Ashburn Magazine | November/December 2022

THRILLER AUTHOR SETS SCARY TALES IN ASHBURN

HIKE INTO HISTORY AT THE GOOSE CREEK CANAL

FROM HONG KONG TO ASHBURN: THE STORY BEHIND CAFE OPERA

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

THE AXE FACTOR LOCAL LAWYER IS A MASTER IN COMPETITIVE AXE THROWING

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BY AS T R I WE E

EDITOR

Chris Wadsworth editor@ashburnmagazine.com

From the Publisher A ‘SUPER PARK’ COMES TO LIFE

T

he cover story of our very first issue of Ashburn Magazine, in March 2019, was titled “Super Parks” and focused on plans for two huge new parks that were expected to open in our community in the years to come.

At the time, the plans were just sketches and renderings on paper, so it was exciting to learn about the official opening this fall of one of those parks, the Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park on Evergreen Mills Road south of Brambleton. Technically, the park has a Leesburg Zip code, but for all intents and purposes, it’s an Ashburn park.

And what a park it is. At 257 acres, it straddles Evergreen Mills, with athletic fields and other amenities almost as far as the eye can see. On a recent Saturday, walkers and joggers were exploring the nature trails through the woods as shouts and whistles from a girls soccer game echoed across the fields. Children romped on the playgrounds, and several

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

of the pavilions were set up for birthday parties or other events. The pickleball and tennis courts were full of players, a baseball game was underway, and there was even a championship cricket match, complete with a table of trophies.

The new park is one of those venues that make Ashburn such a great place to live and raise a family. Another of our community’s unique aspects is the large number of locally owned restaurants. In our “Wine & Dine” feature this month, starting on Page 34, editor Chris Wadsworth profiles the owners of Café Opera, who had the foresight to open a restaurant in the Broadlands in 2004, just as Ashburn’s boom was beginning. Chris’ article also includes the story behind the restaurant’s name – which is actually quite simple.

In our cover story this issue, you’ll meet a local lawyer who also happens to be the top ranked women’s axe-thrower in the country. (Yes, axe-throwing is a sport.) That feature begins on Page 22.

Elsewhere, we profile a Broadlands resident who has written a series of horror novels – some set right here in Ashburn (quote of the year: “Waxpool is a cursed road…”), an Independence High School student who builds skateboards distributed through a local nonprofit, and the folks behind a local company that developed an innovative camera mount.

As we head into 2023, maybe another past cover story will come to fruition.

In our January 2020 issue, we explored what Metro’s arrival would mean for Ashburn. At the time, it seemed as though the station was complete and the start of service was just months away. Little did we know it would be nearly another three years before trains started running – if then. The start of Metro service would certainly be a nice holiday gift – the words “doors closing” might never sound sweeter.

And as the doors close on 2022, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season – and hope you take time to check out our newest park!

BRUCE POTTER, PUBLISHER PUBLISHER@ASHBURNMAGAZINE.COM

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CONTENTS

08 AMAZING KIDS

28

SPARE PARTS

TIME OF OUR LIVES FEATURE STORY

Ashburn teen builds skateboards for people in need

ASHBURN’S DARK SIDE

BY CHRIS WADSWORTH

Local author sets his scary tales in our community

12

BY CHRIS WADSWORTH

MORE AMAZING KIDS

Highlighting local kids doing great things

34

14

FROM HONG KONG TO ASHBURN

WINE & DINE FEATURE

BUSINESS BOOM

IN A SNAP

Local restaurateurs prove they have staying power

Innovative camera mount designed here in Ashburn BY

JILL

BY CHRIS WADSWORTH

DEVINE

40

20

GREAT ESCAPES FEATURE

MORE BUSINESS BOOM

TANZANIAN ADVENTURE

Updates from the Ashburn business community

Ashburn photographer makes memorable trip to Africa

22

BY CHRIS WADSWORTH

COVER STORY OUR NEIGHBORS FEATURE

46

THE AXE FACTOR

REAL ESTATE ROUND-UP

Local lawyer scores in competitive axe throwing BY

6

JILL

The latest facts and figures about home sales in Ashburn

DEVINE

ASHBURN MAGAZINE

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48 AROUND TOWN

An album of Ashburn-area events.

52 HOLIDAY EVENTS

Fun activities for this festive season.

56 TIME TRAVEL

IN SEARCH OF THE GOOSE CREEK CANAL The ruins of a 19thcentury waterway lie hidden in the woods of Lansdowne

BY CHRIS WADSWORTH

62

34 40

THE BURN

The latest restaurant, retail, and other cool news O N

T H E

C O V E R

Suzanne Bassett, lawyer by day, axe throwing champ by night, pictured at Axes & O’s in Sterling.

(Photo by Astri Wee of Astri Wee Photography)

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

LEARN MORE

AMAZING KIDS

Spare Parts Ashburn teen builds skateboards for people in need BY

CHRIS

WADSWORTH

H

e calls them “Frankenstein boards” – skateboards cobbled together from discarded old boards and donated spare parts. But these boards are anything but monstrous. They offer young people in crisis a chance to get where they need to go, or even just be a kid again.

The “he” we’re talking about is Wesley Campolattaro. He’s a 17-year-old senior at Independence High School and a Brambleton resident. And he’s a lifelong skateboarder.

“I’ve been skateboarding for as long as I can remember,” Wesley said. “I was probably around 5. I would go skating after school with my brothers [ Jackson, now 22, and Max, 20]. I’ve gotten more serious about it over the past four years.”

Indeed, this young man was already doing a lot of charity work through his involvement in the Young Men’s Service League – a nationwide volunteer program for teen boys – when he hit on a brilliant idea: He could combine his love of helping others with his love of skateboarding.

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Wesley used time on his skateboard to clear his mind, to relax, to destress – basically to take a break. What if he could donate skateboards to other young people going through tough times so they could do the same?

He reached out to the folks at Mobile Hope, a Leesburg nonprofit providing services to teens and young adults facing homelessness — whether they are at risk of losing their shelter, precariously housed or actually homeless.

“The teens receiving support through Mobile Hope are facing stressful situations,” Wesley wrote in an essay about his initiative.

“Skateboarding can be an expensive sport, which makes it out of reach for kids like this.”

Mobile Hope loved the idea – many of the young people they help use donated bikes and skateboards to get to the jobs they need to get back on their feet. So Wesley got to work, naming his project “WESkate.” He and his mom, Ashley Campolattaro, solicited parts on social media, and they were flooded with donations or new and used boards and parts. They set up

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

(Above) Wesley Campolattaro works on building a skateboard out of donated parts; (right) Wesley works on a stunt while skateboarding.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

an Amazon Wishlist as well, and one donor sent a huge order of new skate helmets.

“The response in support of his project from the community was really heartwarming and makes me very proud,” Ashley Campolattaro said.

Yep, it turned out that lots of skateboarders have extra parts lying around. And let’s face it, lots of kids take up skateboarding, and then find out it’s more difficult than it looks.

“A lot of people had skateboards collecting dust,” Wesley said.

He’s been building his Frankenstein boards since this spring, and – at the time we spoke in October — Wesley had built and donated roughly 25 boards. He still had additional parts and was planning to assemble more.

“We love when kids help kids. That’s first and foremost,” said Donna Fortier, CEO and founder of Mobile Hope. “It’s really important for kids in crisis to see that other kids in the community care about them. So, what [Wesley] is doing is really heartfelt and truly needed.”

Wesley was excited when the Hanson Regional Park opened this summer near Brambleton because now he has a skate park right by his home. He says he will

When he's not skating or building skateboards, Wesley works at the Weathervane Coffee shop in Ashburn.

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continue to skateboard once he goes to college, and, depending on where he winds up for college, if he can continue to donate boards, he will do so.

Sometimes skateboarders get a bum rap – as Wesley readily admits. He’s hoping his project will help change some people’s opinion of the sport and the kids who love it.

“I really like giving back to skateboarders and feeling like I’m making a difference,” he said. “I enjoy building boards for other people to enjoy.” A If you have extra skateboard parts lying around and would like to donate them to Wesley and his WESkate project, head over to this link: www.tinyurl.com/skateboardproject

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MORE AMAZING KIDS

Then.

Now. Next.

Ashburn Music School Celebrates 10 Years With Special Concert 150 young musicians from across Northern Virginia came together in September for a fundraiser benefiting veterans, first responders and kids in need. The event was called “Feel,” and it was part of the 10th anniversary celebrations for Notes ‘n’ Beats, an Ashburn-based music school. The musicians – ranging in age from 4 to 20 – fused western and Indian music, with selections from ABBA and Queen as well as Bollywood films.

The musicians and the more than 900 people who attended “Feel” helped raise roughly $40,000 for charities.

The beneficiaries include local organizations Veterans Moving Forward and Loudoun First Responders Foundation. Internationally, some funds will be used to help buy a school bus for differently abled children in India. A

OK, we know all kids are amazing, but if you know of a kid who’s so amazing that they should be featured on this page, please email information to editor@ashburn magazine.com.

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BUSINESS BOOM

tions without losing content,” Fleming said.

Newberger explained that someone who is fishing, for example, “can mount a camera on the side of a boat aimed at the water, but with one hand they can quickly switch [the camera] to another plate positioned inside the boat to film themselves reeling in their catch.”

The two-part Snap Mount fits GoPro and similar “action” cameras. It’s made with N52 rare-earth magnets, the strongest grade commercially available, according to Fleming. The mount requires no tools and quickly affixes to metal surfaces. An adjustable lanyard with a magnetic backplate makes it possible to instantly secure action cameras to clothing and surfaces less than a quarter of an inch thick.

“Just snap and go – it’s really that easy,” Sam Newberger said.

The team created Snap Mounts in 2018 after designing a customized body-mount device for police cameras.

In a Snap

Innovative camera mount designed here in Ashburn BY

JILL

DEVINE

I

t was an “a-ha” moment for photographer Stephanie Newberger. She was in the middle of a bus tour of the American West with her husband to promote their product called a Snap Mounts – an innovative magnetic camera mount.

“I was wearing my Snap Mount while riding a mule down the Grand Canyon when a teenage boy took notice. He said he had been searching for a long time for something just like that and asked where I got it,” Newberger recalled. “That’s when I knew we had found our market.”

Whether riding a mule through a canyon, landing a front flip on a snowboard or sailing across a white-capped bay, capturing these exciting moments with a camera is now easier because of the Snap Mount. And it was developed right here in Ashburn.

“No suction cups or bulky chest harnesses with this mount,” said Stephanie’s husband, Sam Newberger, a former Marine and CEO of Snap Mounts. He co-founded the company with his friends Ryan Fleming, a former Green Beret, and Brad Hess, an IT specialist. The Newbergers live off Sycolin Road near Goose Creek, and the other two men both live in Loudoun County.

The team believes the high-powered magnetic camera mount is a game-changer when filming even the fastest and trickiest activities.

“Suction cups, straps and clamps take time to set up and adjust, but a magnet lets you rapidly move between different loca-

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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023 CL ASS!

(Above) Stephanie and Sam Newberger, part of the local team that is developing and promoting the Snap Mounts product line; (Above right) A Snap Mount can be used to attach a camera to your clothing; (Below) A Snap Mount on a dashboard holds a phone displaying GPS directions.

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“We realized something similar would work for GoPro cameras,” Fleming said. “A magnetic mount solves the issue of having to halt momentum and creativity just to unscrew, attach or reposition components.”

Newberger said the team developed the initial designs in his garage. With some hired help and a 3-D printer, the team developed a prototype. After an initial spurt of sales, the team enlisted a manufacturing firm in Arlington and a marketing company to help them produce and properly launch the product.

“It’s been almost three years now, and we keep growing,” Newberger said.

Today, Snap Mounts has seven employees and sells its products primarily online to the tune of roughly 1,200 units a month.

The starting price is around $35, and the company is working to secure distributors in Canada, Europe and Australia.

“It’s a success,” Sam Newberger said. “We did more than a million dollars in sales last year, and we are on track for 25% growth this year.”

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The Snap Mount, developed here in Ashburn, shown in action holding cameras filming a variety of activities.

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The Newbergers converted a bus into a temporary home and toured 18 national parks to promote the Snap Mount.

Snap Mount cell phone adapter. “I’ve mounted it on my tractor while doing maintenance, so I could check on what I was doing while watching a YouTube instructional video,” Moore said. “The overall quality is stronger than mounts I’ve used before that rely on suction or take up an entire cup holder to be used effectively.”

This summer, the Newbergers road-tested their product during that eight-week cross-country trek. Traveling in a school bus they converted into a stylish, functional house on wheels, the Ashburn couple documented their tour of 18 national parks using a Snap Mount and a GoPro camera. The journey was shared on social media.

“We got amazing shots by mounting the camera to the side of our bus at Canyonlands and Grand Teton National Parks,” said Stephanie Newberger. “And attaching the Snap Mount to our clothes freed our hands during intense hikes, especially at Arches and the Chains section of Angels Landing in Zion, where people have serious accidents while taking selfies. It was nice to safely move around without worrying about dropping my phone or camera.” A Jill Devine is a freelance writer and former magazine editor from Loudoun County who writes for a variety of Virginia publications.

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MORE BUSINESS BOOM

Ashburn Restaurant Makes Washington Post’s Top Five

Club Champion Golf Opens in New Ashburn Center

A relatively new Ashburn restaurant received a noteworthy honor when a Washington Post food critic named it one of his top restaurants. Himalayan Wild Yak opened less than a year ago in the Brambleton Town Center, but has quickly made a name for itself with its unique Nepalese menu and lineup of cocktails.

In October, Post food writer Tom Sietsema unveiled his Fall Dining Guide, which had the Yak ranked No. 5. “Luscious chunks of pork, crisp from their time in a clay oven, resonate with mustard oil, ginger and garlic. Chicken stir-fried with onion and bell peppers is finished with a chile sauce that leaves a thrilling wake of heat,” Sietsema wrote.

A golf shop specializing in custom fit clubs has officially opened in Ashburn. It’s called Club Champion and its new store is at 44795 Dulles Overlook Drive. That’s in a new retail center next to the giant Flagship Carwash location on Loudoun County Parkway.

Club Champion fits, builds and sells custom golf clubs with brands such as Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping, Titleist, Cobra and more. The shop also has indoor hitting bays with computers that analyze a golfer’s swing and performance and offers something similar for putting.

“Many players think they aren’t good enough to be custom-fit, but we’ve participated in multiple third-party studies that showed higher handicappers saw the biggest gains,” said Nick Sherburne, the company’s founder. “Some of these golfers shaved as many as 10 strokes per round.” A

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THE AXE FACTOR

A NEW TALENT

An invite to a scavenger hunt a few years ago led Bassett to discover axe throwing.

“I was working late and couldn’t go, so my friend suggested I meet with them afterward at an axe throwing place in D.C.,” she said. “I showed up in a dress and had no idea what I was doing. A guy handed me an axe and told me to throw it, and I surprised everyone by immediately being pretty good at it.”

Bassett started winning competitions in Washington before joining a league in Baltimore.

In 2019, Bassett read about a new axe throwing venue, Axes and O’s, that was opening in Sterling. She reached out to the owners about throwing there.

“Watching Suzie throw, I could tell right away, from her form and concentration, that she knew what she was doing,” said Tara Hampton, the owner of Axes and O’s.

“Being a lawyer, Suzie is very persuasive, and she convinced me to start a social league, even though I wasn’t sure we were ready. We started with about 12 people, but as pandemic restrictions eased, we quickly grew to more than 50 for the Thursday night league.”

LOCAL LAWYER IS A MASTER IN COMPETITIVE AXE THROWING

BY

JILL

DEVINE

|

PHOTOS

BY

ASTRI

WEE

L

ike most attorneys, Suzanne Bassett flings a heavy satchel over her shoulder when she leaves her office for the day. But sometimes Suzie, as her friends call her, isn’t simply carrying a big load of case files to review.

“You never know what a woman has in her bag,” laughed Bassett, as she opened it to reveal a gleaming collection of hatchets, axes and knives.

Those eye-opening implements have made it through baggage checks at airports across the country. That’s because, at press time, Bassett is the top-ranked female in the World Axe Throwing League. When you include men, she’s still No. 53 overall – out of more than 5,000 active league participants worldwide.

ARMED & READY

Bassett’s heavily padded competition bag currently holds nine customized axes and hatchets and a set of knives, although she says she owns about 50 related tools total.

Competition disciplines are categorized as Hatchet, Big Axe or Duals, with appropriate rules and tools for each.

“Everyone loves to watch Duals,” she said. “It’s the most fun because two people throw at the same target at the same time, and sometimes even the best of us screws up and hits each other’s axe. There’s more fun and chaos at Duals – anything can happen.”

Her favorite axes have custom wooden handles created by fellow Axes and O’s thrower David Kline, owner of DMV Axes.

Because she uses a pinch grip when throwing, Bassett prefers square handles that won’t rotate like round handles.

TARGET: ATHLETICS

“I’ve always been competitive, both academically and in sports,” said Bassett, who lives in the Broadlands.

At her upstate New York high school, she was a straight-A student and class valedictorian, and she earned seven varsity letters as a field hockey goalie, softball pitcher and volleyball middle player.

She moved to Ashburn about 10 years ago, graduated cum laude from the American University Washington College of Law and now specializes in food and drug law as an associate attorney for the Polsinelli law firm in Washington.

Bassett thinks her athletic background conditioned her to be good at axe throwing,

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a sport rooted in lumberjack traditions that didn’t formally exist until the early 2000s.

“I’ve used my wrists my whole life, controlling slight movements to get a ball to do what I want it to do,” she explained.

“Understanding how my wrist works and having control over my arm helps me throw accurately.”

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

23

Team: 2D

phone: phone: 717-663-4535 717-663-4535 phone: 717-663-4535 email: email: 2D@cmag.com email: 2D@cmag.com 2D@cmag.com fax: fax: --

“He just made one for me with a design like the lace on Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s collar,” Bassett said. She paired it with her favorite leather blade sheath that has RBG’s portrait on one side and an image of the Supreme Court on the other. “RBG is my idol,” she said.

AIMING TO WIN

Bassett has earned a bid to the World Axe Throwing Championships in Appleton, Wisc., in December. She qualified in all three disciplines.

“I take pride that I do very well in a male-dominated sport,” Bassett said. “There are no gender differences in axe throwing.

We play in the same leagues, compete in the same tournaments, and I don’t get a handicap.”

Bassett has won or placed in quite a few different tournaments in the past few years.

She took third place at the Tilted Axes Spring Fling, a coed WATL-sanctioned tournament in West Chester, Penn., and was the highest ranking woman in that contest. She won second in the coed Rustbelt Rumble in Rochester, N.Y., beaten only by the reigning world champion. And

phone: phone: 7034507777 phone: 7034507777 7034507777 email: rebeccar@falconhvac.com email: rebeccar@falconhvac.com email: rebeccar@falconhvac.com fax: - CHANGES BY CLICKING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON ABOVE OR SIGN YOUR PROOF & FAX TO THE NUMBER AB fax: - YOUR AD ORfax: fax: APPROVE SUBMIT This ad is the property of CLIPPER MAGAZINE and may not be-reproduced.

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CLIPPER MAGAZINE is not responsible Ad is approved for any error not marked. for any error not marked.

SUZIE BASSETT Sales Rep: for any error not marked.

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DON’T THROW IT Ad is not approved make changes indicated ❑BASEBALL. LIKE A Stephanie Weiss-Johnson TO CHANGE UP People try to throw it hard, to throw it Rep: COUPON PLACEMENT MAY CHANGE PRIOR TOSales PUBLICATION. Stephanie Weiss-Johnson Weiss-Johnson Sales Rep: Stephanie UP SOME COUPON PRIOR SOMETHING through the wall, but you don’t have to COUPON PLACEMENT PLACEMENT MAY MAY CHANGE CHANGEOFFERS PRIOR TO TO PUBLICATION. PUBLICATION. THAT’S NOT do that. The harder you throw, the less SIGNATURE DATE WORKING. controlPRINT youNAME have. People who make the A lot of players big stage are throwing relatively softly.

APPROVE YOUR AD OR SUBMIT CHANGES BY CLICKING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON plateau, butABOVE they OR SIGN YOUR PROOF & FAX TO THE NUMBER ABOVE. aren’t willing to & APPROVE CHANGES BY CLICKING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON ABOVE OR SIGN YOUR PROOF & FAX FAXAd TOisTHE THE NUMBER ABOVE. APPROVE YOUR YOUR AD AD OR OR SUBMIT SUBMIT CHANGES BY CLICKING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON ABOVE OR SIGN YOUR PROOF TO ABOVE. not NUMBER approved make changes indicated ❑ Ad is approved ❑ Ad is approved with changes change a handle or ❑ Ad is approved Ad is approved with changes Ad is not approved make changes indicated change their throw. ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Ad is approved ❑ Ad is approved with changes ❑ Ad is not approved make changes indicated That’s the best time SIGNATURE DATE PRINT NAME to try something different.

SIGNATURE DATE PRINT NAME REPETITION SIGNATURE DATE PRINT NAME IS KEY. Throw and repeat.

When you’re under pressure at DON’T BE a tournament, you AFRAID TO TRY. need that muscle Don’t be put off by memory.

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11-2021 Ashburn 1-4 Page ad_South Riding 1/4 Page Layout 10/4/22 5:15 P

(Left) One of Suzie's axes safely tucked away in a sheath featuring the image of her idol, former Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (Below) Suzie and a group of fellow axe throwers celebrate a victory in a competition.

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Bassett credits her success to consistent practice, her willingness to change her throw or try a new axe as needed, and her ability to channel stress into energy that works to her advantage in competitions.

“Suzie’s game is always about what she needs to do with her throw, not who she is throwing against,” said Russell Murphy, Bassett’s duals partner and boyfriend.

Murphy recalled how focused Bassett was at a tournament where she was competing against one of the top throwers in the

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

PHOTOS PROVIDED

BY AS T R I WE E

earlier this year, she took the title in the Queen of the South competition, a women's tournament in Tyler, Texas.

As a woman in a male-dominated sport, Bassett is breaking new ground.

"Suzie is currently the top-ranked female in our sport, competing in multiple disciplines against anyone that steps up to the line,” said Mike Morton, commissioner of the World Axe Throwing League. “[She is] consistently proving that success in axe throwing is not tied to one specific gender.”

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world, Mark Tishko.

“It was insanely close, and they almost threw a perfect game,” said Murphy, referring to a score of 64. “Suzie lost two matches to him, but she threw two of her best games – 62 and 63 – in a row.”

Prizes aren’t usually huge when compared to many other sporting events. They can range from hundreds of dollars up to thousands at major tournaments. Bassett took home roughly $1,000 in 2021 and, because she has competed a bit less this year, she’s taken home roughly $600 so far.

Fortunately, Bassett says thanks to her day job as an attorney, she has the luxury of worrying less about the cash prizes and focusing more on inspiring her fellow female throwers as well as encouraging more women to join the league and helping them find sponsors to cover costs.

“Most of the time, the men are on the podium. Very rarely do women win any money,” Bassett said. “So my goal is to go there and do my best and make a splash for women in the tournament – and make some men nervous.” A Jill Devine is a freelance writer and former magazine editor from Loudoun County who writes for a variety of Virginia publications.

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27

s ’ n r u b h s A TIME OF OUR LIVES

F E AT U R E

Local author sets his scary tales in our community BY

CHRIS

WADSWORTH

y day, Michael Layne is a mild-mannered cybersecurity strategy professional for a local government contractor. But by night, he’s… well, OK. He’s not Batman. But Layne does have a pretty cool alter ego – or several alter egos, if you want to be precise.

Under different noms de plume, Layne has written more than a dozen novels and short stories. As you can quickly surmise from the covers, his works tend to fall into the horror or thriller categories, featuring all types of creepy crawlies and things that go bump in the night.

But the Broadlands resident has several books (so far) of particular note. They are horror novels set right in here in good, old Ashburn – featuring Ashburn landmarks, locations and occasional strange events.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

This three-book series is called “Ashes Still Burn” – get it? Ash-burn? Monsters in Ashburn was enough to pique our interest, so Ashburn Magazine interviewed Layne about his books and the inspiration behind them. Here are portions of our conversation.

How would you describe the “Ashes Still Burn” series?

What type of books are these?

“At its most basic, ‘Ashes Still Burn’ is a dark urban fantasy series, where magical beings, like old forgotten gods, demons and other fantasy creatures live and exist just under the radar in Ashburn. Actually, they’re all

k r Da e d i s

(Above left) Mike Layne with his dogs, Elsa and Baloo. (This page) A custom illustration done for Ashburn Magazine that includes the stone LeFevre farmhouse on Waxpool Road. And note what the man in the image is holding in his right hand — a copy of the last issue of Ashburn Magazine.

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(Left) Stacks of Mike's books; (Below) Mike tends to his table at an event at Comic Logic in Ashburn.

Michael Layne Bibliography “The Conservation of Magic,” originally published as “Redemption” (2013) (Novel)

And it took so long. Seven months of waiting only to receive a form rejection letter. When the publishing world began to change, I decided self-publishing was where I wanted to spend my time and energy. The process has been a learning experience at every turn, for sure, but I’m fortunate enough to possess many of the skills most authors have to contract out.”

“Running Club: A Short Dystopian Thriller” (2013) (Novella) “The Gate” (2013) (Novella)

What type of skills?

“For instance, I’m also a painter and an artist, so I do my own covers. And I’m good with new technology, so I leverage a lot of the latest software for writing, editing, illustrating, designing and publishing. Man, it is a great time to be a writer. I mean, am I in bookstores? Not unless I’m doing a local author signing, but my stories have been read all around the world, and I’ve received tons of feedback – good and bad – from readers everywhere. Which is great for me since I love to improve myself and my writing.”

“The Applicant” (2013) (Novella) “Trapped in Whittier” (2013) (Novel) “Hunted Under Vegas” (2014) (Novel) “Becoming Walker” (2014) (Short story, no longer published)

Why did you decide to set this series in Ashburn? What makes it a good setting?

“I started looking around one day as I was driving down Claiborne Parkway. Have you really done that around here? There are a lot of strange things if you look hard enough. The LeFevre house – a 150-year-old Pennsylvania/German stone farmhouse, sitting right next to where all the suburbanites hold their Friday summer concerts. And if you look down while you’re there, you’ll see a huge, kind of mystical, compass painted on the asphalt. We have roads that go nowhere and end in dark forests. And how about Waxpool Road?

Try telling someone you’ll meet them on Waxpool and prepare to never find your friend again. So, in my books, Waxpool is a cursed road where unfortunate people sometimes get lost and never arrive at their destination.”

How do local people, places and things become part of your plots?

“The town of Ashburn itself is a character in my books. I don’t use any real people, but I liberally make use of local places, buildings, urban myths, news articles, trails, clubs and whatever else interests me.

Remember when all those turkey vultures started hanging around, and the HOA’s first cut at a solution was to hang dead vultures in effigy around the neighborhood [in order to] scare them off? Well, because of that, ‘The Blood of Ashburn’ ended up having vultures in it. But in my story, a vampire who lives in the caverns beneath the town is able to see the world through the eyes of the vultures and command them to do her bidding.”

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“The Equilibrium of Magic” (2014) (Novel) “Buried in Alaska” (2015) (Novel) “The Complexity of Magic” (2017) (Novel)

Your focus seems to be horror, sci-fi and thrillers? How did you become a fan of these particular genres?

“I blame my Uncle Pete for that, mostly. When I was a kid, growing up in Newport News, my mom’s brother used to visit every week and bring a paper bag full of comics and fantasy novels. I was a lucky kid! So, I grew up on regular comics, like ‘Thor’ and ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ but also on horror magazines he would give me, like ‘Creepy,’ ‘Eerie,’ ‘Vampirella,’ ‘The Savage Sword of Conan,’ ‘Heavy Metal’ and others. He also supplied me with plenty of novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, Asimov, you name it. Like I said, I was pretty darn lucky. All of that, including Dungeons and Dragons, which was taught to me in public school, if you can believe that, was instrumental in creating who I am today as far as my tastes.”

You’re self-published? What has that process been like?

“Yes, all my works are self-published. Early on, before the Internet, I sent some manuscripts to a few traditional publishing agencies. Man, that was brutal.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

“Ashburn: An Urban Fantasy Novel” (2018) (Novel) “Thirst: A Horror Short Story” (2021) (Short Story) “The Demon Slayer of Ashburn” (2021) (Novel) “The Blood of Ashburn” (2022) (Novel)

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trapped in Ashburn by a big bad demon, but readers don’t fully know why, which is part of the mystery and adventure that’s unveiled throughout the novels.”

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31

What’s New AT ONE LOUDOUN

New Retail Stores and Restaurants

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NOW OPEN

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A painting of an old tree done by Mike Layne. Besides writing, Layne is also an artist and he designs and paints covers of his many books.

Where do your ideas come from?

“Funny, but I’m lucky enough to not have to search too hard for story ideas. I keep a file with ideas for novels, and I think there were over 30 fleshed-out concepts in there the last time I looked. But everything I experience, each interaction, every trip I take – they all result in me asking questions, lots of questions, and those turn into these ideas that make me wonder about all the ‘what-ifs’ out there.”

Where do you find the time to write?

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

“I prioritize it. I make sure I do something for my writing career every night. Maybe it’s writing, or outlining, working on a cover, creating an ad, prepping for a local convention at Comics Logic or answering questions for Ashburn Magazine – whatever is on the burner.”

When you aren’t writing, what do you like to do?

“The same as everyone else, I guess. Netflix bingeing.

Movies. One Loudoun. I also read as much as possible and am in a great book club that exposes me to books I’d never think to read on my own. I try to exercise a couple times a week. I’m selling a lot of my comic book collection on eBay. I walk my dogs and hang out with them. And I’m trying this dating thing again. So far, so good! And I paint, although not much of that lately. My whole life, I’ve written and painted. Back and forth, but I’m really focused on my writing now.”

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ASHBURN MAGAZINE

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Your years of service taught you the importance of physical

What does the future hold for Michael Layne? Any more books set in Ashburn?

f itness and keeping your body ready for action. At Falcons Landing this idea lives on, but we replaced the obstacle

“Well, I think I mentioned this already, but I have a lot more books lined up to write than I will ever have a chance to finish. I’m currently almost done with the first draft of a new psychological thriller, written as Michael Wade.

Working title is ‘Blown Out of Proportion.’ I am loving the change of pace with this one. No magic. No fantasy. Just straight-up, deranged humans in today’s world. I’ve also outlined book four in the ‘Ashes Still Burn’ series. I also have three non-fiction books that will have to wait until I can get to where this novel-writing gig is full-time. I’m working on getting closer to that point every day.” A

You can learn more about Michael Layne’s books on his website at: www.writerlayne.com.

32

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HONG KONG WINE & DINE F E AT U R E

BY

CHRIS

T

WADSWORTH

he simple answer was staring us right in the face all along. Cafe Opera, a tiny Chinese restaurant in the heart of Ashburn, got its name because the owners love opera music. Both of them have been performers in concerts and shows. And sure enough, they have opera music playing on the restaurant’s speakers and they often have videos of operas playing on the restaurant’s television screen.

But Arthur and Tin Kong, Cafe Opera’s much-loved owners, had anything but a simple journey when they brought their restaurant to Ashburn 18 years ago.

“We were both born in Hong Kong,” Tin Kong said. “I was a high school music teacher for 24 years – general music, music history, singing – all the rudiments.”

Meanwhile, Arthur owned an interior design

BY AS T R I WE E

(This page) Superimposed over an image of Hong Kong are photos from the Kongs' past, including Tin Kong in a geisha costume while performing in "Madame Butterfly," Arthur Kong working at the Marriott Westfields hotel shortly after he moved to the United States; Tin with some of her music students in Hong Kong; and Tin standing in front of the future Cafe Opera location in Ashburn back in 2003.

Local restaurateurs prove they have staying power

company in Hong Kong for more than two decades. But in 1997, the United Kingdom passed control of the colony back to the Chinese government after 156 years of British rule.

“I worried a lot about China taking over,” said Arthur Kong, who feared a crackdown on the freedoms Hong Kong residents had come to take for granted. It was a fear that has proven true in recent years. “The situation there is very bad now.”

So, in 2000, with the help of family members already in the United States, Arthur moved to Virginia. Tin followed three years later. And together they were going

to pursue a dream they had been discussing for years – opening their own Chinese restaurant.

Arthur had taken some cooking classes while still in Hong Kong, and since emigrating, he had been learning the restaurant business while working at a Marriott hotel in Chantilly. The couple lived in Herndon at the time, but they were hearing about this fast-growing place called Ashburn.

“We got a lot of flyers and postcards about homes that were selling in Ashburn.

We thought, ‘Wow, Ashburn. Where is that?’” Tin said. “So, we came out here to see and there weren’t many homes yet and Waxpool was just a one-lane road.”

But they anticipated people moving in – another prediction that ultimately came true – and they opened Cafe Opera in October 2004 in a small retail plaza on Truro Parish Road.

“I remember the first year we opened the restaurant, we were looking out the window going, ‘Where are the people?’” Tin said.

“But soon people started to rush in.”

TO ASHBURN

Tickets:

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540-338-7973 Special Events

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Winter Lights Walk: Sweet Adventures

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In the beginning, the Kongs wanted to create a menu that celebrated and showed off the cuisine of Hong Kong. But, as Arthur says, initially it proved to be a hard sell.

“People here didn’t know that style,” he said.

In Hong Kong, wonton skins are paper thin, and they are stuffed with copious amounts of shrimp and pork. Americans were used to the opposite — thick wonton skins with a dab of meat inside.

And then there was the spice level.

“Our beef with black pepper sauce – we toned down the spice level to 15%,” Arthur said with a chuckle. “In Hong Kong, it’s much more spicy.”

As they got feedback from their customers, the Kongs slowly adapted some items on their menu to local tastes, while keeping some authentic Hong Kong dishes as well.

They also incorporated dishes from other Asian countries, such as teriyaki chicken and teriyaki salmon from Japan and pad

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ASHBURN MAGAZINE

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

P H OTO S BY AS T R I WE E

We don’t make a lot of money, but we make a lot of friends

Thai and panang curry from Thailand.

“Hong Kong was a very international city, so this made sense,” Tin said.

The best-selling dish at Cafe Opera is General Tso’s Chicken – a Chinese dish that is distinctly North American. The Kongs are proud of the fact that they only use white meat chicken in their General Tso’s with a thin breading and a sauce developed by Arthur.

“Most restaurants will use dark meat, or a combination of white and dark meat, but Americans are very health conscious, so we stuck to white meat,” Tin said.

And customers noticed. Cafe Opera has built a steady clientele over the past 18 years – making it one of the oldest restaurants in Ashburn. Today, the Kongs live in Hamilton in western Loudoun County. They have three grown sons and five grandchildren.

Residents from the Broadlands neighborhood and surrounding communities have visited all these years not just for the food and not just for the music of Madame Butterfly and La Bohème playing in the background, but also for the warm smiles and friendly conversation offered up by Arthur and Tin. “We don’t make a lot of money, but we make a lot of friends,” said Tin, her eyes welling up. “The customers are so supportive.

During the pandemic, they would come more often on purpose just to support us. So, we always try and do our best for our guests.” A

(All ages) Grab a cup of hot cider. Then, wander through our artistic lights display with the theme, “Sweet Adventures”.

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“The first day that we go on safari – all of us are brand new to this. We have no idea what is going to happen, and we come upon a herd of elephants. Our guide said it was one of the biggest elephant herds he had ever seen. We were in awe.

“Every single animal was different – the leopards were very quiet and sleepy. We were told it was rare to get to see them so close. And there is no way of describing the majestic nature of what it’s like to watch a giraffe run.

First, they look like an alien – who has a neck that long? But they are so graceful – it’s like they move in slow motion, like they are defying gravity.”

TANZANIAN TANZAN ADVEN TURE Ashburn photographer makes memorable trip to Africa BY

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WADSWORTH

I

f you’re a regular reader of Ashburn Magazine, you may recognize the name Astri Wee. She’s a resident of the Broadlands in Ashburn, a busy wife and mom and a professional photographer. She has shot many of the wonderful photos featured on the cover of past issues of this magazine, as well as on the pages inside.

This past summer, Wee and her family – husband Alan Bernardo, stepdaughters Kylie Bernardo, 18, and Katie Bernardo, 16, and son, Kai, 9 – traveled to eastern Africa for a safari. Besides the chance to experience something completely new, it was a dream opportunity for an artist like Wee to capture people, places and animals you can’t find here at home.

Wee also decided to try to do some good during the trip. Before leaving, she raised money for a small charity based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It’s called Eripoto for Girls and Women, and the funds go to help protect young girls from forced early marriage, an old custom among some of the population.

Eripoto is a word meaning “security” or “safety” in the local Maasai language.

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(From left) Alan Bernardo and Astri Wee with Kai, Kylie and Katie.

Wee collected more than $3,000 from friends, neighbors and colleagues and then was able to present the monies to the girls of Eripoto in person.

We’ve selected a handful of Wee’s favorite images from the trip and had her tell us a little about these moments.

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SCARY NIGHT

MAASAI VILLAGE

“Our vehicle got stuck in the mud going through a small river. Technically, you can’t be out in the Serengeti past 6 p.m. It’s unsafe with all the predators up and active. We tried to get unstuck for about 20 minutes. Stork vultures started to circle overhead. We took all the luggage out of the truck and tried using a jack. Another 30 minutes. The guide had no mobile service, and nobody was responding on the radio.

Long story short, we did finally get the truck out.

“It was well past dinner time and getting cold. We drove toward our camp as fast as the bumpy road would allow. Then we got stuck in water. Again. In the dark. Our guide took a phone with a flashlight on it to walk to the closest park ranger. I tried to not let my mind think about all the things that could happen to him. Eventually, our guide returned and then a truck with five or six guys showed up. They had a heavy chain. It took another 30 minutes of digging the wheels out, but we made it to camp. It was late. We were tired, dusty, smokey, hungry.”

“It was amazing – watching something that is so completely different culturally from anything you have seen before. All these people in traditional garb doing a traditional sunset ritual. It was a celebration of life.

“They were singing and chanting and smiling the whole time. There was one part of the ceremony where the men go into the middle of the circle and jump up high in the air. They were having a ball the whole time, and they pulled the entire audience in, and we all danced together.

And it was all as the sun was setting. We were breathless at the end, full of the joy and love they had shown us.”

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To learn more about or support the Eripoto for Girls and Women charity to help protect young Tanzanian girls from forced early marriage, go to www.gofundme.com/f/help-maasai-girls-build-a-better-future

VISIT TO ZANZIBAR “We wanted to have a trip that took us to the land and the sea, so we went to Zanzibar, an island off the Tanzanian coast. I’m an island girl at heart. We went in a boat and chased dolphins. We spent a lot of time on and in the water while we were there.

“Zanzibar has a predominantly Muslim culture. I was surprised how prominent it was. In past centuries, it was the hub of the slave trade in that part of the world. Zanzibar was also the home of Freddie Mercury (from the rock group Queen). There’s a show and museum dedicated to him on the island.” A

MORE COZY MOMENTS ARE MADE ON MOHAWK

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What drew us to W3 was its focus on putting clients first and servicing clients through a team approach. Their service team consists of Client Service Administrators, Paraplanners, and Office Administrators.

With a focus on consistent communication, high-touch service, and a client-first mentality, we are truly excited to work with an organization that offers various services with their priorities aligned with ours.

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R E A L E S TAT E R O U N D U P

Ashburn’s TOP TEN R

ising interest rates put a significant damper on the local real estate market in early fall, according to data from the Dulles Area Association of Realtors. Across Loudoun County, the number of home sales that closed in September dropped 36% from the prior year, the 13th straight month of declining sales. In Ashburn, sales fell 49.6% in the 20148 Zip code – the largest decline in the county – and 34.5% in the 20147 Zip code.

The number of new listings also fell in September after several months of gains. They were down 28.2% in the 20148 Zip code and 17.4% in the 20147 Zip code. Prices continued to rise, although

countywide the median sales price was up just 0.3%. In the 20148 Zip code, the median sales price rose 19.4% to $770,000. In the 20147 Zip code, sales prices rose 11.5% to $612,500.

The average number of days on market for homes that sold rose to 26 in the 20148 Zip codes and 19 in the 20147 Zip code. That remains much faster than historic averages, but significantly slower than in prior months.

“The Loudoun market as a whole is shifting much closer to pre-pandemic levels,” said DAAR President Rich Blessing. “In addition to steadier price growth and rising inventory levels, Loudoun County homes were on the market for an average of 25 days last month – the longest we’ve seen since February 2020. These are all promising signs for buyers, who have been able to take back a bit of control in their home searches and negotiations.”

Highlighted below are the five highest-priced homes that sold in each of Ashburn’s two Zip codes between mid-August and midOctober, along with the sales price and other key information. Data and photos from Realtor.com.

20147

20148

20370 NORTHPARK DRIVE

41239 TRAMINETTE COURT

21930 HYDE PARK DRIVE

42916 VIA VENETO WAY

19668 PLAYER COURT

21580 BURNT HICKORY COURT

20330 KIAWAH ISLAND DRIVE

43048 LAGO STELLA PLACE

44301 LORD FAIRFAX PLACE

41959 BARNSDALE VIEW COURT

$1,880,000 Sold: Sept. 28 4 bedrooms 3½ bathrooms 5,195 square feet

$2,300,000 Sold: Aug. 31 6 bedrooms 6½ bathrooms 7,961 square feet

$1,525,000 Sold: Sept. 14 5 bedrooms 4½ bathrooms 6,358 square feet

$2,150,000 Sold: Oct. 7 6 bedrooms 6½+ bathrooms 7,412 square feet

$1,401,107 Sold: Oct. 6 5 bedrooms 4½ bathrooms 5,206 square feet

$1,651,000 Sold: Oct. 11 4 bedrooms 4½ bathrooms 8,426 square feet

$1,310,000 Sold: Sept. 2 4 bedrooms 4½ bathrooms 5,886 square feet

$1,565,000 Sold: Sept. 26 5 bedrooms 4½ bathrooms 6,507 square feet

$1,200,000 Sold: Sept. 26 5 bedrooms 5 bathrooms 4,845 square feet

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$1,500,000 Sold: Oct. 13 6 bedrooms 6½ bathrooms 7,129 square feet NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

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AROUND TOWN An Album of Ashburn-Area Events (Top left) Dignitaries cut the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of the Hal & Berni Hanson Regional Park near Brambleton, including Loudoun County supervisors Sylvia Glass (white cap), Tony Buffington (arm raised) and Matt Letourneau (blue suit).

Newest Regional Park Debuts in Ashburn OK, whether it’s fully inside Ashburn or just right next to Ashburn can be debated, but let’s face it – the new Hal & Berni Hanson Regional Park is Ashburn’s regional park.

The 257-acre project debuted Sept.

23 with a ribbon cutting, a marching band, a color guard – and, most importantly, hundreds of people exploring the new park. There were cricket and soccer players on the fields, joggers on the trails and families with kids clambering over, under and through the many playgrounds.

The park is at 22831 Hanson Park Drive. While technically a Leesburg address, it’s just minutes from the Brambleton neighborhood in Ashburn, off Evergreen Mills Road.

Here are some photos from opening day and a list of the many amenities at the park: • Cricket pitch • Disc golf course • Four baseball/softball fields with batting cages • Four tennis courts/pickleball courts • Outdoor basketball court • Skate plaza • Splash pad • Ten multi-purpose grass fields • Two artificial turf fields with grandstands and press boxes • Two playgrounds with rubberized surface • Amphitheater • Concession/restroom buildings and pavilions • Fishing piers • Five ponds • Hanson House renovation • Lodge / Event Center • Nature Center • Paved and natural surface trails • Picnic pavilions • Two off-leash areas for dogs

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

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Advertisement

SHE GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK

Construction Underway on Loudoun’s New Reservoir Park

www.astriwee.com

&

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present

Manassas Ballet theatre

At long last, construction has officially started on Ashburn’s new Reservoir Park, to be built along the southeast shore of the Beaverdam Reservoir. The reservoir – a manmade lake used for both recreation and as a back-up water supply for Loudoun County – is just west of Belmont Ridge Road south of the Dulles Greenway.

The new park will include a welcome center and parking lot, restrooms, a boat rental facility, picnic pavilions, numerous trails, a bridge, a waterfront boardwalk, educational exhibits and more.

However, as part of the construction, public access to the reservoir has been closed and will probably remain closed until sometime in mid- to late 2023. Activities such as fishing, boating and paddling will not be allowed.

Work on Reservoir Park is expected to be completed in early 2024, with a grand opening to follow. A

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Rowing Facility

Local clinic has a modern, medical solution to treat your Peripheral Neuropathy and is seeing incredible results!

“It started out as a normal outing.

My wife and I had to run to the grocery store. We were driving down the road casually going over our shopping list when the car ahead of me started to slow down anticipating the yellow light.

This was the case with Dan. “I said I wasn’t going to drive again.

What if that had been a pedestrian?”

It is terribly common that peripheral neuropathy and its debilitating symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to live their life. Dan was now I started to move my foot from the reliant on his wife to drive him around, gas to the brake as any normal even the simple pleasure of cruising person would do when they see down to play golf or taking her out to brake lights in front of them but I dinner was outside his capabilities. couldn’t. I couldn’t feel my foot.

The car kept moving forward and I And even more common, Dan’s just couldn’t get my foot on the brake. general practitioner and several specialists told him there was nothing And CRUNCH! they could do other than prescribe I finally came to a stop when I him pills that would ease the pain of hit the car in front of me.” his neuropathy.

This tragic story was shared with us by That’s where Rachal Lohr and Dan S., an Ashburn resident, who has her staff at FIREFLY come in. peripheral neuropathy. And while no “About 75% of our current one was hurt in this accident, Dan S. patients come to us suffering had suffered almost every day of his life from the same condition as with tingling and burning in his feet until Mr. Dan,” tells Rachal. numbness set in and he could no longer feel even the brake pedal beneath “They’re in constant pain from his foot. neuropathy and it prevents them f “The first stage is pain.” shares Rachal Lohr, Acupuncturist of FIREFLY Acupuncture & Wellness. “ You feel burning, tingling, sharp pains, or you feel like you’re walking on tacks or marbles. This pain eventually subsides and the numbness sets in. Unfortunately the numbness brings with it a whole other host of problems.”

rom not only living their lives but more importantly, it prevents them from enjoying it.

Depending on the severity of their nerve damage, we typically see tremendous progress in 3-4 months of treatment.

I like to say we’re in the business of making your golden years golden.”

Visit www.FIREFLYAcuAndWellness.com to learn more and to take advantage of their New Patient Offer!

“I can’t lie,” confides Dan. “I was skeptical at first. The folks down at my pain center told me there was nothing that could be done and then there’s a doctor right here in Loudoun who tells me she can help.

Turns out she was right!

About three months after treatment I was able to confidently drive myself to my appointments!

My wife and I celebrated by buying ourselves a new car! It’s hard to put into words how incredible this is, quite frankly [Rachal] gave me my life back.”

While FIREFLY specializes in acupuncture and it’s definitely part of their protocols in treating neuropathy, the real secret is in a more modern medical solution called ATP Resonance BioTherapy™.

“This technology was originally developed by NASA to expedite healing and recovery” shares Ann, a Senior Patient Care Coordinator at the clinic. “It’s like watering a plant. ATP Resonance BioTherapy™ stimulates the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerve and provide them the proper nutrients to heal and repair.”

You can learn more about Rachal Lohr at FIREFLYAcuAndWellness.com.

If you’re ready to schedule a consultation call (703)263-2142 and do so quickly.

FIREFLY is a very intimate clinic and the staff takes pride in their ability to take their time with each patient so they are very limited in their ability to take on new patients.

WORTH A PEEK

Holiday Events

ONE LOUDOUN’S 10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

28TH ANNUAL ASHBURN FARM THANKSGIVING DAY RACES

Thursday, November 24, 8 a.m.

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn Whether you run to win, run for fun, run to support a good cause or run just because you want a guilt-free day of eating – come out for the 28th Annual Ashburn Farm 10K/5K and 2K Fun Run Thanksgiving Day in-person or virtual races.

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Saturday, December 3 5 to 7 p.m.

20626 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn

The Holiday Tree Lighting at One Loudoun welcomes the community to celebrate the season.

Events include Santa photos, train rides, ice carvings and musical performances.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

WANT MORE?

For a complete list of events around Northern Virginia, visit InsideNoVa.com/calendar

BLEND COFFEE BAR’S FIFTH ANNUAL GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET

LOST RHINO’S HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & STREET MARKET Saturday, December 10 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

21730 Red Rum Road, No. 142, Ashburn

Get festive with Lost Rhino Brewing Company at its holiday celebration featuring a holiday street market with local artists and craftsmen offering their products for sale, free photos with Santa, live music by the Summer & Eric Duo, plus seasonal food and drink features and plenty of Lost Rhino craft beer.

Saturday, December 17 4 to 9 p.m.

43170 Southern Walk Plaza, No. 120, Ashburn

ST. DAVID’S ‘THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS’ CONCERT

Sunday, December 11, 4 to 6 p.m.

St. David's Episcopal Church 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn

This concert features joyous works that celebrate the Christmas season. Highlights of the program include “Lux Nova” by Eric Whitacre, “O Magnum Mysterium” by Kevin Memley and arrangements of “Ukrainian Bell Carol” and “Betelehemu/Sing Noel.”

Come one, come all to one of Ashburn's favorite holiday traditions. Enjoy Christmas carols performed by Studio Bleu, sips and sweets, gluhwein (mulled wine), and all that small town holiday joy while you stroll under the Christmas lights on our heated patio featuring over 20 local artisan vendors with unique, handmade gifts and decor.

RINGING IN HOPE JINGLE BELL ROCK & RUN

Saturday, December 10, 9 a.m.

Christian Fellowship Church Campus 4505 Atwater Drive, Ashburn

Celebrate the holidays and get your groove on with the Jingle Bell Rock & Run. Run the 5K or 10K race or bring your little ones for the 1-Mile Jammie Jingle. Then enjoy loads of fun at the after-party, where kids can meet Santa and take part in festivities that will put you in the holiday spirit.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

TIME TRAVEL

In Search of the Goose Creek Canal

(Bottom left) Quarried rectangular rocks form the walls of a lock that would have helped watercraft navigate the nearby Goose Creek. This spot is roughly a quarter of a mile from the confluence of Goose Creek and the Potomac River. (Bottom right) Another portion of what appears to be the old canal channel leading to Goose Creek. (Upper right) A map from 1861 shows Goose Creek just south of Leesburg as well as the new Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire railway. It was the change from river transport to railroad transport that led to the demise of the Goose Creek canal project.

the plans came from concern over the rise of the railroad. There was much debate and hand-wringing over whether canals and rivers would continue to be the primary mode for transporting goods if more railroads were built. Another delay was the 1846 death of the canal company’s president, George Carter. Carter is better known around Loudoun County as the one-time owner of the historic Oatlands property in Leesburg.

Nevertheless, work eventually got underway. The original goal was to make Goose Creek navigable from the Potomac to several large mills roughly 20 miles away. According to documents in the Library of Congress archives, the idea was to transport goods from landlocked regions of Loudoun, Fauquier and Prince William counties up the Goose Creek to the Potomac, where they could then go upstream a short way and access the C&O Canal on the Maryland side of the river.

Roughly 35 minutes into my hike along the narrow sliver of shoreline woods – the Potomac River to my right, the golf course on my left – I slowly noticed that a depression had formed on my left, between me and the golf course. I was now walking on a ridge of sorts between the river and this tree- and shrub- filled depression.

Could this low-lying terrain be part of the abandoned canal I was searching for? The answer – yes, it was.

Within a couple hundred feet, I arrived at a still extant portion of the first Goose Creek locks – a stone-lined waterway that would have helped boats and rafts navigate around an obstacle on the main creek.

Heavy rock walls rose from the underbrush – some crumbling away, others still in remarkably decent shape.

Historian Scheel wrote that there was much debate over whether to build the locks from less expensive wood or go with the pricier stone, which would be much more durable. Ultimately stone was selected, and sandstone was transported from nearby quarries. To make up some of the cost, the length of the locks was shortened from the original plan.

If I could reach back through time and speak to those early builders, I would tell them mission accomplished. The locks they created about 170 years ago are still

The ruins of a 19th-century waterway lie hidden in the woods of Lansdowne STORY

AND

PHOTOS

BY

CHRIS

WADSWORTH

B

y nature, I’m a history buff. I enjoy learning about the past – especially the local past and the history of the places where I live. Before becoming editor of Ashburn Magazine, I wrote three history books about the Florida community I lived in.

So, when I heard that ruins of an old canal and stone locks were in the woods along Goose Creek near the Potomac River north of Ashburn, I was intrigued. I wanted to know more about them and to see them for myself.

That was a decade ago. I am nothing if not a procrastinator. But after years of thinking about it, I finally decided to tackle finding this section of old canal hidden so close to home. So, on a cool October morning, I set off on my quest.

I headed to the Bazil Newman Riverfront Park in Lansdowne. (You may recall this used to be known as the Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park until the county changed the name earlier this year.) I parked in the small public parking lot, walked past a starter’s booth at The Golf Club at Lansdowne and made my way down a golf cart path before veering off into the park. From there, I headed in a northerly direction down a shaded path along the Potomac.

As I hiked, I thought about the canal and what I had learned about it. According to the writings of local historian Eugene Scheel, the official name of the project was the Goose Creek and Little River Navigation Co. Planning and fundraising for a series of canals and locks started in the 1830s, and construction began a decade later.

Part of the delay in finding support for

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The remnants of a stone wall that was once part of a canal and lock system along Goose Creek in the Lansdowne area.

here – or at least part of them.

I walked farther along the path, hoping to find more ruins. While the depression that was the canal continues to wend and wind through the woods – including a portion with a stream running down the middle, I didn’t

spot any more stone walls. However, several spots in what would have been the waterway have huge rocks that could have once been part of a structure now tumbled to pieces.

Ultimately, the fortunes of the canal didn’t pan out. By 1851, a series of locks

and dams and canals had made Goose Creek navigable roughly to the Evergreen Mills Road area south of today’s Beaverdam Reservoir near Brambleton – far short of the 20 miles originally planned.

And the naysayers’ worries about the railroads had proven prescient. By the late 1850s, the canal project was languishing and in disrepair as new train tracks in Loudoun were stealing all enthusiasm for the waterway.

I, on the other hand, was feeling quite enthused over my exploration. After years of wondering about the ruins in the woods, I had made the hike out there, seen the local canal and locks for myself and touched the cool stones that were cut by unnamed – and, sadly, possibly unpaid – workers more than a century ago. It was local history come to life and a fall morning well spent. A

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Celebrate Your Holidays Ashburn Style Now Showing Silent Night, Deadly Night

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Dec 3, 10, 17 and 18 at Oatlands in Leesburg Dec 4 at Bright Box in Winchester • Dec 9 at Effingham Manor Winery in Nokesville Dec 16 at Creek’s Edge Winery in Lovettsville

Carolina Wren Carolina Chickadee shown on GiftWren Card Carolina

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A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol

Carolina Chickadee shown on Gift Card

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Musical Staged Production Dec 10, 11, 17, 18, 19 and 20 at 7:00pm

Junior Claus

Musical Staged Family Production December 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 2:00pm and December 21, 22 and 23 at 7:00pm

The Wizard of Oz

for Every Backyard for Every Backyard for Every Backyard for EveryBackyard Backyard for Every Give the Gift of Bird Feeding Give the Feeding Give theGift Gift ofBird Bird Give the of Gift of BirdFeeding Feeding Give the Gift of Bird Feeding

Musical Staged Family Production Jan 21, 27, 28, Feb 3 and 4 at 7:00pm and Jan 22, 29 and Feb 5 at 2:00pm • Sly’s Fabulous Las Vegas Style Magic Show – Dec 9, Jan 13, Feb 10 • StageCoach Bandits Improv – Dec 16, Jan 20, Feb 17

Experience a new way to travel I-66 outside the beltway.

The new 66 Express Lanes are now open between Route 28 and Gainesville. By the end of this year, you’ll be able to travel the Express Lanes to I-495. With convenient access points and multiple payment methods, you’ll experience more predictable travel to the things that matter most.

Plan your drive, see current toll rates, and learn about the project and VDOT’s upcoming I-66 change to HOV3+ by visiting ride66express.com.

All performances are held at StageCoach Theatre in Ashburn except as noted.

Gift cards for performances and classes make wonderful holiday presents!

Registration is open for After School Classes in Acting, Improv, and Musical Theatre for ages 5-18.

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THE BURN A round-up of the latest restaurant, retail, and other cool news from Ashburn and beyond.

Check out The Burn at TheBurn.com and follow it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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267 RYAN ROAD

ber. The popular chicken finger fast-food restaurant has more than 700 locations in 35 states.

The new location is in the Dulles Eastern Plaza on Atlantic Boulevard.

That center is also home to a Best Buy, a Chili’s restaurant, a World Market store and a Bed, Bath & Beyond.

BRAMBLETON STORE IN THE WORKS

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

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6 GNC HAS NEW

While it isn’t Ashburn specifically, there is high interest across eastern Loudoun as the first Raising Cane’s location in Northern Virginia will be opening soon near Dulles Town Center. The brand has announced plans to open in Decem-

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5 RAISING CANE’S AIMING FOR DECEMBER OPENING IN LOUDOUN

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A new Thai restaurant has opened in Ashburn.

It’s called My Home Thai Bistro II and is in the Belmont Chase shopping plaza off Claiborne Parkway. It has the Roman numeral II after the name because it’s the second location for the brand. The first is in Reston. A dining room decorated with hanging flowers greets customers, and the menu features Duck Ka-Pow, Panang Curry and Bangkok Shrimp.

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ASHBURN MAGAZINE

RESTAURANT OPENS IN BELMONT CHASE

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Ashbrook Commons Plaza, a shopping center

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CENTER GETTING A FACELIFT NEXT SPRING

Paris Baguette, an international fast-casual chain specializing in fresh bread, sandwiches and pastries, is actively looking for future locations in Loudoun County, including Ashburn.

The brand, founded in South Korea, is actively expanding in Northern Virginia. Locations in the area include one in Tysons and one in Centreville. While we are told Ashburn is part of the discussions, at press time, no deals had been confirmed.

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3 PARIS BAGUETTE ACTIVELY SEEKING LOCATIONS IN LOUDOUN

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Lovesac, a furniture retailer, is coming to One Loudoun in Ashburn.

For the uninitiated, Lovesac specializes in “Sectionals,” a modular seating system that can be put together in different configurations.

They also have “Sacs,” which are foam-filled seats reminiscent of bean bag chairs. Lovesac has stores across the country as well as here in Northern Virginia, but this will be the first one in Loudoun County. It’s the latest in a flurry of new businesses coming to One Loudoun, including Lululemon, Warby Parker and Sweetgreen.

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IS GETTING LOUDOUN’S FIRST LOVESAC STORE

near the intersection of Route 7 and Ashburn Village Boulevard, will be getting a new look next year. The landlord has announced that an updated façade, including a lighter paint color and wood-toned awnings and accents, will be added in the spring. Just like any other business, looking up-to-date helps attract both customers and new tenants. Ashbrook Commons is home to a Harris Teeter grocery store, as well as a HomeGoods, a Jersey Mike’s, a Sweet Frog and several other businesses.

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GNC, the national health and nutrition products store, has a new location in the works at the Brambleton Town Center. According to documents viewed by The Burn, GNC will be taking over an endcap spot on the southern end of the

Town Center. It’s the space next door to the Good Dog Rocky pet supply store. Fittingly, that space is also directly across the street from the Onelife fitness center. A

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