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Ukraine Frontline Film Discussion Coming Soon

As the first anniversary of Putin’s war in Ukraine approaches, people are invited on Saturday, February 25th to watch the recent FRONTLINE documentary about the war and then come to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library for a discussion with journalist Solomia Hera and translator Lev Zinchenko. Register before 1:00 p.m. on February 25th at mrspl.org/ event. The event will run from 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. Walk-ins welcome space permitting.

Celebrate Business Community with Upcoming Ball

The Chamber will host the Annual Business Awards Gala, The Bootleggers Ball, at the State Theatre on Wednesday, March 29th. The entire Falls Church community event is invited to celebrate the business community. Auction donations may be donated by going on to fallschurchchamber.org

Business in F.C. Raising Money for Turkey/Syria Relief

At the Falls Church Farmers Market, Richard Doyle and his wife are raising money for a charity that is currently helping Turkey and Syria after the earthquake. The Doyles have a couple of tables at the Farmer’s Market that include various items such as charcuterie trays, lazy Susans, chopping blocks, small tables and more. Every penny collected goes to the national charity Together Rising, which is currently donating to the Turkey and

Syria relief. The tables are present at the Farmer’s Market every other Saturday. The Doyles said they appreciate any help to maximize contributions to the charity.

Catalytic Converter Theft Suspect Arrested in Merrifield

On Monday, February 6th at 11:21 p.m., the Fairfax County Police Department caught a man accused of stealing several catalytic converters.

Officers were called to King Chapels Road in Merrifield for a report of a man, later identified as 45-year-old Juan Carlos Monteagudo Hernandez of Falls Church, attempting to steal a catalytic converter. Officers checking the area located Hernandez in a white work truck that contained several AC units and additional catalytic converters in the rear truck bed.

Hernandez was charged with felony catalytic converter theft and held on a $1,500 bond.

People can learn more and be prepared for a possible theft by attending the “Etch & Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft” event hosted by the Fairfax County Police Department on Saturday, February 25th from 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. at G&C Tire and Auto Service (14008 Willard Road, Chantilly). The event features the Fairfax County Police Crime Prevention Unit partnering with G&C Tire and Auto Service to offer free CATECH/CATGUARD AntiTheft Labels which can be applied to one’s catalytic converter.

Senior Living Community Hosts Exhibit for Kurdish Artist

Local senior living community,

Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads (GHBC), is hosting a gallery art exhibition with Lukman Ahmad, a Syrian-born American Kurdish artist who uses his art to pay homage to the Kurdish experience and the women and girls lost in the Yazidi genocide. The exhibition, which features 45 paintings by Ahmad, is now open to the public and will be on display through April 4. Ahmad will be donating 50 percent of the proceeds from each sale to earthquake relief efforts through the Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD).

On Saturday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m., GHBC will host a reception and talk with Ahmad. The event is open to the public and will feature Syrian food, musicians, and instruments. Ahmad is creating a new painting inspired by the earthquake to auction off during the reception and will donate 100 percent of these proceeds to ERD.

Future of I-66 Express Lanes Discussed at Recent Panel

On Thursday, February 9th, the Washington Business Journal held their first “On the Road” event of the year that took an “in depth look” into the I-66 Express Lanes construction project. Alex Orfinger, market president and publisher at the Washington Business Journal, and Luis Vazquez Morales, CEO of I-66 Express Mobility Partners, spoke about how EMP made a “concession agreement” with VDOT to put together a “financial package” of $3.7 million to build express lanes outside the beltway from 2016 to 2022.

A panel discussion held after by the Washington Business Journal’s managing editor Mike Neibauer featured Rick Canizales, director of Prince William County Department of Transportation, and Christina Win, executive director of Prince William County Department of Economic Development. Win spoke about how the express lanes have had a big impact on the local science industry, as an easier access to Dulles International Airport makes it easier for companies to ship things and thus making the region more “competitive.” Canizales showed pictures of present and future improvements to not only the western and eastern portions of I-66, but also the northern and southern roadways such as the interchanges on Prince William Parkway and I-95. These improvements included a diverging interchange at Balls Ford Road in Manassas and extending University Boulevard.

Huge Used Book Sale Coming Soon to Local Library

The Friends of Tysons Library is hosting their huge quarterly used book sale March 2nd — 5th at theTysons-Pimmit Regional Library. More than 15,000 books and media are offered in 20+ categories. Most are between $0.25 and $3). Hours are 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. each day, Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church VA 22043, (703) 338-3307.

Health & Wellness Fair Coming on February 23rd

Join the Falls Church Community Center senior center on Thursday, February 23rd, for their Health and Wellness Fair from 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. There will be complimentary nursing and physical therapy assessments.

Falls Church Business News & Notes

Falls Church City Business License Renewal Forms

The 2023 Falls Church City Business License Renewal Forms should have been delivered to all City businesses and received by now. The 2023 Business License Renewal Form (the counter version without your business’s data on it) is available on the City’s website at: fallschurchva.gov/442/Business-License-Tax-Forms or it can be sent to you by e-mail, if you want to renew your business license sooner. The deadline to renew all business licenses is by March 1, 2023, or postmarked by that date, to avoid a 10 percent late payment penalty. All paid 2022 business license holders are in good standing until March 1, 2023, due to the annual two month grace period for January and February.

You can drop your 2023 Business License Renewal Form in the US Mail, or in the yellow City Hall 24/7 Drop Box located next to the West Wing Door entrance, or in person at the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office in suite 202W of the West Wing of City Hall, located at 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046. Any questions? Please call (703) 248-5450, or e-mail us at: commissioner@fallschurchva.gov.

City Outreach to Eden Center Continues

The East End Small Area Plan has been under review by the community and involves the Vietnamese Eden Center. The redevelopment plan has been underway in Falls Church for over two years, but many of the Vietnamese family businesses there have not been engaged with the planning process due to language and other barriers. To change that, a group a young Vietnamese Americans are organizing to help the owners — often their parents — understand what may happen, and to help the county understand the needs of their community. The City of Falls Church has planned additional outreach.

Northrop and BAE Systems Collaboration

Northrop Grumman has partnered with the U.S. Navy and BAE Systems, with its North American headquarters in Falls Church, on technology. They are testing Northrop Grumman airborne gateway technology aboard an unmanned aerial system to provide information across maritime assets.

Burke & Herbert Bank to Trade on Nasdaq

Virginia’s oldest bank, Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. has plans to start trading on the Nasdaq composite within the next few months. In business for 171 years, the community bank established a Fredericksburg headquarters and expanded its commercial service in Loudoun County and Richmond.

Northrop Grumman Wins Navy Contract

Northrop Grumman has received a $92 million contract modification to integrate the Department of the Navy’s large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system onto multiple aircraft platforms operated by four U.S. military branches.

General Dynamics Wins EPA Contract

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) received a $45.6 million contract from the Environmental Protection Agency to provide the infrastructure and program support for the Superfund Program. This provides cleanup operations at areas impacted by oil spills, natural disasters and other environmental emergencies.

 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@fallschurchchamber.org.