued operations, the net interest margin for the first quarter of 2005 of 3.85% was a decrease of 1 basis point from the consolidated net interest margin of 3.86% for the first and fourth quarters of 2004. United Bankshares, with $6.3 billion in assets, presently has 90 full-service offices in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. United Bankshares stock is traded on the NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Quotation System) Stock Market System under the quotation symbol "UBSI".

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Business News

Town of Vienna Retail Guide - Following up on the successful "Dining and Lodging Guide," the Town of Vienna is publishing a companion "Retail Guide" that will include retail businesses with storefronts within the Town limits. VTRCC member Nautilus Communications, Inc. was the successful bidder on the project, and is currently surveying retailers to gather information. If you are a retailer in Vienna and you received a mailing about the "Retail Guide," please be sure to return the information sheet as soon as possible so you can be included. If you did not receive a mailing about this publication, please contact Katherine Hutt of Nautilus at 703-938-4540. There is no charge to be listed. The Guide will be published this summer and will be distributed to all residents in the Town, as well as in neighborhoods in the surrounding areas. It will also be available at Town Hall, the Vienna Community Center, and at many retailers. Copies will also be available in the Chamber office. 

National Business Women’s Conference to be held on June 7 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. This first annual event promoting advancement of business women, announced that a senior financial executive for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, will headline the Conference Workshop entitled “Fearless Financials.” SAM’S CLUB, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., serves as the lead sponsor. The National Business Women’s Conference is an unprecedented event marking the first time three powerful economic regions have jointly promoted business women. Governors Robert L. Ehrlich of Maryland and Mark R. Warner of Virginia and Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony A. Williams have enthusiastically extended their support of this event as Co-Chairmen. Hosting the conference is the National Women’s Business Center, a non-profit organization serving entrepreneurs at all stages of business development. More details and registration information is available by calling 202-785-4922 or going online at www.businesswomensconference.com. The Conference price is $275. The National Women’s Business Center is one of the only organizations in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area dedicated to delivering entrepreneurs in the metro region with high quality, accessibly-priced business training and support to grow their businesses. A non-profit, 501(c)(3), the Center offers a full range of services available to entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their own business, visit www.wbiznet.biz to learn more.

Homeowners, Renters and Businesses Are Urged To Prepare Before Hurricane Season Hits - With the six-month Atlantic Hurricane Season beginning June 1, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is urging homeowners, renters and businesses to take steps to protect their lives and property before the storms hit. Information about hurricane forecasts and tracking, as well as safety tips to use once a hurricane is forecast is available at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov. Making sure your home or business property is less vulnerable by identifying possible hazards, developing a plan which includes establishing escape routes and keeping emergency phone numbers handy, keeping copies of important business and personal records off-site as well as having appropriate insurance coverage are critical disaster preparedness strategies suggested by the SBA. More preparedness tips for businesses, homeowners and renters are available on the SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/prepared/getready.html. The Institute for Business and Home Safety (www.disastersafety.org) also has information on protecting your home or business. The federal government's preparedness Web site www.ready.gov is another helpful resource. To learn more about the SBA's disaster assistance program and links to additional disaster preparedness tips, visit the Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. For more information about all of the SBA's programs for small businesses, visit the SBA's extensive Web site at www.sba.gov.

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Community News 

The Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services is teaching kids how to “Be Tobacco Free.” This program is a top-rated school-based tobacco prevention program for youth and is targeted to youth in grades 6-12. “Be Tobacco Free” helps students develop greater self-esteem, self-mastery, and self-confidence, enabling them to effectively cope with social anxiety. Enhancing these skills and preventing risk behaviors have been found to have an overall positive impact on academic ability and success. “Be Tobacco Free” is offered to young people through teen centers, community centers, school programs, treatment centers, faith-based organizations, and other community groups. The program and materials are free. The program’s mission is an important one, especially considering these startling facts: A. More than 80% of adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18; B. One of every three children who try smoking a cigarette becomes a regular smoker before leaving high school; C. More than 45 Virginia kids begin smoking each day, representing a total of 16,500 per year; and D. 134,000 Virginia kids alive today will die early from smoking. Each program has four one-hour sessions. Participants receive tobacco-free prevention materials, worksheets, a pledge card, and a certificate of completion. The information and tips can also be used to help young people resist drugs and alcohol. If your group or organization would like to have CRS offer the “Be Tobacco Free” program at your facility, please call Janet Long at 703-324-5213, TTY 703-222-9693. Information is also available on the county Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec.

Fairfax County Committed to Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence - Prevention of domestic violence and intervention strategies are a priority for Fairfax County and several initiatives are underway to achieve this vision. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently gave its approval to the Fairfax County Victim Assistance Network of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board to apply for a $70,982 grant from the Virginia Domestic Violence Victim Fund to fight domestic violence. If awarded, these funds will be used to provide counseling to Spanish-speaking individuals, groups, and families involved in domestic violence. In response to disturbing statistics on domestic violence, the Board of Supervisors established the Domestic Violence Prevention, Policy and Coordinating Council in 2004 to coordinate the development and implementation of county interdepartmental plans, strategies, policies, and communication related to domestic violence issues. Last year, the county's police department launched a pilot project at five district stations dedicated to domestic violence investigation of incidents that occur within the districts. These specialized investigators concentrate on building criminal cases while members of the department's Victim Services Section provide direct services to the victims and survivors. The Domestic Violence Handbook, written by the nonprofit Network Against Family Abuse, is available on the county's Web site, in multiple languages, for all victims and survivors of domestic violence. The handbook provides comprehensive information on county- and community-run programs for those coping with domestic violence. Fairfax County government also provides several hotlines, including the Victim Assistance Network for domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help residents in a crisis situation find services or receive essential information. For more information on domestic violence, contact the Domestic Violence Coordinator at 703-324-7472, TTY 703-324-5628 or the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board at 703-324-7000, TTY 703-802-3015. 

Town of Vienna – Unless otherwise specified, call the Vienna Parks and Recreation at 703-255-6360 for more information on the following programs. Updates and information on additional programs can be found online at www.ci.vienna.va.us. The Vienna Community Center is located at 120 Cherry St., SE, Vienna, VA.

• Adult Summer Tennis League - June 18 is the registration deadline for the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department's Adult Summer Tennis League. League play begins June 25, with men's singles games on Saturdays and women's singles games on Sundays at Glyndon and Meadow Lane Parks. Each participant will play a minimum of seven matches during the season. The fee is $10 for Town of Vienna residents and $15 for out-of-town participants.
• Men's Basketball League - The Men's Summer Basketball League sponsored by the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department 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.
• Free Workshop On Wills - "Why Good Wills Go Bad" is the title of a free presentation on Monday, June 13, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Join attorney David G. Hoffman for a discussion of Virginia will law, organizing your assets, when to change your will, talking to your executor, reducing probate, will copies, do-it-yourself tax plans and more. The workshop is free of charge, and no advance registration is required.
• Movie in the Park - Enjoy a family movie outdoors at Vienna's Glyndon Park beginning at sundown (about 8:45 p.m.) on Friday, June 24. Admission is free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Parents are required to stay with their children during the movie. For information on which G-rated film will be shown, call 703-255-7842 after noon on June 22 and for weather information on the day of the show.
• Dining Skills for Teens, age 13-17, will be presented on Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Learn about table manners, silverware selection, American and Continental eating styles, duties of hosts and guests, and many other dos and don'ts. The cost is $40 for Town of Vienna residents and $50 for out-of-town participants plus a $10 materials fee.
• Babysitting Fundamentals, for boys and girls age 12 and older, will be held on Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. 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.
• Yoga Afloat, sponsored by the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department, is a new one-day class blending traditional yoga poses and movement through water. The class will be held on Friday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Fitness Quest Health Club of Fairfax Pool. The fee of $12 for Town of Vienna residents and $15 for out-of-town participants includes use of the gym before and after class.
• Magic Show at Community Center - James Wand, secret agent magician, will perform at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at the Vienna Community Center. The show is recommended for children aged five and up. Tickets are $3 per person, available at the Community Center.
• Learn the Latest About Jamestown's Past - "Digging Up Dirt on Jamestown: Ten Years of Archaeological Rediscovery," a free program sponsored by the Virginia 2007 Committee for the Town of Vienna, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 24, at the Vienna Community Center. Historical archaeologist and Vienna native Beverly "Bly" Straube will discuss her work as Senior Curator for the Jamestown Rediscovery Project of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. She has more than 30 years of experience as a historical archaeologist in tidewater Virginia and is one of the leading authorities on 17th and 18th century material found at Anglo-American sites. Vienna's Virginia 2007 Community Committee was created to plan local activities in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown in 1607. For more information, contact committee chairman Paul Snodgrass at 703-560-6631 or e-mail paulsnodgrass@cox.net.
• Family Skate Night will be held each Friday, June 3-July 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Admission is $1 per skater. Bring your own skates or rollerblades and safety equipment. Parents are required to stay with their children and are welcome to participate.
• Atlantic City “Overnighter” - June 3 is the registration deadline for an overnight trip to the casinos in Atlantic City sponsored by the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department. The trip is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, June 30-July 1. A charter bus will leave at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Vienna Community Center and return Friday evening. The cost for Town of Vienna residents is $173 per person single occupancy, $123 double occupancy, and $116 triple occupancy. For out-of-town participants the cost is $199 per person single occupancy, $142 double occupancy, and $133 triple occupancy. The cost includes transportation, casino package, overnight accommodations at the Caesar’s Palace Resort and Casino, and food and beverage coupons.
• A tour of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, sponsored by the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department, is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8. A charter bus will leave at 8:30 a.m. from the Vienna Community Center and return at 5 p.m. The cost of $38 for Town of Vienna residents and $47.50 for out-of-town participants includes transportation, entrance fee and guided tour.
• A “Summer Jam” dance for 6th graders will be held on Friday, June 10, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Club Phoenix Teen Center, located in the Vienna Community Center. Admission is free. Celebrate the end of the school year with a DJ, food and a dance contest. Club Phoenix features a big screen TV, VCR, jukebox, CD player, video games, pool and ping pong tables, food area, and a state-of-the-art sound system.
• Magic & Balloon Sculpture Classes - Be the life of the party! Magic 101 will put you on the right track to become a skillful magician. Balloon Sculpture will teach you how to twist balloons into creative shapes. Both classes will be held on Saturday, June 11, at the Vienna Community Center. Magic 101 is scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The fee is $40 for Town of Vienna residents and $50 for out-of-town participants age 9-adult plus a $5 materials fee. Balloon Sculpture will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The fee is $15 for Town of Vienna residents and $20 for out-of-town participants age 9-adult plus a $5 materials fee.
• The Vienna Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor a free tour of Channel 10, Fairfax Public Access TV, on Thursday, June 9, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Get a behind-the-scenes view of the facilities and learn about opportunities to become involved in the world of television production and promotions. This program is free of charge but advance registration is required and transportation to the TV studio in Fairfax is on your own.
• A pot luck luncheon and recipe swap will be held on Friday, June 10, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Bring that special dish to share along with a copy of the recipe. Advance registration is required.
• Planning a vacation to Disney World? Let Disney World frequent vacationer David Hoffman help you enjoy your trip. Join David on Monday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, when he will share his experiences and provide handy reference materials to take home. This program is free of charge, but advance registration is required.

Fairfax County FY06 Budget Cuts Real Estate Tax Rate - On April 25, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2006 budget, which begins on July 1, 2005. To address the continuing trend of rising assessments, the Board reduced the real estate tax rate for the fourth consecutive year, cutting another 13 cents from the rate to bring the cumulative decrease to 23 cents over four years. The current rate will decrease from $1.13 per $100 assessed value to $1.00 per $100 assessed value for fiscal year 2006, which surpasses the previous low of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value in fiscal year 1992. In addition, the Board of Supervisors emphasized that their funding decisions reflect their commitment to achieving the following strategic priorities: strong investment in education, public safety and gang prevention, affordable housing, environmental protection, transportation improvements, and revenue diversification to reduce the burden on the homeowner. The largest increase in the fiscal year 2006 budget over the fiscal year 2005 level is associated with the transfers to the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). The transfers to FCPS for operations and debt service total $1.56 billion, an increase of $112.72 million over fiscal year 2005, which represents approximately 52 percent of total General Fund Disbursements. The increase in the transfer to the School Operating Fund is 8.24 percent, while the School Debt Service transfer is increased 2.97 percent based on the anticipated sale of $130 million of bonds for new school construction and renewals. nformation on the fiscal year 2006 Budget Plan, including revisions made during the April 18 Budget Mark-up session, is available by calling the Department of Management and Budget at 703-324-2391 and on the County’s Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb.

Three Fairfax County Park Authority entries were winners of 2004 Blue Pencil Awards. The presenting organization, the National Association of Government Communicators, is a national not-for-profit professional network of federal, state and local government employees who disseminate information within and outside government. Its members are editors, writers, graphic artists, video professionals, broadcasters, photographers, information specialists and agency spokespersons. The Great Blue Heron, cover photo for the winter 2004 Parktakes Magazine, took first place in the color photography category. Staff photographer Don Sweeney took the photograph at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, VA. Production Services Manager Daphne Hutchinson received a first place spot for her Writer’s Portfolio which included a variety of written materials for publications, award nominations and scripted songs for the annual Elly Doyle Awards program. The staff in the Production Services section of the Park Services Division was also honored with a second place win in the Local Magazine category for Parktakes Magazine. The quarterly catalogue is one of the best read publications in the area with a circulation in the Northern Virginia area that exceeds 165,000. Editor Daphe Hutchinson shares these accolades with advertising manager Susan Trayers, graphic designer Joanne Kearney, photographer Don Sweeney and editorial assistant Barbara Kousens. More than 630 entries were received in the competition this year. This program recognizes the best in government communications from around the nation. 

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Committee News

VTRCC Senior VP of Fundraising Debbie Earman, is pleased to announce how happy she is with our last big event, Casino Night. On behalf of herself and the rest of the Board of Directors, she once again offers many thanks to all of the volunteers and attendees for making it such a fun evening. But the fundraising year has just begun… the Chamber has two more big events coming our way. The Carnival and the Annual Golf Tournament will both be in September this year. If you have any interest in volunteering for one or both events, please call Debbie at 703-475-8686. They are both fun events for volunteers and are big financial supporters of our Chamber.

Tip Group Leader Harv Silverman wants to remind all VTRCC members that there are two very healthy Lunch and Leads Groups, each with membership of over 20 people. One meets every Tuesday, the other meets every Thursday, at Shula's in the Tysons Corner Marriott from 12:15-1:30 p.m. This is one of the best benefits of Chamber membership, having 20 other people on your marketing staff as you serve on theirs. Thousands of dollars worth of new business passes in these groups! And they have a great leader, a fun format, great mutual support all in a learning environment. There are a few slots open for Chamber members. Anyone interested should call Harv at 703-319-8806. Those who wish to join must make the commitment to attend regularly and to make an honest effort to pass bona fide leads. Still not sure if this is right for you? Visitors are welcome.