Loudoun Now for Dec. 5, 2024

Remembering Flight 514 Families, First Responders Reflect on Tragic Plane Crash

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Fifty years after one of the worst crashes in American aviation history on a mountain ridge near Bluemont, more than 200 surviving family members and first responders gathered Sunday to commemorate the 92 lives lost that day.

The program was organized by the Bluemont Citizens Association with the goal of bringing those impacted by the crash together for the first time and to create a permanent memorial to the 85 passengers and seven crew members killed in the crash of TWA Flight 514.

“Many months ago, a group of us here in the village were aware that the 50th anniversary of the crash of Flight 514 was approaching. We also realized with some surprise that there has never been

Photo by Douglas Graham

Planning Commission Continues Deliberations Over Data Center Policies, Supervisors Push for Quick Decision

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

The county Planning Commission continues to debate the merits of requiring all new data centers to undergo Board of Supervisors review, rather than leaving them as by-right uses in some areas.

Although that policy change was initiated by county supervisors, some commissioners aren’t sure that is the way to go. Instead, suggesting some areas be designated as suitable zones for data center development.

This week, Commissioner Ad Barnes (Leesburg) said that is not in the purview of what the board directed the commission to do. Members of the county planning staff agreed.

During the panel’s Nov. 26 meeting, Executive Director of Economic Development Buddy Rizer was invited to provide more information about the industry.

Commissioner Clifford Keirce (Sterling) asked if requiring data centers to go through a special exception process would send a negative message to the industry and other businesses.

Rizer said the biggest challenge with the proposed change to a special exception review is that some companies

already invested in properties where data centers are allowed by-right.

“It sends a message to the entire business community that maybe we don’t mind changing the rules along the way,” he said, adding that it was unlikely a change would cause existing data centers to shut down or move away.

There are two important factors to remember, he said – data centers only exist in the county where local government has allowed them to and the industry is still young.

“The industry as we know it today is not even 20 years old,” he said. “So, I always say, you wouldn’t want to judge the

car industry after 20 years, or the aviation industry after 20 years. So, it’s going to be a continual evolution, but I don’t see a scenario where we don’t need them in any time in the near future.”

However, there are locations where data centers do not belong, he said.

Chair Michelle Frank (Broad Run) asked what impacts data centers are having on other industries in the county, such as taking space from other types of businesses.

“We talked about flex and light industrial and not wanting to lose half empty buildings, or not wanting to lose thriving buildings, and having those redeveloped out from underneath people for data centers,” she said. “So, I guess my question is, are we getting near the tipping point for other opportunities where, because of the cost of land, because data center just drove up every other cost up, even if you’re not by-right?”

Rizer said he was concerned about the status of flex space within the county and said he spent a lot of time working with the Planning and Zoning staff to figure out the right location for those types

DATA CENTER POLICIES continues on page 32

State Adds $2M to Oak Hill Preservation Effort

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The effort to convert President James Monroe’s Loudoun County home, Oak Hill, into a state park took another step forward last week.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a $2 million state grant to support the acquisition and preservation of 86 acres of the estate south of Leesburg, with the Board of Historic Resources holding an open-space easement on the land.

The grant was among $14.4 million in Virginia Land Conservation Foundation funding announced Nov. 27. The grants support the protection of 28 Virginia properties totaling 11,220 acres, including new public parks, easements to protect timberland and farmland, and two land acquisitions by tribal nations.

The state funding for Oak Hill comes weeks after the county Board of Supervi-

sors approved a $22 million grant to The Conservation Fund as part of a broader effort to establish the entire 1,240-acre estate as public parkland. The land would be open to the public for historical interpretation, walking, hiking and wildlife watching.

The Conservation Fund is coordinating acquisition of the property and raising funds to both acquire Oak Hill and provide an endowment for its long-term stewardship and maintenance.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to conserve a gem of presidential legacy and open space. We must seize this moment and work together to protect our common heritage,” stated Heather Richards, The Conservation Fund’s vice president and mid-Atlantic regional director.

“The Conservation Fund looks forward to working with the Youngkin Administration and the General Assembly to bring to fruition this shared vision for, and invest-

ment in, our community.”

Monroe inherited the Oak Hill property in 1808 and constructed its large mansion between 1820 and 1823. He retired there at the end of his second presidential term in 1825. Around 50 enslaved African Americans lived and worked at the plantation.

The property has remained in private ownership. The DeLashmutt family, which has owned the property for 70 years, is working with conservation groups to preserve the property and open the presidential home to the public.

The General Assembly is expected to consider funding to convert the property to a state park during its upcoming session.

Another Loudoun County conservation received funding in the grant announcements.

An effort led by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to protect 138 acres along

Beaverdam Creek to maintain its agricultural viability was awarded $125,000. The property is located within the Unison Battlefield Historic District and the Beaverdam Creek Historic Roadways District. It includes the Gourley Reeder House and three other historic buildings, 61 acres of prime agricultural soil and 2,800 feet of creek frontage.

“We take pride in sharing the rich beauty of Virginia’s natural resources and historical places and remain committed to increasing public access so more Virginians can enjoy them,” Youngkin stated in the announcement of the grants. “Our parks, open spaces and other vital outdoor recreation assets drive tourism and economic growth, and they provide residents a place to connect with nature. Supporting Virginians so they can continue to work their farmlands and forests helps our key agriculture and forestry sectors continue to thrive.”  n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Loudoun Director of Economic Development Buddy Rizer speaks to the Planning Commission on Nov. 26 as Director of Planning and Zoning Daniel Galindo stands by to answer questions.

Loudoun

PMJ Considers 765kV Power Lines Across Northern Loudoun

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Regional coordinators are still working to develop plans to address growing energy demand across their 13-state footprint. The latest submissions being considered for approval include two 765 kilovolt lines and one 500 kV line.

One of the 765 kV lines is proposed to run across northern Loudoun from West Virginia to Maryland. The line starts in Charleston, WV, and travels 261 miles to a substation in Frederick County, MD.

For the portion that crosses through Loudoun, the proposal plans to use or locate directly next to the existing rightof-way where the recent Mid-Atlantic

Resiliency Link was rerouted to earlier this year, which crosses the Appalachian Trail and through Sweet Run State Park.

The proposal plans for V-shaped lattice towers that are typically 150 feet tall supported by guy wires. The towers typically require 200 feet of right of way.

PJM Interconnection, the regional power coordinator, issued a new request for proposals in April to meet the unprecedented power demand growth through 2029. Ninety-four proposals were submitted, however only three are advancing, estimated to cost $5.5 billion.

One of those is the line proposed to cut through part of Northern Loudoun. It begins at a coal plant near Charleston and is expected to bring power from both the plant and renewable energy sources to the

northeast. How much power will come from each source is unknown, according to PJM representatives.

During the organization’s Transmission Expansion Advisory Committee’s Tuesday meeting, representatives said they need to bring more power from the west to the east to support the demand primarily attributed to data centers but also to serve electrification across industries. That requires new infrastructure.

The proposals are expected to be heard by the committee again in January before advancing to the full PJM board in February.

PJM’s new load forecasts will also be released in January ahead of a new window opening for the next series of proposals. n

Hiddenwood Assemblage Proposes Industrial Alternative to Data Centers

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

A group of homeowners along Hiddenwood Lane near Arcola have refocused their efforts to sell their property and escape data center encroachment. Instead of turning their land into a data center campus they’re now looking toward industrial development.

The modified application would keep its three-building footprint but voluntarily eliminate data centers as a permitted use, instead envisioning 750,000 square feet of industrial use.

The Hiddenwood Assemblage is made up property owners living along the lane and was formed to sell their land collectively after plans for new data centers made living in the area unbearable, according to residents. One approved data center is directly across Hiddenwood Lane and would create a concrete wall eliminating the rural feel that the neighborhood used to enjoy, they said.

“Despite our efforts, our small gravel road community has disappeared from the city landscape; an afterthought, overlooked again and again. … Our front yards became an arbitrary dividing line between the suburban neighborhood and employment place types. And the county approved data center was a stone’s throw from our

front doors. At that point, we made the excruciating decision to assemble,” resident Patricia Cave said during a July 10 public hearing.

The group’s original proposal would have allowed 756,029 square feet of development permitting data centers and a utility substation.

But the application was opposed by residents of the Briarfield neighborhood, which abuts the Hiddenwood lots. Allowing another set of data centers would only make the problem worse, those residents have argued.

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the application in a narrow 4-3-1-1 vote with commissioners Michelle Frank (Broad Run), Madhava Reddy Madireddy (Dulles), and Robin-Eve Jasper (Little River) opposed, Mark Miller (Catoctin) abstaining, and Ad Barnes (Leesburg) absent.

Supervisors agreed the conditions for Hiddenwood residents are difficult, but they did say they had a hard time approving another data center as the solution.

Both County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said it was one of the most difficult applications they’ve reviewed on during their tenures.

Supervisors asked whether the data center plans could be scaled back to only include two buildings and wheth-

Third Western Loudoun Rec Center Meeting Planned

The county’s planning and transportation staff is hosting a third public meeting about the Western Loudoun Recreation Complex planned for just west of Purcellville.

Residents will have the opportunity to provide input on facility’s current plans and ask questions Monday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Loudoun Valley High School.

The complex is proposed to have up to 10 sports fields, concessions, bleachers, trails, sports courts and a fitness area. It will also house an 83,000-square-foot recreation center planned to have a competition pool, leisure pool, spa, splash and play area, fitness center and gym, indoor running track, multipurpose rooms, kitchen, work classroom and locker rooms.

er a use other than data centers could be pursued instead.

But assemblage representative, Walsh-Colucci Land Use Planner Michael Romeo, said a contract was in place for the property already which limited how the group could move forward.

“It’s really the only use which would allow for these residents to leave this area,” he said, during a July 10 public hearing. “There’s no windfall that’s happening. It’s purely enough to allow them to relocate, and this contract was signed two years ago.”

Supervisor Koran T. Saines (Sterling) said during that same meeting that a flex industrial space might be more acceptable and could help both sides find an agreement.

In September, the assemblage asked to defer the application indefinitely. The new plans were filed early in November.

However, because of the significate nature of the change, the application will need to go back to the Planning Commission for review.

“I am not convinced that merely changing the uses of the buildings from data center to flex industrial changes the fundamental concerns in this location, which is adjacent to residential,” Letourneau told constituents in his Nov. 27 newsletter. “In fact, it could be argued that this project has a larger footprint and could be more disruptive than the previous version.” n

During the last public input meeting in June, planners presented three separate concepts and asked residents to provide feedback on each plan. Each of the three concepts includes four defined areas: active park, wetland, sport fields and rural natural. All of the plans include an off-leash dog park, trails throughout the complex and the wetland area at the northeast end of the site.

The center’s master plan is expected to be presented on Monday.

Friends of Sterling Library Organize Coat Drive

Friends of Sterling Library is hosting a book sale and winter clothing drive on Saturday at the library from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Anyone who donates a winter item will receive a free book.

The sale will include books, movies and music with proceeds benefiting the library.

Items most needed for drive are hats, mittens and gloves, socks, scarves, boots and coats. Donations must be new or in great condition.

Second Half of Real Estate Tax Due Thursday

The year’s second half of real

175 Acres Along Evergreen Mills Proposed for Housing Development

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

A 175-acre parcel of land along Evergreen Mills, near where an early 1800s historic home sits, is being considered for housing and commercial development.

A public hearing on the rezoning application was held by the county Planning Commission Nov. 26. The proposal would convert the land currently designated for agricultural use to residential. The project, known as Greenfield Farm Residential, envisions 518 housing units and 44,265 square feet of commercial use. Forty-eight percent of the acreage would be designated as open space.

The application would permit a gas station, a drive-through restaurant, 496 single family homes and 22 multi-family attached homes with lots ranging from 30 to 60 feet wide. Sixty-four of those would be designated as affordable dwelling units and two would be workforce housing units. ADUs serve residents within 30% and 70% of the area median income, while WHUs serve individuals between 70% and 100% AMI.

Orme Farm LLC, which owns the land, is also looking to preserve the manor on a 10-acre parcel to possibly be used for an agritourism business.

The company has committed to a threephase transportation improvement project. The first phase would dedicate land and construct a realignment of Shreve Mill Road and build two additional lanes along Evergreen Mills Road. The second phase would construct four lanes along

Crosstrail Boulevard. Phase three would include traffic signal justification studies and build additional improvements along Evergreen Mills Road.

Project Manager Marshall Brown said the planning staff had identified two main concerns with the application.

The first was its impact to the manor property and archeological sites possibly tied to enslaved individuals.

“The State Department of Historic Resources has identified the house as a historic site and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and the state lists the house and grounds on the Virginia Landmark’s Register,” he said.

Despite additional buffering agreed to by Orme Farm, Brown said he recommended relocating the planned housing units that would be closest to the historic home and to come up with a plan to preserve it long-term.

Roy Barnett, representing Orme Farm, said the family wants to preserve the home and its current feel and that it would be 470 feet away from the closest planned housing unit.

“It’s critical to us to keep the agricultural zoning of this site, to keep this house in its original setting, which is an agricultural use and make it effective as an adaptive reuse in some agritourism business,” he said, adding that converting it into a winery is a possibility.

Brown said the second issue with the application is a request by the applicant to have the cost of the planned transportation improvements offset contributions that would be required by the county’s

capital facilities impact formula.

That request is not consistent with the county’s 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan, he said.

One speaker from a nearby neighborhood spoke against the project, saying it did not fit with the county’s comprehensive vision which designates the land as a transitional area.

“[We need] more adequate transition between rural and dense,” she said. “This is highly dense. … I think the retail and commercial development is a really dumb idea. That should be collocated over with Compass Creek.”

A motion by Commissioner Mark Miller (Catoctin) to forward the application to a work session for further discussion passed 7-0, with commissioners Robin-Eve Jasper (Little River) and Eric Combs (Ashburn) absent.

Miller said, while he believed the proposal is in line with what the 2019 General Plan envisioned for the area, he wants more time to look into the transportation issue. n

On The Agenda

continued from page 5

property tax is due Thursday. Any payments received or postmarked after Dec. 5 will incur a 10% penalty and interest. Residents can pay online at loudounportal.com/taxes, by telephone at 1-800-269-5971, via mail addressed to County of Loudoun P.O. Boz 1000, Leesburg, VA 20177-1000 or in person at the Treasurer’s Offices on 1 Harrison Street in Leesburg or 46000 Center Oak Plaza in Sterling.

Residents can contact the Loudoun County Treasurer’s Office at 703-7770280 or by email with questions. n

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 - www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

County of Loudoun

A rendering shows the proposed plans for the Greenfield Farm project which includes 518 residential units and nearly 45,000 square feet of commercial use.

Leesburg Downtown Barn to be Demolished, Replaced by Mixed-Use Building

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The transformation of the South King Street corridor is continuing with a new redevelopment project undergoing town review.

The Board of Architectural Review on Monday voted to permit the demolition of the non-historic barn structure at 2 Royal St. SW as part of a plan to redevelop the property near the South King Street intersection.

The applicant, W.A. Brown and Associates PC, proposed the new construction stretch into the adjacent parking lot and replace the current structure, which houses a salon.

The new structure architecturally will appear as three separate buildings, a technique known as “additive massing.”

BAR members supported the project with conditions including that the new construction use as many of the barn’s original materials as possible, alterations to the design from site plan review must go back to the BAR, and that the proposed lights on the west elevation be relocated.

Owner Mike McLister said he was committed to providing ample lighting.

McLister said that in his experience owning properties throughout historic Leesburg, lights are an important part of making night life safer. He added that lights helped with the increased foot traffic on first Friday nights and other events.

“We have to figure out how to make them [Leesburg streets] a little more

secure,” McLister said.

BAR Chair Tom O’Neil said he had no objection to the lights, only their location at the front of the building. The panel landed on moving the lights and adding two additional posts in a different location.

The BAR was also supportive of removing a Juliet balcony from the design, however, the staff had concerns. The updated design changed the balcony into a window, which removed the concept of an entry altogether. The staff suggested

instead recessing the Juliet balcony to a stoop or small porch, saying that entrances and porches are “often the focus of historic buildings.”

The BAR opted for keeping the window version.

The project joins three other redevelopment projects in the corridor—the transformation of the former Black Shutters Antiques store into a restaurant, construction of the Hotel Burg, and the planned redevelopment of the former Black Walnut Brewery property. n

AROUND town

Town Conducts Historic District Architecture Survey

The Town of Leesburg is conducting an Architectural Survey of the Old and Historic District starting Monday, Dec. 9.

The town will use the survey to update records of the exterior appearance and context of residential and commercial buildings in the historic downtown. The last time the town conducted a similar survey was 20 years ago. The Department of Community Development and Board of Architectural Review will use the survey to preserve and protect the historic district.

Stantec, an engineering services company and the town’s consultant, is in charge of conducting the survey. Leesburg residents may see members of Stantec’s team of architectural historians wearing neon vests doing their first round of surveys on Dec. 9.

Town Preservation Staff scheduled four public information sessions to receive questions and public input on the survey process. The first session takes place Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Leesburg Town Council Chambers. The rest are on Dec. 4 at the Thomas Balch Library from 3 to 6 p.m., Dec. 6 at the Donaldson Log Cabin from 5 to 7 p.m., and Dec. 11 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Thomas Balch Library, respectively.

Any questions regarding the survey can be directed to Leesburg Preservation Program Manager Lauren Murphy, at lmurphy@leesburva.gov. n

Town Council Approves Town Hall AV Equipment Upgrades

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Town of Leesburg is upgrading its audio and video systems through a fiveyear, $290,900 contract with VICOM.

The contract replaces one made with the town’s then-cable television provider Adelphia Communications Corporation cable in 2002. That is when the town began broadcasting meetings of the Town

Council and other public bodies. The system got a major upgrade in 2010 when a dedicated broadcast room was added next to the Council Chamber, but a move to a more modern system has been under consideration for several years. The council made a request for proposals in 2016 to replace and upgrade audio and video equipment.

The new contract was approved by the council Nov. 12. Implementation begins in December.

In its proposal, VICOM committed to make improvements to the microphone system, audio mixers, projectors, control system, among other changes. The firm will also improve systems for mobile streaming, working through platforms such as Facebook Live and YouTube Live, to allow the town council or staff members to stream and participate in meetings from any location.

Town staff said most of the existing equipment requires multiple service calls

to keep functioning and some components of hardware and versions of software are no longer supported by the manufacturers.

The contract requires no changes to the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, as the Capital Asset Replacement Program earmarked $500,000 for the project. Staff members estimate a maintenance and support cost of $30,000 annually. n

William Timme/Loudoun Now

The Royal Salon Barn on Royal Street

Zarou Expands Spanky’s Brand with Pizza Offering

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Second-generation Loudoun restaurateur Azmi Zarou is bringing a new offering to Leesburg’s pizza scene.

Spanky’s Pizza and Subs began its soft opening rollout over the Thanksgiving holiday after a complete renovation of the space at 62 Plaza St.

Zarou hopes to offer high quality pizza while also creating a family-oriented dining experience—both hallmarks of the foundational family business started by his father in 1974.

For more than a decade, Uncle Abe’s was the go-to destination for pizza in Loudoun County and a regular gathering spot for youth and families.

Ramzi Zarou, an immigrant from Ramallah in the West Bank, first settled in Long Island, NY, and opened a deli in a sketchy Freeport neighborhood. After being held up too many times, he sold the business to other family members and moved with his wife and four kids to Leesburg.

Azmi and his siblings worked in the restaurant growing up, but it wasn’t their father’s intention that they continue in the industry.

“My dad begged me not to do it from day one,” Zarou said, noting that his father pushed for him to go to college.

That course changed after Ramzi’s heart attack in 1986, prompting him to sell the business. The college plans became more challenging, but he cashed in his life insurance and divided it among his four children.

Zarou used the money and his savings to open the Shenandoah Deli in 1992 in the county government’s Shenandoah office building. Later, he opened Manhattan Pizza and Del Rio. Then he bought Spanky’s Shenanigans, building it into one of Leesburg’s most popular dining and nightlife

spots. Twelve years ago, he opened Rocco’s Pizza in the same Plaza Street space but sold it during the pandemic to focus on Spanky’s.

Earlier this year, he was offered the opportunity to buy Rocco’s back. That presented the opportunity for the new venture.

“I was sitting at home and I couldn’t get a good pizza delivered,” Zarou said. While he’s a fan of several of Leesburg’s established pizza shops, the lack of delivery options and the high prices spurred the creation of a new business plan. “That kind of infuriated me a little bit. I’m going to provide a great product and a great price. That was the real motivation behind it.”

And he’ll offer delivery from the shop. In addition to the extensive renovation, Zarou and business partner Anibal Fernandez, a former Rocco’s manager who will oversee the operations, have spent months developing the menu. That included a trip to a New Jersey pizza convention to get the right crust and blend of top-shelf spices

“I think our steak and cheese is going to be really, really good, and the pizza has a different, unique style with a thinner crust,” Zarou said. “It’s not going to be pizza that gets you really bogged down. It’s just a good dough. It’s a good quality product. You don’t feel like any acidity afterwards. You don’t get weighed down.”

Another goal will be to bring back some of the Uncle Abe’s vibe Loudoun old-timers remember.

“Obviously, everybody talks about the food still today,” Zarou said. “But more than that it was how families really got together. Would I love to create that same family atmosphere my dad did 30 years ago, of course. That was the best feeling in the world, and that was my best time of my life.”

Beyond support for school spirit nights, youth groups and first responders, Zarou is planning programs to engage with the youth and help families build connections.

“I want to do some really cool interactive stuff with the kids, and keep kids off their phones and bring families back together,” he said.

After decades managing the challenges of the industry, Zarou’s children are now where he was 30 years ago. Will there a third generation of restaurant entrepreneurs?

“It’s in my blood I know,” he said, “but now I’m doing exactly what my dad did to me. I’m telling my son, don’t even think about it.”

Spanky’s Pizza and Subs is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at spankyspizza.com n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Azmi Zarou and Anibal Fernandez opened Spanky’s Pizza & Subs on Plaza Street in Leesburg.

All Elementary Schools Could Have Accessible Playgrounds in 3 Years

BY AMBER LUCAS alucas@loudounnow.org

Responding to community criticism, the School Board Monday night directed administrators to provide the money needed to retrofit schools with accessible playgrounds more quickly.

The original staff proposal envisioned three playgrounds being built each year, with full implementation in 10 years. Special Education advocates, especially Special Education Advisory Committee Chair Liz Crotty, spoke out against this plan citing the harmful effects excluding some students from joining their classmates on the playground.

The new plan will give all elementary schools an accessible playground suitable for 5 to 12-year-olds in three years. With the six already planned for 2025, 12 playgrounds per year would be built in 2026, 2027, and 2028. That schedule would cover the 36 schools currently without an accessible playground.

For playgrounds designed for 2 to 5-year-olds in preschool, 15 will be built starting in 2029 with full implementation by 2032.

In a Dec. 2 presentation to the School Board, Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lewis said that $3.2 million extra has been added to the 2026 playgrounds budget to achieve this goal.

The funding was shifted from the bus

replacement and the nutrition equipment replacement budgets. While 60 buses are usually replaced every year, Lewis said that the needs could be accommodated with a reduced budget of $7.8 million along with expected grants.

School Board members supported the proposal.

“I could honestly cry about the playground. It makes me so happy. It reminds me why we’re here and why we do the work that we do. And thinking about all those kids playing and this accelerated plan, it means a lot to me,” Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg) said.

The adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget is scheduled for Dec. 10. n

School Board Criticized for Sudden

MATA Admissions Lottery Plan

BY AMBER LUCAS alucas@loudounnow.org

A month after it established a lottery system for admission to the Monroe Advanced Technical Academy, the School Board last week received additional feedback on the decision.

It wasn’t positive.

Almost 20 people participated in the board’s Nov. 26 public comment session to object to the lottery selection system. Speakers included current students, alumni, applicants and staff members.

Speakers said that by basing admissions on luck rather than merit, school leaders risked diluting the classes with students less passionate about the courses and undermining the selectiveness and high standards of the academy.

Helena Hosseini said she worried that

some students would apply to MATA simply to get away from their home high school. That could be dangerous if uninspired students are sent to complete their required volunteer hours in nursing homes without a commitment to caregiving, she said.

“Students who are passionate and genuinely want to learn will be distracted by those that only apply … to get out of their home school. Inclusivity and taking into account students’ disabilities and differing circumstances is important, but it can still be done without reducing the prestige and academic integrity of MATA,” she said.

Several speakers raised concerns that businesses would stop offering internships if the lottery system let in uninterested students that they would not want to hire after graduation.

“These companies actively engage with the school because they recognize the high caliber of students being prepared for these critical fields,” said Lavanya Joshi, a senior at MATA. “Because the lottery system is implemented in the MATA admissions process, it might dilute the quality of students that are genuinely interested in these opportunities and want to pursue them.”

Speakers acknowledged concerns about the low percentage of disabled students enrolled in the program—the reason the school board changed the requirements—and said the admissions system could be improved. But, they said, the lottery system was not the way to become more inclusive.

They also said there was too little public input and research before the School Board’s lottery vote. n

Transition Center Plan in the Works

School division administrators are working on a plan to create a transition center for disabled students, with a presentation to the School Board scheduled in February.

According to Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lewis, the center would take anywhere from two to four years to complete, depending on the land acquisition and development review processes. Lewis said the biggest challenge will be finding a place to put the center.

Three options are under consideration. Leasing a space, which could take from two to four years. Acquiring land and constructing a new building could take up to three years and nine months. Renovating an existing building would take two and a half years to three years and three months, according to the presentation.

It will take $5 million in the 2027 budget to make the school happen. Lewis said if construction started next year, the center could as early as fall 2027.

Board Declares Computer Science Education Week

Loudoun County Public Schools has designated the week of Dec. 9-15 as Computer Science Education Week.

This is meant to recognize the partnerships, 500,000 open jobs and bright future of the field. It is also bringing attention to the core computer science programs placed in the K-8 curriculums.

The proclamation read at the Nov. 26 school board meeting read “Loudoun County Public Schools is proud of its legacy in adopting computer science, computational thinking, and coding as essential literacies for all students.” n

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Seeing is BELIEVING

Falcons Landing, an award-winning, non-profit, CARF-accredited Life Plan Community, is nestled in scenic Loudoun County. The community is thrilled to announce that independent living is now available to individuals who meet specific criteria. These include:

• Military or Government Service: Anyone who has served at least four years in the uniformed services or the United States government.

• Special Relationships: Individuals with significant connections to the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, or other government agencies associated with national defense. This category also extends to spouses and surviving spouses. Call us at 703-293-5704 to schedule your visit and SEE for yourself why we are the premiere Life Plan Community in Northern Virginia.

Burley Named Chief Retail Banking Officer at BCT

Ronald B. Burley is the new executive vice president and chief retail banking officer at the Bank of Charles Town. He will oversee retail banking sales and operations.

Burley brings more than 23 years of banking experience to the position. Most recently, he served as a branch operations manager overseeing more than 200 branches in the mid-Atlantic markets. He also worked as regional sales manager for banks in the Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia markets.

He holds an MBA from Salisbury University-Perdue School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Drexel University. He also completed

the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia.

A resident of Frederick Count, MD, he serves as chair of the Scholarship Committee for the Rotary Club of Frederick and previously served on the board of directors for Junior Achievement, Eastern Shore.

BCT operates in West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia, including branch offices in Leesburg, Purcellville and Middleburg. n

Mom’s Apple Pie Lines Surge Day Before Thanksgiving

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The scent of fresh pies wafted through the air, drawing a long line of customers to Mom’s Apple Pie in Leesburg the day before Thanksgiving.

Bakery owner Avis Renshaw said demand for the holiday treats gets bigger every year.

“We start planning this in September,” Renshaw said. “Thanksgiving is twice as busy for us than Christmas, and everybody thinks Christmas would be busy. But with Christmas you have different cultural desserts, and you have different religious desserts. And not everybody is Christian for Christmas, and yet everybody is American, and everybody does Thanksgiving and that is what drives them out.”

Her crew has been busy making and freezing butter crust shells ahead of time. They worked around the clock, Renshaw said.

The bakery’s three locations in Leesburg, Round Hill and Occoquan all began using an online pick-up in an effort to mitigate traffic. Renshaw said they placed a trailer and farm crew in the Virginia

Village shopping center to hand out pies ordered online.

Customers who ordered on-site had to wait in a line that reached into the parking lot. At the end, they could shop through an assortment of fresh-made pies.

While she recommends all of the bakery’s pies, she said apple crumb, pumpkin, and pecan are the top three customer choices every year.

“As fractious as our country is and as divided as they are politically, there is one thing everybody agrees on—and it is pie at Thanksgiving,” Renshaw said. n

Burley

William Timme/Loudoun Now Leesburg customers form a line stretching all the way into the Mom’s Apple Pie parking lot.

Public Safety Leesburg Police Arrest Tobacco King Robbery Suspect

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Leesburg Police Department on Monday announced they arrested a 23-year-old Leesburg man in connection with an armed robbery at the Tobacco King and Vape Shop and the theft of a bottle of wine from the nearby 7-Eleven store on Friday.

Smoke shop employees told officers it wasn’t their first encounter with the suspect, Zion Asiama.

According to Leesburg Police, officers responded the report of an armed robbery at 700 Fieldstone Drive store at 1:23 p.m. on Nov. 29. They established a perimeter and located Asiama at the nearby 7-Eleven store.

Employees said Asiama entered Tobacco King brandishing a knife and claimed he had a firearm before taking merchandise and leaving the store on foot. He then went to the convenience store where he walked out with an $18 bottle of wine.

The arresting officers recovered a knife and stolen merchandise, but no firearm was found.

Asiama previously was charged with three counts of shoplifting at the same

Tobacco King store.

According to court records, on Oct. 31 Asiama attempted to make a purchase at Tobacco King and presented the cashier with counterfeit bills. When the cashier

refused to accept the fake money, Asiama left 48 counterfeit $20 bills on the counter, grabbed a $30 vape, and left.

Two days later, Asiama returned to Tobacco King. The cashier said that Asiama attempted to make a purchase and pay for it using the money he left at the store earlier. According to the police report in that incident, he grabbed $500 worth of CBD pre-rolled cigarettes and left. Police were shown video footage of the interaction.

On Nov. 12, the store manager said Asiama stole $830 worth of merchandise from the store, an interaction that also was recorded on video.

Asiama is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. His pending charges from incidents include four counts of shoplifting, one count of forging bank notes, one count of obstruction of justice/resisting arrest, and one count of armed robbery.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9 in General District Court. n

William Timme/ Loudoun Now The Tobacco King Shop on Fieldstone Driver near the 7-Eleven where Zion Asiama was arrested.

Dulles Traveler Found with 71 Pounds of Weed

A Texas woman faces felony charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Dulles Airport found over 71 pounds of marijuana in her baggage.

Du Li Park, 30, of The Colony, TX, was arrested Nov. 22. Metropolitan Washington Airports Police on Nov. 25 charged her with felony  possession with intent to distribute, transporting controlled substances into the commonwealth, and narcotics conspiracy.

CBP officers were inspecting baggage being loaded onto a London-bound flight late night on Nov. 22 when they encountered two hard-sided suitcases that contained large, vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana. They unpacked 60 vacuum-sealed bags that contained a combined 71 pounds and 11 ounces of marijuana with street value of as much as $330,000 in the United States.

She was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. A preliminary hearing General District

Court is scheduled Jan. 9.

“Bulk marijuana smuggling is illegal, and Customs and Border Protection will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold smugglers accountable,” stated Marc E. Calixte, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, DC. “Travelers who gamble with their freedom by smuggling bulk amounts of marijuana for a little extra cash may find themselves on the losing end of that proposition.”

Federal law prohibits transporting marijuana across state lines or exporting it from the United States. CBP has observed a continuing trend of United States-based growers and retailers shipping marijuana to Europe and Africa where high-quality weed can fetch prices many times higher than in the U.S. CBP officers usually see the marijuana being exported in smaller parcels, but occasionally officers encounter travelers carrying marijuana-stuffed suitcases, according to the agency. n

CBP photo

A display of vacuum-sealed bags containing marijuana found by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Dulles Airport on Nov. 22.

Towns

One Family Brewing Lists Property for Sale

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

The 27-acre parcel long planned to be the home of One Family Brewing on the edge of Lovettsville has been listed for sale with an asking price of $3 million.

The property was annexed into the town in 2022 amid plans to develop the brewery. The property is zoned Commercial Residential Annexation-1, which allows by-right uses that include bed and breakfast operations, a public school, restaurants, farm and garden stores, breweries, distilleries, and wineries, and allows for subdivision into five-acre residential lots. It is the town’s lowest density zoning district.

Any proposal for more dense development, or for uses identified as conditional uses would need to go through Planning Commission and Town

AROUND towns

LOVETTSVILLE

Historical Society Explores Liberty or Death Speech

Stephen P. Wilson, executive director of the St. John’s Church Foundation in Richmond, will make a presentation on Patrick Henry’s immortal “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech during a Dec. 15 program at St. James United Church.

Henry’s speech was delivered on March 23, 1775, at St. John’s Church during the Second Virginia Convention, just 27 days before the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, commencing the Revolutionary War.  Wilson’s talk will focus on the historic events that led to Henry’s speech, and will include a dramatic performance of the nine-minute speech. He will also report on plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the speech next March. And he will discuss the 120 delegates who attended the Second Virginia Convention at St. John’s Church, including the two delegates

Council review. Conditional uses in the CRA-1 district include church, golf course, lighted playing fields and outdoor recreation.

The location already has an approved site plan for construction of a restaurant, microbrewery, microdistillery and famer’s market.

The site is also approved for public water and sewer hookups.

In a 2021 justification if its request to have the land annexed into the town, One Family stated it planned to open a family/community-oriented farm-totable restaurant, and would likely add a brewery, distillery and dog park later. The report also stated the company would like to build cabins for overnight guests visiting, while the remaining land would be returned to agricultural use.

The company did not respond to a request for comment. n

who represented Loudoun County.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome to defray expenses of the program and to support the activities of the Lovettsville Historical Society.

The program starts at 2 p.m. Learn more at  lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org.

PURCELLVILLE

New Council Members to Take Oath of Office

The town’s newest soon-to-be Town Council members, Ben Nett and Susan Khalil, returning members Caleb Stought, Kevin Wright and mayor-elect Christopher Bertaut will take their oath of office Thursday evening.

Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary Clemens will swear them in during a ceremony at the Town Hall.

Required by the Town Charter, the oath affirms each official’s commitment to faithfully perform the duties as mayor or council member.

Outgoing Mayor Stanley Milan and

AROUND TOWNS continues on page 14

Judge Releases Rules for Lovettsville Election Recount

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Circuit Court Chief Judge Douglas Fleming on Monday released the guidelines for a special election recount petitioned by Charles Cooper.

Certified election results showed Cooper lost to Ann Arena by six votes in the race to fill a vacancy on the council that expires Dec. 31, 2026.

Fleming and two other, nonLoudoun judges appointed by the state Supreme Court will oversee the recount process in collaboration with the Office of Elections.

The recount will take place Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. at the elections office on Miller Drive in Leesburg. Ten teams of two bipartisan election officers will conduct the county under the supervision of General Registrar Judy Brown’s full-time staff, the Electoral Board, and the court.

Cooper and Arena will each have the opportunity to select 10 bipartisan

election officers from the list provided by the General Registrar before Dec. 5. If they choose not to select officers, Brown will select them.

The recount will be conducted using five Freedom-Vote Scan optical scan machines. Each one will be set to tabulate results for the special election only, reject over or under votes and undergo logic and accuracy testing before the count.

One team of bipartisan election officers will be assigned to re-run the ballots cast in person on Election Day. The remaining teams will manually review the boxes of mail, post-election, provisional and early voting ballots.

For any ballot rejected by the machines, a unanimous decision of the Electoral Board will be the determining factor. The judges will review disputed ballots.

The Democratic member of the Electoral Board and one of the two Republican members will serve as recount coordinators. n

Around Towns

continued from page 13

Council Member Mary Jane Williams will also be recognized for their service during the 5:30 p.m. program.

Art Students Tapped for ‘My Favorite Things’ Exhibit

The town’s Art Council is planning an exhibit at Town Hall called “My Favorite Things” and is opening a call to AP art students at Loudoun Valley and Woodgrove high schools to submit artwork to be displayed.

Homeschool students within the town are also welcome to participate. Students may submit up to three pieces of two-dimensional art for the show, which will run from January through March 2025.

The artwork will be judged on originality, composition, presentation, interpretation, overall impression, subject matter and execution. One student will receive a $100 scholarship.

Applicants must submit their work online through the town website by Dec. 31.

ROUND HILL

VDOT, Supervisors Approve 5 Speed Limit Signs

After years of work, new driver-alert speed limit signs are coming to Round Hill.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved spending $150,000 to install five pole-mounted signs that display vehicle speeds on the town’s four main entrance roads.

The action follows a two-year speed study on the town’s main streets and even longer negotiations with VDOT administrators over the need for and location of the signs.

The signs will be placed near the eastern and western entrances to the downtown area on Loudoun Street, near Hyman Lane at the town’s southern entrance on Airmont Road, and at two locations at the town’s northern entrance on Woodgrove Road and Main Street.

The signs will be placed in 25-milesper hour zones. Speed studies conducted as part of the project found that the 85th percentile speed of drivers routinely exceed the town’s posted limits by more than 10 miles per hour. n

Last Minute Gift Guide

The Sights & Sounds of the Season: Holiday Events Abound

The holiday season in Loudoun County brings numerous opportunities to gather with neighbors to celebrate their communities and to support local businesses.

After kicking off with a tree lighting ceremony Friday night at the Pink Box, the Town of Middleburg welcomes thousands of visitors for a full day of activities Saturday, Dec. 7, highlighted by its traditional parade double-header.

Starting at 11 a.m. the Middleburg Hunt and its hounds take over Washington Street with a celebration of the region’s hunt country heritage.

At 2 p.m., the town’s community pa-

rade features school groups, businesses, polo ponies, classic cars, and lots and lots of dogs. The day’s activities also include breakfast with Santa, food trucks and music. Downtown parking is restricted during parade day. Shuttle services will be provided from parking areas at Mickie Gordon Memorial Park and Lost Barrel Brewing. Advance purchase of parking tickets is strongly recommended at christmasinmiddleburg.org.

The town continues the seasonal celebrations on the subsequent Saturdays, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, with events under a Dickens of a Christmas theme supported by a cast of carolers, dancers, actors

and musicians around town. The canine community gets its own spotlight on Dec. 21 during the Dickens of a Dog Parade down Washington Street. Learn more at middelburgva.gov.

In Leesburg, events start Saturday, Dec. 7 beginning with the two-day Holiday Fine Arts & Craft show at the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. Leesburg Movement’s Mistletoe Market with vendors, merriment and Santa will be held on the Courthouse lawn from noon to 4 p.m. In the evening, town leaders will join in a tree lighting ceremony at Town Hall.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, crowds will fill the downtown area for the Christmas

and Holiday Parade down King Street starting at 6 p.m.

Through New Year’s Day, the town will feature a holiday light show on the Loudoun Street side of the Town Hall Campus. The display includes approximately 2,500 lights that are synchronized to three holiday songs. The display will run each evening from 4:30 to 9:45 p.m.

Following a community tree lighting ceremony at Town Hall on Friday, Dec. 6, Purcellville’s big celebration happens Saturday, Dec. 14. The holiday parade

HOLIDAY PREVIEW continues on page 18

The Middleburg Hunt’s annual procession down Washington Street is among Loudoun’s most popular holiday traditions.

Holiday Preview

continued from page 16

begins at noon following a loop route from Blue Ridge Middle School. Also that day, there will be a Holiday Market and LEGO Display from noon to 6 p.m. at the Bush Tabernacle, an ornament workshop at the Loudoun Valley Community Center from 2 to 5 p.m., and pictures with Santa from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Train Station. The town also offered a map showing the locations of the best holiday lights displays.

Lovettsville will hold its annual Wintertainmentfest starting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in Zoldos Square. The event includes a lantern parade, a sing-along with the Lovettsville Elementary School Chorus, a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and the town’s tree lighting. Earlier in the day, from 2 to 5 p.m. the Cocoa Crawl invites residents to visit town businesses to sample and purchase hot chocolates and cocoa-inspired treats.

New this year is WinterFest at Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park. Organized by Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services, the free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dec. 7. It will include activities for all ages, including ice sculptures, miniature train rides, a visit from Santa and other winter characters, music from DJ BiFocals, food trucks, and retail and craft vendors. The event also will showcase area nonprofits along an interactive walking path. PRCS is also partnering with One Warm Coat and Toys for Tots to collect donations of outerwear and new toys. Go to  loudoun.gov/WinterFest for a full list of activities. There also is a PRCS WinterFest App that includes an event map, vendor list, parking maps, nonprofit information, and more.

In Hillsboro, town residents will gather for a tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30

p.m. on Dec. 7, followed by a night of jazz by the Rick Reaves Big Band at the Old Stone School. On Dec. 14, the visitors are invited to get a up-close look at the town’s historic properties with guided homes tours and a holiday craft market. For tickets and details, go to oldstoneschool.org.

Loudoun’s Jewish community marks the first night of Chanukah with a grand menorah lighting ceremony at One Loudoun. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29, the program will include musical performances, address from religious and community leaders and a candy gelt drop.

Among the season’s special musical performances are the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra presentation of its holiday concert, Home for the Holidays at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at Lightridge High School. The one-hour program is perfect includes “A Taste of Chanukah” arranged by Brian Folus, Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Polonaise from Christmas Eve,” “Sleigh Ride” and beloved holiday film music from “The Polar Express” and “Home Alone.”  Tickets are $35/$15 at loudounsymphony.org.

The Eric Byrd Trio returns to the Franklin Park Arts Center at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 for a performance of A Charlie Brown

Christmas. Concert features all the songs from the classic 1965 cartoon. Tickets are $25 and expected to sell out in advance. Learn more at franklinparkartcenter.org.

Another cherished, four-decade local holiday tradition is the performance of the all-tuba Christmas band under the direction of Rick Reaves. This year, the tubas and euphoniums will gather for two shows, at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Village at Leesburg and at 1 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Inn at Harpers Ferry. Rick Reaves and his Big Band will perform

for Christmas In the Gap on Dec. 7 in the Old Stone School. For details go to facebook.com/RickReavesJazz.

For a complete listing of holiday happenings, go to getoutloudoun.com. n

SATURDAY

DEC. 7

Hillsb o Tree Illuminati

Ring in the holiday season with caroling by H iday Jazz in The Gap Rick Reaves Big Band

Doors open at 6 p.m.—Old Stone School $15 in Advance/$20 at the Door

Holiday favorites by the Rick Reaves Jazz Band & plenty of holiday cheer from The Gap Bar

Limited Table Reservations Available Hillsb o’s Hist ic Methodist Episc al Ch ch (S th) ens its d rs to the public f the f st time since 1968 traditionally decorated historic homes on the Hillsboro Charter Academy Choir

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Self-Guided, Guided & Candlelight Tours ($16-$25)

Scan H e f Tickets & Table Res vati s Scan H e f T r Tickets & Info

Hillsb o H iday M ket

More than 30 artists & artisans offer an array of art, crafts and delicious foods perfect for holiday gift-giving! 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—Old Stone School

Dancing Dreidels join the 2023 menorah lighting ceremony at One Loudoun.

Santa hands out candy canes to children at Purcellville’s 2023 tree lighting celebration.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Disability-Inclusive Holiday Show

6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

A Place to Be, 1600 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. $10. aplacetobeva.org

Breakfast with Santa

8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Hamilton Safety Center, 39071 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton. harmonyhallva.com

Lovettsville Christmas Market

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

Lovettsville Game Club, 16 S. Berlin Pike, Lovettsville. facebook.com/Lovettsville.Lions

Community Christmas Cra Market

9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 7

Holiday Events Calendar

Holiday Fine Arts & Cra s Show

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW., Leesburg. leesburgva.gov

e Mistletoe Market

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Courthouse Square, 9 E. Market St., Leesburg. facebook.com/leesburg.movement

Farmer John’s Holiday Market

Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

Farmer John’s Market, 15520 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. facebook.com/FarmerJohnsMarket

Loudoun Serenity

House Cookie Crawl

1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Loudoun Serenity House Recovery Community Center, 29 N. King St.,

Lovettsville Annual Cocoa Crawl

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Lovettsville. lovettsvilleva.gov

Marshall Plan Tree Walk Lighting Ceremony 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Dodona Manor, 312 E. Market St., Leesburg. georgecmarshall.org

Experience Christmas 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Leesburg United Methodist Church, 107 W. Market St., Leesburg. leesburgumc.org

Joy to the World Christmas Walk 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Gateway Community Church, 42350 Tall Cedars Parkway, South Riding. mygateway.life

Breakfast with Santa 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 8 AVFRD Founders Hall, 20688 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. $12 founders-hall.com

Alternative Gi Fair 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 St. James’ Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW., Leesburg. stjamesleesburg.org

Loudoun Symphony: Home for the Holidays 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Lightridge High School, 41025 Collaboration Drive, Aldie. $35 loudounsymphony.org

LIVE MUSIC

JOJO BAYLISS

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5

Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen Leesburg, 1 N. King St., Leesburg. eatatrebellion.com

A KILLER’S CONFESSION

7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5

Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. $18 to $38. tallyhotheater.com

JASON MASI

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

DAVE NEMETZ

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mt Gilead Road, Leesburg. willowcroftwine.com

MICHELLE LOCKEY

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. fleetwoodfarmwinery.com

THE REAL INTELLECT

8 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Dec. 6 Moon Lounge, 20921 Davenport Drive, Sterling. moonloungesterling.com

JUST DOUG

5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5

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

RICH RIDGELL

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JEREMIAH PROPHETT

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

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

DAN FISK

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. larkbrewingco.com

CHRIS BOWEN

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com LIVE MUSIC continues on page 23

Why I Love Loudoun: Sarah Holway

BY VISIT LOUDOUN

Washington, DC, native Sarah Holway, co-founder of the food justice nonprofit DC Greens, moved to western Loudoun in 2014 to be closer to the source of her food. She settled in Waterford and in 2019 opened The Corner Store, a shop specializing in local design, crafts, vintage goods and foods.

FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN LOUDOUN?

The Corner Store! We started doing food because I felt there were limited healthy casual options that were sourcing carefully from local farmers. I also love Market Burger, Cowbell Kitchen and Fireside Farm’s Pizza - each is dedicated to seasonal and local sourcing.

FAVORITE PLACE IN LOUDOUN FOR A CRAFT BEVERAGE?

Walsh Family Wine because I also love how the owners opened a collective for other winemakers to make wine onsite. Market Table Bistro in Lovettsville makes my favorite Old Fashioned with local Catoctin Creek Rye.

BEST HIDDEN GEM IN LOUDOUN?

Phillips Farm trail in Waterford. Phillips Farm is a 150-acre conservation area full of owls, foxes, beavers, great herons, kingfishers and deer. There’s a great flat trail along a creek that leads to a dam and a huge tree that’s hundreds of years old. It’s open to the public and accessed right in the village behind the Waterford mill.

WHAT’S A MUST-SEE PLACE FOR AN OUT-OF-TOWN VISITOR?

Waterford. The village is a National Historic Landmark and is rich with interesting history.

FAVORITE EVENT IN LOUDOUN TO GO TO?

The Waterford Fair! More than 100 traditional craftspeople sell their goods and demonstrate, and the village really comes to life.

WHAT’S A FUN FACT TO SHARE ABOUT LOUDOUN?

It’s home to the largest number of data centers in the world.

WHEN WAS THE CORNER STORE ESTABLISHED AND ARE YOU THE SOLE OWNER/FOUNDER?

I started it five years ago with my good friend Kathy Middleton – who shortly thereafter decamped to the south of

France. That left me the sole proprietor, but she continues to inspire me from afar.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE SHOP?

We originally rented it as a studio space and didn’t have a grand plan. We just didn’t like it sitting empty and wanted to make it beautiful. I have let it evolve slowly to fill in gaps that meet both my love of design/rearranging/antiquing and the desires of the local community for a place to gather.

CAN YOU NAME TWO OR THREE UNIQUE ITEMS YOU SELL?

We have beautiful wooden spoons by

Drew Lauten made with found wood. He is a local contractor who carves spoons on the side! We have a line of beautifully designed and printed tea towels made by Emily Ruth, and hand-forged hooks and nails by Sophia Maravell who lives a few miles away. She will soon be blacksmithing in the Waterford Forge down the street. We also carry Virginia natural wines such as Quartzwood from Loudoun.

Courtesy of Hunt Country Scout Guide

Sarah Holway and her husband Matt Rasnake in front of the Corner Store in Waterford.

BEST BETS

JAZZ IN THE GAP

Saturday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m.

Hillsboro Old Stone School

oldstoneschool.org

Celebrate the holiday season with a night of big band jazz.

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 22

NEW LEGACY BLUES

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

SUMMER & ERIC

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

HUME-FRYE LIVE

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

GARY SMALLWOOD AND MICHAEL FATH

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. $25. thebarnathamiltonstation.com

SHANE GAMBLE

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

CLENDENEN BROTHERS

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

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

ANOTHER FINE MESS

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6

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

ROB HOEY SING-A-LONG

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. twotwistedposts.com

TAB BENOIT

Sunday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater

tallyhotheater.com

THE CROWN JEWELS

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

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

JIM STEELE

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

LAURA CASHMAN

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com

DARRYL MARINI

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

ANTHONY SEMIAO

1:30 to 4:40 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

HALL VOTE

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie. oldfarmwineryhartland.com

DENNIS WAYLAND

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

MIXED GREENS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

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

LENNY BURRIDGE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

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

RYAN JEWELL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

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

IAN VEST

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX DUO

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

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

TEJAS SINGH

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socialhouseva.com

THE TEN BAND TRIBUTE TO PEARL JAM

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. tallyhotheater.com

MATT BEDNARSKY

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Shoeless Sounds House Concert, Ashburn. facebook.com/ShoelessSounds

ELEMENTS OF KINDRED

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrelbrewing.com

WEEKEND @ BERNIE’S

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

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

MINI MUSIC FEST

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com

LAURA CASHMAN

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

ROWDY ACES TRIO

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

CHRIS TIMBERS BAND

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

LOST LOCALS

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

CHRIS DESANTIS

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie. oldfarmwineryhartland.com

2 OF THE FOUR

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

NATHANIEL DAVIS

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

LIBERTY STREET

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

JASON MASI

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

Mt. Defiance Cider Barn, 495 E. Washington St., Middleburg. mtdefiance.com

DAN MCGUIRE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

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

DEANE KERN AND ERIC SELBY 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 24

The Grammy-nominated delta blues guitar master returns to Leesburg with Texas bluesman Jesse Dayton opening.

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 23

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

TUBA CHRISTMAS

2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. villageatleesburg.com

CHUCK DARDEN

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

VNG DUO

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

CHRIS BLANEY

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

JOHN “JP” JONES

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

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

DAVE DAVOL

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

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

TAB BENOIT

7 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $40. tallyhotheater.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11

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

OWEN & LEIGH

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

SCOTT KURT

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JOJO BAYLISS

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12

Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen Leesburg, 1 N. King St., Leesburg. eatatrebellion.com

HAPPENINGS

WRITING IN NATURE

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5

Morven Park Grounds, 17339 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org

ALGONKIAN OWL PROWL

7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 Algonkian Regional Park, 47001 Fairway Drive,

Sterling., 703-352-5900. novaparks.org

BULLEIT BARREL RELEASE

4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5

Solace Brewing Company, 42615 Trade West Drive, Sterling. solacebrewing.com

FIRST FRIDAY

4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Downtown Leesburg. leesburgfirstfriday.com

PUBLIC SKATE: DISCO NIGHT

7:20 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Ion International Training Center, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. ionarena.com

DULLES GREENWAY

WETLANDS BIRD WALK

8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Dulles Greenway Wetlands, Dulles Greenway, Ashburn. loudounwildlife.com

JK BLACK OAK WORKDAY

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary, 14570 New Valley Church Road, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org

MAPLE COTTAGE POTTERY SALE

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Maple Cottage Pottery, 18301 Clayton Hall Road, Bluemont. facebook.com/maplecottagepottery

LECTURE: SPATIALIZING BLACK STORIES

2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. leesburgva.gov

MAXIMIZING SEO FOR SMALL BUSINESS

8 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9 Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, 19301 Winmeade Drive, Leesburg. $15. loudounchamber.org

LOUDOUN ON TAP

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 Ion International Training Center, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. $40. ionarena.com

NAVIGATING FEDERAL AI

8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. $50. loudounchamber.org

BUSINESS @ BREAKFAST

8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. $35. loudounchamber.org

DULLES AIRPORT MANGER’S REPORT 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles. $65. committeefordulles.org

2000 Turkey Trotters Join Ashburn Farm Races

More than 2,000 runners joined in Ashburn Farm’s 31-year-old Thanksgiving morning tradition.

Sponsored by Crossroads United Methodist Church, the races featured 10K, 5K and 2K courses through the surrounding neighborhoods.

This year, Andrew Whitacre of Leesburg set the fastest time among 345 10K runners, completing the

course in 33:05. Tessa Barrett of Arlington was the top female finisher, with a time of 34:36.

In the 5K race, Aidan Nathan of Ashburn outpaced 1,533 other runners finish first with a time of 15:03.

Amanda Weidner of San Francisco was the first female finisher, crossing the line at 18:28. n

K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Corner Store

continued from page 22

TAKE LOUDOUN HOME IS A CAMPAIGN TO GET PEOPLE TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES. WHY SHOULD PEOPLE BUY LOCALLY MADE GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Locally made usually means handmade. When you buy handmade you support someone making a living using their passion and special gifts. It helps to keep money in our local economy and strengthens communities by building and nurturing relationships.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VISIT THE CORNER STORE?

People say they just feel good when they come in. The space is warm, welcoming and soothing. That’s reason enough but the food is a pure delight, the wines are natural and carefully curated and there’s always something new. It changes a little every week.

HOW HARD WAS IT TO OPEN A BUSINESS IN HISTORIC WATERFORD?

Waterford is a tight-knit community and the ties that bind us together are our deep appreciation and love for historic preservation. I tried to listen to the villagers and create my version of what they

asked for and have felt so much support and appreciation.

WHAT WAS IN THE BUILDING BEFORE IT BECAME THE SHOP?

It had been a general store since the 1800s.

YOU DO DINNERS ON WEEKENDS. WHO IS THE CHEF AND WHAT IS THE CONCEPT?

The chef is Estelle Richer-Legault and she cooks plant-based food, with a few standards always available and a few specials that change every month. We always have a grazing board and a local hot dog, and the specials are things like wild mushroom tart, soups and salad. She also bakes a variety of pastries, cakes and cookies every weekend. She sources from local farms and cooks literally everything from scratch.

WHAT LOUDOUN PRODUCE IS ON THE MENU?

Our veggies come from Moutoux Orchard and the rest from George’s Mill Cheese, Meadow Bread, Misty Meadow Mushrooms, Spring House Farm, Hill Top Farm and more.

WHAT OTHER LOCAL DESIGN STORES DO YOU RECOMMEND IN LOUDOUN?

I love Wldwst, Lucketts and King Street Collective. There’s also Rust and Feathers! n

Legal Notices

LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES

Notice is hereby given that the bicycles described below were found and delivered to the Office of the Sheriff of Loudoun County; if the owners of the listed bicycles are not identified within sixty (60) days following the final publication of this notice, the individuals who found said bicycles shall be entitled to them if he/she desires. All unclaimed bicycles will be handled according to Chapter 228.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.

BMX Style bike, brand is framed, black and gold SO240019562 11/2/2024 42030

Magna 18 speed bike model #8562-05

Highland Huffy Shimano 12 speed red bike

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ045449-04, -05, 06, -07

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Cristino Membreno, putative father and Uknown 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 Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno and hold a hearing on the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Cristino Membreno, putative father and Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno. Cristino Membreno, putative father and Unknown 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 Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno. Cristino

Membreno, putative father and Unknown 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 Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno. Further, Cristino Membreno, putative father and Unknown Father, will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno for adoption and consent to the adoption of Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno

It is ORDERED that the defendant Cristino Membreno, putative father and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before December 17, 2024 at 11:00am.

11/14, 11/21, 11/28 & 12/05/24

Norman

PUBLIC NOTICE

The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.

PLAT-2024-0242

PURCELLVILLE CROSSROADS

Mr. Bradford Kline, of Pleasants Kline-Loudoun LLC, of Clarksburg, MD is requesting preliminary/record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately thirty-five (35.3) acres into ten (10) lots, one (1) open space parcel, and associated easements. The property is located north of Leesburg Pike (Route 7), west of Berlin Turnpike (Route 287), south of Piggot Bottom Road, and east of Purcellville Road. The property is zoned JLMA3 (Joint Land Management Area 3), under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as 452-26-7298-000 in the Catoctin Election District.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http://www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0242. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Holly Viar at holly.viar@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by January 9, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).

12/5/24

A message to Loudoun County older adults and disabled residents from Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue

Residents 65 years of age and older OR totally and permanently disabled who wish to apply for 2024 Real Estate Tax Relief for the first time must submit an application to my office by December 31, 2024.

Please visit our website or contact my office for information or filing assistance.

Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor

Sterling Office 46000 Center Oak Plaza

Internet: loudoun.gov/taxrelief

Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M - F

Phone: 703-737-8557

Email: taxrelief@loudoun.gov

Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

12/5, 12/12, 12/19, & 12/26/24

Legal Notices

Public Notice

The Town of Leesburg

Board and Commission Appointments

In January 2025, the Town of Leesburg will be making appointments to the Town’s thirteen boards and commissions. These are the thirteen boards and commissions: Airport Commission, Thomas Balch Library Commission, Board of Architectural Review, Commission on Public Art, Diversity Commission, Economic Development Commission, Environmental Advisory Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Performing Arts Commission, Planning Commission, Technology and Communications Commission, Tree Commission and the Residential Traffic Commission. Citizens interested in serving on a board or commission can find additional information, membership requirements, or may apply via the Town’s web site at www.leesburgva.gov/government/boards-and-commissions. Applications will be kept on file for one year. Any questions can be sent to the Clerk of Council via email at eboeing@leesburgva.gov.

11/14, 11/21, 11/28 & 12/05/24

LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLE

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.

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.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE §§ 1-211.1; 8.01-316, - 317; 20-104 Case No.: 24003973-00

Loudoun County Circuit Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re name change of minor, Khadijah Addy v.

Baimba Kanu

The object of this suit is to change my daughter’s name because Father is not in the picture and address is unknown.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Baimba Kanu, Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before Fevruary 7, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

12/5, 12/12, 12/19 & 12/26/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ044457, JJ044458

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Camilo Pisani Marquez and Gabriel S. Pisani Marquez

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Josue Valentin Marquez Decid, Father

Loudoun County Public Schools School Renaming Survey

In considering whether some school names reflect Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) values on inclusion and diversity, the Loudoun County School Board has initiated a process guided by Policy 6510, Naming School Facilities, of addressing the names of Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer Middle School and considering a possible renaming of the schools.

Community meetings have been held for both schools; renaming committees have been formed. The next step, per policy, is to survey the community.

LCPS community members and members of the broader Loudoun County community are invited to complete the survey between now and December 16. Visit: www.LCPS.org/thoughtexchange.

More information about the review of school names can be found on the LCPS website at www.LCPS.org/schoolnames.

Contact LCPS Division of Planning & GIS Services at LCPSPlan@LCPS.org with any questions or comments.

12/5 & 12/12/24

12/5 & 12/12/24

The object of this suit is to hold a motion to Modify the Child Protective Orders for Camilo Pisani Marquez and Gabriel S. Pisani Marquez pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-253. The Department of Family Services will be seeking to have all of the father’s contact with the children supervised. The Department of Family Services will also be seeking to have the father participate in certain services.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Josue Valentin Marquez Decid, Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. 11/28, 12/5, 12/12 & 12/19/24

Legal Notices

PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

LEGI-2023-0090, RACEFIELD SUBSTATION:

CMPT-2022-0007, SPEX-2024-0008, & SPEX-2024-0018

(Commission Permit, Special Exception, Minor Special Exception)

Northern Viginia Electric Cooperative has submitted an application for a commission permit, special exception, and minor special exception for approximately 39.24-acres of land located along the north side of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), south of Racefield Lane (Route 877), and west of Stone Springs Boulevard (Route 2625) in the Dulles Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 42139 Reeds Farm Lane Aldie, Virginia, PIN: 203-170856-000 and Tax Map # 100AC/1///A2B/. For CMPT-2022-0007, the applicant seeks to construct a Utility Substation with intent to transmit and/or distribute voltages. For SPEX-2024-0008, the applicant seeks to permit a Utility Substation in the Industrial Park Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. For SPEX-2024-0018, the applicant seeks to remove a six-foot, 95 percent opaque fence on the southern Type C Buffer of the Subject Property.

LEGI-2023-0109, NOVEC SOUTHFORK SUBSTATION:

CMPT-2023-0015, SPEX-2024-0033, & SPEX-2024-0034

(Commission Permit, Special Exception, Minor Special Exception)

Northern Viginia Electric Cooperative has submitted an application for a commission permit, special exception, and minor special exception for approximately 17.67-acres of land located along the north side of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), south of Racefield Lane (Route 877), and west of Stone Springs Boulevard (Route 2625) in the Dulles Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN: 203-16-8093-000 and Tax Map # 100AH/1///A1A/. For CMPT-2022-0007, the applicant seeks to construct a Utility Substation with intent to transmit and/ or distribute voltages. For SPEX-2024-0008, the applicant seeks to permit a Utility Substation in the Industrial Park Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. For SPEX-2024-0018, the applicant seeks to remove a six-foot, 95 percent opaque fence on the northern and eastern Type C Buffers of the Subject Property.

CPAM-2024-0004, RURAL HISTORIC

VILLAGES

(Comprehensive Plan Amendment)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2225 and 15.2-2229, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on April 2, 2024, the Planning Commission hereby gives notice of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) to amend the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (2019 GP) and the Loudoun County 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan (2019 CTP), in order to establish new policies and criteria regarding the identification, designation, and preservation of Rural Historic Villages (RHVs) and other smaller historic rural hamlets and crossroads communities in accordance with existing 2019 GP RHV Policy 1, Strategy 1.1, Action A. The CPAM proposes revisions to Chapters 1 and 2, the Glossary, and certain 2019 GP and 2019 CTP Maps, and such other Chapters, policies, and provisions of the 2019 GP as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section(s) of the 2019 GP. The RHVs and rural historic hamlets and crossroads communities to which the CPAM would apply generally are located within the Little River Election District and the Catoctin Election District in the Rural Policy Area. The proposed CPAM includes, without limitation, the following:

Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 1- Introduction:

• Amend Chapter 1-5 – Rural Policy Area – to update the number and designation of recognized RHVs and add a reference to rural historic hamlets and crossroads communities.

Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 2 – Land Use:

• Amend Chapter 2 - Rural Historic Village - to establish new policies regarding the identification and designation of, update the list of, and revise Action A to address the preservation of, RHVs and rural historic hamlets and crossroads communities.

Amendments to the 2019 GP Glossary

• Establish a new definition for RHV.

• Establish a new definition for rural historic villages and crossroads community

Amendments to 2019 GP Maps

• Revise the RHV Map to reflect the updated list of designated RHVs.

• Establish a new Map showing designated rural historic hamlets and crossroads communities.

• Establish a new Map showing all documented historic villages and crossroads communities.

Amendments to 2019 CTP Maps:

• Revise 2019 CTP maps to reflect the boundaries and locations of newly designated RHVs

ZOAM-2024-0003, Manufactured Home Regulations (Zoning Ordinance Amendment)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on November 7, 2024, the Planning Commission hereby gives notice of proposed amendments to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance) in order to establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations and definitions to correct an ambiguity regarding the use “Manufactured Home” that was unintentionally created in the text with the adoption of the Zoning Ordinance on December 13, 2023. The ambiguity could allow for the use “Manufactured Home” to be considered as a different principal use from the principal uses “Dwelling, Single-Family Detached,” or “Dwelling, Single-Family Attached,” and thereby not be subject to the one per lot limitation for such uses. The amendments propose revisions to Chapter 3, Uses, Chapter 4, Use-Specific Standards, and Chapter 12, Definitions, and such other Chapters, Sections, Subsections, and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as necessary to fully implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments; to incorporate input received during the public hearing process; to correct typographical errors, section and table numbering, and formatting; to update cross references; and to further clarify the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendments include, without limitation, the following:

Chapter 3, Uses, Chapter 4, Use-Specific Standards, and Chapter 12, Definitions:

• Establish new, and clarify and revise existing, regulations to clarify that only one Manufactured Home may be developed as a principal use per lot; that any such Manufactured Home shall be in lieu of any, Dwelling, Single-Family Detached, or Dwelling, Single -Family Attached, principal use that may be permitted or permissible on such lot; and that any additional proposed Manufactured Home use on such lot must be considered a Caretaker or Guard Residence, Dwelling, Accessory, or Dwelling, Tenant.

The public purposes of these amendments are to achieve the purposes of zoning as set forth in Virginia Code §§15.2-2200 and 15.2-2283, including, without limitation, furtherance of the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice, and facilitating the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun. gov/landmarc. Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5).

Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings.

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing; however, speakers may also sign-up at the public hearing. Written comments concerning any item before the Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun. gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization.

Regularly scheduled Planning Commission public hearings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. In the event the public hearing cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing will be continued to the next day (Wednesday). In the event the public hearing may not be held on that Wednesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing may be continued to the first Thursday of the next month.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested.

BY ORDER OF: MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

11/28 & 12/5/24

Legal Notices

COUNTY OF LOUDOUN

SECOND HALF REAL PROPERTY

TAX DEADLINE

Henry C. Eickelberg, Treasurer

December 5, 2024

The deadline for payment of the second half real property tax is December 5, 2024.

Payments received or postmarked after December 5, 2024, will incur a 10 percent penalty and interest. Any such penalty, when assessed, shall become part of the tax with interest accruing on both the tax and penalty at a rate of 10% annually. Taxpayers who are having financial difficulties should contact our Collections Team 703-771-5656.

CONVENIENT PAYMENT OPTIONS AND LOCATIONS

Online: www.loudounportal.com/taxes Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover

By Telephone: 24-hour line 1-800-269-5971. Please have your account number and credit card number ready.

Please note: There is a convenience fee added to a Credit Card transaction. No fee is charged for electronic checks (e-check).

By Mail: County of Loudoun P.O. Box 1000 Leesburg, Virginia 20177-1000

TREASURER’S OFFICE LOCATIONS

Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

1 Harrison Street, S.E. 1st Floor

Leesburg, Virginia 21075

46000 Center Oak Plaza 1st Floor Sterling, Virginia 20166

*A 24 hour drop box is located outside the Sterling and Leesburg locations. All Check payments should be made payable to “County of Loudoun”.

Please contact the Loudoun County Treasurer's Office at 703-777-0280 or email us at taxes@ loudoun.gov with questions or if you have not received your bill.

Stay up to date on tax information by subscribing to the Tax Notices category of Alert Loudoun at www.louduon.gov/alert. You can also text the word “TAXES” to 888777 to receive text messages about tax-related information, including upcoming deadlines.

For information regarding Real Property or Personal Property Tax Exemptions or Deferrals, please contact the Tax Exemptions Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at taxrelief@loudoun.gov, by phone at 703-737-8557 or visit www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief

11/28 &12/5/24

LOUDOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program

Fiscal Year 2026 – 2031 Capital Asset Preservation Program

The Loudoun County School Board has scheduled meetings for the Fiscal Year 2026 - 2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Capital Asset Preservation Program (CAPP) budget process.

October 22, 2024* 4:30 pm/ 6:30 pm

November 12, 2024* 4:30 pm

November 19, 2024 6:30 pm

December 2, 2024 6:30 pm

December 10, 2024* 4:30 pm/ 6:30 pm

Presentation of Superintendent’s Recommended FY 2026-FY 2031 CIP & CAPP Budgets.

School Board FY 2026-FY 2031 CIP & CAPP Work Session

School Board FY 2026-FY 2031 CIP & CAPP Public Hearing / Work Session

School Board FY 2026-FY 2031 CIP & CAPP Work Session (if needed)

School Board Adoption of FY 2026-FY 2031 CIP & CAPP Budgets

*Regular School Board Business Meeting

The meetings will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and broadcast live on Comcast channel 18 and Verizon Fios channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the Loudoun County Public Schools website (www.lcps.org/webcast).

Details on how to sign up to speak at the November 19 public hearing will be provided at www.lcps.org/o/lcps/page/citizen-participation. In-person sign-up will also be available on the evening of November 19 between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in the School Board meetings should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.

Kevin L. Lewis, Chief Operations Officer

Loudoun County Public Schools

Department of Support Services

21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148

Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG

FIND LOCAL EVENTS GETOUTLOUDOUN.COM

10/3 - 12/5/24

Legal Notices

OFFICIAL VOTING INFORMATION

On January 7, 2025, Loudoun County will hold a Special Election for the Senate of Virginia District 32 as well as, the Virginia House of Delegates, District 26. Only voters who live in these districts can vote in this election. For a list of precincts that will be voting in the January 7, 2025, Special Election, visit www.loudoun.gov/182/Upcoming-Elections.

The Constitution of Virginia requires that you be registered in the precinct in which you live to be qualified to vote. For the convenience of the citizens of Loudoun County, the Voter Registration Office at 750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite 150, Leesburg, is open each week, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The voter registration deadline for the Special Election to be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, is Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 5 p.m. in-person or midnight online.

Additional information regarding voter registration, registration status, absentee voting, and what is on the ballot can be found by visiting www.elections.virginia.gov.

EARLY VOTING

Please note: The Office of Elections will be closed Tuesday, December 24, 2024, Wednesday, December 25, 2024, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Office of Elections - 750 Miller Drive SE, Suite 150, Leesburg, 20175

o Early voting starts - Wednesday, December 11, 2024

o Early voting hours - Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

o Extended hours Saturday- December 28, 2024 and January 4, 2025– the office will be open from 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 pm.

Additional Sites and Times

Sites listed below will be open on Saturday, December 28, 2024 and January 4, 2025.

• Claude Moore Recreation Center- 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, 20164

- Saturday- December 28, 2024 and January 4, 2025– 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 pm.

• Dulles South Recreation Center - 24950 Riding Center Drive, Chantilly, 20152 - Saturday- December 28, 2024 and January 4, 2025– 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 pm.

Voters choosing to vote by mail are encouraged to apply immediately. Completed applications can be submitted by mail, fax, e-mail or online – www.elections.virginia.gov. The official deadline to request a ballot be mailed to you is Friday, December 27, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in-person or midnight online.

Voters are encouraged to mark and return their ballots early to ensure they arrive in time to be counted. Voters can hand deliver their absentee ballots to any of the additional early voting sites when they are open, to our office or to a polling location. Hand delivered ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots arriving by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day AND be received no later than noon on the Friday following the election (January 10) to be counted.

Please feel free to give us a call at 703 777-0380 if you have any questions about absentee voting or the Special Election.

Judith A. Brown, General Registrar

750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite 150 Leesburg, VA 20175-8916 703 777-0380 703 777-0622 FAX

Email: vote@loudoun.gov Web: www.loudoun.gov/vote

TAYLORSTOWN CRAFT SHOW

Held at the Taylorstown Methodist Church

Friday 12/6 9am-6pm, Saturday 12/7 9am-4pm

Book Signing Saturday 10am-noon

The Grave’s Truth by local artist Mrs. Sharon Virts Miller

Lunch served, Info call 571-216-5376

Misc.

VEHICLE AUCTION

MD Repo Vehicles For Public Sale at ADESA Washington, DC. All Makes and Models Running Weekly Details can be found at www.adesawashingtondc.com

Terms: State and local orders will be strictly enforced at the sale, including social distancing and limits on the number of people permitted to gather in certain areas. All attendees must comply with such procedures or will be required to leave the premises. We strongly recommend that all attendees wear face coverings for the protection of themselves and our staff. Bidder agrees to register and pay a refundable $500 cash deposit plus a non-refundable $20 entry fee before the Sale starts. The balance of the purchase is due in full by 5:00pm on sale day. vehicles are AS-IS and are subject to a buy fee based on the sale price of the vehicle. Only cash or certified funds will be accepted. No vehicle will be released until Payment is made in full. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted.

VEHICLE AUCTION

ADESA WASHINGTON DC - 705-996-1100 44475 OLD OX ROAD, DULLES, VA 20166

20+Chase repossessions will be offered to the public sale (monthly) on Wednesdays (12/4/24). Auction doors open at 8:00 a.m. Sale starts at 9:50 a.m. ET. Registered persons may preview/ inspect vehicles on the day of the sale before bidding. Bids accepted only when a vehicle is presented for sale. The auctioneer will conclude the sale when bidding stops. All results will be final by 5:00 p.m. Terms: Cash or Certified Check.

Loco Service Providers

Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities

Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA.

Regular Full-Time Positions

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.

Published by Loudoun Community Media

15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176

703-770-9723

KURT ASCHERMANN Executive Director kaschermann@loudounnow.org

NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.org

EDITORIAL

AMBER LUCAS Reporter alucas@loudounnow.org

HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

WILLIAM TIMME Reporter wtimme@loudounnow.org

ADVERTISING

SUSAN STYER Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.org

TONYA HARDING Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.org

VICKY MASHAW Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.org

Now is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout the county. Online, Loudoun Now provides daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.

A Gift

Opinion

For decades after the Dec. 1, 1974, crash of TWA Flight 514, the scar left on Mt. Weather’s ridgeline served as a constant reminder of the 92 lives lost that day.

Over the years, the forest reclaimed the crash site and today few signs of that tragedy remain.

Mother Nature may have erased the marks from the land, but it was the efforts of community volunteers that provided an opportunity to heal the wounds carried by family members and first responders whose lives were forever changed in the days and years that followed the crash.

Fifty years ago, members of the Bluemont community played vital roles in supporting the recovery efforts. Leading up to the anniversary this year, the Bluemont Citizens Association undertook a remarkable effort to search for relatives of all the crash victims, invite them to the site and to formally honor those whose lives were lost.

Most of those attending the event were young men and women when their parents, siblings or other kin were killed in the crash; others were too young to remember or had never met their grandparent or cousin.

On Sunday, they were given the chance to break through the isolation that comes with an experience few can truly understand. The common bond they shared separately for so long was connected for a day and maybe for longer.

In offering that gift, the volunteer organizers provided yet another example of the extraordinary impact our communities can have when working together.

Data Center Policies

continued from page 3

of uses during the last Comprehensive Plan process.

“I don’t know that, other than flex and other things, I don’t know that we’ve lost a lot of opportunity because we don’t have enough planned,” he said.

Commissioner Dale Polen Myers (At Large) said she thought there are likely pockets of areas that could be suitable for data centers and asked Rizer where the commission should focus its efforts on to best identify those areas.

“I think that there are a few areas, but I think that I’ve been specifically told not to mention one of them,” Rizer said.

Myers said Rizer could call her after the meeting to talk in more detail about it, and commissioners James Banks (Algonkian) and Madhava Madireddy (Dulles) agreed that without that input, they did not have enough information to make a good recommendation to the board.

“I would like to again understand the same thing,” Madireddy said. “… there are areas in this county where by-right does make sense. So again, if you cannot say this in a public forum, maybe I would like to talk to you someday to understand this so that we can make better decisions on that one.”

Rizer said without identifying where

data centers should go, the county will still see them where they shouldn’t.

“I think that’s our collective concern. It seems logical to us that we should identify areas that they should go and it’s clear to us that there are still some areas in the county in which that is the case,” Banks said.

He added that identifying where data centers should go would also give business owners a sense of stability and “an understanding that the rug is not going to get pulled out from under them.”

But a letter sent to the commission Nov. 26 by County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Transportation and Land Use Committee Chair Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) said a recommendation by the committee needs to be reached by January.

The reason for the proposed changes is to allow the board to “exercise its land-use oversight to address the rapidly expanding data center environment,” according to the letter. It cited the existing 199 data center buildings in the county with an additional 148 parcels with active data center applications.

“We fully understand the challenges of such a tight schedule. However, we feel the key to an expeditious review for both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors is to retain a narrow perspective on the changes being made. Our collective goal is not to broadly

deliberate over and debate the merits of the proposed changes; the Board has already voted on those. Rather our narrow focus should be on ensuring the CPAM/ ZOAM language proposed by County Staff accurately captures the intent of the Board’s vote to implement these changes,” according to the letter.

Randall and Turner proposed a joint meeting of the board and commission to accomplish that, with a goal of final approval by the full board by March 1.

During its last meeting, the Planning Commission endorsed amendments to redesignate an area in Arcola that would not allow data centers as a core use. The panel however did not endorse a similar change near the metro station.

After saying during the Nov. 14 meeting that they needed more time to consider the change near Goose Creek, commissioners voted Tuesday to change the vision of the area, removing data centers as a core use. Only Myers and Banks opposed the change, with other commissioners citing the residential neighborhoods in the area, even though they agreed it had been a mistake to build housing there in the first place.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to next meet Dec. 12 on the topic and will likely hear from members of the Loudoun Chamber. n

Loudoun

Green Street, Good Works Repay $2M Housing Loan

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Green Street Housing and Good Works have repaid $2 million of a $2.5 million loan from the county’s Affordable Multi-Family Loan Program—30 years ahead of schedule.

Waxpool Apartments, a 52-unit attainable housing development that opened this year, provides income-restricted housing for essential workers, families and individuals with disabilities.

It was the first loan repayment under the program.

“Repaying this loan early is the result of our team’s tireless pursuit of every possible financing resource,” Green Street Director of Development Chase Powell stated. “We are honored to return these funds to create more resources for the production of desperately needed attainable housing in Loudoun County. It is rare in affordable housing to give money back, but we pride ourselves on balancing financial responsibility with meaningful community

impact, and we are excited to see these funds recycled into creating new housing developments in Loudoun County.”

The project was financed through a variety of public and private resources included the county’s loan program, 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Tax-Exempt Bonds from Virginia Housing, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and permanent financing from the Virginia DHCD Affordable and Special Needs Housing Program.

The apartment complex has also been recognized with certifications from four leading green building programs including National Green Building Standard (Silver), Energy Star Multifamily New Construction, DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Homes. It’s solar-powered energy system reduces a significant portion of the building’s power usage.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday recognized the achievements with a proclamation and with Green Street Housing’s Tom Ayd and Good Works’ Kim Hart presented a ceremonial check to commemorate the loan repayment. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Green Street Housing’s Tom Ayd and Good Works’ Kim Hart present a ceremonial check to the Board of Supervisors to commemorate their $2 million loan repayment.

‘Improving the Safety of Us All’ The Lessons from TWA Flight 514

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

“All the knowledge we drew from this tragedy has without a doubt, made us all safer, not just here in the U.S., but globally. That means every person who sets foot on a commercial flight anywhere in the world.”

That is one important legacy of TWA Flight 514, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy told a crowd of surviving family members and first responders who gathered at the Bluemont Community Center on Sunday to reflect on the 50th anniversary the Dec. 1, 1974 airliner crash.

“I recognize that nothing—no memorial, no plaque, no remembrance ceremony—can give you what you deserve to have your loved ones back. But events like this have a way of reminding us what really matters, why our work at the NTSB is so vital, why we fight so hard to increase transportation safety,” she said. “It’s because people die, and people are still dying, real people—not numbers—mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, colleagues, friends, neighbors, cousins. People who weren’t with us for the yearly Thanksgiving dinner. People who weren’t here for other holidays or for our biggest achievements and celebrations in life.”

That was the mission of NTSB investigators 50 years ago as they arrived on the scene of a massive 900-foot debris field on Mount Weather just down the road from the federal government’s then-secret underground bunker complex. The aircraft, diverted from its scheduled designation at National Airport, was on approach to Dulles Airport in heavy fog and choppy winds when it began hitting treetops and then crashed into a rock outcropping that ripped open the underbelly. Intense ground fires burned among the wreckage. Some 150 fire-rescue crew members responded to the scene, working several days to help investigators locate and document victim remains and parts of the shattered aircraft.

A year later, the NTSB published its aircraft accident report, finding that the probable cause of the crash was the crew’s decision to descend to 1,800 feet

Tragedy Remembered

continued from page 1

an occasion in which relatives were provided the opportunity to properly recognize and honor those who perished,” BCA President Peter Weeks said during a ceremony in the Bluemont Community Center, which served as the emergency operations center and morgue in the days following the crash. “This recognition, this memorial, has been long overdue. We made a commitment then to do everything possible to bring your families together.”

The Boeing 727 enroute from Indianapolis IN, with a stop in Columbus, OH, was on landing approach to Dulles Airport after winter storm conditions prompted a diversion from National Airport. The plane hit the western slope of Mount Weather at 11:10 a.m., Dec. 1 killing all aboard. Investigation of the crash resulted in the implementation of a series of aviation regulatory changes that are foundational to commercial airline safety today.

before the aircraft had reached the approach segment where that minimum altitude applied. That decision was a result of “inadequacies and lack of clarity in the air traffic control procedures” creating a misunderstanding between the pilots and the controllers—conclusions drawn from hearing the final deliberations of the pilots recovered on the cockpit voice recorder.

In addition to clarifying pilot and air traffic control procedures, the report resulting in a requirement for all air carrier aircraft to be equipped with a ground proximity warning system.

“The aircraft flying as TWA 514, a Boeing 727, didn’t have technology to alert the crew that they were flying too close to terrain until it was too late,” Homendy said. “Flight 514 is the reason that large commercial airplanes today must be equipped with ground proximity warning systems, technology that warns pilots of terrain with enough time to take corrective action.”

The investigation also resulted in the creation of an incident reporting system that allows industry personal to share unsafe operating conditions without fear of retaliation. That recommendation was generated by another disturbing finding.

“Our investigation also revealed that a United Airlines Flight applying the same approach had a near miss event

similar to TWA 514 just weeks before the tragedy,” Homendy said. “Had that information that more widely shared the flight crew of TWA 514 might not have crashed. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration created a voluntary, confidential reporting system that’s still in use today and has saved countless lives.”

Homendy said transportation safety is an ongoing, everyday pursuit of her agency. She noted that not all NTSB recommendations are implemented and sometimes that can be heartbreaking for investigators when unaddressed concerns lead to additional deaths.

“The NTSB believes that the only acceptable number of lives lost in transportation accidents is zero. That’s why we fight so hard for change. Why we advocate for a recommendation. Why we don’t rest until they’re implemented,” Homendy said. “Because NTSB recommendations are simply words on a page. If no one heeds our warnings, you deserve better. You deserve action. Your family members and friends who passed away 50 years ago today certainly deserve a memorial of their deaths, but they deserve more.

“They deserve for us to continue to learn from what happened that day so it never ever happens again. From tragedy, we draw knowledge to improve the safety of us all.” n

“For the last 50 years, I have never wanted to be here because I couldn't think of anything good about it.”

— Carl Zwisler

Family members participating in the ceremony, many children and grandchildren of those aboard, expressed mixed emotions about visiting the crash site, as well as appreciation for the opportunity to reflect on the tragic event with others and to establish a permanent memorial.

Carl Zwisler was a 26-year-old lawyer and the oldest of nine children when his parents, Carl and Mary, heading to Washington, DC, on a business trip, were killed. It was the first time his mother had been on a plane. He said he worried about having to come to the crash site to identify his parents’ bodies. The availability of dental records gave him a reprieve.

TRAGEDY REMEMBERED continues on page 35

Photo by Douglas Graham

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy addresses a crowd of surviving family members and first responders who gathered at the Bluemont Community Center on Sunday to reflect on the 50th anniversary the Dec. 1, 1974 airliner crash.

Tragedy Remembered

continued from page 34

“For the last 50 years, I have never wanted to be here because I couldn’t think of anything good about it,” Zwisler said. “I can’t imagine what you first responders went through and I’m forever indebted to everybody who helped us through that process.”

In the aftermath of the crash, Zwisler worked to keep his family together.

“I read press reports, as I’m sure you did, voraciously after the crash,” he said to the other surviving family members. “One of the things that really struck me was the statement that the nine Zwisler children were orphaned. I never thought about being orphaned, but the language shocked and scared me.”

“We always stayed with family and being with family has been, I think, the most important thing to me. Our family has grown close, not because of, but in the wake of the tragic accident that we share,” he said.

Steven Onne’s sister, Susan Applewhite, died in the crash along with her husband, James, and son, Benjy.

Onne said the crash happened after their grandmother died at home in China earlier that year.

“This additional loss was more immediate. A daughter, a sibling, and the first grandchild had died,” Onne said. “I hadn’t ever met my nephew in person, but now I never would. His remains have been combined with his parents’ ashes because only enough parts were retrieved to positively identify the dead.”

“They will remain forever young in the photo left behind to remind us of how they look so many years ago,” he said.

Thirty-two on board were U.S. military veterans.

Bridget Jones highlighted the legacy of her grandfather, Roscoe Conklin “Rock” Cartwright, who died in the crash at age 55 just three months after retiring as a brigadier general in the U.S. Army. At the time he was only the third Black man ever to hold the rank. He and his wife, Gloria, were returning from a Thanksgiving visit with family.

“I know at one time it was said that there was nobody important on the plane, but there were important people. Some people are still kind of upset by that comment, but all I’ll say is that they didn’t know. They didn’t realize that those words had power,” Jones said. “But what the Bluemont, Virginia, community did was recognize each and every person,

no matter their military status, no matter whether they were children, fathers, aunts, cousins—they just came together as a community and helped strangers, just as my grandfather and grandmother did when they signed up for the service.”

Cartwright was drafted into the still-segregated army in 1941. He served in World War II, Korea, Japan, and Viet-

nam during a 33-year army career. Two months before the crash, he established The Rocks, an organization that continues to support the development of black officers, including Colin Powell.

County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) said, like many county residents, she had been aware of the historic plane crash, but recently with the approaching

anniversary did more research.

“Being aware of something and feeling that thing are two very different things,” she said. “When I heard about it, my response, like most people’s response, was something like, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry that happened. And then you move on, because you’re not always connected to it.”

“When I found out this was going to the 50th anniversary, the commemoration was going to happen, I stopped and went back and read everything I could find about the crash, the incident, the people and what happened after,” she said. “I moved from being aware of it to connected to it, thus connected to your loved ones and connected to all of you.”

She also highlighted the lasting trauma that resulted from the crash, including the scores of first responders who were called to the scene and spent days combing the crash site for remains and plane pieces.

“There became an acknowledgement that the people who were survivors are part of this thing. They live with this and are traumatized by it every day, especially first responders who were there, who saw it. Sometimes we forget that the people who respond, even if you didn’t know the people who perished, are going to be impacted.”

“I feel it’s weird to cry about people you’ve never met, but since I’ve been reading about your loved ones, I have to cry some,” Randall said. n

Photo by Douglas Graham

Retired Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Chief Keith Brower reads the names of passengers and crew members who died in the crash of TWA Flight 514 during a Dec. 1 ceremony marking its 50th anniversary. As a young volunteer, Brower was among the firemen called to crash site to help with recovery efforts.

Photo by Douglas Graham

Audience members gathered at the Bluemont Community Center on Sunday for the memorial service for the 92 people killing in the 1974 crash of TWA Flight 514 listen to surviving family members talk about their experiences.

Photo by Douglas Graham

During a Dec. 1 memorial service for the passengers and crew of TWA Flight 514, Steven Onne holds a photo of his sister, Susan Applewhite, along with her husband, James, and son, Benjy. They were among the 92 people killed in the crash.