Loudoun Now for March 15, 2018 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 3, No. 18]

[ loudounnow.com ]

March 15, 2018 ]

Home Improvement and Real Estate

Purcellville Names New Town Manager BY PATRICK SZABO After nearly a year of temporary fill-ins, the Town of Purcellville finally has a permanent town manager. The Town Council on Tuesday night vot- Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now ed 5-1-1, with David Mekarski Councilman Doug McCollum opposed and Vice Mayor Nedim Ogelman absent, to appoint David Mekarski to the post. The action follows 10 months that saw four other town officials act in the role. “I chose this community from what I could discern on the webpage,” Mekarski said. “I would characterize myself as a servant leader—first and foremost I’m here to serve.” He outlined four objectives that he has for the town—protecting and enhancing the community’s quality of life, enhancing the town’s revenue capacity, focusing on growth management and smart governance, and simply “getting the job done.” Mekarski has more than three decades of municipal management, planning and economic development experience and is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners. He most recently worked for 12 years as the village administrator of Olympia Fields, Illinois—a 3-square-mile community with a population of 5,000. Before resigning that post in November, he was being paid nearly $175,000 annually, according to openthebooks.com. Mekarski is also the former city manager of Vero Beach, FL. In 2005, he resigned from that post under pressure from the City Council after being accused of mismanaging money that the city allocated to help cover costs incurred from Hurricanes Frances TOWN MANAGER >> 54

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Construction is well under way on the Ashburn Station Metro stop, and at the same time county supervisors and state delegates are brainstorming ways to pay for Metrorail.

County Supervisors: State’s Metro Funding Bill Worse Than Nothing

BY RENSS GREENE ver the weekend, state legislators nearly unanimously passed a bill to fund Metrorail that county supervisors say will gut transportation funding in Loudoun and Northern Virginia. The bill has won accolades from legislators in other areas and Loudoun’s own Chamber of Commerce for filling Virginia’s estimated $154 million portion of Metro’s annual funding gap, but local government leaders like Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) say Loudoun taxpayers “would have been better off with no bill.” Letourneau chairs the board’s finance committee and the Metropolitan Wash-

Taking money from the NVTA for Metro puts a heavier burden on Loudoun. Loudoun is responsible for 7.5 percent of Virginia’s share of Metro costs, but about 18 percent of NVTA funding—so shifting money from the NVTA means Loudoun is paying a bigger share of Metro’s costs. And Loudoun board Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) said using grantor’s tax money for Metro is even worse for county taxpayers. That is a tax on real estate transactions—and Loudoun has one of the busiest real estate markets in the state. “Grantor’s tax collection per capita is the largest in Loudoun in the region, and yet Loudoun’s contribution to METRO BILL >> 53

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ington Council of Governments. He said the bill is bad for Loudoun because it strips money from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, which funds hundreds of millions of dollars of transportation projects every year, and redirects that money to Metro. That includes funding from the region’s grantor’s tax, its transient occupancy tax, and its gas tax, among other sources. The only new money expected to result from the bill is $22 million from a gas tax floor in the Northern Virginia region. The state is expected to contribute $30 million. “The way that they did it was sort of the easiest way for them, which was to grab a whole bunch of money that was obviously tied up in road planning projects, and redirect it,” Letourneau said.

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3 March 15, 2018

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Transportation planners Lou Mosurak, left, and Marc Dreyfuss answer questions during Monday’s meeting of the Envision Loudoun stakeholders committee.

In Sprint to the Finish, Planning Panel Wrestles with Rural Handcuffs 10

BY NORMAN K. STYER

ince the summer of 2016, a 26-member committee has gathered around a table in the County Government Center at least once or twice a month to hammer out a new community development vision for Loudoun over the next two decades. The Envision Loudoun process started with a gaggle of consultants with long résumés in community planning, public engagement and technical analysis and a schedule that called for the new plan to be written and adopted in 18 months. Weeks were spent gathering public

input, recording thousands of comments memorialized in online spreadsheets. Months were spent creating and wordsmithing the new comprehensive plan’s broad mission statement and goals. Countless hours were spent urging members to embrace modern planning concepts and eschew the cumbersome, detailed style of General Plan documents that have guided Loudoun’s leaders through three decades of rapid growth. Twenty months later, the consultants are gone and county supervisors are pressing for more deliberative progress to be made. By June, the finished plan will be in the hands of the Planning Commis-

sion. The committee’s work will be done. Last week, the committee received the first draft of the one of the chapters in the plan, 13 pages setting the land use policies for the 250,000-acre Rural Policy Area. On Monday, the committee got its first glimpse of the nearly 70-page Transportation chapter that will replace the 325-page Countywide Transportation Plan. Next week, three other chapters will be presented and the group is slated to decide whether the plan should include the possibility of another Potomac River Crossing. Within six weeks, the committee’s final

Leesburg’s big road projects near their end

Driver’s deadly choice results in jail sentence

Schools claim progress in minority hiring

ENVISION LOUDOUN >> 55

What’s Next on the Ag Business Front? Loudoun Looks Toward Hemp BY RENSS GREENE Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring and Loudoun Department of Economic Development Agricultural Development Officer Kellie Hinkle looked ahead to what’s next at a panel discussion on the rural economy Tuesday. Unlike previous Chamber of Commerce PolicyMaker Series breakfasts, and appropriately to the topic, Ring and Hinkle spoke at a lynchpin of Loudoun’s rural economy: Fabbioli Cellars, north of Leesburg. And if Northern Virginia is the economic engine of Virginia, Loudoun is the economic engine of Northern Virginia’s agricultural scene, with just over half of all the agricultural businesses in the region. Both applauded the continued RURAL >> 55

INDEX

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Doug Fabbioli, Fabbioli Cellars winemaker and owner and host of the Chamber of Commerce’s PolicyMaker Series State of the Rural Economy event, listens to Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring.

Loudoun Gov.......................... 6 Leesburg.............................. 10 Public Safety........................ 14 Education............................. 15 Summer Camps.................... 18 Real Estate/Home Improvement........................ 21 Nonprofit.............................. 38 Biz....................................... 39 Our Towns............................ 40 LoCo Living.......................... 44 Obituaries............................ 47 Public and Legal Notices...... 48 Classifieds........................... 49 Opinion................................ 52

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County Signs Deal to Collect Town Taxes If the two towns that have opted not to participate—Purcellville and Hamilton—decide to join later, they will pay the full cost of adding them to the county’s tax assessment and billing system plus a 10 percent fee. The idea, as both county supervisors and Zurn have said, is to both simplify taxation in Loudoun both to create cost efficiency on the government side and simplify tax bills for town residents. Those residents would start getting only one tax bill covering all of their county and town taxes, instead of separate bills from each. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Budget Director Erin McClellan, Treasurer H. Roger Zurn Jr., and Commissioner of the Revenue Robert S. Wertz Jr. talk tax bills at a Board of Supervisor meeting last June.

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oudoun County Treasurer H. Roger Zurn, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and five Loudoun towns have reached an agreement that will allow the county to centralize taxation for all of those governments in one place—if the state goes along. Before that can begin, the governor must sign legislation introduced by Dels. Dave A. LaRock (R-33) and Wendy W. Gooditis (D-10) and Sens. Richard H. Black (R-13) and Jennifer T. Wexton (D-33) and passed by the General Assembly.

If it’s enacted into law, Zurn will be allowed to take over billing and collecting taxes for the towns, starting with real estate taxes in 2019 and adding personal property taxes in 2020. Leesburg, Middleburg, Round Hill, Lovettsville, and Hillsboro have agreed to participate. Under the agreements with those towns, the county will pay half of the cost of adding them to the treasurer’s tax assessment and billing system, up to $100,000. The towns will divide the other half of the cost, up to $100,000. The county will also keep 1.15 percent of the taxes it collects on behalf of the towns to offset the cost of billing and collecting those taxes.

March 15, 2018

BY RENSS GREENE

[ LOUDOUN GOV ]

March 15, 2018

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park, seen here, is the future site of new soccer fields as part of a deal with D.C. United.

Wheels Turning for DC United Rezoning

BY RENSS GREENE oudoun County supervisors have started the regulatory process to clear the path for construction of a new 5,000-seat stadium, headquarters, and training facilities for the D.C. United soccer team at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park just south of Leesburg. The deal with the Major League Soccer team would also bring a second-division professional men’s soccer team, four more soccer fields, and parking. D.C. United proposes to pay for all of those facilities, except for the parking, through a long-term lease. The county would own the stadium and fields. But before any of that can be built, the supervisors must work through changes to the zoning and comprehensive plan in that area to allow for it. Time is tight—while those changes often take more than a year, going through a public process and hearings at both the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, the professional men’s team’s contract with their league requires them to start playing next spring.

To meet that schedule, county planners propose the application go through a faster-than-normal process, with Planning Commission review in June or July, and Board of Supervisors action in July or September. The project has met opposition from residents in the Kincaid Forest neighborhood. They are worried that the stadium operations will require the opening of Kincaid Boulevard, which goes through their neighborhood. If opened, it would connect Bolen Park to Battlefield Parkway. Currently, the only other access to the park is on Sycolin Road or a winding route from Cochran Mill Road. Because of the Kincaid Forest concerns, the Leesburg Town Council has resisted opening Kincaid Boulevard to through traffic until Crosstrail Boulevard is complete. When finished, Crosstrail will connect Bolen Park directly to Rt. 7 at the Village at Leesburg. County planners have accelerated construction plans for the Crosstrail extension, but it is still not expected to be ready by the time the stadium opens.

“We won’t know the time lag until we kind of get into the issue some,” said County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) during March 6’s Board of Supervisors meeting. “We believe it will be 18 months to two years, but we have to start the process to really know that.” Supervisor Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin) argued the stadium won’t have as much impact as those residents fear. “There’s like 15 or 16 fields in that area already,” Higgins said. “… So there’s already quite a bit of traffic in and out of there that is occurring normally with the fields that are in that area.” Leesburg District Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) continues to oppose the project, citing the neighborhood concerns. Supervisors adopted the zoning work plan 7-1-1, with Umstattd opposed and Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) absent. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Supervisors Support New First Responders’ Mental Health Program BY RENSS GREENE

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Members of the Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Foundation came out Tuesday to show support for their department’s budget request.

Following urgent pleas from both first responders and some of the people they’ve helped, Loudoun supervisors have tentatively elected to go along with a proposed half-million dollar behavioral health program in the fire and rescue department. Mindy Schulz, the mother of the infant who died after being hit by an SUV in a Lansdowne crosswalk, and a witness to that accident came to Loudoun supervisors last week asking them not to cut a proposed behavior-

al health program for first responders from the county budget. Schulz was pushing her infant son Tristan through a crosswalk in a stroller Aug. 31, 2016, when they were both struck, killing Tristan and seriously injuring Schulz. “Knowing what I saw and experienced that August day, my heart breaks for those brave men and women who sacrifice their mental and emotional well-being and even their lives to save MENTAL HEALTH >> 8

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In their second work session on the county budget Thursday night, Loudoun supervisors chopped more than $909,000 from the spending requests submitted by human service agencies including the departments of Family Services; Health; and Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Disability Services. By contrast, on Monday supervisors added funding an additional School Resource Officer in the Sheriff ’s Office budget which did not appear in the sheriff ’s budget request. County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s proposed budget called for growing the human service agencies by nearly $4.3 million and 36 jobs. After the cuts, those are down to 29 new jobs and $3.4 million. Adding a third new school resource officer to the two in the sheriff ’s budget request tacked another $195,000 into the county budget. Two of the positions cut from the Department of Family Services were from a new four-member Housing Policy Division, which feature the expertise to put together financing agreements for affordable housing projects. In total, over three work sessions, supervisors have cut just over $1 million from Hemstreet’s proposed budget. They now can add that much more

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Loudoun Wins $25M Grant for Rt. 50 Connector

March 15, 2018

BY RENSS GREENE U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10) announced last week that Loudoun County will receive $25 million in federal funding to complete Northstar Boulevard between Shreveport Drive and Rt. 50. The county won the funding though the U.S. Department of Transportation’s competitive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery—or TIGER— grant program. Completing that section of Northstar Boulevard will create another north-south connector between some of the county’s major thoroughfares. Northstar and Belmont Ridge Road together will form an unbroken connection between Rt. 50 and Rt. 7 with ramps onto the Dulles Greenway. In 2016, county leaders were frustrated in their efforts to win state funding. The Commonwealth Transportation Board voted to move $43 million away from Northstar Boulevard and into a Rt. 7 project in Fairfax County. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said after that, Comstock reached out to supervisors to see if they had any projects to submit for TIGER grant consideration. Loudoun put together a “last-second” application, which it improved upon over time. The county also hopes to win funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for the project. Letourneau said that support is critical for construction to move ahead.

“One downside of federal money is that it usually does take longer to move forward with the project,” Letourneau said. “But I think the focus for Northstar is getting that done at NVTA, so then we can start allocating it.” Comstock said Northstar “will serve as a vital route for local drivers and significantly improve traffic flow.” “As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure committee, I have been pleased to work with the Secretary on delivering on these needed priorities for Virginia’s 10th,” Comstock stated. “We fought hard for this very competitive grant and I would like to thank the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, particularly Supervisor Letourneau and Supervisor [Tony R.] Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) for their and their staff ’s work.” In a joint statement, Warner and Kaine said Loudoun’s continued growth “is only possible with continued investment in roads and other transportation infrastructure, and that’s why it is so important that we continue the TIGER grant program and continue to invest in our nation’s infrastructure. These federal funds will help Loudoun County upgrade its transportation network so it is better prepared to meet the needs of its increasing population and workforce.” The new Northstar Boulevard segment will be designed as a controlled access thoroughfare comprised of a four-lane divided roadway located within a proposed six-lane right-ofway. It will include a 10-foot wide shared-use path and 6-foot wide side-

walks, three signalized intersections, and two new bridges. The $25 million award chips away at the project’s total estimated cost of nearly $88 million. “I’m extremely excited to learn that our grant has been approved by the Department of Transportation and I want to thank Congresswoman Comstock for her work in making this happen,” Buffington said. “While this award doesn’t fully fund the project, it will go a long way towards doing so.” Comstock, Warner, and Kaine had all sent letters to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao voicing support for the application. “I think the southern part of Loudoun is disconnected from the rest of Loudoun,” Letourneau said. “The extension of Loudoun County Parkway was helpful in rectifying that, but we still have significant delays, it’s still disconnected, so Northstar is a major piece of that.” “This is a major north-south connector that will reduce traffic congestion in our part of Loudoun County, and we’re really excited about it,” Buffington said. The county’s plans for Northstar reach even further south to Braddock Road, another east-west route to Fairfax County. The county plans to fund construction of the final sections of that road in fiscal year 2024. Those two projects, extending first from Rt. 50 to Tall Cedars Parkway and then to Braddock Road, total more than $75 million. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Mental health << FROM 6 the rest of us,” Schulz told supervisors March 6. “I wonder frequently how they are able to continue day after day in the face of such grueling and heart-wrenching reality.” County Administrator Tim Hemstreet included that proposal to set up a behavioral health program for career and volunteer fire and rescue first responders in his proposed fiscal year 2019 budget. That proposal includes hiring a new behavioral health coordinator, trained in psychology or a related field, to focus on developing the behavioral health program and daily support. It would also include contracting for regular behavioral health training for first responders. Schulz and Nicole Nixon, who witnessed the accident, both encouraged supervisors not to cut that program from the proposed budget. “Our fire and rescue personnel deserve the respect and support of our elected officials to provide for the mental health needs that their unique and selfless bravery provides for our community,” Schulz said. “The trauma I lived with is from one day in my life, and that will be with me forever. What these brave protectors experience is every single day on the job.” At a work session deliberating the requested fire and rescue services budget, supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) read aloud a letter from an anonymous firefighter about the need for that program. That firefighter had responded to fatal incidents and carried severed body parts to a helicopter in a biohazard bag from car wrecks. The firefighter wrote of years of recurring nightmares, marital problems, anger issues, and two near suicide attempts, resulting from PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression. “Unfortunately, you leave a piece of yourself on every tough call you run,” the firefighter wrote. “The severity of the call depends on how big the piece is.” The firefighter wrote that the behavioral health funding is “a much needed component to better take care of our personnel.” Supervisors’ votes so far are unofficial straw polls. They are scheduled to take an official vote April 3. rgreene@loudounnow.com

9 March 15, 2018

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Susan Glass (center,) a program manager with Loudoun’s Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure, discusses the Rt. 15 improvement plans with neighbors during a March 11 open house planning forum.

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Consensus Sought on Rt. 15 Safety, Congestion-Relief Options After seven months of work by a special committee and a team of consultants, efforts to improve traffic flow and safety on Rt. 15 north of Leesburg are moving forward. On Friday and Saturday, more than 200 area residents attended open house forums to review some of the proposals on the table. The Rt. 15 Stakeholders Committee was appointed by the Board of Supervisors in August and includes representatives of 12 homeowners associations, as well as civic and preservation groups. It’s tasked with building agreement on ways to improve the heavily travelled commuter road without losing its rural road character. It’s a familiar discussion—continuing off and on for 30 years, but over that time consensus has proven elusive. Supervisor Geary Higgins (R-Catoctin) thinks that is changing with the new effort. And he said he was confident that many of the proposals—including new roundabouts at intersections, turn lanes and wider shoulders—will find funding support relatively quickly. Among the important findings, he said, was that there was adequate right of way available to make the improvements without having to acquire or condemn private property. During the two open house meetings, held Friday at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg and Saturday at the Lucketts Community Center, residents viewed information boards displaying data on the corridor’s crash-prone areas and traffic chokepoints, and a range of options to address those concerns. Participants were asked to fill out questionnaires to share their views and to raise issues that hadn’t been addressed by the work so far. The next step is for the consultants to tabulate those results. The county government and the Virginia Department of Transportation are moving ahead with a plan to widen Rt. 15 to four lanes from the Leesburg Bypass to Montresor Road—a project that is expected to relieve the daily afternoon rush hour gridlock in Leesburg.

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Stacy Carey, a staff aide for Supervisor Geary Higgins (R-Catoctin), discusses the Rt. 15 improvement plans with neighbors during a March 11 open house planning forum.

Under the committee’s proposals, Rt. 15 would not be widened north of Montresor Road. However, to address a chokepoint in Lucketts and to improve safety in the area of Lucketts Elementary School, construction of a “Lucketts Bypass” is being explored. What is on the table now is different from a larger project that was considered, and rejected, a decade ago. The Lucketts Bypass suggested during the 2007 update of Loudoun’s Countywide Transportation Plan was envisioned as an 8-mile parallel road running east of the village. The new plan is a short offshoot to the west that would move commuter traffic around the village core. Many residents participating in Saturday’s forum expressed skepticism that the work could address congestion concerns given the large amount of Maryland commuter traffic and the continued development in the Frederick area. Another challenge is providing safe ingress and egress for the 90 homes and businesses that have direct driveway access to Rt. 15. Even at today’s traffic levels, it is often difficult for residents to pull out of their driveways during rush hour. More information and updates on the project can be viewed at loudoun. gov/Route15. nstyer@loudounnow.com

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[ LEESBURG ]

March 15, 2018

BUDGET SPOTLIGHT Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The final link of Battlefield Parkway—a road project decades in the making—will open to traffic in the next month. The new link provides passage between South King Street and the Dulles Greenway.

Leesburg Reaches the End of the Road for Big Transportation Projects

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ ith streets and highway projects now accounting for 75 percent of the projects in the Leesburg’s Capital Improvements Pro-

gram, expect orange cones to become a familiar sight on Leesburg streets for years to come. But fiscal year 2019 marks the end of two especially noteworthy transportation projects that have been decades in the making. Chief among those is Battlefield

Parkway, a project that has taken some 30 years to finish since its inception. Next month, lanes on the newest link between South King Street to the Dulles Greenway will open to traffic, and the project will be substantially completed by the summer, Capital Projects Manager Tom Brandon told

Town Council Begins Budget Review BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ Monday night was the first opportunity for Leesburg Town Council members to scrutinize two areas of the town’s proposed fiscal year 2019 budget in the first of several work sessions on the matter. The six-year Capital Improvements Program and Utility Fund were the two areas up for review this week. Capital Projects Manager Tom Brandon walked the council through all the projects set for completion in the upcoming fiscal year, as well as those that had any budget or schedule changes. He noted that while the number of projects in the town’s CIP have remained steady over the years, the overall budget has significantly increased since 2011, thanks largely to the amount of transportation projects in the plan. Streets and highway projects now account for 75 percent of all the projects in the CIP, Brandon said. Looking ahead to next year’s bud-

get, Brandon said plans are to move the town’s Capital Asset Replacement Fund, which annually funds the repair, replacement and maintenance of town infrastructure, into the CIP. On the Utility Fund side, Utilities Director Amy Wyks reported that revenues for the enterprise fund have increased thanks to the development activity around town. As an enterprise fund, the Utilities Fund is reliant on utility rates and fees, and has no impact on the tax rate, she reminded the council. On the revenue side, she said that water and sewer fees account for 80 percent of the fund’s projected revenue. The Panda Stonewall Power Plant, which buys reclaimed water for the town for its operations, is expected to contribute 3 percent of the fund’s overall revenue. Availability fees account for 4 percent of overall revenue. On the utility rate side, the council in 2014 approved rates through fiscal year 2019. The same consultant hired in 2014 will soon begin a new study to

set rates for fiscal years 2020 through 2024, Wyks said. The biggest increase in the Utility Fund’s proposed budget comes from its 3R Fund, its own version of the Capital Asset Replacement Fund. Several older vehicles are up for replacement, as well as older systems in the town’s Water Pollution Control Facility. The upgrades or replacements for some of these systems could net the town some energy savings, she noted. Wyks has also requested two new fulltime employees for the Water Pollution Control Facility, which is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year facility. A public hearing on the budget was planned for Tuesday, after this paper’s deadline. For more on the budget go to LoudounNow.com/Leesburg. A copy of the proposed budget is available online at leesburgva.gov/budget. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

the Town Council on Monday night. With all the links along Battlefield completed, attention will now turn to the funding of interchanges to ease congestion along the major arterial road. This year, the town is expected to receive the final $25 million in needed funding to jumpstart the construction of the interchange at Battlefield and Rt. 7. A future interchange is also planned at Battlefield’s intersection with the Leesburg Bypass, although funding for that remains to be had. Another road project that has seen its share of work over the past decade is also winding down. The four-phase Sycolin Road widening project, set to be completed within fiscal year 2019, was intended to ease congestion in one of the fastest growing development corridors in town. As the only continuous north-south arterial route in Leesburg other than Rt. 15, backups on Sycolin Road have become commonplace, especially as development along the route has increased. In addition to the extensions of Battlefield Parkway, the development of the Oaklawn community, the increased activity at Leesburg Executive Airport, and the opening of the county’s Philip A. Bolen Park, have all added strain to an already busy travel way. Widening the road from two lanes to four, divided roadway, with sidewalk and trail extensions alongside it, was hoped to spell the relief commuters and residents in the area so desperately desired. The final phase of the widening project is set to kick off this spring, and will widen the 3,400 feet between the town’s southern corporate limits to just south of Tolbert Lane. Other phases of the project have addressed Sycolin’s intersections with Battlefield Parkway, Tolbert Lane, and Hope Parkway. In total, the four-phase project has cost more than $33 million. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

[ BRIEFS ] Council Discusses Food Trucks – Again It was a familiar topic of discussion before the Town Council on Monday night: Should regulations be opened up to allow mobile food units in the downtown area? The council last year passed legislation that permitted food trucks in the town’s industrial and employment center districts, but held off on supporting food trucks in the town’s business districts. But earlier this year, some of those same council members who had voiced dissent on allowing them in the B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4 districts expressed support for renewing the discussion. While there now appears to be majority support for allowing them in the B-2, B-3 and B-4 districts—areas of town that include the Village at Leesburg, part of the East Market Street corridor and the Crescent Design District—the remaining sticking point appears to be whether to allow food trucks in the B-1, or downtown, BRIEFS >> 12

March 15, 2018

2/20/18 5:06 PM

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March 15, 2018

[ BRIEFS ] << FROM 10 district where several breweries like to host food trucks. When the matter last came before the council for a vote, the council was down one member following Ken Reid’s resignation. Now, with Josh Thiel winning the February special election to fill Reid’s term, there will be seven members to determine the food trucks’ fate. Monday night, the council listened to a staff presentation on the matter and asked clarifying questions. While the council was not expected to vote on a potential Zoning Ordinance initiation this week, with staff needing to come back with further research on the council’s questions, some members made their thoughts on the matter known. “What our culture is about is encouraging entrepreneurs. We don’t decide what businesses are going to come here,” Councilman Ron Campbell said. “If we’re going to change policies we should understand why the policies should be reflective of our unique culture.” But Mayor Kelly Burk, who has opposed allowing food trucks in the downtown, said the historic nature of Leesburg needs to be considered. “The historic aspect … is extremely important. Otherwise we just become another town. We become un-unique,” she said. Listening in the audience Monday night were some key stakeholders on the matter – representatives of Leesburg’s microbrewery community as well as lo-

cal food truck vendors. Both Loudoun Brewing Company’s and Black Walnut Brewery’s owners have asked the council to allow food trucks on a permanent basis in the downtown area to serve their customers on busy weekends.

FOLPA Seeks Artists for Annual Show Friends of Leesburg Public Arts invites local artists to donate small art works to its $50 Friends, 5x7 Art Works! art sale and fundraiser. The art works can be of any medium and subject, but should be unframed and signed only on the back of each piece. Two-dimensional works should be no larger than 5 inches by 7 inches. Three-dimensional works should be no larger than 5 inches by 5 inches by 7 inches. Deadline for artists to register is March 31, and art works must be delivered by April 24. Details and artist registration form are available at leesburgpublicarts.org, under the Events tab. The donated art will be displayed anonymously at TRYST Gallery, at 312 East Market St., on Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28. Every art work will be available for purchase for $50. All proceeds from the event will support Leesburg public art initiatives. TRYST Gallery will host an opening reception and sale for the show from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 27. The community is invited to come meet the participating artists. All remaining artwork will be sold from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 28.

ABC

Broad Run High School graduate Brandon Diaz performs during the second night of ABC’s “American Idol” televised auditions.

Ashburn’s Diaz Wows ‘Idol’ Judges Sometime over the past eight years you might have seen Brandon Diaz playing at an area winery or wedding, or performing one of his Thursday night shows at the Ashburn Potbelly restaurant. On Monday night, the talent of the Briar Woods High School graduate was introduced to a national audience as part of the second night of ABC’s “American Idol” televised auditions. Diaz, the 21-year-old son of a Cuban immigrant father, sang “Unaware” by Allen Stone, drawing rave reviews from the judge panel of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan—and getting a “golden ticket” to

compete for the American Idol title in Hollywood. Richie and Bryan remarked on Diaz’s “very clean” falsetto, and Perry said he was “the best male singer we’ve seen so far.” Diaz and his family had to keep the audition success a secret for months; the performance was taped Oct. 4 in New York City. It was not the first national television performance by the singer who is now enrolled in the Berklee College of Music in Boston. At age 16, Diaz auditioned for the “X Factor,” performing “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder.

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March 15, 2018

P R E S E N T S : LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS

March 15, 2018

[ PUBLIC SAFETY ]

WV Man Sentenced to 12 Months in Fatal Rt. 15 Crash His eyes closed for a few seconds and his Ford 150 pickup drifted across the centerline of Rt. 15 just north of Leesburg. In an instant, a Leesburg man driving northbound in a Subaru pickup was dead. On March 6, Jimmy Hartman, 22, pleaded guilty to reckless driving in the March 22, 2017, crash and was sentenced to 12 months in jail. The West Virginia man told investigators at the scene of the crash that he had fallen asleep while driving after lacking sleep because of work obligations. The victim was Michael Anthony Larrick, a 29-year-old newlywed who worked in the IT field.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr.’s courtroom was filled with Larrick’s family and friends. Among seven witnesses who testified about the lasting impact the crash has had were Larrick’s mother and wife. His wife said she forgave Hartman and asked him to live the best life he could. She also asked Fleming include community service to victims and other young adults as part of Hartman’s sentence. Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan W. Perry asked the Fleming to craft a sentence that would send a message to other drivers that their choices have consequences and costs.

In his ruling, Fleming noted that Hartman’s conduct “unintentionally and unlawfully” had a far reaching, severe and negative impact. He said the case should serve as a cautionary tale for others who make choices to get behind the wheel of a car when they are fatigued. In addition to the 12-month jail sentence, Fleming imposed a $2,500 suspended fine, placed Hartman on supervised probation for 12 months, and ordered him to participate as a speaker in the county’s monthly Victim Impact Panel program during the year following his release from jail. Hartman’s driver’s license was suspended for six months.

Hartman

Brush Fire Torches 15 Acres

Photos contributed by Joe Drumheller

These photos by neighbor Joe Drumheller offer a birds-eye view of the damage left by a brush fire that occurred during Friday’s wind storm. Chief Fire Marshal Linda Hale said the fire along Clarkes Gap Road was caused by a power line that was blown over by the extreme winds. The blaze quickly covered 15 acres, but crews successfully prevented damage to nearby structures. The nor’easter that closed schools and left at least 18,000 Loudoun residents without power last week generated a top gust of 71 mph, measured at Dulles Airport, as reported by the National Weather Service. That same day, a separate fire ignited when the winds blew the embers of a days-old fire that was thought to have already been put out.

[ SAFETY BRIEFS ] Two Fatal Crashes in Loudoun During Weekend It was a dangerous weekend on Loudoun County roads, with authorities investigating two fatal crashes. The first happened early Sunday morning on Berlin Turnpike near Freemont Overlook Lane, north of Purcellville. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, Cherry Coleman, 48, of Charles Town, WV, was traveling northbound on Berlin Turnpike at 3:20 a.m. when she failed to negotiate a curve and ran straight off the road and into a tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The second crash took the life of a Leesburg man Sunday night. The crash occurred at 9:20 p.m. on Old Ox Road less than a mile west of Douglas Court. A 2004 Lincoln Town Car was traveling along Rt. 606 when it ran off the road and struck the rear

of a tractor-trailer parked on private property. The Virginia State Police identified the victim as Zia Ud Din, 37, of Leesburg. Din died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Trooper J.A. Cabrera. These were the second and third fatal crashes in Loudoun County in 2018. Last year at this time, there had been five fatal crashes and six fatalities.

McGowan Drug Case Moves to Hearing Next Week Loudoun District Court Judge Deborah Welsh on Monday denied a motion to dismiss the criminal drug charge against actress Rose McGowan. The case will proceed to an evidentiary preliminary hearing, scheduled for March 21. Her attorneys asked for dismissal of

the felony cocaine possession charge against her. The motion challenged the authority of Virginia courts to hear the case and raises allegations that the drug was planted in her wallet, which she left on a plane after landing at Dulles Airport in January. McGowan was the first woman to publicly claim she was sexually assaulted by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, effectively kicking off the Me Too movement that resulted in Weinstein’s banishment and calls to end sexual harassment and abuse in the industry. Her attorneys argue that the drug may have been planted as part of an alleged campaign by Weinstein to discredit McGowan. More than five hours passed between the time she disembarked, leaving the wallet in a seat, until it was turned over to airport police, the motion stated. Even if the drug was not planted, the motion argues, that there is no ev-

idence that McGowan ever possessed cocaine in Virginia. “Even assuming, only for the sake of argument, that she did possess the cocaine at some point in time, it would have been prior to the cocaine being on the floor of the plane at Dulles International Airport,” the motion states challenging Virginia’s authority to prosecute the case. Welsh said the arguments could be considered during the March 21 preliminary hearing, when the judge will hear evidence and rule on whether there is probable cause to send the case to a grand jury for indictment and a subsequent trial in Circuit Court. Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul Ebert is prosecuting the case after Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman recused himself because McGowan’s lawyer had represented him in an unrelated case.

[ E D U C AT I O N ]

[ BRIEFS ]

School District Reports Slight Progress on Hiring More Minority Teachers

BY DANIELLE NADLER

s Virginia faces a worsening teacher shortage, Loudoun County school leaders say they’re working overtime to stay ahead of the curve and seem to be finding success. Administrators from the Department of Human Resources and Talent

Development recently gave the School Board an update on what they’re doing to attract enough teachers to keep up with continued enrollment growth. Each year, the school system brings on about 800 new hires with teaching licenses to keep pace with attrition and the 1,500 to 2,000 new students that come into the public schools. As Loudoun’s hiring managers are working to bring on more teachers each

year, they’re pulling from a shrinking pool of qualified candidates. “You’re all aware there is a teaching shortage across Virginia, which increases the importance of our recruitment activities,” said Kimberly Hough, assistant superintendent of the Department of Human Resources and Talent Development. MINORITY TEACHERS >> 16

A Year After Dominion Scandal, Assembly Moves to Block Tainted Teacher Recommendations BY DANIELLE NADLER A bill on its way to becoming Virginia law could have prevented a Dominion High School band director accused of sexual misconduct from getting a subsequent teaching job in Florida. Both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously passed HB 438 that requires local school boards to adopt policies that prohibit any school employee or contractor from helping another employee get a new job if he or she is believed to have engaged in sexual misconduct involving a minor or student. Del. David Reid (D-32), of Ashburn, said the state law is almost three years overdue. States were directed to adopt similar legislation as part of Congress’ 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act. “There is a lot of stuff that gets passed by the federal government and there’s a

lot of nuance, and this wasn’t picked up on,” Reid said. He said U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8VA) alerted Virginia lawmakers that the General Assembly hadn’t yet adopted a law prohibiting schools from helping teachers suspected of sexual misconduct from getting a job elsewhere. The bill’s language describes exactly a situation that played out in Loudoun County that resulted in the firing of a band director suspected of making sexual advances toward students and the suspension of Dominion High School Principal John Brewer. Brewer was placed on administrative leave in December 2016, just as the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office launched an investigation of Brian Damron, who served as Dominion’s band director from July 2012 to January 2015, under the leadership of

Brewer. The Sheriff ’s Office’s investigation was prompted by reports from a 15-year-old student in Jacksonville, FL, that Damron had made sexual advances toward him. Duval County Public Schools in Florida hired Damron in 2016 after he abruptly resigned from Loudoun County Public Schools. School records showed that Brewer and Music Supervisor Michael Pierson wrote letters of recommendation that Damron submitted to Duval County Public Schools, as part of his application. It was later learned that Damron was also accused of making inappropriate advances toward students while he taught at Dominion. Loudoun County Superintendent Eric Williams reported this to the Virginia Department of Education in January 2017, two years after Damron resigned and a

DOMINION >> 17

Heritage Wins R.I.S.E. Grant Heritage High School won a $10,000 grant to support its theater program as part of NBC’s R.I.S.E. America grants. The grant program is inspired by NBC’s drama “Rise” about a high school theater department that premiered this week. Fifty high schools nationwide received a R.I.S.E. grant from more than 1,000 applicants. Heritage was the only Virginia high school to receive a grant. NBC, in partnership with Educational Theatre Foundation, awarded each of the 50 winning schools $10,000 to cover the critical needs of their theater programs, ranging from production expenses to technical equipment and master classes. “Everyone at Heritage’s Pride Productions is honored to have been chosen from the over 1,000 applications and as the only school in the state of Virginia,” SCHOOL NOTES >> 17

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Ball’s Bluff Elementary School second grade teacher Faye Sterling leads a lesson on Black History Month.

In response to allegations that discipline of special needs students enrolled in Loudoun’s public schools has included isolation in small rooms for hours at a time, Superintendent Eric Williams sent a public letter to the advocacy group the Special Education Advisory Council. In the letter, which Public Information Officer Wayde Byard sent to Loudoun Now late Friday, Williams said the school system is taking seriously the concerns and any situation where established guidelines were not adhered to. “Our practice is to review concerns, and to address the matter appropriately if our guidelines have not been followed. LCPS acknowledges that there have been instances in which the guidelines have not been followed and LCPS apologizes for each of these instances,” he wrote. The school system has also requested that the Virginia Department of Education conduct an audit of its practices relating to seclusion and restraint. Williams said this request, made in late February, preceded the letter from state legislators sent earlier this month calling for an investigation. The superintendent is also working with the School Board to schedule a special work session on “behavioral interventions and support.” See the full letter from Superintendent Williams to members of Special Education Advisory Council at loudounnow.com/ education.

March 15, 2018

Superintendent Writes Open Letter to Special Education Advocacy Group

Petition Seeks to Change Graduation Policy for Immigrant Students

March 15, 2018

BY DANIELLE NADLER A local business leader has launched a petition at Change.org that urges Loudoun County school leaders to allow immigrant students up to age 22 to earn their diplomas. This school year, Loudoun County Public Schools’ administrators more narrowly interpreted a policy that states that students who are 20 years or older may remain enrolled in high school tuition free if they are “reasonably close to completing graduation requirements,” keep good attendance and demonstrate a serious intent to graduate. For years, school system administration gave waivers to students who needed another year to complete all of the required credits, especially for students who were still learning English. But this year, teachers and counselors were told they could only provide waivers to students beyond their 20th birthday if they had eight or fewer credits to complete before graduating. That is stricter than state law, which allows schools to enroll students for whom English isn’t their primary language if they entered school in Virginia for the first time after reaching their 12th birthday and who are 21 years old or younger. They are not eligible if they turned 22 years old on or before Aug. 1 of the school year. The change meant dozens of high school students who thought they were on track to earn a diploma were kicked out of their home high schools. Shye Gilad, CEO of ProJet Aviation, launched a petition at Change.org this week to request that those students be given the time that state law allows to earn their diploma. “We want the Loudoun County Public School Board to allow English Language Learner (ELL) Students who have not reached 22 years of age on or before August 1 of the school year to be

Minority teachers << FROM 15 The number of unfilled teacher positions across the state has increased by 40 percent during the past 10 years. The School Board has allocated more money to teacher recruiting efforts. Two years ago, the board approved funding for more consulting services and a personnel specialist who specifically targets diversity recruitment. About 12 percent of the school system’s teachers and administrators are racial minorities, far behind the 48 percent of minorities who make up the student body. Hough said the newly created recruitment department is getting creative to attract more minority applicants, but it’s not easy. She told the board at its Feb. 27 meeting that minority students enrolled in teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities is just a handful compared to white students. According to 20152016 statistics, black students studying

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Liliana Bran, a Broad Run High School student, works her second job at Chipotle Mexican Grill in Ashburn. She was recently informed that she will age out of Broad Run before she earns her diploma because of a change in how the school system interprets enrollment policy.

Shye plans to present the petition to the School Board. The board’s Student Support and Services Committee is scheduled to review Policies 8-12 and 8-13, that oversee the graduation guidelines, at its next meeting at 8:30 a.m. March 22. The meeting is open to the public and will take place at the school administration building, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn. Find the petition at bit.ly/2DkwRY7 or search “Loudoun County Public Schools” at Change.org.

allowed to complete their high-school education at their home school, just as in Fairfax County,” Gilad said.

He said he launched the petition, and is talking with school and community leaders about reversing the decision, because the stories of the impacted students are similar to his family’s and so many others’. “It’s the story of my legal immigrant parents that were discriminated against as they were trying to become fluent English speakers while working multiple jobs to create a better future for their children. It’s the story of your parents, grandparents or other relatives not too far down your family’s tree,” the petition states. “It is not a happy story—but we have the chance to tell a better one in Loudoun.”

to be teachers ranges from 15.2 percent at four-year public institutions to 19.7 percent at two-year community colleges. Hispanic students make up between 3.9 percent at four-year private institutions and 12.6 percent at twoyear community colleges. “That means we’re really competing for a small number of minority teaching candidates,” Hough said. Her department has rolled out several initiatives to try to bring more minority teachers to Loudoun’s classrooms. During the past two years, more than 500 hiring managers have taken training on how unconscious biases affect hiring practices. That includes principals, assistant principals, deans and counselors. Their recruitment staff has also taken part in career fairs at 39 colleges and universities, and 24 of those are historically black colleges and universities. For their more general recruiting efforts, they’ve added more in-house career fairs, increased their social media presence and advertising budget, hosted more “career-switcher” fairs, launched an employee referral program that’s resulted in 39 new hires, and done more to recruit student teachers and high school students in

the teacher cadet program. The school system has also partnered with two programs designed to attract military veterans to the teaching profession: Troops to Teachers and Virginia Values Veterans. “Prior to having a recruitment department, there were a whole lot of these services that we were not providing,” Hough said. School Board member Debbie Rose (Algonkian) asked Hough whether their efforts are paying off. “There are a lot of efforts, but I don’t hear that we are having any headway in the hiring of diverse staff. Do you have some data on that?” she said. She referred back to a presentation given in an October committee meeting that showed that 26.25 percent of the new teachers hired for this school year were racial minorities. That is more than double the rate of minority teachers of the school system’s total teachers, 12.56 percent of whom are black, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, American Indian or mixed race. “There is slight progress. It’s very slow progress,” Hough said. Data from early in the school year shows that her department may be mitigating a worse problem, she added. “Because we were

actually in a much better position than our neighbors in Fairfax and Prince William as far as the number of unfilled positions by quite a bit.” The human resources department is also doing a lot more to track who is interviewed, all with the goal of increasing the candidate pool and creating a more diverse team of teachers who look more like the students they teach. Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) said he was happy to hear that administrators have taken the training about unconscious bias, but he’d like every person who sits on any hiring committee to take the training, as well. “I understand that principals and assistant principals have taken that training, but someone else sitting on that committee could inadvertently impact that environment and I would like to make sure anyone involved in that process undergoes that training,” Morse said. “In fact, I’d like to get to the point where all of our teachers as well as administrators have the unconscious-biased training.”

It is not a happy story—but we have the chance to tell a better one in Loudoun. Shye Gilad, CEO, ProJet Aviation

dnadler@loudounnow.com

17 March 15, 2018

Tolbert Elementary Hosts Career Day Eyes were widened and aspirations were sparked on Friday, as hundreds of elementary school students learned about different career paths. Leesburg’s John W. Tolbert, Jr. Elementary School career day featured 23 business professionals representing multiple work fields, including the police force, real estate, automotive repair, veterinary medicine, journalism, the FBI and the U.S. Navy. Presenters went from class to class throughout the school day to talk about their jobs. Students from kindergarten to fifth grade listened, asked questions and took part in a few exercises.

[ SCHOOL BRIEFS ] << FROM 15 Heritage Director of Theatre Arts Angela Ramacci wrote in an email. “Right now we are working with our administration to make certain that we find a deep and lasting way to use this grant, that will positively impact our entire Heritage Theatre Family.” Heritage’s Pride Productions accepted its grant check earlier this month during the NBC 4 Health & Fitness Expo in Washington, DC. While at the event, Heritage students performed an excerpt from their upcoming show, “Beauty & the Beast,” which runs April 26-29 and May 4-5. Learn more at heritagedrama.com.

The FORT for Teens Returns Sunday The Ryan Bartel Foundation and Fusion Academy are teaming up to host the second installment of its FORT program from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 18. The FORT is kind of a pop-up teen

Dominion << FROM 15 month after he placed Brewer on leave, to ask that his teaching license be canceled. Damron did not object to the cancelation of his license, but noted, “My signature on this document does not constitute an admission of guilt of any allegations or charges…” The Sheriff ’s Office’s investigation into Damron did not result in any criminal charges. Superintendent Williams recommended that Brewer be fired over the

center, a community space where young people ages 13 to 21 can connect and grow together. This weekend’s event will include group games and discussion, a drum circle, abstract painting workshops, therapy dogs, meditation, yin yoga and tribal body marking. The FORT is free, but interested participants are asked to register at ryanbartelfoundation.org/the-fort. Donations are welcome.

Basketball Fundraiser Saturday The Loudoun Douglass Alumni Association is holding its annual basketball fundraiser from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 17. The event will raise money for the association’s scholarship program and will include games, door prizes and music by DJ Junior. It will take place at Douglass School, 407 E. Market St. in Leesburg. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, contact Mary Randolph at maryhallrandolph@ gmail.com.

incident. A year ago this month, the School Board technically terminated the principal’s position and, a minute later, voted to rehire him on a probationary period for three years. Reid said he signed on as one of three sponsors of the House bill because it put Virginia in line with federal law, but also prevented situations like this. “This was one of those things where this made perfect sense that we need to be doing this,” he said. “I wanted to sign on to make sure things like what happened at Dominion High School does not happen again.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County Equine Alliance 3rd Annual

Equine Expo

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

STONE TOWER WINERY

19925 Hogback Mountain Rd., Leesburg, VA

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

-FREE-

Everyone is Welcome

Join us to celebrate the First Day of Spring!

Join us to visit more than 40 Vendors!!

-DOOR PRIZES-

FREE Glass of Wine for first 50 Guests! Light Refreshments Served

THANK YOU to these Event Sponsors -

• Loudoun Dept. of Economic Development • Southern States • Mor ven Park

• Visit Loudoun • National Sporting Library & Museum • Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center

Loudoun County Equine Alliance P O Box 293 - Purcellville, VA 20134

www.LoudounEquine.org • information@LoudounEquine.org

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Tolbert Elementary students flip through the latest issue of Loudoun Now after hearing from Patrick Szabo what it’s like to work as a journalist.

March 15, 2018

Score Big with Mathnasium This Summer! We make math make sense.

SUMMER CAMPS

Loudoun Parks and Rec Announces Camp Lineup

L Customized Learning Plans Homework Help 1st–12th Grades Test Prep Summer Program

www.loudounnow.com

Mathnasium of Leesburg 521 B E Market St.

mathnasium.com 703-669-MATH

oudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services this week released its 2018 Summer Camp Guide detailing hundreds of opportunities for kids to get out of the house this summer. PRCS camps include full-day programs for grades K-8, adaptive recreation camp, trip camps and a variety of specialty and sports camps at centers, parks and schools throughout the county. Others feature outdoor adventures, sports, art, horsemanship, science, nature, engineering, music and theater. General summer camp registration begins Tuesday, March 20. However, preregistration for returning families in K-8 Daze, Fest & Adaptive Recreation summer camps opened March 5 and continues through Friday. Another important deadline is May 1, the final day to register for camps online. After that, all registrations are required to be done in person.

The Daze and Fest camps run June 18 to Aug. 10, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $175 per week per camper, except during the shortened July 4 week, when the fee is $140. Daze Summer Camp is for children entering grades K-5. Fest Summer Camp is for children enrolled in grades 6-8 for the fall 2018. Adaptive Recreation camps are available through the School’s Out and Summer programs, such as Spring Break and Summer Camp. AR Camps offer participants opportunities to enjoy traditional recreation activities, as well as new experiences through leisure exploration. AR Summer Camp is designed to meet the individual needs of participants who generally benefit from extra support as they strive for daily success within school, leisure and community settings.

CAMP GUIDE >> 20

Photo Courtesy Loudoun County Parks & Rec

The Daze Summer Camp is designed to stimulate creative minds, build healthy bodies, provide age appropriate challenges and develop lasting friendships. Weekly activities include science and nature, arts and crafts, sports, group games, music and drama, cooking, and swimming trips and field trips.

19 March 15, 2018

01 02 03 04 05

We offer 10 Weeks of Full Day and Half Day Camps, for the beginner to advanced ice skater You can practice your slap shot on our NHL size rink in our Total Skills Hockey Camp. Our Summer Fun Learn To Skate USA Camps offer both on and off ice games and activities. You kids will make new friends while learning a new sport that they can enjoy the rest of their lives. When it is hot outside we are the coolest place in town.

WWW.ASHBURNICE.COM

21595 SMITH SWITCH RD. ASHBURN, VA 20147

loudounnow.com

Ashburn Ice House Where Loudoun County Skates 703-858-0300

SUMMER CAMPS

Reasons Your Kids should come to Summer Camp at the Ashburn Ice House:

20 March 15, 2018

Camp guide << FROM 18 The camp catalog includes scores of fun—and unusual—activities. Here are some highlights: • CARTOON ANIMAL FRIENDS CAMP: Animal friends of all shapes and sizes are personified through cartooning into comical characters. Exaggeration and essential features create animal friends; facial expressions and dynamic body poses convey mood and emotion. Interactive scenes teach composition, balance and visual story-telling. (Ages 6-12)

SUMMER CAMPS

• SUPER HEROES TRAINING ACADEMY CAMP: Save the day with your super dance skills. Students create their own Super Hero character while they learn Hip Hop and elements of Break Dancing. Some tricking/tumbling will be introduced. Enjoy a show on the last day. (Ages 5-9) • COUNTRY LIFE CAMP: Enjoy a few days of country life. Campers will get to spend time with small furry farm animals like kittens, bunnies and ducks. There is time to splash in the creek, ride a pony and play games in the grass. No screen time and lots of fresh air. (Ages 4-7) • MOTORBOTS: PHISCI RO-

BOTICS: Entry-level students utilize LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 materials to build driving base, program and run basic commands: forward, reverse, curve, pivot, point turn and move object. (Ages 9-15) • ZOMBIE SURVIVAL CAMP: Ever wonder if you could survive a world without electricity? Join in exploring different survival techniques such as shelter building, finding food and water, archery and more. See if you can survive the dangerous wilderness. (Ages 4-6) • RIVER RIDERS OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMP: If your camper is tired of the same ol’ same ol’, rejuvenate them with an unforgettable outdoor experience in Harpers Ferry, WV. Whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing, zip line and aerial adventure park activities. This camp will provide beginner to intermediate excitement for any camper in need of an invigorating change of pace! Each activity is facilitated by River Rider’s highly trained guides, who make it their goal to share their experience and passion for adventure with your camper. (Ages 9-14) The full camp guide can be viewed online at loudoun.gov/camps.

Spring Break Skating Camp March 26-30, 2018 Summer Skating Camp #1 June 18-22, 2018 Summer Skating Camp #2 June 25-29, 2018 Summer Skating Camp #3 July 9-13, 2018 Summer Skating Camp #4 July 16-20, 2018 Summer Skating Camp #5 July 23-27, 2018

www.loudounnow.com

Summer Skating Camp #6 July 30- August 3, 2018 Summer Skating Camp #7 August 6-10, 2018 Summer Skating Camp #8 August 13-17, 2018 All Camps are $285.00 for the full week and $60.00 per day and are limited to 16 campers Camps include on-ice instruction, on-ice practice time, arts-&-crafts & STEM sessions, & Broom Ball Loudoun Ice Centre 22149 Davis Drive, #155 Sterling, VA 20164

703-444-0600 Register for camp at www.Loudounice.com

GamePoint Athletics Summer Camp registration is NOW OPEN! All camps are developed and run by a veteran P.E. teacher, championing excellent athletic opportunities and character education. The top-rated Sports Camp for ages 5-12, featuring over 20 activities, will be offered in two locations: Sterling/ Ashburn July 9-13 and Purcellville July 16-20. Basketball Camp for ages 8-14 is taught by master coach and college athlete Tim Gardiner at Loudoun Country Day School in Leesburg July 30-August 3. Sports Camp Junior, designed to offer ages 3-6 a great first experience with team sports, runs August 6-10 also at LCDS. Register today at gamepointathletics.com/camps!

March 15, 2018 REAL ESTATE â&#x20AC;¢ HOME IMPROVEMENT

Home Improvement and Real Estate

Spring 2018

loudounnow.com

Landmark Bank Building Eyed for New Uses

March 15, 2018

BY NORMAN K. STYER

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

The former BB&T building, built in 1970, is under new ownership and looking for a new tenant.

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REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

WATERFORD • NEW LISTING History was made here. Over 3,000 sq ft, located in the middle of the village on lg private lot. Brick, stone and wood. Brick floored FR w/original cooking FP. Huge dining room w/ striking painted mural of Waterford. Master suite w/full bath & exterior porch. Upper parlor w/FP & original built-ins. 3rd level is finished w/2 bedrooms & full bath. Fence, patio, shed, lg driveway. Fabulous!

$565,000 PURCELLVILLE Original owners have improved this immaculate colonial to perfection. Desirable small neighborhood. This home backs to a beautiful farm. Upgraded kitchen with huge island and granite. Sunny master suite with cathedral ceiling. Fully nished basement with 2nd kitchen. Unbelievable landscaping, decks and patios.

$515,000 COMMERCIAL Commercial corner lot adjacent to 7-11, bank, post office, new town center and restaurants.v Addition to current structure or additional structure(s) permitted. Multiple new home builders in town and the surrounding areas, make this an excellent opportunity for many possibilities in this fast, expanding town.

$565,000

www.loudounnow.com

COMMERCIAL, LOVETTSVILLE Have you ever dreamed of running your own business in a growing town? Now is your opportunity. Historic WW II Quonset Hut is ideal for convenience store, restaurant, shop ... Plenty of parking and endless possibilities.

Built in 1970 to serve the banking needs of area farmers, one of western Loudoun’s largest commercial office buildings is on the market for leasing. BB&T closed its Hamilton branch office along East Colonial Highway last year and, in December, longtime Loudoun Realtor Dan Kaseman bought it. Kaseman said the 13,400-squarefoot building with 80 parking spaces is well suited for medical or professional offices, if other banks don’t show interest. But the space also is flexible enough to accommodate child care operations, school space or a worship center, among other possible uses. While the building’s role in the community is likely to change, the former Hamilton resident recognizes the significant role the former bank held in western Loudoun for five decades. No one knows more about the history of the building than Clyde C. Lamond III, who led Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Hamilton until it merged in 1993 with F&M Bank-Winchester, which merged with BB&T in 2006. He was hired to lead the bank in 1972. Farmers and Merchants was founded in 1910 and, until 1970, was housed in Hamilton’s downtown bank building at the East Colonial Highway/ South St. Paul Street intersection. The

HAMILTON BANK >> 24

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

original front part of “new” bank was designed by renowned Middleburg architect William Bland “Billy” Dew Jr. Dew led the restoration of the Red Fox Inn, which had faced demolition in the 1930s, and designed the Middleburg Community Center and the Middleburg National Bank building, among many others throughout the Washington, DC, region. He died in 2000. Lamond was working as a traveling bank examiner when he was invited to a cookout at the late Jim Brownell’s Bluemont farm, Whitehall. While there, Dr. William Penn Frazer, a bank director, asked him to interview to be the next bank president. The interview was the next day, on a Sunday. After the meeting, Lamond’s wife asked if he planned to apply for the position. “I said, ‘I’m already there,’” while acknowledging he had no idea what the compensation or benefits would be. “You know in life when something just feels right and you’re dealing with gentlemen in the country—these are guys who are dirt farmers and they go to church and they’re going to treat you well,” Lamond recalled. When he met with the bank board, they said “go ahead and just write down what you think the bank can afford to pay you and where you think you’re going to take us in the next two years and five years and we’ll pay you

RE/MAX Premier 602 S. King St., #202 Leesburg, VA 20175

44675 Cape Ct., #110 190 N 21st Street Ashburn, VA 20147 Purcellville, VA 20132

40183 Main Street Waterford, VA 20197

23 March 15, 2018 REAL ESTATE â&#x20AC;¢ HOME IMPROVEMENT

loudounnow.com

March 15, 2018

Hamilton bank << FROM 22 according to you reaching your goals,” Lamond recalled. It was a far different style of banking than we know today. The checks posted by hand—”there were no machines,” Lamond said. Also, there was no worry about meeting the Federal Reserve’s 2 o’clock deadline to report transaction. “They were lucky to get it two days later,” Lamond said. “It was like stepping back into the past with a bunch of well-intentioned citizens who were farmers, agrarian-oriented who said come help us move this thing forward.” “Banking years ago was very informal. You got the principal or a coach at high school to come in,” he said, noting

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

Hunt Country

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Former Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Hamilton CEO and Chairman Clyde C. Lamond III, left, gives Dan Kaseman a tour of his former office. Kaseman bought the bank building last year and it is on the market for lease.

Sotheby’s

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they came with a loyal clientele of former students. “And really they had no credit cards in those days. Lending was just on your family name; it wasn’t on a financial statement basis,” he said. “This was a wonderful country bank. It was all of 11 and a half million dollars,” Lamond said. The bank modernized and grew sustainably during Lamond’s tenure. As deposits grew, the bank added a new two-level addition to the Hamilton bank and opened an operations center in Leesburg. When the bank merged in 1993 deposits were $250 million. “It was a great marriage. I had fun doing it,” Lamond said. Kaseman said, to him, the building continues to represent a dedication to the community and he is looking forward to giving it new life. “The worst part about it is when I bought the building they didn’t leave any money. Not a single penny,” he said. The building sits on 1.49 acres zoned PD-OP allowing professional offices, financial institutions, fitness centers, medical/dental offices, adult and child day care operation, educational space or a worship center. In addition to ample parking, power to the building is fully backed up by an on-site generator. See details of the listing at atokaproperties.com. nstyer@loudounnow.com

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Storm Damage • Home Repairs • Additions Renovations • Structural Repairs Metal Roofing Repairs • Siding Repair Foundation Repairs • Door Leaks Shutter Repair/Replacement Detail Trim Work • Maintenance

LANSDOWNE SQUARE Beautifully appointed luxury townhome in Lansdowne Town Center ready for immediate delivery. The quality of these luxury properties is abundant from the gourmet open kitchen, spacious family room, master retreat, large deck terrace and elevator. Enjoy walking to shops, restaurants, spas and all the amenities Lansdowne has to offer. Mins to Historic Leesburg & Dulles Airport.

Windy Harris 703.554.3815 www.LansdowneSquare.com Windy.Harris@HCSIR.com Each Office Is Individually Owned And Operated.

703-727-5500 www.walkerandclarke.com 14431 Creek Lane, Waterford, VA

Birchwood at Brambleton has been designed to get the most out of everything. A new, walkable active adult community where everything you want is at your fingertips. With fabulous amenities including a 20,000 square foot Clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, open spaces and trails, and shopping and dining, plus everything Brambleton. And the homes are just as exciting with never before built condominiums, courtyard homes, villas and bungalows by Miller & Smith, Van Metre Homes and Winchester Homes. Located in award-winning Brambleton, in the heart of Loudoun County, Birchwood is within easy access to

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

NOW SELLING

March 15, 2018

B I R C H W O O D AT B R A M B L E T O N W H E R E

Loudoun County Parkway, Rt. 50, Rt. 7 and the Dulles Toll Road. The Nation’s Capital is only 25 miles away and Dulles International Airport is just 10 miles away. And if that weren’t convenient enough, the new metro rail extension to Rt. 772 (Ryan Road) is just around the corner and is projected to be completed in 2020. See us today, move in this year. Are you old enough?

FROM THE UPPER $300s TO THE $600s

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loudounnow.com

POP-UP INFORMATION CENTER IS OPEN DAILY 11-6 • 42395 RYAN ROAD, SUITE 100, BRAMBLETON, VA 20148 • 703.542.2925

March 15, 2018

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Homes in Purcellville’s Mayfair development are shown under construction. The county’s real estate market has the lowest inventory number recorded in more a than decade.

Low Inventory Continues to Slow Market LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

www.loudounnow.com

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

For area real estate agents—and prospective homebuyers—it’s a big problem. For the 31st consecutive month, the number of active listings declined in Loudoun County, which now has the lowest inventory number recorded in more than decade, according to the Dulles Area Association of Realtors. At the end of January, Loudoun had

877 active listings, DAAR reported, down almost 10 percent from a year ago and down nearly by half of the number of homes for sale three years ago. The 317 closed sales reported in January represented a 9.7 percent decline compared with last year. Also, fewer homebuyers signed contracts in January compared to last year. New HOME SALES >> 28

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Dan R yan B uilDeRs.com /ViRginia

Prices, terms, availability, and savings subject to change without notice. Sales in WV by Dan Ryan Builders Realty, LLC/Katy M. Fidler, Broker. Dan Ryan Builders, LLC MHBR# 310 and Dan Ryan Builders Mid-Atlantic, Inc. MHBR# 7041. See community Sales Consultant for details. Photos and virtual tours are representative. Exact features of the listed home may vary.

loudounnow.com

301.272.4739

Single Family Homes from the $220’s! Your chance to live by a lake!

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

The Overlook at

Loudoun County - January 2018 Active Listings

March 15, 2018

Source: DAAR

Home sales HAMILTON

$1,195,000

Located on 10+ mostly wooded acres with 3 car side load garage. First floor Master suite, Gourmet kitchen with Wolf, Sub Zero, Bosch appliances, furniture cabinetry and leather finished granite. Great room with 14+ ceilings, large of wall of windows, random width hardwoods on main level and fully finished lower level walks out to rear yard. The large screened in porch overlooks the rear yard you sit and enjoy the wild life. Lo10155904

MANASSAS CITY

$399,900

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

pending sales decreased 3.5 percent to 436—to just over the 5-year January average of 425. At the same time, price growth has stalled. Loudoun’s median home sale

HOME SALES >> 36

Loudoun County - Median Sales Prices

NO HOA Front porch & 1 car garage-4 bedroom 2.5 bath w/ large fully fenced rear yard & large grilling deck Large family room w/ wall of windows & stoned gas fireplace w/ open views to kitchen & breakfast area. Kitchen w/ 12*12 ceramic tile & SS appliances. Lower level partially finished w/ L shaped Rec room Upstairs large master suite w/ master bath with vaulted ceiling & skylight.

www.loudounnow.com

<< FROM 26

price in January was $450,000, unchanged from January 2017. The median sales price was down 4.2 percent from December. While the low inventory is a regional challenge for homebuyers, data compiled by Long and Foster shows that prices are increasing in most other

Joyce E. Bush Associate Broker ABR, CRS, GRI Long and Foster

Office: 703-777-2900

Lic. in Va.

Source: DAAR

29 March 15, 2018 REAL ESTATE â&#x20AC;¢ HOME IMPROVEMENT

loudounnow.com

March 15, 2018

This year’s

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REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

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Loudoun’s hottest real estate market isn’t the fast-selling homes in Brambleton’s downtown or in the fast-growing neighborhoods along Rt. 50. It’s in the cloud. Adding some broader context to the high demand for data center space in Loudoun County, the Northern Virginia Technology Council recently issued an update of its research report that shows that the data center industry’s economic impact goes well beyond generating local tax revenue. According to the new report by Richmond-based Mangum Economics, the total statewide economic impact attributable to the data center industry in 2016 was approximately 43,275 jobs, $3.2 billion in labor income, and $10.2

CLOUD JOBS >> 32

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billion in economic output. While much of that impact is in Northern Virginia, the sector’s impact is increasingly spreading to other regions of the state, a trend that will be accelerated by two new subsea fiber optical cables in Virginia Beach linking the Mid-Atlantic to other areas across the globe. “Data Centers are a high performing industry that drive significant capital and human investment, while also promoting innovation,” stated NVTC President and CEO Bobbie Kilberg. “As the backbone of the modern technology economy, data centers are crucial to promoting diversification in Virginia’s economy.” Among the report’s findings is that, while data centers aren’t large employ-

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31 March 15, 2018

It’s Time for More WinchesterHomes.com/Vistas

A Warm Welcome and an Active Lifestyle at Vistas at Lansdowne

VISTAS AT LANSDOWNE

More of what you love and less of what you don’t — it’s what living life to its fullest is all about. Choose a beautiful new home that gives you more time for playing tennis, swimming, exercising, hiking and socializing.

Luxury townhomes from the low $500’s

It’s time for more of what moves you.

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

FUN

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• Beautiful community and area parks, extensive trail system and plenty of open space • Access to swimming, exercise facilities, tennis courts and more • Close to shopping, dining, cultural events and entertainment Woodbridge P ark wa y

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The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Maps not to scale. Photographs or renderings of people do not depict or indicate any preference regarding race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national origin. Some amenities may not yet be constructed. Builder reserves the right to change the size, design, configuration and location of amenities not yet constructed and does not warrant the suitability thereof for any use or for any person. Builder does not warrant the suitability of any trail for any use or for any person. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Winchester is a registered trademark and is used with permission. © 2018 Winchester Homes Inc., a member of the TRI Pointe Group. All rights reserved. 1BUILDER Magazine named TRI Pointe Group the Builder of the Year in 2015. The Builder of the Year Award is BUILDER’S highest yearly honor. 2Builder and Developer Magazine, a national homebuilding publication, named TRI Pointe the Developer of the Year in 2014.

March 15, 2018

Another Data Center Deal Announced

HACKNEY GLASS Free estimates  Mobile service Licensed & Insured  Home Commercial Glass Replacement

There’s a new player in Loudoun’s data center market. Denver-based Northstar Commercial Partners had acquired land along Rt. 28 to build two data centers that already are committed to lease by one of the world’s largest companies. The deal is based on a build-to-suit contract with a Fortune’s 20 firm to deliver 400,000 square feet of data center space. Work is expected to begin quickly on the 32-acre site. The initial project envisions a $100 million investment, with completion of construction of the first building by year’s end. Northstar’s portfolio includes office buildings and industrial/warehouse space, but it’s not a known

Cloud jobs

www.loudounnow.com

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

<< FROM 30

hackneyglass@gmail.com 571.420.2637 | Paeonian Springs, Va.

ers on a square-foot basis, the jobs created pay wages more than twice the statewide private sector average and that during the past five years, data centers have experienced employment and wage growth that is four times the statewide average across all private sector industries. In 2016, data centers made $2.6 billion in capital investments in Virginia

player in the data center market, until now. “I’m thrilled to have Northstar involved as a key programmatic developer of data storage facilities,” state company founder and CEO Brian Watson in making the announcement. “This is an exciting and truly transformational project to be involved with on a variety of levels—we’re eager to get to work and deliver.” This project is expected to create more than 300 construction jobs on site. The price purchase was not immediately known, but data center developer QTS recently paid $36 million—about $1.28 million per acre—for a nearby tract.

and that investment was responsible for supporting approximately 4,617 jobs, $254.3 million in labor income and $670 million in economic output in the state’s construction industry, according to the research. And unlike a typical suburban home that generates more costs of government services than it generates in tax revenue, data centers generate $8 for every $1 of county expenditures related to the industry, according to the report. The report is available online at nvtc. org.

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REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

This is a Flash Sale, and that means it won’t last! You only have 31 days to get this discount!1 There are limited appointments available, and you must book yours before March 31st…

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DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 4/7/2018. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or patio door, get the next 40% off and pay nothing down with 12 months no payments, no interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or patio doors between 3/1/2018 & 4/7/2018. Discounted units are of equal or lesser value. Subject to credit approval. Additional $100 off each window and patio door when you set your appointment by 3/31/2018 and purchase by 4/7/2018, no minimum purchase required and taken after initial discount(s). Interest is billed during the promotional period but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender or familial status. Military discount applies to all active duty, veterans and retired military personnel. Military discount equals 3% off your entire purchase and applies after all other discounts, no minimum purchase required. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available only at participating locations. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. MHIC #121441. VA Lic. #2705155684. DC Lic. #420215000125. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2018 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. ©2018 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. 1

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The Be er Way to a Be er Window™

March 15, 2018

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Aaron and Danielle Nadler are turning an attic that was once used as storage into a guest room.

Converting That Attic into Useful Space DIY Style

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

BY DANIELLE NADLER It’s amazing what a bit of spring cleaning can do. In our case, it prompted my husband and I to transform our attic from an out-of-the-way storage space for junk we’re not quite ready to part with to a furnished bedroom. And spend very little money doing it. It all started with a trip to the attic last month to return a box of Christmas and Hanukkah decorations. I hiked the steep stairs, navigating decomposing stink bug carcasses and dusty

cobwebs, to make it to the third-floor landing. As I attempted to reach a Tupperware to return the stockings and the dreidels to their home, I felt like a kid playing hopscotch, leaping over forgotten throw pillows, abandoned soccer cleats, stacks of old newspapers, and kitchen supplies that didn’t make the cut to be stored anywhere near our kitchen. “This is insane,” I uttered under my breath. The next week, I declared to my husband that, since the crummy weather would keep us indoors anyway, we

might as well clear out the attic. At that point, I didn’t have intensions to renovate the space. I just wanted to organize it a bit. Well, after three trips to donation bins, four very full trash cans dragged out to the curb, and a trip to the dump, I got inspired. Why not turn these 230 square feet into useful space? We’re often getting calls from friends who need a place to crash for a few nights. (We currently have a college student staying with us for a two-month stint.) Our family visits often from California and South Dakota. Not to mention, we’re certified

foster parents awaiting our first longterm placement. So we started brainstorming ways to make the most of the space without spending a lot of money. Aaron first got to work ripping out the carpet—and the hundreds of staples that held it in place—that had likely been put down two or three decades ago. Underneath was vintage tongue and groove subfloor that, at first glance, didn’t look too bad. But with a closer look, we saw that a leak in the ceiling had left some ATTIC DIY >> 35

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Attic DIY << FROM 34

**$1,099,000** **Former Model w Mountain Views**

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Aaron Nadler finishes removing the attic’s carpet.

Free All Points Broadband Internet! Gorgeous 3 Finished Levels, 5 Bdr, 4.5 Bath, Gourmet Kitchen w Granite, Sunroom, Conservatory, HW Floors, Elegant Foyer & Staircase, FR w Stone Fireplace. Beautiful Pool w Stacked Stone Walls, Landscaping & Views, Fenced Yard, 3 Car Garage.

**$850,000**

supplies. It’s important to note, we got lucky in that the attic was partially finished, in the sense that it had heating and air conditioning, electricity, insulation and a window. One day, we’d love to hire a crew to professionally finish the floors, build a Dutch dormer to add more ceiling space and natural lighting, and maybe even add a half bath. But until then, the space is exactly what we need. It will serve as a guest room for now. But it can easily be turned into a home office or a kids’ playroom, without spending much money. Picture beanbag chairs, video game consuls, and who knows, maybe an actual hopscotch court.

**MOVE-IN READY**

Lovely Starter Home in a Prime Location. New HVAC, New Roof & Gutters, Kitchen Remodeled, Baths Remodeled, Siding, Windows, & Doors Replaced, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Great Yard-.29 acre, Awesome Deck & Shed! Walk to Stores and Restaurants and enjoy Purcellville.

**$324,900** **Coming Soon!! **

Coming Soon!! 4 bedroom, 3.5 Bath. Great in-town Purcellville location. Walk to shops and restaurants.

**$660,000**

Joy Thompson

Danielle Nadler is managing editor of Loudoun Now. dnadler@loudounnow.com

540-729-3428

www.joythompsonhomes.com

2017

TOP PRODUCER

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

water damage and that little care had been taken when the previous owners painted the ceiling so paint speckled most of the floor. We considered hiring a local company to refinish the floors, but we really wanted to keep this a low-cost project. So Aaron suggested painting the floors white, to offer a kind of beach house look, for a whopping $40 and a few hours of work. With an electric sander, I smoothed out the rough spots, and then with the help of a friend we applied two coats of white floor paint. We also painted the walls—from dandelion yellow to light gray—and added a fresh coat of paint to the ceilings and trim. Just those few changes has made the space feel open, clean and inviting. As you can see in the photos, Loudoun Now’s home improvement special section comes before we’re completely done with the project. Our next step is to put together a modern-looking bed, armchair and clothes rack we bought at IKEA. I’m a huge advocate for shopping locally owned stores (Belfort Furniture is our go-to), but the assemble-yourself furniture is all that can squeeze through the narrow staircase. We also want to install new ceiling lights and, if we can muster the energy, install built-in bookshelves on the back wall that double as storage for guests’ clothes. In all, we spent $120 on paint and

**Back on the Market**

Gorgeous Victorian w 360 views of Blue Ridge and Foothills! 30+ Incredible Acres-Equine-VineyardAnimals-etc! 5 Bdrs, 3.5 Baths, Gourmet Kitchen. 2 Beautiful Stone Fireplaces, Spacious DR, Lovely MB & Bath, Beautiful Flag Stone Porch, Historic Stone Fence, Creek, & More!!

35 March 15, 2018

Experience Country Life with Joy! Your Local Expert!

LOUDOUN COUNTY

Lisa Thompson 571.207.6580 lisa.thompson@hcsir.com

Sotheby’s INTERNATIONAL REALTY

22 W. Market Street | Leesburg, VA 20176 703.443.1757

loudounnow.com

Hunt Country

March 15, 2018

Home sales << FROM 28 Northern Virginia jurisdictions, ranging from 4 percent in Fairfax County to 29 percent in Alexandria. The Long and Foster report shows Loudoun sales prices declined by 3 percent compared to last year. Although sales prices aren’t increasing, Loudoun homes are being sold more rapidly than last year. Half of January’s sales involved homes on the market for fewer than 28 days, DAAR reported. That’s down from the median days on the market of 33 days in 2017. Homes in south Loudoun are moving

quickly. The median days on the market in the Aldie ZIP code was seven in January and 14 in Chantilly, although sales prices were significantly lower than a year ago. Leesburg-area homes took the longest to sell, with the median days on the market of 60 days in the 20176 ZIP code area. Leesburg also saw the largest drop in available inventory. The area also recorded the largest gains in sales prices. Overall, the 28-day benchmark is the lowest in January since 2010 and less have the wait experience just three years ago. On average, Loudoun sellers received 97.4 percent of original list price

On average, Loudoun sellers received 97.4 percent of original list price in January” in January—the highest rate in more than a decade. In the Aldie area, sellers on average closed at more than 99 percent of the listing price. Condos are the hottest market, with record numbers of new listings and closed sales in January.

Hannan

www.loudounnow.com

REAL ESTATE • HOME IMPROVEMENT

Hannan Named Weichert’s Top Regional Seller Meredith Hannan, a sales associate at Weichert Realtors’ Loudoun office, has been recognized for exceptional industry success in February. Hannan led her sales region, which is comprised of offices throughout Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Orange, Prince William and Warren counties, in new home dollar volume for the month.

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

37 March 15, 2018 REAL ESTATE â&#x20AC;¢ HOME IMPROVEMENT

loudounnow.com

March 15, 2018

[ NONPROFIT ] welcome. This will be an opportunity to learn more about Bridges, how to get involved in community events and activities to promote interfaith understanding and harmony. The meeting is from 3 to 5 p.m. For questions, email secretary@loudounbridges.org.

Party for the Pets Planned March 24

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Todd Wright plays BENEFIT Loudoun on Sept. 16. The concert raises money for area charities.

Grant Dollars Available to Loudoun Nonprofits BENEFIT, Loudoun’s coalition of local musicians and community leaders, kicks off its second year by announcing the availability of five grants each valued at $1,000. The money, raised during last fall’s concert, is available to Loudoun nonprofits through a creative and competitive application process. Applications are due April 12. To qualify, applicants must be a 501(c)3 organization that provides services to Loudoun residents. Applicants must complete an online form and submit a 30-second video that captures the essence of their mission and how they are making an impact in Loudoun. Grantees will be selected by a panel of BENEFIT volunteers, based on the content of the video, as well as the reach and impact of the nonprofit’s mission. The videos will then be shared by BENEFIT throughout the year on its social media platforms, to raise awareness and support for the nonprofit’s mission, and the greater mission of BENEFIT. “The availability of these grants is a giant step forward for BENEFIT, toward the completion of one full cycle of our mission, which begins with our annual fundraising concert in September and ends with the awarding of grants to local nonprofits in May,” stated BENEFIT co-founder Ara Bagdasarian. BENEFIT’s other co-founder Amy Bobchek added, “This is just the beginning. We foresee BENEFIT playing an enduring, impactful role in Loudoun’s reconciliation of its shortfall in charitable giving. We know Loudouners have the compassion, and we know they have means. They just need the awareness and a little push.” BENEFIT (Bands Empowering Nonprofits with Engagement and Fundraising Improving Tomorrow) was formed in early 2017 on two premises: the belief that music has the power to unify and coalesce communities around positive action, and that a county like Loudoun,

with tremendous wealth and privilege, has the power and responsibility to fully support its social service needs. See the grant application and more instructions for submitting videos at benefit.live.

Inova Hosts Postpartum Support Group Inova Loudoun Hospital, in partnership with Postpartum Support Virginia, is hosting a free, bi-monthly Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Support Group. The purpose of the group is to provide support, encouragement, information, and resources to new mothers who may be experiencing anxiety or depression during the transition to motherhood. The group meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44055 Riverside

Parkway Suite 114 in Leesburg. The next support group meeting is Wednesday, March 21. Postpartum depression and anxiety are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting one in five new mothers. The proven path to recovery includes a combination of social support, talk therapy, and medication if necessary. For more information, contact group leader Shannon Magill at loudoun@ postpartumva.org.

Interfaith Bridges Holds Quarterly Meeting Loudoun Interfaith Bridges will hold the first of its quarterly meetings for 2018 on Sunday, March 18 at the Guru Angad Institute of Sikh Studies, 22831 Silverbrook Center Drive Suite 130 in Sterling. All members of all faiths are most

Join members of Parrot Heads of the Old Dominion, the Washington Area Parrot Head Club, and Pirates of the Potomac for their Party with a Purpose event 7-10 p.m. Saturday, March 24. The event will take place at the Bungalow, 13891 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly. Proceeds will benefit the Loudoun Pet Pantry in partnership with the Humane Society of Loudoun County and Loudoun County Animal Services. A $15 donation at the door or $10 with a case of canned wet food or bag of dry pet food (4-8 pounds) includes a raffle, food and drink specials, silent auction, and live music from trop-rock favorites Robbie Meade and Brad Brewer.

Rock to Live Concert Benefits Suicide Prevention The free Rock to Live concert planned for Sunday, April 8, is looking for sponsors who want to support two nonprofit organizations that work to prevent suicide. Rock to Live will raise money for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Ryan Bartel Foundation, which was founded by the family of a former Woodgrove High School student who died of suicide. Sponsorship packages range from $150 for bronze sponsors to $1,000 to be the exclusive title sponsor. The concert will run from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Bush Tabernacle, 250 S. Nursery Ave., in Purcellville. The event includes speakers, food, and live music. For more information, contact Varun Chharia at varunchharia@yahoo. com or 571-291-5838.

Loudoun Symphony Readies For March 17 Gala The public is invited to attend the Chef ’s Tasting Gala and Masquerade Ball from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Lansdowne Resort & Spa. The gala will feature a live auction, dancing and food prepared by some of the county’s top chefs from Chantel’s Cakes and Pastries, DC Prime Steaks and Lobsters, Fireworks, Lansdowne Resort & Spa, and Magnolia’s at the Mill. Proceeds from the live auction packages— including vacation homes, weekend getaways and artwork—will benefit Loudoun Symphony Orchestra, Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestras, and all of their educational outreach programs. Gala tickets are $125 per person and table sponsorships are $1,500 for ten guests. Ticket includes all food and open bar. Attire is Black Tie, Ball Gown and mask optional. For details and tickets, go to loudounsymphony.org.

Rakefet Gialad/Root Street Studio

One of the silent auction items during last year’s Loudoun Symphony gala was a painting to be created by Rakefet Gialadof of Root Street Studio. Joe and Bobby May were the winning bidders and a detailed depiction Joe May’s career as an engineer and inventor was recently unveiled at the EIT headquarters in Leesburg. This year’s event will be held Saturday.

[ BIZ ]

ore than 850 people packed the National Conference Center ballroom Friday morning to highlight how hundreds of businesses and nonprofit organizations are giving back to Loudoun’s public schools. Partnerships between engineering firms and elementary schools, farms and middle schools, medical centers and high schools were just a few of the connections celebrated at the annual Loudoun School-Business Partnership Recognition Breakfast. Superintendent Eric Williams thanked the business leaders for giving their time and resources to support the county’s 80,000 students and 90 public schools. It helps students learn beyond the walls of the classroom and facts in a textbook and actually take part in real-world problem solving. “All of the connections with business partners that we’re celebrating today are driving deeper learning among our students,” he said. “With your help we are creating the type of graduates we want to develop: critical thinkers, communicators, creators, collaborators and contributors. When we develop that type of graduate we truly are empowering students to make meaningful contributions to the world.” Five partnerships received special recognition with Partnership Awards: Boulder Crest Retreat’s partnership with Lowes Island and Round Hill elementary schools: Students made gift baskets and crafts for combat soldiers and their families; Cheers Sports’ partnership with Cedar Lane Elementary: Cheers Sports owner frequently donates spirit ware to students and staff members and is a weekly volunteer; Great Country Farms’ partnership with Round Hill Elementary: The

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Representatives from Round Hill Elementary and Great Country Farm accept a Partnership Award at the Loudoun School-Business Partnership Recognition Breakfast.

farm donates farm passes, food, seeds and field trip opportunities, as well as teaching members of team school’s Green Team club how to plant and harvest produce; Morven Park’s partnership with Frances Hazel Reid Elementary and Smart’s Mill Middle: Morven Park staff have helped Frances Hazel Reid create a waystation for Monarch butterflies and also taught classroom lessons on the butterfly’s lifecycle and migration. Morven Park staff also teaches Smart’s Mill students in-class history and civics lessons; and United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation’s partnership with Moorefield Station Elementary School: Foundation staff teaches students hands-on lessons to show how geometry is used in everyday life. Of the partnership between Boulder Crest Retreat and Round Hill Elementary, a Round Hill fifth-grader said he will never forget doing crafts with chil-

dren of wounded veterans. “I don’t know how it feels to have a parent away from home in the military, but I’m sure it’s really hard,” he said. “It’s heartwarming to me that I can at least do a little something for them.” Tom Sweitzer and Kim Tapper from the nonprofit music therapy organization A Place to Be received the Make a Difference Award for their work in the schools. They led the effort to create a musical called “A Will to Survive” and perform it free of charge at schools throughout the county. The production is named after William Robinson, a Loudoun Valley student who lost his life to suicide. It’s addresses stress, addiction, and depression, and is designed to teach acceptance and empathy. Sweitzer told those gathered in the huge ballroom that he recently witnessed the benefits of this relationship between his organization and the

public schools. He was volunteering at Inova Loudoun Hospital’s psychiatric center and noticed a girl with a red bracelet on like the one the teen performers in “A Will to Survive” distributed. He asked where she got it, not disclosing that he was involved in the production. She said she’d seen the play at Heritage High School and, as she later considered suicide, one of the play’s songs called “Reach Out” came to mind. “So I decided to voluntarily check in to this hospital,” she told Sweitzer. “That is how we know this work makes a difference,” Sweitzer said to the audience. “And that’s why we are sitting here today, to see how we can make even stronger community connections going forward.” Two other awards were given in recognition of those who support the schools. Apple Federal Credit Union won the Legacy Award, and Inova Health Systems CEO J. Knox Singleton won the J. Hamilton Lambert Exemplary Leadership in Education and Community Service Award. Singleton could not make it to the breakfast because he was attending the Inova Leadership Institute, but Stacey Metcalfe, the hospital’s government and community relations liaison and a member of the Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council, accepted the award on his behalf. “Under Knox’s leadership, every single person in the Inova Health System understands the significance of investing in the communities that we serve,” she said. “And we also understand the impact of being directly engaged in those communities that we serve.” dnadler@loudounnow.com Watch videos on each of the award-winning partnerships at LoudounNow.com/education.

[ BIZ BRIEFS ] Businesses Asked to Honor Support Kids Grief Camp

Leesburg Dentist Featured in PBS’ Success Files

The family of baby Tristan Schulz, who was killed while being pushed in a stroller through a crosswalk in Lansdowne in 2016, is asking Loudoun businesses to support a camp for children experiencing grief. They are asking that participating businesses pledge to donate 5 percent of their proceeds from Saturday, March 17, which would have been Tristan’s 2nd birthday. The donations can be sent directly to Comfort Zone Camp through the website comfortzonecamp.org/giving. Participating businesses are asked to mention Tristan’s Light or Tristan Schulz for the reason for their donation. Rodney and Mindy Schulz said they saw firsthand the help and healing Comfort Zone Camp provided their older son after he lost his baby brother Tristan. Learn more at facebook.com/bestillbelove.

Dr. Deidra Bird Kokel was tapped by the producer of the PBS series “Success Files,” hosted by Rob Lowe, to educate the public about current innovations in dentistry. Kokel The topics discussed were technological advances to make a patient’s visit to the dentist more comfortable, time effective, and educational to help each patient make clear decisions when deciding their oral health options. She highlighted technology that allows dentists to show patients what they see and tools needed to diagnose more precisely the problem areas in the mouth. Cone beam technology, E4D machine, centrifuge technology,

options for numbing, and the trend of spa comfort for each patient were a few of the topics discussed during the daylong shoot at her Leesburg office. “Going to the dentist is no one’s favorite activity, but with new technology advances we are able to provide each patient options to help with length of visit and improve their comfort while in our care,” she stated. Taping of the upcoming episode was done Feb. 23. Learn more at successfilesrl.com.

Fitness4EveryBody Helps Fight Childhood Obesity Fitness4EveryBody will offer nutrition education to the Young Men’s Service League’s Ashburn chapter at its meeting on March 18 in Leesburg. Fit4EB’s owner and president Pilar Lorca will present on a variety of topics related to nutrition and health to the teens and their mothers. “We know that obesity and poor nutrition are one of the leading causes

of chronic health conditions in adults and children. Educating kids and their parents about good eating habits is an essential part of our mission and our outreach at Fitness4EveryBody,” Lorca stated. Participants can expect to learn about selecting and preparing healthy lunches and after school snacks, as well as sports nutrition concepts for teen athletes. The Young Men’s Service League is a nonprofit organization that encourages young men and their mothers to pursue philanthropic involvement in their community and provides an opportunity to enhance mother/son relationships. Fitness4EveryBody is a fitness and wellness company based in McLean. It offers personal training, nutrition coaching, corporate wellness programs, fitness center design and management, and massage therapy. For more information, go to fitness4eb. com.

BY DANIELLE NADLER

March 15, 2018

Leaders Applaud School-Business Partnerships

March 15, 2018

[ OUR TOWNS ]

[ TOWN NOTES ]

Lovettsville Looks to Lower Real Estate Tax Rates, Eliminate Trash Fees

BY PATRICK SZABO he Lovettsville Town Council has started discussing its budget for the next fiscal year and it’s already looking good for residents. Town Manager Sam Finz presented his budget to the Town Council on March 8 with some changes that could see a reduction in the real estate tax rate and the elimination of trash fees. Right off the bat, Finz recommended a decrease in the real estate tax rate from 21 cents to 20 cents per $100 of assessed value. In relation to the average value of a single-family home in town, $360,456, the reduction could save each household about $36 annually on their real estate tax bills. If approved, it would be the first time the tax rate has been reduced since 2005. It would, however, still be the third highest rate in western Loudoun, behind Hamilton’s 28 cents and Purcellville’s 22 cents. “This would be the first decrease in quite some time,” Finz said. Although the town would be reducing the rate, it still expects to collect about $10,000 more in real estate taxes next year. Finz said the tax rate reduction could be offset by the increase in residential development and the 5 percent increase in town property values, as assessed by the county’s Commissioner of the Revenue Office on Jan. 1. He also noted that the town’s increased economic development has caused the non-residential tax base to absorb more of the overall tax burden, further justifying the rate reduction. As Finz was going over the rate reduction, Mayor Bob Zoldos suggested the council consider eliminating the town’s vehicle decal fees. Currently residents

Following the resignation of Lovettsville Vice Mayor Tiffaney Carder on Feb. 17, the Town Council has been considering the applications of seven residents interested in filling her spot. Six of the candidates originally applied in January to fill another vacant spot that was created when Rob Gentile resigned. The candidates are Nick Frederickson; David Naylor; Richard Efthim, a life coach with inSight Life; Tony Quintana, a business solutions director at Exostar; Renee Edmonston, a visual fine arts teacher at Loudoun Country Day School; Matthew Schilling, a technical account manager for Sutherland Government Solutions; and Planning Commissioner Chris Hornbaker.

Hamilton Community Park Reopened After more than a month of renovations, the Hamilton Community Park has finally reopened. The park now features a new centerpiece made of plastic-coated metal, new mulch around the entire complex and a relocated main entrance that is now at the top of the hill. Although the plastic train has been taken out, Mayor David Simpson said the town would work to get a new one put in later this year. In all, the project cost the town $75,000.

Hannon Competes for Miss Teen Title

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Lovettsville Town Manager Sam Finz presented the Town Council with his proposed fiscal year 2019 town budget Thursday night with suggestions to reduce the real estate tax rate and to eliminate trash fees.

pay $25 for car decals and $16 for motorcycle decals annually. “I would love to see that included in there,” Zoldos said. Additionally, Finz proposed that the Town Council eliminate the trash fee, which former town manager Laszlo Palko created for the current fiscal year as an additional source of town revenue. “I don’t think it generates enough revenue to make a difference,” Finz said. Other towns include trash removal as part of the general government services provided as part of general fund operations. Currently, residents pay $19.80 an-

nually for the service. Finz said he has been negotiating a deal with American Disposal Services that could lower trash service costs to the town from $150,000 to $140,000 annually and potentially eliminate the charge that residents are required to pay for new and replacement recycling bins. Aside from possibly benefitting residents, the proposed budget also suggests a new way of increasing staff members’ pay each year. Finz suggested eliminating bonuses in favor of a performance-based pay system, since the current system is LOVETTSVILLE >> 43

Seven Vie for Lovettsville Town Council Appointment BY PATRICK SZABO

HAMILTON

Edmonston, Schilling and Hornbaker are also all Town Council candidates for the May 1 election. Mayor Bob Zoldos said the town would work to set up interviews with the seven applicants in closed sessions on March 14-15 before possibly making a selection in a session open to the public on Thursday, March 15.. “We want to get back up to full strength,” he said. The selected candidate will serve a term that ends on June 30. After serving for eight consecutive years on the Town Council, Carder resigned from her seat three weeks ago to fulfill work requirements as the Lovettsville Library’s assistant librarian. Under Virginia law, the council has 45 days from the vacancy date to make the appointment—April 3. If it fails to do so, the Circuit

Court will step in. The town also received an application from a resident interested in filling one of two open spots on the Planning Commission, which were vacated by the dismissal of Frank McDonough and the resignation of Stephanie Wolf two weeks ago. That candidate is Gregory Ratner. If Ratner is appointed to the commission, Zoldos said the Town Council would ask the runner up from the Town Council applicant pool if he or she is interested in filling the other spot. Otherwise, the top two runners up could be considered. If none of the candidates are interested, the commission can continue to operate with its five current members. pszabo@loudounnow.com

Morgan Hannon of Hamilton was recently selected to participate in the 2018 Miss Teen pageant on April 8. She submitted an application and took part in an interview session. Morgan will be competing for a share of thousands of dollars in prizes and gifts. The Miss Teen division is one of four divisions that will have participants age 7 to 20 competing in modeling routines, personality and interviewing skills.

HILLSBORO Egg Hunt set for March 24 Families are invited to attend a Hillsboro Easter celebration next weekend. The town’s second annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hillsboro Charter Academy. Before the hunt starts at 11:45 a.m., the community is invited to participate in a potluck brunch at 11 a.m. The event will also feature an appearance by the Easter Bunny and a craft table. For your kids to participate in the egg hunt, drop off 12 plastic eggs filled with candy, in addition to a registration form, at the Hillsboro Charter Academy or to Andrea MacDuffee at 36959 Charles Town Pike by Tuesday, March 20.

LOVETTSVILLE Salon Alure Opens in Town Yet another new business has opened in the Lovettsville Town Square. Salon Alure held its soft opening last week, with a grand opening scheduled for Friday, March 23, at 4 p.m. The salon charges different prices for different levels of hair styling and provides customers with comJUMP TO >> 43

March 15, 2018

MAR. 23

Second Farmers’ Market Set to Open in Purcellville, Raising Concern

March 15, 2018

BY PATRICK SZABO Residents in the Town of Purcellville will soon have two farmers’ markets to choose from come springtime. The Purcellville Farmers’ Market has been the mainstay of the town’s weekend market operations for more than a decade. After being rebranded in 2016, it now hosts about 20 vendors each Saturday morning in the Shoppes at Maple and Main parking lot. On May 5, however, there will be another farmers’ market in town, as EatLoCo begins operations at the Bush Tabernacle. EatLoCo, formed last year as a partnership with the Loudoun Valley HomeGrown Markets Cooperative, will be pairing up with Play to Win, the tabernacles’ management company, to host vendors each Saturday during the same times as the Purcellville market, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Already, EatLoCo has a location in One Loudoun and plans to open another in Brambleton next month and in the Village at Leesburg by May. In addition to the usual farm-based vendors, EatLoCo also has two food trucks traversing the county each weekend. Its Flavour food truck has a schedule set through the end of May and its Parallel food truck is set to operate at different wineries and the EatLoCo One Loudoun Market through the end of December. The company’s move to Purcellville will come six months after it initially offered the Purcellville Farmers’ Market

the opportunity to work together at the tabernacle. After talking it over with her vendors, Purcellville Farmers’ Market Manager Kelley Partlow decided to not be a part of EatLoCo’s endeavor. “That’s great…but then we would become EatLoCo Purcellville,” she said. Initially, Partlow said she didn’t think EatLoCo would actually run farmers’ markets, let alone one in Purcellville. She assumed that the organization was just going to function as an online resource promoting local food vendors and restaurants—the sole function it served from its conception in 2015 un-

til this past February, when it opened its first market in One Loudoun. Chester Hess, a 13-year vendor at the Purcellville Farmers’ Market and owner of C. Hess Orchard and Produce in West Virginia, said he feels that EatLoCo’s move into town gives it the chance to capitalize on success that the Purcellville Farmers’ Market has already created. Hine, however, said he thinks that the Purcellville Farmers’ Market might be struggling a bit, which is why he wants to merge the two markets. “We want to try to bring our forces together,” he said. “We’re trying to kind of

incorporate theirs with ours.” Partlow said she wouldn’t consider merging, however—at least not right now. “I’m not sure if we’d ever do business with them,” she said. Before the Purcellville Farmers’ Market became what it is today, its operations were split between two locations, one at the old town hall on Main Street and another at the former LoCo Joe coffee shop less than a half-mile down the road. Ken Matich, owner of Liberty Hill Farm in Berryville and a nine-year vendor of the market, said that after the market was rebranded two years ago, operations got better. “That made it easy for us,” he said. “Kelley brought back the one market.” For now, Partlow is focused on continuing to run the Purcellville Farmers’ Market and turning it into an official nonprofit. “That’s the ultimate goal,” she said. Now less than two months away from EatLoCo Purcellville’s planned grand opening, Partlow and her vendors are eager to see what will happen with two markets in town. She said that although EatLoCo might take some business away from the Purcellville Farmers’ Market, there’s not much that can be done. “What can you do? It’s free trade,” she said. “All we can do is wish them luck— hopefully both markets can benefit from this.” pszabo@loudounnow.com

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and female finisher, as well as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finisher in each age group. This year’s theme is fox and hounds. For more information or to preregister, go to middleburg5kfunrun.itsyourrace.com/register.

plimentary facial or hand massages with every appointment. This is the salon’s third location in Loudoun, along with Purcellville and Ashburn. For more details, go to salonalure. com.

PURCELLVILLE

Inova Mobile Health Offers Blood Pressure Screenings One simple way to stay on top of your health is to have your blood pressure checked. Helping you do that is Inova Loudoun Hospital Mobile Health Services, which will visit the Lovettsville Community Center on Thursday, March 15, from 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, go to inova.org/ mobilehealth.

Walk to Benefit Women with Breast Cancer Make your Saturday morning walk count for something more than just routine exercise. Walkers are invited to participate in the first Walk 4 Mountains event on Saturday, May 5, in Lovettsville to help women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The walk will start at 8 a.m. and go to 2 p.m. Solo tickets are $30, family tickets for up to four people are $45 and team member tickets are $25. Proceeds will benefit the Loudoun Breast Health Network and Step Sisters, which both help to pay bills and

Don’t miss the show.

take care of everyday activities for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Lovettsville resident and cancer survivor Nicole Clark is the creator of the event. Clark also organizes the Breast Friends events, which feature talks from doctors aimed to help other women with breast cancer. To purchase a ticket for the May walk, go to walk4mountains.org.

MIDDLEBURG Middleburg 5K Registration Open Registration for the Middleburg 5K & Fun Run is open from now until the day of the race, next Saturday, March 24. Online preregistration costs $30 for the 5k, $15 for the fun run and ends Thursday, March 22. Race day registration is $5 more for both events. The 5K will be held at 8 a.m. and will start and end at the Middleburg Community Center. The kids’ half-mile fun run will start at 9 a.m. At 9:15 a.m., awards will be given to the top male

Youth Baseball Competition Next Month Kids, if baseball is your passion and you want to prove your skills, start preparing for one of the biggest baseball competitions in the area. The Scotts Pitch, Hit & Run Competition, hosted by Discover Purcellville, will be held at Fireman’s Field on Sunday, April 15, at 1:30 p.m. with boys and girls divided into four age groups—7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 years old. Champions will be crowned for pitching, hitting and running, as well as an all-around champion in each age group. Winners will advance to the sectional level of competition and have the chance to compete in the Team Championships at major league ballparks and the National Finals in Washington, DC, during the 2018 MLB All-Star Week in July. Participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate. To sign up, visit pitchhitrun.com. For more information, call Michael Oats at dpurcellville@gmail.com.

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“extremely complicated.” The model Finz proposed works on a five-point system, in which he would conduct annual performance reviews based on multiple criteria and rate each staff member on a scale of 1-5. Each staff member would then be given a salary increase of up to 2 percent, based on a corresponding number. This would be on top of a recommended 2 percent costof-living adjustment. “I went back to the traditional approach,” Finz said. Along with his proposed budget, Finz also presented the Town Council with his recommended five-year Capital Improvement Plan, which outlines two major projects for the town to pursue in fiscal year 2019—the Broad Way improvement project and the town office expansion project. The proposed budget has included $666,500 for these projects. Finz said these projects could be funded via $136,500 pulled from town reserve funds, $180,000 from county grants and $350,000 in borrowed money. Discussions on the budget are scheduled for up to four more meetings and a public hearing within the next three months. Zoldos said the most important date is the April 12 meeting when the Town Council will set the not-to-exceed rates and fees. The next meeting will be a budget work session on Thursday, March 22.

<< FROM 40

March 15, 2018

<< FROM 40

[ TOWN NOTES ]

[ LOCO LIVING ]

[ THINGS TO DO ] HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

March 15, 2018

Leprechaun Loop at SideBar and 14 Loudoun Saturday, March 17, 9 a.m.-Sunday, March 18, 2 a.m. 24 S. King St. and 14 Loudoun St. SE, Leesburg Details: facebook.com/sidebarlbg The Saint Patrick’s Day party goes on all day and night at these sister spots in downtown Leesburg. The fun starts with kegs and eggs at 9 a.m. at SideBar, followed by lunch at 14 Loudoun and an evening of food specials, green beer and live music at both locations. Tickets are $10 and include two beer or wine tokens.

Shamrock & Roll Block Party Saturday, March 17, 9 a.m.-Sunday, March 18, 2 a.m. Blackfinn Ameripub 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn Details: blackfinnashburn.com Loudoun Station’s outdoor Saint Patrick’s celebration is an all-day affair, starting with kegs and eggs and featuring bagpipers, Irish dancers and live music from Justin Trawick & The Common Good. Tickets are $15 in advance and include two drinks. Event benefits the Loudoun County First Responders Foundation. Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Luke Denton, music teacher and composer, will debut his original piece “With Pride” at the Heritage High School Cluster Concert. “I’ve spent time writing music for media and also teaching kids how to love making music but have always been looking for a way to marry the two,” Denton said.

‘With Pride’ Loudoun Teacher Debuts New Composition for Schools’ Concert BY JAN MERCKER To move along/And sing our songs/ In harmony To speak my truth/And hear yours too/It starts with me Those are the opening lines of a new composition from Loudoun musician and music teacher Luke Denton that will make its world premiere at the Heritage High School Cluster Concert on March 19. The concert is a longstanding annual tradition, bringing together young musicians from Heritage along with its feeder middle and elementary schools in and around Leesburg. But this year’s grand finale will be extra special thanks to the original piece “With Pride” written by Denton, the music teacher at Cool Spring Elementary School, just for the concert. “I’ve spent time writing music for media and also teaching kids how to love making music but have always been looking for a way to marry the two,” Denton said. “When the opportunity arose to create a piece that an entire cluster of student ensembles would perform together, I couldn’t say yes any quicker.” Denton’s new piece for chorus, band and strings and will be performed by students from Heritage, Harper Park

Middle School and Cool Spring and John W. Tolbert Jr. elementary schools. With musicians ranging in age from 9 to 18, the annual showcase always wraps up with a whole-group piece. For the past few years, directors have been using the same number for the grand finale. But this year, Heritage band director George Herrmann and choral director Jack Krimmel were looking for something different. So, Denton decided to compose an original work especially for the concert, with a message of empathy and inclusion. “The last several years, whether it’s kids or adults, it’s become increasingly difficult to talk to each other, to not just say our own opinion about things but to listen to others,” Denton said. “All of us are talking to our kids about having pride in how we act. ... I thought what a great opportunity because this is kids of all ages going all the way up to adulthood. They seem to understand sometimes better than we do how it’s OK to have different opinions and that we can work together and still get along.” Denton is a longtime singer/songwriter, former freelance television composer and a member of the popular local duo Sweetnova with his wife Amy. Returning to composing for a full ensemble has been a challenge, but one he has embraced and enjoyed. “As a classically trained composer, I

wanted to incorporate some of the traditional elements of music that these kids are used to hearing, but I also have added in a little more of a modern feel with a full drum set with electric bass,” Denton said. “It’s very piano heavy, more modern, like something I would write for myself or for Amy and I to play.” With its simple lyrics and a contemporary, rhythmic feel, the composition’s title is a play on Heritage High School’s mascot, The Pride, but also touches on the idea of taking pride in oneself and respecting others. “I always tell my students here that I am a music teacher, but I feel like I’m just as much teaching them about character and attitude and how they treat each other and how important that is. Academics are important, but we’ve got to make sure we’re decent human beings first,” Denton said. Denton’s students at Cool Spring couldn’t be prouder. This year, in addition to the excitement of attending a concert with older musicians in a high school auditorium, they’ll also be sharing the thrill of performing their own teacher’s work. “It was a little different this year because Mr. Denton wrote it and he knew how everything was supposed to be,” DENTON >> 45

Saint Patrick’s Day at B Chord Brewing Saturday, March 17, 1-11:30 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com The day kicks off with an old time Irish jam, followed by optional corned beef and cabbage dinner and music from Finn McCool from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by Bud’s Collective at 8 p.m. Tickets for dinner are $20 in advance.

Lovettsville Elementary School PTO Saint Patrick’s Day Party Saturday, March 17, 6-11 p.m.; Lovettsville Game Club, 16 S. Berlin Pike, Lovettsville. Details: lovettsvillepto.digitalpto.com This adults-only event features live music from local favorite Ghost Pepper and a buffet dinner from local restaurants. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. The event is open to the public. Advance tickets are $40 per couple. Tickets are $25 at the door.

LOCO CULTURE Dig for Gold Fundraiser Thursday, March 15, 5:30-7 p.m. Harmony Middle School 38174 W. Colonial Highway, Hamilton Details: facebook.com/ hillsborocharter. This fun, friendly student v. faculty volleyball game, programmed by a fourth-grade student, will raise funds for StillBrave Childhood Cancer Foundation. Admission is by donation.

Artist Talk: Cat Kimball Friday, March 16, 7-8 p.m. The Fine Gallery 9 Royal St. SW, Leesburg Details: thefinegallery.com

MORE TO DO >> 45

[ MORE THINGS TO DO ] Featured artist Cat Kimball discusses her photographic work, focused on elemental forms in the natural and manmade environment. Event is free and open to the public.

Bluemont Shamrock 10K and 5K

This annual run passes through some of Northern Virginia’s most gorgeous scenery and benefits scholarships and programming at Bluemont Community Center. Registration for the 5K is $35 through March 15 and $45 on race day. Registration for the 10K is $45 through March 15 and $55 through race day.

Courtesy of VSA Loudoun

4-H Leaps and Squeaks Spring Fling

‘Willy Wonka’

Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Loudoun County Fairgrounds 17558 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg Details: facebook.com/leapsandsqueaks

Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17, 7 p.m.; Sunday March 18, 3 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: vsaloudoun.org

This fun, family-oriented fundraiser features vendors and crafters, live rabbits from the 4-H Leaps and Squeaks Club, and photos with the Easter Bunny.

Sign Painting Party at Back Street Brews Sunday, March 18, noon-2 p.m.; Back Street Brews Coffee, 11 E. Pennsylvania Ave. Details: facebook.com/ backstreetbrews Paint your own rustic wood sign from Painted on Parties’ favorites collection. Tickets are $35 and include all materials. Advance reservations are required.

ON STAGE ‘Arms & The Highlander’ Friday, March 16-Sunday March 18 and Friday, March 23-Sunday, March 25 (7:30 p.m. shows Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. shows Saturdays and Sundays) Carver Center Theatre 200 E. Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville Details: rrrtheatre.org

Denton << FROM 44 said fifth grader Lorena Ravelo. “He was so familiar with everything about it and we were so excited when we saw Luke Denton in the corner [of the sheet music].” The students are also enthusiastic about the piece’s message of mutual respect. “I thought it was a really good message because of all that’s going on today,” said Cool Spring fifth grader Roslyn Hontos. For Lorena, this year’s concert is especially meaningful since her 15-yearold sister Carla, a student at Heritage, will be one of the guitarists performing on the piece. And the work is definitely resonating with high school performers, who look forward to the concert as a way to show younger students the possibilities in chorus, strings and band programs and get them excited about things to come. “It’s quality time that we’re having together sharing our passion for music,” said Heritage senior and choir member Christina Mancini. For her classmate Nick Trusty, doing an original song after several years of performing the same closing piece is

VSA Loudoun’s amazing actors of all abilities put on a magical production of the Roald Dahl classic with direction from Main Street Theater’s Karlah Louis. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children and seniors.

‘Simple Act of Murder’ Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18, 6 p.m. StageCoach Theatre Company 20937 Ashburn Road, Ashburn Details: stagecoachtc.com This original play by John Champe High School student Catherine Hutchison features murder and mayhem on a riverboat cruise in 1928. $60 ticket price includes dinner catered by Pure Perfection. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show begins at 6:30 p.m.

Lucketts Bluegrass: Jeff Scroggins and Colorado Saturday, March 17, 7 p.m.; Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road,

Heritage Cluster Fine Arts Night takes place 7-9 p.m. Monday, March 19, at Heritage High School, 520 Evergreen Mills Road SE, Leesburg. Admission is free. For details, go to lcps.org/hhs.

refreshing. “‘With Pride’ was composed locally, and it adds an extra layer of depth and personality to it because it’s local to us and special to us” Trusty said. “The last song we did was very chorally focused but ‘With Pride’ has a lot of instrumental interludes where the orchestra gets a chance to shine. ... It does its job wonderfully.” And for Heritage choir director Krimmel, the song is a perfect fit and something that could take on a life outside of Loudoun for schools looking to showcase both instrumental and choral talent in a range of ages. “We’re trying to do a lot of things with the concert—not just showing younger kids what the opportunities are but showing the community what our cluster is about,” Krimmel said. “If we can use this as a chance to promote positivity and growth from a younger age and build that all the way up to when they’re in high school, then we’ve done our purpose through music.”

Leesburg. Details: luckettsbluegrass.org Scroggins and company bring fabulous Rocky Mountain bluegrass to the Lucketts stage, with Scroggins’ award-winning banjo style and his son Tristen on mandolin. Tickets are $15 at the door.

while experienced artists guide you to create your own masterpiece. Tickets are $37 in advance.

Music with A Cause: Marianna Prjevalskaya Sunday, March 18, 4 p.m. St. Andrew Presbyterian Church 711 W. Main St., Purcellville Details: standrew-pres.org Internationally acclaimed piano virtuoso Marianna Prjevalskaya honors the French composer Claude Debussy in the 100th anniversary year of his death with a performance titled, “Soundscape: Celebrating Courtesy of Debussy’s Complete Marianna Prjevalskaya Preludes.” The recital benefits Mobile Hope of Loudoun. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door. Youth ages 17 and under are admitted free.

Ensembles for Everyone Sunday, March 18, 4 p.m. Stone Bridge High School 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn Details: loudounsymphony.org Loudoun Youth Symphony Orchestra’s annual 45-minute interactive concert introduces classical music to children with special needs and young children who might find it difficult to sit through a full-length concert. Everyone is encouraged to participate by singing and using percussion instruments loaned by Loudoun Symphony. After the show, attendees can explore instruments at a musical petting zoo, participate in a drum circle and make their own instruments. Admission is free, but advance registration is required.

Courtesy of The Woodshedders

Live Music: The Woodshedders Saturday, March 17, 8-11 p.m. Monk’s BBQ 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. Details: monksq.com Indie roots rock swerving through honkytonk, gypsy jazz, Appalachian and rock ‘n’ roll tunes. No cover.

Live Music: The Larry Keel Experience Saturday, March 17, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com One of the most powerful and exhilarating flatpicking acoustic guitarists performing today, Keel brings his acclaimed trio to the Tally Ho for a Saint Patrick’s Day jam. Tickets are $20 in advance, $35 for VIP seated spots.

Live Music: Chris Timbers Saturday, March 17, 9 p.m. Smokehouse Live 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: smokehouse-live.com The Northern Virginia native brings his soulful, rootsy vibe to Smokehouse. No cover.

Lovettsville Historical Society Benefit Wednesday, March 21, 4-10 p.m. 1836 Kitchen and Taproom 34 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville Details: 1836kitchenandtaproom.com This fundraiser features music from the Short Hill Mountain Boys, with 10 percent of proceeds going to the Lovettsville Historical Society.

NIGHTLIFE Live Music: Start Making Sense Friday, March 16, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com

COMING UP

This tribute to David Byrne’s genius is a danceable celebration of the Talking Heads’ ‘80s new wave art punk. Tickets are $15 in advance, $35 for seated VIP tickets.

Ida Lee Egg Hunt

Paint and Wine Night at Painted Tiger Studio

This annual Easter extravaganza for children ages 1 to 6 features and egg hunt broken down by age groups and lots of entertainment. Tickets are $10 for hunters and $5 for children ages 7 and up for amusements. Advance purchase is recommended as the event regularly sells out.

Friday March 16, 7-9:15 p.m. Painted Tiger Art Studio 108 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: paintedtigerart.com Enjoy two complimentary glasses of wine

Saturday, March 24, noon-3 p.m. Ida Lee Park 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg Details: leesburgva.gov

Loudoun’s premier FAMILY and SENIOR dental care. Honesty. Quality. Excellence in every detail.

• • • • Dr. Joon Coe

Advanced general dentistry including cosmetic dentistry Prosthodontics including dental implants Adults and Senior citizens’ oral care TMJ therapy and sleep apnea therapy

Serving Lansdowne, Leesburg, Ashburn, and surrounding areas

$100 Exam, X-rays & Cleaning

$100 Gift Card

Free Teeth Whitening

for new patients only. Cannot be combined with other offers.

for any in-office use at DIVA Dentistry for new patients only. Cannot be combined with other offers.

After Exam, X-rays & Cleaning at regular fee. for new patients only. Cannot be combined with other offers.

19490 Sandridge Way, Ste. 160 www.DIVAdentistry.com Lansdowne, VA 20176

Toll Free (855) DIVA-DENT Direct (703) 454-5656

Saturday, March 17, 9 a.m. Great Country Farms 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: bluemontshamrockrace.com

The Revolutionary Army has triumphed over the British Army in a battle just outside town, and that night a lone British soldier runs through the streets to escape capture. An open window provides his perfect escape, until he learns he’s in the bedchamber of Miss Elizabeth Littlebone, daughter of a major in the Continental Army. Tickets are $22 pre-sale and $25 at the door.

March 15, 2018

<< FROM 44

March 15, 2018

Classic Spins: Lost Rhino Brewery Taps Into Vinyl’s Resurgence Christian Thomson/Get Out Loudoun

BY CHRISTIAN THOMSON

A Tribute to the Talking Heads: Start Making Sense 03/16/18 Doors: 7:00PM

St. Patrick’s Day with

Keel Experience 03/17/18 Doors 7:00PM

DANCE-A-POOLZA:

LOWDOWN’S BIGGEST DANCE PARTY FOR CHARITY 03/23/18 Doors 7:00PM

Live Wire:

The Ultimate AC/DC Concert Experience 03/24/18 Doors 7:00PM

JIMMIE’S CHICKEN SHACK 3/30/18 Doors 7:00PM

A Tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire: In Gratitude

03/31/18 Doors 7:00PM

Disco Night with

groove train

04/06/18 Doors 7:00PM

A Tribute to Pearl Jam: Ten 04/07/18 Doors 7:00PM

Loudoun Youthfest’s Battle of the Bands Final Battle! 04/13/18 Doors 6:00PM

Consider the jukebox: At one point, these erstwhile machines could be found in the corner of any half-decent bar, glowing with a warm and inviting light. They were stereos away from home, giving bar-goers not only an opportunity for musical enjoyment, but the choice of what they listened to while they imbibed and socialized. When they fell out of popularity, so, too, did the musical sovereignty of bar patrons worldwide. As magical as the old jukeboxes might have been, there was always a little room for improvement. For example, what if your tastes were too obscure? Even the greatest jukebox probably wasn’t going to have that latest Galaxie 500 record. If you could have only taken your copy from home, and stuck it in the jukebox yourself. If you ever had similar thoughts while lifelessly flipping through a sea of Hootie and the Blowfish and Meatloaf singles, Lost Rhino Brewing Co. has just the event for you. Every Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. the Ashburn brewery hosts Bring Your Own Vinyl night, a chance for their customers to bring in their own vinyl LP’s, throw them on the turntable, and take turns acting out their most fanciful DJ dreams. Lost Rhino launched the event two years ago and BYOV Night has developed a major following. Tote bags full of LP’s line the walls behind the stereo setup and regulars hover around the turntables discussing each track that’s spun. Judd, a devoted BYOV contributor and vinyl collector, has been attending the event practically since its beginning. “It’s a great place to hear stuff you’ve never heard or haven’t heard in years,” he said. While his music taste can safely be described as eclectic, his favorite genre is ‘80s hardcore punk. “Cro-Mags, Jodie Foster’s Army, Reagan Youth. Anything punk,” Judd said. Each week of BYOV sports a different theme. It could be anything from female vocalists to this week’s pre-St. Patrick’s Day theme of Irish drinking music or even specific decades. There also are Wild Card nights where absolutely anything goes—as long as it’s brought in on wax. This means one’s likely to hear songs at BYOV night that they likely wouldn’t find at any other bar. During a recent night, themed “Your Parents’ Music,” the PA played

Michael Laudenbach spins a selection from the 1977 platinum-selling album “Rejoice” by The Emotions during a recent BYOV night at the Lost Rhino brewery in Ashburn.

artists like Jan and Dean, Andy Williams, and deep-cut Van Morrison tracks. A jukebox with that kind of selection simply doesn’t exist. Another BYOV regular, Blake, said she’s been checking out the event regularly for about six months. “I love learning about people’s record collections and that there are a lot of regulars,” she said. She finds that the weekly themes give her a chance to focus on particular genres or artists and enjoys planning out her sets each night. “It’s fun to be your own DJ,” she said. The opportunity for BYOV participants to play and hear the music they like is a major attraction, but the event also acts as an excellent chance to show off one’s vinyl collection. And the evidence is clear: people really love their vinyl records. Neilsen Soundscan’s music sales measurement has tracked 12 straight years of vinyl growth, with vinyl sales making up 14 percent of all physical album sales in 2017. This trend of sales and popularity growth is perhaps less surprising after witnessing the excitement and passion vinyl inspires in collectors and music fans at BYOV. Blake recounts taking a photo beside one participant’s original pressing of the Velvet Underground and Nico’s 1969 debut LP. This aspect of the format’s charm is simply unparalleled, and in the age of digital dominance, it’s a breath of fresh air. So whether you’ve just started purchasing records or have a dusty stack from your youth—or your parents’ youth—begging to be taken back out for a spin, Lost Rhino’s Bring Your Own Vinyl night is worth checking out. We won’t promise that you won’t hear “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” for the thousandth time, but your precious copy of “On Fire” will finally get the attention it deserves. Follow Lost Rhino Brewing Co. on Facebook to be kept informed on each Tuesday’s BYOV theme. Sign-up for the event begins around 5:30 p.m.

Hot Picks

The dave matthews band experience: crowded streeets 04/14/18 Doors 7:00PM

delta Rae 04/20/18 Doors 7:00PM

YACHT ROCK NIGHT WITH BOAT HOUSE ROW 04/21/18 Doors 7:00PM

Tragedy: all metal tribute to the bee gees and beyond

04/27/18 Doors 7:00PM

Start Making Sense A Tribute to the Talking Heads Friday, March 16, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

String Theory Friday, March 16, 7-9 p.m. Blend Coffee Bar blendcoffeebar.com

St. Patrick’s Day Happenings Check Out the Full Listing getoutloudoun.com/ holiday-events

See more at getoutloudoun.com

[OBITUARIES]

July 21, 1947 – February 25, 2018

BETTY LOU COLLIER of Leesburg, VA

Departed this life on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at her residence. She is survived by: three children Donna Lynn Morris of Alexandria, VA, Crystal Denise Collier of Boston, MA and Donald W. Morris, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA; three grandchildren Ashley N. Headen of Alexandria, VA, Grace C. and Eli G. Carley of Boston, MA; one sister Vivian Ramey, of Purcellville, VA; five brothers Reginald Simms (Marion) of Purcellville, VA, James B. Simms of East Orange, NJ, Tommy Simms of Leesburg, VA, Ronnie Simms of Fuquay Varina, NC, and Larry Simms (Patricia) of Purcellville, VA and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Graveside Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace Annex United Methodist Church Cemetery, 37762 Cooksville Road, Lincoln, VA 20160. Arrangements by LYLES FUNERAL SERVICE, serving Northern Virginia, Eric S. Lyles, Dir., Lic. VA/MD/DC 1-800-388-1913

Sassan Jonathan Heydari Dastejerdi Sassan Jonathan Heydari Dastejerdi, 30, of Leesburg, VA, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Manassas, VA.

Steven D. Hale passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2018, at his home in Lovettsville after a brief hospitalization. Steve and his wife, Jane, who passed two years ago, were well known and respected in the community and the equine industry. They operated a small horse farm in Lovettsville which continues today. He is survived by a brother, William Hale and his wife Phyllis, of Loveland CO, and a host of friends in Northern Virginia. Steve was born in Columbus, Ohio, to William H. and Jean Livingston Hale on July 21, 1947. He attended Upper Arlington High School in Columbus and early on, he showed a genuine flare for science and technology by placing strongly in the Ohio 1965 State Science Fair sponsored by Westinghouse Electric. Steve graduated from high school in Columbus in June, 1965, and enrolled in Ohio State the same year in engineering. Although Steve went on to be a brilliant technologist, the first attempt at Ohio State did not work out well and he soon enlisted in the US Navy. Six years of duty saw him emerge as a First-class Petty Officer, (E6,) in the area of secure communications. His assignments included an 18 month deployment in Keflavik, Iceland, where he learned to fly small fixed wing aircraft and qualified as a flight instructor. In later years he refused to fly. He explained that he wasn’t afraid of dying in a crash – that Jane would kill him first if she found out he was flying!

Sassan is survived by his sister Lindsay Dastejerdi, brother Dylan Dastejerdi, Aunt “Mariam” Heydari and her husband Simon, Uncle Kamran Dastejerdi and his wife Sherry, grandparents John and Nana Power, and Carol Richards. cousins: Ramin Sara Lisa, Omid Zakikhani, Champ, Isabella Alexandria and Helia Hashmei and many other family members and friends.

Upon separation from active duty in the Navy in 1971, Steve enrolled in George Mason University where he obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1975. No slave to tradition, Steve immediately began work in electronics and went on to a distinguished 43 year career in technology. His first assignment was working with a development team at Ensco in Springfield, VA on a project using ground probing radar to map underground objects and later on automated measurement of railroad track geometry.

Funeral Services will be at 12:00 PM, Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Cr. SE, Leesburg, VA with Pastor Mike Emerson officiating. Interment will

In 1980, Steve joined EIT, LLC, as an electronic development engineer in a variety of disciplines including ultraviolet radiation measurement, electrophysiology and electro cardiol-

He was the son of Sasan Heydari and Michelle Power

His honors included seven patents and serving as a peer reviewer for an international cardiology group. Steve’s real love was his life with Jane on their small horse farm in Lovettsville which they operated for about forty years. They completely remodeled a log structure house mostly with their own labor. They kept and showed their horses, often in competition, during that time. In fact, they were stabling five horses at the time of Steve’s passing. Steve felt the high point of their competition was the 4th place finish in national competition at Madison Square Garden, New York, with their horse, Jack. Steve and Jane also enjoyed art and operated the Silver Fox Art Gallery for about twenty years in Leesburg, VA.

They created associations with a number of accomplished artists particularly Paul Landry. Steve’s sometimes bluff persona partially concealed a fine sense of humor and a kind individual who, in concert with wife Jane, provided assistance and support to many members of the community. This was particularly so with young people. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 10 at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Road, Leesburg, VA. The family will receive friends at 10 AM with the Celebration of Life to follow at 11 AM. Burial will be held at the Fairview Cemetery, Culpeper, VA, at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., #405, Winchester, VA, or to Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, 17690 Old Waterford Rd., Leesburg, VA 20176.

Steven D. Hale

ogy, ultralow noise acceleration measurement, gas chromatography and numerous contributions in scientific measurements.

March 15, 2018

follow at Leesburg Union Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Wednesday March 7, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com.

March 15, 2018

Legals

Notice of Public Hearing Town of Lovettsville Planning Commission The Lovettsville Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Lovettsville Town Office located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue: LVCP 2018-0001: Amendment to the 2011 Comprehensive Plan Consideration of an amendment to the adopted 2011 Comprehensive Plan of the Town of Lovettsville as previously amended in 2017. Pursuant to Section 15.2-2223 of the Code of Virginia, the Lovettsville Planning Commission has drafted amendments to the comprehensive plan necessary to implement the recommendations of specific plans proposed in the adopted comprehensive plan as well as for clarity and consistency with the Town Manager’s proposed Fiscal Year 2019 to Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Improvement Program. Proposed revisions to specific chapters of the plan include:

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Hearing Pedestrian Safety Improvements From: Laycock Street to Elementary Drive VDOT Project EN15-053-111, PE 101, C501 Town of Hamilton Friday, April 13, 2018 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Hamilton Town Office 53 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton, VA 20158

The Town of Hamilton is holding a Public Hearing on the Pedestrian Safety Improvements along Colonial Highway (Route 7 – Business). The purpose of the meeting is to present the preliminary design and receive public input.

The project will involve creating pedestrian crossings and handicap ramps proposed at Laycock Street and Colonial Highway; Saint Paul Street and Colonial Highway and at Elementary Drive and Colonial Highway. The improvements will include completing the existing sidewalk network between Laycock Street and King Street with a minimum 4’ wide and up to 5’ wide concrete sidewalk.

Questions: If you have any questions, contact the Town of Hamilton at (540) 338-2811 or by email to lori.jones@town.hamilton.va.us.

In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 and 36 CFR Part 800, information concerning the potential effects of the proposed improvements on properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places will be available at the hearing and at the Hamilton Town Office.

Review the proposed project conceptual plans at the public information meeting or at the Hamilton Town Office, 53 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton, VA 20158.

The Town of Hamilton ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the Town of Hamilton at the phone number listed above.

A preliminary project schedule, property impact information, and right of way policies will be made available for review and comment prior to the Public Hearing and for 15 days after the Public Hearing at the above address in addition to at the public hearing.

Provide your written or oral comments at the hearing or submit them by March 6, 2018 to Lori Jones at the address on Colonial Highway listed above, or email to lori.jones@town.hamilton.va.us. Please reference “Pedestrian Safety Improvements” in the subject line.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104

ABC LICENSE Mission BBQ Sterling, VA LLC, trading as Mission BBQ, 45979 Denizen Plaza, Sterling Virginia 20165-6123

Case No.:

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200

03/15 & 03/22/18

RIDGEVIEW WATER MAIN UPGRADES PROJECT Issue Date: March 12, 2018 Due Date: March 28, 2018 at 2:00 PM EST

Nohemis Cabrera Romero /v. Jose Amilcar Nolasco

The Town of Middleburg is soliciting bids for the installation of approximately 3,000 linear feet of new 8-inch and 6-inch diameter PVC water main along multiple streets in the Town’s Ridgeview neighborhood as specified in the project contract documents.

The object of this suit is to: Finalize marriage and sign final divorce decree. It is ORDERED that Jose Amilcar Nolasco appear at the above-named court and protect his interests on or before 05/04/18 at 10:00 am.

03/15/18

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer Off-Premise and Keg license. Bhishma R Aryal / Director Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200

Case No.: Loudoun County Circuit Court

18-06

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Jeff Christopher Serrano The object of this suit is to: The adoption of Jeff Christopher Serrano By Diogenes Lara Reyes. It is ordered that Cristiano Jose De Araujo appear at the abovenamed court and protect his/her interests on or before April 6, 2018 - 10:00 AM.

03/08 & 03/15/18

02/22/18, 03/01/18, 03/08/18, 03/15/18

It is the intent of the Town to award the construction contract to the lowest Base Bid price from a responsive and responsible Bidder. However, the Town reserves the right to cancel the project, at no penalty, up to the issuance of the “Notice to Proceed”. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informality or deficiency in bids received, whenever such rejection or waiver is in the best interest of the Town. The Town also reserves the right to reject the bid of a Bidder who has previously failed to perform properly or to complete, on time, contracts of a similar nature, or after investigation, it is the Town’s opinion that the Bidder is not in a position to perform the Contract. Download the Invitation to Bid (IFB) documents at the Town website or contact Martha Mason Semmes, Town Administrator, Town of Middleburg, townadmin@middleburgva.gov or via phone at 540-687-5152. Requests for information related to this Invitation should also be directed to Ms. Semmes no later than March 21, 2018.

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104

Fishtail Century Inc, trading as In & Out Market, 21735 Shellhorn Rd Suite 100, Ashburn, Virginia 20147-5355.

TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA INVITATION FOR BID

113514

ORDER OF PUBLICATION ABC LICENSE

f. Existing Policy No. 10 (Renumbered as Policy No. 12) is amended to state that the Town will utilize available local, state and federal funding to permanently abandon water supply wells that have been slated by the Town for abandonment; g. Policy No. 13 is added to state that the Town will install improvements, facilities and equipment at Town public utility facilities as necessary to improve functionality, operational efficiency and security; and h. Existing Policy No. 13 (Renumbered as Policy No. 16) is amended for clarity. Chapter 4: Economic Development and Housing: (1) The policies are amended as follows: a. Policies 5, 9 and 16 are amended for clarity; and b. Policy No. 27 is amended for clarity and to state that the goals, objectives and recommendations of the Town Square Master Plan, once completed, will be implemented as if set forth in the comprehensive plan. Chapter 6: Transportation: (1) The policies are amended as follows: a. Policy No. 2 is amended for clarity; b. Policy No. 6 is amended to state that the minimum parking requirements in the zoning ordinance will be tailored to match the parking demand associated with specific uses of all types, whether parking is provided on-site, through shared-parking arrangements, within public parking lots, or on public streets; c. Policies 7, 8, 9, 13, 18 and 19 are amended for clarity; d. Policy No. 25 is amended for clarity and to state that the goals, objectives and recommendations of the Town-Wide Transportation Study and Plan, once completed, will be implemented as if set forth in the comprehensive plan; e. Policies 26, 27 and 28 are amended for clarity; and f. Policy No. 29 is amended to state that the Town will plan and implement improvements to specific existing substandard streets necessary to improve drainage, replace or upgrade public utilities, and enhance traffic flow while maximizing safety for the travelling public. The amended policy further states that the Town will acquire sufficient land for public street rights-of-way necessary to implement such improvements.

The proposed comprehensive plan amendment is available for review at the Town Office between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm during weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call (540) 822-5788 for more information or contact the Planning Director & Zoning Administrator at jbateman@lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly-scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 03/08/18 & 03/15/18

Loudoun County Circuit Court

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Beer on Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Stephen S. Newton, Manager, Mission BBQ Management, LLC

Chapter 3: Public Facilities and Utilities: (1) The Public Facilities Policies are amended as follows: a. Policy No. 1 pertaining to the preservation of sufficient Town-owned lands and public facilities for hosting public events is amended to include open spaces and parks as well; b. Policy No. 3 is amended for clarity; c. Policy No. 5 pertaining to the provision of public recreation opportunities within Town parks is amended to ensure that such opportunities and amenities be consistent with approved concept or site plans for such park improvements; d. Policy No. 11 regarding implementation of the approved concept plan for Quarter Branch Park is amended for clarity and to include the design and implementation of improvements to the Town Barn Maintenance and Storage Facility located adjacent to the park; e. Policy No. 13 regarding construction of an expanded Town Office facility is amended to include Town-owned parcels located at and adjacent to the existing Town Office Building at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue; f. Policies 17, 18, 19 and 20 are amended for clarity; (2) The Public Utilities Policies are amended as follows: a. Policies 1 and 7 are amended for clarity; b. Policy No. 8 is amended to state that the goals, policies and recommendations of the Water and Sewer Master Plan, once completed, will be implemented by the Town as if set forth in the comprehensive plan; c. Policy No. 9 is amended for clarity; d. Policy No. 10 is added stating that the Town will upgrade and expand its wastewater collection system to minimize inflow and infiltration and eliminate discharges and leakages of wastewater into the environment. The remaining list of policies in this section are renumbered accordingly; e. Policy No. 11 is added stating that the Town will upgrade and expand its water production, storage and distribution facilities as necessary to expand capacity, add redundancy and improve reliability, efficiency and performance for supplying and delivering public water to customers;

SEALED BIDS: Sealed bids will be accepted before 2:00 P.M. prevailing local time on March 28, 2018 at the Town Office located at 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia 20117. Bids shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope labeled, “Town of Middleburg Ridgeview Water Main Upgrades Project - Attention: Ms. Martha Mason Semmes, Town Administrator”. Bids received after the acceptance time and date will not be accepted. IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOTE: All contractors intending to submit a bid are requested to register with the Town by email at the following addresses: townadmin@middleburgva.gov. Addenda will be issued to the registered contractors by email.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Town of Lovettsville

E Broad Way Phase 2A Funding Request to VDOT The Lovettsville Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 7:30 PM at the Lovettsville Town Hall, 6 Pennsylvania Avenue, to receive comment on the E Broad Way 2A Improvements Project grant application to the Virginia Department of Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Grant Program. Information on the project and grant application may be reviewed in the Town Office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, holidays and Wednesdays excepted and by special appointment. For more information please call the Town Hall at (540) 822-5788. 03/08/18 & 03/15/18

Employment

March 15, 2018

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Commitpoint Inc. have multiple openings for Data Base Administrator, System Analyst, Business Analyst, Programmer Analysist, Java Developer, Dot Net Developer, Ruby On Rails Developer, Java Full Stack Developer, UI Developer, SQL/BI developer, Devops engineer, etc. to work in various Software Development Projects. Applicants with at least bachelors or master’s in computer science field, can apply at hr@commitpoint.com

Tax Accountant/CPA Needed on a quarterly basis to come to my small business in Leesburg, VA. Knowledge of QuickBooks and preparation of federal and Virginia tax forms. Email your contact information to: fredquintel@yahoo.com

Large family practice in Loudoun County seeking FT LPN’s or MA’s for our new site located in the professional building at Stone Springs Hospital in Aldie, VA. We also have openings in our Ashburn, Lansdowne, Cornwall and Purcellville offices. Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred but willing to train the right candidate. EHR experience highly recommended. We offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401k and many other benefits. Please send your resume to lgray@ lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-7260804, attention Lisa. SUMMER CAMP ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Ages (4 years–12 years) Lansdowne College degree preferred With teaching experience Email resume to: golfvistastars@gmail.com Leave msg-703-727-1949

The Town of Purcellville has an opening for a Water Treatment Operator at the water treatment plant and ancillary facilities. Some specific tasks include making regular and continuous tours of assigned processing areas and monitoring the performance of operating equipment and effectiveness of treatment processes; operation of valves, pumps, gates, controls and equipment through various steps of processing and treatment; collecting samples at prescribed stages and time intervals in the treatment cycle and making laboratory control tests; reading meters, gauges and other instruments; recording observations in daily shift operations log; transmitting data, as appropriate, to supervisor; inspecting and cleaning pumps and related mechanical equipment. Required qualifications include a High School Degree, the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the ability to keep records. Some experience preferred with water treatment plant principles and operating practices and water treatment plant maintenance. Knowledge of the hazards and safety requirements of the work is a plus. Virginia Water Works Operator licensure preferred. Salary is commensurate with experience and certification. The Town offers an excellent benefits package including medical/dental/vision insurance, VRS retirement, fully-paid life insurance, deferred compensation, supplemental benefit plans, paid time off and 13+ holidays a year. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Town of Purcellville is an award-winning, thriving community whose 9,000+ residents enjoy an exceptional quality of life that has become a hallmark of the town. If you are interested in applying for this position, complete and submit an application and resume at our website www.purcellvilleva.gov/jobs. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. The Town of Purcellville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Construction PM for local established firm. 5+ years’ experience req. Must be able to pass background check. Please email resume to:

Sale / Rent

info@projsolgroup.com

FOR SALE

Legals NOTICE – NIGHT WORK 7:00 P.M. TO 7:00 A.M. BEAZER HOMES, LLC will commence land development/ construction activity within the vicinity of Heritage Way and Edwards Ferry Road on or about March 15, 2018, and will continue for approximately 30 days. This work will involve necessary road closures and re-routing of traffic patterns on Edwards Ferry Road during the night-time hours of 7:00 p. m. to 7:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. 3/8/18 & 3/15/18

Commercial Office Condo

Mission Critical PM for local established firm. 10+ years’ experience req. Must be able to pass background check. Please email resume to: info@projsolgroup.com

— $150,000 ——————

class b in the town of Leesburg

Land

— $500,000 —————— 5 building lots, 5 miles north of town Leesburg-Lucketts

Call for details

703-220-2408

Resource Directory 703-770-9723 | loudounnow.com

Remodeling

Policy No. 12) ze available ently abandon the Town for

March 15, 2018

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BATHROOMS Remodeling

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Siding C2 Operations offers Professional Exterior, Siding, Gutters and Window/Door Services and Repair throughout Loudoun Co and NoVA. Services Include Asphalt Shingles • Cedar Shingles/Shakes • Metal Roofing Slate Roof • Flat Roofing • Roof Maintenance Skylights • Attic Insulation

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March 15, 2018

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Resource Directory

[ OPINION ]

March 15, 2018

Needed: A Little More Thoughtful Assessment The thoughtful and comprehensive assessment of options to address longstanding congestion and safety concerns in the northern Rt. 15 corridor may actually succeed in winning community support among frequently conflicting interests. And the exercise may be a model for addressing similar concerns in the Rt. 9 corridor west of Leesburg. Both are rural two-lane roads crossing scenic and historic areas and carrying enormous amounts of interstate commuter traffic. In both corridors, road upgrades are needed to improve the quality of life for nearby residents, but the preservation of the roads’ rural character is just as important. Given the growth that is coming within the county’s boundaries— and, more so, beyond them—those conservation efforts can only succeed with solid transportation planning on the local level and interstate cooperation. The opportunity for the first is occurring now with the Envision Loudoun comprehensive plan process. However, the prospect that Loudoun’s rural road network will be locked into 2010 assumptions as county leaders draw up plans for 2040 is nonsensical. That’s the current strategy, given the county board’s broad hands-off mandate on the Rural Policy Area. The supervisors’ declaration that the new plan would not open western Loudoun to more development was laudable and universally supported, but it’s becoming clear—albeit almost two years into the process—that even the rural community development policies need some tweaks to ensure that the economic and cultural successes we enjoy in 2018 will still be available in 2040. The second need is strong interstate cooperation. That starts at the state government level where there is a vast void in leadership on transportation. The latest example of this failure is the General Assembly’s Metro funding plan in which it continues push its obligation onto the backs of localities. The Silver Line project started as a partnership with the state government. In that deal, Loudoun County was to contribute 4.8 percent of the cost and the state was to pay 25 percent. At every turn, the assembly has passed its share of the bill back to local residents—first with higher tolls and now by diverting locally generated funds from transportation projects. Is this the General Assembly or gubernatorial administration that is going to work with Maryland to begin planning the critically needed Potomac River crossing? There’s a dearth of evidence that they are willing to take a thoughtful and comprehensive assessment on Northern Virginia’s economic health, as long as the income tax checks keep flowing to Richmond for distribution elsewhere.

LoudounNow Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 • Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 • Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723 Norman K. Styer Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com Danielle Nadler Managing Editor dnadler@loudounnow.com Margaret Morton Senior Writer mmorton@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene, Reporter rgreene@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Douglas Graham, Photographer dgraham@loudounnow.com Contributors John McNeilly Jan Mercker Patrick Szabo

Advertising Director Susan Styer sstyer@loudounnow.com Display Advertising Tonya Harding tharding@loudounnow.com Allison Jenkins ajenkins@loudounnow.com Classified Advertising Ashley Fertig afertig@loudounnow.com

[ LETTERS ] Treasured Resources Editor: The purpose of Loudoun County’s Heritage Commission is “to support and protect Loudoun’s Heritage Resources,” which are its “valued natural, cultural and historic locations, sites and objects … that have been passed down from previous generations.” The Heritage Commission regards Loudoun’s rural elementary schools as critical heritage resources that merit careful protection. The rural schools are an integral part of the county’s historic villages, and as such constitute a vital link to Loudoun’s rich but rapidly disappearing social and cultural heritage. The Heritage Commission does not stand alone in its opinion. In 2014, Preservation Virginia, the state’s preeminent preservation advocacy group, identified and added historic schools to its list of Virginia’s Most Endangered Places, specifically hailing the importance of schools in Loudoun County such as Aldie and Middleburg. In response to Preservation Virginia’s identification of this imminent threat, Loudoun County joined with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 2016 to initiate a study of seven of Loudoun’s rural schools. It determined that collectively the schools are of exceptional architectural and historic significance. Of note, Lincoln Elementary, whose unique architecture represents two centuries of Loudoun’s history, would easily qualify for the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. The 2016 study also examined the schools’ economic and social impact on their respective village communities. Elementary school grounds serve as the nerve center for their villages and community activities. Families at such events patronize local businesses and experience village life together

as a community, just as residents have for generations. In turn, local businesses support school activities through in-kind donations or direct funding. Abandoning these schools would profoundly affect the rural and tourism economies and erode one of Loudoun’s most treasured heritage resources. In our opinion, the rural schools are vital heritage resources. The Heritage Commission strongly recommends that the School Board continue to keep these schools in operation, protect their structures, and safeguard their viability as centers of rural community life. — Robert Pollard, Chairman Loudoun County Heritage Commission

Help, Not Harm Editor: I am an Immigrant Rights Fellow at the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium. NAKASEC’s mission is to organize Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social, racial and economic justice. I was one of the 30 “protestors” outside of the Congregation Sha’are Shalom Synagogue in Leesburg last week preaching a message of love and holding signs that says, “VA is Home,” no matter where you are from and regardless of immigration status. The last sentence in the article about the program described the people who stood in “protest” outside of the synagogue as “opposing U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock.” Let me be clear: Rep. Comstock’s legislative record stands in stark contrast to the message of the event at the synagogue about loving your neighbor. In fact, when it comes to immigrant communities, where is the love? Rep. Comstock sponsored H.R. LETTERS >> 53

[ LETTERS ]

Metro bill << FROM 1 Metro is the smallest per capita in the region,” Buona said. That, he said, means Loudoun is again disproportionately impacted. This year for the first time, more than half of Loudoun’s six-year capital spending plan is tied up in transportation projects, normally a state government responsibility. Loudoun relies on NVTA funding—established in 2013 to allow the region to raise money for transportation projects—to get the most out of that plan. But with both Loudoun and the NVTA nearing a vote on their respective six-year plans, the region’s roster of road projects has been shaken up by the General Assembly’s decision to take much of that funding for Metro. According to the NVTA’s 2017 annual report, last year the grantor’s tax and transient occupancy tax together added up to more than $81 million in revenues. “There is not a large enough amount of money coming out of the state,” said County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). “That is a problem, and it’s a huge problem.” She said the cut to funding would not only reduce the amount available to transportation projects in the

Editor: Firearm deaths in America are a public health crisis. Firearm suicides and homicides are among the top five causes of death for almost all age groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 35,000 Americans are killed each year by firearms, comparable to the annual deaths in auto accidents. In 2015, about 61,000 Virginians died violent deaths by firearms, and almost 900 met the same fate in Loudoun County. In both cases, suicide accounted for the largest share, 72 percent and 70 percent, respectively. The Congressional Research Service reported that the United States has had about 30 mass shootings annually for the past 30 years! Based on Department of Justice data, between 1999 and 2011, CRS has reported the average number of mass homicides using guns was 80 per year over the period. The political environment has become so toxic, largely a consequence of the NRA’s cynical weaponization of the Second Amendment and their cry of wolf, their hysterical warnings of mass gun confiscation. They regularly fabricate images of jack-booted federal troops invading homes to confiscate the roughly 310 million guns from the 55 million American gun owners. Aside from the fear-mongering, the

to an omnibus spending bill that eliminated funding for an existing Center for Disease Control research initiative on gun violence. Since then, the “Dickey amendment” has been regularly reinserted in spending bills, a contemporary version of the old strategy of “keep ‘em ignorant and down on the plantation.” The NRA and the gun lobby’s efforts to obscure the relationship between the prevalence and accessibility of guns, mass shootings, homicides and suicides is politically irresponsible and morally reprehensible.

region, but could also affect the NVTA’s ability to issue bonds and even its credit rating. “You’ve just kind of shaken the confidence of the bonding agencies, that’s what the General Assembly’s done,” agreed Buona, who sits on the NVTA’s Planning Coordination Advisory Committee, which is writing the NVTA’s six-year plan. “Because bonds are issued under the reliance that there’s going to be a continuous funding source for it, and all of a sudden the General Assembly’s kind of messed with that funding source.” “Really, the General Assembly just passed the buck,” Buona said. “They allowed us to tax ourselves back in 2013 to build roads, and now they’re saying, that money we allowed to tax yourself, now we’re going to take it away and hand it to WMATA.” The bill was agreed to by every member of Loudoun’s General Assembly delegation except Del. Dave A. LaRock (R-33) and Sen. Richard H. Black (R-13). “I get those concerns, but frankly unless we wanted to raise taxes, which there was absolutely no support for that, then there’s no other way we can do this,” said Del. John J. Bell (D-87). Bell said it was important Virginia fill the full $154 million funding gap so that Maryland and DC would be under pressure to follow suit. And he said

doing nothing was not an option given Metro’s safety and reliability problems. “If we don’t give them that bond authority, which this does, then they can’t purchase those cars and frankly make the system safe,” Bell said. “So I think punting, not doing anything, is the wrong answer, because people’s safety and lives are at risk.” The bill represents the first time Virginia will provide direct tax funding for Metro. It will also help Metro issue general obligation bonds to help defray the upfront costs of catching up on years of underfunding and neglect to maintaining the system. Under this bill, if Metro’s expenses grow by more than 3 percent annually, the state would automatically start withholding 35 percent of Metro funding from Virginia. “We’ve stepped up to Metro, but we’re sending a message that we want them to control the cost,” Bell said. “And the operating costs over the last few years—their projections have just continued to rise, and frankly in a way that there doesn’t seem like there is as much discipline in the system as there should be.” He said the bill “sends a message,” and may help bring those operating costs down by helping pay for newer equipment. In a press release, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President and

CEO Tony Howard said the “General Assembly has proven a willingness to work together and compromise, both across partisan lines and between the House and Senate, to make an investment in Northern Virginia’s economy and in our citizens quality of life,” and state legislators “should be commended for their willingness to listen to Northern Virginia’s business and community leaders. “We recognize that certain industries are being asked to shoulder an increased financial burden by this legislation, and that this measure does redirect existing transportation funds previously intended to fund road improvements,” Howard stated. “While we would have preferred that the Commonwealth invest more statewide funds into Metro, this compromise represents the very best hope of getting a funding measure approved in the 2018 session.” The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Ralph Northam. Monday morning, Northam said he would be making tweaks to the bill, which would send it back to the General Assembly again for another vote. While he did not reveal details, he said he would seek to fund Metro from other sources besides diverting funding from Northern Virginia transportation projects.

— Jung Bin Cho, Annandale

Ihara Letter

— Randy Ihara, South Riding

Essential Editor, The right to bear arms is an absolutely essential requirement for an individual to protect his freedom as a citizen. Citizens possess in their own right original sovereignty. They are not subjects who are slaves to masters. Are we to defend our freedoms with a musket? Obviously not. We have a Constitutional right to weapons of war equal to those of government whose reins may soon be usurped by socialist tyrants. All citizens have a duty to possess arms to defend our constitutional republic. America is at a tipping point. We must prepare our freedoms or we will surely lose them. Socialism kills. — David S. Meroney, Leesburg

rgreene@loudounnow.com

3697, which makes it easier to hurt immigrant communities by widening the net of who could be deported. For example, immigrants coming to the United States can be sent back if an ICE agent has “reason to believe” the person might be associated with a gang. What does that even mean? The bill also allows expands what kind of organizations could be labeled a “criminal gang,” including a church that provides sanctuary to immigrants. In reality it is unclear how the bill would effectively fight gangs. Also, Rep. Comstock has never co-sponsored the DREAM Act, which would create a pathway to citizenship for young people like me. I came to the United States when I was 7 years old and grew up in Virginia. I have lived in Springfield most of my life and learned that diversity is what makes the commonwealth of Virginia and the United States a great place where people should feel welcomed. Growing up, I had a diverse group of friends including Latinx, Muslim, Hindu, Black and Asian American. Diversity and celebrations of different cultures and heritages made the Springfield area such an attractive place. Our school was a strong community of people who supported each other, regardless of where you came from. The motto for our commonwealth is “Virginia is for Lovers.” Rep. Comstock wants to promote love but continues to vilify and advocate against immigrant communities. In conclusion, if Rep. Comstock wants to promote love and if she cares about all of her constituents, she

NRA’s self-righteous claim of protecting the Second Amendment is, at its core, based on a willfully concocted Constitutional fantasy. The NRA cynically mischaracterizes the Supreme Court’s 2008 landmark decision on the meaning of the Second Amendment case, District of Columbia v. Heller. The Court affirmed “an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.” Then the Court noted: “Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose …” To drive the point home, the Court warned that its opinion “should not be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of fire-arms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms.” The National Rifle Association, representing the cabal of gun manufacturers—the sole interest of which is increasing gun sales and profits—is wholly reliant on the votes of their NRA-funded Congressional allies, who refuse to even consider stronger background checks for gun purchases. NRA’s arrogance is a facade behind which lurks the fear that Congress could be swayed by the truth. So, in 1996, the NRA convinced a Republican Congressman, the late Jay Dickey of Arizona, to offer an amendment

should support measures that help, not harm, the immigrant community such as the DREAM Act, and advocate for citizenship for all.

March 15, 2018

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Town manager

March 15, 2018

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A VIEW FROM THE GAP

Diamonds in the Rough

BY ROGER VANCE

ometimes we see liabilities when in fact we are looking real assets. We see something that is old and perhaps worn around the edges as old-fashioned, out of step, not up to snuff, inefficient and thus ineffective. We believe that something new and bigger must be, will be, better. When this happens, we often don’t see the treasures hidden in plain view. Western Loudoun is studded with some real, overlooked gems in the form of small rural elementary schools and, nearly a predictable as the seasons, we are forced to engage in a tiresome process of considering them for disposal, for pulling the plug, for letting them slip away out of their supposed “inefficient” existence. Fortunately, the latest round of discussions focused on the fate of the handful of small rural schools left in western Loudoun has been put to bed, temporarily. This round was embodied by the effort by some Loudoun School Board members to craft a policy that would guide in the proposing and execution of closing a school. While setting clear parameters and a process may, on its face, have some merit, the attempt was interpreted by most as establishing an “objective” framework for moving forward with the long-sought shut down of the county’s smallest schools. Just as predictable, these initiatives were met with vociferous opposition from the communities served by these schools. But, the debate does bring to the fore a chance to consider the harm their closures would bring—and conversely the opportunities offered by supporting and, indeed, investing and polishing these multi-faceted jewels. Loudoun County School Board manages a billion-dollar budget for one of the fastest growing—Virginia’s third largest—school divisions, with more than 80,000 students in 91 schools. Keeping up with growth while maintaining excellence, diversity and innovation in its educational offerings is one of the Board’s steepest challenges. At the same time, avoiding the image as another bureaucratic monolith that abhors straying outside the lines and sees challenges to orthodoxy as a threat, should be one of its guiding principles. One way to do this would be to redirect the energy applied toward closing small schools by embracing, investing and learning from them. The board should lead the celebration of their past and present as cultural and civic cornerstones of communities that were here long before the massive influx that has created a new Loudoun. This county’s vaunted wealth is derived from not only from its openness to the diversity that comes with change, but also to the diversity that remains with preservation. Retaining western Loudoun’s rural character, farmlands and the small towns and communities that stood at their centers is key to the future quality of life of all who will call this their home in the future. And, historically, these small schools have long been the center stone, with the rural communities they serve the bezel setting, providing its anchor and security while also infusing light to create brilliance. These schools remain an essential and defining asset. As Loudoun County Heritage Commission Chairman Robert Pollard aptly wrote, “The Commission regards Loudoun’s rural elementary schools as critical heritage resources that

merit careful protection. The rural schools are an integral part of the county’s historic villages, and as such constitute a vital link to Loudoun’s rich but rapidly disappearing social and cultural heritage.” Loudoun’s small schools have, on a regular basis over the past decades, been the subject of much debate with regard to their “cost efficiency” and the savings that would be achieved by shuttering them and sending their students to the newer schools. Consistently lost in the cold calculations—which are highly debatable—is the impact these small schools have on their students, communities and, if we make the effort to mine them, the value they can provide to the larger system itself. Within the past five years, two of the schools hearing the drumbeat of closure threats for many years, opted to break the cycle. The Middleburg and Hillsboro school families, staff and communities boldly seized the challenging option to become community-run, free, public charter schools. Middleburg Community Charter School led in 2014, followed by Hillsboro Charter Academy in 2016. Each of these public charters has integrated innovative teaching techniques and curriculum. They continue to serve their immediate communities but have also opened their doors to students from across Loudoun. Each offers models that could be tested and emulated across the system. Both have been successful in fulfilling their missions and both are at or near full capacity with large waiting lists. And each has sustained their place as a radiant jewel in their small community. In the case of Hillsboro Charter Academy, community management and responsibility for the public charter school has forged a deeper and sustaining bond with the Town and the greater Hillsboro area. At the same time, families from beyond the immediate area have brought new energy and enthusiasm. And the extraordinarily creative, dedicated and talented educators have been unleashed to stretch outside the box. They have opened the doors to the community at large to be partners and active participants in the education of their students. And this jewel’s setting is nestled by the Short Hills, filigreed with farm fields and imbued with the history of the 1874 Old Stone School just steps away. It has been integral to the revitalization of Hillsboro. There is little doubt the other small schools posses the same potential energy. Just as Loudoun must, for the benefit of the entire county, take active steps to save its heritage farms and encourage innovation and enterprise through its agricultural business incubator, it is time for Loudoun to embrace its trove of small schools as the diamonds in the rough they are.

Roger Vance is the mayor of Hillsboro. His column, A View From The Gap, is published monthly in Loudoun Now.

and Jeanne in 2004. Mekarski was alleged to have used a portion of that money to fix the properties of city leaders and employees, which prompted an ethics investigation that eventually cleared his name, according to local media reports. “With over two decades of municipal management, David Mekarski brings to our town a wealth of professional, practical, and educational experiences to successfully guide Purcellville through the challenges and opportunities before us,” Mayor Kwasi Fraser said. “He has demonstrated leadership in the areas of crisis management, revenue enhancement, business development, and comprehensive long-range planning. ... As our new Town Manager, Mr. Mekarski will be committed to becoming involved with the social fabric of our community, to giving voice and volume to the needs of our citizens, and to leading our town operations to continue its delivery of best in class services.” McCollum said he opposed the appointment because he preferred a candidate that had a “good relationship with Loudoun County.” Mekarski is the fifth person to fill Purcellville’s town manager spot in less than a year. It was in May of last year that Rob Lohr retired and the Town Council unanimously appointed then-Public Works Director Alex Vanegas as the interim town manager. When Vanegas was placed on administrative leave in November, pending an investigation into reports of misconduct, Administration Director Hooper McCann took over for three weeks. Current Interim Town Manager John Anzivino was hired shortly thereafter and has led the town since Dec. 18. Mekarski’s hiring ends a six-month town manager search that was led by Vice Mayor Nedim Ogelman and Councilman Ryan Cool. They put together a recruitment package and had it advertised from October to January on multiple municipal government organizations. After the town received 29 applicants in January, department heads had the opportunity to meet with candidates before all Town Council members interviewed the top three in February. The top two candidates were then selected for final interviews with council members on Feb. 23. Once Mekarski was selected, Anzivino, Mayor Kwasi Fraser and Town Attorney Hank Day took the lead in the negotiation process. “Mekarski will be committed to becoming involved with the social fabric of our community,” Fraser said. The Town Council also unanimously voted to extend Anzivino’s contract until Mekarski starts work on April 16. Mekarski said he would show up a week early to help with the transition. Vanegas remains on paid administrative leave, along with Police Chief Cynthia McAlister, Town Attorney Sally Hankins, a police officer, and a human resources specialist, all of whom are subjects of various misconduct allegations. According to the town’s accounting, the investigations have cost $357,293 to date, including $155,000 in compensation for the suspended employees and $123,961 for the lawyers and consultants hired to investigate the cases. pszabo@loudounnow.com

Envision Loudoun

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun Planning Commission Chairman Jeff Salmon (Dulles) leads a meeting of the Envision Loudoun stakeholders committee Monday evening.

On Monday, committee members expressed surprise that the updated transportation policies included few changes to the rural road network through the year 2040. Members noted that increased development in eastern Loudoun, the likelihood of more than 7,500 additional homes in the rural area, and continued growth in counties north and west of the county line will undoubtedly have significant impacts. County planners said their hands were tied by supervisors’ direction to

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Economic Development Agricultural Development Officer Kellie Hinkle and Fabbioli Cellars winemaker and owner Doug Fabbioli share a laugh during the Chamber of Commerce’s PolicyMaker Series State of the Rural Economy event at Fabbioli Cellars Tuesday.

Rural << FROM 3 growth in both Virginia and Loudoun’s agricultural sectors, particularly in Loudoun. Hinkle quipped she competes with Department of Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer to host more craft beverage manufacturers in Loudoun than data centers—a close race, with 44 wineries, 28 breweries, and three distilleries in Loudoun, and just more than that

many data centers. But while Loudoun boasts strong farming and livestock, both Ring and Hinkle were also looking ahead. Hinkle highlighted the New Ag School, a tuition-free certificate program launched at Fabbioli Cellars, with a board made up of wine makers, horticulturists, and other leaders in Loudoun’s agribusiness sector. The classes have both online and hands-on components. Ring said, “I will do everything I can to open doors” for that program. Hinkle also pointed to Loudoun’s rural business accelerator, a joint venture

between Loudoun and Fauquier counties still under development. And she made the first public announcement of a new addition to this year’s Spring Farm Tour: a farm quilt tour. Agricultural leaders are also looking out for the next big thing in agriculture, and in Virginia, that means industrial hemp farming. “The industry is coming, and it’s my professional obligation to prepare our farmers to take advantage of this crop,” Hinkle said. Ring said the state is still expanding support for research into hemp, including studies at state uni-

make no changes in the rural area. “We’re not to change what’s in the west,” transportation planner Mark Dreyfuss summarized. “I feel like we’re just closing our eyes to the problem,” committee member Chad Campbell said. Planning Commission Chairman Jeff Salmon (Dulles) and Planning Director Ricky Barber said they would weigh options for the committee to address the concerns. nstyer@loudounnow.com

versities and two new jobs in this year’s proposed state budget. Hinkle said the county has also been working to expand the cut flower industry in Loudoun. She said they’ve already had success drawing one company from elsewhere. “They’re looking at what Visit Loudoun is doing, and they’re looking at what the Department of Economic Development is doing,” Hinkle said. “They’re saying, you know, my county isn’t doing anything for me. They’re going to dig up 5,000 bulbs and come to Loudoun County because of the environment and the business-friendly nature of Loudoun.” Attendees of the meeting asked both about the Virginia Cooperative Extension, a program of Virginia state universities—particularly Virginia Tech—that shares knowledge and research across agricultural businesses. “Extension is an extremely important partner as we reach out across the board,” Ring said. “We want to do all that we can in this administration to continue to support extension. Hinkle said the extension is “an incredible collaborator and stakeholder, and absolutely necessary to what we’re doing on the economic development side.” “Economic Development is looking at those emerging markets and what is the opportunity for new cut flower growers, but we’re not the education piece,” Hinkle said. “We’re not the production side of it.” “We wouldn’t be where we are with the Ag School if we didn’t have the cooperation and collaboration with extensions, as well as the county Department of Economic Development and few other sponsors,” said Fabbioli Cellars winemaker and owner Doug Fabbioli. rgreene@loudounnow.com

draft has to be ready for a round of public input sessions. At some point, the results of fiscal and transportation modeling that illustrate the long-term impact of the growth policies hammered out by the panel will be presented—but that information won’t come in time for the committee to make any substantial changes to its work. Committee members don’t doubt that the deadline will be met, but many are less confident that the final project will meet the expectations they held when the project launched. As the group sprints to the finish line, a new—and unexpected—concern has emerged. Early in the Envision Loudoun process one principle had near unanimous agreement: No one would tamper with the Rural Policy Area. County leaders, conservationists and most developers publicly agreed that nothing would be done undermine efforts to preserve the countryside or to hamper the growth of the rural economy with its farms wineries, breweries, wedding venues and tourist attractions. Recently, some of rural Loudoun’s most vocal defenders—including Stake-

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holder committee member Al Van Huyck, of the Loudoun Preservation and Conservation Coalition, and Malcom Baldwin, a former member of the county’s Rural Economic Development Council—have raised concerns that the rural policies that supervisors want to lock in won’t adequately sustain the countryside conservation in the decades ahead. Among their concerns are increasing conflicts between the growing number of rural businesses and their residential neighbors; inadequate regulatory oversight of rural businesses; that the clustered development option for rural subdivisions is failing to create open space that is being put to agricultural use; and that the policies don’t provide enough incentives of large landowners to turn away development offers. Without taking time to reevaluate the county’s planning policies and zoning rules, they warn, the amount of farmland— which has decreased from 200,000 acres in 1998 to 87,000 acres today—will continue to decline rapidly. The current draft of the Rural Policy Area chapter includes only three new policies: to improve the clustered development rules, to support job training in agricultural careers, and to provide educational programs aimed at reducing conflicts between agricultural and non-agricultural uses.

March 15, 2018

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