September 6 – 12, 2007
A number of local businesses and organizations are participating in this month’s FIRSTfriday events taking place Friday, September 7. Art and Frame of Falls Church, Clay Café Studios, Curves, Falls Church Arts, Impulsive, Ireland’s Four Provinces and Stifel and Capra are all hosting events with artists and/or musicians. Many of those hosting events are also providing discounts as are Argia’s, Clare and Don’s, Natalia’s Elegant Creations, Pilin Thai Restaurant, and the Anime Pavilion. See the ad found elsewhere in this paper or the “Art in the City” Flyer available at the participating businesses. For information about participating in future FIRSTfriday events, contact Tom Gittins at tom@firstfridayfc.org.
Natalia’s Elegant Creations Pastry Shop and Café will be holding its official ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 8 at 11 a.m. The new European style pastry shop offers a large variety of European style cakes, pastries, cookies, and cupcakes. Freshly baked bagels, croissants and muffins, as well as a limited sandwich menu will also be offered. Coffees, teas, espressos, lattes and other beverages can be ordered for either sit down or take out. Gluten-free desserts are available daily. Natalia’s, located at 230 W. Broad Street, is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Mondays). For more information visit www.nataliaselegantcreations.com.
Argia’s and The State Theatre are hosting a fundraiser to benefit Elio Martinez, who was violently attacked and remains in critical condition at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. Martinez exited a bus at Bailey’s Crossroads after a double-shift at Argia’s. Allegedly, three to nine men randomly assaulted Elio with baseball bats while he was walking home. The fundraising event is being held at The State Theatre on Monday, September 10, from 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Businesses interested in supporting this event are to contact Christina Patsel at 703-901-0012.
The Arlington Economic Development and the Northern Virginia Community College are hosting “BizLaunch Bootcamp,” a two-day seminar covering topics ranging from designing a mission statement to developing a business and marketing strategy to a review of the financial aspects of running a business. Through this event, attendees will learn the key fundamentals of business ownership in an intense course with personalized training. The seminar will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, September 14 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 15. The cost is $80 and seating is limited. Registration is required by September 12. For more information contact Darnell Roseboro, 703-228-0833 or droseboroa@arlingtonva.us or visit www.arlingtonusa.com/bootcamp.
Argia’s, Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, Ireland’s Four Provinces, Ledo Pizza Restaurant, Pilin Thai Restaurant, Robeks Juice, ZPizza and 2 Sisters Coffee are among the participating local restaurants in the 3rd Annual Taste of Falls Church. The event, which is being held this year in conjunction with the Falls Church Fall Festival, will take place Saturday, September 15. Buck and Associates, PNC Bank, Drs. Love and Miller Family Dentistry, Dominion, and Foxcraft Design Group are sponsoring the event. For information about sponsoring or participating contact Jenny Elmore at jelmore@fallschurchva.gov or 703-248-5077.
Admissions Consultants, Hughes Financial Services, and Northern Virginia Tutoring Service are co-hosting a free college workshop on Saturday, September 29. “Preparing, Applying and Funding” will be presented to parents of students who are planning to attend college during the next several years. This workshop will be held at the Falls Church Community Center from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Dr. Ralph G. Perrino (Northern Virginia Tutoring Service), Todd Hughes (Hughes Financial Solutions), and David Petersam (Admissions Consultants) will discuss issues that are on the minds of all parents of prospective college students. Seating is limited. To register, please call 877-778-5481.
Mark Swartz, CFP®, ChFC, CLU, Southern Division Executive Vice President for AXA Advisors, LLC and manager of the company's Baltimore Washington Metro branch headquartered in Falls Church has earned a Certificate in Retirement Planning from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is one of only 450 financial professionals nationwide to complete this retirement planning education program. Mr. Swartz has 27 years of experience in financial services and is active in the industry. AXA Advisors, LLC is a provider of financial services for consumers and businesses. For more information visit www.axaonline.com.
The Falls Church City Economic Development Authority secured the services of Retail Compass, LLC to study the retail outlook for the City. The results of that study were outlined in a presentation made by Retail Compass’s Heather Arnold at the July meeting of the EDA. The presentation, entitled “The City’s Retail Future: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges in Falls Church”, is now available on the City’s website. Go to www.fallschurchva.gov/government/eda/about.html to view it along with notes provided by the Office of Economic Development. Also available on the City’s EDA website (www.fallschurchva.gov/government/eda/about) are additional presentations made to the EDA regarding Smart Growth in Arlington County and development trends in Falls Church.
The Virginia Department of Business Assistance provides a “Virginia License & Permit Guide” on its website. The site includes information on licensing and regulatory requirements for both establishing and operating a business. It includes agencies, contact information, licenses, reports, and fees required by the Commonwealth and administered by the individual agency. To access this information, go to: www.dba.state.va.us/licenses. Information about permits and licenses required in the City of Falls Church are available at www.fallschurchva.gov/business/permits.
