News & Notes .............................12,13 Business News

PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 30, 2021 - JANUARY 5, 2022 FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Falls Church Business News & Notes

Give Staff Bonuses and Get Reimbursed

Have you hired an employee who was previously unemployed? The Return to Earn initiative, launched in June, is an effort to assist small businesses and organizations in finding and retaining talent while also bringing the unemployed back into the workforce. There are basic eligibility requirements and the Skill Source Group, Inc. and Virginia Career Works Northern are available to make access to this program easy and the application, enrollment, and reimbursement process as simple as possible. It is a quick and smooth process. The program encourages a $500 reimbursable bonus as helpful to retention and workplace morale for qualified businesses. To learn more, go to https://vcwnorthern.com/ return-to-earn.

WBC Franchises: What’s New and What’s Next? (pre-recorded webinar)

What does it take to be a successful franchise owner in the DC Metro area? For those who are interested in franchising as a full-time business or semi-absentee investor, learn what to look for in a franchise, which franchises do well (and don’t do well) in our region, and state and local regulations to be aware of before signing a franchise agreement. There will be information about franchise trends, future of franchising and the impact of Covid-19 on franchises. This webinar was recorded on December 2, 2021 and is available with registration until February 1. Information is subject to change. Visit The Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia, a subsidiary of Community Business Partnership.

Anser buys Fairfax Intelligence Firm

Falls Church-based nonprofit firm, Analytic Services Inc., operating as Anser, reported the purchase of Fairfax contractor In Tec LLC. Anser offers analysis services to defense and civilian agencies on acquisition programs, risk assessments, project management and other services. The move adds information technology, intelligence and systems engineering and other offerings to its portfolio. In Tec is one of the largest veteran-owned companies in the area and counts the Defense Intelligence Agency and National Reconnaissance Office among its clients. Anser President and CEO Steve Hopkins said, “Because we were established for the purpose of public service and not for profit, we measure our success in the impact of our service. With InTec, our combined client-focused culture and innovative approach enables us to deliver to a broadened client base.”

Happy Holidays Roman Rahim

Inova Receives $3.5M Gift for Behavioral Health Expansion

Inova Health System, a Falls Church nonprofit has received a $3.5 million donation from two longtime donors to help fund the expansion of a behavioral health unit at its Mount Vernon hospital. The gift comes from Jeffrey and Amiya Veatch, consistent supporters of the organization and that facility specifically. They commit these funds to the project as the region sees growing demand for mental health and substance abuse services, and will support the construction of a new behavioral health unit at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital.

The Most Posts for #ShopLocalFC Wins

Shopping local for the holidays has been key to local businesses. The Falls Church Chamber encourages the community to post their favorite retailers, purchases or experiences in December for a chance to win a $100 gift card to your favorite local retailer. The individual with the most posts by December 31 will receive a gift card to his/her favorite Falls Church retailer. Use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschcurchchamber.org.

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Falls Church NEWS BRIEFS

DECEMBER 30, 2021 - JANUARY 5, 2022 | PAGE 15

Tinner Hill Foundation Seeks To ‘Make History Visible’

A pre-New Year statement by the pro-civil rights Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation in Falls Church noted that “by existing in an area of rapid urban growth and fast-paced change, the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation pursues its central mission under the theme of “Making History Visible,” launching programs that allow the past, its lessons and inspiration, to imbue the present.” It proposes a set of public murals for commercial buildings in or near the Tinner Hill Historic District in Falls Church. “The murals will highlight local, regional, and national history, feature faces and events of the past, and showcase themes that provide hope and healing for the present and the future.”

It notes the foundation “is working with artists to create public art that will reach viewers and enable them to know, learn, and engage with its dynamic content. We are involving local schools, historic organizations, and other resources in the realization of the murals and in creating interactive programming after their completion. The mural initiative has received initial approval, recognition, monetary support, and other assistance from the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, the City of Falls Church, and other organizations and individuals.”

It asks the public that to discuss a mural for a building, please contact the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation at 703241-4109 or via email tinnerhill2015@ gmail.com

Falls Church Distillers Plan Move to Manassas

The Falls Church Distillers that became a popular venue for outdoor live music during the pandemic, drawing some negative feedback from neighbors to its location but prompting the City Council to update its noise ordinance, is moving out of town.

The outfit closed on Christmas Eve. It will move to share a space in Manassas with the Tucked Away Brewing Company.

“We leave Falls Church having realized so many personal, business and community memorable achievements that our time here will always be remembered with a personal deep well of fondness,” the company said in a message also posted on its website.

The distillery broke ground at 442 S. Washington St. five years ago, eventually making a range of whisky, brandy, rum, vodka and gin.

The family-owned and operated business, started by Michael Paluzzi, expects to open at its new location this spring.

Creative Cauldron’s Laura Hull Pitches Local Theater Options

In a live appearance on WTTG-TV of Washington, D.C. this Monday, Laura Hull, founder and chief operator of Falls Church’s Creative Cauldron, an award winning non-profit theater and educational arts organization, spoke adamantly to a regional television audience about the importance of local performance art and the need for the community to support it, noting that in the context of the pandemic, use of creative hybrid and carefully rendered live productions have begun to return to her organization’s and other venues.

Rep. Beyer Hails Life’s Work Of Biologist E.O. Wilson

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today celebrated the life of famed biologist Dr. E.O. Wilson, who passed away yesterday at the age of 92. Beyer and Wilson first met in 2016 to discuss legislation based on Wilson’s work, which Beyer later introduced as the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act.

“Dr. E.O. Wilson was one of the greatest scientists of our time. Over the course of an extraordinary life this brilliant biologist from Alabama who studied ants came to profoundly change the way we think about biodiversity, conservation, and the planet we live on,” said Beyer. “I am saddened by the news that he passed, but Dr. Wilson’s was a life well lived, and his tremendous contributions will continue to guide the way to a better world long after his passing. I am proud to have known him, and will never forget him.”

Ballet Nova Cites Achievements Despite Pandemic Pressures

Ballet Nova of Northern Virginia itemized achievements in its programs despite the pandemic this past year, highlighted by a return to the theater for six successful performances of “The Nutcracker.”

In addition, over 95 weekly classes for ages three and up were held, including a full array of classes for their amazing adult students. There have been mini themed workshops for the tiniest dancers to bring them back to the studio safely, studio space for local choreographers, performances in the Fredgren Studio Theatre including the return of JAM the Revue, a special gathering under the stars at the Wharf in Southwest DC for the screening of Ballet Nova’s filmed Spring Performance featuring new works by Matthew Powell and Constance Walsh – “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Dear Harriet Strong” and “Symphony One”, free theater tickets and free access to filmed performances for community partners such as the Fenwick Foundation and VetTix.

F.C. Physician Reports Surge in Positive Covid Test Results

Falls Church family doctor Gordon Theisz took to social media this week to report a major surge in patients testing positive for the Covid-19 virus. Now, he reported just after Christmas that 30 percent are testing positive and half of those are showing symptoms despite vaccination status. He reported that 21 cases have been reported to the Fairfax Health Department.

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James Webb Telescope Launch Hailed by Beyer & Colleagues

In a statement this week, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer joined other congressional leaders to hail the successful launch of the James Webb Space Telescope from the European Spaceport located near Kourou, French Guiana.

Throughout the next month, the telescope will undergo its complex deployment process as it travels nearly one million miles to its destination in space. The main goals of Webb’s mission include searching for the first galaxies formed in the universe, observing the formation of stars, building our understanding of the evolution of galaxies, and measuring physical and chemical properties of planetary systems. It is an international collaboration among the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

“The Webb Telescope’s successful launch is an incredible achievement to celebrate,” said Beyer, chair of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. “I’d like to extend my congratulations and gratitude to NASA, the JWST Team, our international partners, and Northrop Grumman on this success and the hard work that led to it. As a long-time advocate for the observatory, I’m especially glad to see this critical step reached toward JWST’s longawaited science mission. Today’s success and the ones to hopefully follow will undoubtedly inspire an entire generation of students excited to learn and grow from this observatory. I wish NASA and their partners the very best as Webb begins its very challenging deployment and million-mile journey to orbit. I’m looking forward to following the mission every step of the way.”