Loudoun Now for April 27, 2017 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 2, No. 25 ]

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Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017 ]

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Three western Loudoun teens have taken their own lives since 2014. Now, their classmates are taking the lead to prevent other suicides. Students at three Loudoun high schools, including Woodgrove, held suicide prevention walks April 19.

Thousands of Students Walk for Suicide Prevention BY CAROLINE BORAS

oudoun’s youngest residents are stepping up to combat the county’s rise in teen suicides. Three Loudoun County high schools held student-led events last week meant to prompt conversations about what it will take to provide help to those struggling before they take their own lives. The We’re All Human clubs at Woodgrove, Loudoun Valley and Heritage high schools held suicide prevention walks and assemblies April 19. Students at Woodgrove started the first We’re All Human Club in late 2015 after three suicidal western Loudoun teens died in less than 18 months. They held the first suicide prevention walk and assembly in 2016 and, for the first time, were joined this year in the effort by other schools. “This is something that we started here, but something we should not singularly have at Woodgrove. … The power of a movement and what you all can

do is tremendous,” Woodgrove Principal William S. Shipp said. At Woodgrove’s assembly, We’re All Human members spoke about their struggles with depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges, and how involvement in the club has helped them work to overcome them. “This group inspires me to be my best

self at all times, and my outlook on life has become so positive,” said senior Katie Brantingham, who joined We’re All Human after last year’s assembly. She said joining encouraged her to get the help she needed and “ultimately saved my life.” It wasn’t just students who spoke at the assembly. Track coach and psychology

Wexton’s Decision to Run for Congress has Democrats Hopeful BY DANIELLE NADLER State Senator Jennifer Wexton made big waves in political circles late last week when she announced that she will challenge Congresswoman Barbara Comstock for the 10th District seat. The election is still a year-and-a-half out, but already party leaders are not-

ECRWSS Postal Customer May 31,

ing what’s on the line: If Wexton wins, she will be the first Loudoun County resident to represent the 10th Congressional District and the first Democrat to hold the seat since 1980. Wexton, an attorney and Leesburg resident, said she’s considered runWEXTON >> 42

teacher Kent Staneart told the audience about his own struggles with clinical depression. “I remember a day when I was going through this intense depression,” he said. “I had a couple books sitting across the room that I had to make a lesson plan ALL HUMAN >> 43

State Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-33) at a 100WomenStrong event on April 19. Renss Greene/ Loudoun Now

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INSIDE

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

s the downtown Leesburg renaissance continues, more shops and restaurants are inching closer to their public debut. High atop that list is the first U.S. location of Delirium Café, brought to downtown patrons by Curtis Allred, former manager of the Shoes Cup & Cork. As the week dawned, Allred and his management team, which includes Assistant General Manager Aislin Kavaldjian, were not sparing a minute to get the Loudoun Street space ready for its first patrons. It has been a hec-

tic few months for the duo since announcing the project. The lease on the former Crème de la Crème space was signed Jan. 1. Exactly a month later, Allred signed an additional lease for the upstairs space when another tenant moved out. And when Sugar Magnolia, located in the building adjoining the former Crème de la Crème space, announced it would be closing up shop, Allred jumped on the chance to lease that space too, allowing for outdoor seating and room to seat 150 guests at once. “It just kind of fell together for us,” he said. Getting the physical space ready has been but one, although lengthy, item

on the to-do list. Training a staff with a focus on hospitality and a thorough knowledge of all the 200-plus beer offerings, wine, spirits, and expansive menu, has also been a priority. The total employee base, including management and both front and back of house operations, now stands at just fewer than 50. The original Delirium Café in Brussels is known for its long beer list, standing at more than 2,000. The Leesburg location will be its fourth international franchise; with others in Rio de Janeiro (2010), in Japan (2011), and in DELIRIUM >> 43

Equine industry gets a nudge

‘All Options’ on the Table for Comp Plan Committee BY RENSS GREENE

his neighborhood, he acknowledged, was greeted with skepticism by some people who lived in the area. “The transition policy area offers great benefit to the suburban area and the rural area in terms of water sources and in terms of recreation,” Goff said. “And to pave it over with houses and concrete and blacktop actually injures the suburban area. And the next shoe that will drop will be, OK, let’s move into the rural area.” Not so, say members of the committee.

‘We Just Have Scratched the Surface’

COMP PLAN >> 6

INDEX Loudoun Gov..................... 4 Leesburg........................... 8 Public Safety................... 12 Education........................ 14 Biz.................................. 18 Nonprofit News................ 22 Our Towns....................... 26 LoCo Living..................... 30 Obituaries....................... 36 Classifieds...................... 37 Opinion........................... 40

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Among the 26 members of the committee, two explicitly represent building interests: The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, and NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. Several more represent business interests to a greater or lesser extent, such as the

Purcellville’s Lohr to step down

After months of public input and data gathering, members of the special committee charged with drafting policies to guide Loudoun’s development for decades to come are sharpening their pencils. As the Board of Supervisors-appointed stakeholder steering committee prepares to write the guidelines that will form the county’s new comprehensive plan, some observers are worried that most of the 26 members favor development. The fears are at least partly rooting in the panel’s recent discussions of reports claiming Loudoun faces a significant housing shortage unless more land can be made available for development. Don Goff is one of those concerned. He’s a member of the Transition Area Alliance, an activist group that opposes increased development in the central Loudoun area designated as a lower density buffer between the east and west. “All the Board of Supervisors said,

and Chair [Phyllis J.] Randall has said is, ‘we’re not going to screw with the rural area,’” Goff said. “But I see a move to either do away with the transition policy area or to change the zoning laws within Loudoun County that will allow much more increased density of housing as you push forward to the west.” Supervisors—especially Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge), whose district includes the majority of transition policy area—have pledged in strong terms to defend that area. And, as Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) pointed out at a recent county board meeting, “we’re not just the last resort on the comprehensive plans—we’re the only resort.” Supervisors will be the ones who ultimately vote on any new plan. The stakeholders committee and Planning Commission can only make recommendations. But Goff sees a danger in those recommendations. He lives in Willowsford, off Braddock Road, and worries about packing more housing in. Even

20 charities get 100WomenStrong grants

Downtown About to Get Delirious

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Delirium Café’s assistant general manager Aislin Kavaldjian, left, and owner Curtis Allred are busy preparing for the opening of the world-renowned pub’s first U.S. location. Delirium Café is expected to open next month and draw hungry and thirsty patrons from throughout the region.

School Board trims budget by $5.5 million

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Loudoun MotorSports out, Ketterman’s in

[ LOUDOUN GOV ]

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Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), Anika Maan, Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge), and Nazaneen Anwari receive a report from the Advisory Commission on Youth during the county board meeting Thursday, April 20.

Loudoun High Schoolers Take the Dais for Youth in Government Day BY RENSS GREENE

epresentatives from the county Advisory Commission on Youth faced some tough questioning from the Board of Supervisors dais Thursday, April 20. Commission Chairman Jeff Goldman and at-large representative Michael Reles were facing experts on the subject—high schoolers. Thursday was Youth in Government Day, when high schoolers from across the county spend a day deep in the workings of county government. They joined supervisors and senior county staff members on the dais for the county board’s business meeting Thursday evening. Goldman and Reles were there to update supervisors on trends in youth demographics, academic achievements, school discipline, and juvenile justice, as well as the results of a youth survey the commission launched. After that survey, the commission recommended the county extend its Youth After School program to all middle schools, extend some high school programs like some clubs and athletics to middle schools, and provide Friday night library teen center programs— such the one offered at Cascades Library—across the county. But some of the new supervisors on the dais were skeptical of the survey results. “Most of the time, we’re just trying to

get done with it,” said Sofia Salas-Carvajal, seated next to Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg). “So, the responses that you might be receiving aren’t necessarily accurate.” Goldman acknowledged that some of the survey “had colorful responses.” “There was a free question where, when we asked what do you think the number one problem in Loudoun was, we got everything from ‘I’m bored’ to ‘I want to be done with this survey’ to ‘I’m copying the answers of the person next to me,’” Goldman said. However, on issues that mattered—like middle school cyber-bullying—he said there was a “statistically significant” response. Others were looking ahead. “Me and my friends were talking

about it, and we feel like we’re being given enough information on how to identify bullying and depression in suicidal people,” said Mary Kamara, helping out Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “But we feel like we’re actually not given enough information on how to deal with it from there on out.” There Goldman acknowledged a shortcoming in county resources. Because schools each provide their own bullying awareness education—rather than a single system-wide program— it’s hard the get a countywide view of how well that education is used. “So the resources are there for them to use, but we don’t have a measure of how much it is used,” Goldman said. And Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buo-

na (R-Ashburn)’s counterpart, Lesley Angeles, wanted to know: Are there any vacancies? Goldman reported the commission is short one at-large representative, and one representative from health and behavioral services. That prompted Buona to urge his colleagues to find an at-large appointment to fill out the commission’s ranks. The teenaged visitors had also held a debate that morning on a momentous county board decision from the recent past: joining the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority compact and bringing Metro to Loudoun. They voted in favor. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Dominion Raises Relocation Bill for Rt. 7 Interchange BY RENSS GREENE The state’s largest electricity utility has raised the price to move power lines out of the way of work, this time at the Rt. 7 and Belmont Ridge Road interchange. Dominion Virginia Power originally quoted the price to move power poles and lines for the project as $771,554, of which the county government would pay $541,386. The utility relocation project was

delayed by more than a year, finally wrapping up work in December 2016. After cost overruns, the total bill for the project had grown to $1,416,414, of which the county would be responsible for $954,663— about double the original cost. The county negotiated that price down to $773,517, which the Board of Supervisors’ finance committee approved on April 19. It’s not the first time the county has had this kind of problem with

utility companies. As regulated monopolies, utility companies set the price and the contractors that relocate utilities. The county has no ability to call for competitive bids for those contracts. In June 2016, supervisors approved an additional $1.7 million to pay Columbia Gas to move its lines around work on Claiborne Parkway. rgreene@loudounnow.com

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On Sunday, April 30, the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services will close the Animal Shelter in Waterford in order to conduct an emergency evacuation drill. The drill will replicate a scenario that requires a rapid response from department staff and volunteers. The drill will include a hypothetical situation that requires all shelter pets be placed into temporary homes in order to make room at the shelter for community pets in need. “We are excited for the opportunity to work with the Office of Emergency Management,” said Director of Animal Services Nina Stively. “This event will be an excellent learning experience for the staff and participating volunteers. The shelter will close to the public at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 29, and resume normal service at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 2. Residents who need to report wildlife or pet emergencies may still call 703-777-0406 during the time the shelter is closed. More information about the Department of Animal Services, including a full listing of regular business and adoption hours, is online at www.loudoun. gov/animals.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Loudoun Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) will host his Second Annual Spring Job Fair on May 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The job fair will be held at Park View High School at 400 West Laurel Ave. in Sterling. Saines plans to feature more than 45 employers from industries throughout the county including technology, trade and construction, healthcare, hospitality and food service, retail, transportation and service. Employers participating in this year’s fair include Loudoun County Public Schools; Loudoun County’s Sheriff ’s Office and Departments of Fire and Rescue and Parks, Recreation and Community Services; the U.S. Army; Washington Gas; NOVA Parks; Wegmans Food Markets; and B.F. Saul Company. The target pool of applicants is broad and includes teens, young adults, unemployed, underemployed and workers who have long commutes. RSVP at http://jobfair.rsvpify.com/. In addition to employment opportunities, there will be workforce development resources available. Training Futures, a program of Northern Virginia Family Service that provides training to low-income individuals to gain professional, higher-wage office jobs, will have a table at the fair along with Loudoun’s Workforce Resource Center, which provides resume preparation help and career development workshops and other resources to help residents obtain jobs.

Event organizers are also looking for volunteers. For questions or interest in volunteering, contact Jacqueline Pujol at Jacqueline.Pujol@loudoun.gov.

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

Spring Job Fair Set for May 6

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Comp plan << FROM 3 Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, the Dulles Area Association of Realtors, and the county’s economic development advisory boards. Among the membership, five work in land development. Another four work for consulting firms serving developers. They share the table with nine supervisor-appointed citizen representatives and two planning commissioners, as well as representatives from the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Loudoun Preservation and Conservation Coalition, and other interests such as the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, Northern Virginia Parks, Visit Loudoun, and the Washington Airports Taskforce. “The first thing that’s really important to understand is the stakeholder committee was set up by the Board [of Supervisors],” said Al Van Huyck, who chaired the Planning Commission during the county’s last comprehensive plan review 16 years ago. This time around, he represents the Loudoun Preservation and Conservation Coalition on the stakeholders committee. “All of what we say are the developers are actually representing groups that were invited by the board to participate,” Van Huyck said. “So it wasn’t like they forced their own way into the committee. They were invited. And so the fact that they’re there is perfectly fine, because the private interests of

development should have a voice.” Van Huyck said many of the same interests were invited to participate in writing the county’s current comprehensive plan. Jeff Salmon, current chairman of both the Planning Commission and the stakeholders committee, agreed. He said he feels the committee is balanced. More to the point, he said, the committee has only just begun serious policy work. Much of the committee’s time in the previous months has been getting everyone up to speed on the history and current state of Loudoun planning and development, he said. “We have just scratched the surface of revisiting the transition policy area,” Salmon said. “We have had one halfhour segment on the transition policy area, and that’s really about it.” Any room full of land-use experts is almost certainly going to include people who work in the field—meaning, in large part, developers and consultants. Salmon also defended the membership, giving the example of Bowman Consulting principal and Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance representative Packie Crown. “She’s a former Loudoun County staff employee, she does work for an engineering firm and, yeah, her engineering firm represents developers, but she has a very good grasp of all sides of the argument,” Salmon said. “She’s on the Zoning Ordinance Action Group, and she understands the COMP PLAN >> 7

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The discussion on the transition policy area may have just begun in the stakeholders committee, but it’s been decades long in the county. “The board has stated that for the most part, and I’m paraphrasing, that the rural policy area is pretty much off limits,” Salmon said. “They don’t want to put a bunch of houses in the rural policy area. I think that is a very wise decision, and I don’t have the expectation that we’re going to recommend anything … that changes that.” Buffington, for his part, declined to be interviewed, but relayed a statement by email, saying he supports the transition policy area, which he said “is intended to afford unique development opportunities within Loudoun County at intensities greater than those typically permitted in the [rural policy area.]” Buffington has said he will oppose increased densities in the transition area. “That said,” he added, “some portions of the [transition policy area] have already been approved for, or built to, [suburban policy area] standards and I realize that a portion of those areas will likely be updated as part of our Comprehensive Plan Update to reflect that unfortunate reality.” “I think it’s something we need to look at,” Salmon said. “Maybe the recommendation is to make some changes to it, maybe the recommendation is not to make changes to it. But to not look at it at all, I think, is a silly exercise.” He also sees the pressure to build in the transition area, particularly after a somewhat controversial study from George Mason University predicting a

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environmental concerns and the desire to protect certain areas of the county.” Crown hasn’t yet returned a message asking for comment. And Todd Pearson, who wears two hats as both the representative of the Economic Development Advisory Commission and vice president of real estate development firm B.F. Saul Company, said “I don’t think that just because you work for a developer, or that you are a developer, means that you necessarily are going to support development.” He also pointed out the diverse interests on the stakeholders committee, including the nine citizen representatives.

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Cyclists dedicated Leesburg’s new bike path with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an inaugural ride Saturday.

New Town Bike Path Celebrated

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Greg and Elyzabeth “Liff” Voell have operated their sports bike sales center on Catoctin Circle since 1997, moving to their current location after Southern States moved out. Now, the building will see another transformation as the next home of Ketterman’s Jewelers.

Loudoun MotorSports Closing; Ketterman’s Buys Space BY DANIELLE NADLER

oudoun MotorSports is closing after 20 years in business. The motorcycle dealership, that carries Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, will close June 30. The owners are selling their building at 212 Catoctin Circle SE in Leesburg to Ketterman’s Jewelers. Greg and Elyzabeth “Liff ” Voell started Loudoun MotorSports in June 1997. They were in their early 30s and looking for something different from their careers as an attorney and a sports marketing executive. Elyzabeth Voell said that closing the shop wasn’t even on their minds, until they were approached by the owners of Ketterman’s Jewelers, who made them an offer to purchase the building. “It wasn’t even for sale, but it was just one of those situations where it became clear it was an opportunity we couldn’t turn down,” she said. “The time felt right on all levels—for our family, the business and our life.” The Voells looked for other locations in Leesburg and Loudoun for the dealership, but they couldn’t find another one that would allow a commercial automotive dealership. Elyzabeth Voell said. She and her husband are too young to retire, Voell said, so

they may consider becoming “gentleman farmers” on their 30-acre property near Hamilton. They also want to spend more time focused on their two kids, who practically grew up in the dealership. Hailey attends University of Virginia and Drake is a student at Loudoun Valley High School. Everything at the dealership will be on sale ahead of the June 30 closing. Dan and Tammi Ketterman have operated Ketterman’s Jewelers in the Virginia Village Shopping Center since 1988. The shopping center is in the process of changing owners. “The future of the shopping center as we know it is uncertain, which is why we felt it necessary to make this move,” Tammi Ketterman said. “I’m sure whatever they do here will be lovely, but we’re uncertain what it will mean for our customers’ access.” The Ketterman’s team is working with architects, builders and the Town of Leesburg to solidify design plans for their new space. Ketterman said it might take three years to complete the transformation. “I’d like it to be sooner, but we want to make sure what we do is done well so that our customers don’t experience a chance in service.” Learn more about Ketterman’s at kettermans.com and about Loudoun MotorSports at loudounmotorsports.com. dnadler@loudounnow.com

VDOT Presents East Market Street Interchange Options BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ One of the biggest chokepoints and most crash-prone intersections in Leesburg could look a lot different in the next 10 years. Town Council members Monday were given a snapshot of the design options for the future Battlefield Parkway/East Market Street interchange. Construction is planned to begin in 2021. VDOT representatives were on hand during the council’s work session to present the options both for the Battlefield interchange, and Rt. 7’s nearby signalized intersection at Cardinal Park Drive. Four options for each intersection were presented, each with its own INTERCHANGE OPTIONS >> 11

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Planners are working to eliminate this East Market Street traffic light at the Battlefield Parkway intersection, with construction beginning in 2021. See the options that are under consideration at LoudounNow.com/marketstreetintersections.

Leaders of Bike Loudoun and the Town of Leesburg debuted a new designated bike path with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning. “We’re thinking differently. We’re thinking outside of the automobile,” Mayor Kelly Burk said during the ceremony. Two newly-designated segments of the town’s bike network—the Blue and Green Trails—are on shared-use paths, marked by distinctive trail signs at intervals along each route. Dennis Kruse, president of Bike Loudoun, said the new trails were made possible through the work of Bike Loudoun members and the Leesburg Parks & Recreation Department. The next goal is to add more connections to the network, including connecting the W&OD Trail to White’s Ferry with a designated route. “We’re just getting started,” Kruse said. “This is just an appetizer to a much bigger plan.” See the map of the Leesburg Bike Trail Network at leesburgva.gov/biketrail.

Leesburg Teen Makes Nat’l Team A 15-year-old Leesburg resident has made the U.S. Tennis Association’s 2017 Team USA National Junior Team. Andrew Dale, a former J.L. Simpson Middle School student who now studies through the Laurel Springs School online, is one of eight boys nationally to make the team. The National Junior Team gives its selected players an opportunity to train together during the summer and travel to play against top junior competition from around the world, according to a USTA press release. Andrew qualified for the team through a playoff held earlier this month at the USTA National Campus at Lake Nona in Orlando, FL. Players were invited to the playoff based on tournament results, USTA national, or International Tennis Federation world ranking, the release states. Andrew is ranked No. 3 in the latest USTA Boys’ 16s national standings, and recently reached the 16s singles final and semifinals of the USTA InternationJUMP TO >> 10

Pangle Will Sit Out Council Race BY KARA RODRIGUEZ

past year. “For weeks I agonized, rationalized, and prayed about it. I decided that council will be there long after my ‘look’ is gone, so I am giving myself permisPangle sion to walk a new path and do a fun thing that I can fit in with helping people buy and sell homes,” she said. Pangle said she expects to remain “plenty involved” with Leesburg, just not on the council dais. While she won’t rule out a Town Council run in 2018, she said she is enjoying her newfound gig, and will look to whatever the future holds. “I’m a big believer in the right thing tends to happen,” she said. Thus far, only Josh Thiel, who also put his hat in the ring for the interim council appointment earlier this year, has announced his intentions to run in the special election. Current council seat holder Forsythe has not announced his intentions. Whomever does win the seat in November will need to keep their campaign signs handy, as the seat will be on the ballot again the following November, this time for a four-year term.

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

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Former Town Council candidate Gwen Pangle will not run in November’s special election. Pangle said she made the decision last week, a little more than five months removed from her fourth-place finish in November’s Town Council elections. Shortly after falling 44 votes shy of a Town Council seat, Pangle had planned to run in this year’s special election, when voters will select someone to fill Mayor Kelly Burk’s previous council seat. Burk’s council term does not expire until Dec. 31, 2018, and the special election will determine who will complete the term. Hugh Forsythe was appointed earlier this year to fill her council seat until the special election is held. For Pangle, the reversal of course was attributed to an unexpected opportunity for the longtime Realtor, who also currently serves as the president of the Historic Downtown Leesburg Association. A modeling agency reached out to Pangle as advertisers are embracing the “silver hair look” and seeking to feature real life people representing their products, she said. At first, she considered taking on the new modeling career, continuing to run her downtown-based business, Pangle & Associates, and making another go for a council seat. In addition to her council run last year, she also applied for the interim appointments for the two council terms vacated in the

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Parking Fee Policies BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ The town’s system of collecting money from downtown developers who can provide on-site parking spaces may be on its way out. Monday night, the Town Council turned a close eye on the payment-inlieu-of-parking fee system. Established in 1985, nonresidential developers in the downtown area are given the choice to pay a price per parking space instead of providing spaces on their property. Currently, the fee per parking space is just over $6,000. While the fee was raised in the past few years it does not come close to covering the cost of providing a space in a parking garage, which Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel estimates hovers around $25,000 per space. The town’s parking fund has more than $200,000. Although not inconsequential, it is not near enough to construct a substantial amount of parking, Markel said, and instead has been used in the past to pay for several smaller projects, including a parking study, updates to the new Church Street paid parking lot, and improvements in the Town Hall parking garage. Council members have previously been skeptical as to whether the payment-in-lieu program and the parking fund it feeds into is achieving the goal of providing parking downtown. Monday night, at least four council members said they would be interested in

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Zoning Ordinance changes to do away with the program. A vote on whether to start that process is expected at the council meeting in two weeks; however, even if that vote passes, it does not mean the change will take effect. A public hearing would be scheduled and an additional vote would take place to potentially dissolve the program. Other downtown parking-related items discussed Monday night included a discussion on whether to continue to charge fees in the Town Hall parking garage, with a majority in favor of keeping the garage fee-based, but many strongly encouraging a quick move to automated collections. The recently adopted fiscal year 2018 budget includes $250,000 to do just that. Councilman Ken Reid also asked that the council relook at the parking ratios downtown. Currently, for example, a one-bedroom apartment in the downtown area would be required to have 1.5 parking spaces. Because the number is rounded up, the developer of such a site would need to provide two parking spaces per one-bedroom apartment. Reid also said the current payment-in-lieu exclusion of allowing a nonresidential developer to be exempt from providing parking if the development lies within 500 feet of a public parking lot or facility should also be looked at to allow more businesses to be covered. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

[ BRIEFS ]

al Spring Championships and Easter Bowl, respectively.

Vendors Sought for Street Fair The Friends of Leesburg Public Arts is planning an Arts in the Alley street fair in downtown Leesburg on Saturday, July 29. The fair will be held in the alley between the Town Hall parking garage and South King Street businesses, as well as in Mervin Jackson Park on

Loudoun Street, the Rose Garden behind Town Hall and the Town Green. In addition to artists, artisans and crafts vendors, the fair will feature two stages with live music, a poetry slam, roaming performers and kids’ activities. There will be 82 spaces for artists, artisans and crafts vendors, ranging in price from $25 to $60 depending on size and location. For more information about reserving a space, go to admin569034. wixsite.com/alley or contact Sue Stipek at info@leesburgpublicarts.org. Spaces will be assigned as applications are received.

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LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

pros and cons in terms of its ability to move traffic efficiently, impede local utilities, provide effective bicycle and pedestrian enhancements, and impact local properties. VDOT hopes to have a final design approved by next spring, with the preferred alternatives identified this year. The $58 million project has $33 million in funding secured. Capital Projects Manager Tom Brandon said the town hopes to apply again in 2018 for more funding from both Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and VDOT’s Smart Scale funding program. The total cost of the project will be refined once the preferred design alternatives are determined, VDOT Engineer Jim Zeller said. Options for the Battlefield/East Market Street interchange are: • Alternative 1: a single loop hybrid interchange, with a seven-lane bridge over Rt. 7, at a cost of $38.7 million; • Alternative 2: a compressed diamond interchange, with a 10-lane bridge, at $39.1 million; • Alternative 3: a diverging diamond interchange, with a six-lane bridge, at $39.3 million; and • Alternative 4: a single point urban interchange, with an eight-lane bridge, at $40.6 million. VDOT Design Manager John Maddox said alternatives 1 and 4 are “rising to the top” of VDOT-preferred alternatives, with 1 having the best traffic operations and 4 the least right of way impacts. All options will present a challenge to the three businesses located along Rt. 7 across from interchange: Meadows Farm Nursery, Consignment Solutions and the Amish Furniture Company. Their access to Rt. 7 will be eliminated to accommodate the interchange’s exit ramps, Zeller said. The design would need to provide the business’ alternate access, or the businesses would need to be relocated, at the project’s expense, which Zeller called a “last resort.” Among the four options for the Cardinal Park Drive intersection, two would keep a traffic light for the eastbound lanes of East Market Street which would provide more ingress and egress options for Cardinal Park Drive, but would increase congestion during morning rush hours. Council members also raised concerns about how the new alignment of the Cardinal Park Drive intersection would impact businesses there. Alternate access from Cardinal Park Drive to Russell Branch Parkway will be provided through the planned Leegate development, but some of the options presented could divert more traffic onto that roadway, worsening its traffic operations, Maddox said. VDOT hopes to have both town and county approval on a preferred design by early next year. The residents and business owners can provide their input during a public information meeting set for Tuesday, May 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at John W. Tolbert Elementary School. See details of each option at loudounnow.com/marketstreetintersections.

[ PUBLIC SAFETY ]

loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

More than 100 individuals, including first-responders and citizens, were recognized with Valor awards.

From left, Deputies First Class Dawn Taylor, Victor LoPreto and Milton Castelle stand with Barbara Plitman. The deputies received the Stu Plitman First Responder Community Service Award.

Valor Awards Praise First Responders, Citizens for Bravery BY CAROLINE BORAS

n April 4 last year, Purcellville Police Cpl. Paul Kakol and Deputy First Class Ryan Hamilton responded to a domestic dispute between a father and son. They found the victim—Purcellville Baptist Church Pastor David L. Janney—suffering from stab wounds in his home. They performed first aid and stabilized him until the rescue team arrived. Meanwhile, police Sgt. Robert Wagner searched the scene for the suspect, who they believed was still in the home. Finding the suspect had fled, Wagner broadcast an alert over the radio. Chris Loftis, an off-duty Fairfax County Sheriff ’s deputy, was driving to his home in Purcellville, when he heard the lookout. He spotted Jonathan Janney and apprehended the 19-year-old. This display of teamwork and bravery earned Kakol and Hamilton Bronze Medals of Valor, and Loftis and Wagner Certificates of Valor. Their awards, and almost 100 others, were present-

ed at Loudoun County’s Chamber of Commerce’s Valor Awards ceremony Friday afternoon. The awards honor both first responders and citizens who “when faced with an emergency situation, stepped in to assist another person in their time of desperate need,” said Tony Howard, president and CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. Among this year’s 107 recipients were a bus driver for Harmony Middle School, a school security officer at Stone Bridge High School, several deputies and sergeants from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, and deputies who issued Narcan, an opioid overdose medication, saving 10 lives. Twelve members of a Loudoun County Fire and Rescue unit were awarded a Unit Citation and Certificates of Valor for their efforts in saving a young man who suffered a head injury after falling 20 feet from a rope swing into shallow water. The rescuers faced many challenges to save the young man: there was no shoreline to put equipment, there was a drop off in the water close to where

they were working, there was only 90 minutes of daylight left, and the head injury made the victim combative. The team went to work, calling a helicopter, stabilizing the victim and rigging a rope system to lift him out of the water, using the tree that earlier held the rope swing. Less than an hour after arriving to the scene, the young man was airlifted out and treated for his injuries. But not all Valor Award winners had first responder training. One recipient was a high school student. Annika Pracher, 17, was getting a ride to school from her father when the car began to veer. Her father suddenly slumped over the steering wheel and the car crossed three lanes of traffic, over the median, then over two lanes of oncoming traffic. Annika took the steering wheel, pulled over and removed her father’s foot from the gas. She called 911 after parking the car. Annika was awarded a Meritorious Civilian Award for saving her father’s life and preventing others from getting hurt in the process. A group of eight Ashby Ponds em-

ployees also won Meritorious Civilian Awards for their efforts in helping a man who was hit by a car while crossing the street. A combination of safety officers, security officers, security supervisors and a medical professional stabilized the man, who suffered severe injuries to his leg and arms, until first responders could arrive. The Stu Plitman First Responder Community Service Award, which recognizes first-responders who’ve gone above and beyond to foster positive relationships with the community, went to Deputies First Class Milton Castelle, Victor LoPreto and Dawn Taylor. The award, which is named in honor of the founder of the Loudoun First Responders Foundation, recognizes “emergency first responders who demonstrate the highest commitment to fostering positive relationships with the Loudoun community in ways that enhance the safety and security of [the] citizens.” For a full list of this year’s honorees and their actions, go to LoudounNow. com/valor2017.

[ SAFETY BRIEFS ] Teacher Arrested on Campus for Alcohol Charges

Deputies Investigate Xanax Abuse by Middle School Students

A Loudoun County teacher was arrested Friday on suspicion of drunken driving and having alcohol at school. The case began when a School Resource Officer was notified by school employees around 8:40 a.m. that a teacher at Sterling Middle School appeared intoxicated. During the investigation, it was determined the teacher, Debo Megan A. Debo, 29, of Sterling, had driven to school and had alcohol in her possession while on school property. Debo was charged with DUI and possessing or drinking an alcoholic beverage in a public school or on public school grounds during school hours. Debo was held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center pending a $2,000 secured bond.

The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office is investigating a report that several students were sharing drinks in a River Bend Middle School classroom Friday morning. The drinks reportedly contained Alprazolam, better known as the anti-depression drug Xanax. School resource officers are working to determine the extent of the students’ knowledge of what was in the drinks and where the suspected Xanax was obtained, according to Sheriff ’s Office spokesman Kraig Troxell. Seven students were seen by a school nurse. None were sent to a hospital, but all were sent home with a parent. The case remains under investigation along with another case in which two students at Potomac Falls High School also were found in possession of a suspected Alprazolam mixture on Friday. That case is pending lab results.

Investigators say the driver of this truck was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he crashed on Rt. 7 near Clarkes Gap on April 18.

Tractor-Trailer Driver Faces DUI Charge After Crash Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office investigators have charged a Maryland man with driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol following a SAFETY BRIEFS >> 13

[ SAFETY BRIEFS ] Bird Drive and City Center Boulevard when the driver lost control. The truck struck the curb, went through the median, off the other side of the road and into a Wellesley Terrace residence in the Parc Dulles Apartment Homes complex. The driver, Joshua H. Ritter, 41, of Glen Burnie, MD., was transported to Inova Loudoun Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. No one in the home was injured. Ritter was charged with reckless driving.

Virginia State Police

A truck driver was not seriously injured after he crashed into a Sterling home on Friday.

Virginia State Police

A Washington man walked away safely after engine trouble forced him to land in a field near Leesburg on Saturday morning.

Pilot Escapes Injury in Forced Landing Near Leesburg Airport

An out-of-control flatbed truck slammed into the back of a Sterling home Friday evening. Virginia State Police Trooper T.L. Wilson Jr. is investigating the crash that was reported at 6:17 p.m. A 2011 Freightliner flatbed truck was crossing the intersection at Haley

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Virginia State Police Trooper J.A. Cabrera is investigating the minor plane crash that took place in Loudoun County Saturday morning near Leesburg Executive Airport. The incident occurred at approximately 9:20 a.m. According to the report, Joseph R. Bryant, 53, of Goldendale, WA., had taken off Saturday morning from the airport bound for Georgia. About an hour into the flight, the weather conditions began to worsen and Bryant turned the one-seater Sonex experimental aircraft around to return to Leesburg. As he approached the airport, he experienced engine trouble and landed the aircraft in a field along Sycolin Road. Bryant was not injured. The FAA was notified of the crash, which remains under investigation.

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tractor-trailer crash that snarled Rt. 7 traffic during last Tuesday’s afternoon rush hour. According to the report, Richard M. Davini II was driving the tractor trailer loaded with mulch westbound on Rt. 7 near Clarkes Gap just before 1 p.m. when the truck struck a guardrail and ran up an embankment and rolled on its side. Witnesses said he was driving erratically before the crash. No injuries were reported, but cleanup of the crash scene continued past 8 p.m. Davini remained held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on Wednesday.

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

<< FROM 12

loudounnow.com

[ E D U C AT I O N ]

Board Cuts $5.5M, Adopts Reconciled Budget BY DANIELLE NADLER

t all happened in less than five minutes. The Loudoun County School Board adopted its $1.13 billion operating budget for next fiscal year Monday evening. In a unanimous vote of those present, the board cut $5.5 million from the spending plan it had adopted in January, and the cuts are not as painful as many feared. Local tax funding approved by the Board of Supervisors came to $747,959,827, a 7.7 percent single-year increase, but it still fell $5.5 million short of the School Board’s request. Last week, Superintendent Eric Williams laid out his list of items he recommended the School Board nix first. The board agreed to each of them, except for one line-item recommendation. In a motion made by Eric Hornberger (Ashburn) on Monday, the board voted to keep the 2 percent stipend increase and find the proposed $120,600 in savings by reducing the budget for school-based furniture. “The co-curricular stipend has been increased 1 percent in the past five years—that doesn’t even keep pace with inflation,” Hornberger said, adding that it’s a morale issue for those who are taking on additional responsibilities. “Without them a lot of the stuff that happens at out schools that directly benefits the stu-

dents would not be allowed to happen.” About 15 other reductions were made to the budget, some as small as $28,000 for fleet fuel and maintenance and $87,584 for part-time staff aides for School Board members, and others as much as $1.7 million to forgo replacing security cameras. Other reductions included $300,000 in equipment, such as mowers; $250,000 to plan and design Metro school campuses; $250,000 to outsource transportation for special needs students; $250,000 for bus fuel; $150,000 for high school summer school; $115,000 for bus maintenance; and $100,000 to put off upgrading the safety and security server. A few of the items can likely be covered by unspent fiscal year 2017 funds, including the cameras, a refresh for 3,000 radios, Metro school design work, and server and infrastructure upgrades. Another $1.25 million in savings comes from no longer needing a one-week pay supplement to cover checks for 12-month classified employees amid payroll changes. The finance department came up with an alternate solution, Williams said. Several School Board members breathed a sigh of relief as the superintendent first went down his list of suggested reductions, which was lengthy but did not include any single big cuts. The one item listed as a “possible cut” was to slow

the pace at which the school system expands full-day kindergarten offerings. The school system could save almost $2.5 million if it increased the percentage of kindergarteners who receive a full school day to 75 percent next year instead of 82 percent. This school year, just more than half of the county’s kindergartners attend a full-day program. But Williams told board members there are other areas in the budget—mostly in the Support Services Department—that can be trimmed. “I’m a bit surprised—I didn’t think we’d be able to make it without reducing full-day kindergarten,” Hornberger said to Williams. “I’m very pleased that there are other ways to come up with this.” The fairly placid final budget adoption came less than two weeks after the School Board debated whether to set into motion the process to close Lincoln and Hamilton elementary schools to save $1.15 million. Four board members voted in support of holding a public hearing on the matter, but the majority opposed even considering closing the schools. “We’ve had $20 million gaps and we have not had to close schools to make things work,” School Board member Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) said at the April 6 meeting. dnadler@loudounnow.com

Educators of the Year

Kathleen Thompson

John Gabriel

Stone Bridge High School

John Champe High School

BY DANIELLE NADLER

Kathleen Thompson, an English and public speaking teacher at Stone Bridge High School, has been named Loudoun County’s 2017 Teacher of the Year. The School Board announced Monday that Thompson is the county’s nominee for The Washington Post Outstanding Teacher Award. “You pull the best out of every student that you have—and not only your students but your colleagues,” School Board member Eric Hornberger (Ashburn) said. “Thank you for what you’ve brought to the Stone Bridge community.” Beyond reading thousands of students’ essays each year, Thompson is known for designing group projects that require and foster true teamwork. Stone Bridge Principal Matthew Wilburn said she treats students like adults, she has high expectations for each of them and she makes sure each feels included. “I don’t think you can teach a person anything until they know you care about them,” Thompson said. “Then they’re like sponges. They can soak up anything.” Jennifer Stevens, one of Thompson’s former students, said Thompson goes well beyond her job description to shine a light on the significance of each student. “I believe a great teacher imparts valuable knowledge (to) their students,” she wrote in her recommendation letter. “But the mark of an exceptional teacher is one whose interest in their students extends well beyond the classroom, an unmistakable quality

John Gabriel, the principal of John Champe High School, is Loudoun County’s 2017 Principal of the Year and the county’s nominee for The Washington Post Outstanding Principal Award. At Monday’s School Board meeting, board members praised Gabriel for creating a successful school community in a rapidly growing area. “When I asked you if you could handle a few more kids—a few more middle school in your high school—you said, ‘we can make it work,’” Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) said. “You always make it work. Thank you so much for what you’re doing, and I look forward to many more years in the future.” Rachel Clark, who graduated from Champe in 2015, said Gabriel has been invested in relationships with students, their families and faculty since the school’s doors first opened in 2012. “As president of the Class of 2015 for the three years we were at Champe, I had the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Gabriel on several occasions and see for myself the kind of committed and caring leader we had running our school,” she wrote in her nomination letter. Addressing the School Board on Monday, Gabriel thanked those who nominated him for the award and especially the students of John Champe High School. “I think the underpinning of a good school is the relationships,” he said, adding, “Students don’t want to know what you know until they know that

Loudoun County Public Schools

Stone Bridge High School educator Kathleen Thompson is the county’s 2017 Teacher of the Year.

in Mrs. Thompson.” Jane Waldrop, who took Thompson’s ninth grade English class in 1994, wrote about the lasting impact her teacher has made on her life. Being a teenager is hard. Kathy makes it not just survivable, but enjoyable. I have never had an educator that has shown this level of caring and relatability to their students.” Thompson said the award belongs to every teacher she’s worked with and every student who has been in her class. “I’ve been encouraged and I’ve learned so much from each of them.” She is an inaugural member of the Stone Bridge faculty, having served there since 2000. Thompson previously taught at Park View High School, joining the staff there in 1986. dnadler@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County Public Schools

John Champe High School Principal John Gabriel received the highest honor Loudoun County bestows on its administrators—2017 Principal of the Year.

you care.” Gabriel has served as John Champe’s principal since 2011 when he began a year of planning for the school’s opening. He previously worked as an assistant principal at Park View High School; English department chairman at Falls Church High School; as an English teacher at North Stafford High School; and as an English teacher at Lodi High School in New Jersey. He has also authored three books: “How to Thrive as a Teacher Leader,” “How to Help Your School Thrive (Without Breaking the Bank)” and “Dealing with the Tough Stuff (Practical Solutions for School Administrators).” dnadler@loudounnow.com

[ SCHOOL NOTES ]

Loudoun Students Win Statewide Challenge Teams of students from Loudoun, Appomattox and Roanoke counties earned first-place honors during the inaugural Student-Led Ideation Challenge state

Loudoun County High School held “American Monday” this week after a student criticized the school for at first turning down the idea to hold a patriotic-themed event. Daniel Eisert, a senior at the high school, said the student council proposed holding an American-themed spirit day but the suggestion was turned down by the school administration. “The school administration shot it down for being ‘too political’ and ‘might cause bullying’ according to members of the student council,” Eisert wrote in a Loudoun Now letter to the editor. See letter on page 41. Wayde Byard, Loudoun County Public Schools’ public information officer, said much of what was communicated by the administration to the student council was mischaracterized through social media. “People were taking second-hand information and implying motives that weren’t true,” he said Monday. “American Monday” entailed a short rally before school—about 50 students attended, Byard said—and students wore red, white and blue.

championship in Richmond earlier this month. The event, developed by Leesburg-based Innovative Solutions Consortium in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education, offered student teams the chance to explore real-world problems, offer solutions to issues facing educational and agricultural systems or consider challenges related to unmanned aviation vehicles. Students from Loudoun’s Academy of Science won first place in the technology and robotics category. The winning team was made up of Joseph Chang, Michelle Molina, Samuel Ong, Daniel Pham, David Zhang and Josef Zimmerman. A second team of students from Academy of Science won second place in the agriculture and global warming category. The team members are Aaron Chai, Nat Coombs, Jonathan Kerr, Rassvik Kudam, James Miller, Sara Stephen and Sundar Thirukkurungudi. The first-place team in each category earned $3,000 and the opportunity to talk with venture capitalists from Silicon Valley. Second-place and third-place teams received $1,500. All winners will have the opportunity to build their prototypes with support and resources from industry experts and to present those prototypes to interested organizations and industry experts. The teams that competed in the state championship were selected from the 42 teams from eight schools that participated in two regional competitions held last month at the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

School Holds ‘American Monday’ After Pressure from Student

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School Board Readies to Name Four Schools BY DANIELLE NADLER Loudoun’s School Board has unveiled the names that are in the running for four of the county’s future schools. During the past several months, committees of teachers, students and parents have met to brainstorm and vote on possible names for the schools now referred to as ES-28, MS-7, HS-9 and HS-11. The top vote-getter for ES-28, the elementary school set to open in fall of 2018, was Goshen Post Elementary School. Committee members said the name would help preserve the histor-

ical legacy of the area known simply as “The Post,” after the nearby colonial-era postal stop. The alternate name choices for the school were Manahoac and Oak Hill. Willard Middle School is the name recommended by the committee for MS-7, which is scheduled to open in fall 2018 in Dulles South. It would commemorate the unincorporated village of Willard in southeastern Loudoun. It was named after Joseph E. Willard, who served as Virginia’s lieutenant governor in the early 1900s. The village at Willard was made up of former slaves and their descendants and survived

The Top Contenders: Goshen Post Elementary School Willard Middle School Lightridge High School Independence High School

until 1958 when all 87 Willard-area landowners had their property condemned by the federal government for the development of Dulles Airport. “The name will commemorate a critical piece of Loudoun’s history,” said Kevin Lewis, assistant superintendent of Support Services. The alternate names under consideration for MS-7 are Monroe Middle School and Willowsford Middle School. The name recommended for HS-9 is Lightridge High School, commemorating the county’s agricultural history and the importance of the dairy industry to Loudoun in the 20th century. The school, scheduled to open in fall 2020, will be built on land off Lightridge Farm Road in the Dulles South area. Light Ridge Farm, from which the road takes its name, operated as a dairy farm for more than 60 years. The alternate names are Henry Lee III High School and Independence High School. That name—Independence High School—is the first choice of the com-

mittee for HS-11, set to open on land next to Brambleton Middle School in the fall of 2019. The committee said the name would serve as a standard for students in their academic careers, and it would strike a theme similar to that of Freedom High School and Liberty Elementary School. The first alternate choice for HS-11 was Fred E. Drummond High School, after the longtime educator who served as principal of Banneker and Frederick Douglass elementary schools when the school system was racially segregated, and later at Broad Run High School, Leesburg Elementary and Catoctin Elementary. The second alternate choice was Edgar B. Hatrick III High School, after the school system’s 23-year superintendent who retired in 2014. School Board member Tom Marshall (Leesburg), who sat in on some of the committee meetings, commended those who helped brainstorm the names for the new schools. He has criticized previous school names in Loudoun as having too many references to “ridges and bridges.” Referring to the suggested names commemorating people who have contributed in big ways to the county, Marshall said, “I was pleased to see that Loudoun’s history, both early and current, were being considered.” The School Board is scheduled to adopt the final names at its May 9 meeting.

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Don Virts in his hydroponic greenhouse at CEA Farms near Hillsboro. CEA stands for Controlled Environment Agriculture, and Virts says it yields much more produce using much less water, fertilizer, and pesticide.

Lifelong Farmer Looks to Bring Indoor Farm to Eastern Loudoun BY RENSS GREENE

“I had to ask myself, what does Loudoun offer that I can take advantage of?” Virts said. “And what it boils down to is, the same thing that’s putting me out of business is going to turn around to be the thing that’s going to keep me in business.” By that he means Loudoun’s booming, highly educated, high-income population. He says he can’t keep up with the demand at his CEA Farms Market and Grill near Hillsboro, and thinks he can set up another one in the east, bringing the produce closer to the consumer. — Don Virts “What I’m trying to do is place these things all over the place, and then we have these islands of food production,” Virts said. Instead of the traditional model having produce packed and shipped from far away, even other hemispheres, Virts wants people eating food picked that morning only a stone’s throw away. So far, it’s working at his Hillsboro greenhouse. “I built this as a proof of concept, so people would come out there and see this, and see I don’t have a crazy vision,” Virts said. “It’s practical.” He said he knows a landowner in eastern Loudoun who is “very interested” providing him space for a grow facility but hasn’t signed a contract yet. It’s not just an evolution of how food is grown, but an evolution of the business of growing food. “This is something one small family farmer cannot do by himself,” Virts said. “I don’t have the resources. I don’t know the restaurant business, I don’t know the renewable energy business.” The USDA calculated that in 2015, for every dollar spent on food, only 8.6 cents went to the farmer. For every dollar spent in a restaurant, only 3 cents went to the farmer. Virts figures that by growing food close to where it’s eaten, using renewable energy, and cutting out middlemen, he can reclaim most of the money spent on food processing, packaging, transportation, wholesale and retail trading,

And what it boils down to is, the same thing that’s putting me out of business is going to turn around to be the thing that’s going to keep me in business.”

on Virts is a new type of farmer. His family has worked the land in Loudoun for generations, raising beef and growing produce. But things have changed. The old ways aren’t sustainable for a small farm anymore, especially with Loudoun’s pricey land values. In fact, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, farm households bringing in less than $350,000 annually make far more from off-farm income. But the USDA has broad definitions for what makes a farm; perhaps more telling is that large-scale farms bringing in more than $1 million a year make up only 2.9 percent of farms, but are responsible for 42 percent of farm production. Don Virts saw that his family’s farming business wouldn’t survive without adapting, and in 2015 he started a commercial hydroponic greenhouse operation. There, he says he gets 10 times the yield from his plants, year-round, using 50 percent less fertilizer, 50-80 percent less water, 99 percent less pesticide and fungicide, and zero herbicide. He says if he could afford to build a higher-tech greenhouse, he could do away with pesticide and fungicide altogether. “I have no desire to be certified organic, because I fully believe that this is better than organic,” Virts said. “Anything grown organically outdoors, you throw a lot of stuff on it to control those problems. It might be approved for organic use, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.” He said that every year, more and more chemical treatments are approved for organic use. His greenhouse has a much higher up-front cost than a traditional patch of tomatoes, but after that, costs are lower and production is much higher, on a much smaller footprint. And he says he can do it in Loudoun’s increasingly urbanized east.

VIRTS >> 22

United Bankshares Inc. has completed its acquisition of Cardinal Financial Corporation and added three Loudoun branches to its Washington-area footprint. United Bank is the largest locally headquartered community bank and holds the top deposit market share among community banks in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan statistical area. United acquired George Mason Mortgage LLC, the region’s largest locally headquartered home mortgage lender. Among United’s 22 newly acquired banking locations are branch offices at 46005 Regal Plaza in CountrySide, 20 Catoctin Circle SE in Leesburg and 440 E. Main St. in Purcellville. United now has more than $19 billion in assets with 145 full-service offices in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Washington, D.C. United is the 38th largest banking company in the country based on market capitalization. In 2016, United increased dividends to shareholders for the 43rd consecutive year.

Engineering Groupe Opens Loudoun Office The Engineering Groupe, Inc. last week opened an Ashburn office, enabling the company to better serve growing local and regional demand in civil engineering, planning and surveying disciplines. CEO John “Johnny” S. Groupe V, will serve as the branch manager of the West Office. Vice President Charles “Charlie” D. Lucas III, will serve as the director of engineering. Lucas joined the firm in November and provides strategic leadership and management skills in consulting engineering and planning, as well as technical and operational experience for the firm’s client base. “With Loudoun County’s steady growth and the coming Metro Silver Line, we are very excited to expand our reach with our new Ashburn office,” stated Groupe, who lives in Aldie. The West Office is located at 21001 Sycolin Road, Suite 200, in the Goose Creek Village Shopping Center.

EXIT Plan Expands in Leesburg EXIT Plan celebrates its oneyear anniversary April 22 with the opening of its fourth escape adventure room. EXIT Plan established itself as Loudoun’s first escape room last April with the opening of Safe House in a small space above MacDowell’s Brew Kitchen on BIZ NOTES >> 20

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Loudoun Chamber Hires New Government Relations Manager The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce has hired Eric C. Johnson as its new government relations manager. He has worked in various settings, including the Virginia House of Delegates and the White House. He previously worked as the executive director of the Fairfax County Republican Committee, Johnson assistant administrator at Fairfax Christian School and in 2013 was campaign manager for the Friends of David Ramadan, in the 87th District House of Delegates race. He also served as Ramadan’s legislative aide in the House. “The Chamber is deeply committed to being the voice of business in Loudoun County with local, state and federal political and policy leaders,” said Chamber President and CEO Tony Howard. “After reviewing numerous

qualified individuals, we feel confident that Eric is the right choice to help us continue in our mission.” “I am excited to be joining the Chamber and to be back working in Loudoun County,” Johnson said. “Loudoun is an exciting place to live and work and raise a family, and I am happy to be able to play a role that is going to have such close ties to our wonderful community. Tony and the rest of the team here at the Chamber have done a great job, working to create and promote a world class quality of life in Loudoun County, and I hope I can make a solid contribution to that continued effort.” Johnson replaces Brian Fauls, who established the position four years ago. Fauls left in February to take a job at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

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The Fresh Market, which opened in One Loudoun in November 2013, is closing.

One Loudoun Fresh Market Closing BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ The grocery store anchor of Ashburn’s One Loudoun town center has announced it will be closing its doors. In an email sent to customers, The Fresh Market did not cite a date for the closure, but said there would be adjusted store hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a storewide 30 percent off sale. It further encouraged customers to visit its two closest locations in Winchester and Vienna, both of which opened last year. The Ashburn store opened in November 2013. In a statement provided to Loudoun Now, the company said the decision to close the Ashburn location “was made after careful consideration of the overall growth strategy and long-term performance of the company.” “This move will allow the company to focus on the success, service and growth of its existing portfolio of stores,” the statement continued.

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Virts << FROM 18 and energy to bring food to the plate. Those account for 47.6 cents every dollar spent on food. All that may add up to help offset the high cost of land in eastern Loudoun. It would give consumers certainty about where their food came from. His idea would also keep almost all the money spent on food in the local economy, and by cutting down on long-distance transportation and using renewable sources of energy, he can do his part to combat global warming. He has a farmer’s practical, pragmatic outlook on that topic—it has made it more difficult for him, with changing weather patterns and more intense storms. “I’ve witnessed it on this farm,” Virts said. “When I was kid in high school, we used to take our pickup trucks on this pond [on his farm.] I haven’t been able to go ice skating there in years.” Along with his other ideas—such as a restaurant with tiered seating overlooking his existing greenhouse—Virts is trying out all kinds of ways to make his family farm work. “At some point, everybody has to wake up and think about this: Could

As has often happened, the announcement of a grocery store closure, and the impending vacant space, set the rumor mill in Loudoun in high gear, with many hoping that the location would be a good fit for the county’s first Trader Joe’s. One of the criteria the grocery store chain looks closely at is nearby population, and at a recent meeting on a forthcoming development, Meadowbrook in Leesburg off Rt. 15, that area was ruled out by the grocer as not being densely populated enough. And while Ashburn could arguably better fit that criteria than south Leesburg, Trader Joe’s fans will have to wait for now. Reached Thursday, Trader Joe’s spokesperson Alison Mochizuki, while not commenting on specific rumors, said Loudoun County “at this time is not in our two-year plan.” krodriguez@loudounnow.com

you do your job, could anybody out there do their job, if they were hungry?” Virts said. “And that’s what it all boils down to, so somebody’s got to figure out that these five acres are worth more money in the long run with a self-sustaining business like this, producing something that everybody needs two or three times a day, than to build townhouses or apartments on it.” Loudoun County Department of Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer said all businesses—including farms—need to innovate and evolve. Many other properties have become farm breweries or wineries, trying to find ways to keep the land in an agricultural business. “Modern farming is full of opportunities for innovation in agriculture, and there are many examples of Loudoun farmers using new techniques and technologies to grow their business,” Rizer said. Ultimately, if Virts can get food production up and running somewhere in eastern Loudoun, it will be another proof-of-concept for the future of small scale agriculture. “As we get bigger and better, as we build our first one,” Virts said, “there’s going to be some lessons learned there.” rgreene@loudounnow.com

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100WomenStrong Awards $194K to 20 Nonprofits BY RENSS GREENE 100WomenStrong has earmarked $193,700 to help 20 Loudoun nonprofits in 2017. Since its founding in 2008, the philanthropic organization has donated more than $1.3 million to Loudoun nonprofits to support work in the areas of shelter, health, hunger, and education. This year, there are nine first-time grantees among the recipients. At an April 19 ceremony at Shoe’s Cup & Cork, 100WomenStrong founder and President Karen Schaufeld said every year, the members of 100WomenStrong have a conversation about what success would mean for the organization. “Success in our county for 100WomenStrong, as we look at it, is that everyone is provided the support they need to achieve their full potential, they’re treated as valuable assets, and that encourages them to give back to their community,” she said. “So my question to you is, where else, where better to do this, than in our county?” Schaufeld also invited Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Eric Williams to speak to the gathered 100WomenStrong members, grantees, and elected officials. “Today is also about a day of commitment in terms of continuing to build on the good work that’s being done,” Williams said. He spoke both about the schools’ plan to offer full-day kindergarten to all Loudoun students and a shift in the focus of education “away from a test prep mentality and towards really a focus on creating an ideal graduate,” those who are “critical thinkers, communicators, collaborators, creators, and contributors to the world.” “Our mission isn’t preparing kids for a state test, it’s empowering them to make meaningful contributions to the world,” Williams said. In addition to the 20 grant recipients this year, 100WomenStrong supports two long-term initiatives: the Community School Initiative at Sterling Ele-

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

100WomenStrong founder and President Karen Schaufeld addressed supporters during the April 19 ceremony at Shoes Cup & Cork.

mentary, and the Loudoun County Public Schools Backpack Coalition.

This year’s grant recipients include: All Ages Read Together, $1,000, to support the program in Sterling and meet increased demand in that area; Dulles South Food Pantry, $8,000, to expand seasonal storage, improve the facility and hire a part-time Operations Manager; EveryMind, $10,000, to expand the Serving Together program helping military members, veterans and their families navigate family services, evaluate mental health needs and identify when someone is in crisis; Five Stones Institute, $4,500, to bring mindfulness training to children in the after-school program at INMED Partnerships for Children in Sterling, supporting Latino children in crisis; Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, $8,400, funding A Place to Call Home program for mentally ill residents to prevent homelessness; Girls on the Run, $1,000, to support

the sustainable growth of program, particularly providing a stipend for a 12-month volunteer position; Head Start Program, $7,800, to purchase a vision screener for 3 and 4-yearolds in Head Start; HealthWorks, $37,500, to help fund a nurse Maternity Coordinator position for pre-natal, post-partum, well-visits and family planning services; Heeling House, $10,000, to implement animal-assisted social skills program for children with special needs; Just Neighbors, $8,000, to provide immigration legal services to 15 families and support community clinics; Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, $20,000, to purchase and install a phone system at the emergency shelter and crisis center; Loudoun Hunger Relief, $5,000, to improve the inventory and request system technology in pantry and provide nutrition and healthy cooking classes; Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, $12,000, to fund supplemental food delivery and shopping programs for elderly, chron100 WOMEN >> 25

GiveChoose Donation Drive Supports Area Charities BY CAROLINE BORAS Ninety area charities are joining together with the Community Foundation for a 24-hour fundraising campaign May 2. Early giving has already begun for the 2017 GiveChoose campaign, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties’ annual day of giving. The program has raised almost $400,000 for charities in Loudoun and Fauquier counties since it began four years ago. The charities benefitting from GiveChoose donations represent programs supporting animal welfare, the environment, health, education, community development and more. “Last year the charities, because this is really their campaign, collectively raised $180,000,” Community Foundation Ex-

ecutive Director Amy Owen said. “We have what we think is a fairly aggressive goal of increasing that by 30 percent, to $230,000.” Owen also said GiveChoose organizers are hoping to draw in at least 2,500 unique donors, “which is really modest, considering the population of Loudoun County.” The charities are competing among themselves to draw the most donors to enter the prize pool. The prize pool consists of monetary gifts from area sponsors, including 100WomenStrong, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, Toth Financial, Backflow Technology, Loudoun Insurance Group, Wells Fargo, John Marshall Bank, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Alpha Graphics Loudoun and others. A total of 18 sponsors have signed on to support the prize pool. Another component of GiveChoose is the Business Challenge, which encour-

ages businesses to get involved by having at least 50 percent of their employees make donations to charities of their choice through GiveChoose. “This is one of the most cost-effective ways for charities to raise money,” Owen said. “It’s really high impact for these charities. It’s also something that builds incredible camaraderie.” A minimum donation of $10 is needed to participate in GiveChoose. Any donations made before May 2 will not appear on the leaderboard at givechoose. org until the day of the fundraiser. These donations will count for the charities’ total collected, and will count toward their chances of entering the prize pool. Caroline Boras is an intern with Loudoun Now. She’s studying journalism and Russian studies at Washington & Lee University.

Loudoun Lyme Race Next Weekend Registration is open for the seventh annual Loudoun Lyme Race, which includes a 10K, 5K and 1K family walk/fun run. The May 7 event is designed to raise awareness of Lyme disease prevention and money to help find a cure. To date, the Loudoun Lyme race has raised more than $250,000. Proceeds go to the National Capital Lyme Disease Association, a nonprofit offering education and support. Organizers say Loudoun is home to the third largest number of Lyme’s cases in the nation. If left untreated, the tick-borne infection can cause severe neurological, cardiac and arthritic problems. Initial signs of Lyme disease may include a bull’s eye rash, fatigue and flulike symptoms. The race was started Steve Gotschi, the owner of Sterling-based DryHome Roofing and Siding, after his wife and many friends battled the disease. This year’s race will be held at the Brambleton Town Center. Onsite registration begins at 6 a.m. and races start at 8 a.m. An informational fair runs until 11 a.m. The race entry fee is $30 for adults and $25 for children under 14 until May 3, when the fees increase by $5. Entrance to the fair is free. Learn more and register at loudounlyme.org.

Step Up Your Health Challenge May 7 Loudoun Youth Inc.’s Step Up Your Health Challenge is coming up May 7. The annual family-friendly event begins at 8:30 a.m. and is held on Aol’s Ashburn Campus. Attendees can choose to take part in a 5K or 1-mile Fun Run. The event includes music, entertainment and games, as well as have the chance to win cash prizes. Loudoun County schools can earn money for their school’s health and wellness initiatives by participating in the Step Up Your Health Challenge. Runners can be faculty, parents, students, neighbors, or anyone else who registers on the team. Register at prraces.com. The 5K pre-registration fee is $30 and the Fun Run pre-registration fee is $10. Online registration will close on May 4th at 8 p.m. Race Day registration is $35 for the 5K and $15 for the Fun Run.

Free Dentistry Day May 6 Neibauer Dental Care – Leesburg is offering free dental services on Saturday, May 6 as part BRIEFS >> 25

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it community. “I am excited to be joining the staff at the Loudoun Museum especially during a period of such tremendous growth for the county,” she stated. The Loudoun Museum was founded in 1967 and set up first in the 1764 log cabin silversmith shop on Loudoun Street in Leesburg and later expanded to two town-owned buildings along Wirt Street. The museum’s collection includes documents signed by George Washington and James Monroe and letters exchanged between freed slaves writing home from Liberia to their former masters, historic maps, fine arts, photographs, postcards, textiles, furniture and tools, among other items. Learn more at loudounmuseum.org.

The Loudoun Literacy Council is always in need of volunteers to tutor adults and families learning English. The nonprofit organization will hold a training session for all interested volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, in downtown Leesburg. Volunteers who register will be told the specific location. The training covers English as a second language teaching methods, resources and fun, interactive activities that promote learning. It will also discuss cultural differences and approaches to working effectively with an international student population. Register at loudounliteracy.org; click on Volunteer and complete the Adult Literacy Volunteer Form.

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ically ill and disabled adults; Northern Virginia Family Services, $7,500, to fund resiliency-based parenting intervention for parents of children enrolled in Early Head Start program; Peers and Students Taking Action, or PASTA, $1,500, to support the 4th and 5th grade tutoring and mentoring program “Nothing’s ImPASTAble;” Ryan Bartel Foundation, $10,000, to expand We’re All Human committees and training programs in six additional high schools for a peer-to-peer approach to suicide prevention and awareness; SCAN of Northern Virginia, $10,000, to train new facilitators for Darkness to Light/Stewards of Children educational model to prevent child abuse; Step Sisters, $7,000, to start a crisis fund for cancer patients experiencing extreme financial strain; This is My Brave, $5,000, to cover costs for producing live stage production at NOVA community college to work toward ending the stigma of mental illness; Volunteers of America Chesapeake, $10,000, to support Hope’s Chariot Transportation program for the Loudoun Homeless Services Center.

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Loudoun Literacy Seeks Volunteers

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of Free Dentistry Day, a day dedicated to providing dental care to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. “We understand that many people in our community and across the nation haven’t been to the dentist for a long period of time. Some don’t understand the importance of dental health, but more often than not, they don’t have the financial means,” said Dr. Heta Jasani, who is joined by Dr. Ajapal Bhangu at Neibauer Dental Care. People will have a choice of one free cleaning, filling or simple extraction on May 6, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 1610 Village Market Blvd. SE, Suite 130 in Leesburg. Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 571-209-9197 or visit FreeDentistryDay.org.

The Loudoun Museum and enthusiasm have already Board of Trustees has tapped charged up the Board,” WhitLeslie Mazeska to lead the ing stated. organization. She takes over Whiting said that addas executive director, effecing Mazeska to the museum tive May 8. team was expected to help Mazeska previously served attract new talent to the muas executive director of the seum board and strengthen Loudoun Literacy Council support among long-term and has worked for two devolunteers. cades in the nonprofit sector. Mazeska served for five Mazeska Museum Board President years as executive director of Liz Whiting said Mazeska the Loudoun Literacy Counwas selected from among a pool of cil, has completed the Social Impact more than 50 applicants. Institute Executive Leadership Program “Ms. Mazeska brings an impressive through the Community Foundation record of fundraising and grant writ- for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier ing experience that will serve the Mu- Counties, and is a well-known colseum well. Her professionalism, focus league and mentor in the local nonprof-

25 Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

<< FROM 24

Mazeska Named Loudoun Museum Director

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Purcellville’s Lohr to Step Down BY RENSS GREENE

Supervisors Put Spotlight on Equine Industry BY NORMAN K. STYER

“Absolutely he’s great, but we also have to understand he’s built a wonderful house and foundation,” Jimmerson said. “The staff that he’s put in place are terrific, they’re absolutely fabulous people, and I think it’s a disservice to say the whole world is going to fall apart without him, because then that says that he doesn’t have a good staff.” “I can assure you that this has been a difficult decision, but one that I’m blessed to have a loving wife and children that encouraged me to take this leap of faith into the next chapter of my life, like I did when I came here 25 years ago,” Lohr said. Council members did not disclose the details of his separation. “I believe the settlement that we came to with Mr. Lohr was equitable and fair,” said Mayor Kwasi Fraser. “And for the folks out there that believe that Purcellville has nowhere to go but down, I’ll prove you all wrong.” Read more at LoudounNow.com.

Supervisors Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin) and Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge) say they worry that Loudoun’s equine industry is underappreciated as the local economic development headlines tout the latest data center investment and new corporate recruits. During a community forum Monday night at the Winmill Carriage Museum at Morven Park, they put the focus on boosting the sector of the county’s rural economy that already generates $180 million annually and supports 27,000 jobs. And there’s quite a bit happening. An eight-member panel of experts from the county economic development and parks departments, the Loudoun Equine Alliance, Rural Economic Development Council, Visit Loudoun, Morven Park and Great Meadow shared their views with an audience of about 60 people. Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer and Visit Loudoun National Sales Manager Ann Hayes both stressed the importance of the horse industry in their work. “The rural economy is so important to Loudoun County. It is so unique compared to anyone else,” Rizer said. “When we’re out selling Loudoun County, the equine industry is always up front,” Hayes said. Monday’s meeting focused on three

rgreene@loudounnow.com

EQUINE NEEDS >> 28

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Outgoing Town Manager Rob W. Lohr Jr. listens as John Chapman defends his work and criticizes the council.

After hours of closed sessions for a performance review, 24-year Purcellville Town Manager Rob W. Lohr Jr. will be leaving his post—a decision that put most council members under intense criticism in a long public comment session Tuesday night. “I can’t believe that you’re actually letting this guy walk away, and [council member Kelli] Grim should be ashamed of herself to bring this sort of thing to the town,” said Magic Kayhan. “You have no idea which way is east and which way is West Main Street.” Lohr’s contract had been set to expire in 2018. Instead, he will leave the job on July 1. Speaker after speaker, including several previous council members, thanked Lohr for his years of service and battered the council for letting Lohr go. “It’s a very sad night,” said former council member Beverly MacDonald-Chiasson. “People often asked me, when I came off council, what I thought my biggest accomplishment was, what I was most proud of. I now have my answer. Without a doubt, it was being part of the council that hired you, Rob.” Only two council members expressed support for keeping Lohr on: Doug McCollum and Chris Bledsoe. “At the council’s April 11 closed session, I made several provocative statements to try to make the members of the council to consider the road they were on,” McCollum said. “Little did I know that the majority of council had already decided to separate the town manager from his position with a negotiated buy-out.” He said although Lohr had suggestions to address criticism of his work, none of the council members who had critical evaluations of Lohr “gave him the courtesy of hearing his ideas.” “Will the town continue to thrive and succeed without Rob?” Bledsoe asked. “I’m sure we will, but I believe it will be somewhat more difficult without the expertise and guidance that comes from someone who has guided Purcellville through some of our most tumultuous times.” Grim and Jimmerson defended the separation.

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Equine needs << FROM 26 initiatives that are expected to pay big dividends—for residents and for the tax base—by strengthening the “equine ecosystem.” First is to expand the opportunities for area horse owners and riders. Part of that is creating more publicly accessable trails for horse riders (as well as for cyclists and hikers). Several groups are tackling the issue with the goal of creating loop trails that connect communities with points of interest like wineries and historic sites. At the forefront is the county’s parks department, which manages 3,200 acres of parkland. Director Steve Torpy acknowledged that past efforts to provide horse areas in parks have proven underwhelming, but said the issue has moved

up the priority list. The county’s next parks—Lovettsville Community Park and Hal and Bernie Hansen Park near Arcola—will have larger, more practical equine facilities, he said. But the department also is looking beyond park borders, employing what Torpy described as an “attitude shift.” In the past, he said, county planners didn’t want developers designing undevelopable floodplain land along creeks and streams as part of their required open space packages. That’s changed and park system managers hope to use those corridors to connect communities with trials for hikers and cyclists, perhaps horses as well. Kelly Foltman, president of the Loudoun Equine Alliance, cited an example of the pent-up demand for such offerings. She said plans to offer a trail ride from Temple Farm Park north of Leesburg to Fabbioli Cellars vineyards is already among the most popular of-

ferings planned as part of next month’s Loudoun Farm Tour. The groups also are promoting a share-the-road campaign aimed at making Loudoun’s rural, and unpaved, roads safer for riders and cyclists to enjoy. But the panelists agreed that it will take more than more trail miles to boost the industry—and to keep horse-loving families from moving to communities with more equine amenities. At the top of the list is the development of central equine activity center. It’s an idea that has been championed by Torpy’s staff and horse groups for years, but county supervisors have yet to sign onto the concept or even talk about paying to build one. Morven Park Executive Director Stephanie Keynon offered a solution to that long-running stalemate, suggesting a public-private partnership to operate such a center on the Leesburg estate. The 1,000-acre property already has a long tradition of supporting horses and horsemanship. It’s home to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center and has long been a training ground for top riders and horses. This fall, on Sept. 16, steeplechase racing will return after a long hiatus, and a summer polo league is gearing up. And in the coming weeks, longtime tenant Loudoun Therapeutic Riding will begin construction of its new purpose-built activity center. Keynon said the latter project opens opportunities. The center’s large indoor riding arena will be available and could be retrofitted to serve as a venue for other sports and even concerts—or a county equine activity center. “We would be more than happy to work with the county on that,” she said. The final big piece is the plan to es-

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

An equestrian rides along Furnace Mountain Road near Taylorstown in Loudoun County.

tablish a horse quarantine facility at Dulles Airport. A recently completed study confirmed there is a viable business model to support construction of the $18-25 million livestock quarantine facility and industry leaders think it’s possible to have it up and running by 2019. Currently, horses entering the U.S. on the East Coast—about 8,000 a year—must be cleared in New York or Miami. Providing a Mid-Atlantic port of entry would be a huge economic boost to the region, valued at $18 million annually. Rob Banner, president of Great Meadows in Fauquier County, said such an offering would be key to attracting large international equestrian events and rebuilding the area as the centerpiece of activities such as Olympic training. Buffington and Higgins stressed that the Board of Supervisors was committed to supporting the horse industry and the broader rural economy to help preserve Loudoun’s undeveloped areas. “Without those assets, we’re just another suburban county,” Higgins said. nstyer@loudounnow.com

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[ TOWN NOTES ] RFP Issued for Traffic Calming

LOVETTSVILLE Town’s Tax Value Touted Think taxes are high in Lovettsville? Don’t blame the Town Council. That’s the gist of an analysis prepared by Town Manager Laszlo Palko for a town budget meeting last week. Palko noted that the town’s 21-cent real estate tax rate is about average among Loudoun’s towns. However, Lovettsville is one of only two towns—Middleburg is the other—that doesn’t impose a personal property tax. That makes Lovetts-

After more than a decade of planning, Hillsboro’s Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Project has reached an important milestone. The town last week issued a request for proposals soliciting bids from engineering firms wishing to work on the project. The goal is to create a pedestrian- and business-friendly streetscape that retains the integrity and authenticity of this well-preserved, historically significant rural village. Planned features include two traffic roundabouts, raised crosswalks, sidewalks, on-street parking, a bike/shared-use path, burial of all overhead utilities, duct banks for future communication/data utilities, design and installation of a new drinking water main and sanitary sewer main and laterals. The engineering work would move the project into “bid-ready” status to move to the construction phase. Bids are due May 19.

ville’s tax burden the second lowest in Loudoun. Around the state, town tax rates average 19 cents, according to Palko’s memo, but most Virginia towns—66 percent— either don’t offer trash pick or charge extra for the service. County taxes, on the other hand, are well above the statewide average. Loudoun’s $1.145 real estate tax rate is more than twice that of Virginia’s 69-cent average and its $4.20 personal property tax rate is well above the average of $2.93. “If our residents are over taxed, it is because of county taxes, not the town,” Palko wrote, also noting that county tax structure funds a “renowned school system which also puts pressure on property values to rise” resulting in higher tax bills. With an eye to keeping its relatively low tax burden, the Town Council was scheduled to hold three budget work sessions this week.

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

HILLSBORO

Street Renaming Outreach Continues Efforts to clear up confusing building addresses around South Church Street will continue this week. The Town Council’s Infrastructure Committee plans a community meeting Thursday, April 25 at the Lovettsville Fire Hall. The panel has been reviewing options to allow for better emergency response as well as ensuring that packages and people find their way to the proper address. They’ll be discussed starting at 6:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to come and provide input.

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Loudoun County Commuter Services delivers fresh ideas for reaching your workplace. From bikes and buses to carpools and vanpools, we’ll help you choose an easier way to go.

[ LOCO LIVING ]

[ THINGS TO DO ] LOCO CULTURE

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CHICK’S PICKS SPRING POP-UP SHOW

Thursday, April 27-Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, April 30, noon-5 p.m.; Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg. Details: facebook.com/ chickspicksbyhillary Chick’s Picks is taking over the 3,000-square-foot renovated stable barn at Vanish Brewing for a pop-up shopping weekend featuring over 70 indie designers, artists, makers and importers of fashion and home decor.

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sterling Community Center 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Contact: 703-430-9480

Cuong Van

Loudoun Lyric Opera celebrated its tenth anniversary April 22 with a performance of Pergolesi’s “The Servant-Mistress.” From left, Robert Ritter, Keely Borland and Michael Helfgott starred in the performance.

ACCOLADES AND ARIAS Loudoun Lyric Opera Celebrates 10th Anniversary BY JAN MERCKER

usical theater is having a moment. With the popularity of shows like “Hamilton,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Wicked” and many others, hundreds of thousands of people have been exposed to this emotionally charged theatrical style. However, all these productions, as well as their off- and off-off-Broadway siblings, owe their current popularity to a much more ancient art form: Opera. The county’s own Loudoun Lyric Opera, presently celebrating its 10th anniversary, does its part to keep the age-old entertainment modality alive with several performances a year, as well as a warm, welcoming atmosphere for aspiring operatic stars.

Success a Decade in the Making LLO has a home base at Franklin Park Arts Center in Purcellville, where it generally offers two larger shows each year. But LLO has also made its mark by performing at non-traditional venues like Leesburg’s Tally Ho Theatre and several Loudoun wineries. “We want to continue moving forward offering opera in intimate spaces and bringing opera to everyone,” said LLO Co-Founder and President Pamela Butler. “We really want to break the myth. We want to make opera accessible for all income levels, all backgrounds.” Butler, a trained opera singer with a business degree, moved to Leesburg from upstate New York in 2002. Like many fellow classical singers

in Loudoun, she found herself going into DC and the closer-in suburbs to perform. In 2007, she decided Loudoun was ready for an opera company of its own. B utler, along with colleagues Cuong Hung Van (who remains the company’s music director) and Christine Campbell, launched LLO with a debut performance at Hillsboro’s Old Stone School. “Loudoun was growing and I really saw a market here,” Butler said. Over the years, LLO lured new and returning opera fans with favorites like Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance,” and Lorenzo Da Ponte’s “Don Giovanni,” but, for Butler, one of the company’s proudest achievements to date is its original opera, “Norton: A Civil War Opera,” which premiered in 2014. “Norton,” created by area composer David Chavez and local author Meredith Bean McMath, tells the story of unsung Civil War hero Oliver Wilcox Norton, a Union bugler who was present for many key moments, including the Defense of Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg. “This guy was the Forrest Gump of the Civil War. He literally shows up at all the important times and nobody knows about him,” Butler said.

Courting the Next Generation Maria Maldonado, now 20 years old and a vocal performance major at Shenandoah Conservatory, quickly fell in love with opera after discovering LLO while still a student at Heritage High School. Maldonado had cultivated a passionate love for musical theater, but didn’t feel comfortable singing

This fun and informative event features health screenings and booths from wellness-related agencies and nonprofits, along with live music and Zumba classes. Event is free and open to the public.

MINT JULEP TEA AT ALDIE MILL Saturday, April 29, 1 p.m.; Aldie Mill, 39401 John Mosby Highway in Aldie. Contact: 703-327-9777 Enjoy a full afternoon tea in the historic 200-year-old mill in the village of Aldie. Following the tea, guests are invited to join members of the Aldie Horticultural Society to create a unique floral arrangement. Cost for the tableside tea service and floral arrangement is $38 per person. Proceeds benefit Aldie Mill’s educational programs. Space is limited and reservations are required.

“KEDI” FILM SCREENING AND OUTREACH EVENT Saturday, April 29, 3-6 p.m.; Alamo Cinema and Drafthouse, 20575 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn. Courtesy of Benjamin Curtis

After singing with companies around the country, baritone Benjamin Curtis returned to his Virginia roots and starred in Loudoun Lyric Opera’s “The Barber of Seville.”

in the big, belting style popularized by contemporary productions. “Loudoun Lyric Opera inspired me, who couldn’t do rock musicals, to find my true calling, which is opera,” she said. LLO has developed a robust promotional program for its open auditions and draws seasoned musicians from the DC area and beyond, along with young up-and-comers—including many locals who are hungry for a chance to perform. Baritone Benjamin Curtis hails from a well-known musical family in LYRIC OPERA >> 33

Details: drafthouse.com/ northern-virginia The regional Cat Hustler animal welfare organization hosts a 3 p.m. screening of the film “Kedi,” a documentary set in Istanbul, Turkey, where thousands of cats roam freely. Tickets are $10 for the 3 p.m. screening and free animal welfare exhibits are available in the lobby starting at 1 p.m. Advance purchase is recommended.

MIDDLEBURG HUNT POINT TO POINT Sunday, April 30, 1 p.m.; Glenwood Park, Glenwood Park Lane, Middleburg. Details: middleburghunt.com

MORE TO DO >> 31

[ MORE THINGS TO DO ] Enjoy a great day at the races and contests for best tailgate, best hat and best tie. General admission tickets are $10 per person in advance, $15 on race day. General admission parking is $5 per car in advance, $10 on race day.

Jack’s Run Brewing Company, 108 N. 21st St., Purcellville. Details: jacksrunbrewing.com

Stewart discusses his new novel “The Babe Ruth Deception,” the latest in his Fraser and Cook mystery series. “Babe Ruth” offers a fictional take on the seamier side of baseball in the wake of the 1919 World Series scandal. Admission is free but advance registration is recommended.

Enjoy acoustic rock peppered with Americana and blues from this longtime local favorite. No cover.

ONE SPARROW CHARITY LIP SYNC BATTLE

NIGHTLIFE

GIRL VISION: A WORKSHOP FOR TEEN GIRLS

LIVE MUSIC: MOUNTAIN RIDE

Licensed clinical social worker and photographer Julie McCarter leads an expressive photography workshop exploring themes of self-acceptance, healthy emotional expression, and empowerment. Cost is $135.

AUTHOR TALK: DAVID O. STEWART Sunday, April 30, 2 p.m.; Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. Contact: 703-737-7195

Friday, April 28, 8:30 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com

sive twist from this central Pennsylvania-based quintet. No cover.

Traditional bluegrass with a progres-

Saturday, April 29, 6:30-9:30 p.m.;

LIVE MUSIC: KERRY MCCOOL

Saturday, April 29, 5 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: onesparrowdc.org The One Sparrow non-profit hosts a lip sync contest in support of its initiatives in Haiti. Admission is $20.

MORE TO DO >> 32

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LSO Performs Mozart, Tchaikovsky The Loudoun Symphony Orchestra will perform works by some of the world’s most admired composers during April 29’s Mozart and Tchaikovsky concert.

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Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors (65+). Tickets for youths (age 12 and under) are free, but must be ticketed. Go to loudounsymphony.org for details. Tickets may also be purchased at the door if seats are available.

The concert features guest conductor David Searle and guest artist Donna Lee, who made her solo debut with the National Symphony Orchestra and has performed at the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center. She joins the LSO for the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major. The program also includes the Mozart Overture to Cosi Fan Tutte and the Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64.

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Sunday, April 30, 1-5 p.m.; 19 E. Market St., Leesburg. Details: juliemccarter.org/girlvision

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Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

<< FROM 30

[ MORE THINGS TO DO ] << FROM 31

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The Patuxent Partners Close Out Lucketts Bluegrass Season

Sterling Playmakers present an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s famous courtroom drama, a perennial favorite for mystery fans.

The final concert of the 43rd season of weekly concerts at the Lucketts Community Center will feature The Patuxent Partners on Saturday, April 29. The Patuxent Partners perform a traditional style of bluegrass that embodies the high lonesome sound of the founders of the music such as Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers.

Courtesy of Lez Zeppelin

LIVE MUSIC: LEZ ZEPPELIN Saturday, April 29, 7 p.m.; Tally Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyholeesburg.com This New York-based all girl band has garnered raves for the passion, musicianship and audacity they bring to the music of Led Zeppelin. Tickets are $20 in advance.

LIVE MUSIC: KEETON Saturday, April 29, 9 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com 90s alt rock favorites from Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers and beyond. No cover.

Mandolin virtuoso, Tom Mindte, leads the group, sings lead and sets the tone for the band’s instrumental and overall sound. His remarkable voice ranges from deep bass to tenor. He is also responsible for supplying the group with a repertoire of old, sometimes obscure, traditional songs that audiences love. The rest of the Patuxent Partners are: Brian Deere, who plays gui-

ON STAGE LOCO IMPROVFEST Friday, April 28, 7 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Loudoun’s inaugural teen improv come-

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MUSIC WITH A CAUSE: ‘CAN THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN’ Courtesy of Lez Zeppelin

tar and adds his unique style to traditional vocals; banjo player, John Brunschwyler, who has an inventive style of fitting his work into the ‘Partners’ sound; Jack Liederman, with his bluesy, soulful fiddling and Victoria McMullen who pulls everything together on the bass. Learn more at patuxentpartners.com. Tickets are $15 at the door, show time is 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m. Details are at luckettsbluegrass. org. The community center is located at 42361 Lucketts Road, north of Leesburg.

dy and theatre festival features teams from across the county for an evening of fun and laughs. Admission is $5.

WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, 8 p.m.; Sunday April 30, 2 p.m.; Seneca Ridge Middle School, 98 Seneca Ridge Drive, Sterling. Details: sterling-

Saturday, April 29, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 711 W. Main St., Purcellville. Details: standrew-pres.org The Loudoun Chorale’s spring concert explores themes of eternity and the connectedness of all living beings through a wide variety of music ranging from 20th century English choral music to American gospel and bluegrass tunes. Tickets are $15 at the door, free for youth 17 and under. The concert benefits Loudoun Hunger Relief.

COMING UP ‘SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL’ Friday, May 5-Sunday, May 7 and Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: mainstreettheaterproductions.org Main Street Theater Productions presents the charming musical compilation of Dr. Seuss’s greatest works. The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.

<< FROM 30

Looking to the Future On the heels of an anniversary gala last weekend, plans are now being made for LLO’s fall project, which Butler describes as a “jewel box version” of Puccini’s classic Madame Butterfly, which debuts at Franklin Park in November. The adapted “Tragedy of Madame Butterfly” features the famous opera’s five lead roles and beloved arias. In the meantime, Maldonado—who

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.”

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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.

Courtesy of Maria Maldonado

After performing in Loudoun Lyric Opera, Leesburg’s Maria Maldonado has gone on to study vocal performance at Shenandoah Conservatory and to serve on the opera company’s board.

western Loudoun (sister Maddy Curtis made a splash as a contestant on American Idol and is now a DC-based mezzo-soprano). Benjamin Curtis went to college and graduate school in New York before returning to Virginia with his young family. Curtis has performed professionally with companies across the country but one of his key roles was the barber Figaro in LLO’s 2015 production of Rossini’s comic masterpiece, “The Barber of Seville.” The opera’s “Figaro” aria is one of the best known in classical music and was an exciting challenge for Curtis. “Loudoun Lyric was a wonderful place to first get your feet wet with some of these roles. ... I did my first ‘Figaro’ with Loudoun Lyric and it was a really great experience,” Curtis said. “Everyone was very supportive—you didn’t have the people in the wings with their noses up criticizing my sound or my style.”

an LLO production (her last role was Alberta in the 2015 production of “Barber”), but most of her energy is devoted to her administrative role and keeping opera accessible and enjoyable for Loudouners. For Butler, opera as an art form really has it all—and there’s a lot of appeal for fans and potential fans young and old. “You’re singing, you’re acting, you’re a character in costume, you’re learning a foreign language. ...You have beautiful set pieces that are designed and painted by artists and beautiful costumes,” she said. “When people say it’s a dying art form I don’t believe that.”

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

Lyric Opera

cut her teeth with roles in “Norton” and “Pirates,” and who now serves as the youngest member of LLO’s Board of Directors—is spearheading development of the company’s brand new Opera Teens program. “It’s really a place for teens to form a community of classical music lovers,” she said. The plan is for the group to put on a show of its own each year, to attend performances at venues around the DC area and to tackle music-related service projects, Maldonado said. Maldonado’s career goal is to achieve a balance between performance and arts administration, much like Butler, her mentor. Butler occasionally auditions for

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Die-hard Flower and Garden fans turned out even in the rain with their red wagons to pick up their annual purchases from the more than 125 vendors.

Saturday Showers Don’t Drench Festival Weekend Saturday showers kept crowds inside, but Sunday’s sunshine brought them back out for the 27th annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival. Gray, rainy weather on Saturday cleared up in time for hundreds of people to pack the streets on the second day of the festival, Leesburg’s unofficial start to spring. The event took up a six-block area, shutting down traffic to turn historic downtown Leesburg into a giant walking mall with music,

a landscaping contest, a beer garden, a kid’s stage, and more than 125 vendors. The town estimates about 20,000 people came out over two days despite the rain. Vendors come from far and wide each year to take part in Flower and Garden Festival. This year, they came from 17 other states, from as far away as North Carolina and New York. Amazing Earth Landscapes, of Purcellville, won the People’s Choice Award for best landscape design. — Renss Greene

[OBITUARIES] Oscar Taylor Hines

Richard Sidney Dawson, 63, of Purcellville, VA passed away on Friday, April 7, 2017 at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Oscar Taylor Hines, of Leesburg, VA died at age 83 on April 21.

Born in Loudoun County, Virginia, he was the son of the late Ichabud “IW” Walter Dawson and Mary Boone Dawson.

A native North Carolinian, Taylor was trained as an electrical engineer, graduating from Duke University, but spent most of his life as a Christian mystic and spiritual seeker and advisor.

He was of the Methodist faith and attended Ebenezer United Methodist Church.

He was a popular Santa Claus to thousands of Loudoun children over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marsha Ellen Dawson Gochnauer. Services were held on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, 256 Halltown Road, Harpers Ferry, WV with Rev. Roland England officiating. Interment was in Ebenezer Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com

To Place an Obituary, Memoriam or Death Notice Contact: Lindsay Morgan (703) 770-9723 lmorgan@loudounnow.com

Gardening was a part of his spiritual practice, and he did it beautifully. He was an active member of St. James United Church of Christ in Lovettsville,VA, serving on the church council. He produced the church’s weekly bulletins and was often a substitute speaker for Sunday worship. He took part in a number ofmeditation and spiritual groups at church and elsewhere. His view of what is important in life was encapsulated in this quote: “The body’s just a scottie dog that we play monopoly with!” He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judith Dinwoodey Hines; his son, David Hines of Cameron Park, California, and Nancy Hines Sulek (David) and grandchildren Austin and Kate Sulek of Leesburg, VA, as well as two sisters, Geneva Hines and Carrie Hines Galow, and brother, Bob Hines (Allison) of eastern North Carolina. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 11:00 a..m., at St. James UCC, Lovettsville, Virginia. Contributions may be made in memory of Taylor to Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, P.O. Box 4452, Leesburg, VA 20175. Friends is a nonprofit organization, operating in Loudoun County since 1955, assisting people in their recovery from mental illness. Taylor served for many years as a member of Friends’ board.

[ D E AT H N O T I C E S ] Jo Ann Donohoe Baker, 75 of Sterling VA, died April 10 at Reston Hospital Center. She was born Aug. 7, 1941, in Leesburg, to Thomas and Hilda Donohoe. She is survived by her husband Noel Walter Baker, sons David and Michael, and four grandchildren. Services were held April 14 at Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to National Foundation for Cancer Research, PO Box 96024, Washington, D.C. 20090-6024, www.NFCR.org. [Colonial Funeral Home]

Laura Mae Gore of Purcellville; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by five brothers and sisters. Services were held April 26 at Hall Funeral Home of Purcellville. Interment was at Ebenezer Cemetery in Bloomfield. Memorial contributions may be given to the Roszel Chapel United Methodist Church, PO Box 380, Philomont, VA 20131 or The National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502. [Hall Funeral Home]

Raymond Edward McAbee Sr., Travis Barton Bridges, 52, of formerly of Lovettsville, VA, passed

Lovettsville, died April 9. He was born April 15, 1964, to John W. Bridges and Sydney T. Bridges of Chantilly. He worked for the National Association of Letter Carriers as a benefits consultant. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brothers John and David, step-mother Linda Bridges, half-sister Renee Maguire, and half-brother Patrick. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Cats TNR, 217 Oak Lee Drive, Ste. 10-452, Ranson, WV 25438. www.shannondale.org or the ASPCA. [Adams-Green Funeral Home]

Betty Sue Longerbeam, 80, of

Ilse Anna Frieda Sheats, 87, died April 12 at Loudoun Nursing and Rehab in Leesburg. She was born in Hamburg, Germany, on April 30, 1929, to Charlotte Bohse Henning and Franz Henning. She trained as a milliner and immigrated to the United States in 1950. She lived and worked in Chicago, IL, where she studied voice. In 1964, she moved with her family to Germany, and worked as a prompter at the City Theater of Koblenz and later as a receptionist at the Canadian Embassy in Bonn. From 1973 she lived in

Sonja Marie Judy Vance, 79, died April 1. She was born Dec. 11, 1937, in Chillicothe, OH, to Edwin and Lois Judy. She earned a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and was a staff writer for the Ohio State Journal, the Ohio Citizen Journal, and The Columbus Dispatch. She later worked for the National Trust at Woodlawn Plantation, and was an active volunteer for the Army Officers Wives Club and the Women’s Club of the Army Surgeon General’s Office. The U.S. Army assignment of her husband, William Vance, took them to Germany, New York, Washington, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Texas, and eventually to Washington, DC. In retirement, they settled at Kerfoot House in Upperville. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son Scott and two grandchildren. A memorial service was held April 21 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lyme Disease Research Foundation. [Royston Funeral Home] Betty J. Welty, 77, of Centreville, died April 17. She was born April 22, 1939, in White Hall, to Howard and Zola (Shanholtz) Poland. She worked as a data entry supervisor at the records room for the Fairfax County Police Department. She is survived by her daughter Mary C. Prenn, son Gregory Welty, and three grandchildren. Services were held April 21 at Colonial

Funeral Home in Leesburg. Burial was at Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, WV. Memorial contributions may be made to Insight Memorial Care Center, 3953 Pender Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030 or Capital Caring Hospice, 24419 Millstream Drive, Aldie, VA 20105. [Colonial Funeral Home]

Francis Garrett Welsh, 74, of Ashburn, died April 13. He was born June 27, 1942, in Somerset, PA, to Charles A. and Elizabeth Welsh. He attended the University of Dayton, served in the U.S. Army and worked for IBM as a systems engineer until his retirement. He is survived by his wife Maria L. (Arias) Welsh of Ashburn/ Boynton Beach, FL; children Cristina M. Perez of South Riding, Michael F. Welsh of Boynton Beach, FL, and Theresa E. Tamboer of Bridgewater, NJ; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services were held April 19 at St. Theresa Catholic in Ashburn. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ashby Ponds Benevolent Care Fund, 21170 Ashby Ponds Blvd, Ashburn, VA 20147 Attn: Philanthropy/BCF. [Colonial Funeral Home] Aiden Edward York, 18, of Lovettsville, died April 17 at his home. He was born Oct. 31, 1998, to Chip and Anna-Marie York. A creative and enterprising young man, he was known locally for founding TinyCon, a cosplay convention for Loudoun youth, and providing encouragement and education to cosplayers online and at conventions up and down the East Coast. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister Rona York; and grandparents Nancy and Dan Cook of Raphine, and Betty and Henry York of Winchester. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trevor Project, thetrevorproject.org. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel]

loudounnow.com

Philomont, died April 22. She was born Oct. 30, 1936 in Hamilton to the Stanley and Nellie Tibbs. She graduated from Loudoun County High School and went to work for the CIA briefly before working for Loudoun County Voter Registration for more than 40 years. She was a member and lay leader at the Roszell Chapel United Methodist Church in Philomont. She is survived by her husband of 59 years Robert B. Longerbeam; sons Tracy Longerbeam of Purcellville, Stewart Longerbeam of Marshall, and Scott Longerbeam of Middleburg; daughters Kimberling Henshaw of Louisa, and Elizabeth Swadley of Harrisonburg; sister

away suddenly on December 12, 2016. He was born on February 7, 1941 in Spartanburg, SC. He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Judy (McLearen) McAbee; his children, Sheila Cowling of Leesburg, VA; Deborah Snow of Huntingtown, MD; Raymond McAbee Jr. of Upper Marlboro, MD; Andrea McAbee-Churchwell of Owings, MD; Eric McAbee of Florida; his step daughters Adelle Brown; Lindsay Long; and 14 grandchildren. Memorial services will be at Mt. Olivet, 11791 Mountain Rd., Lovettsville, VA on May 6, 2017 at 11 AM. Pastor Tony Forstall Presiding.

Winchester and moved to Leesburg in 2005. She was predeceased by her husband Jackson Sheats. She is survived by her children Anna Askari and David Sheats; granddaughter Sonya Sheats, and two great-grandchildren. Services were held April 18 at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg. Interment was at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Upperville. [Colonial Funeral Home]

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Donna Poland Dawson, at home; one sister, Linda Sue Dawson of Neersville, VA; brother-in-law, Donald Gochnauer of Leesburg, VA; and nephew, Andrew Walter Ruef and wife, Alice of Columbia, MD.

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

Richard Sidney Dawson

loudounnow.com

Employment ADJUNCT FACULTY JOB FAIR

LOUDOUN CAMPUS NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT) Northern Virginia Community College 21200 Campus Dr. Higher Education Center (HEC) event space (room 203) Sterling, VA 20164 • If you want to teach Accounting, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, English, Information Technology, Math, Developmental Math or Political Science come talk to us. • If you plan to attend please RSVP to ljacyna@nvcc.edu and indicate which of the above disciplines you are interested in teaching.

Yard Sale

Country Buick GMC

Open Position – Cashier/Receptionist Opening available for an afternoon/evening and Saturday Cashier-Receptionist. This is a full-time position with benefits. Hours are 2pm – 9pm Monday through Friday and 9a-6pm Saturday. We are looking for a dynamic team player with great customer service skills and the ability to: • Answer and transfer dealership main line phone • Complete basic office tasks such as filing, copies, mailing • Assist customers with closing their service and parts orders. Training is provided. There is room for growth for the right person. To apply for this position, please email a current resume to careers@countrybuickgmc.com

YARD SALE * Saturday April 29, 8am to 1pm 45022 University Dr, Ashburn.

Household stuff, large collection VHS tapes, deck storage box, baby, adult female clothes, xmas, jewelry, avon. No early birds.

YARD SALE * Saturday April 29 * 8am - 11am 109 Bridgette Pl. NE Leesburg * Exeter Community * Household Items, Boys clothing sizes 8-14, loose lego parts by the pound, toys, Pottery Barn & William & Sonoma items

LoudounNow

CLASSIFIEDS We’ve got you covered. In the mail weekly. Online always. (703) 770-9723

Yard Sale

Saturday & Sunday April 29 & 30 9am-6pm 19427 James Monroe Hwy.

Bicycles: child radio flyer tricycle through Men & Women high end road & mountain bikes (Trek, Specialized, Giant, Schwinn). Yakima bike racks. Proline golf & accessories. 20 fishing outfits: light spinning to heavy casting. misc. sports, camping, backpacks and small hand and garden tools, Fisher Price toys. Computerized telescope

Fountains of Living Water

(Non-denomination, Full Gospel)

Meeting at: Sterling Middle School 201 W. Holly Ave. Sterling,VA 20164

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

Sunday 10:15am www.fountainsoflivingwater.org (703) 433-1481

More listings online at LoudounNow.com

“Whoever believes in me (Jesus)... streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:38

Call To Worship In Print & In Our Online Resource Directory

Geriatric Wellness Nurse

FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORY 158 Catoctin Circle, SE • Leesburg, VA 20175

LoudounFuneralChapel.com

Part-time professionals needed to assist our staff: • Daily errands and office required • Greeting families for funeral & visitations • Evenings & weekend shifts • Lifting required • Clean driving record Please send resume to: info@loudounfuneralchapel.com or call for inquiries 703-777-6000

LoudounNow

We’ve got you covered.

Part-Time Spanish Teacher Loudoun Country Day School

Candidate must have: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Education or Spanish Experience teaching students in 3rd5th grade Passion for working with and inspiring 3rd-5th grade children Email resume to employment@lcds.org

FULFILLMENT/ WAREHOUSE International Book Co. is seeking responsible individuals for full time warehouse positions. We offer Great pay and benefits.

We offer benefits to fulltime employees such as health/dental insurance, vacation, simple IRA retirement. We also offer direct deposit. Please apply online at http://www.icareabouthealth.net Full-Time Small Engine Mechanic needed for a large landscape company in Leesburg, VA. • MUST have experience working on commercial lawn equipment. • MUST have own tools. We offer competitive pay, benefits and retirement. Please call Paul at 703-675-8089 or p.tilley@blakelandscapes.com

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• Salon Loudoun • booth rental for

• stylists • esthetician • massage therapist • nail tech

(703) 203-6722 leave a message

Loudoun Now Classifieds We’ve got you covered. In the mail weekly. Online always. (703) 770-9723

Experience with geriatric populations is preferred. Self starter with basic knowledge of Medicare coding and billing guidelines is a plus. Ideal position for the nurse who no longer desires floor work, but who still thrives on patient interactions and helping people maintain wellness. Full-time hourly position with benefits. Please send resume to lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804 attention Lisa.

FT LPN or MA 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.

Crossword

Help Wanted Position: Funeral Attendant

Busy Home Healthcare Agency established in 1993 with offices in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties looking for CNA, HHA or PCA. Nursing Students also Encouraged to Apply! for immediate work for all shifts.

Seeking full time RN or LPN to assist with geriatric wellness exams. This position requires travel to multiple locations in Loudoun County and the ability to utilize EMR systems and scanning programs.

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

Employment

loudounnow.com

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BATHROOMS

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CLEANING SERVICE

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CONSTRUCTION

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Serving Northern Virginia area for over 10 years. Taking orders for spring deck projects BUILD DECKS & FENCES POWERWASHING & STAINING FREE ESTIMATES & DECK INSPECTIONS

Licensed & Insured Contractor who performs “Handyman Services, Rental & Re-sale Turnovers“ *We Accept ALL Major Cards* 571-439-5576 jbremodeling22@gmail.com

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HANDYMAN Baker’s

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WINDOWS & FLOORS

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loudounnow.com

C2 Operations specializes in Asphalt, Slate, Flat, Metal, Cedar, and EPDM Roof Repairs and Replacements throughout Loudoun Co. and Northern Virginia. Services Include Roof Repairs • Roof Replacements • Siding Gutters • Windows • Doors Skylights & Maintenance

[ OPINION ]

loudounnow.com

Formula for Success It has been a long tradition in Loudoun to include representatives of the development industry around the table when government leaders are overhauling the county’s planning and zoning policies. That approach has continued, but, in recent years, criticism has mounted from some corners that the concept is providing developers undue influence. As preliminary talks of the Envision Loudoun stakeholders committee have focused on the debate over whether the county faces an impending housing shortage, cries of foul have amplified. Another Board of Supervisors-appointed advisory panel, the Zoning Ordinance Action Group, also has been targeted by critics. This committee is charged with providing supervisors with recommendations to improve the development regulations, often seeking to streamline application processing, eliminate conflicts, or addressing new trends. In both cases, representation by private sector land-use attorneys, planners and engineers, as well as general business leaders, is designed to tap the expertise from those most familiar with the policies and their real-world impact. If the regulations don’t work, even the best conceived vision will fail to be realized. Traditionally, those valued points of view have been joined around the table by representatives of other interest groups, including preservation and conservation organizations. Also to be included are community-minded residents, perhaps with little knowledge of how the development process works but with clear understandings of what they expect from it. It’s a formula that has provided a successful balance for decades and one that helped create the framework for the Loudoun of today. The concept is sound. But execution is important, too. If county supervisors don’t create the environment for competing points of view to be heard and thoughtfully evaluated early in the planning process, they’ll only set the stage for larger battles in the months ahead. Likewise, if the hundreds of county residents who took time to participate in input sessions and complete surveys don’t see their points of view being represented by the planning panel, the credibility of the entire process could erode. The question today is: Are the worries expressed by the critics of these advisory panels valid? If county supervisors have concerns about the balance of the advice they’ll be receiving, now is the time to address them. Creating a new vision for Loudoun’s future will be this board’s hallmark; whether it got the plan right or wrong will be its legacy.

LoudounNow

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Kara C. Rodriquez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Douglas Graham, Photographer dgraham@loudounnow.com Contributors Caroline Boras Jan Mercker Advertising Director Susan Styer sstyer@loudounnow.com

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[ LETTERS ] Repairing the Damage Editor: After two years serving with Mayor Kwasi Fraser in a minority position on the Purcellville Town Council, voters went to the polls in May 2016 to express their desire for continued change and allow us a platform to create meaningful change. More importantly, voters said it was time for new council dynamics. The public had witnessed a hostile council that for two years attempted to marginalize new ideas, usurp the mayor’s authority and took every opportunity to disparage us in the public sphere. The promise of delivering a positive way of doing business and reasonably handling the challenges that face the town prevailed with the 2016 election. In the April 20 Loudoun Now edition, your editorial stated the current council needs to “move beyond the fruitless effort to lay blame” toward previous councils. It is necessary to acknowledge that we are limited by the enormous debt incurred by previous councils because we have to explain to the public why we can’t build sidewalks, bike paths or parks, or improve road intersections they request. When a resident or business complains about their high water/sewer rates it is important to give background as to why they are charged those amounts. The public has been clear to us about their values. They voted in those they felt would be more creative and find simpler solutions to our complex problems. The overwhelming majority of people in Purcellville are open to strategies and creativity in an effort to lower our tax burden and utility rates, as well as keeping our town unique and full of character. On April 11 and 18, what the council did was give the town manager his annual review as required in his employment agreement. During his decades long career, all seven members of a council have never completed his review at once, until this year. What should have been a routine process became perverted by innuendo and reckless rumors.

This council has challenged the status quo and engaged in constructive confrontation. We are determined to impose the peoples’ values with fundamental and strategic resolutions. Simply put, we will continue to repair the damage caused by a bad values agenda. This Council has devoted time and energy in pushing forward the people’s values and I feel confident in the direction Purcellville is headed. — Karen Jimmerson, Purcellville Vice Mayor

Pay Attention Editor: The Northern Virginia development industry is conducting a well-funded effort to justify a new onslaught of development in Loudoun County that citizens don’t want and the county can’t afford, as the county revises its Comprehensive Plan. This campaign appears to be warmly welcomed by Loudoun County’s Planning Department. Industry members have sponsored and promoted spurious “surveys” and “research” in the past few years that first say how wonderful it is to live in Loudoun and how happy everyone is (as a campaign to create “demand”), and then produced an “analysis” that says there is a huge demand for new housing. It is a much more sophisticated approach than the one citizens experienced during the 2004-07 Board of Supervisors, with Supervisor Steve Snow telling citizens to move to Canada if they didn’t like the Board’s votes to approve thousands more houses, as massive numbers of citizens protested against the onslaught of overdevelopment. (Snow and other supervisors were later investigated by the FBI, and were voted out at the next election.) Here are some of the recent “surveys” and “studies.” • A 2012 survey of “Best Counties in America,” which also put Loudoun at the top, was a “survey” that rated such things as “new housing starts” as the definition of “best.” The survey was LETTERS >> 41

[ LETTERS ]

Run or Walk in the

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Patriotic Spirit Editor: I am a senior at Loudoun County High School and will say that I have received a strong education thanks to many phenomenal teachers; however, there is an underlying tone taken by some school administrators that does not necessarily bring an America-appreciating student joy. Upon speaking to a variety of individuals apart of the school’s student council, along with the student council teacher sponsor, it came to my attention that they recently proposed to have an American-themed spirit day, but the school administration shot it down for being “too political” and “might cause bullying” according to members of the student council. Since when was being American too political? The celebration of the UnitLETTERS >> 42

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loudounnow.com

Editor: This is in response to last week’s letter by Nancy Ryan of Aldie entitled “Get Involved.”

Help your neighbors, friends, and family…

Enjoying Amenities

I was one of the voices heard at Envision Loudoun. I live in the transition area and I did get involved at the meetings. I feel that the transition area is not in western Loudoun nor in the central parts of Loudoun; it is in the eastern part of Loudoun. This part of Loudoun is now host to the ever-growing developments that all of Loudoun County is enjoying—let me list a few: Stone Springs Hospital, the Gum Springs Library, Harris Teeters, Walgreens, CVS, the rehab center, the emergency center, the fantastic Dulles Landing Shopping Center and parks that are coming our way just to mention a few. I would like to ask Nancy Ryan if she uses any of these facilities and isn’t it better than traveling to other areas of the county. I know that I and my neighbors certainly enjoy all these amenities. The visions and goals that she says are being proposed by the Stakeholders Committee is a great vision: Make a great place (we’re making it); be an economic force (we’re doing that); bring people and places together (wow as I just mentioned we certainly are doing that); and strengthen assets and nurture people (can she not see that happening). If you don’t want growth and if you don’t want convenience to go along with what is already in the transition area, you need to move west of Rt. 15, further into the rural western part of Loudoun and hopefully you want to complain about all the great vineyards. So sorry she was stunned to find out that residents who were placed in the transition did speak out about their properties being downzoned. How would she like to have her property downzoned? I am a concerned citizen and I am contacting the Board of Supervisors and urging them to think of all their residents who would very much like to be taken out of the transition area and let Loudoun move on with what is already being voiced that Loudoun is a great and prosperous county to live in and raise our families, and, guess what, that is because of the development that is taking place in this eastern part of the county. I must say we are a long way from the West Virginia border. — Aleta Kennedy, Aldie

produced and promoted by a real estate blog. • The SmartAsset.com website, which promotes the interests of housing developers, repeatedly has “ranked” Loudoun as happiest county for about three years—based on a slender and selective list of criteria (it’s primarily an assessment of wealth; it doesn’t include, for example, traffic congestion or citizen concerns about overdevelopment). • The housing need study that the Planning Department has embraced was produced by the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis, which has received more than $10 million from real estate/mortgage executive Dwight Schar (there is even an endowed chair named after him). Star’s company, NVR Inc., is the parent company of Ryan Homes. The parent and its child have massive interests in Loudoun, with at least 14 large housing developments (many near the Transition Area). The study’s methodology is deeply flawed. It contains major technical errors and the Planning Department has not validated the inputs, checked the forecast for reasonableness or examined its implications. It calls for total “buildout” of the Transition Area (which separates the suburban east from the rural west) as a preliminary move to complete development of Loudoun’s rural area. Citizens have forcefully expressed their opposition to this scenario. A scientific poll conducted recently by the University of Virginia shows that Loudoun’s citizens consider overdevelopment and traffic congestion their greatest concerns. That also was citizen’s overwhelming message during the Envision Loudoun public input sessions in 2016 and early this year. If you are one of thousands of citizens who gave your time to tell the Planning Department about Loudoun’s future, you will be dismayed to know how little regard was given to your input. Here’s what happened: The comments were sorted robotically according to keywords (often perversely), and the first 144 characters of each were put into a spreadsheet. The Comprehensive Plan Stakeholders Committee (which has an overwhelming majority of development industry representatives), spent a total of 75 minutes in a perfunctory review of the thousands of partial comments and providing the county’s planners with several-word “ideas” that “captured” them. That’s it. On May 3, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, which is closely aligned and funded by the development industry, is hosting an event promoting the GMU study’s call for tens of thousands more houses in the Transition Area. If you are concerned about overdevelopment and congestion in Loudoun, and do not want its quality of life and beauty destroyed, it is time to sit up and pay attention. — Martha Polkey, Lucketts

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

<< FROM 40

[ LETTERS ]

loudounnow.com

<< FROM 41 ed States, if anything, is a unifying force bringing people together of all backgrounds and cultures in an environment that promotes freedom and democracy in a unique fashion. We are all Americans. American patriotism should be fostered in our public schools rather than discouraged. If anything, we should celebrate and cherish these liberties that millions throughout the duration of American history have sacrificed literally everything for. This decision to turn down the American-themed spirit day is shameful and a total slap in the face to veterans across the United States. This decision instills poor morals and values to students. The United States of America has never backed off a challenge nor ceased to amaze me with all the accomplishments and achievements that no other country in the entire world has ever done throughout history, except us. I feel incredibly fortunate that I am a citizen of the greatest nation in the world with extraordinary freedoms and liberties—something none of us can take for granted. The administration is sending a harmful message that American patriotism is shameful. This is dangerous and unacceptable. — Daniel T. Eisert, Leesburg Editor’s Note: This letter was published on the newspaper’s website April 20 and attracted widespread attention—regionally and nationally. Loudoun County High School did hold a patriotic-theme spirit day on Monday.

Wexton << FROM 1 ning for Congress for a long time and the grassroots movements in response to the Trump administration in recent months solidified her decision. “I’ve spent my whole career standing up to bullying and giving a voice to those who wouldn’t otherwise have one. And at no time have both of those things been needed in Congress more than right now,” she said in an interview with Loudoun Now. Wexton attended the Women’s March on Washington the day after Donald J. Trump’s inauguration. She was also at Dulles Airport, which sits in the 33rd state senate district that she represents, in January to protest the president’s travel bans and welcome immigrants. “All these people are standing up and speaking out and resisting—and persisting. This is something I can do,” Wexton said. “I am able to actually take on Barbara Comstock. I feel compelled to do it because I can’t just sit back and let this happen.” Comstock’s second term has been marked with criticism for refusing to hold a public town hall meeting since Trump was sworn into office. The congresswoman has said she prefers smallgroup meetings and tele-town halls that can reach thousands of people at once.

A VIEW FROM THE GAP Good Things in Small, Old Packages BY ROGER VANCE Last week, the Loudoun County Public School Board released recommended names for four new schools slated for opening in the next few years. Chosen by committees of parents, students and teachers, the recommended names of three of the schools pay homage to the surrounding area’s historic roots. Goshen Post Elementary commemorates a colonial-era postal stop in the area of southeast Loudoun. The Dulles South Willard Middle School is intended to recognize the unincorporated village of Willard. This settlement was the home of former enslaved peoples and their descendants, which came to a shameful end in 1958 when all of Willard’s landowners had their property condemned for the development of Dulles Airport. Also in Dulles South, Lightridge High School’s name is derived from Light Ridge Farm, a longtime dairy farm that was emblematic of the key role dairy farming had in the rich agricultural history of Loudoun—east and west—well into the late 20th century. These modern new schools will, by virtue of their names, give deserved

I feel compelled to do it because I can’t just sit back and let this happen.” — Jennifer Wexton

“I’ve had four town halls since February. She’s had zero,” Wexton said. Comstock denounced Trump in October after the video of him boasting about grabbing women was made public; she said she did not vote for him. But Wexton criticized Comstock for her “lock-step” support of the president with her votes in the House of Representatives. Wexton has represented the 33rd District in Virginia’s Senate since 2014, when she won a special election after Mark R. Herring, who’d held the seat since 2006, was elected as Virginia’s attorney general. Wexton won re-election in 2015. Comstock’s challengers are lining up. Wexton is the third Democrat who’s announced plans to run for the 10th District seat in the Nov. 6, 2018, election. Former congressional staffer Lindsey Davis Stover and U.S. Army veteran Dan Helmer, both of Fairfax County, have launched their bids for the seat. The primary election is in June of next year.

recognition and raise awareness to their historic namesake places, a thoughtful and meaningful gesture as the Loudoun landscape is dramatically transformed by unprecedented growth and development. In light of that, it is a bit ironic that an almost annual ritual for the School Board is the discussion about the benefits of closing the remaining small schools in the county’s rural west that are educating children in still-existing historic towns and villages. The targets this spring were Lincoln Elementary and Hamilton Elementary, with student populations of approximately 100 and 160, respectively. Each of these schools is beloved by their communities, students, faculty and staff and attract students from beyond their enrollment boundaries because of their small size and—most important—by their consistent excellence in education. Fortunately, this year’s debate over the savings in closing the two schools—a purported $1.15 million in a district budget of $1.12 billion—was short-lived. However, history tells us renewed calls for closing the schools is likely, and consequently, the communities are again mobilizing.

It was precisely that cyclical anxiety during the past decade that led the residents of two of Loudoun’s smallest historic towns, along with school faculty and staff, to take the bold decision to assume community control and create the county’s first public charter schools (and among the less than 10 in the entire commonwealth) in place of their small elementary schools repeatedly targeted for closure. Years of grassroots organizing, planning and School Board negotiations resulted in the opening of the Middleburg Community Charter School in 2014 and Hillsboro Charter Academy in 2016. Welcoming students from across Loudoun County to their small, old buildings, these schools are today thriving incubators of innovative educational programs for elementary students. Each school has weathered challenges—anticipated and unanticipated—as they navigate in the unchartered waters of tuition-free public charter schools, which requires substantial grants and private fundraising to meet their educational missions. Each has engendered excitement in their students, parents

Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10), who frequently partners with Wexton on state legislation, predicts the state senator has the best chance of winning the Democratic nomination for the congressional race. “The fact that she is the only Loudoun person in the race gives her an advantage in the Democratic primary,” he said. Although the 10th District includes parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties, and all of Clarke and Frederick counties, most of its voters are Loudoun County residents. “It’s a Loudoun County district. I think we’ll see, not just in the Democratic primary but in the general election, that Loudoun County is the battleground for this race,” Minchew said. And he offered a bit of free political advice to every contestant vying for the 10th District: pay attention to more than their party base. “It’s a typical swing district. No one can win without the independents in Loudoun County.” Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg), who publically endorsed Wexton this week, says the state senator has a good chance of bringing the seat back to Democratic control for the first time in 37 years. She noted that, while Comstock won in November, most Loudoun voters backed her opponent Democrat Luann Bennett. “That’s the first time since 1978 that a Democrat [running for Congress] has won Loudoun County. So I think the county is shifting,” Umstattd said.

She praised Wexton for her work as a state senator, in the nonprofit sector prosecutor and as a prosecutor; she served as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney from 2001 to 2005. “She has a lot going for her. … And her political positions are very much in line with what the 10th District has become, so I expect her to do very well.” So far, Trump is the most disliked president in modern history, and a handful of special elections across the nation this month shows that his popularity—or unpopularity—numbers may be hurting Republicans in Congress. But Will Estrada, chairman of the Loudoun County Republican Committee, says that any talk of Comstock’s demise and the 10th District going Democrat in 2018 is at least slightly exaggerated. He pointed out that the majority of voters in the district cast a split ticket last fall—backing Democrat Hillary Clinton and Comstock. Comstock won the district by 6 percentage points “even though it was the worst political atmosphere ever,” Estrada said. He expects it will be a run off between Wexton and Comstock, he added. “I think Barbara is pretty much the only Republican who can hold this seat. She’s well known, she’s liked, she’s bipartisan. … We want her to return to Washington and continue to serve the 10th District.”

GOOD THINGS >> 43

dnadler@loudounnow.com

<< FROM 42

Spectacular

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from, and walking across that room would have been like climbing Mount Everest, as far as the energy and stress it was gonna take me to do that.” Staneart said his wife and friends encouraged him to get the help he needed. “As a man, you don’t want to admit it—we don’t want to admit our weaknesses. Or as adults, we don’t want to admit our weaknesses,” he told the thousands of students and community members gathered in the Woodgrove gym. “Please talk to somebody. Don’t let it fester. Don’t think you’re alone, don’t think you’re weak. Know all you’ve got to do is mention it, say it, and somebody will be there to help you.” Woodgrove students partnered with the Ryan Bartel Foundation—named after Woodgrove student Ryan Bartel who took his own life in 2014—to form We’re All Human in November 2015. The club started just as Loudoun began to see an increase in suicides among young people and is now a large presence at Woodgrove. “It’s like we’ve created a small family,” junior Lindsey Haun said of the club. Two Loudoun County Public Schools students have taken their own lives this school year. Last school year, four died of suicides. Countywide, the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office and Leesburg Police Department have reported a total of 13 suicides in 2017, including two teens, one an 18-yearold and one a 16-year-old. Suzie Bartel founded the Ryan Bartel Foundation after she lost her son to suicide in October 2014, three months shy of his 18th birthday. She’s worked with students to establish We’re All Human groups in six high schools in Loudoun and is currently trying to establish the programs in middle schools. “We’re losing freshmen, and that’s not all of a sudden,” she said. “We need to address this much earlier on.” The students involved in We’re All

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loudounnow.com

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São Paulo and Warsaw (2014). Allred credits Kavaldjian and business partner Rick Leith with setting up collaborations between Delirium and Loudoun area brewers, forging relationships that Kavaldjian says will be long-lasting. “We’re emphasizing that we’re willing to invest in the local beer community as well as the international beer community,” Allred said. “We want it to be mutually beneficial.” Delirium is set to open its doors to the public in time for lunch Monday, May 8. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with dinner service beginning at 4 p.m.; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. In addition to lunch and dinner offerings, Saturday and Sunday mornings will also offer a brunch menu.

Allred and his team are well aware of the buzz surrounding Delirium’s opening, and he said he is excited to be a part of the many great things already happening downtown. For the Leesburg native, the early goal is to sustain the initial momentum and excitement to ensure Delirium has staying power. And doing that means catering to the local public is the top priority. “I think we are way ahead of the curve as far as the experience we’re going to create here,” he said. “The person who flies in here once a year ... we’ll capture that. But ultimately you have to stay rooted in our community. You’ve got to remember where you came from. I think if you stick with that the rest of it falls into place.” For more information on Delirium, go to deliriumcafeusa.com or go to the Delirium Cafe USA Facebook page.

L2501DT

<< FROM 3

Caroline Boras is an intern with Loudoun Now. She’s studying journalism and Russian studies at Washington & Lee University.

Roger Vance is the mayor of Hillsboro and also serves on the Hillsboro Charter Academy Board of Directors.

<< FROM 1

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

and faculty, and been embraced by their communities, building strong foundations for ongoing success as they pursue out-of-the-box alternatives to traditional educational approaches. Both schools have made a culture of collaboration and connectivity of the entire school community central to their core mission. And, while fully comporting with Virginia standards of learning and meeting all the state Department of Education requirements, Middleburg and Hillsboro offer innovative curriculums designed to stimulate student curiosity and critical thinking and embed a love for learning that becomes a lifetime trait. Hillsboro Charter Academy has fully embraced a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) curriculum that utilizes a Project-Based Learning approach for its approximately 125 students. In its first year, the school has won accolades for its successful STEAM implementation and enriching environment. It has become a much sought-after school for children from across the county. In its enrollment lottery for the 2017-18 school year, all available seats were filled, with a wait-list of nearly 60 children. Guiding Middleburg’s path is The Leonardo DaVinci Project, which models learning on the thinking habits of the 15th-century Renaissance genius Leonardo DaVinci. With approximately 110 pupils, many from outside Middleburg, the school has also begun to introduce

All human

Human at Woodgrove visit other schools to share their stories of recovery and to encourage others to speak up when they are struggling. “Teens listen to each other first before they listen to any adults,” Bartel said, which is why an assembly like this is so important for the students. “All these other kids came out of the woodwork [after last year’s assembly] who had never spoken up before about what they were struggling with, and they do it because they can see the courage from their friends, and they realize that it’s okay if I raise my hand and say ‘I need help.’” County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), who’s worked as a mental health therapist, also spoke at last week’s assembly, emphasizing the importance of talking to people about mental health. “You don’t have to hurt alone,” she said. “And you don’t have to watch someone hurt alone.” We’re All Human’s members hold drives to change campus culture throughout the year. “I don’t see many cliques anymore,” Brantingham said. “I don’t see anyone sitting alone at lunch.” Haun agreed and said, “it’s more friendly. We’ve come together and made new friends and everyone is a lot nicer and more open.” “We need this in every school,” Bartel said about We’re All Human. “We’re just touching the surface right now. But I can sense and see change. You can feel it. But we need every school to jump on board and do the same thing. If we can do that—if every high school and middle school can do the same— then we can actually turn Loudoun County around. We’ve had too many suicides.” Bartel has put a call out for donors who can give as little as $15 to help deliver the program to every Loudoun high schooler. Learn more and donate at ryanbartelfoundation.org.

Apr. 27 – May 3, 2017

Good things

LEGO robotics and STEAM programs to its curriculum. It has adopted a problem-based, cross-disciplinary teaching and learning approach. The explosive growth of Loudoun and its public school system has seen the construction of many new, large schools in the past decade on an unprecedented level. The system now comprises nearly 90 schools to accommodate some 80,000 students, and continues to grow by some 2,000 students annually. While honoring the history of longgone communities by naming some of these new—and unquestionably needed—schools after them, the School Board would bestow an even greater honor by respecting the legacy of the remaining small community schools and recognizing the value of the diversity they bring to their large and sometimes imposing system. The unique quality of these small venerable treasures, which serve as centers of their small communities as well as centers for excellence in innovative education, should be cherished and proudly displayed as an example of an enlightened community and School Board. Especially as Loudoun gives rise to shiny new cutting-edge communities and cities, it is important to keep in mind that good things often come in small, and old, packages.

PR IC ER ED UC ED

C OP OMM PO ER RT CI UN AL IT Y

14868 CIDER MILL RD, PURCELLVILLE

21073 ST LOUIS RD, PURCELLVILLE

Ideal hunt box or weekend oasis just minutes from the Village of Middleburg. Come enjoy spacious sunsets, quiet mornings by a private stocked pond or just chase the sun around on your favorite outdoor patio or deck. This retreat style home offers open living while easily accommodating guests for entertaining. Bring your horses, fishing rod and friends. There is even a guest suite above the garage! $782,500 Scott Buzzelli • (540) 454-1399 Peter Pejacsevich • (540) 270-3835

34641 WILLIAMS GAP RD, ROUND HILL

Charming 3 acre farmette! 3 bedroom, 2 bath rambler with updated kitchen with granite & stainless steel, lovely wood floors, sunroom, full finished basement with fireplace as master suite! Also, 3 stall barn, 6 run kennel, paddocks, ring, run-in shed, fenced yard with automatic gate at entry, great location and lovely views! $475,000 Joy Thompson (540) 729-3428

19061 LANCER CIR, PURCELLVILLE

NEW CONSTRUCTION. IMMEDIATE DELIVERY. Gorgeous Van Metre home with 4,000+ sqft on upper two levels. The heart of this home is the beautiful gourmet designer kitchen open to a cozy breakfast nook and family room w/ fireplace. Enjoy INCREDIBLE MOUNTAIN VIEWS from the southern-style wrap around porch. 4 BRs each w/ their own en-suite bath. $850,000 Suzanne Ager • (540) 454-0107 Scott Buzzelli • (540) 454-1399

43198 WITHAM SQ, ASHBURN

End unit with full brick and stone. Over 2900 sq. ft. on 4 levels of living space. Large center kitchen island with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood floors. deck included. Clubhouse with Fitness Center, Pool, Walking Trials, Community Parks, close proximity to Future Silverline Metro Stop. $579,995 Alanna Nichols • (571) 258-7962 Scott Buzzelli • (540) 454-1399

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JU ST LIS TE D 13032 TAYLORSTOWN RD, LOVETTSVILLE

Storybook Setting! 5 parcels totaling 18.7 acres all beautifully landscaped on Catoctin Creek. Main house built in 1754 has so much character, with large wood fireplaces in each of the main rooms including the kitchen. Hardwood & Brick floors throughout. Detached studio office overlooking the creek. Plus 936 sq ft guest house built in 1860 on 6.75 acre parcel. $795,000 Peter Pejacsevich • (540) 270-3835 Scott Buzzelli • (540) 454-1399

40124 NEW RD, ALDIE

ALDIE GOLD. Ideally located, perfectly remodeled! 30+ ac. Sparkling, light filled, great open floor plan, gorgeous wood floors throughout. Gourmet kitchen, granite counters, open to family breakfast room with fireplace. 5 BR, 3 FB, 1 HB, Main level BR, beautiful land gently slopes from well-sited home to country lane. Plenty of room for horses. Close for commuting & shopping with a rural feel. $1,195,000 Carole Taylor • (703) 577-4680 George Roll • (703) 606-6358

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19340 SUMMIT ASH CT, LEESBURG

Beautiful modern stone house in town on 5+ acres with private yard and wooded lot. Located on a culdesac in a small custom neighborhood.Fabulous eat in kitchen, all Viking appliances, 6 bed/ 6.5 baths. 3 fireplaces, 3 sunrooms, Walk out basement, 3 car garage. Play set and hot tub convey as is. $1,199,000 Dawn Poe (571) 291-5747

20141 COLCHESTER RD, PURCELLVILLE

Antique brick and stone set the stage for this country property on 6.5 beautiful acres with mountain views. 7 fireplaces and solid cherry floors are part of the reason this home is so special. Main house features 5 bedrooms with 3 1/2 baths, large great room with views , separate dining, lovely sunroom. Carriage house wing has two bedrooms/large living area/kitchen area. $1,249,000 Scott Buzzelli • (540) 454-1399 Peter Pejacsevich • (540) 270-3835

OP EN SU HO ND US AY E

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Gorgeous Victorian with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge and foothills! 30+ incredible acres perfect for equine, vineyard, animals, etc! Custom home boasts superb architecture, 4 BR, 3.5 BA, gourmet kitchen, views from every window, 2 beautiful stone fireplaces, spacious dining room, lovely master BR & BA, beautiful flag stone porch, historic stone fence, creek, and more! $1,250,000 Joy Thompson (540) 729-3428

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7 WASHINGTON ST E, MIDDLEBURG

Prime-central Middleburg retail location offers wide variety of uses including restaurants and shops. Large display windows on Main St. Private parking spaces. $1,250,000 Peter Pejacsevich (540) 270-3835 Scott BuzzellI (540) 454-1399

JU ST LIS TE D

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355 MILLDALE HOLLOW RD SE, FRONT ROYAL

Great location at Clarke/Warren border. Surrounded by large parcel in easement, 6+ acres, stream and waterfall. Custom-built 2/3 BR, stone fireplace, country kitchen, high ceilings, wood floors, 2400 square ft., garage & dog kennels w/access to interior “dog room”. Finished basement 15 x 30. New energy efficient HVAC Private & quiet, easy to Route 50, 66 & 81 minutes away. Dulles 1 hour. $435,000 Anne McIntosh • (703) 509-4499 Maria Eldredge • (540) 454-3829

MILLVILLE RD, MIDDLEBURG

Gorgeous 10+ acres with incredible building site, great location, private, views, wildlife, great ride-out, 4 bedroom perc, a wonderful lot. $299,000 Joy Thompson (540) 729-3428