Loudoun Now for July 27, 2023

It’s County Fair Week

Pirnat Installed as Leesburg Police Chief

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Leesburg government leaders were joined by law enforcement officers from across the region July 20 to witness Thea Pirnat take the oath of office as the town’s next police chief.

Pirnat comes to the leadership post following a 23-year career with the Fairfax County Police Department where she most recently served as commander of the Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau.

She officially began her command in Leesburg on Monday, taking over from Interim Chief Vanessa Grigsby. While Grigsby has twice served as interim chief, Pirnat is the first woman hired as a permanent police chief in town. NEW CHIEF continues on page 28

Mary Everett/Loudoun Now

Pigs were on parade during the opening night of the Loudoun County Fair on Tuesday as youngsters competed in the swine showmanship judging in the fairground’s Show Barn. The fair runs through Saturday offering carnival rides, concerts, rodeos, a demolition derby—and lots more animals. Tickets are $15 per day for adults and $5 for kids, plus a one-time $5 parking fee. The fairgrounds are located on Dry Mill Road west of Leesburg. For details and the full schedule of events, go to loudouncountyfair.com.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk affixes the chief of police badge to the uniform of Thea Pirnat during her July 20 swearing-in ceremony.

Accountability Matters: A Call for Transparent Leadership in Loudoun County

As the upcoming elections approach, the people of Loudoun County have an important decision to make one that will shape the future of our community. The choice is between maintaining the status quo or embracing a new era of responsible leadership that prioritizes accountability and fiscal responsibility. We are running for the positions of Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and we believe it's time for a change

The recent revelations about the extravagant taxpayer-funded trips taken by the incumbent Loudoun County Chair, Phyllis Randall, and her fellow supervisors, Sylvia Glass, Koran Saines, and Juli Briskman are deeply concerning. While the purpose of their travel was ostensibly to sign sister-city agreements in cities within Ghana and Uruguay, the extravagant nature of their flights and accommodations raises legitimate questions about the use of taxpayers' hard-earned money

During their trip, these public servants and staffers stayed at luxury five-star resorts on white sand beaches, enjoying multiple pools and all the amenities that come with such an opulent setting To add insult to injury, they flew United Polaris Business class to Ghana, which offers a 6’5” foot private cubical, Saks Fifth Avenue luxury bedding for the lie flat seats, premium skin care products, and an array of other luxury services, with tickets costing over $7,300 each all paid for by the taxpayers of Loudoun County. Further, taxpayers foot the bill for hundreds of dollars in oversized baggage fees incurred by Supervisors Saines and Briskman. These actions do not align with the principles of responsible governance that our community deserves According to 7News, just these two trips of the seven cost taxpayers more than $93,000

When questioned about the necessity of such costly travel,

Randall's response was elitist and dismissive, suggesting that her role as the county’s Chief Elected Official entitled her to such excessive and lavish spending However, it's crucial to remember that the current U S Secretary of Transportation often flies economy on commercial flights, demonstrating that responsible leadership can be exemplified at all levels of government

The decision to bring along multiple staffers on these trips, including multiple Chief of Staffs, raises eyebrows While some coordination may be necessary, it's essential to strike a balance between prudent use of taxpayer resources and effective representation. Loudoun County deserves leaders who make wise decisions when it comes to travel and staffing, ensuring that each dollar spent benefits our community Randall claims these taxpayer-funded trips help attract businesses to Loudoun County, leading to significant returns on investment However, the direct correlation between these trips and the success of attracting businesses remains unclear, as no data can be provided to back up this statement Loudoun County's economic achievements cannot be solely attributed to extravagant travel, as Randall would have us believe, but rather the collective efforts of its residents, businesses, and local government

working together Additionally, the lavish expenses incurred during these trips, such as expensive dinners and upgraded hotel rooms, and hundreds of dollars in over-sized baggage fees raise legitimate concerns about the responsible use of public funds. The fact that Randall initially defended her hotel room upgrade for herself and her husband-- whom she took to Ghana-- but later pledged to reimburse the county, speaks to a lack of accountability and the need for greater transparency

As your future public servants, we commit to prioritizing the responsible use of taxpayer money. Our focus will be on ensuring every dollar spent benefits the residents of Loudoun County We will work tirelessly to implement stringent oversight measures and increase transparency in all county activities, including travel expenditures

Loudoun County deserves leadership that leads by example, upholds the values of transparency, and makes fiscally responsible decisions on behalf of its residents. Let us come together to create a future where accountability is not just a promise but a reality Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous Loudoun County Vote for responsible leadership Vote for accountability. Vote for a brighter future.

Stephen Karbelk Candidate for Chair Board of Supervisors

Stephen Karbelk

Debbie Rose Candidate for A gonkian Board of Superv sors

Debbie Rose

Miche le Suttle Candidate for Broad Run Board of Supervisors

Michelle Su tle Candidate for Ashburn Board of Supervisors

Tumay Harding

An entourage of Loudoun County Board of Supervisors officials and staff, led by Chair Phyllis Randall, take lavish trips around the globe on the Loudoun taxpayers dime

PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY FRIENDS OF STEPHEN KARBELK

Volunteers Collect History of Loudoun’s Segregated Education

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

In 2022, the Loudoun County School Board endorsed three historical organizations to help write the stories of segregated education in Loudoun as part of the renovation and rededication of the Historic Douglass High School.

They were the Loudoun Douglass High School Alumni Association, the Loudoun Branch of the NAACP, and the Edwin Washington Society.

The Edwin Washington Society got its start when CEO and historian Larry Roeder was asked by Pastor Carlos Lawson of Prosperity Baptist Church in 2012 to document the history of the village of Conklin and its Black school in South Riding.

“I didn’t know much about segregated education, and they said they really need their story to be told,” Roeder said.

Equipped with the documents he got about Conklin, Roeder met with then-Superintendent Edgar Hatrick to get more information on segregation in Loudoun. He said Hatrick gave him access to more documents, which allowed him to blend the information from the two sources to create a more complete history. Once the history on Conklin was complete, Hatrick asked Roeder to undertake a bigger project: to document all Black schools in the

“At the time, they showed me these boxes and boxes of records and said ‘we haven’t gone through all of these but there are thousands of records that were found in the Leesburg Training Center,” Roeder said. “How about going through them and telling us what happened to all the Black schools in Loudoun County?’”

The Leesburg Training Center, also

known as the Union Street School, opened in 1884 as a school for Black students, serving elementary and high school students at different times of its history. The school closed in 1958 after Douglass High School opened as the county’s first high school for Black students and a consolidated elementary school opened for Black students. The Union Street building served as a storage facility for 60 years.

“The idea was no one had ever done a study of Black schools. This was the first study of the whole segregation of Black schools,” Roeder said.

He said the school division couldn’t provide him with money to do the research, but it could give him with space. He found volunteers along the way, including Leesburg Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg who volunteers his services as a professional photographer to help digitize and oftentimes digitally restore some of the photos.

Roeder said growing up overseas, as a child he didn’t know much about what was going on in his own country during the 1940s and 1950s. He said he experienced two wars before he was nine, and while living in Egypt during the Suez Crisis was on a bus that was strafed by an airplane. He said his father told him when he asked him why people were trying to kill him, that “people don’t understand other people and if you don’t understand they are different, then they become awful and

dirty and people kill them.”

Roeder said that lesson in diversity changed his life.

The nonprofit Edwin Washington Society takes volunteers. Roeder said they will train anyone interested in preserving history.

“All I care about is that we approach this history professionally and we tell the facts,” he said. “We are the only research center in Loudoun County that focuses on black education. We try to do this as professionally and creatively and as inexpensively as we can.”

Roeder said they have received many donations from private donors, including a scanner to digitize records.

The Edwin Washington Society was named after Edwin Washington, the first Black teenager in Loudoun Roeder documented as seeking an education during Reconstruction after the Civil War while keeping his job.

Roeder said he recognizes there were many more Black youths at the time doing the same thing.

“He wanted to get an education, reconstruction was going on, race relations were terrible in Loudoun County at the time and Quakers were coming down and teaching Black people. This guy thought if he had an education, if he could read and

HISTORIC DOCUMENTS

continues on page 29

Randall Defends Delegation to Ghana Expenses

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

After a report criticized the expenses for a Loudoun delegation’s visit to new sister city Tema, Ghana, Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) defended that trip— including clarifying that taxpayer money did not fund her expenses on that trip.

Three supervisors traveled to Ghana to formally sign Loudoun’s newest sister city agreement: Randall, Vice Chair Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) and Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run). They were joined by Randall’s Chief of Staff Matt Rogers and Glass’s Chief of Staff Kent Erwin.

But Loudoun taxpayers did not fund Randall and Rogers’s trip expenses—rather, those were paid by the Loudoun Economic Development Authority, which is governed by a county board-appointed board of directors and primarily funded by the fees it charges when it issues bonds.

The authority also receives a portion of local transient occupancy tax revenues—a tax levied on overnight stays at accommodations like hotels and Airbnbs—and in January the authority board authorized up to $55,000 from that funding to cover delegations to Ghana and Uruguay, the home of another new sister city.

And Randall said Saines and Glass funded their travel out of their district office budgets—funds that come out of the county government revenues, but which unlike the general county budget, fall under the authority of individual supervisors who have broad authority on how to spend that money.

The delegation also included Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer and a Leesburg man and Nigerian native who was previously cited as playing a key role in creating the sister city partnership. Both men’s travel expenses were funded by the county Department

of Economic Development. In 2019 the Leesburg resident’s wife donated $500 to Randall’s election campaign and $1,775 to Saines’s campaign.

Of the Leesburg man, Randall said “it’s not unusual that there will be other people who will be with us from the area who helped us set up the trip.”

“It is not unusual for when we take these trips to have somebody who is from that area to help us navigate customs of the country,” Randall said. “ … I loosely call it the ‘bow, kiss or shake’ because you want to learn the customs of the area. In many parts of Africa, including Ghana, you’re not supposed to greet people or hand things to people with your left hand. So, there’s a lot of these customs that you try to learn before you go, because these trips are supposed to be a cultural exchange, an educational exchange and an economic exchange.”

They were also joined by Randall’s

husband, Visit Loudoun CEO Beth Erickson, and a freelance reporter, interpreter and Ghanaian embassy to the U.S. employee, whose expenses also were not covered by the county government.

Human Rights, Gov’t Transparency Concerns

However, the trip had other fraught aspects—among them, Ghana’s oppression of LGBTQ+ people and child labor issues, and that three county supervisors were on the trip conducting county business.

Under Virginia open meetings law— although it likely would be tricky to prosecute for actions overseas—a meeting on government business attended by at least three members of an elected body must be advertised in advance and open to the public. Meetings in Ghana were not advertised in advance—nor were GHANA

continues on page 29

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Edwin Washington Society CEO Larry Roeder shows some of the documents the society has scanned and preserved at The Historic Douglass High School.

County Looks Ahead to Major Rt. 50 Plans

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County supervisors and transportation planners are looking ahead to decades of major projects attempting to tackle congestion on Rt. 50, and a study of future traffic conditions under those plans shows just how difficult that job will be.

That study is meant to lay groundwork for Loudoun’s planning around the road, particularly in what order the many planned road projects should be built. Those projects are still years away; first the county has to finish the projects with funding already earmarked in the county’s capital budget, such as ongoing construction at Arcola Boulevard and Northstar Boulevard.

The county’s long-range plans ultimately envision Rt. 50 as a six-lane limited-access highway between Northstar Boulevard and Fairfax County, similar to the long-running project to limit Rt. 7’s intersections and replace them with grade-separated interchanges.

The county has many other road projects planned in the area and connected to Rt. 50, but the study presented to supervisors July 18 showed that by 2040 some current intersections will need to be replaced with interchanges almost no matter what other road projects are built. Those particularly include the intersections with Northstar Boulevard, Arcola Boulevard, Loudoun County Parkway and Tall Cedars Parkway.

And some of those other road projects still face real obstacles.

In particular, county staff members pointed out that Loudoun County can only work on Rt. 50 within its borders— and that work stops at the Fairfax County line. Fairfax has no immediate plans to widen Rt. 50, and whatever work the road gets in Loudoun, the traffic backups at the county line are only expected to get worse.

Virginia Department of Transportation 2019 traffic counts showed between 17,000 and 49,000 vehicles per day using Rt. 50 between Rt. 15 and Old Ox Road. Just over the border in Fairfax, the department counted on average 71,000 vehicles a day at the Rt. 28 interchange.

Similarly, the long-planned Bi-County Parkway, a limited-access road from Rt. 50 to I-66 in Prince William County, appears in Loudoun County’s capital plans but not in Prince William County’s.

Meanwhile, designing the North Collector Road, envisioned as another east-

west alternative to Rt. 50, will require cooperation among Loudoun, Fairfax, and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, with planning still underway. If that road isn’t built, the county staff recommended instead adding capacity to Rt. 606, Old Ox Road.

The study also recommends in what order major projects in long-range planning for the area should be built, depending on whether plans for the North Collector Road come to fruition. If it is, it’s the first project on the list.

After that, the county would start building interchanges at current-day intersections: Tall Cedars Parkway and the new North Collector Road, Rt. 606, and Arcola Boulevard and Gum Spring Road. Then work would move to widening Rt.

Supervisors Create Tax District, Development Authority for Rivana

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously voted to create a Community Development Authority for Rivana at Innovation Station, allowing the developers of the huge planned mix-used development to finance the costs of building its infrastructure with special taxes assessed on the property.

The Community Development Authority’s structure is meant to allow it to use tools of public financing, but give the Board of Supervisors oversight

over the authority and shield the county from financial liability. For example, the Board of Supervisors must approve the authority’s bond issues, but those bonds are not county-backed. The bonds are repaid with a combination of special assessments, a special 15-cent real estate surtax in the development, and tax increment financing, which assigns the increase in the county’s real estate tax revenues attributable to the growth in the Rivana property’s value to cover the authority’s debt.

The Community Development Authority will fund the development’s

infrastructure like utilities, roads, parks, trails, and parking. A similar process was used to support construction of the Dulles Town Center.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said financing a project like Rivana is difficult, and the development authority is necessary for the kind of urban development envisioned in the county’s general plan.

“Ultimately, we have to make a decision about our policy priorities and the

RIVANA DISTRICT continues on page 6

Farm Tour Applications Open

Applications are open for farms to join the Loudoun Fall Farm Tour. This year, the applications also let farmers sign up for the Take Loudoun Home for the Holidays program.

Committing to the in-person farm tour requires that farms be open and available to the public 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Oct. 21-22. Farms offering in-person experiences, such as corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple presses and other seasonal activities, tend to do well on the tour, the agency noted.

There is no cost to participate, and Loudoun Economic Development will promote all participating farms across its marketing channels.

Applications and more information are online at takeloudounhome.com. Applications are due by Aug. 11.

County to Study Landfill Gas Energy Feasibility

Loudoun supervisors on July 18 unanimously approved a study on capturing and using waste gas from the county landfill to generate energy.

As waste in the landfill decomposes, it emits landfill gas, almost half of which is methane—one of the most harmful greenhouse gases, but also the main component of fuel branded as natural gas, according to a county staff report. Typically, the Loudoun landfill’s gas is captured and burned off. The county will now study the feasibility of instead collecting and burning it

ON THE AGENDA continues on page 7

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now Piglets greet visitors to Spring House Farm during the 2022 Loudoun Fall Farm Tour.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The intersection of Loudoun County Parkway and Rt. 50, pictured in 2019.

RT. 50 PLANS continues on page 7

If you’re suffering from Fibromyalgia you understand this sentiment all too well Local resident Elyse K found herself at a turning point when she noticed her diagnosis had started to take a toll on her marriage.

“I was angry all the time because of all the things I couldn’t do anymore because of my Fibromyalgia. That anger cycled through to depression and affected everyone around me, my husband more than anyone. It made our lives miserable.”

Fibromyalgia affects the entire body

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“I could barely stand to have the light weight of bedsheets touching me, much less a hug from my husband.” explains Elyse.

This is what it’s like to suffer from Fibromyalgia. Symptoms make everyday life incredibly difficult. Mundane, daily tasks are nearly impossible.

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Rivana district

continued from page 4

type of development that we want to see in the county, and really where we want our most dense development and where it’s most likely to succeed,” he said. “And near a Metro station has been our answer. We created an urban policy area. So now the question is, what do we have to incentivize to do it?”

He said if the development fails, “it’s not as if we’re going to be out money, it’s just money that won’t be coming in, but it wouldn’t have been anyway.”

“The community development authority will really help get Rivana off the ground and develop quickly,” Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) said. “The Dulles Town Center CDA has been very successful and is getting close to being dissolved as most of the bonds have been paid back. I look forward to seeing the Rivana CDA be successful as well and enabling transit-oriented development near Metro.”

Rivana is planned as one of Loudoun’s largest developments, on land where previous ambitious development plans

including Dulles World Center and The Hub have failed to materialize. The development is adjacent to Metro’s Innovation Station on the Silver Line near the Loudoun County/Fairfax County border.

Eventually, the Rivana developer’s plans call for 1.7 million square feet of office space, 322,623 square feet of commercial space, 280 hotel rooms and 2,719 residential units. In the first phase, expected to begin construction in mid-2024, the developer plans 100,000 square feet of office space, 168,826 square feet of commercial space, 1,589 residential units and the 280 hotel rooms.

The agreement Tuesday allows for ranges in those plans that could dramatically shift the balance of uses in the development at full buildout, contemplating anywhere from 1.6 million to 2.4 million square feet of office, 225,000 to 347,000 square feet of commercial space, 150 to 450 hotel rooms, and 2,100 to 2,719 residential units.

The Community Development Authority will fund related infrastructure by issuing bonds. Most of that debt will likely be repaid through tax increment financing.

Under the agreement’s tax increment financing program, the county will track

the difference between the value of the land before its development, and the value of the land for that tax year, a difference which can be expected to grow every year because of development and yearly inflation. The real estate tax revenues on the base value stay with the county; the tax revenues growth can be used to cover the development authority’s debt and expenses.

The agreement approved Tuesday inflates that difference by almost $100 million from the start by using outdated assessments for the base value. The agreement is based on the 2019 assessed value of the land—$47,182,390. Today the fair market value of that land is assessed at more than three times that, $146,248,490. At this year’s tax rate, it’s a difference of $866,828 a year in foregone tax revenue.

Surplus revenues after covering the authority’s debt, operations and reserve funds and the county’s administrative costs stay with the county budget.

According to an analysis by public finance and consulting firm MuniCap, over the lifetime of the project, the authority is expected to finance an estimated $236 million in infrastructure projects, with debt costs totaling $409,744,613.

The firm also projects the county will

collect tax revenues significantly above what’s needed to pay off that debt. Based on last year’s tax rate, when the bonds are fully paid off in 2062, the county will have realized real estate tax revenues of $561 million after debt service. Including all other tax revenues from the property, the firm estimated the county will bring in $1.38 billion after debt service.

Infrastructure built by the Community Development Authority would belong to the Virginia Department of Transportation, the county government, or the authority, depending on type. For example, when finished, public roads transfer to VDOT. The authority also operates anything it owns. When all bonds have been paid off, the authority’s property either transfers to the county government, or can be sold to the developer.

County supervisors also appoints the authority’s governing board; on Tuesday, they appointed board Vice Chair Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling), Deputy County Administrator Erin McLellan, Loudoun Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer, and developer representatives Andrew Marshall and James Stanford Nix. n

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Rt. 50 plans

continued from page 4

606 and Arcola Boulevard, followed by a final interchange at Northstar Boulevard.

If the effort to find a route for the collector road falls apart, the first priority would be widening Rt. 606, which is envisioned eventually as an eight-lane freeway between Rt. 50 and Old Ox Road, then a six-lane roadway to the Fairfax County line.

That’s followed by building interchanges at Rt. 606 and Arcola Boulevard, then widening Arcola to six lanes, and finally the Northstar Boulevard interchange.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), who has pushed for many of those improvements including bringing

ON THE Agenda

continued from page 4

for energy. The study is estimated to cost $96,000.

The county staff reported such a program could not only reduce the landfill’s environmental impact and provide a source of energy, but also allow the county to sell greenhouse gas pollution credits through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard Program.

Other large jurisdictions in Northern Virginia have been using landfill gas for decades—according to Loudoun County staff. Fairfax County has been using landfill gas to generate energy since 1984, and Prince William County launched its program in 1996.

Supervisors Authorize

2 New CPS Hires

Supervisors have approved two new positions in the county’s Child Protective Services program to meet federal requirements, mostly funded by the state.

The state’s fiscal year 2024 “skinny budget” includes funding to expand CPS programs to meet federal standards for timely service, and the Virginia Department of Social Services identified Loudoun’s as one of the state’s understaffed agencies. A staff report notes the two new positions are part of an ongoing effort to staff up the program, which has added 22 new CPS positions since fiscal year 2022. The new positions bring the ratio of monthly new child abuse and neglect

the North Collector Road to the board in 2018, said there’s still work to do on those plans.

“What I would like to do is try to add the next layer in, and inject both safety and multi-modal mobility—pedestrian, bicycle mobility—into this discussion,” he said. “And the reason I bring it up and I think it’s so critical is, the Loudoun County Parkway and Rt. 50 intersection, in this analysis of looking solely at congestion, is actually prioritized after some of the other improvements. However, that intersection—that interchange project—is the only way that any of Dulles South ever gets connected to the entire trail network that exists elsewhere in the county.”

referrals per worker to an estimated 1:13, nearer the National Association of Social Workers’ recommended 1:10. Previously, that ratio ran as high as 1:66.

Staff said the new positions will help alleviate the agency’s turnover and employee burnout.

The state has allocated $165,088 to Loudoun for the two positions, with Loudoun providing a $30,282, 15.5% local match. Supervisors on July 18 unanimously approved the new positions.

Household Hazardous Waste Event July 29 in Lovettsville

The next Loudoun County Household Hazardous Waste collection event is scheduled for Saturday, July 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Lovettsville Elementary School, 49 South Loudoun St. Loudoun residents may bring hazardous waste from their homes to the event for free.

Typical household waste might include fluorescent light bulbs, dry-cell batteries, oil-based paints and stains, pesticides and herbicides, pool chemicals, gasoline, fire extinguishers or brake and transmission fluid. Some waste is not accepted such as motor oil, automobile batteries, ammunition, explosives, electronics, or medical waste.

For more information including the complete list of what waste is accepted, call the county’s Waste Management Division at 703-771-5500 or go to loudoun.gov/hhw. More information about the county’s Business Hazardous Waste Collection Program is online at loudoun.gov/bhwp. n

County Consultant Studies Community’s Philomont Firehouse Proposal

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

The county government has taken the unusual step of commissioning a study of a design proposal submitted by the community for the planned Philomont Fire and Rescue Station replacement.

The county’s current plans call for the current fire station, in the heart of the village, to be closed and a new station built at the Philomont horse show grounds, where the community’s long-running horse show was retired in 2020. Area res-

idents have repeatedly spoken out against those plans, urging the county to instead renovate and expand the current fire station, while the county fire department has argued it’s infeasible to bring the old station up to modern safety standards.

County staff members—and the Philomont Volunteer Fire Department, which owns both the current station and the horse show grounds—have continued to oppose the community push.

Consulting firm FGM Architects studied a proposal from Bill Ridge for renovating and expanding the current fire station.

Depending on whether the county moves or works around the cell tower behind the building, the consultants estimated a cost of $22.7 million to $24 million, compared to the current $16.7 million estimate for the county’s plans. That study doesn’t include buying the current property from the volunteers—according to county staff, while the volunteer department is willing to give the county the horse show grounds for free, they have not indicated a willingness to sell the fire station. The county staff report also warns there will likely be unexpected expenses that arise when

work begins on the old firehouse, from issues that have not been found because of limited testing while the firehouse is in operation.

It also doesn’t include the cost of setting up a temporary fire station while the current station is renovated and expanded—while community members have argued that wouldn’t be necessary, the county staff insist it would. And county staff members also raised the question of parking on the site, and where to locate the cell tower if it is moved.

By comparison, county staff members reported the county would spend $18.5 million to build Aldie Fire and Rescue Station, and $16.1 million to build Lovettsville Fire & Rescue, both at a lower cost per square foot than either option for Philomont. County staff members continue to recommend—and the county board is still on track to build—the county-proposed new fire station on the horse show grounds.

“I think the community concern, that I completely understand, is in every community, especially in small communities, there is one place that becomes the center of the community and the community gathering place, that has a historic and sentimental value to it,” Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said. “For this community, the horse show grounds is that.”

The study presented to the county board’s finance committee on July 11 was the second study on renovating the current firehouse property. The same consulting firm, at the time called LeMay Erickson Willcox Architects, studied a county design for that idea in 2021, at that time also finding the concept was feasible but more expensive.

Currently, construction funding for the fire station replacement is planned for fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1, 2024. n

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The Philomont Fire and Rescue Station.

Leesburg

Dentler Looks to Move More Staff from Crowded Town Hall

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Leesburg Town Manager Kaj

Dentler is continuing to free up space at Town Hall, with a plan to move the Department of Community Development staff to leased offices on Catoctin Circle.

The action follows the Town Council’s previous approvals of moving the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Public Works and Capital Projects into leased space outside the 33-year-old Town Hall.

The Community Development

department has 22 staff members. During its meeting Tuesday, the council approved a five-year lease for 5,500 square feet of office space in the Jewell Building, at 222 Catoctin Circle, along with a $153,522 appropriation for FY 2024. The department handles building and development related projects, including the zoning permits and certificates of appropriateness for the Board of Architectural review.

The lease was approved on a 4-12 vote with Patrick Wilt opposed and Zach Cummings and Todd Cimino-Johnson absent.

According to a staff report to the council, the town had 157 full-time employees when the Town Hall opened

in 1990. Today, the town has 413 fulltime employees, with 105 working in Town Hall.

The Police Department operated on the third floor of Town Hall until the police station was built on Plaza Street in 1997. The town leased space for the capital projects staff and inspectors for a decade starting in 2005. In 2007, the Utilities Administration and Maintenance Office opened at the wastewater treatment plant along Russell Branch Parkway. In 2021, the town purchased a building adjacent to Town Hall at 16 Wirt St. and is evaluating whether to renovate or demolish the structure as part of a possible expansion of the Town Hall campus. n

Town Enters Tower Funding Agreement with FAA

The Town Council this week inked its commitment to pursue construction of a permanent air traffic control tower at Leesburg Executive Airport.

The council approved an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration committing to pay the operational costs of the temporary mobile control tower, estimated at $10,000 per month, until a permanent tower is constructed.

Following the termination of the town’s experimental remote control tower operations earlier this year, the FAA established and funded the mobile tower as a replacement. After the end of the federal fiscal year in October, the town will be required to cover those costs of the mobile tower and the FAA will continue to cover the cost of air traffic control services.

The resolution approved by the council anticipates funding for the mobile tower to continue through June 2025.

Scoggins Promoted at Economic Development

Melanie Scoggins has been promoted from Leesburg’s business development and retention manager to assistant director of the town’s Department of Economic Development.

She started her career with the town working at the front desk of Ida Lee Recreation Center in 2011. She went on to work as division manager for parks and recreation in Purcellville and then as Loudoun County’s rural business retention and marketing manager. She returned to Leesburg in 2018 to serve as its business development and retention manager.

In announcing her promotion, the department cited her exceptional dedication, innovative ideas, and unwavering commitment.

Arnett Offers Leesburg History Presentation at Balch

The Town of Leesburg Senior Management Analyst Betsy Arnett will present “A Brief History of Leesburg” on Thursday, Aug. 3, beginning at 10 a.m.

Her illustrated journey will cover nearly three centuries of Leesburg history. This class will take place in the lower-level meeting room at Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St, and will be viewable online.

Arnett has worked for the town for more than 20 years and holds a master’s degree in public history from the University of South Carolina.

Pre-registration is required. Call 703-737-7195 or email balchlib@leesburgva.gov. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

The Jewell Building on Catoctin Circle will be the new home of Leesburg’s Department of Community Development under a lease approved Tuesday night.

State Issues New Model Policies on Transgender Students

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

The Virginia Department of Education on July 18 released its latest model policies for public schools across the state, with updated guidance on bathrooms, sports and parental rights that roll back protections for transgender students promoted by the state government in 2021.

Several groups have already spoken out against the updated policies, including the ACLU of Virginia and Equality Loudoun, which described the policies as “anti LGBTQ+.”

According to the Model Policies on Ensuring Privacy, Dignity and Respect

For All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools, which went into effect July 19, students are to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their sex, not their gender identity. That rule also applies to sports and other school activities.

The updated policies focus on “safeguarding” parental rights, stating schools must defer to parents when it comes to decisions about a child’s identity, including

which pronouns, names and nicknames to use with students. Parents are also supposed to be informed by the school about their child’s health, social and psychological development, and must give permission for their child to participate in any “counseling or social transition” at school

that encourages a gender that is different from their sex.

The updated policies also call for schools to make easily identifiable single-

TRANSGENDER POLICY

continues on page 12

Second Summer of BEAM Shows Student Progress in Math

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

In its second summer, the Bridges to Accelerated Math, or BEAM, program is helping Loudoun seventh and eighth grade students overcome their math challenges—and even find love for the subject.

This year, the school division increased enrollment for the five-week summer intensive program that focuses on improving students’ math knowledge, problem solving skills and confidence building. Last year the program served 107 rising seventh graders. This summer there are 108 seventh graders and 54 rising eighth graders who were part of the program last year.

That’s a goal division Mathematics Supervisor Nicole Augone, who helped write the grant to get the BEAM program in Loudoun, set after last year’s program ended.

“My goal is to have these kids back next summer,” she said last year in an interview. “I would love to have funding to be able to support them returning next year as well as a new group of rising seventh graders.”

The grant, funded by six organizations, was originally written only for rising seventh graders from low-income and historically marginalized communities to increase enrollment in accelerated math courses. Its goal is to increase enrollment in advanced math courses in high school by helping middle school students get onto that advanced pathway by taking pre-algebra by seventh grade.

Augone said they mentored the BEAM attendees throughout the school year and tracked them to see how many jumped to the accelerated math track.

According to data presented to the School Board in the spring, of the 86 students who regularly attended BEAM last summer, 74 or 86% had enrolled in

pre-algebra last fall.

Additionally, the data showed regular attendees didn’t experience as great a learning loss during the summer compared to their peers who didn’t attend the program. Research on summer learning loss by Northwest Evaluation Association—a nonprofit that helps school districts across the nation improve learning for its students—showed students drop on average between 2-5 Rasch Unit points in math and reading each summer between third and eighth grade on the MAP Growth test. Regular attendees of BEAM instead gained an average of 3.3 Rasch Unit points between spring 2022 and fall 2022. The increase is comparable to about half an academic year of growth based on the 2020 MAP growth norms for sixth grade students, according to the data.

BEAM PROGRESS

continues on page 31

Lower Loudoun Girls Softball League Awards Scholarship

The Lower Loudoun Girls Softball League awarded its 2023 Kevin Fannon Memorial Scholarships to four players.

Emma Meehan and Anna Vayo graduated from Potomac Falls High School this spring. Meehan will attend the University of Virginia, while Vayo will attend James Madison University.

Itzel Chona and Marin Nicholson both graduated from Park View High School. Chona will attend Radford University and Nicholson will attend West Virginia University.

The Kevin Fannon Memorial Scholarship was created in 2022 to honor a beloved LLGSL coach who died in 2020. Fannon was known for his exuberance on and off the field and his love of the game. LLGSL hopes to continue his legacy by rewarding young women for their team spirit and sportsmanship.

LLSGL has been encouraging young women to play softball in eastern Loudoun for more than 30 years. Learn more at LLGSL.org.

Leesburg Student Awarded Scholarship by Dunkin’ Barzin Badiee, a recent graduate of Heritage High School, was one of 50 students throughout Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC, to receive a $2,500 academic scholarship from Dunkin’.

Badiee will attend the University of California Los Angeles in fall 2023 to study neuroscience.

In its second year, Dunkin’ and its DMV franchisees awarded $125,000 in scholarships to high school and college students.

A recognition ceremony to award each of the student recipients with their scholarship will be held at Nationals Park on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 12

Badlee

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Protesters demonstrate for and against policies for transgender students during a 2022 rally at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building.

Transgender policy

continued from page 10

user bathrooms and changing rooms available. The policy also states that a student’s individual needs should be taken into consideration by their school and that the school should try to accommodate those needs, according to a VDOE statement.

The new state instruction replaces those issued in 2021 by the Northam administration. Those policies directed divisions to get rid of gender-based practices in all areas, including bathrooms, locker rooms, sports and other activities to avoid excluding or marginalizing students. It also instructed schools to review situations where a student didn’t want their parent to know their gender identify on a case-bycase basis and to consider the health and safety of the student in the situation.

“All children in Virginia deserve to have a parent engaged in their life and to be treated with dignity and respect. The VDOE updated model policies reaffirm my administration’s continued commitment to ensure that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing, and care,”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement.

“These policies clarify that parents are the appropriate decision makers regarding their child’s health and wellbeing, and that students are best served when parents, teachers, and school administrators work as a team to support a child’s education,” Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera stated. “They also affirm that discrimination and bullying of any kind will not be tolerated in Virginia’s public schools.”

Equality Loudoun said the policies would cause “significant harm without providing any benefit to any student group.”

“The terms of these model policies are in direct contradiction of Federal and State orders and laws,” according to a statement from Equality Loudoun. “The model policy is a clear executive overreach and an effort to legislate via Executive Order by the Governor of Virginia.”

The group called on the Loudoun County School Board to reject the new policies.

Chair Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) said he had “no information to provide at this time,” when asked if he thought the School Board would comply with the policies.

Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Francisco Duran stated July 20 that

the division’s current policies protecting the rights of transgender students would remain in place.

“LGBTQ+ students and their parents in Loudoun County deserve to be treated with privacy, dignity, and respect that are not demonstrated by these model policies,” Equality Loudoun stated.

Youngkin said public comment, input and concerns were evaluated to create the updated model polices. According to the state Department of Education more than 70,000 comments were submitted last summer as well as over 9,000 comments submitted for the 2021 Model Policies.

ACLU of Virginia Policy and Legislative Counsel Breanna Diaz said the decision to move forward with the updated policies ignores the voices of “a clear majority of Virginians who submitted comments opposing the model policies when the department first proposed them.”

State law requires school boards to adopt policies that are consistent with the new policies. Division spokesperson Dan Adams said in an email that the school division is aware of the new policies “and is currently reviewing them.”

The 2023 model policies are a revision of the 2022 model policies released last September. n

SCHOOL notebook

continued from page 10

Saines Announces Annual Back-to-School Drive

Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) has announced his office’s annual Backto-School Supply Drive for the Sterling community.

The office is seeking businesses to serve as drop-off locations for donations or interested in hosting a supply drive among employees. In particular, the office is hoping to collet backpacks, writing utensils, paper items like loose-leaf paper and notebooks, glue and tape, rulers, erasers, binders, safety scissors, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, masks, and calculators.

To host a drop-off location or donation drive, email Tianni.Ivey@loudoun.gov. n

WORKFORCE HOUSING IS ABOUT LOUDOUN’S FUTURE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

45% of Loudoun renters are spending more than 30% of their monthly income on housing.

More housing options for Loudoun’s workforce are essential to the future of Loudoun.

Workforce Housing Now is not an issue about charity. It’s about the future economic prosperity of Loudoun.

Let’s shape Loudoun’s future. WON’T YOU JOIN US? workforcehousingnow.org

Workforce Housing Now is an initiative of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

Public Safety

National Night Out Events Planned Tuesday

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

In the middle of summer between pool parties and barbecues, on the first Tuesday of August, comes an annual National Night Out intended to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement.

Loudoun’s law enforcement agencies are planning events throughout the county to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer places to live.

Tuesday is also an opportunity for two new police chiefs—Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat and Middleburg Police Chief Shaun D. Jones—to meet more residents in their towns.

The opportunities for Loudouners to get out and meet their first responders include:

Sheriff’s Office

The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office plans events at several eastern Loudoun locations.

Ashburn Village 44078 Cheltenham

Circle from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Broadlands, 21907 Claiborne Parkway from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Landsdowne, 43459 Riverpoint Drive

Four Injured After LCSO Pursuit

The Sheriff ’s Office is investigating the circumstances of crash Saturday on Sterling Boulevard in Sterling that happened following a pursuit.

According to the report, at approximately 8:24 a.m. July 22, deputies responded to the Sheetz store at Dulles Plaza in Sterling for a report of two adults passed out in a vehicle. Deputies approached the vehicle and viewed suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia inside.

The driver of the vehicle awoke and drove away, nearly striking two deputies. The driver was pursued down Shaw Road and when he turned onto Sterling Boulevard. In the area of Maple Avenue, the driver crossed over into the southbound lanes of Sterling Boulevard and struck multiple vehicles. He was apprehended at the crash site, according to the Sheriff ’s Office.

Four people involved in the crash were transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries described as not life-threatening.

from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

One Loudoun Pavilion at Russell Branch Parkway from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cascades Community Association, 20670 Fernbank Court from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Countryside Homeowners Association, 46020 Algonkian Parkway from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mirror Ridge Homeowners Association, Mirror Ridge Plaza at Silhouette Square from 6 p.m. to 8 p.

Sugarland Run, 200 Greenfield Court from 6.pm. to 8 p.m.

South Riding, 43055 Center Street from 6 p.m. to 9.pm

Leesburg

The Leesburg Police Department will celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Douglass Community Center, 407 E Market St, Leesburg.

The department will have police vehicles and equipment on display, and children are invited to meet officers in person. The Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company and the Town of Leesburg’s Streets Division will also have equipment on display. Representatives from the town’s Diversity Commission will provide free face painting. Loudoun Hunger Relief

The suspect, Justin Connor, 27, of Rochester, NY, was charged with driving while intoxicated/influence of drugs, maiming of another resulting from driving while intoxicated, two counts of assault on law enforcement, giving false identity to law enforcement, obstructing justice, eluding, driving without a license, and larceny/unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Investigators Make Arrest in Silver Eagle Gun Theft

A juvenile suspect is under arrest as part of the Sheriff ’s Office investigation into the Jan. 24 theft of 10 guns from the Silver Eagle Group Shooting Range in Ashburn.

According to the report, the suspect is charged with grand larceny, burglary, and possession of firearms by a person under the age of 18. Three of the 10 weapons reported stolen in the case have been recovered.

In the initial report of the crime, the agency said two people entered the build-

will set up a produce tent with free fresh vegetables and the Kiwanis Club of Leesburg will be handing out free books to community members. Target has donated two bicycles to be raffled off and there will be free refreshments, activities for children, and music.

“It’s an opportunity to meet members of the town” Pirnat said. “I’m looking forward to it. We have a lot of great things planned and we’ve partnered with the Leesburg Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Street Division. I think it’s going to be fun for everyone.”

Lovettsville

Lovettsville’s Summer on the Green is hosting a National Night Out Celebration in honor of local heroes at Walker Pavilion Tuesday Aug. 1 beginning at 3 p.m.

The event will have food, activities for children, a pie eating contest and a chili cook-off. Members of the Sheriff ’s Office will attend from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The festivities will be concluded with a showing of the film “Playing with Fire.”

Middleburg

The Middleburg Police Department will host its celebration at the Middleburg Community Center Ballfield on Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be free hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn, music, a moon bounce,

ing by breaking a glass window between 3:45 and 4:50 a.m. Both suspects were described as wearing zip-up jackets or sweatshirts with hoods, face masks, and gloves. They left the scene in a dark colored sedan.

The case continues to be under investigation. Anyone who has more information is asked to contact Det. Michael Rivera at 703-777-1021. You may also submit a tip through the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office app or by calling Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.

Leesburg Man Pleads Guilty to Post Office Robbery

A Honduran national residing in Leesburg pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges of a commercial robbery conspiracy and armed robbery of a U.S. Post Office.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland, Juan Ramon Ramirez Delgado, 40, on July 24 entered into a plea agreement stating that he and his co-con-

rock walls, door prizes, activities for kids, a bicycle giveaway, a dunk tank and more.

“National night out in Middleburg is a very unique experience” Jones said. “It’s an opportunity [for residents] to engage with police officers and an opportunity for us to engage with residents and business owners. It’s going to be a great time for everyone … it’s all about community policing and community engagement.”

Purcellville

The Purcellville Police Department is celebrating with a caravan through the town stopping in three neighborhoods and hosting block parties, cookouts or ice cream socials on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Key stops include the Giant parking lot at 5:30 p.m. for a free picnic, the Purcellville Library at 7 p.m. for games and activities and Loudoun Valley Community Center for an ice cream social at 8 p.m. Members of the Sheriff ’s Office will also attend.

National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police officers and neighbors together under positive circumstances and was first introduced in 1984 according to the National Night Out website. Now communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide participate in the event.

For more information go to natw.org. n

spirators—wearing masks and armed with firearms—entered a U.S. Post Office in Brandywine, MD, pointed firearms at the employees and demanded money. They stole cash and a computer tower and other miscellaneous items, leaving the scene in a vehicle parked nearby and driven by another suspect.

If the agreement is accepted by the court during an Oct. 10 hearing, Ramirez Delgado will be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and will be required to pay restitution in the full amount of the loss.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks, according to the announcement of the action. n

Business

Optimum Technologies Opens Spacecraft Integration Facility in Sterling

Optimum Technologies, founded in 2015 by a group of space industry veterans, has opened its new spacecraft integration facility in Sterling.

The new operation on Carpenter Drive will serve as the primary integration and testing center for Optimum’s space systems as it rapidly expands into the space flight hardware design and development business. The building includes a stateof-the-art 5,700-square-foot cleanroom, bonded storage, software development labs, and a machine shop.

“This new facility represents a significant investment in our company’s future and our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible space solutions. With this new facility, we are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for our services in the space industry,” CEO and co-founder Jeff Gick stated in the announcement.

As part of the expansion the company, which also has an office in Leesburg, plans

to hire more engineers and technicians.

“We have made significant investments in the required infrastructure for the

development and tests of complex space systems,” COO and co-founder John Hildebrand stated.  n

trüHealthNow Begins Expansion with Leesburg Office

trüHealthNow will celebrate the opening of its first Loudoun County medical office July 27.

Formerly known as Medical Access, trüHealthNow has operated for more than 25 years with established locations in Germantown, Alexandria, and Woodbridge. In addition to Leesburg, the company plans to open medical centers in Purcellville, Dulles, and South Riding later this year.

The trü Primary & Urgent Care Center is located at 531D E. Market St.

“We are thrilled to establish our presence in Leesburg and provide our community with accessible and compassionate healthcare services,” trüHealthNow CEO Gurpreet Takhar stated. “Our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional care and building strong relationships with our patients. We look forward to serving the healthcare needs of the Leesburg community and beyond.”

To celebrate the grand opening, trüHealthNow plans an open house on

Aug. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to allow community members to explore the new facility, meet the healthcare providers, and

learn about the comprehensive services offered.

Learn more at truhealthnow.com. n

Ford’s Fish Shack Moving to South Loudoun Location

After 11 years of operation, Ford’s Fish Shack in South Riding closed Tuesday as owner Tony Stafford works to ramp up construction on a new restaurant nearby in the Eastgate neighborhood.

Stafford hopes to have the new location open by early 2024.

He said the South Riding employees have been relocated to Ford’s locations in Ashburn and Lansdowne. “If you have a favorite server or bartender, you’ll be able to find them there,” he said.

For Stafford, the purchase of the Eastgate property after leasing space for his other restaurants is an exciting investment and demonstrates a continuing commitment to Loudoun County and its residents. “We’re digging in for the next 50 years,” he said.

After operating on a month-tomonth lease, the South Riding restaurant is closing to make way for a new tenant that has been secured for the space. Stafford is hoping to complete construction of the new restaurant in six to seven months, with hopes for a February opening.

Damewood Wins Auctioneer Championship

Brian Damewood, of Damewood Auctioneers in Purcellville, returned from this year’s International Auctioneer Championship in Denver, CO, with the men’s championship trophy.

Damewood, a second-generation auctioneer, is a 2008 graduate of Virginia Tech. He attended World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, IA. He works selling real estate equipment, conducting fundraising/ benefit auctions, and selling automobiles. Damewood has been a member of the NAA since 2010.

Damewood has finished as runner-up in the international competition in 2017 and 2021. He also finished as runner up in last year’s World Automobile Auctioning Championship. He was the Virginia Auctioneers Association’s auctioneer of the year in 2012. n

Contributed

An employee works in the clean room at Optimum Technologies’ new spacecraft integration facility in Sterling.

Damewood

An urgent care office is coming to this space in the Bellwood Commons shopping center that previously housed Long John Silver’s and Starbucks.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov

Jingle Jam Band Offers a Little Christmas in July

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Members of the Jingle Jam Band brought a little Christmas spirit to the Loudoun Hunger Relief distribution center recently, presenting a donation from the proceeds from their 2022 concert and performing some carols for clients and staff at the center.

Organizers presented $13,000 to be split by LHR and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. The money was raised from three holiday concerts performed at the Tally Ho Theater in December.

The annual holiday concerts with an all-star band were launched in 2007 and returned last year after a two-year pandemic hiatus. The event has always supported the JDRF, but expanded last year to included Loudoun Hunger Relief to provide support to local charities, as well.

Organizers also have teamed up with the Community Foundation of Northern Fauquier and Loudoun County to establish a donor-advised fund with plans to

build a $10,000 endowment.

Cal Everett was joined by Todd Wright and Prescott Engle for the pop-up Christmas concert.

He said the group is working to expand the event, perhaps even adding a fourth show this year. Tickets for the concerts typically sell-out within hours.

“We’re looking forward to bigger and better things with the show this year now that we’ve got the partnership with the Community Foundation,” Everett said.

Organizers already are lining up sponsors for this year.

“We start planning in July, because it takes that long to get all the sponsors. We have a lot of them in line now. We have a lot of people who want to be sponsors,” Everett said. “It’s summer, but we’re thinking ahead.”

The concerts are planned for Dec. 8-9, with tickets to go on sale Nov. 4.

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, go to the The Jingle Jam Band page on Facebook.

To make a donation to the Jingle Jam Fund, go to tinyurl.com/jinglejamfund. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now From left, Community Foundation of Northern Fauquier and Loudoun County CEO Nicole Acosta; Jingle Jam Band members Prescott Engle, Cal Everett and Todd Wright; JDRF Senior Development Manager Meredith Grosser; and Loudoun Hunger Relief CEO Jennifer Montgomery pose during a July 18 check presentation.

Obituaries

Brain Bank. Her selfless donation will allow others to live a better life and further brain study. Being an organ donor was very import to Pat. If you are not one, please consider becoming one.

Burial will be held at Hedrick’s Cemetery in Salt Lick, Kentucky on August 8, 2023. A celebration of Pat’s life will be held in Marion, Indiana on September 2, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s honor to the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter LAWS, 105 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176.

Edward Joseph Johanssen

Edward Joseph Johannsen passed away peacefully July 19, 2023, at Hilltop Senior Living Community after complications from a stroke he suffered last November.

Edward was born to Henry and Mary Johannsen on July 9, 1948, at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, D.C.

He was retired from Hunter Mill Lab where he worked for many years.

He was a huge fan of almost all sports, especially cheering on the Washington Commanders and the Washington Nationals. His sense of humor was one-ofa-kind, even during his stay in rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, and then his final resting place Hilltop.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Butch.

Edward is survived by his wife of 45 years Barbara; son Christopher and daughter-in-law Nikki; the apple of his eye grandson, Christopher Jr.; sister Barbara (Robert) Caffey; niece Susan Styer (Norman); and neice Michelle Howell (Eric).

A celebration of life will be held July 29, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m. at West Oaks Farm & Market in Winchester, VA.

Patricia G. Rogers

Patricia G. Rogers, 77, of Leesburg, VA passed away peacefully after an unexpected health challenge at Inova Loudoun Hospital on July 16, 2023.

“Pat” or “Patty” as she was known to family and friends, was born on December 29, 1945, in Salt Lick, Kentucky. She was the youngest of 11 children born to Lewis and Mayme (Purvis) Rogers. Pat’s

family moved to Indiana when she was 5 years old. After her mother’s death 5 years later, her older siblings helped raise her. She graduated from Swazyee High School in 1963. Pat attended Ball State University.

Pat had a wide area of knowledge and contributed to many fields during her working years. She worked for the electrical company, an insurance company, and sold real estate. In 1985 she began her career as a legal administrator running multiple law firms. In 1999, after being the legal administrator for Galland, Kharasch, Greenberg, Fellman, and Swirsky, P.C. in Georgetown for 10 years she retired. In her retirement years Pat worked for the Loudoun Museum and Lou Lou’s in downtown Leesburg meeting many people who became friends.

Family was everything to Pat. She loved her time visiting home in Indiana and seeing all of her family. She especially loved the huge family dinners, reunions, and celebrating special occasions. Pat was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, loved chocolate, and her granddaughters. When she became a grandmother nothing else mattered but her girls. Her love for her 2 granddaughters was beyond compare. She loved every minute of their time together as did they.

Pat is survived by her only beloved child, Kent Hawkins, his wife Tiffany, and her 2 granddaughters, Gracie and Emma Hawkins. She is preceded in death by her parents, and 10 siblings. Pat leaves behind many nieces and nephews who meant the world to her.

Pat’s last act was to donate her organs to Infinite Legacy and the Georgetown

John William Gollatz

John William Gollatz (77) passed away peacefully on July 17, 2023, with his children and grandchildren lovingly by his side. John was born on December 7, 1945 to Joseph and Mary Gollatz, in New York City. He grew up in Hollis, Queens, playing stickball in the street with his friends. John was raised with a strong faith, instilled by his mother, and a strong work ethic, instilled by his father, who overcame his lack of educational opportunities with intelligence and grit. As a child, John loved and helped care for his special needs older brother, Joseph. John attended Bishop Loughlin High school in Brooklyn, New York, where he was a diligent student who ran track, developed a love for learning and deep friendships that he cherished until his passing. John was the first in his family to graduate from college. He married Catherine Guilshan on June 28, 1970, while attending medical school at State University of New York. After he received his medical degree, he moved his wife, son and daughter to Pittsburgh, PA, where he practiced urology for over 30

years. He was a talented surgeon, widely known for his wonderful, warm bedside manner. He was beloved by his patients and hospital colleagues alike. In his free time, John loved playing baseball with his son, cooking exquisite meals, yardwork antics with his favorite neighbor, and woodworking. His Pittsburgh home was filled with beautifully detailed cabinets and bookshelves of his own creation. John was affable, the life of the party wherever he went, and the world’s worst babysitter, pumping his grandchildren full of candy and letting them stay up all night watching Barbie movies. He will be remembered for his broad smile and ability to use laughter to bring levity to sorrowful situations. John will be missed dearly by his wife, Catherine Gollatz; his children, Brian Gollatz and Christine Gollatz DeWitt; and eight grandchildren, Kiera, Kaitlin, Zoe, Caleb, Madeline, Joshua, Calvin and Jonathan. He will also be missed by his son and daughterin-law, Mark and Elisa, with whom he developed fond relationships. Services (viewing, immediately followed by a mass) will be held at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church, in Purcellville, Virginia beginning at 11:00 am on Monday, July 24, 2023. He will be laid to rest beside his parents and brother in O’Hara Township at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. For those Yinzers who would like to pay their respects, there will be a short burial commitment service at that time at St. Mary’s Church Cemetery, 1019 Sharps Hill Road in Sharpsburg. You may leave condolences at www.colonialfuneralhome.com

Loudoun’s Favorites: e Readers’ Recommendations

During the past month, Loudoun Now asked readers to share their recommendations about their favorite places, people and businesses.

Nearly 3,500 names were submitted as nominations in the poll’s more than 200 categories, with each person, place or business held up as a piece of the community that makes Loudoun County a special place to live and work. More than 180,000 votes were cast to determine this year’s winners.

What’s the favorite date spot? This year, the readers recommended Leesburg’s Lightfoot Restaurant.

Stone Tower near Leesburg and Bear Chase Brewery on Loudoun’s western boundary continue to rank as the favorite craft beverage destinations.

Among nearly 50 performers nominated from Loudoun’s growing music scene, Gary Smallwood was this year’s top choice for favorite musician.

And it should come as no surprise to county residents that nearly 70 Loudoun-based nonprofits were nominated for recognition of their community service.

Inside, you’ll find the readers’ recommendations for every style of dining, services from pet sitting to plumbing, and the professionals to call when in need of legal or financial advice—virtually every element of life in Loudoun.

The list of winners also can be viewed at loudounsfavorites.com.n

INSIDE:

Favorite Businesses Page 4

Favorite Food & Drink Page 6 Favorite Places Page 8

Thanks Loudoun County for Voting Us

COMMUNITY

FAVORITE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

59 Nominations

VIRGINIA TECH

Runner Up: George Mason

FAVORITE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

35 Nominations

LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL

Runner Up: Loudoun County Fair

FAVORITE COMMUNITY SPORTS LEAGUE

38 Nominations

LOUDOUN SOCCER

Runner Up: Dulles Little League

FAVORITE COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOL

47 Nominations

FRANKLIN PARK

Runner Up: AV Symington Aquatics Center/Ida Lee Park

FAVORITE GOVERNMENT SERVICE

25 Nominations

LOUDOUN COUNTY

PUBLIC LIBRARY

Runner Up: Loudoun County Parks & Recreation

FAVORITE NONPROFIT/ COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

67 Nominations

LOUDOUN HUNGER

RELIEF

Runner Up: Mobile Hope

FAVORITE PERFORMING ARTS GROUP

19 Nominations

DANCE ACADEMY OF LOUDOUN

Runner Up: StageCoach Theater Company

FAVORITE PLACE OF WORSHIP

73 Nominations

CORNERSTONE CHAPEL

Runner Up: St. John the Apostle Catholic Church

FAVORITE PRIVATE SCHOOL

26 Nominations

LOUDOUN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Runner Up: St Paul VI Catholic High School

FAVORITE PUBLIC SCHOOL

101 Nominations

LOUDOUN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Runner Up: Loudoun Valley High School

FAVORITE SUMMER CAMP/ PROGRAM

30 Nominations

LOUDOUN

COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION

Runner Up: Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Summer Camp

FOOD & DRINK

FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANT

65 Nominations

CHINA KING

Runner Up: Jasmine

FAVORITE BAKERY/PASTRY SHOP

26 Nominations

MOM’S APPLE PIE

Runner Up: Dolce & Ciabatta

FAVORITE BAR

54 Nominations

SPANKY’S SHENANIGANS

Runner Up: Tuskies

FAVORITE BARTENDER

11 Nominations

RICH GIBSON, CLYDE’S WILLOW CREEK FARM

Runner Up: Matt Duley, Bungalow Lakehouse

FAVORITE PLACE FOR BREAKFAST

36 Nominations

ANITA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Runner Up: First Watch

FAVORITE BREWERY

27 Nominations

BEAR CHASE

BREWERY

Runner Up: Dirt Farm Brewing

FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BURGER

40 Nominations

MELT

Runner Up: Five Guys

FAVORITE CHEF

23 Nominations

INGRID GUSTAVSON, LIGHTFOOT

Runner Up: Ian Dieter, Magnolia’s at the Mill

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP

25 Nominations

STARBUCKS

Runner Up: King Street Coffee

FAVORITE FAMILY RESTAURANT

59 Nominations

BLUE RIDGE GRILL

Runner Up: Fireworks, Leesburg

FAVORITE FINE DINING

29 Nominations

TUSCARORA MILL

Runner Up: Lightfoot

FAVORITE FOOD TRUCK

18 Nominations

FORD’S FISH SHACK

Runner Up: ResQ BBQ

FAVORITE PLACE FOR FRENCH FRIES

46 Nominations

FIVE GUYS

Runner Up: Melt

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

24 Nominations

TRAVINIA

Runner Up: Pazzo Pomodoro

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

20 Nominations

UNCLE JULIO’S

Runner Up: Los Toltecos

FAVORITE OUTDOOR DINING SPOT

30 Nominations

CLYDE’S WILLOW

CREEK FARM

Runner Up: Magnolia’s at the Mill

FAVORITE PLACE FOR BARBECUE

13 Nominations

MONK’S BBQ

Runner Up: Misson BBQ

FAVORITE PLACE FOR PIZZA

49 Nominations

FIREWORKS

Runner Up: Solo NY Pizza

FAVORITE PLACE FOR SEAFOOD

14 Nominations

FORD’S FISH SHACK

Runner Up: Lowry’s Crab Shack

FAVORITE PLACE FOR SUSHI

24 Nominations

PASSION FIN

Runner Up: Jasmine

FAVORITE ROMANTIC DINING/DATE SPOT

23 Nominations

LIGHTFOOT

Runner Up: Tuscarora Mill

FAVORITE SANDWICH SHOP

20 Nominations

PUCCIO’S NEW YORK DELI

Runner Up: South Street Under

FAVORITE WAITER/WAITRESS

9 Nominations

TAMMY HINES, TAMMY’S DINER

Runner Up: Chelsea Magaha, D.C. Prime

FAVORITE WINERY

44 Nominations

STONE TOWER WINERY

Runner Up: Bluemont Vineyards

FAVORITE PLACE FOR WINGS

42 Nominations

BUFFALO WING FACTORY

Runner Up: Velocity Wings PLACES

FAVORITE ART GALLERY

4 Nominations

THE FINE GALLERY

Runner Up: Medlin Art Gallery

FAVORITE

GOODSTONE INN

Runner Up: Bear Chase Manor

FAVORITE BUSINESS EVENT VENUE 32 Nominations

SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA

Runner Up: Lansdowne Resort & Spa

FAVORITE COMMUNITY CENTER 15 Nominations

IDA LEE RECREATION CENTER

Runner Up: Claude Moore Recreation Center

FAVORITE FARM

15 Nominations

GREAT COUNTRY

FARM

Runner Up: Wegmeyer Farm

FAVORITE FARMERS MARKET

12 Nominations

LEESBURG FARMERS MARKET

Runner Up: One Loudoun Farmers Market

FAVORITE HISTORIC SITE

7 Nominations

DOWNTOWN LEESBURG

Runner Up: Morven Park

FAVORITE HOTEL/RESORT

17 Nominations

SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA

Runner Up: Lansdowne Resort & Spa

The Law Firm of Sevila, Saunders, Huddleston and

FAVORITE LIVE MUSIC VENUE

24 Nominations

TALLY HO THEATER

Runner Up: Tarara Summer Concert Series

FAVORITE MOVIE THEATER

6 Nominations

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA

Runner Up: CMX Village 14 Cinemas

FAVORITE MUSEUM

6 Nominations

UDVAR HAZY CENTERSMITHSONIAN AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

Runner Up: Loudoun Museum

FAVORITE OVER 55 COMMUNITY

5 Nominations

BIRCHWOOD AT BRAMBLETON

Runner Up: Lansdowne Woods

FAVORITE PARK

18 Nominations

IDA LEE PARK

Runner Up: Franklin Park

FAVORITE PERFORMING ARTS VENUE

4 Nominations

FRANKLIN PARK

ARTS CENTER

Runner Up: StageCoach Theater

FAVORITE PICK YOUR OWN FARM

7 Nominations

GREAT COUNTRY FARMS

Runner Up: Wegmeyer Farm

We know that there are lots of choices when it comes to furniture stores. There’s nothing more rewarding than being acknowledged by our customers. When you’re ready for a new sofa, bed or dining table, we hope you’ll choose Belfort again.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you and your family for many years to come.

FAVORITE PLACE TO MEET WITH FRIENDS

76 Nominations

BEAR CHASE

BREWING COMPANY

Runner Up: Stone Tower Winery

FAVORITE PLACE TO PLAY TENNIS

16 Nominations

IDA LEE PARK

Runner Up: Ashburn Sports Pavilion

FAVORITE PLACE TO RIDE YOUR BICYCLE

6 Nominations

W&OD TRAIL

Runner Up: South Riding Trails

FAVORITE PLACE TO WALK YOUR DOG

12 Nominations

W&OD TRAIL

Runner Up: Ida Lee Park

FAVORITE RECREATION CENTER

6 Nominations

IDA LEE PARK RECREATION

CENTER

Runner Up: Claude Moore Park Recreation Center

HEALTH & MEDICAL

FAVORITE ACUPUNCTURIST

5 Nominations

RACHAL LOHR DEAN, FIREFLY

ACUPUNCTURE & WELLNESS

Runner Up: Dan Parish, Loudoun Family Wellness

FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PROVIDER

3 Nominations

MARTHA CALIHAN, FIVE STONES

HEALING ARTS AND WELLNESS CENTER

Runner Up: Rachal Lohr Dean, Firefly Acupuncture & Wellness

FAVORITE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

4 Nominations

ASHBY PONDS

Runner Up: Lansdowne Heights

FAVORITE AUDIOLOGIST

2 Nominations

JUSTINE MCDERMOTT AUDIOLOGY

Runner Up: Ashleigh Greenwood, Advanced ENT

FAVORITE CHIROPRACTOR

13 Nominations

BRAD CLEGG, CLEGG CHIROPRACTIC

Runner Up: Chad Parsons, Advanced Corrective Chiropractic

FAVORITE DENTIST

37 Nominations

BRIAN COCHRAN, COCHRAN FAMILY DENTAL

Runner Up: Kirk Norbo, Norbo Dental

FAVORITE DERMATOLOGIST

8 Nominations

SMEENA KHAN, SKIN

CANCER CENTER OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Runner Up: Van Ha, Loudoun Dermatology Associates

FAVORITE DIETICIAN

4 Nominations

MEGAN BEST, MEGAN B WELL

Runner Up: Stephanie Mull, Metabolism

Based Eating

FAVORITE DOCTOR

44 Nominations

DR. SCOTT NAGELL, LEESBURG STERLING

FAMILY PRACTICE

Runner Up: Dr. Troy Mohler, Leesburg Sterling Family Practice

FAVORITE HOME HEALTH CARE COMPANY

2 Nominations

INOVA HOME HEALTH

Runner Up: First Choice Home Care LLC

FAVORITE MIDWIFE

7 Nominations

HILARY BIESECKER, LOUDOUN HOMEBIRTH AND HEALTHCARE

Runner Up: Heather Swartz, Loudoun Homebirth and Healthcare

FAVORITE NURSE PRACTITIONER

7 Nominations

SUSY FURR, LEESBURG STERLING FAMILY PRACTICE

Runner Up: Courtney Hasseman, Integrative Healthcare for Women

FAVORITE OPTOMETRIST

8 Nominations

GREG MCGREW, EYECARE CENTER OF LEESBURG

Runner Up: Scott Dilzer, Dilzer Eye Care

FAVORITE OPHTHALMOLOGIST

8 Nominations

CLAIBORNE CALLAHAN,

LEESBURG

Runner Up: Ayman Boutros, The Eye Center

FAVORITE OPTICIAN

5 Nominations

PAIGE BUSCEMA, EYETOPIA

Runner Up: Debbie Daniel, Eyecare Center of Leesburg

FAVORITE ORTHODONTIST

9 Nominations

NEIL KRAVITZ, KRAVITZ ORTHODONTICS

Runner Up: Kirk Norbo, Norbo Dental

FAVORITE PEDIATRICIAN

14 Nominations

DAMON MOORE, PEDIATRIC HEALTHCARE

Runner Up: Valerie Rhodes, Leesburg Sterling Family Practice

FAVORITE PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE

28 Nominations

LOUDOUN PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Runner Up: BioMechanic Physical Therapy

FAVORITE PLASTIC SURGEON

5 Nominations

MOUNTCASTLE PLASTIC SURGERY

Runner Up: Behzad Parva, Parva Plastic Surgery

Our mission is To create a suppor,ve environment, with cu4ng edge technical exper,se, experience that’s quality driven, empirically based, with scien,fic principles, yielding op,mal results.

We cater to serious individuals and small groups for performance & personal training. Offering:

• Speed & Biomechanical Training

• Strength & Condi5oning Programs

• Sports Rehab Programs

• Metabolic / Hormonal Weight Loss Programs

VOTED LOUDOUNS FAVORITE TRAINER 2023

FAVORITE PSYCHIATRIST

7 Nominations

KRISTI GUADAGNOLI, MINDWELL PSYCHOLOGY

Runner Up: Malika Seth, Ashburn Psychological & Psychiatric Services

FAVORITE PSYCHOLOGIST

6 Nominations

KAREN LARSON, KAREN LARSON & ASSOCIATES

Runner Up: Suzanne Nixon, Integrative Counseling and Relationship Therapy

FAVORITE PSYCHOTHERAPIST

3 Nominations

FAVORITE ARCHITECT

5 Nominations

TOM O’NEIL, O’NEIL ARCHITECTS

Runner Up: Clint Good, Clint Good Architect

FAVORITE LOUDOUN ARTIST

22 Nominations

STILSON GREENE

Runner Up: Jill Perla

FAVORITE ATTORNEY

34 Nominations

ROBERT E. SEVILA, SEVILA, SAUNDERS, HUDDLESTON & WHITE

Get in touch: aerea,ngelite@gmail.com james@aecrea,ngelite.com 240.355.9559 (C)

SUZANNE NIXON, INTEGRATIVE COUNSELING AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY

Runner Up: Neil McNerney

FAVORITE WEIGHT LOSS

THREE

Since 1975 Trump's Electrical Service has catered to our customers throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. Call in to speak with us and experience the care and quality that comes from a reputation built around service to our customers and community.

CENTER

6 Nominations

7COMPANY WEIGHT

LOSS & WELLNESS CENTER

Runner Up: Nova Physician Wellness Center

FAVORITE YOGA/PILATES INSTRUCTOR

10 Nominations

MINDY BEACH, YOGA TIME STUDIO

Runner Up: Maddie Tuohy, Empower Yoga Therapy

PEOPLE

FAVORITE ACCOUNTANT

11 Nominations

JEFF MITCHELL, MITCHELL & CO. P.C

Runner Up: Joe Bullock, Bullock & Associates

Runner Up: Jennifer Cisneros, Cisneros, McElroy & Boone, PC

FAVORITE LOUDOUN BAND/ MUSICIAN

48 Nominations

GARY SMALLWOOD

Runner Up: Ted Garber

FAVORITE BANKER

14 Nominations

BETSY BENNETT, BANK OF CLARKE

Runner Up: Alice P. Frazier, BCT The Community Bank

FAVORITE SPORTS COACH

23 Nominations

MICKY THOMPSON, STONE BRIDGE FOOTBALL

Runner Up: Chris Wilson, Loudoun Valley Tennis

FAVORITE COMMERCIAL REALTOR

16 Nominations

JIM SISLEY, PALADIN REAL ESTATE

Runner Up: Don Devine, Devine Commercial

James Walker, CCS, STM, BioH, Co-Owner, Strength & Performance Coach

FAVORITE DANCE INSTRUCTOR

7 Nominations

GERALYN WARD, THE DANCE ACADEMY OF LOUDOUN

Runner Up: Adam King, Dance King Studio

FAVORITE DJ

6 Nominations

CERPHE COLWELL, MUSIC PLANET RADIO

Runner Up: Nathaniel Davis, Davis Music

FAVORITE ELECTRICIAN

6 Nominations

MIKE GITTINGS, PURCELLVILLE ELECTRIC

Runner Up: TJ Atkins, TWA Electric

FAVORITE EVENT PLANNER

9 Nominations

RUSTY FOSTER, BOW TIE STRATEGIES

Runner Up: Katie Barchas Wilson, The Market Group, Inc.

FAVORITE FINANCIAL ADVISOR

9 Nominations

TONY NERANTZIS, RAYMOND JAMES

Runner Up: Blake Fellows, Fellows Financial

FAVORITE GOLF INSTRUCTOR

6 Nominations

DAVID NEWSOME, 1757 GOLF COURSE

Runner Up: Matt Balderston, Loudoun Golf and Country Club

FAVORITE GRAPHIC ARTIST

6 Nominations

STILSON GREENE, STILSON GREENE GRAPHIC DESIGN ILLUSTRATION

Runner Up: Owen Gotimer, OG Media

FAVORITE HOME BUILDER

8 Nominations

GARY VAN NESS, VAN NESS CONSTRUCTION

Runner Up: Rob Lauten, Lauten Construction

FAVORITE INSURANCE AGENT

8 Nominations

LANDY PATTON, STATE FARM

Runner Up: Keith Seekford, Moore and Clemens

FAVORITE INTERIOR DESIGNER

6 Nominations

JULIE HOFFMAN, J & L INTERIORS

Runner Up: Beth Goldsmith, Creative Works

FAVORITE MASSAGE THERAPIST

10 Nominations

SAMANTHA BURTON, LOUDOUN

FAMILY WELLNESS

Runner Up: Caroline O’Neill, Body, Birth and Baby

FAVORITE MECHANIC

12 Nominations

MIKE ROLLISON, CATOCTIN AUTOMOTIVE

Runner Up: Doug Kressley, D&D Automotive Repair

KRISTI

FAVORITE

SUE

ALIYAH

FAVORITE

SHIRLEY

Runner

ChinaKingtogo.com

FAVORITE FLYING INSTRUCTOR

2 Nominations

RAYMOND

DEHAAN, AVIATION

ADVENTURES

Runner Up: Kyle McDaniel, Commonwealth Aviation

FAVORITE PLUMBER

6 Nominations

DAVE ADAMS, ARTISAN PLUMBING

Runner Up: Bryan Wacker, Wacker Plumbing

FAVORITE PUBLIC SERVANT

9 Nominations

SHERIFF MIKE

CHAPMAN

Runner Up: Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton

FAVORITE RESIDENTIAL REALTOR

32 Nominations

KAREN COOPER, PLATINUM GROUP

REAL ESTATE

Runner Up: Keren Jayne, Keren Jayne Homes

FAVORITE STONE MASON

4 Nominations

DAVE RATCLIFF, RATCLIFF’S MASONRY

Runner Up: Allen Cochran, Cochran’s Stone Masonry

FAVORITE TEACHER

18 Nominations

STEVE HICKS, DOMINION HIGH SCHOOL

Runner Up: Vinay Bhawnani, Loudoun Test Prep

Thank You Loudoun County for Voting Us #1 Lumber Yard Again!

Choose Loudoun Lumber Co. for all your home-improvement and hardware supplies. We offer a large variety of interior and exterior doors, windows,trim, and interior doors, engineered lumber, roof trusses, builders hardware and decking.

Our staff has the experience and knowledge you need to answer any questions you may have about our products and your home improvement needs.

We are conveniently located at 121 N. Bailey Lane, Purcellville Virginia. Local Phone 540-338-1840

FAVORITE BICYCLE SHOP

7 Nominations

SPOKES, ETC.

Runner Up: Mavericks Bikes & Café

FAVORITE BOOK STORE

4 Nominations

BARNES & NOBLE

Runner Up: Birch Tree Books

FAVORITE CAR REPAIR SHOP

52 Nominations

CATOCTIN AUTOMOTIVE

Runner Up: Purcellville Tire & Auto

FAVORITE CAR WASH

9 Nominations

FLAGSHIP

Runner Up: Britewash

FAVORITE CARPET CLEANER

7 Nominations

LOUDOUN CARPET CARE

Runner Up: Absolute Carpet Care

FAVORITE CARPET STORE

8 Nominations

LOUDOUN VALLEY FLOORS

Runner Up: Sterling Carpets

FAVORITE CATERING COMPANY

20 Nominations

SAVOIR FARE

Runner Up: ResQ BBQ

FAVORITE CHILD CARE/ PRESCHOOL

41 Nominations

WINWOOD

CHILDREN’S CENTER

Runner Up: Chesterbrook Academy

FAVORITE CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE

5 Nominations

WEAR IT AGAIN KID

Runner Up: Ashby Mae Children’s Boutique

FAVORITE CLEANING SERVICE

14 Nominations

YOU’VE GOT MAIDS

Runner Up: Maid Brigade

FAVORITE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE

13 Nominations

PEARSON SMITH REALTY

Runner Up: Keller Williams Realty, Leesburg

FAVORITE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

5 Nominations

RE LOVE IT

Runner Up: Wear It Again Kid

Live Life...Pain Free!

Firefly Acupuncture and Wellness, led by Rachal Lohr, LAc , seamlessly blends the time-tested science of acupuncture with more innovative, medical solutions in order to achieve measurable, long-lasting results!

Whether it’s the numbness and tingling from your NEUROPATHY, the painful burning sensation that accompanies SCIATICA, or the unbearable swelling and stiffness of your joints from ARTHRITIS, the staff at Firefly Acupuncture and Wellness are here to help you live a life free from pain

umbness FAW｜Firefly Acupuncture & Wellness, has set the standard for the highest and most effective acupuncture and integrative medical care in Loudoun County. We are here to provide you with life-changing treatments so that you can get BACK to what you LOVE

Imagine Relief!

FAVORITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

16 Nominations

DULLES CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Runner Up: CaseCo

FAVORITE DANCE STUDIO

12 Nominations

THE DANCE ACADEMY OF LOUDOUN

Runner Up: Dance King

FAVORITE DRIVEWAY REPAIR COMPANY

5 Nominations

COLLEGIATE SEALERS

Runner Up: Lucketts Excavating

Our passion is to provide the Loudoun County community with effective treatment solutions for complex, often difficult-to-treat conditions and chronic pain!

Led by Rachal Lohr, Lic.Ac., Firefly pioneers cutting-edge medical solutions blended with the time-proven wisdom of traditional East Asian medicine to provide our patients with unparalleled care while achieving measurable, longlasting results!

Imagine increased Energy! Imagine staff and a community of people that not only understand your condition but can truly Support and Sympathize with You!

Our aim is to provide you with pain relieving treatments so that you can get back to LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

Call (703)263-2142 today to take advantage of our limited time Loudoun's Favorites consultation offer by September 1st

Thank you for trusting us with your health and wellness and voting us Loudoun's Favorite Acupuncturist year after year!

FAVORITE DRY CLEANER

17 Nominations

PURCELLVILLE CLEANERS

Runner Up: Cleaner 4 Less

FAVORITE ELECTRICAL COMPANY

18 Nominations

TRUMP’S

ELECTRICAL SERVICE

Runner Up: FH Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditional & Electrical

FAVORITE ELECTRONICS STORE

3 Nominations

BEST BUY

Runner Up: Costco

FAVORITE EVENT PLANNING COMPANY

7 Nominations

BOW TIE

STRATEGIES

Runner Up: The Market Group

FAVORITE EQUESTRIAN FACILITY

9 Nominations

MORVEN PARK

Runner Up: Sprout Therapeutic Riding & Education Center

FAVORITE EVENT

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPANY

17 Nominations

A. SAMPLE

PHOTOGRAPHY

Runner Up: Alimond Studios

FAVORITE EXCAVATING COMPANY

5 Nominations

LUCKETTS

EXCAVATING

Runner Up: Leo Construction

FAVORITE FARM MARKET VENDOR

14 Nominations

WEGMEYER FARMS

Runner Up: Potomac Vegetable Farms

FAVORITE FARM STORE

3 Nominations

SOUTHERN STATES

Runner Up: Tractor Supply

FAVORITE FARM EQUIPMENT CENTER

5 Nominations

BROWNING EQUIPMENT

Runner Up: Tractor Supply

FAVORITE FASHION ACCESSORY STORE

15 Nominations

LOU LOU

Runner Up: Misguided Angels

FAVORITE FITNESS CENTER

45 Nominations

IDA LEE

RECREATION CENTER

Runner Up: Lifetime Fitness

FAVORITE FLIGHT SCHOOL

3 Nominations

AVIATION

ADVENTURES

Runner Up: Aero Elite Flight Training

FAVORITE FLOORING COMPANY

8 Nominations

LOUDOUN VALLEY FLOORS

Runner Up: Abbey Carpet

FAVORITE FLORIST

15 Nominations

PURCELLVILLE

FLORIST

Runner Up: Jerry’s Flowers & Gifts

FAVORITE FRAMING STORE

8 Nominations

MICHAEL’S

Runner Up: Hobby Lobby

FAVORITE FUNERAL HOME

6 Nominations

LOUDOUN FUNERAL CHAPEL

Runner Up: Colonial Funeral Home

FAVORITE FURNITURE STORE

6 Nominations

BELFORT FURNITURE

Runner Up: Haverty’s Furniture

FAVORITE GOLF COURSE

12 Nominations

BRAMBLETON

REGIONAL GOLF COURSE

Runner Up: Raspberry Falls Golf Club

FAVORITE GRANITE COMPANY

8 Nominations

LOUDOUN GRANITE & MARBLE

Runner Up: Sky Marble & Granite

FAVORITE GROCERY STORE

12 Nominations

WEGMAN’S

Runner Up: Trader Joe’s

FAVORITE HAIR SALON

53 Nominations

JENNY’S SALON

Runner Up: Village 9

FAVORITE HANDYMAN SERVICE

9 Nominations

JP HANDYMAN SERVICE

Runner Up: Ace Handyman Services

NICHOLS

Runner

FAVORITE

BOWA

Runner

FAVORITE

CLIMATIC

FAVORITE

VIRGINIA

Runner

COMFENERGY

Runner

FAVORITE

STATE

FAVORITE

RAYMOND

Runner

FAVORITE

KETTERMAN’S

Runner

FAVORITE JUNK REMOVAL COMPANY

3 Nominations

GOT JUNK?

Runner Up: Pack Rat Hauling

FAVORITE KIDS ACTIVITY/ PARTY PLACE

14 Nominations

LEESBURG ANIMAL PARK

Runner Up: Great Country Farms

FAVORITE LANDSCAPING COMPANY

26 Nominations

BLAKE LANDSCAPES

Runner Up: Meadows Farm

FAVORITE LAWN CARE COMPANY

15 Nominations

BLAKE LANDSCAPES

Runner Up: Rock Water Farm Landscapes & Hardscapes

FAVORITE LAWN AND GARDEN CENTER

8 Nominations

MEADOWS FARM NURSERIES

Runner Up: Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouse and Garden Center

FAVORITE LIMO COMPANY/ CAR SERVICE

6 Nominations

RESTON LIMO

Runner Up: Chariots for Hire

FAVORITE LUMBER YARD

4 Nominations

LOUDOUN LUMBER

Runner Up: Tart Lumber

FAVORITE MARKETING/PR COMPANY

12 Nominations

BOW TIE STRATEGIES

Runner Up: The Market Group

FAVORITE NEW CAR DEALERSHIP

22 Nominations

DULLES MOTORCARS

Runner Up: AutoNation Honda Dulles

FAVORITE PAINTING COMPANY

13 Nominations

CERTAPRO PAINTING

Runner Up: Joe Fleming Painting

FAVORITE PET GROOMING BUSINESS

16 Nominations

BELLY RUBS BISCUIT BAR & SPA

Runner Up: Doggie Wash, Purcellville

FAVORITE PET KENNEL

10 Nominations

OLD MILL

BOARDING KENNEL

Runner Up: Olde Towne Pet Resort

FAVORITE PET SITTING BUSINESS

8 Nominations

WOOFIES

Runner Up: Paws of Mind Pet Care

FAVORITE PET STORE

7 Nominations

PETSMART

Runner Up: Doggone Natural

FAVORITE PLUMBING COMPANY

13 Nominations

ARTISAN PLUMBING

Runner Up: ME Flow

FAVORITE RADIO STATION

13 Nominations

MUSIC PLANET RADIO

Runner Up: DC 101

FAVORITE REALTOR GROUP OR TEAM

10 Nominations

PLATINUM GROUP

REAL ESTATE

Runner Up: Reynolds Team Realty, Keller Williams

FAVORITE RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE

12 Nominations

PEARSON SMITH

REALTY

Runner Up: Century 21 Redwood Realty

FAVORITE ROOFING COMPANY

10 Nominations

LOUDOUN VALLEY

ROOFING

Runner Up: Legacy Exteriors

FAVORITE SOLAR POWER COMPANY

3 Nominations

LOUDOUN SOLAR

Runner Up: Prospect Solar

FAVORITE SPECIALTY STORE

16 Nominations

VERY VIRGINIA SHOP

Runner Up: Misguided Angels

FAVORITE STORE FOR GIFTS

20 Nominations

KETTERMAN’S JEWELERS

Runner Up: Brick & Mortar

FAVORITE SWIMMING POOL SUPPLY STORE

2 Nominations

SWIM GEM

Runner Up: Total Pools

DARRELL’S BARBER SHOP

Runner

JESSICA

Runner

MISGUIDED

Runner

YOGA TIME

Runner

Out of the Kitchen and Onto the Stage Wolford Rolls out Round Hill Events Venue

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Winners in this year’s Loudoun’s Favorites poll will be getting a bit of a sneak peak at a new western Loudoun dining and entertainment destination.

Joan Wolford, owner of this year’s Favorite Catering Company, Savoir Fare, has spent the past three years converting the former Round Hill furniture factory building into a catering venue. That space soon will offer live music and dinner theater, as well as private events—including the Loudoun’s Favorites winners’ reception next month.

The building was constructed in the 1880s and was first used as a furniture factory, then to build caskets, and as a general store that according to local lore offered traditional supplies along with moonshine and prostitutes. More recently it’s been an arts center and the host site for bluegrass gatherings.

The renovation, led by Rob Gordon of Blue Ridge Remodeling, retains the flavor

of those historic uses. Artist Penny Hauffe added some special touches throughout. Wolford even hangs a set of room keys near the stairs as an homage to the upstairs bordello.

“It’s been a really fun project,” she said. “I love this building. I love it here.”

Wolford’s start in the dining industry is rooted in her love of acting. Growing up in New Jersey, her dream was to be on the big stage.

“I wanted to be a Broadway star,” she said. While she was singing with bands and performing singing telegrams in Manhattan, she also waited tables because “that is what you do when you’re doing off Broadway.”

Off Broadway was as close as she got.

In 1984, she moved to Clifton after a visit to see her sister there. “It was a lot prettier here, even if you did have to pump your own gas,” she said of her early impressions of Virginia.

Soon she landed a position at the landmark Clifton restaurant Heart in Hand, mentored by owner and head chef Suzanne Worsham.

She struck out on her own in Loudoun

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Joan Wolford stands in front of the restored Round Hill Furniture Factory building, soon to be home to live music and dinner theater events.

C’EST BON continues on page FAVS-39

C’est Bon

continued from page FAVS-38

County in 1986 with the Hamilton Garden Inn, a fine dining bed and breakfast. After that venture, she operated the Village Inn in Lovettsville and worked at the Laurel Bigrade Inn in Leesburg before starting her own catering company, Savior Fare, in 1997.

Twenty-six years later, she remains a go-to caterer in the region, handling some 200 events per year.

She also is active in community theater, and met her husband during a Franklin Park production.

But at her new building, C’est Bon, located just across the street from her catering kitchen, Wolford hopes to get even closer to her artistic roots.

An event planned in October is a performance of a murder mystery she has written.

“I want to sing on that stage and I want to do acting on that stage,” she said. Learn more at savoirfarelimited.com. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Artist Penny Hauffe created bookshelf stairs in the renovated Round Hill Furniture Factory building and owner Joan Wolford displayed antique room keys as a reference to the brothel that once operated at the top.

Round Hill Leaders Explore Options for Commercial Center Plan

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Meladon Group CEO Don Wooden hopes to break ground on the construction of a 12-acre commercial development at Round Hill’s eastern boundary before the end of the year.

On Monday, town leaders held a threehour meeting to dive deeper into the development plans presented to the Planning Commission on July 11 and suggest refinements to the project.

The land, at the northeast quadrant of the East Loudoun Street/Evening Star Drive intersection, was rezoned in 1990 as part of the larger development of 1,200 homes surrounding the town but has remained vacant. Past development proposals centered on converting the land to allow more residential use, concepts opposed by town leaders. The new plan would be permitted by-right under the existing zoning.

Wooden told the Planning Commission on July 11 that the company envisions a project with approximately

COMMERCIAL PLAN continues on page 24

Hamilton Shifts Town-Owned Property Toward Commercial Use

BY HANNA PAMPALONI Hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Hamilton Town Council on Wednesday voted to change the zoning classification for a property owned by the town from R-2 Residential to C-2 Retail Sales and Service.

The vote came after a joint public hearing by the council and Planning Commission, which attracted no public comment. The commission voted to recommend the zoning map amendment before the council’s vote.

The property is a home located at 41

HAMILTON ZONING continues on page 18

Purcellville Council Appoints Bremseth as Town Manager

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Purcellville Town Council on Tuesday appointed Loren “Rick” Bremseth to serve as town manager on a permanent basis.

Bremseth has served as interim manager since the resignation of former interim manager Glen Adams on June 6. He is fourth person to serve as town manager this year.

The Purcellville-area resident and former Navy Seal was selected for the interim appointment as the council conducted a nationwide search for town manager candidates.

Mayor Stanley J. Milan said he was appreciative of the work that Bremseth had done. Vice Mayor Christopher Bertaut agreed.

“I have been more than pleased with the performance of our current town manager,” Bertaut said.

The motion to appoint Bremseth passed 5-0-2, with council members Mary Jane Williams and Erin Rayner abstaining.

Rayner said she was abstaining because she was not yet ready to vote for an appointment. Williams did

TOWN MANAGER

continues on page 18

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Meladon Group CEO Don Wooden discusses plans for a 12-acre retail and assisted living development on the eastern edge of Round Hill during a July 24 work session with town representatives.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

A home located at 41 East Colonial Highway and owned by the Town of Hamilton was recently rezoned from R-2 Residential to C-2 Retail Sales and Service.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Loren “Rick” Bremseth was appointed as Purcellville Town Manager Tuesday night.

Hamilton zoning

continued from page 17

East Colonial Highway and is currently vacant, although it has been rented in recent years by the town for residential use.

It was purchased by the town in November of 2015 as part of a multi-parcel sale from the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department, which included the old firehouse for the total price of $700,000.

It is surrounded by other C-2 designat-

ed properties, and town Zoning Administrator Martha Mason Semmes said the change is aligned with the draft Comprehensive Plan that the commission completed earlier this year.

“I would say as one of the council members that has been involved with this property as a rental since we purchased it a few years ago, it’s always seemed like an odd property to be residential in the middle of the town,” council member Craig Green said. “By converting it to commer-

cial, it provides us more opportunity for enhancing our business district, as well as increasing our commercial tax revenue.”

Green first brought up the property for the council to consider at a meeting June 12, saying he had spoken with a party interested in opening a bakery at the location. Town Treasurer Sherri Jackson said the town has received inquiries from several parties about the property’s availability as both a residential and a commercial property.

“Personally, I think it’s a great use of the space in the Town of Hamilton,” Commission Chair Daniel Gorman said. “We could use some more businesses district and more buildings that are capable of housing businesses within the town. So, I think that it’s a positive thing for us to rezone that property.”

Jackson said the next steps will be conducting some maintenance on the property and drafting a lease to be advertised publicly. n

Town manager

continued from page 17

not give a reason for her abstention.

Also, during Tuesday’s meeting, the council declined to appoint a town zoning administrator. Since Don Dooley resigned in January, Martha Mason Semmes has been serving in the post on a contract basis. Her contract expires July 31.

Bremseth recommended at the meeting that the council appoint Planning Manger Boyd Lawrence, who was hired in May to replace Dooley, as an interim zoning administrator until a permanent one was chosen. He said that the duties of zoning administrator were included in Lawrence’s job description.

Council member Mary F. “Boo” Bennett said that if the planning manager reported to the town manager, but the zoning administrator reported to the Town Council she said the positions should be held by two different people.

Bennett suggested Town Attorney John Cafferky and his firm Blankinship and Keith should handle those duties.

Gifford Hampshire, who attended the council meeting in the Cafferky’s stead, said the firm would respectfully decline that additional duty, noting the firm did not have a zoning administrator on staff.

“You do not want a lawyer as your zoning administrator,” he said.

The council decided to delay the vote until after its August recess. n

GETOUT

LIVE MUSIC

DANIEL MENSCH

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 27

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

CONNOR HITCHCOCK

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg. vanishbeer.com

CHRIS BOWEN

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28

Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

DAVID GOODRUM

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

JAMES STEVENS

5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 28

Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

THE BRAHMAN NOODLES

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

SELA CAMPBELL

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. dirtfarmbrewing.com

SUMMER & ERIC DUO

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 28

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

LINDSAY AUSTIN

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 28

Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com

LOST CORNER VAGABONDS

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 28

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

MARK CULLINANE

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 28

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 20

Emma Rowley Releases Debut Album ‘Orange’

BY DANA ARMSTRONG darmstrong@getoutloudoun.com

Loudoun-raised artist Emma Rowley enters her “Orange” era with the release of her debut alt-pop/rock album.

When Get Out Loudoun last interviewed Rowley in 2018, she was a recent graduate from Belmont University in Nashville. There, she earned her degree in commercial music with an emphasis in songwriting.

Rowley got interested in music through watching musicals at an early age. Soon she entered musical theater, and, despite her parents’ initial hesitancy, she started auditioning for New York. She was cast in two Broadway productions: Patti LuPone’s 2008 revival of “Gypsy” and “Bye Bye Birdie” (with John Stamos) in 2009.

“I look back on that now and it was more insane than I realized at the time— like, the people I got to work with and meet and everything that I learned,” Rowley said.

“When you’re in it, it’s just your life. But when you get out of it, you’re like woah that actually happened to me. That may be the coolest thing I ever do, but I feel like this album is right up there.”

For two years after college, Rowley moved back to Loudoun, released multiple singles, and performed at many of northern Virginia’s wineries. Around that same time, she met Hamilton-based songwriter and producer Todd Wright, who would become her friend and mentor.

“I moved to Nashville for college wanting to be the next Taylor Swift, and then I graduated from Belmont wanting to be the next Emma Rowley. You have to find your voice and what you have to say, and Todd seriously helped me find that,” Rowley said.

In 2017, her sound was focused on electronic pop. Singles like “Night Drive” and “Evaporate” leaned into love-tinged lyrics and her whispery soft voice. But as Rowley matured, she found herself wanting to move out of the purely pop lane and incorporate elements of her other most listened-to genre: rock.

“I don’t have a rock voice in the traditional sense of a rock voice. But my favorite band is Third Eye Blind and one of my favorite vocalists is Hayley Williams. So how do I take these vocalists and bands that inspire me so much but make them me?”

Rowley answered that question with

the help of her album’s producers— Wright and Rowley’s husband Kip Allen—who would also double as musicians during the recording process. By using live instrumentation including drums and guitar on every track, she was able to finally find her ideal blend of rock and pop.

Nowhere is that more evident than the album’s opening and title track: “Orange.” The song begins with an almost harp-like instrumentation paired with Rowley’s gentle, expressive voice before shifting into a heavier-hitting rock sound in the chorus.

The song, which she calls her own personal anthem, was one of the last co-writes she did in Nashville before the pandemic and helped kick off her album-wide messaging of self-discovery and reflection.

“There are two really significant things about this album: the first being the title track and the other thing being there are seven songs on the album,” said Rowley.

The number seven honors the memory of a cherished family member. When Rowley was young, her little brother was born with a brain tumor and passed away

ROWLEY continues on page 22

Photo by Jordan Merrigan

Emma Rowley finds her ideal blend of rock and pop in her first album release.

Bets

BestJULES & THE AGREEABLES

Friday, July 28, 7 p.m. Hillsboro Old Stone School oldstoneschool.org

Singer/songwriter Juliana MacDowell splits her time between the hills and hollers of Loudoun County and the riotous rock that is Key West. 2023 marks the release of her third album, “Big Old Yellow Moon,” produced by Nashville legend Bil Vorndick. Bring a lawn chair. Free admission.

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

JULES & THE AGREEABLES

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 28

Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. oldstoneschool.org

SHOTGUN HIGHWAY

8 to 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 28

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

DUNLAP AND MABE

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 28

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

LIVING COLOUR

8 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 28

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $30 to $75. tallyhotheater.com

LSHA BAND

8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

ACOUSTIC MOOSE

12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Forever Farm and Vineyard, 15779 Woodgrove Road, Purcellville. foreverfarmandvineyard.com

EMMY

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Cana Vineyards and Winery, 38600 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. canavineyards.com

BOAT HOUSE ROW

Saturday, July 29, 6 p.m. Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com

Party at the winery’s outdoor stage with a night of soft rock hits that emanated from Southern California between 1976 and 1984—including Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan, Toto, and many more.

CARIBBEAN VIBE STEEL DRUM BAND

Saturday, July 29, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Leesburg Town Green idalee.org

Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band provides a festive island music experience to kick your summer into high gear during Leesburg’s free Saturday night concert series. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. Picnics are encouraged. No smoking, alcoholic beverages or pets will be allowed.

NEW LEGACY BLUES

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

BOB CRERIE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29

DICKY BETTS PRESENTS GREAT SOUTHERN

Sunday, July 30, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Guitar superstar Leroy Parnell subs in for Allman Brothers Band great Dickey Betts in the reformation of Bett’s hand-picked band performing a night of his southern rock classics and other ABB favorites.

MO SAFREN

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29

NIGHTRAIN: THE GUNS & ROSES TRIBUTE EXPERIENCE

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

8 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $20 to $45. tallyhotheater.com

DUCK CHUCK GOOSE

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. fabbioliwines.com

GARY SMALLWOOD

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

NOAH PONCIN

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

JULIET LLOYD

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295

Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com

HUBIE G FROM LOST CORNER

VAGABONDS

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

MEISHA HERRON

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29

8 Chains N. Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

JIM STEELE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

STEVE GEORGE AND FRIENDS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29

The Barns at Hamilton Station

Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com

HALL VOTE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29 Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

M2B

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

JESSICA PAULIN

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29 Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. bozwines.com

KIMBERLY BURKE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

ZAC QUINTANA

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Bluemont Station Brewery & Winery, 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont. bluemontstation.com

SHANE GAMBLE

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

SOMETHING COUNTRY

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg. vanishbeer.com

ADRIEL GENET

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

SHOTGUN HIGHWAY

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

JEHOVAH’S FAVORITE CHOIR

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com

BOAT HOUSE ROW

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. $12 to $60. tararaconcerts.com

VICTOR TORRES

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 29 The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling. bungalowlakehouse.com

CARIBBEAN VIBE STEEL DRUM BAND

7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. Idalee.org

YINZ

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

SCORPION ROSE

8:30 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, July 29

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

SCOTT KURT BAND

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg. vanishbeer.com

GREG RYMAN

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30 Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. fabbioliwines.com

JULIANA MACDOWELL

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

TODD BROOKS

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 30 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com

JASON MASI

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

SHANE GAMBLE

continued from page 19 LIVE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 30 8 Chains N. Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

GET

OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 20

ACOUSTIC SOUL

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

KEN WENZEL

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

DANIEL MENSCH

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. flyingacefarm.com

ANDREW ODAY

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

DAVE MININBERG

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

DEAN KERN & ERIC SELBY

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

DEREK KREZTER

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

WILL SHEPARD

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

HUME & FRYE

3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

JP JONES

5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

NEW DOMINION BAND

8 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

DICKEY BETTS PRESENTS GREAT SOUTHERN

8 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 30

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $30 to $50. tallyhotheater.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 AhSo Restaurant, 22855 Brambleton Plaza #108, Brambleton. jasonmasi.com

GRATEFUL DUB

8 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $10 to $60. tallyhotheater.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2

The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. jasonmasi.com

BETHANY GATES,

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2

Vino Bistro, 1605 Village Market Blvd. SE. #100, Leesburg. vinobistroonline.com

JUSTIN SUEDE

6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 3

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

HAPPENINGS

HELLO HIVE!

3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 27 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. heritagefarmmuseum.org

LOUDOUN UNITED FC VS. MIAMI FC

7:15 p.m. Saturday, July 29 Segra Field, 123, Leesburg. $20 to $70. loudoununitedfc.com

BECOME A HAM RADIO OPERATOR

8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29

Sheriff’s Office Eastern Loudoun Station, 46620 E. Frederick Drive, Sterling. qsl.net/sterling

BUTTERFLY WALK AT WILLOWSFORD

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 29

Willowsford Farm, 23595 Founders Drive, Ashburn willowsfordconservancy.org/willowsford-farm

LOUDOUN OUT OF THE DARKNESS

KICKOFF PARTY

11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com

CAT ADOPTION EVENT

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30 Petco, 200-250 Fort Evans Road NE., Leesburg. stores.petco.com/va/leesburg

LEESBURG NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1

Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. leesburgva.gov

VERNAL POOLS: INTRO TO A UNIQUE

WETLAND HABITAT

7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW., Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org

ETHIOPIA VS GUYANA

7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 Segra Field, 123, Leesburg. $64 to $124. loudoununitedfc.com

Rowley

continued from page 19

when he was seven months old.

“I have noticed through my life that the number seven shows up a lot for me and in these little ways that sometimes I’ve wondered if it’s an angel nod. And it’s the same thing with the color orange,” she said. “Ever since he died, these patterns and little signs have been this recurring thing in my life and my family’s life.”

“I felt like with the place that I had come to at the time of writing all these songs—mourning my childhood, really embracing my adulthood, getting married, entering this whole new phase of life—that symbolism of the color orange and the number seven, it just felt extra special to me.”

Living in Tennessee full-time now and writing and recording for the album during the pandemic, the distance allowed Rowley lots of space and time to reflect on the past and her roots.

The ballad “Welcome Home” features a piano part she originally composed while feeling homesick during her freshman year of college. The lyrics reflect on the familiarity of being back in her childhood

home with references to the Friday night lights of her alma mater, Loudoun County High School.

Meanwhile, songs like “The Wolf” and “Safe” explore Rowley living and learning through her twenties alongside a variety of people, whether they be deceitful and manipulative or safe and trustworthy.

The album’s final song is “Golden Memory” with lyrics harkening back to the marquees, stage wings, and line memorization sessions of her theater days.

“I really hope people can find their own meaning in [the album] and their own recognition with “Orange” and what it means to them. Like I know what it means to me, but I think that through this album, I have discovered “Orange” means so much more than I ever even realized on this deeper scale.”

“I hope that people can hear that song and then take it into their own lives and feel freedom, a sense of belonging, and a knowing of one’s self.” n

Emma Rowley’s album, Orange, is out now on all major streaming platforms. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok @emmarowleymusic or Facebook to stay up to date on her upcoming projects and shows.

To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs. Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications. All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.

Commercial plan

continued from page 17

144,000 square feet of commercial space and an assisted living center that would include 39 single-level cottages for seniors. The preliminary site plan depicts several different types of buildings including retail shops, a restaurant space with a waterside view and docks that extend over a pond, a three-story building with the first floor acting as a recreational space with a patio and the top two levels as assisted living apartment-style residences, single-floor individual cottages that will be designed specifically for an older demographic, and possibly a childcare center. Wooden also highlighted spaces for a farmer’s market and pickleball courts.

While the Planning Commission can suggest changes, as a by-right development, review the preliminary and final site plans centers on their compliance with town ordinances.

Monday’s work session was designed to provide those suggestions early in the process. The meeting was led by Planning Commissioner Frank Etro and included two town council members, two planning commissioners, town planning consultants, Town Administrator Melissa Hynes, and Wooden and members of his development team.

Etro, who has worked to refine vision for the retail center during his decades of services as a planning commissioner and mayor, reviewed the history of the planning for the property since it was rezoned by the Board of Supervisors more than 30 years ago. The land was annexed by the town in 2008. Special attention was given to the project during the development of the town’s 2017 Comprehensive Plan, with input from community surveys and a planning workshop conducted by the Loudoun County Design Cabinet in 2015. The town also revised its Planned Development-Commercial Center zoning regulations to tailor the uses permitted on the property.

Etro noted that at least five development concepts had been presented to the town since 2005. A by-right plan submitted in 2005 never materialized because of changing market conditions, he said, and subsequent proposals sought rezonings to permit residential uses not supported by town plans.

“This process has been going on for

a very long time,” Etro said.

Etro said the core town goals for the gateway project include that it be a walkable extension to the town, be a gathering point for residents, and an employment center.

Wooden said he has worked to comply with the town’s vision for the land, including by hiring architect Al Hansen, a leader in the Design Cabinet review of the property a decade ago, as an advisor.

He also said the development plan already had been significantly refined, calling the proposal sent to the town version 17.

Comments during Monday’s work session centered on buffering the project from surrounding homes, vehicular and pedestrian circulation on the property, architectural features, and the amount and design of parking spaces.

Concerns over traffic near the project, including where the entrance points should be located and whether a traffic light will be installed at the East Loudoun Street/Evening Star Drive intersection, will be governed by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The town is awaiting VDOT’s review comments on the plan.

To answer another access question—whether trails or road links should be extended from the surrounding neighborhoods—town leaders said they will be looking for input from the Round Hill Homeowners Association to represent the views of those residents.

The review of the project will continue at the Planning Commission level, with Meladon expected to submit a revised preliminary site plan based on Monday’s conversation.

In hoping to begin work by year’s end, Wooden said he expect construction of the first phase of the project, including restaurants, the assisted living building and cottages, and parking lots, within 16 months.

The design meeting followed the July 19 Town Council meeting during which several neighbors raised objections to the proposal. Some objected to having a retail center built on the vacant land. Others raised concern about increased traffic, and the intensity and scale of uses proposed on the property. n

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING THE DEFINITION AND STANDARDS FOR “INN”

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLZNOA-2023-0004, a revision to the following articles of the Zoning Ordinance:

1. Article 18 Definitions – to revise Section 18.1.86, the definition of “Inn.”

2. Articles 6 and 9 – to revise “Commercial Inn” use in nonresidential zoning districts.

3. Article 11 Parking – to amend Section 11.3, required parking for “Commercial Inn.”

Copies and additional information regarding this proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2765 and asking for Mike Watkins, Zoning Administrator. Mr. Watkins can also be reached by email at mwatkins@leesburgva.gov.

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodation should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

7/27 & 8/03/2023

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LVZA 2023-0004: AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE

SECTION 42-304 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on August 9, 2023 at 7:00pm, or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia at which time the Planning Commission is to consider an amendment to Chapter 42, Article VIII-2, Section 42-304 to revise section 42-304(d)(1)a, to remove a requirement that solar panels on a roof that faces the street be flush-mounted or integrated into the roof.

Any person desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required.

Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00pm on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically. The proposed zoning amendment and meeting links are available for review on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/planning-commission/

You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning/ Zoning Administrator at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened at the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

7/27, 8/3/23

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction.

TO CONSIDER GRANTING THE

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL TO LEASE LAND, CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE AIRCRAFT HANGARS AT THE LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT WITH KUHN AVIATION

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-2100 et seq., notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on:

Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA

to consider the adoption of the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A LAND LEASE AT THE LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT WITH KUHN AVIATION

The proposed ordinance to grant a land lease permits Kuhn Aviation to build and operate aircraft storage hangars, aprons, automobile parking, and all necessary utility infrastructure on an available future development site located at the Leesburg Executive Airport’s northeast corner.

A copy of the proposed ordinance is available from the Town Clerk, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, Town Clerk, at 703-771-2733.

At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

7/27/2023 & 8/3/2023

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: : JJ044816-04-00, 05-00, 06-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Alexander Beers

Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father

The object of this suit is to hold hold a second permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Alexander Beers and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Alexander Beers. Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, are hereby notified that failure to appear on

the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of their residual parental rights with respect to Alexander Beers. Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, are hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Alexander Beers; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Alexander Beers; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Alexander Beers. Further, Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Alexander Beers, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Alexander Beers for adoption and consent to the adoption of Alexander Beers.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Cathryn Beers, mother, and John Beers, putative father, appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

7/27, 8/3, 8/10 & 8/17/23

This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 6 NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING THE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT IN THE I-1 DISTRICT

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2023-0002 to revise the following provision of the Zoning Ordinance:

Section 6.7.3 I-1, Industrial/Research Park District Maximum Height – Amending this section to increase the maximum building height from 50 to 65 feet in the district, subject to standards to minimize the impact of the height increase on adjoining properties.

Copies and additional information regarding these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2774 and asking for Brian Boucher, Deputy Director. Mr. Boucher can also be reached by email at bboucher@leesburgva.gov. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2023-0002.

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

7/27/2023 & 8/3/2023

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ044933-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Nariah Swales Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Whitney Settles aka Whitney Swales, mother

The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Nariah Swales; and hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Nariah Swales.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Whitney Settles aka Whitney Swales, mother appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Adjudicatory) and September 13, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. (Dispositional).

7/27,

& 8/17/23

Legal Notices

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR:

EXECUTIVE SEARCH SERVICES, RFP No. 618791 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, August 17, 2023.

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/procurement. If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT.

7/27/23

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046598-03-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Chloe Love

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

Shakita Love, Mother, Willie Huff, putative father, and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a Permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Chloe Love.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Shakita Love, Mother, Willie Huff, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 1, 2023 at 2:00pm

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046599-03-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Briston Love

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

Shakita Love, Mother

The object of this suit is to hold a Permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Briston Love.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Shakita Love, Mother appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 1, 2023 at 2:00pm

7/20 & 7/27/23

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 6

NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, ARTICLE 8 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS, ARTICLE 9 USE REGULATIONS, ARTICLE 11 PARKING, LOADING AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS, ARTICLE 12 TREE PRESERVATION, LANDSCAPING, SCREENING, OPEN SPACE AND OUTDOOR LIGHTING, AND ARTICLE 18 DEFINITIONS RELATING TO ESTABLISHING DATA CENTER USES

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0006 revising the following Sections of the Zoning Ordinance:

1. Sec. 6.7 I-1 Industrial/Research Park District to establish Data Center as a by-right use with minimum use standards in the I-1 District.

2. Sec. 8.6 PEC, Planned Employment Center District to establish Data Center as a by-right use with minimum use standards in the PEC District.

3. Sec. 9.2 Use Table to reflect Data Center as permissible uses in the B-3 and I-1 Districts with applicable use standards.

4. Sec. 9.3.6.2 Data Center to establish minimum use standards applicable to all data center applications.

5. Sec. 9.8 Flex Industrial Business Park amending Table 9.8.4 Allowable Uses in Flex Industrial/ Business Park Developments to add Data Center and remove Electronic Data Storage Center.

6. Sec. 11.3 Number of Parking Spaces Required to establish the minimum number of parking spaces required for data center uses.

7. Sec. 11.9 Number of Off-Street Loading Spaces to establish minimum number of loading spaces required with data center uses.

8. Sec. 12.8 Buffers and Screening to establish minimum buffer and screening requirements applicable to data center uses.

9. Sec. 18.1 Terms Defined establishing definitions for Data Center, Data Center Electrical Utility Substation, and Data Center Principal Building.

Copies and additional information regarding this proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment is available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-737-7009 and asking for Christopher Murphy, Senior Planning Project Manager. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2022-0006.

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

7/27/2023 & 8/3/2023

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046340-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Zarabella Tucker

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Zarabella Tucker.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Jason Tucker, putative father, appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 23, 2023 at 3:00 PM 7/6, 7/13, 7/20 & 7/27/23

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046978-01-00, 02-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Jimmy Mendez Jr.

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

The object of this suit is to hold a dispositional hearing for child in need of services matter, pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-278.4 and to review the initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-281 for Jimmy Mendez Jr.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Taya Selner, mother and Jimmy Mendez, father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 25, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

7/13, 7/20, 7/27 & 8/3/23

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New Chief

continued from page 1

Mayor Kelly Burk highlighted the historic nature of that appointment but noted that female leadership is a hallmark of the Leesburg community, with women serving as the mayor, district supervisor, county chair and congressional representative.

“As a community, we place our trust and confidence in your hands to protect and serve our residents, our businesses, and our visitors with dignity and respect,” Burk said. “We expect you will take us to new heights by ensuring that our police department continues to operate with 21st century policing standards that include transparency, accountability, and community engagement to retain the full trust of the public.”

Pirnat said that the town’s extensive community outreach during the recruitment process made the priorities clear, among them: crime reduction, community engagement, aiding those suffering from mental crises or substance abuse, prepare for major incidents, addressing racism and diversity, promoting de-escalation practices, and building officer morale including a focus on the work-life balance of employees.

Since being selected for the post in May, Pirnat, a Loudoun County resident, has been attending community events and working to know the community better.

“I could not have been more welcomed by the town and have been invited multiple events. I’ve just been so pleased with how the town operates and how welcome they are and how the relationships with the police officers are completely authentic and genuine. And I just couldn’t ask for a better town to be part of as the police chief,” she said in an interview before the ceremony.

She said her journey to law enforcement was rooted with the public service example set by her parents, an Air Force officer and an emergency room nurse.

“I think public service in many ways was kind of already in my upbringing. I wasn’t going to settle for your traditional nine-to-five office job. It just wasn’t for me,” Pirnat said.

“I actually started college with a bachelor’s in psychology. While I was in school, I did some volunteer work for domestic violence victims that was based out of a local police department in San Antonio, Texas. That’s where I really got exposed to law enforcement, this profession,” she said. “It was something that just imme-

diately interested me, and I realized the level of impact that officers can make on the lives of people in need on a daily basis And that’s how I eventually found myself as a police officer here in Northern Virginia.”

Helping domestic and child abuse victims remains a passion for her, and expanding the department’s support structure, which already has a dedicated domestic violence detective, with an internal victim advocate is one change she has on her radar.

“The earlier you can get one involved and with a victim, I think the better you are as far as garnering their trust and getting them through the investigative process and the court process and really getting in touch with the services that they’re going to need to move forward in their lives,” she said.

She said the Police Department’s approach to community policing is among the best and that reputation is helping recruit the best officers seeking to work in that environment.

“I do think Leesburg is knocking it out of the park on community engagement and I sincerely believe that I don’t know if anyone’s doing it better in this region than Leesburg is,” she said. “Every police

department should be involved in it and talk about it and how you do it.”

While Town Manager Kaj Dentler and the Town Council made a significant investment into police salaries in this year’s budget, with raises of 5-10%, Pirnat said that is only part of the puzzle in recruitment.

“I think it’s a combination. I know Leesburg has done a good job and making sure that the compensation package is very competitive for the region,” she said. “But I’ve talked to officers in the department who started with other departments and one flat out told me that his draw to Leesburg was the community engagement department here does more than he saw in other departments. I think it’s the brand of Leesburg that’s really bringing in our officers and our new recruits.”

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by former Leesburg Police chiefs Joe Price, who retired in 2016, and Gregory Brown, who retired last year and now leads the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman and Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister also attended, along with many Fairfax County Police officers.

Both Burk and Dentler also highlighted

the valuable role Grigsby has played in leading the department, especially following the retirements of Price and Brown.

Grigsby, a major who serves as the department’s deputy chief, joined the department in 1996 following service as an administrative specialist and intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. She has announced plans to retire next year.

“What an impressive job she has done,” Burk said.

“You are an amazing leader. I have great admiration for you. Thank you for your service,” Dentler said, adding he would welcome a change in her retirement plans.

Dentler expressed confidence that Pirnat’s experience and talents and existing strength of the department staff serve the town well.

“Chief, at 12:10 a.m. on Monday you officially take command of an outstanding police department,” Dentler said. “You have excellent command staff and outstanding, proven leaders in your organization. You also have a lot of young recruits and they will need all of you working together to lead those young officers to serve all of the residents of our town. I know that you will do that.”

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat signs her oath of office during her July 20 swearing-in ceremony.

Ghana trip

continued from page 3

Loudouners likely to be able to attend.

Randall said at meetings discussing county business, one supervisor would step out to avoid a meeting of three.

“At a couple of meetings when it was like down to the business-business, I would step out or someone would step out. I was aware of that,” she said.

Additionally, large portions of the travel itinerary obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request were redacted, including almost all of one day of the trip and the morning of the next.

“When you’re trying to work out deals with a certain company, with a certain business, you don’t want to tell other counties what we’re doing,” Randall said. “If we’re trying to go land this company to come to Loudoun, we’re not going to put it out there so then another county can get in there, talk to them, maybe have a different offer and land the business instead.”

“There is a business that we met there that … will be coming to Loudoun for discussions as early as next month,” she added.

And in Ghana, same-sex acts are illegal under the same law as bestiality, and same-sex marriage is not recognized. Meanwhile LGBTQ+ people face discrimination including from government officials. And the Ghanaian parliament

Historic documents

continued from page 3

write, it would be better for his employer,” he said.

Roeder said they learned of Washington through records kept by the Quakers and said he was emblematic of what youths and parents at the time were saying about their need for an education.

The Edwin Washington Society has a dedicated research center at the Douglass High School building and publishes the Bulletin of Loudoun County History, a periodical that has covered Loudoun history since the 1950s. The society and its volunteers have also created a digital map of all schools in Loudoun built before 1968 and a database to help with searching for historical data.

In collaboration with the school division, volunteers of the society since 2014 have studied thousands of school records, artifacts and pictures dating back to 1865. Many of them have been found in abandoned Black schoolhouses in Leesburg and elsewhere in the county. Among the

is considering even harsher laws, which the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called “tantamount to a violation of a number of human rights standards, including the absolute prohibition of torture.”

Meanwhile, according to U.S. Department of Labor, “children in Ghana are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in fishing and cocoa production,” and Human Rights Watch has documented a number of issues including abuse of people with disabilities and behavioral health issues.

Randall said after extensive discussions, including with Equality Loudoun and Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive Yohane Amarh Ashitey—commonly referred to as the mayor—she decided to go ahead with the sister city partnership despite those concerns.

“We don’t have a sister country program with Ghana we have a sister city program with Tema,” Randall said. “The mayor of Tema has been a very strong voice about how these things have to change. And although he’s only the mayor of Tema, he’s saying ‘my country needs to change in stride with my county.’”

She said she hopes the cultural exchange with Loudoun can support that change, and said she faced similar questions from Ashitey about gun violence and mass shootings in American schools.

“You change in your area what you can change in your area,” she said. “So, he is

records are photographs, class schedules, handwritten petitions asking for school repairs, better teachers and schools and equal salaries.

“You don’t see this in other places. This stuff survived somehow,” Roeder said.

He said in other counties the records about Black students were lost, buried or destroyed.

He said the petitions are particularly interesting because they demonstrate an understanding of being a citizen with rights and a determination to exercise those rights. Roeder said one of the first things the Quakers taught the Black community during Reconstruction was their right as a citizen to petition their government for the redress of grievances.

“They took that to heart and that is what you see as a result of using the constitutional process to get your rights and they should be very proud of that,” he said.

Roeder told of a time in Lovettsville five years ago when he was taken to an old schoolhouse and shown a chest full of papers.

He said when they opened the dusty chest it was literally alive with all sorts of

changing in Tema what he can change in Tema, and I will change in Loudoun what I can change in Loudoun, and we will hope that our countries follow.”

She said she led the decision to sever the county’s previous sister city partnerships in China over human rights concerns. If Ghana passes its anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, she said, “I will have a call with the mayor, and we’ll have those conversations.”

Footing the Bill

Trips overseas before Randall took the gavel were sometimes funded by other organizations or the host country, but Randall said that approach was problematic.

“I think it’s important for me to fund [county business trips] for myself in a way that’s not on the taxpayer dime, but is also traceable money,” she said. “And so saying that I’m going to fund out of private funds, then it becomes, ‘well, will she do favors for them, or what if they come up for a vote in front of them?’ Those types of things come up.”

The delegation to Tema also faced criticism for their accommodations—the Labadi Beach Hotel, a fancy, beachfront hotel in the neighboring capital city Accra. Rooms at the hotel worked out to $232 a night in U.S. dollars, while Randall upgraded to a room costing $500 a night. After news broke of the travel expenses, Randall said she would reimburse the Economic Development Authority for the

creatures and bugs. He said the first document he saw had the date 1830 on it. He gladly took the documents and preserved them. He said he is looking for a volunteer to scan the documents.

He told of another time when a man found a blood-stained ledger from a coffin maker and brought it to the society. He said the ledger is probably the only record that exists for Black and some white people of where their ancestors are buried. He said they scanned it, and the person donated the ledger to the Thomas Balch Library.

“There is the sheer luck of having come across this archive of documents that didn’t get thrown out, otherwise the project never would have happened,” Steinberg said.

Roeder said anyone can bring in documents or pictures and the society will scan them for free to preserve them and get their stories.

Both Roeder and Steinberg said they feel that sharing the history of segregated education in the county is important for current and future generations to learn.

“That is one of the evils of systemic rac-

difference in price.

She also said the delegation previously had plans to go to a different hotel, but stayed at the Labadi Beach Hotel at the recommendation of Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo—the gated hotel was recommended as the safest place to stay.

And she said the delegation’s business-class plane tickets followed a county policy that dictates flights above 10 hours should be upgraded from coach to business.

“Now, truthfully, I looked at my schedule and one reason I decided to do it, to travel, go on and do business and not do coach—because I don’t care about coach too much, it really doesn’t bother me—we got off the plan at 9:30 [a.m.], we checked into the hotel at 11, by 2 o’clock I had my first meeting with the mayor. I wanted to sleep some, but I also wanted to get some work done.”

“I am very, very busy on these trips,” she added. “I am not sitting on beaches. I’m not sitting by the pool. I’m working. I come home absolutely exhausted, and I’m fine with that, because it’s my job. Supporting the staff in doing these things is my job. If the staff didn’t want me to go and didn’t think me going there would be of use, I wouldn’t go.”

Loudoun Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer did not return a phone call request for comment before this article’s press deadline. n

ism. A whole group of intellectually bright people were held back, and they wanted a high school education and to go to a university,” Roeder said. “Just think if we had allowed Black people all those opportunities then, where would they be today?”

Roeder said learning from the past isn’t about telling someone today they are evil because their ancestors were segregationists. Instead, he said, “we need to recognize these things happened and what was the result of it. We don’t want it happening again. It’s better to try to understand each other. That is the lesson my dad was trying to teach me in the 1950s.”

The Edwin Washington Society is located at 407 E. Market Street in Leesburg inside the Historic Douglass High School. Those with information about schools and education in Loudoun during the time of segregation, or who are interested in volunteering may contact them at dfvcontact@gmail.com or roederaway@gmail. com. You can also follow their Facebook page, The Edwin Washington Project. n

PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723

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Opinion

Tone Deaf

Criticism of jet-setting public officials on trade junkets of questionable merit is hardly unusual.

Criticism swirling around reports on the travel of members of the current Board of Supervisors is rooted in something deeper. In large part, it is one more example of tone-deafness that the board has demonstrated through much of its term when faced with opportunities for fiscal prudence.

The preference for beachfront lodging and airplane seat upgrades presents a stark contrast to Board of Supervisors policies from yesteryear, such as one that prohibited the county from purchasing staff vehicles with FM radios. That effort to avoid any inkling of government extravagance was abandoned only when it began to require most expensive special orders to comply with the

demands of frugality.

Was this trip to Africa an important public investment or an indefensible extravagance? Supervisors can make their case and voting taxpayers can cast their verdicts. That’s how these things work.

A different concern is having three elected representatives travel together to conduct public business at some remote, possibly undisclosed, but certainly not announced, location. With other recent controversies stemming from public officials participating in closed online forums focused on government policies and actions, board members should have heightened awareness of their responsibilities under the commonwealth’s open meeting laws and a desire to avoid even perceptions of impropriety. Apparently, they are deaf to those, as well. n

LETTERS to the Editor

Shocking

Editor:

While Loudoun continues to struggle with record-high property taxes, it was shocking to watch our elected supervisors paraded on television for a recent news investigation for fraud, waste, and abuse of travel funds.

So far, Chair Randall at least had the decency to partially reimburse funds to the county. Let’s hope other supervisors will do the same.

We have learned that there have been trips to Uruguay, Germany, India, China, and South Korea that included winery tours and visits to medical cannabis labs. But the worst was a trip to Ghana.

Phyllis Randall (D), Koran Saines (D), and Sylvia Glass (D) used airline tickets costing Loudoun’s taxpayers $7,300 each, and they all stayed at a 5-star resort.

Phyllis Randall stated the reason for the visits is economic development. But let’s call these “economic development” activities what they really are—lavish taxpayer funded vacations.

Loudoun residents pay the highest property taxes in the state and, to quote tax-rates.org, “Loudoun County has one of the highest median property

taxes in the United States and is ranked 33rd of the 3,143 counties in order of median property taxes.”

It is no wonder Loudoun has the highest property tax in the state. We have to support our supervisors’ lifestyles.

— David Dickinson, Leesburg

The Crisis Editor:

Loudoun County government has awakened once again to the climate crisis. Loudoun used to be a recognized national leader.

This spring the Board of Supervisors adopted a revised countywide Energy Strategy. We adopted the original in 2009, one of the first two county-wide strategies in the country, and it was used by the National Association of Counties to teach other jurisdictions. The 30-year roadmap commits the county to lead by example in its own operations, support clean energy development in the county and stimulate communitywide action.

On July 5, Loudoun announced a $13.9 million federal grant to purchase 37 compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses. What a missed opportunity. New research reported in the New York Times

last week finds that natural gas may be as bad as coal. If the only greenhouse gas pollution from natural gas came from powering the CNG buses, these new buses would be much better for the environment than the diesel buses they will replace. Unfortunately, natural gas leaks in every step from the wellhead to the tailpipe. As a very potent greenhouse gas (perhaps 80 times more than an equivalent amount of CO2), even a little leak causes a lot of warming.

Loudoun County Public Schools are showing real leadership. By September, they will have replaced 21 diesel buses with electric buses. As Loudoun Now pointed out in May, diesel buses are harmful to the health of children. Electric buses are more expensive to purchase than diesel or CNG buses, but they are less expensive to maintain.

Loudoun should follow the lead of the Loudoun schools—buy electric buses.

— Eric Goplerud, Reston Board Chair, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 31

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BEAM progress

continued from page 10

In a survey conducted after last summer’s session, students ranked the quality of their relationships with their teachers high, 93%, and said they felt there was high levels of encouragement from teachers in classes.

Gabriel Jones, a rising eighth grader at J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, attended BEAM last summer and was one of the students invited back this year.

He said math class was more fun after attending BEAM and said it was a lot less overwhelming, easier to understand and he learned to solve problems in different ways.

“If you have the opportunity, you should come here. The teachers are really understanding,” he said.

Khloe Johnson, a rising eighth grader at Trailside Middle School, attended BEAM for five days last year and was invited back after being mentored all year.

She said she thought being there for the full time—two weeks for rising eighth graders—will benefit her more in her math class this year.

She said her favorite part about the program was making friends with kids from other schools in the county and working with those friends in open math time.

During open math time, students can do practice problems, participate in the 100 problem challenge and play math games.

Division Math Program Coordinator Brittny Schjolin said chess was the favorite game this year and said she had to buy more chess sets to accommodate the demand.

Rising seventh graders and first time BEAM attendees Kate Leonard of Willard Middle School, Alexis Argueta Garcia of Harper Park Middle School and Kayla Jordan of Belmont Ridge Middle School all

LETTERS to the Editor

continued from page 30

A Balance

Editor:

The Virginia Department of Education released its updated Model Policies Ensuring Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students.

They are a voice of sanity and reason to protect all students, but especially girls,

said the intensive helped build their confidence in math.

“I’m not that good at math. It takes me longer than others to process it and finally get it. I feel like [BEAM] helped me get faster,” Leonard said.

She said she used to feel shy when answering problems in math class but is overcoming it and now thinks math is fun.

She said her cousin plans to attend BEAM next year.

Argueta Garcia beat last year’s 100 problem challenge record by solving over 25.

He said his favorite class was games and strategies because he likes math games.

Joran said she learned how to do math in her head better while attending BEAM.

“I usually don’t do math in my head. I do it on paper and they somewhat taught us to do it in our head,” she said. “It’s really nice here and they help us step by step doing math problems.”

Kristine Bredice a fourth-grade teacher at Frederick Douglass Elementary School, said she enjoys teaching in the program and came back for her second year.

She said staff are more facilitators than teachers.

“The reason I love it so much is the games and problem solving. It’s a growth mindset,” she said. “A lot of these kids have lost something; they’ve fallen off that math truck as I like to say and they are afraid they aren’t good at math. So its reinventing the wheel and letting them now it’s OK to make a mistake and it’s OK to problem solve and it’s OK to discuss it with someone else.”

Bredice said each student comes with different abilities and confidence levels but said BEAM classes are a safe place where the students learn it’s OK to take chances.

The BEAM program is funded through grants by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Google, Equinix Foundation, NOVEC, Raytheon and the Virts Miller Foundation n

keep parents involved in what’s going on with their child, and take strong action against bullying or discrimination.

I especially support the policy in the area of athletics, where participation is governed by the sex at birth. As someone who saw Title IX pass and see the difference it made, it’s heartrending to see the gains that girls and women made in the areas of education and sports be pushed back and threatened.

The policies strive to seek a balance between the varied interests but keep the interests of the children at the forefront.

— Julia Graves, Leesburg

READERS’ poll

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the answer to Dulles Greenway tolls?

• 34.2% Let it fail

• 30.9% State should buy it

• 14.0% It’s a private business. Charge what they want.

• 14.0% No more tolls. I pay taxes

• 6.8% No more increases

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What’s your view of governmental Sister City partnerships?

CHIPshots