Loudoun Now for May 18, 2017 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow Now LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 2, No. 28 ]

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IDENTITY CRISIS: Hillsboro wants its ZIP back

May 18 – 24, 2017 ]

Easy on the Senses

Inova Rolls Out Specialized Approach for Autistic Patients BY NORMAN K. STYER

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Mindy and Rod Schulz, whose infant son was killed by a driver in August, looks on as Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R-32) speaks to his bill aimed at combating distracted driving.

Lansdowne Tragedy Prompts Student Action BY JOHN PATTERSON

fter a string of pedestrian deaths in Loudoun County, students and state lawmakers are getting creative to curb distracted driving before more lives are lost. Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) came to Riverside High School on Tuesday to sign Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R-32)’s bill into law. HB 1763 allows special license plates with anti-distracted driving messages to be issued at all Virginia DMVs. Loudoun’s 15 public high schools are among those participating in a statewide competition to design the plate. The student who creates the winning design will receive a monetary prize and see their artwork on license plates across the commonwealth. Greason, who lives in Ashburn, specifically chose Riverside High School for the bill signing ceremony because of a tragedy that happened just a few

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Gov. Terry McAuliffe, flanked by state legislators, school administrators, DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb, and Student Council Association President Chad Musa, signs HB 1763 at Riverside High School in Leesburg on Tuesday morning.

blocks away. On Aug. 31, Tristan Schulz, a 5-month-old baby being pushed in a stroller through a crosswalk by his mother, was struck by a car and died. Part of that investigation has focused on whether the driver was using his phone at the time. Both of Tristan’s parents, Mindy

! LE W SA NO N O

and Rod Schulz, attended Tuesday’s bill signing. “Some of the Riverside High School kids were on the scene, and tried to actually help Tristan,” Greason said. “Some of the kids who witnessed it were really impacted significantly.” Riverside students were also instrumental in drafting the bill. Senior Chad Musa, the school’s Student Council Association president, said Greason first pitched the idea at the School Board’s annual legislative breakfast in December. “Mr. Greason had brought up the idea of figuring out a way to help distracted driving, kind of curb it starting while kids are young,” Musa said. “One thing we thought would be very effective was printing a license plate because … it’s something more noticeable on the road to drivers.” Greason’s legislation sped through the General Assembly. It was pre-filed Jan. 9 and, in less than a month, passed both

The benefits of a year of research and training on the special needs of pediatric patients with sensory processing disorder were unveiled at Inova Loudoun Hospital on Friday. Visits to the emergency room can be scary for any child, but can be particularly unsettling for kids with SPD. It’s a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses and is common in children diagnosed with autism. Sounds, smells and chaotic motions can be painful or overwhelming. Dr. Jill McCabe and her staff at the Children’s Emergency Room at the Lansdowne hospital have a new understanding of these patients’ needs and a new approach to treating kids whose cognitive disabilities make it harder for them to understand their environment and be more easily frightened in strange surroundings. “We want to work and partner with the families in the communities and make sure those tough times are great—as great as they can possibility be,” McCabe said during a briefing with reporters to explain the new program. “They are some of our most challenging patients to treat,” McCabe said. “We have felt kind of helpless to not have the best tools to take care of them.” The credit for the initiative goes largely to Allyson Halverson, the Children’s Emergency Room’s certified child life specialist who identified the need and found strong support from the hospital staff to find a better way to accommodate patients with special needs. Halverson built a partnership with George Washington University and Dr. Kevin Pelphrey, the internationally renowned neuroscientist who is leading the establishment of the $5 million Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute at GW’s Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn. She also reached out to the Arc of Loudoun and its Aurora School for special needs students at the Paxton Campus in Leesburg.

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3 May 18 – 24, 2017

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School Board Considers Reducing Bus Routes BY CAROLINE BORAS tudents’ bus rides may get shorter under a series of recommendations now before the Loudoun County School Board. The school system could save millions of dollars, too. The suggestions were presented to the School Board by the Student Support and Services Committee last week and will go before the board for a vote Tuesday, May 23. “This is something that is multiple years in the works,” School Board member Eric Hornberger (Ashburn) said. “We’ve been looking for something that will increase both efficiency and effectiveness.” The committee worked with the Department of Transportation Services and consulting firm Edulog Logistics

Inc. to create three scenarios to address the concerns with the current bus route system. All involve consolidating bus stops, maximizing bus space and adjusting start and dismissal times for the schools that would be affected. The recommended course of action was called the low-impact scenario, which would affect 19 schools—four middle schools and 15 high schools. By consolidating bus stops, the schools’ 394 bus routes could be reduced by as many as 45. These schools would start their days 15 minutes later. The plan could save between $1.5 and $2.9 million annually. The committee created two other scenarios—medium and high impact—but it did not recommend either plan. Both would impact 57 elementary, 15 middle and 15 high schools—almost every school in the county. The committee members said they

did not include elementary students in their recommended low-impact plan because they did not want the young students being picked up at 6:10 a.m., the proposed pickup time for both the medium- and high-impact plans. The committee used software to develop the list of potential consolidated bus stops. One example presented to the board was along Bankfield Drive, on the way to Woodgrove High School. The proposed route would consolidate three stops along that stretch to just one. Other proposed route changes targeted the removal of three-point turn arounds to save time. The committee said the list of bus stops generated by the software is not set in stone. It provided ideas as to what the new routes could look like, but the committee will apply its knowledge of BUS ROUTES >> 46

Falcons Landing’s Expansion Plans Approved BY RENSS GREENE

INDEX

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Residents of Falcons Landing in Cascades applaud after county supervisors approve the organization’s application to build new apartments and a memory care facility.

Loudoun Gov..................... 4 Leesburg........................... 8 Politics........................... 11 Public Safety................... 12 Education........................ 14 Biz.................................. 20 Nonprofit News................ 30 Outdoor Living................. 31 Our Towns....................... 34 LoCo Living..................... 36 Obituaries....................... 39 Classifieds...................... 41 Opinion........................... 44

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FALCON LANDING >> 46

A one-of-a-kind retirement community in Cascades has won permission to knock over some of its existing cottages to make room for more modern apartments and a dementia care facility after settling some residents’ worries they would be forced out of their homes. Falcons Landing is a nonprofit retirement community open only to military veterans and senior federal civilian employees. The residents sign lifetime contracts, guaranteeing care and a place to live—along with health care, a meal plan, housekeeping, maintenance, and special activities, among other benefits—as retirees graduate from independent to assisted living. The Air Force Retired Officers Community board, which runs Falcons Landing, says it needs to upgrade to stay competitive, with new apartments that meet the demands of retiring baby boomers and a memory care facility for

Hillsboro Charter Academy kindergartners wait to board a school bus.

Dominion student charged for Facebook threat

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Loudoun Now/File Photo

Leaders see double on bridge debate

[ LOUDOUN GOV ]

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The Rt. 15 bridge at Point of Rocks, looking south across the Potomac at Furnace Mountain in Loudoun County.

A New River Bridge? How About Two? BY RENSS GREENE

oudoun leaders are again looking for a way to get another bridge across the Potomac River, but it turns out the group holding the purse strings on regional transportation funding may already be one step ahead. In 2013, the General Assembly passed a bill that established a steady stream of transportation funding for Northern Virginia. The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority controls 70 percent of that money. In fiscal year 2017, the authority allocated $466 million of funding for transportation projects, including $20 million for the interchange at Rt. 7 and Battlefield Parkway in Leesburg. To fund a project, the authority must first list it in TransAction, its long-

range plan for the region. The authority is working on an update to TransAction. Supervisor Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) said he was chairing an NVTA committee meeting on TransAction last week. “I asked this question at the committee meeting, if there’s going to be a river crossing in TransAction,” Buona said. “And the answer kind of floored me. The answer was two.” But supervisors have also hastened to point out that TransAction is a wish list that doesn’t take into account funding limitations—or political realities. Maryland and Montgomery County have long opposed the idea of a new river crossing, and no bridge is possible without Maryland’s cooperation. Nonetheless, an ad-hoc committee of Loudoun’s Economic Development Advisory Commission is taking another run at getting a new bridge, prepar-

ing a position paper to be ready in July. That report will likely include a survey of the many studies on the possibility and benefits of a new bridge that have already been done. Lately, those efforts have focused on getting Maryland’s business leaders on board to pressure Maryland government. Economic Development Advisory Commission Chairwoman Sharon Virts said the bridge committee was looking into three major areas: the possible impact on traffic, the national security implications, and “economic development on both sides of the river, and engaging the business community on the other side in terms of how this second crossing would impact them as positively as it impacts Loudoun and Fairfax.” The draft update of TransAction will be publicly released June 8, and is scheduled to be adopted in the fall.

Supervisors Wonder: Time for a Raise? BY RENSS GREENE Supervisors on the county finance committee have started asking: is it time to give themselves and planning commissioners a raise? Since 2008, county supervisors have been paid $41,200 a year for their ser-

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Finance committee chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) confers with county Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large).

Those projects will then flow into the authority’s new six-year improvement plan, which will consider funding constraints. Loudoun is represented on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority by Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10), state Sen. Richard H. Black (R-13), Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk, and County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), who serves as vice chairwoman of the authority. The NVTA’s Planning Coordination Advisory Committee, which provides recommendations on the TransAction update, is chaired by Buona and counts among its members Leesburg Town Council member Ken Reid and Purcellville Town Council member Karen Jimmerson. rgreene@loudounnow.com

vice on the board. The vice chairman is paid $45,320, and the chairman is paid $50,000. The previous Board of Supervisors considered boosting the stipends just a few years ago, but ultimately declined to make a change. The issue re-emerged this spring when County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s proposed fiscal year 2018 budget included $4,634 to give raises to the chairman and vice chairman of the Planning Commission—added to the budget at the request of the commission. But TIME FOR A RAISE? >> 7

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Two Transportation Summits Scheduled The Board of Supervisors will hold a Transit Summit next Monday and a Transportation Summit on Thursday, June 29. Both meetings will take place at 5 p.m. at Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., S.E. in Leesburg. At the Transit Summit, staff members from the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure will provide the board with an overview of the county’s current transit and commuter services and plans for those services after the Silver Line begins operation in Loudoun County. The Transit Summit is designed for supervisors to instruct the county staff

on priorities for planning future transit and commuter services, including the commuter, Metro Connection, local, and paratransit bus services. The Transit Development Plan, adopted by the board last year, will also be discussed. At the Transportation Summit, supervisors will discuss the progress the county is making toward one of the board’s strategic goals: to develop a safe, affordable and effective transportation network that serves the community. The board will hear updates on current road projects, the construction of Phase 2 of the Metrorail Silver Line in Loudoun, and proposed updates to the Countywide Transportation Plan being considered as part of the Envision Loudoun initiative to revise the Comprehensive Plan.

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Loudoun County Animal Services will hold its second annual “Homeward Bound” free pet adoption event from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, May 20. Adoption fees will be waived on all adoptable cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, small pets and reptiles. While supplies last, adopters will receive a goody bag for their new pet including toys, treats and gifts. Animal Services has transported dogs from overcrowded shelters in West Virginia in the hope of finding homes for as many pets as possible. In lieu of adoption, those wishing to help homeless pets can bring donated items or make a financial contribution

to the Animal Program Trust Fund. Needed supplies include kitten milk replacer, extra-large chew toys, puzzle feeders, small bags of dry dog or cat food of 10 pounds or less, canned dog and cat food, soft treats for dogs and cats, cat toys, dog toys, collars and leashes. All dogs and cats adopted from Loudoun County Animal Services are spayed or neutered, have age appropriate vaccinations, and leave with a registered microchip. The standard adoption screening process will apply during the Homeward Bound event and most adoptions can be completed on the same day. The adoption event will be at the Animal Shelter at 39820 Charles Town Pike near Waterford.

May 18 – 24, 2017

Animal Shelter Hosts Adoption Event Saturday

Supervisors Could Revamp Nonprofit Grant Policies Again

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BY RENSS GREENE Supervisors are revisiting how they divvy up nonprofit grant funding yet again this year—this time with what could be a major change. The county has grappled with how to create a fair, impartial, nonpolitical way to divide the million-plus dollars it sends to Loudoun nonprofits every year. Before last year’s grants, nonprofits were divided into five areas of need and ranked within those areas using a numerical scoring system. Funding was based on prior year funding: a nonprofit that scored in the top third of applicants received a five percent increase, while those in the bottom third received a five percent decrease. Firsttime applicants were capped at $5,000, only receiving funding if they ranked in the top third of applicants. County supervisors, worried that tying funding to previous years meant the system inherited any biases from before the scoring system, proposed a zero-year: every nonprofit would start from scratch this year, then fall into those three tiers. But even that idea could now be tossed as supervisors mull over new wrinkles brought up as staff tried to implement that system, such as a relatively small difference in score potentially resulting in a big difference in funding between nonprofits that fall into different scoring tiers. The new idea, proposed to the county’s finance committee last week by

Loudoun Now/File photo

Volunteers sort donations at the Loudoun Hunger Relief collection site in Leesburg.

Supervisor Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn): set a minimum score to get funding, then allocate funding to each nonprofit according to what percentage of the total scoring in that category their score represents, multiplied by

the funding available in that category. No nonprofit would be permitted to get more than their request. That idea received unanimous support in the finance committee. County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-

At Large) said she had been having a similar discussion with the Loudoun Human Services Network earlier in the day. “To some degree, what came out of our conversation is what Mr. Buona is saying right now,” Randall said. “I like this motion.” “I think what Mr. Buona’s motion does is create a fairer system that is essentially indexed,” agreed finance committee chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “The intent here was to be fair and simple,” Buona said. The proposal caught some nonprofit heads at the meeting off-guard, who will now try to work out what it means both for organizations that have relied on long-standing, relatively level funding from the county, and for new organizations. Many of those organizations leverage county funding for matching funds from other organizations, meaning changes to funding from the county can have a multiplied effect on nonprofit budgets. Additionally, nonprofit grants are announced in June, only days before many organizations’ new fiscal year in July. The idea will now go to the full Board of Supervisors. Last year, the county’s $1,058,915 in nonprofit grants amounted to 0.2 percent of the county’s $475 million general operating fund. rgreene@loudounnow.com

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It will be a little bit more difficult discussion next time. But you know what, sometimes you need to have those difficult discussions.”

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

supervisors cut that line item. At the time, they said that, although raises are merited, any changes should be part of a comprehensive discussion. Last week, that discussion began with a comparison of Loudoun to other large counties as well as a look back on how much the county has grown since supervisors’ stipends were last raised in 2008. Then it had a population of close to 300,000, as opposed to a predicted 410,000 in 2020. The general operating budget has also increased from $340 million to $504

$21,315, with the vice chairman earning $21,315 and the chairman pulling in $22,334. Any discussion about raises for supervisors and their advisory boards is bound to be fraught. “That was easy for now,” said finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “It will be a little bit more difficult discussion next time. But you know what, sometimes you need to have those difficult discussions.” Any change in pay would not take effect until 2020, after the next election.

May 18 – 24, 2017

million in that time. For comparison, Prince William pays supervisors $43,422; Henrico pays $53,262; and Fairfax County pays its supervisors $95,000, with the chairman bringing in $100,000. In a very brief discussion, supervisors asked for more information, including a request from Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) about the differences between full-time and part-time salaries for supervisors. County Chief of Staff Caleb Weitz said he would look into it, including researching the distinction, if any. Also up for consideration is the compensation for the Planning Commission. Commissioners make

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The intersection of the Leesburg Bypass and Fort Evans Road will look vastly different if designs endorsed by the Town Council last week move to construction.

Leesburg Bypass Interchange: A ‘Platinum’ Project? KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

he first steps have been taken toward what is likely to be the most expensive interchange ever built in the Town of Leesburg. The Town Council last week picked its preferred choice of design for the future intersection of Fort Evans Road and the Leesburg Bypass, a project that also includes changes at the Edwards Ferry Road intersection. The chosen option, Alternative C, is the one most preferred by the public and by engineers at VDOT. It also happens to be the most expensive, causing concern among council members about the feasibility of finding funding

to get construction going. The two bypass intersections are some of the most highly trafficked for pedestrians in the area. Many residents cross Rt. 15—in areas without pedestrian crosswalks—to access nearby shopping centers for work or personal needs. And despite the town’s investment in the free-to-use Safe-T-Ride transit bus service that carries residents across the highway, it is not uncommon to see pedestrians climbing over concrete barriers and running across four lanes of traffic. It’s a problem that both council members and the public would like to see fixed. During a recent public input meeting, pedestrian and bicycle access were cited as the most important fea-

tures of the interchange plans. The chosen alternative accomplishes that, VDOT engineers said. Alternative C elevates the bypass over both Edwards Ferry Road and Fort Evans Road and allows pedestrian movements to pass under the bypass without the need for ramps or bridges. But the projected cost of the chosen alternative, at $101 million, leaves it up in the air as to when dirt can actually begin moving. Councilman Ken Reid had urged the council to change some of the language in its resolution that could allow pedestrian features, such as a pedestrian bridge, to be built ahead of the full interchange. BYPASS >> 10

Council, Visit Loudoun Reset Expectations BY KARA RODRIQUEZ The Leesburg Town Council and the county’s tourism agency have inked a new deal to help keep tabs on the effectiveness of the long-running partnership. Council members voted 6 - 1 May 9 to approve a formal Memorandum of Understanding that spells out performance measures and expectations for the tourism body. During this spring’s budget deliberations, the council cut the town’s annual allocation to Visit Loudoun from $90,000 to $60,000. At the time, council members raised concerns about the absence of performance measures and metrics that could accurately gauge how the funding from the town was being used. It was the first time since fiscal year

2012 that Visit Loudoun saw a decrease in its funding from the town. That year, approved funding went from $90,000 to $80,000. The amount from the town was later boosted to support of the construction of Visit Loudoun’s visitor center at Market Station. The new agreement requires Visit Loudoun to specifically show how it is attracting tourism dollars to the town—booking rooms in Leesburg hotel, helping promote town-based events, and functioning as a referral agency to the town’s Economic Development Department and planning staff regarding economic development efforts and tourism products. The agreement is to be reviewed on an annual basis. Debate on the issue during last week’s council meeting focused on

whether the agreement should include tourism-related media training for Mayor Kelly Burk. Council members Ken Reid and Tom Dunn argued for the exclusion of that element, saying the training should be offered to rest of the council or members of the Board of Supervisors. The funding for Burk’s media training is not included in the town’s annual funding contribution. “My problem here is you’re offering it to only one official in the whole county,” Reid said. The media training was ultimately kept in the agreement. Only Reid voted against the final document, saying it did not lay out specific targets for Visit Loudoun to achieve on an annual basis. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Mayor Kelly Burk will officially dedicate the new Eric Brown Skate Plaza at Catoctin Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 27. The new skate plaza is named in honor of skating enthusiast and park supporter Eric Brown who, as a teenager, was instrumental in the creation of the original Catoctin SkatePark in 1998. Brown, now an adult working in Hawaii, is expected to be in attendance. Immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the skate plaza will be opened for public use. The ceremony will mark the end of a six-month-long construction project, that, in the end, looks to total around $880,000. The parking lot construction, which was bid as a separate project, continues, with the hopes of substantial completion prior to the May 27 dedication ceremony. Lighting will be installed later.

Arts in the Park Saturday The public has an opportunity Saturday to meet the artists behind the sculpture garden at Raflo Park. Immediately following the dedication of the new LOVEworks sculpture on Harrison Street at 9 a.m. May 20, Arts in the Park will take over Raflo Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of Leesburg Public Arts, this event will provide visitors with the opportunity to meet and talk with the creators of the five works of art on the ArtsPARKs sculpture trail. The sculptures will be on display through June 2018 and are available for purchase. In July 2018, five new sculptures will be installed for a two-year display. In addition, visitors can browse over a dozen booths of local artists showcasing a variety of art works. Mudlark, a rock and blues band, will provide live music from 10-11 a.m. There will be food for purchase from Pittsburgh Rick’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, go to leesburgpublicarts.org.

Leesburg to Lobby for Airport Tower The Town Council last week moved Leesburg Executive Airport one step closer to landing a permanent remote tower operation. Council members voted 6-1 on May 9 to approve a resolution that clears the way for the hiring of a lobbyist to fight for funding to establish a remote tower at the airport. The resolution also authorizes a letter to be sent to the Board of Supervisors and state BRIEFS >> 9

[ BRIEFS ]

Candidate Filing Deadline Later Than Thought Those considering a run for November’s special election for a Town Council seat now have more time to mull their next move. Public Information Officer Betsy Arnett said the filing deadline to run for the seat is 7 p.m. Aug. 18. It had BRIEFS >> 10

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Virginia Sen. Jennifer T. Wexton (D-33), Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk and owner Curtis Allred pose for a photo at the grand opening of the new Delirium Café USA in downtown Leesburg. Delirium opened its doors to the public and started pouring Monday, May 15.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Department of Aviation asking them to share in the cost. The town is hoping to use new technology that creates a remote, virtual control tower, and is more cost efficient than a manned tower. The Leesburg airport already is set up to test the system, thanks to a pilot program agreed to between the town, VSATS and Saab in 2014. The remote tower system has not yet been approved for use in the United States. Councilman Tom Dunn was the lone dissenting vote. “To hire a lobbyist is a spinning of the roulette wheel. We don’t know what number we’re going to end up on, if any number,” he

said. He also criticized the funding source for the lobbyist—police department vacancy savings—and said it was another example of using “money from long term goals for short term desires.”

May 18 – 24, 2017

<< FROM 8

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Taps On: Black Hoof Opens in Iconic Space

[ BRIEFS ]

KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

<< FROM 9

For Black Hoof Brewing Company owners Bill and Nikki Haase, the past year has been a treasure hunt of sorts, navigating the renovation of the former Caulkins Jewelers space into their new German brewpub. The summer 2015 fire that prompted Caulkins Jewelers to move out of the space provided the Haases with a blank slate with which to work. With the walls down to their studs, they were able to see wallpaper all the way from the 1800s and even had an oral history lesson on the building’s past from Stanley Caulkins, who worked in the space for more than 50 years. Before he moved in, the building was the town’s A&P grocery store. While the construction process lasted longer than anticipated, the bare walls provided an opportunity to run electrical wiring where it was desired and put in high-speed internet connections. As a courtesy to guests, electrical outlets can be found alongside just about every seat in the brewery, allowing patrons to plug in to catch up on work or charge their cell phones. While modernizing the space was the goal, the Haases strove to make sure the space still felt warm and inviting, like a traditional European brewpub. Two German stammtisch tables invite the brewery’s “regulars” to congregate. Ample booth and bar seating is also available throughout the space. Black Hoof opened quietly last week

previously been thought to be 7 p.m. June 13, which is the filing deadline for all other races on the Nov. 7 ballot. Arnett referred to the recent candidate bulletin issued by the Virginia Department of Elections pointing to a state code provision that sets the filing deadline for a special election held at the same time as a November general election as 81 days prior to the election, indicating the Aug. 18 deadline, she said. The seat up for grabs in November was held by Kelly Burk until she was elected mayor last year. Hugh Forsythe was appointed to the seat until an election is held. The winner in November will serve until Dec. 31, 2018. Forsythe has not yet announced whether he intends to run for the seat. So far only Josh Thiel, a member of the town’s Economic Development Commission, has announced his candidacy. For those thinking of entering the race, eligible candidates must be qualified to vote in the office sought; must have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia for one year immediately preceding the election; and must be a resident of the Town of Leesburg at the time of filing. Candidates must submit a certificate of candidate qualification, a declaration of candidacy and a petition of qualified voters with at least 125 signatures. More information can be found at elections. virginia.gov/candidatepac-info.

Kara Rodriquez/Loudoun Now

After a year of work, Black Hoof Brewing Company owners Bill and Nikki Haase and assistant head brewer Brandon Flanigin, left, are ready to welcome patrons to their new German brewpub on Leesburg’s King Street.

with seven beers on tap, all Black Hoof brews by head brewer Bill Haase with the help of assistant head brewer Brandon Flanigin. Currently on tap are: Helles, Maibock, Marzen, Hefeweizen, Blond Ale, English Porter and Indian Pale Ale. Bavarian pretzels with dipping sauce are available for purchase, and outside food is also allowed.

Black Hoof opened its doors last weekend for a soft opening, and the Haases expect the hours to change following its June 5 grand opening. For more information, go to blackhoofbrewing.com.

Bypass << FROM 8 “I think it behooves us to keep our options open,” Reid said. Not doing so, he said, means the council is “supporting a platinum option that costs over $100 million.” Reid also said the interchange could end up being the most expensive ever built in the county. He’s not far off. Renee LaFollette, director of the town’s Public Works and Capital Projects Department, said the project as currently proposed will be the most expensive ever built in the Town of Leesburg, owing greatly to the fact that it involves two intersections. She also noted that a little more than 3 percent in escalation costs can be assumed for each year that the project is fighting for funding until it reaches the mid-point of construction, meaning the price tag will likely only increase. As to whether the interchange is the most expensive project to be built in the entire county, VDOT Engineer Jim Zeller said he thinks it may certainly be close. He pointed to the under-construction Rt. 7/Belmont Ridge Road interchange as a good cost comparison. That project also involves widening a portion of Belmont Ridge Road. Another that may come close in today’s dollars would the interchange built on Rt. 28 to the Dulles Greenway and Dulles Airport Access Road, he said. That was built in the early 1990s. And it could soon be dwarfed in price by another county interchange. “We have one interchange planned that has a (significantly) higher price tag: Loudoun County Parkway and Route 50,” said county finance com-

Town of Leesburg

Renderings of plans for Leesburg Bypass interchanges at Fort Evans Road and Edwards Ferry Road.

mittee chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) in an email. “The cost estimates for that one are over $200 million.” He said that project is in the

county’s capital improvement program, but hasn’t yet been assigned a start date. In addition to involving two inter-

sections, Zeller said another reason for the high construction costs is the tight space VDOT must work within. He compared it to building a ship within a glass bottle. “We want to have little to no impact on surrounding businesses,” he said. “By working in such a confined space and building such relatively complex structures it takes a much more complex sequence of construction.” In the council’s vote Tuesday, all but Councilman Tom Dunn supported Alternative C. In his dissenting vote, Dunn said he preferred Alternative B, which would have Fort Evans Road pass over the bypass. Dunn said he believed that was just as good and would cost less, with an estimated budget of $96.3 million. The council’s endorsement of the proposed design will allow VDOT to move forward with the draft Interchange Justification Report (IJR), expected to be completed in July. Following completion of the IJR, VDOT will hold a public hearing on the final design concept in January. VDOT is expected to approve the project’s major design elements in June 2018, after endorsement from both the Town Council and the Board of Supervisors. Currently, funding is available only to take the project through the IJR with minimal other funding identified. Town leaders will be working with VDOT and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority on future funding allocations. Once the project is funded, completion of the interchange is expected to take three to five years. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

[ POLITICS ]

11 May 18 – 24, 2017

Wagner: ‘Experience Matters’ BY RENSS GREENE

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Virginia Sen. Frank Wagner (R-7) says he has a major advantage over his competitors in the Republican gubernatorial primary race: experience. Wagner is a 25-year member of the General Assembly and chairman of the senate’s influential Commerce and Labor Committee, a Naval Academy grad, and entrepreneur. He gives long, detailed answers to most questions, and commerce and transportation have been central to both his time in the state legislature and his campaign. His district, which includes eastern Norfolk and western Virginia Beach, has that in common with Northern Virginia—where Loudoun has a major hub of international commerce in Dulles Airport, Hampton Roads has the Port of Virginia. And leaders in both areas feel the pressure from residents and businesses to relieve congestion on the roads. “How can any politician go out there and talk about increasing jobs and building the economy, and diversifying the economy, without talking about a bigger investment in transportation?” Wagner said. “It can’t be done.” In polling, he has trailed behind his rivals in the Republican primary contest, former Republican National Convention Chairman Ed Gillespie and Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart—although he has decades more experience in government, as he likes to point out. He says investing in the state’s lagging infrastructure, in part through increasing a state gas tax that hasn’t been touched since 2013, is essential for Virginia’s economy. “That’s the basis for me going out and taking what I suppose would be a relatively bold step for a Republican, in particular, to run on, but it’s critical,” Wagner said. “It’s critical to the quality of life, and it’s going to be critical for generations.” He has opposed paying for roads with more tolls, such as on I-66 or I-495, or allowing foreign investors to build road infrastructure. There is a parallel to the Dulles Greenway, which was built by a local partnership but then bought by foreign investors. This year the Greenway hiked its’ tolls again, to $5.50 one-way during peak hours. “That’s what happens when you don’t pay for your roads, and you don’t have the capital to do it, and you don’t have

the bond capacity to do it,” Wagner said. “You’ve got to get the roads built.” And for that, he said, a governing experience will be critical. The first two years of the next governor’s term will be funded by a biennial budget drafted by McAuliffe’s outgoing administration. “That’s half of your administration driven by a budget [on] which you have virtually no input unless you know what the hell you’re doing,” Wagner said. “If I was to run the table, your first meeting on the transition team, the first meeting I’d be having is with the chairman of the Appropriations Committee and the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.” He has also said until Metro reorganizes its management and rewrites its labor contracts, he “wouldn’t recommend another nickel out of the state.” He said the federal government, which only makes payments to Metro for capital expenses and not operating costs, should pick up its share of the rail system’s burden. “Metro exists to get government employees in and out of DC, and the federal government’s got to take responsibility,” Wagner said. “It’s their transit system that allows them to get their employees in and out, and of course if it wasn’t for the federal government, what would Washington, DC, be?” On education, Wagner has called for more routes through public schools, not only to college but to trades and industry certifications. He also has supported a nonpartisan redistricting commission to fix Virginia’s gerrymandered General Assembly districts, which have been drawn after the past two censuses by Republican-controlled legislatures. He said the new districts could be drawn by computers and validated by a non-partisan commission. If no commission is created by the time of redistricting after the 2020 census, he said, “the governor has a role to weigh in.” Wagner acknowledged that infrastructure projects on the scale he envisions won’t happen in one governor’s four-year term—but he says they can get started. “At the end of a four-year term, I would aspire to be able say I’ve left Virginia better off for me having been here,” Wagner said. “By that I mean, laying the groundwork for these things to happen.”

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Virginia Sen. Frank Wagner (R-7).

May 18 – 24, 2017

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[ PUBLIC SAFETY ] Dominion Student Charged After Online Threat The 16-year-old Sterling student who allegedly made a social media threat against Dominion High School was criminally charged last week. The incident began May 2 when a school resource officer learned of a Facebook posting that included a photo of firearms and the message “You don’t have to come to school tomorrow.” In a search of his home, deputies found firearms that belonged to a relative. Ultimately, the investigation determined there was no threat to the school. Following an investigation conducted by the Sheriff ’s Office and Loudoun County Public Schools, the teen was charged with making threats by writing or electronic message to kill or do harm.

Prison-Bound Predator Targeted Loudoun Youth An Ohio man was sentenced Friday to serve 15 years in federal prison for exploiting at least six minor boys, including one in Loudoun, to produce sexually explicit photographs and videos. Vincenzo Leonardi, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. According to court documents, from at least May 2012 to February 2016, Leonardi posed as a pre-adolescent minor girl named “Taylor Capps” on Facebook, Instagram, Kik, and other social media services, to engage in sexually explicit communications and conduct with boys. Leonardi sent pictures of a minor girl and other naked females to his vic-

Two Sent to Prison for Nighttime Burglaries Two men who pleaded guilty to a pair of Ashburn burglaries last spring are headed to prison. In the early morning hours of May 5, 2016, an Ashburn resident was awakened around 2:30 a.m. by a car horn, door alarm chime, and footsteps inside the home. Deputies were called and found two vehicles in the garage had been ransacked, and some valuables left on the lawn. Deputies then received a report of a second burglary nearby, where the residents awoke around 4:45 a.m. to find a cell phone had been taken from a nightstand and jewelry and jewelry boxes scattered on a bedroom floor. Numerous items were missing from throughout the home. Deputies were alerted to two suspicious males loitering in the neighborhood with backpacks. They were observed getting into a cab. Deputies stopped the cab and found Brandon tims. Among his victims was a 9-yearold Loudoun boy. For that victim and at least five others located throughout the country, Leonardi successfully coerced and enticed them to record themselves engaged in sexually explicit behavior and send those photographs and videos to him. As part of his plea agreement, Leonardi admitted that he attempted to similarly exploit at least a dozen other minor boys he contacted online, all of whom were between the ages of 9 and 12 years old. He also admitted that his person-

Anderson

Rinaldi

Rinaldi, 21, and Jordan Anderson, 19, inside. Items taken from the homes were found in the men’s pockets and backpacks. Additional evidence was gathered from recorded phone calls Rinaldi made from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center in which he admitted to stealing the items and that he was just trying to make money. Also, forensic analysis of his cell al laptop computer, which was seized during the execution of a search warrant in December 2015, contained more than two dozen sexually explicit videos and over 100 sexually explicit images of children.

Career Criminal Gets 8 Years for Purcellville Robbery Loudoun Circuit Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr. last week sent a Staunton man to prison for eight years for the theft of a safe and wallet from a Purcell-

phone, seized at the time of his arrest, revealed internet searches for the phrases “how to break open back soor quietly” (sic) and “Ashburn VA homes 800000.” Both suspects pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering in the nighttime in December. Anderson was sentenced to two years in the Virginia Department of Corrections on March 20. Rinaldi was sentenced Friday by Circuit Court Judge Jeanette A. Irby to two years and eight months state prison. Before pronouncing Rinaldi’s sentence, Irby said “I can’t think of anything more unsettling than a stranger being in your home when you think you’re safe.” Rinaldi and Anderson are scheduled to appear in Prince William County Circuit Court on May 25, for similar charges in that jurisdiction. The pair also have theft and burglary charges pending in Fairfax County. ville home. According to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Christopher Simmons, 37, and another man in March 2015, went to the home of the elderly victim and asked to use the

Simmons

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Public safety

A video still showing the suspect in a May 9 robbery at a Sterling convenience store.

Leesburg Hedge Fund Manager Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud A Leesburg man pleaded guilty in Federal District Court on Friday to wire fraud in connection with his misuse of $9 million in clients’ funds. According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Tamer Moumen, 39, defrauded more than 50 clients between 2012 and 2017. Moumen falsely told investors he consistently beat the S&P500 and was overseeing tens of millions of dollars through his company, Crescent Ridge Capital Partners. He encouraged clients, including many who were nearing retirement age, to liquidate their other investments and retirement accounts, and invest with him. However, Moumen had no experience managing a hedge fund, had a history of losing money in the securities market, and was relying on investor money to support his lifestyle and pay personal expenses, including a $1 million Leesburg-area home and a Tesla. Moumen faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 28.

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A Loudoun grand jury last week handed up a manslaughter indictment against a 26-year-old Sterling man in connection with a Feb. 21 fatal crash on Rt. 28. Andre M. Glenn, 26, appeared in Loudoun County Circuit Court Tuesday, when a three-day trial was set for Dec. 5. He is charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, DUI, and driving on a suspended license. The crash happened just after 2 a.m. Feb. 21 on Rt. 28 near Dulles Airport. According to investigators, Glenn was driving a Jeep Wrangler northbound with three passengers. The group had left The Bungalow in Chantilly after last call at the bar. The Jeep hit a jersey barrier, with the crash ejecting two female passengers. Gabrielle M. Perry, 22, died at the scene. Glenn registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14 when tested at the Adult Detention Center more than an hour after the crash.

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Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office detectives have released surveillance video of a suspect in an apparent attempted robbery at the High-Up Food Mart in Sterling. Just after 11:30 p.m. May 9, the suspect entered the convenience store at Community Plaza and told the clerk “Don’t call police.” The employees hid and the suspect left the store empty handed. The area was searched but the suspect was not found. The suspect was wearing a black jacket, a red hoodie, and sunglasses and a dark colored mask that covered his face. The video can be viewed at youtu.be/GA8_ QcLfqdw. Anyone with any information about the case is asked to contact Detective M. Grimsley at 703-7770475 or use the Sheriff ’s Office tip app.

May 18 – 24, 2017

<< FROM 12 bathroom. The victim was acquainted with Simmons and let them in. When they left, the victim noticed Simmons was carrying a small safe, and later found his wallet was missing as well. Investigators were able to implicate Simmons in the theft after the Department of Forensic Science linked DNA evidence and fingerprints found on the scene matched his records. Simmons pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny on August 19, 2016. In addition to the prison sentence, Fleming imposed one year of post-release supervision and ordered Simmons to pay $2,200 in restitution to the victim. It was Simmons’ first conviction in Loudoun County, but he has been convicted of 24 felonies since 1994, including many thefts, arson and impersonating a police officer. Next, he faces a first-degree murder trial in Augusta County for the December 2016, shooting death of his ex-girlfriend’s fiancé. Simmons pleaded not guilty in that case, with a trial scheduled in October.

Video Released in High-Up Robbery

[ E D U C AT I O N ]

[ SCHOOL NOTES ] Schools Seek TEALS Volunteers

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Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A happy couple embrace at the end of a slow song at NOVA Pride Prom on Friday.

Senior Pulls Off Pride Prom BY RENSS GREENE

reedom High School senior Blair Smith has been planning Pride Prom all year, and on Friday night, it all paid off. Smith estimated between 230 and 250 people attended his LGBT-friendly prom at the towering Bellevue Conference and Event Center in Chantilly. He had picked up the mantle of organizing pride prom, first begun in 2015, with the goal of making it the biggest yet. And he succeeded. What started as Loudoun’s pride prom became the Northern Virginia Pride Prom, with attendees from across the region. Smith organized this year’s Pride Prom amid a renewed debate over LGBT rights in Loudoun. In June of 2016, the Board of Supervisors created “Love Loudoun Month” rather than recognize LGBT Pride Month,

and in January the School Board declined to adopt specific LGBT protections in its employment policies. But Blair and his fellow students have Smith moved ahead anyway, reinvigorating gay-straight alliances in Loudoun schools and strengthening networks among those clubs across the county. And at Pride Prom, organizations like NOVA Pride, which had a role in supporting the event, and the national Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, were in attendance. “The thing that I keep telling people is that our area is so full of really great puzzle pieces, but it’s a matter of putting everything together to make a

Governor Signs Bill to Protect Students from Predatory Private Colleges

May 18 – 24, 2017

BY DANIELLE NADLER Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) stopped by Northern Virginia Community College in Loudoun on Tuesday morning to sign a bill into law that will require for-profit colleges operating in Virginia to be more transparent with students. The legislation, HB 2040, was introduced in the General Assembly earlier this spring by Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34), who represents part of Loudoun County. It will require post-secondary schools that still must undergo an annual review by State

Council of Higher Education for Virginia—generally colleges that are private, for-profit and based out of state— to enter into an enrollment agreement with each student. The enrollment agreement is required to be signed by the student and an authorized representative of the school and disclose the transferability of their credits, their accreditation, their eligibility for student loans and other pertinent information. Murphy, who joined the governor for the bill-signing ceremony, called the legislation “a transparency bill.” She

bigger picture.” Smith said. It can be difficult to put those pieces together in the face of unsupportive family members or even simple obstacles like not owning a car, he said, but: “When it does happen, it’s just super meaningful and impactful.” He added there is “strength in numbers, and there’s more power in a collective idea.” Former head school psychologist Amy Cannava was Smith’s advisor through much of the process. She said many of the kids at pride prom “would not feel comfortable being their authentic selves in their own schools.” “They’re already asking and talking about it for next year, and I hope we can continue it to the same caliber,” Cannava said. “The kids were just glowing and happy.” Smith organized Pride Prom as his senior capstone project. rgreene@loudounnow.com said she kept hearing from students, especially military veterans, who had attended for-profit colleges, left with no transferable credits or any certification that could land them a job. One student she met had accumulated $18,000 in debt for earning a “homeland security credential,” that did nothing to secure him a job in the field. “I thought, something has to change,” Murphy said. “This is a very common sense bill,” McAuliffe added. “You’re going to know ahead of time how much it’s going to cost you, what kind of financial aid you’re going to get, what kind of credits you’ll get, and what those credits are worth … so you can make an PRIVATE COLLEGES >> 16

Loudoun County Public Schools is looking for volunteers to help with its Technology Education and Literacy in Schools program. For the past four years, the TEALS program has placed professionals from the technology industry into local high schools to work with Loudoun’s computer science teachers. TEALS is a Microsoft YouthSpark Program. Two information sessions are scheduled to provide interested participants an introduction to the TEALS program, the role of TEALS volunteers in computer science classrooms and how interested participants can apply to be a TEALS volunteer. The information sessions are scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the Loudoun school administration building, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn, with a repeat session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, in Chevy Chase, MD. Register for the Ashburn session at bit. ly/2r96Mcq. Go to tealsk12.org or tealsk12. org/volunteers to learn more.

Children’s Science Center Design Workshops The public is being asked to help design the future Children’s Science Center that will be built on land in the Kincora development in Ashburn. Parents, children, teens, educators and community leaders are asked to provide input at two design workshops: 4-6 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at Loudoun Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling; and 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 22, at Bechtel-ASCE Conference Center, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston. Each event will include two concurrent workshops for adults and children. The science center will be the first of its kind in the region. It will be built on land donated by the Kincora developer near the intersection of Rt. 7 and Rt. 28. More than half of its 53,000 square feet will be set aside for interactive exhibits and active visitor space.

LVHS Nurses Club Campaigns For Mental Health Funding Members of the Nurses Club at Loudoun Valley High School have teamed up with students at four other schools to publish a SCHOOL NOTES >> 18

15 May 18 – 24, 2017

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Names Selected for Loudoun’s Future Schools Lightridge Farm Road in the Dulles South area. Light Ridge Farm, from Four of Loudoun County’s future which the road takes its name, operschools have been named. ated as a dairy farm for more than 60 The School Board voted 8-1 May 9 to years. The school is scheduled to open give permanent names to the schools in the fall of 2020. previously known as ES-28, MS-7, HS-11 will be named Independence HS-9 and HS-11. The names were rec- High School. The committee said the ommended by committees of teachers, name would serve as a standard for students and parents who met for the students in their academic careers, and last several months to brainstorm and it would strike a theme similar to that vote on possible names. of Freedom High School and Liberty Goshen Post Elementary School was Elementary School. Independence is selected for ES-28. Committee mem- set to open on land next to Brambleton bers said this name commemorates Middle School in the fall of 2019. both Goshen Road and the nearby School Board Chairman Jeff Morse colonial-era postal stop. The school, (Dulles) praised the committees for being built next to John Champe High their name recommendations and School, is set to open in the fall of 2018. thanked Larry Roeder for his commitMS-7 will be called Willard Middle School. This name commemorates 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 << FROM 14 made up of former slaves and their informed decision.” descendants and survived until 1958 Kristen Park, a former Virginia when all 87 Willard-area landowners Beach resident, flew in from Texas to had their property condemned by the speak at the bill-signing ceremony. The federal government for the develop- U.S. Navy veteran attended Medical ment of Dulles Airport. The school is Career Institute, a branch of for-profit scheduled to open in the fall of 2018. ECPI University. She said she and 38 of Lightridge High School was cho- her classmates learned two days before sen for HS-9. Committee members graduation that the graduation requireselected this name to commemorate ment had changed so they were left the county’s agricultural history and without a degree. “This is important,” the importance of the dairy indus- she said. “People are no longer going try to Loudoun in the 20th century. to find out two days before graduation The school will be built on land along that none of their credits are going to BY CAROLINE BORAS

Private colleges

tee’s research into local history. “I know the work you put into the research into Loudoun County, and I think that is a part of what we’ve been missing in the names for the last several years,” Morse said. “I would like to point out that the results of this committee really demonstrate an understanding of Loudoun’s history, and I appreciate the effort you put in specifically.” School Board member Tom Marshall (Leesburg) also commended the committees for their alternate suggestions, many of which commemorated people who have contributed to the county in big ways. “I’m glad to see the naming committee has considered not only historical figures of the past, but also relatively

recent historical figures and even current people we know here,” he said. School Board members Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) and Beth Huck (At Large) said they would like to see the committees save their alternate suggestions for a future round of naming schools. In the end, only Marshall voted against the approving the slate of names. He wanted Independence High School to be named Fred E. Drummond Jr. High School in honor of the longtime Loudoun educator who died in March at age 93.

transfer.” Mark Dreyfus, the president of ECPI, said Park’s testimony is “blatantly false.” He said she and her classmates were told about eight months ahead of graduation that some additional class work was required, such as taking practice tests to prepare them for the National Council Licensure Examination. He said that the school did its part to inform and prepare students and, ultimately, Park passed the exam and graduated with a degree. “The board of nursing found that nothing that we did was erroneous,” Dreyfus said. He also noted that the new law does not apply to ECPI because the universi-

ty has operated in Virginia long enough that it no longer is subject to annual reviews by SCHEV. He favors legislation that would require all post-secondary schools to have transparent contracts with students. “The law is probably a consumer disclosure law, which we support. The example used is what is so inaccurate,” Dreyfus said. There are about 200 private and outof-state postsecondary schools that enroll Virginia students, according to Joseph Crook, SCHEV’s certification coordinator. The legislation does not apply to Virginia’s public colleges and universities.

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

dnadler@loudounnow.comm

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[ SCHOOL NOTES ]

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coloring book that will raise money for mental health programs. Nancy Nesselrodt, the registered nurse at Valley, said the club worked with students at Harmony Middle School, Lovettsville Elementary and Douglass to create the artwork. Then, graphics design students at the Monroe Technology Center put it all together. The finished product is offered to the public for a $10 donation, money that will be funneled to programs like the We’re All Human Club or the Will to Survive theater project to support mental health intervention efforts. Nesselrodt said the effort was spurred by the death of a student and the increasing level of awareness about mental health challenges among her students. The books are available at the school’s Nurse’s Office and is being sold at athletic games.

Registration Open for iCan Bike Camp The Arc of Loudoun on Paxton Campus has partnered with Tuscarora High School’s Husky Buddies Program to present iCanBike Camp. Registration is open for the camp, which will be held 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 26-30 at Tuscarora High School in Leesburg. The cost of the program

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is $200. To qualify for the camp, participants must have a disability, be 8 to 18 years old, be able to walk without assistance, have a maximum weight of 220 pounds, have minimum inseams of 20 inches, and bring his or her own bike. Parents must also be able to attend the camp with their child all five days. Families can register at paxtoncampus.org/icanbike.

Cadet Wins ROTC Medal The Sons of the American Revolution presented its Bronze ROTC Medal to Cadet Nicholas Tourbin of Loudoun County High School at its Awards Ceremony on May 10th. Tourbin was given the award by the Fairfax Resolves SAR chapter for his outstanding leadership, military bearing and overall excellence. “We were proud to recognize this outstanding cadet for his contributions to the ROTC program at Loudoun County High School,” SAR President Jeff Thomas said. “It was an honor to have the Sons of the American Revolution present this award to a cadet who has shown excellent achievement in the unit,” Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Serrano said. Loudoun County High School is home to the county’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Established in 2009, the unit has close to 200 enrolled students.

May 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 24, 2017

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[ BIZ ]

Loudoun Small Business Week Kicks Off with Daylong Conference BY JOHN PATTERSON

ore than 125 entrepreneurs from Loudoun’s small business community met at the Dulles Marriot Hotel Monday for expert-led discussions on fostering business growth. The event kicked off the Small Business Development Center’s sixth annual Loudoun Small Business Week, but this is the first year that the center hosted this daylong conference. “We got a really good mix of people new to the journey and people who have been in business a while” said Eric Byrd, manager of the center’s Leesburg branch. He also noted the receptivity and enthusiasm of conference-goers. Attendees spent the morning and afternoon in their choice of breakout sessions offering panel discussions and presentations on a range of topics, from incorporating financial statement analysis into decision-making to lessons on behaving like a CEO. Kristine Jacobson, CEO of Conveyance Marketing Group, delivered a presentation about maximizing return-on-investment from a slim marketing budget. Small businesses typically spend a significantly larger portion of their budget on marketing than larger firms do, and the interest in Jacobson’s topic was reflected in the crowded room of more than 25 entrepreneurs, ranging from gymnastic instructors to hedge fund managers. Jacobson warned against “throwing away marketing dollars” on impersonal, broad ads, and cautioned against unpreparedly wading into the “black magic” of search engine optimization. She recommended sign-up email advertisements as a tried-and-true marketing tactic and emphasized specifically knowing the customer to whom you’re trying to appeal. “If I know them, I can usually sell them” she told the crowd. “I could do this for two hours,” said one conference-goer as Jacobson concluded her breakout session to keep the conference on schedule. Craig Reinhart, a senior-level executive at IBM, delivered the lunch keynote address. His talk, “How the New Era of Computing Will Change Every Business…and What to do About It,” focused specifically on cognitive computing, which replicates the human thought process in computers. Reinhart framed cognitive computing in the history of innovation. Speaking of previous industrial revolutions, he said, “New industries were created; rapid economic growth ensued. Fortunes were made and fortunes were lost. New jobs were created and outmoded jobs were eliminated. That’s going to happen.” He displayed a list of industries that will experience structural unemployment because of innovation in artificial intelligence. The hit list included major fields such as healthcare, education services, maintenance, retail and accounting. “If any of this relates to you, you have a call to action to go get smart about this space because your world is going to

Kara Rodriguez/Loudoun Now

IBM’s Craig Reinhart urged attendees at the Small Business Conference to prepare for the career-changing trend that rapid advances in artificial intelligence are bringing to every industry.

change” he said. “It’s already happening.” Innovation in AI also has immeasurable upsides. Reinhart offered the lighthearted example of Grush, an interactive gaming toothbrush that measures how well children brush their teeth with trackable results, and provides games that coordinate the toothbrush with a smartphone app. “Now kids want to brush their teeth because they want to slay the dragon or whatever,” Reinhart said. Reinhart’s warning about the incoming disruptive force of cognitive computing resonated with established entrepreneurs. Attendee Kate Caldwell, who founded ElderTree Care Management 12 years ago, said, “One thing I learned from this presentation just now…is I need to start thinking about the future; how are things going to change in healthcare, because they will.” Other conference-goers had already seen technological advances revolutionize their field. Jim Grapek, founder and CEO of Pavilion Holdings, employs a “quantum biofeedback system” at his practice. “In 10 minutes, I have 1,100 health variables, and a pretty good idea of what’s going on with you.” After Reinhart’s presentation, the afternoon had more breakout sessions and the evening concluded with a resource fair reception in the main ballroom. Loudoun Small Business Week has events around the county every day this week. For details go to loudounsmallbiz.org/calendar/small-business-week.

Solace Starts Brewing

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Solace Brewing Company, one of the county’s newest, biggest and most ambitious breweries, will start pouring June 10. The company’s brewer, Drew Wiles, has started brewing on Solace’s brand new, American-built equipment. He and his cofounders, Jon Humerick and Mike Arms, plan to open with six beers on tap, including a collaboration with nearby Ocelot Brewing Company—but if the 18 taps in the tasting room are any indication, they plan to get a lot bigger. The new brewing equipment, while large, is also dwarfed by the size of the brewing floor, which is the largest in the county. Solace’s founders started planning their new business years ago, making for expansion years into the future. Solace Brewing Company is at 42615 Trade West Drive in Sterling.

Drew Wiles works on a session IPA in the new equipment at Solace Brewing Company in Sterling—the third-ever brew on this equipment.

rgreene@loudounnow.com

[ BIZ BRIEFS ] Catoctin Creek Wins Double Gold Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in Purcellville won multiple awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including a Double Gold medal for the cask proof version of its popular Roundstone Rye Whisky that was finished in premium French Bordeaux oak barrels used to make the distillery’s 1757 Virginia Brandy. Released just twice a year, it’s a strong and dark pre-Prohibition-style rye whisky made from 100-percent rye grain. The rarely given Double Gold is awarded when all members of the esteemed competition’s judging panel give a Gold medal designation. Catoctin Creek was also awarded three Silver medals. Winners include the flagship original version of Roundstone Rye, the specially curated Roundstone Rye and the Braddock Oak Single Barrel Rye Whisky. Founded in 2009 by the husband and wife team of Becky and Scott Harris, Catoctin Creek uses local and organic ingredients. Its Roundstone Rye is Virginia’s most-awarded whisky. For more information about the SFWSC go to sfspiritscomp. com.

Ashleigh Senior Living Opens in Lansdowne Ashleigh at Lansdowne senior living community will hold an open house Saturday. Located at 44124 Woodbridge Parkway, next to the Lansdowne Resort, the facility includes 115 senior living apartments. Visitors will enjoy private tours, live music, a ribbon cutting ceremony and a champagne toast. The $30 million center is owned and operated by Retirement Unlimited Inc. It offers independent, assisted living, and memory care apartments and is creating 150 new jobs with health benefits, 401K and relocation packages. Campus amenities include learning courses through RUI University, Inspiritas memory care, Life Enrichment programing, restaurant-style fine dining provided by an executive chef, activities rooms, a library, theater, bistro and walking trails. Learn more at rui.net/Ashleigh.

Wild Hare Hard Cider Medals Up Wild Hare Hard Cider in Bluemont received four medals in the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition. The silver medal went to the Hatch classic cider in the HeriBIZ BRIEFS >> 22

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Biz briefs << FROM 20

Visit Loudoun

The winners of the 2016 Loudoun County tourism awards.

Tourism Leaders Celebrated at Visit Loudoun Awards There has never been more for visitors to see and do in Loudoun County and on May 11 Visit Loudoun celebrated those who help keep the tourism industry growing. It was the 21st year for the county’s tourism awards program, held during National Travel and Tourism Week at the Holiday Inn Washington Dulles. Hospitality industry leaders were asked to nominate staff, programs and events that best demonstrated exceptional work for promoting Loudoun as a destination during 2016. Winners were selected by an industry awards review committee.

The 2016 winners were: ANNUAL TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR: The 78th Annual Ladies Board Rummage Sale NEW TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR: United States Specialty Sports Association Class “C” National Championships TOURISM BRANDING, MARKETING OR PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR: Go Big Campaign, National Conference Center TOURISM VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Bonnie Getty, chairwoman of the Waterford Fair Historic Homes Tour MANAGER OF THE YEAR TOURISM AWARD: Mark Underwood, Ford’s Fish Shack TOURISM ACTION AWARD: National Con-

ference Center Project Search BACK OF THE HOUSE HERO TOURISM AWARD: Co-Winners Reina Ruiz, Assistant Housekeeping Manager, Hampton Inn Cascades; and German Lopez, Grounds Technician, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant #LOVELOUDOUN AMBASSADOR TOURISM AWARD: Jamil Chaudhry, Bellman, National Conference Center STEVE HINES PARTNER OF THE YEAR: Stone Tower Winery DISTINGUISHED PARTNERSHIP AWARD: Bechtel Panda Stonewall Power Project JUDY PATTERSON TOURISM AWARD: Dr. Sheila Johnson, Salamander Resort & Spa and Middleburg Film Festival

tage Cider Category. Bringing home bronze were Hopscotch in the Hopped Cider category, Saxby in the Spiced Cider category, and Ophelia, a grapefruit cider in the Specialty Cider category. This year’s GLINTCAP competition, in Grand Rapids, MI, had more than 1,200 entries from 32 states and nine countries. Virginia has 20 cideries, four in Loudoun County. For more information, go to wildharecider.com.

Chamber Host Santana Moss The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce’s June 1 Leadership Series luncheon will feature Washington Redskins legend Santana Moss. The wide receiver, who played 10 years with the Redskins, will discuss his experiences as one of the team’s alltime greatest players, his thoughts on leadership and his experiences living and working in Loudoun County since 2005. Chief Content Officer/Senior Vice President Larry Michael will lead the discussion. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The National in Lansdowne. The cost is $50 for members and $75 for non-members. For details and reservations, go to loudounchamber.org.

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May 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 24, 2017 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

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May 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 24, 2017 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

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French Hound Brasserie Makes Lansdowne Debut

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BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ When Leesburg native John-Gustin Burkitt opened the doors to his first restaurant in Middleburg more than 10 years ago, success would mean breaking a curse. “There had been six restaurants [in the space] in 20 years and no one could make it,” he recalls. “We ran the French Hound there for 10 years and broke the curse, as everyone said.” Burkitt finds himself with a similar challenge now in Lansdowne. Last year, Burkitt and his wife Marny surprised many in the Middleburg community and beyond when they announced they would be moving their restaurant to Lansdowne Town Center. The space they now occupy has had several restaurant tenants in the mixed-use center’s first decade. The Dock at Lansdowne, Velocity Five, Lansdowne Tavern, and Blu Vino Rifugio have all come and gone, earning the 150-seat space a similar reputation to The French Hound’s Middleburg predecessor. “Now I’m ready to break curse number two,” Burkitt says with a smile. The story of The French Hound begins with Burkitt’s own culinary journey. After studying French in France in his youth, Burkitt studied at the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. His career path then brought him from the Napa Valley area of California, where he scored his first executive sous chef job, back to France to serve as a private chef, to Charlottesville to Chattanooga, TN, before finally settling back in Virginia. In the mid-2000s, the

Burkitts considered buying and running The Ashby Inn in Paris, which was for sale at the time. But an eventual business partner turned them onto the small town. Burkitt thought an upscale bistro would fit Middleburg nicely, and the formerly cursed space that came available allowed for a quick transition rather than a full build-out. They opened to great fanfare. Marny Burkitt recalls the excitement on opening night, when a planned seated dinner instead resembled more of a cocktail party and reunion, with everyone so excited to celebrate and reconnect with old friends that no one sat down for their reservations, instead mixing and mingling throughout the restaurant. “Everyone was happy and excited and warm and that’s exactly what we wanted—a space that is warm and inviting and jolly and friendly,” she said. The Burkitts are hoping their new Lansdowne space has the same warm feel. They certainly have considerably more space to work with. Their total seating has tripled, the outdoor seating has doubled, the bar is three times the size of its Middleburg predecessor, and the kitchen is also larger, John-Gustin Burkitt said. And, most importantly for the owners, there is a larger, more concentrated population to draw from, which is a big reason they made the move from Middleburg to Lansdowne. “We always kept waiting for Middleburg to really blossom into a little more tourism, but Rt. 50 is only so big and there’s only going to be so many people coming out there,” John-Gustin Burkitt

Kara Clark/Loudoun Now

Marny Burkitt and John-Gustin have brought their popular take on French fare from Middleburg to Lansdowne.

said. Before ultimately deciding to close the Middleburg restaurant to move operations to Lansdowne, they toyed with the idea of keeping the Middleburg location open and just adding a second location, he said. But the needs of their family, with a young daughter at home, plus being closer to a larger population, made the logical choice to move altogether. For those who never made it to The French Hound in Middleburg, the Lansdowne space has much of the same feel and offerings. “This is a nice upscale bistro,” Burkitt

explains. “Bistro cuisine is a little more of the humble French cuisine. It’s not your uptight fine dining laden with cream sauces. It is a much more relaxed atmosphere.” Customers can leave the suit and ties at home in the casual atmosphere. While diners can sit at the bar and enjoy a cold brew and appetizers, or delve into one of Burkitt’s sumptuous bowls of French onion soup or pizza for a quick lunch or dinner, fine dining options do exist. Filet mignon, lobster risotto and French staple escargot can all be found on the menu. Thanks to Marny Burkitt’s extensive wine knowledge, the couple is putting the finishing touches on a reserve wine list that will cater to the most discerning palates. They have relied on a local expert to set up the beer list, which includes local, domestic and foreign brews, with eight beers on tap. The restaurant opened at the beginning of the month and will be building up to its regular hours as some final work is completed on the space. The Burkitts say they believe they have found their new home and hope the Lansdowne community embraces The French Hound as horse country once did. “I am ready to find a home and stay here,” John-Gustin Burkitt said. “Not just become the next restaurant in here.” For more information on The French Hound Brasserie, go to: frenchhoundbrasserie.com.

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Distracted Driving << FROM 1 the House and Senate unanimously. “I think this is an easy one for people to visualize the impact it would have,” Greason said. “I think that’s why this one flew out so quickly.” Now, less than a month before classes end for the year, Musa and his peers witnessed the governor sign their idea into law. McAuliffe signed the bill in Riverside’s library. More than two dozen students attended, most of whom are members of Riverside’s first graduating class. “Distracted driving is important. In the Commonwealth of Virginia last year, we had 13 deaths from distracted driving, 872 injuries—just from distracted driving,” McAuliffe said to the crowd. “I tell my kids all the time put your phones down. Distracted driving is not just about texting. It’s eating while you’re in the car, it’s fidgeting with the radio, it’s not paying attention. Not just young people, everybody.” Two other bills targeting distracted driving were proposed this session but did not gain enough support to pass. HB 1834 would have closed a loophole to ban the use of mobile apps and not just texting, so penalties would apply to drivers using Facebook, Netflix, and games. HB 1606 would have instituted stricter penalties for distracted driving. “We’ll come back with those concepts, try to pass more legislation” Greason said. He also said lawmakers plan to file legislation requiring hands-

We Have Daily Public Skating & Birthday Parties

free phone use while driving next session. Both Greason and McAuliffe emphasized the empowered role that students had in this legislation, and the prominent role they will have in enacting it. They both have teens who are new drivers. “It’s awesome. Every chance I get I try to engage them [students] in a conversation, and get their ideas. … They’ve got such creative ideas, I’ll take those and then try to make them into something. And that’s really my role, to facilitate,” Greason said. This is not Greason’s first license plate design project. In 2015, the delegate championed a bill to create Cure Childhood Cancer license plates after Mathias Giordano, a 13-year-old Leesburg resident, died of cancer in December 2014. “I think this one will be just as successful,” Greason said. If more than 1,000 of the specialized plates sell, the proceeds can be applied to a cause. Greason plans to work with the Schulz family and students to decide where to donate the money. The winning license plate design will be available for purchase by July 2018. While drivers typically need to renew specialized and personalized plates annually for a fee, these license plates will only have a one-time fee of $10 more than the normal price of purchasing the plate. John Patterson is an intern with Loudoun Now. He is studying English and economics at the University of Virginia.

SUMMER CAMP OPEN HOUSE JUNE 1 & JUNE 3

June 1 Camp Open House from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Free Skating Evaluations from 6:00 to 7:00 PM June 3 Camp Open House from 10:30 to 1:30 PM Free Skating Evaluations from 12:30 to 1:30 PM Come to the Ashburn Ice House and see what summer camp is right for you.

May 18 – 24, 2017

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Inova

May 18 – 24, 2017

<< FROM 1

SHARE YOUR IDEAS AT OUR DESIGN WORKSHOPS Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Allyson Halverson, Inova Loudoun’s Pediatric Emergency Department’s certified child life specialist, explains some of the new tools available to help patients with sensory disorders.

Concurrent workshops for adults and children! Children (grades 1 and older) can participate in a special Kids Workshop at the same time as the Adult Workshop.

Sunday, May 21, 4:00 - 6:00 pm (Sterling) Monday, May 22, 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Reston) Learn more and register at: tinyurl.com/scidesigncom

We are a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

childsci.org

nstyer@loudounnow.com

The 2017 Purcellville Music & Arts Festival LIVE MUSIC | LOCAL FOOD, BEER, WINE EXHIBIT OF LOCAL ART | CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

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hospital can better handle their child’s emotional needs. “We want kids to feel safe coming in here,” she said. “We want to be a place where families know you can bring your children here and we know how to take care of them and we’ll take it slow and we’ll do everything we can to make it as positive of an experience possible.” McCabe said the goal of the pediatric ER staff has always been to provide the best care. “This just brings it to a whole new level,” she said. Melissa Heifetz, the interim executive director at The Arc of Loudoun, said she teared up listening to the hospital staff talk about the “amazing” effort during the press briefing. “It seems like you really get it,” Heifetz said.

The Children’s Science Center needs the community’s input as we plan for our future full-scale science museum in Dulles, Virginia. The entire community, including parents, children, teens, educators, and community leaders, is invited to participate in one of our workshops where you will hear about our plans for the new museum and participate in an interactive workshop to help create the museum’s exhibits and experiences. You don't need specific skills to participate, just a passion for our vision!

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Based on the recommendations of those experts, the ER has established new protocols for SPD patients as soon as they step through the doors—even before. Patients will find a quieter waiting area and then a quicker move to a treatment room that has been cleared of unneeded equipment and wires. The lights will be dimmed. There might be a bubble tube with floating fish by the bed, or a small trampoline for those who need to stay active, or a collection of familiar toys. The goal is the keep the stress level down. Doctors and nurses will be looking to parents to understand the needs of each child. “We understand that the parents are the experts on their children,” Halverson said. Recognizing that, the staff has posted intake and assessment forms on the department’s website. Parents can share information about their child’s needs and preferences that can be added to their medical records. Using those tools, when their files are pulled up at the admissions stage, the medical team will already know how to help make the visit go more smoothly. Halverson said one of her biggest concerns is when she hears parents of autistic children say they avoid medical treatment because of the challenges their children face in hospital environments. She hopes the new program will give parents more confidence that the

May 18 – 24, 2017

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Smashing Walnuts Continues Push for Cancer Research BY CAROLINE BORAS The Smashing Walnuts Foundation will hold its fifth annual Walk and Fitness Challenge on Sunday to raise money for childhood brain cancer research. Participants at the event, to be held at Heritage High School, can expect a variety of physical challenges specifically designed to combine fitness and fun. “It’s a really unique event,” said Walk and Fitness Challenge chairwoman Amanda Gauldin. In the past, the event was a walka-thon, but Gauldin and others at Smashing Walnuts decided to make some changes last year. “We thought ‘what can we do to engage people?’” Gauldin said. “We really want to make it fun for everyone.” The decision was made to rethink the walk-a-thon structure and incorporate more sponsor-participant interaction. So far, more than 20 sponsors have signed up to host fitness challenges at this year’s walk. Gauldin said the sponsors get creative with their challenges, and she’s excited to see what they come up with. Some highlights from last year were a mattress flip, dental floss limbo and flying disc golf. About 200 people participated in the event last year, and Gauldin said

Loudoun Now/File Photo

A little athlete does his best at cornhole, one of the stations at last year’s Smashing Walnuts Walk and Fitness Challenge.

Smashing Walnuts is hoping to double attendance this weekend. “It’s going to be a great time,” she said. The event is Smashing Walnuts’ ma-

jor fundraiser for the year. Founder Ellyn Miller is focusing on lobbying for the fourth year of funding for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act. The bill was named after Miller’s

daughter, Gabriella, who died from an inoperable brain tumor in November 2013, three months after the Smashing Walnuts Foundation was established. “We’ll be busy,” Miller said of the coming year. “Nonstop between what we do on Capitol Hill and what we do as Smashing Walnuts.” In 2016 alone, Smashing Walnuts worked with DIPG Collaborative to raise $1.5 million, and individually raised $80,000 for childhood cancer and disease research. Miller is working with Rep. Barbara Comstock’s (R-10) proposed the Kids First 2.0 bill, which adds an additional $320 million to the original $126 million allocated for Kids First. Miller has seen the impact Smashing Walnuts has made in research developments since the nonprofit organization was established, and said looking forward to the future is exciting. The walk will be held on May 21 in the Heritage High School gym from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. Registration costs $25 at walk.smashingwalnuts.org. Participants will receive a water bottle, a drawstring backpack and a T-shirt. Caroline Boras is an intern with Loudoun Now. She is studying journalism and Russian studies at Washington & Lee University.

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You will participate in challenges that are specifically designed to combine fitness and fun! This family-friendly event offers you a unique opportunity to support a local non-profit dedicated to fighting childhood brain cancer while having fun in a creative and interactive environment.

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OUTDOOR LIVING

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(StatePoint) If there’s anything better than heating up the grill and chilling drinks with close friends late into a summer evening, it’s decorating the space in which it all takes place. As with all things summer, refreshing your outdoor space calls for a simple, relaxed approach. Here are a few ideas for making a quick splash.

Lighten Up

Less is More, Sometimes As fun as it is to design for new things, subtraction is often where the real opportunity is hiding. Make a tired space feel new again by donating, repurposing or storing items that simply don’t serve a purpose or add anything visually.

Rethinking Arrangements Credit: Statepoint

With the right outdoor furnishings patio and deck spaces can play a much greater role in everyday family life.

area serves a specific purpose such as dining, furniture can be used to create the same conversational effect.

Color and Pattern Most permanent fixtures and large outdoor furniture pieces trend traditional. Adding flourishes with vibrant contrasting seat cushions and boldly patterned throw pillows is a quick way

to express personality. To customize your space, check out the Improvements line of outdoor furniture cushions and pillows, which offers an array of lively styles, patterns and color combinations. Their step-bystep outdoor cushion measuring guide makes finding the right-sized cushion easy, and quick and simple video instructions take the guesswork out of the process, ensuring the proper fit.

One of the easiest ways to dramatically enhance an outdoor setting is often overlooked—lighting. Good lighting boosts safety and security. After all, summer is the season for tripping over pavers in the dark. And a thoughtful approach can be transformative -from illuminating paths through the backyard to setting a relaxing tone for a patio. Many solutions, such as higher-voltage lighting systems, call for a contractor’s expertise. Even some lower-voltage systems will require some additional equipment for proper energy control. To keep it simple, solar is the way to go. Just make sure the photovoltaic cell is positioned to collect maximum sunlight during the day so it’s ready to shine through the night. For example, the new Provence solar post and path lights from Improvements are a good way to accent landscaping while keeping pathways safe. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fitsall template for the perfect backyard summer sanctuary. But with a creative mindset and a clear vision, you can transform your backyard into a unique casual space.

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There’s more to design than placing chairs around a table or fire pit. Striking the right balance takes some intentionality and thought. Incorporating strong elements of symmetry and repetition can do as much toward establishing a relaxing, inviting tone as an eclectic playlist or perfectly plated appetizers. Identifying the focal point is a key early step. Often in backyard settings, it’s a permanent feature, such as a particular view, landscape design or fire pit. When this isn’t an option, or if the

May 18 – 24, 2017

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(StatePoint) Ready to step up your outdoor living experience this season? You’re not alone. Nearly 70 percent of design and build firms report an increased demand for outdoor living space, according to the American Institute of Architects. When updating your outdoor living areas, focus on additions that stylishly and seamlessly blend your spaces together. Consider elements that accent your home décor, enhance comfort, create beauty and offer low-maintenance upkeep so you can kick back, relax and enjoy the space. Here are two ideas for achieving these goals.

Fireplace Fire features are the most popular outdoor design element, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects. This is understandable; outdoor fireplaces offer privacy, warmth and create a distinct focal point around which to gather when spending time outdoors. Outdoor fireplaces also offer a great return on investment: 90 percent of real estate agents say an outdoor fireplace increases a home’s value, according to a houzz.com study. One major consideration to keep in mind is the type of entertaining you want to do. Those who want the convenience of a gas fireplace may wish to consider the clean, modern lines

Credit: Statepoint

Sometimes it takes more than just a fire pit to create the right outdoor environment.

and utility of a model such as the innovative and sleek Palazzo from Heat & Glo, which features an industry-first power screen that moves up and down at the touch of a button, allowing for an uninterrupted view of the flames. Marine-grade stainless steel ensures it maintains its luster and multi-colored LED lights shine through crushed glass. Others may be looking for something a bit more nostalgic—like the scent and crackle of smoldering pine to bring back great memories and set the tone for outdoor gatherings. One popular choice that can achieve that PATIO >> 33

<< FROM 32 effect is the Longmire wood-burning fireplace from Heatilator, which has a clean, contemporary shape that features a drawbridge gate and hinged glass door to make loading wood and routine maintenance simple. Learn more about outdoor fireplace options at fireplaces.com/outdoor.

Kitchen

Get Cozy A portable fire pit is a cozy gathering space that’s simple and cost-effective to create. First, select a location and obtain any necessary building or fire permits. It’s best if the fire pit is set at least 10 feet away from your home, fence and other manmade structures. The space should be about 15- to 18feet in diameter, which allows for five to six feet for the fire pit itself and another five to six feet around the perimeter for seating and mobility. Mark the space then prepare the general area by raking away debris and leveling the ground. Use fire-resistant materials such as mini slate chips, stone or brick to create the floor of the pit. Then, select seating and other accessories to give this space the same cozy feel as any room of your home.

Connect the Dots Walkways and paths can enhance the beauty and functionality of your yard, tying together outdoor spaces. Gravel and mulch are cost-effective materials that are easy to install. To kick it up a notch, use paving stones, which are more durable and less likely to cause drainage problems. Before starting, call 811 to have all utilities located and marked. Then, measure and mark the locations of your walkways. Use a sod cutter to remove existing sod and make room for the walkway to be installed. Next, level and prepare the area. After laying the pavers, fill the joints with sand and install a soldier course along the border to tie the walkway together. Finally, compact the entire walkway so it’s level with adjoining surfaces, eliminating trip hazards.

Layer Up Select and install plants that vary in form, size, color and leaf structure to help you create the dream outdoor space. Seek plant varieties well-suited for your growing conditions. Note, this will change as you move around the yard, as sun exposure varies. Also, when planning, keep in mind that plants will be larger once they mature. To complete these projects and all standard yard care maintenance, be sure to use high-quality equipment designed to help you work faster, not harder.

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Add ease and charm to dining al fresco by creating an outdoor kitchen. These days, it’s possible to include many of the same amenities you would find in a traditional indoor kitchen— from a working faucet and stovetop to even a dishwasher. If space or budget are limited, think about what features matter most to you and consider working with an architect to plan the most efficient and attractive layout. Architects can also serve as a great resource when it comes to building with materials that can withstand local weather. Outdoor friendly lighting can help you keep up the culinary adventures, even after nightfall. And don’t forget, you’ll also want to make space for a bar. Frozen daiquiris, anyone? A patio is no longer “just a patio” these days. Elevate your outdoor living and entertaining experiences with a few stylish, functional upgrades, and add comfort and elegance to your home’s exterior spaces.

(StatePoint) Are you taking advantage of your yard“There are so many projects homeowners can do themselves to increase the appeal and usability of their outdoor living space,” says Doug Scott, landscape designer and blogger behind “Redeem Your Ground.” A new, free six-part how-to video series from Exmark, a leading manufacturer of lawn care equipment, can help. “Done-in-a-Weekend” offers DIY projects that empower almost any homeowner to improve their yards and enjoy the payoff of their work for years to come. To get you started, here are a few ideas from the online series.

33 May 18 – 24, 2017

Patio

DIY Projects to Improve Your Outdoor Living Space

[ OUR TOWNS ]

[ TOWN NOTES ] LOVETTSVILLE

loudounnow.com

Town Gets High Marks, Faces Challenge on Credit Strength

Doug Graham/Loudoun Now

Mayor Roger Vance is among the Hillsboro area leaders working to put 20134 back on the map—both for the Postal Service and for tourists trying to navigate their way to the town’s attractions.

A Sense of Place:

Hillsboro Looks to Get Its ZIP Back BY JAN MERCKER

hat do five little numbers mean for one of Loudoun’s smallest towns? For Hillsboro’s government and business leaders, the answer is plenty. The western Loudoun town lost its ZIP code a dozen years ago, and now the town council and local businesses want it back. The reasons are mostly economic, as the historic town and businesses proliferating in the scenic countryside around it work to establish the county’s northwest corner as an agro-tourism hub. But local leaders are also looking to strengthen a sense of community and identity. And the time is now, says Mayor Roger Vance, with the town having recently tripled in size through a 108-acre annexation and now gearing up to un-

dertake a road project that will make it more walkable and tourist friendly. “It’s one piece of the whole big thing that we’re doing here,” Vance said. Since losing its 20134 ZIP code in 2004, Hillsboro has been part of Purcellville’s 20132 ZIP code, which covers an expansive area from Loudoun’s far northwest corner to the unincorporated community of Philomont 20 miles away. That creates confusion for tourists, Vance said, and the folks behind the thriving vineyard and bed-andbreakfast scene just outside of town agree. “Because we are a destination, people have got to know where our destination is,” said Chris Charron, co-owner of 868 Vineyards, north of town on Harpers Ferry Road. That scenic rural route stretching north to the Potomac is now home to slew of vineyards and wineries. “We get dozens of phone calls that say, ‘We’re driving through Purcellville.

We don’t see your sign. Where are you?’ and we say, ‘We’re about 12 miles away,’ and by then we lose them because they went to Purcellville first,” Charron said. “As long as the GPS is saying Purcellville, by default [businesses] have to advertise using that address. It’s confusion in the marketplace,” Vance said. “It creates a sense of identity and of legitimacy for the business,” Kerem Baki, winemaker at Hillsborough Vineyards said of efforts to reinstate the Hillsboro ZIP. “The name of our business is Hillsborough Vineyards, however our mailing address is not Hillsboro—it’s Purcellville. So that does sometimes lead to some confusion for the customers. … As a vineyard, the sense of place is very important to the identity of the product. The grapes are grown here. I’d rather it comes from Hillsboro than Purcellville.” 20134 >> 35

Mountaintop Homes Open for Tours The Blue Ridge long served as a destination for vacationers seeking to escape the heat and humidity of city life. Some of the gems of that era will be on display Saturday. Five historic homes will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of the second Blue Ridge Mountain Home Tour. The event benefits the Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness in Bluemont. The homes, located in the Bear’s Den Rural Historic District in Loudoun and Clarke counties, were built between 1776 and 1910 and provide dramatic, mountaintop views that overlook the Shenandoah River Valley to the west, and the Virginia Piedmont to the east. On the driving tour are Boulder Crest, Journey’s End, Hawkeye, Ball Alley and Foxes Rest. Tickets are $25 for one home and $40 for all properties. There will be a ticket tent at the Bear’s Crossing property, 18623 Blueridge Mountain Road. Walking shoes are recommended. Spike heels, pets, smoking and cameras are prohibited inside the homes. Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness provides free retreats for combat veterans and their fam-

The Town Council last month got the first look at a credit evaluation commissioned through the Virginia Municipal League Virginia Association of Counties financial team. The two-phase analysis will look at the town’s credit position and capital financing plan to help guide town leaders on how to improve their position before entering the capital markets to finance future construction projects. The first phase, a credit benchmark report was presented on April 25. Findings included that the town is in a strong economic position based on population growth (16 percent since 2010), strong median income and low unemployment. The town’s General Fund—with low debt service and high cash reserve—also got a positive review. However, the town’s small total population could be viewed as a negative by creditors. The town’s Utility Fund was the top concern, primarily because of the previous decision to finance projects using general obligation bonds instead of revenue bonds, hindering the town’s borrowing capacity. The council may consider refinancing that debt to revenue bonds.

Mapping Lecture Postponed The Lovettsville Historical Society’s planned May 21 lecture by mapmaker Eugene Scheel was postponed. Instead, Scheel’s talk on his new Short Hill Map will be held Oct. 15. The next regularly scheduled lecture will be on June 11 and feature the topic “Colonial Life in Maryland and Virginia.” For more information, go to lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org.

PURCELLVILLE Police Achieve Re-accreditation

Contributed

Journey’s End long served as a vacation home for W. Chaplin Huntington of Washington, DC, who purchased it in 1928. From 1998-2013, the property was owned by Richard W. Kobetz, who developed tactics for and negotiations for hostage-taking situations who operated the property as a training site for executive protection.

ilies using a model of healing that integrates evidence-based therapies, a safe, peaceful space and unparalleled customer service to improve their physical, emotional, spiritual and economic well-being. Learn more about the tour at bouldercrestretreat.org/ eventschedule.

The Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission unanimously voted last week to award the Purcellville Police Department with its second re-accreditation certificate Accreditation through VLEPSC is designed to ensure high standards, accountability and professionalism through a review conducted every four years. The accreditation team was led by Chief Milton Franklin, of the Bridgewater College Campus Police and Safety Department, who praised the professionalism TOWN NOTES >> 35

request for a ZIP code boundary review as early as next month. USPS then has a 60-day period to review the request. Meanwhile, Vance and the town council are exploring options for a part-time post office—either within an in-town business or possibly in the historic Old Stone School, which the town now owns. And while the economic argument is key, Vance said, there’s also an effort to sharpen the sense of community in the newly expanded town, as road construction plans bring sidewalks and onstreet parking. “You kind of re-establish the idea of a community post office,” Vance said. “It was always fun—you’d go get your mail and see other people.” jmercker@loudounnow.com

[ TOWN NOTES ] << FROM 34 of the department and noted the small staff is responsible for many different roles while demonstrating commitment in their work and community service. “Accreditation is always a learning process, and we learned a lot from the site team,” Police Chief Cynthia McAlister said. “I am proud of our Department and officers who commit themselves fully to public safety and the highest of law enforcement standards.” Corporal Richard Costello, who recently retired after 12 years with the department, served as the accreditation manager during the process.

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The 15th annual Hometown Festival will be held on Saturday, May 27 and feature activities ranging from an early morning 5K run, a parade, live music and more. The race starts at 8 a.m. at Round Hill Elementary School on Evening Star Drive. Online registration is available until Thursday, May 25 at hometownfestival.org. This year’s festival parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on the western side of Evening Star Drive near the intersection with Hudson Street. Scout troops, sports teams, church groups and other community organizations are invited to take part in the parade. Participants are asked to register in advance at roundhillparade.com. ceremony and A memorial wreath-laying will be held at 10:45 a.m. in the park, before Mink’s Miracle Medicine takes the entertainment stage. Other featured acts include kids’ favorites, Rocknoceros, the Immortals, and Diamonds and Rust—a music duo comprised of Round Hill Town Administrator Buster Nicholson and his daughter Jessie. Other highlights are the pie-eating contest at 1:30 p.m., the downhill derby at 3 p.m. and a community dinner at dusk. This year’s feast will feature multiple vendors and a pay-as-you-eat format. Blue Country Revival will wrap up the evening with a free concert.

FOR CATS TOO!

<< FROM 34 And with the nearby 900-acre Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship set to become a state park in coming years, there are more opportunities than ever for tapping into outdoor/adventure tourism, said Alta Jones, owner of AltaTerra Farm Bed and Breakfast just west of town. Jones, who also chairs the county’s Rural Economic Development Council, said a surprisingly large percentage of her guests are 20 and 30-somethings enjoying Loudoun’s outdoor offerings. “We’re trying to brand this whole area as a destination—just like Middleburg is one,” Jones said. “Millennials want a sense of place. Hillsboro has a sense of place. The community is very tight. … We have something very special here

to town documents, when the market changed ownership and the new owners did not renew the postal facility lease. Residents had the option of installing mail boxes on the street or getting a box in Purcellville, six miles away. But with letters of support from U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Barbara Comstock, along with the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and the county’s tourism agency, the town appears to have its ducks in a row to get its ZIP back. “Our office has been working with Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance and the U.S. Postal Service to re-establish the historic post office in Hillsboro and find a solution for this ZIP code issue,” Comstock said in an email to Loudoun Now. Vance expects to send in the official

May 18 – 24, 2017

20134

and the ZIP code is part of it because that’s how people identify you.” In an informative piece on Loudoun’s post offices for the loudounhistory.org website, historian and county planning commissioner Eugene Scheel points out that Hillsborough, as the town was then known, had one of Loudoun’s first post offices, opening in 1801. In 1897, a dedicated post office building was built in town (just a few years after the United States Postal Service shortened the town’s name to Hillsboro). That post office closed in 1984 and the building went on to operate as a funeral home and jewelry store. Postal operations were moved to the town’s Hill Tom Market for the next 20 years, and town residents continued to get their mail exclusively in post office boxes. But in 2004, the post office closed, according

[ LOCO LIVING ]

loudounnow.com

SPOTLIGHT ON CHEFS

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Jim Thompson, owner and chef of Yummy Pig, shows off a plate of his fresh brisket, coleslaw and mac and cheese. He says he has his own take on barbecue, and it seems to be striking a chord with patrons in Leesburg and beyond.

Yummy Pig Boasts a Recipe for Success JOHN MCNEILLY

riving or walking down Catoctin Circle, near the intersection of South King Street in Leesburg, you may notice a captivating smell of smoked wood. The aroma, made up of a mix of dried pecan, apple, cherry, mesquite, hickory and oak is reminiscent of family gatherings and backyard barbecues. On closer inspection, lazy puffs of aromatic white smoke can be seen drifting steadily upward from a strategically placed smoker, located in front of the Yummy Pig barbecue restaurant at 17 Catoctin Circle. This is no accident. Jim Thompson, 44, owner and chef of Yummy Pig, credits his spouse and business partner, Blaise, for making this tactic their first marketing idea. It’s had its intended effect. He said the delectable smoke works wonders drawing hungry patrons to the restaurant, which this month is celebrating two years in business, the usual demarcation line for success in an industry with an 80 percent-plus failure rate. “This was Blaise’s first marketing/ branding idea and it was brilliant,” he said with a laugh. “Many customers have told us it got their attention while driving by.” Thompson, who grew up in Manassas, said he’s had a love of preparing good food for as long as he can remember. He attended Stratford University’s culinary school in Tysons Corner and, after graduating with a foundation in classical French cooking, he embarked on a 20-year career that included working as an executive chef for the Macaroni Grill chain, regularly promoted and ultimately responsible for training cooks in hundreds of newly opened restaurants throughout the Mid-Atlantic region during the 1990s. But, after tiring of the non-stop travel and brutal hours, he took a pay cut to labor and

learn in some of the most celebrated restaurants in Manhattan, including Aquavit, with Swedish celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, and the Gotham Bar & Grill, with legendary chef Adam Portale, who spawned the equally luminous chefs Tom Colicchio and Wylie Dufresne. Thompson said this career track was purposeful. He wanted to follow up years of corporate restaurant experience with a fine-dining sensibility,

plant his flag in the brutally competitive, sink-or-swim industry of the restaurant and catering business. He and Blaise launched catering company Fusions Cuisine, which they now operate out of the Yummy Pig space. The company quickly developed a reputation for quality food and grew rapidly. But in 2015, the couple was offered an opportunity to take over the space at 17 Catoctin Circle, after The Q Company closed. Thompson and

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Jim Thompson, the man behind Yummy Pig, prepares brisket at his Leesburg restaurant. In the two years since its opened its doors, Yummy Pig has drawn a following of hungry—and thirsty—patrons.

drilling down on technique and flavor, to establish a firm foundation so he could one day launch his own business. “That was always my dream,” he said. Thompson returned to his Virginia roots in October 2000, working as an executive chef for a $14 million-ayear hotel catering group. In addition to mastering the complicated specifics of large-scale catering, and thinking about pursuing luxury-hotel dining, Thompson then met Blaise, a former paralegal and sales and marketing executive. They were married and today are the parents of a 13-year-old daughter. (Thompson also has a daughter and grandchild from a previous marriage.) In 2005, Thompson was ready to

Blaise originally planned to develop a Gastropub-themed place focusing on fine food and local craft beers. Instead, he stumbled on an unusual, but ultimately fortuitous, problem: what to do with the massive “Mac Daddy” smoker installed in the back of the tiny kitchen. “It would have cost me more money to remove it than to use it,” he said. Thompson set out to master the beast, which he said, “still works fantastically.” And Yummy Pig was born. That restaurant’s name came about almost by accident as Thompson and Blaise sat around drinking beer with friends and playfully bandied about possible names for the new place. “I

said it out loud and everyone laughed and I knew that was it,” he said. He’d always loved barbecuing for friends and family—the ultimate in “hang-out cooking,” Thompson said— and started experimenting with smoke and flavor profiles, and combinations developed over his 20-year culinary career. He designed and developed recipes with varieties of smoke and flavor combinations that were, he thought, original in a strictly ideologically cleaved barbecue industry, which he says he has zero interest philosophically weighing in about. “Barbecue is subjective. Some folks like smoked versus roasted style, others like the mustard-vinegary sauces over the sweeter, saucier kinds, but who can really say which is better? Who can judge peoples’ individual tastes?” he said. “I just wanted to use my experience as a chef to make nuanced, great-tasting food.” It didn’t take long for Thompson to realize diners loved his results. “It comes down to flavor and technique, and I know both well,” he said. “My 20 years of experience in the kitchen eliminated the need for constant experimentation. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.” The gastropub concept gave way to meeting customers’ enthusiastic response to his highly original barbecue compositions, such as the unorthodox introduction of things like raw kale (simply dressed with olive oil and vinegar), fried pickles and wings (secret ingredient: yogurt), and a variety of smoked-meat empanadas, burritos and tacos. Of course, the classic barbecue offerings of smoked brisket (Texas-style), ribs, chicken (Memphis) and pork (North Carolina-style) are available on the menu as well. A variety of regionally conscious barbecue sauces are made in house from scratch. In a tribute to the original gastropub idea, though, Thompson said now that he’s established a steady menu popular with customers, he’s committed to expanding local craft beer and wine selections, as well as offering a bevy of classically made cocktails. The restaurant also recently introduced live music on Wednesdays and Fridays, although Thompson is quick to note they’re not a late-night establishment. He’s also begun hosting a bi-weekly trivia night sponsored by local craft breweries that features meal and brewery specials and prizes for participants. At the two-year mark, Thompson, Blaise and his 18-member staff are confident about the restaurant’s future. It’s in the second year of a five-year lease and it’s across-the-street neighbor, Virginia Village, is slated to undergo a major renovation. Factor in downtown Leesburg’s booming dining scene and Thompson feels confident about his establishment’s future. “There’s so much going on in Leesburg right now to make this area a dining destination. That success will benefit us all,” he said. “Nothing would make us happier than to be the go-to neighborhood bar and restaurant in the middle of something resembling Old Town Alexandria. It’s an exciting time, for sure.” Learn more about Yummy Pig in Leesburg at yummypig.com or Facebook.com/ yummypigbbq.

LUCKETTS SPRING MARKET Friday, May 19, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Clarke County Fairgrounds, 890 W. Main St., Berryville. Details: luckettstore.com

MUSIC AT THE MANOR: LOUDOUN EMERGING YOUTH Friday, May 19, 5-8 p.m.; Paxton Campus, 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg. Details: paxtoncampus.org Loudoun’s best young musicians show their stuff at the free Friday night concert series.

IDA LEE MOVIES IN THE PARK: ‘ANNIE’ Friday, May 19, movie begins at dusk, Ida Lee Park, 60 Ida Lee Drive, NW, Leesburg. Details: leesburgva.gov This free series features a movie on the third Friday of each month through August. Picnics and blankets are encouraged. Pets, glass containers and alcohol are prohibited.

LEESBURG POP-UP ART FESTIVAL Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Raflo Park, Harrison St., Leesburg. Details: leesburgpublicarts.org Friends of Leesburg Public Arts celebrates spring with art vendors, and artists Mike Clay, Brian Kirk and Peter Wood will discuss their metal sculptures. Pittsburgh Rick’s Food Truck will be on hand and Mudlark Band performs.

Courtesy of Loudoun Farms

LOUDOUN SPRING FARM TOUR Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; countywide. Details: loudounfarms.org

The area’s top musicians including Todd Wright, Gary Smallwood and other favorites perform in support of the Cancer Can Rock nonprofit created to help musicians battling cancer to produce high-quality recordings. Requested donation is $10.

LCCC BARN CAT BASH Saturday, May 20, noon-5 p.m.;

Leesburg. Details: transitiontri.com This scenic bike ride benefits Friends of Homeless Animals. Choose a route of 25, 50 or 70 miles and ride with friends and fellow cyclists. Registration is $60.

Loudoun Community Cat Coalition hosts its spring fundraiser to help with trap/ neuter/release programs and locate barns or outdoor homes for community cats in need. With a suggested donation of $20, guests get a pint glass, a drink ticket and a raffle ticket.

TEA FOR A CAUSE

LOCO BIKE RIDE

Some of Loudoun’s notable gentlemen (including Blue Ridge District Supervisor

Sunday, May 21, 7 a.m., registration begins, 9:30 a.m. deadline to start; Transition Triathlon, 222 S King St,

Sunday, May 21, 2-4 p.m.; Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville. Details: oldstoneschool.org

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 38

This free, self-guided tour takes you along rural Loudoun’s gorgeous country roads to visit favorite local farms with lots of photo ops and special activities.

Saturday, May 20, noon-5 p.m.; Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. Details: cancercanrock.org

Barnhouse Brewery, 43271 Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg. Details: loudouncommunitycats.org

Lucketts’ annual vintage hip extravaganza has grown so much they’ve changed locations. The event includes 200 top vendors, food trucks, beer garden and live music. Tickets are $40 for a VIP three-day ticket (includes early shopping Friday) and $10 per day general admission.

CANCER CAN ROCK BENEFIT SHOW

May 18 – 24, 2017

SPRINGTIME FUN

[ THINGS TO DO ]

PURCELLVILLE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

This free festival includes great music on multiple stages with headliner The Paul Reed Smith Band and other local favorites like Teddy Chipouras and The Immortals. The event also features an art show, food vendors, artisans and activities for all ages.

loudounnow.com

Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fireman’s Field, 250 South Nursery Ave., Purcellville. Details: purcellvillemusicandartsfestival.com

[ THINGS TO DO ]

loudounnow.com

<< FROM 37 Tony Buffington, Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser and Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance) will do the serving at this benefit for the Hillsboro Old Stone School and Hillsboro Charter Academy. Loudoun ladies can enjoy high tea, sparkling wine and a silent auction. Tickets are $25, $15 for children 12 and under.

features musical prodigies from Levine Music, along with faculty and high profile alumni like violinist Ariel Horowitz, the concert’s headliner. Tickets are $20 for adults, free for children and students.

LOCO CULTURE ARTISTS’ RECEPTION: AMY OLIVER AND STEVEN MYLES Saturday, May 20, 5-7 p.m.; Arts in the Village Gallery, 1601 Village Market Blvd., Suite 116, Leesburg. Details: artsinthevillage.com

ON STAGE LOUDOUN CHORAL SOCIETY: VIVALDI’S ‘GLORIA’ Friday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.; Lansdowne Woods, Monroe Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Lansdowne. Details: loudounchoralsociety.org. Loudoun’s newest chorale ensemble performs Vivaldi’s uplifting baroque masterpiece “Gloria.” Cost is $10.

WATERFORD CONCERT SERIES;

Arts in the Village’s “Coming Up Spring” exhibit welcomes the season with works that celebrate nature and the renewal of life including ceramics from Amy Oliver and oil paintings from Steven Myles. Event is free and open to the public.

THOMAS BALCH TOUR: OPENING DOORS TO LEESBURG’S HISTORY Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-noon; Thomas Balch Library, 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. Contact: 703-737-7195 Archivist Ben Tayloe leads a walking tour of historic businesses and homes associated with the library’s Charles A. Johnston collection, offering a glimpse of life in Leesburg in the late 1700s.

Courtesy of Ariel Horowitz

BEST OF LEVINE Sunday, May 21, 4 p.m.; Waterford Old School, 40222 Fairfax St., Waterford. Details: waterfordconcertseries.org This annual crowd favorite concert

PAXTON CAMPUS COMMUNITY YARD SALE Saturday, May 20, 7-11 a.m.; Paxton Campus, 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg. Details: paxtoncampus.org Paxton’s Open Door Learning Center preschool hosts its annual spring yard

sale and bake sale.

WOODGROVE HIGH SCHOOL FINE ARTS GALA Friday, May 19, 6:30-10 p.m.; Woodgrove High School, 36811 Allder School Road, Purcellville. Details: lcps.org/woodgrove Check out art displays, drama productions and music performances throughout the night along with homemade refreshments and silent and live auctions.

NIGHTLIFE DANCE FOR EVERYONE Friday, May 19, 9 p.m.-midnight, Atlantis, 45449 Severn Way, Sterling. Details: atlantisva.info Join seasoned instructors Ed Cottrell and Gal Crum for an evening of fun and learn waltz, rhumba, cha-cha, foxtrot, swing, country and beyond. No partner necessary. Admission is $15.

LIVE MUSIC: ZOSO: THE ULTIMATE LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE Friday, May 19, 7 p.m.; Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyhotheater.com Zoso captures the essence of Zeppelin at their best with a combination of passion and musicianship. Tickets are $15 in advance.

LIVE MUSIC: COMPLETELY UNCHAINED VAN HALEN TRIBUTE Saturday, May 20, 7 p.m.; Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyhotheater.com

Four talented musicians recreate the best of Van Halen in their heyday—from 19781984. Tickets are $15 in advance.

LIVE MUSIC: DELTA SPUR Saturday, May 20, 9 p.m. Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com Enjoy an evening of fresh, contemporary country inspired by favorites like Zac Brown and Keith Urban. No cover.

CATOCTIN CREEK DISTILLERY DINNER Monday May 22, 7 p.m.; WK Hearth, 130 Purcellville Gateway Drive, Purcellville. Details: thewinekitchen.com/hearth The Wine Kitchen Hearth hosts a special five-course dinner featuring the spirits of their Purcellville neighbor Catoctin Creek Distillery for pairings like duck breast and duck sausage matched with a spiced cherry whiskey sour. Cost is $95 per person plus tax.

COMING UP HUNT COUNTRY STABLE TOUR Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Upperville and Middleburg. Details: trinityupperville.org Enjoy a self-guided tour of some of the finest equestrian facilities in Upperville and Middleburg, including a ranch riding exhibit with Mike Jennings and a demo from Olympic gold medalist Joe Fargis. The Ashland Basset Pack and Piedmont Hounds are also featured on the tour. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the gate.

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Mrs. Jane R. Waddell, 84, of Leesburg, Virginia

passed on Friday, May 12, 2017. She was born on April 11, 1933 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late Dr. Raymond Coile Rankin and the late Katherine Capon Peyton.

Jane leaves behind her loving family, including her husband, Charles L. Waddell of Leesburg, VA, two children, Susan Shaw and Mark Herring, 5 grandchildren, Andrew Rankin Shaw, Katherine Louise Shaw, Thomas McMorran Shaw, Peyton Elizabeth Herring, and Timothy Rankin Herring, among other extended family and friends. Jane was a member of Leesburg Presbyterian Church. A memorial service was held to celebrate Jane’s life on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 11 am at the Leesburg Presbyterian Church. She is buried in Union Cemetery, Leesburg, Virginia. At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3701 Pender Drive, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030; or to the Leesburg Presbyterian Church 207 West Market St, Leesburg, VA 20175 .

Those who knew Ethel appreciate her modernity, even at 101, and her unique way of viewing the world. Ethel wanted to know about you before she told you about herself, not because she was shy, but because she was interested in why you are and how you became you. When Rabbi Greenspoon visited the week before she passed away, she asked him, how old are you, do you have children, can they afford you? Ethel started her career in a beauty salon in Washington DC in 1942, where she met her future husband, Milton. She worked her way to being a manicurist at the Ambassador Hotel, from 10 cent tips to 50 cent tips. Soon after WW II, she and Milton moved to Leesburg to take over White’s, a 5 & 10 cent store. They rented a 2 bedroom apartment in Leesburg for $70 a month. In 1948 she and Milton built a house on Edwards Ferry Road for $10,000. She resided in Leesburg until the store closed, in 1991. She and Milton had two children, Norman and Raymond. She died peacefully in her sleep on May 15, 2017, day after Mother’s Day. “I want to be cremated,” she said, “they probably won’t get my makeup right.” She once told Willard Scott she hopes he will still be around for her 100th birthday. She is remembered as a Leesburg business pioneer and friend of many who shopped in White’s.

Online condolences may be made to the family at loudounfuneralchapel.com.

[ D E AT H N O T I C E S ] Marion Claire Appel. Our loving wife and mother, Marion Appel of Purcellville, went to the Lord on Saturday, May 13, 2017. She was born in Miami, Florida on July 31, 1936. Marion was the loving bride of 55 years to Charles Appel. Doting mother to Michael (Jeannie) Bertelson, Genny Payne, Allison (Paul) Brown, Andy (Jenan) Appel, and Chuck (Stacie) Appel. Doting grandmother to James Payne; Kayla, Emma, Megan, Scott and Jeff Brown; Connor and Hope Appel; Zach and Reece Appel; Karen (Dave) Glidden; Greg (Susan) Mason. Great grandmother to Samantha, Addison, Brittany, Meghan, Alyssa and JD. Services will be held on Friday, May 19th at Hall Funeral Home in Purcellville, VA at 1:00 p.m. with visitation from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

17th from 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday May 18th at the funeral home beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Hillsboro Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Purcellville Rescue Squad.

Susan Jean Burt, 69, of Leesburg, died April 27. She was born on March 14, 1948, in Flint, MI. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Franklin George Burt of Swartz Creek, MI; son Justin Winfield Burt of Flint, MI; daughter Sarah-Linda Burt of Miami, FL; sister Linda Louise Beckman of Grand Blanc, MI; and two grandchildren. Services were held May 2 at Ebenezer Cemetery. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel] Thomas Franklin Cummings Jr age 53 of Harpers Ferry, WV for-

Marie A. “Toni” Avery, 42, of Purcellville, died April 14 at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Born April 2, 1975, in Leesburg, she was the daughter of Floyd B. Trammel Sr. and Patricia A. Trammel. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband Thomas E. Avery and sons Dondre and Troy Avery, all of Purcellville; brother Floyd B Trammel Jr.; and sister Jasmine Phillips. Services were held April 22 at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Leesburg. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel]

merly of Purcellville passed away April 21st at his home. He is survived by his wife Kimberly McKim Cummings and children Tony, Jake and Sarah as well as his grandchildren Clayton, Hallie, Monte, Tristan and Corbin, his brother Henry Cummings and brother Jimmy Norris. He graduated from Loudoun valley High school and was in the construction business his whole life. A go fund me page was set up for expenses and his family can be reached at 910 Hostler Rd Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.

Jane Virginia Bridge, of Win-

Jerell “Jere” Leah Devlin, 83, of

Lansdowne, died April 20. She was born in Chicago, IL, on Oct. 21, 1933, to Jewel and Walter Lundell. She grew up in Manhasset, NY, and graduated from Goucher College where she met her husband L. Hugh Devlin. They were married for 62 years and raised five children— Kathleen, Kimberly, Leah, Cheri and Bruce—in Bethesda, MD. [Colonial Funeral Home]

Karen Crim Sullivan, age 59,

passed away on Friday, May 12th at Inova Loudoun Hospital. Karen was born on November 29th, 1957 in Leesburg, VA to the late Edgar (Ted) Crim & Jacqueline Crim. Karen has been a resident of Fauquier county for 27 years. Karen is survived by her three daughters, Kelsey Sullivan, Ashley Sullivan, and Molly Sullivan of Warrenton; her Grandson, Kade Gregg of Warrenton; her mother, Jacqueline Crim of Hillsboro; her brother, Edgar “Ed” Crim of Hillsboro; her nephews, Zach Crim and his wife Christen Crim, Hunter Crim, and Brad Crim of Culpeper; and her great niece, Harper Crim. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 16th from 7pm-9pm at Hall Funeral Home Purcellville, VA. Services will also be held at Hall Funeral home on Wednesday, May 17th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at United Bank of Purcellville, VA. Checks can be made out to the Sullivan Family Memorial Fund.

Fred Thomas Wright, 74, died

April 24, at his home in Purcellville. He was born Dec. 19, 1942, in Purcellville to George and Helen Wright. He worked for the Loudoun County School Board for over 40 years. He is survived by his brothers Roy Michael

Wright of Purcellville and George William Wright Jr. of Winchester; and sisters Thelma Mae Soegiarto of Centreville, Nancy Wright of Purcellville, and Barbara Olsen of Falls Church. Services were held April 28 at Hall Funeral Home of Purcellville. Interment was at Hillsboro Cemetery. [Hall Funeral Home]

To Place an Obituary, Memoriam, or Death Notice

Contact: Lindsay Morgan (703) 770-9723

lmorgan@loudounnow.com

loudounnow.com

chester, VA and formerly of Purcellville, VA, died May 15, 2017 in Heritage Hall at the age of 80. Jane was born September 22, 1936 in Virginia to the late Gary and Christine Glascock. She is survived by her husband of 63 years Charles L. Bridge of Winchester, VA; son Michael Bridge of Hillsboro, VA; Susan Linden Maggard of Airmont, VA; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Wednesday May

Steve Hankinson, 51, of Loudoun County, died April 24. He was born in 1965 in Richmond to Patricia and Richard Hankinson of Vienna. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife Jeannine; children Stephanie, Sasha, Connor and Sienna; brother Todd of North Carolina; and a sister Kristine Dollard of California. Funeral services were held April 28 at Loudoun Funeral Chapel in Leesburg. Interment was at Emmanuel Church Cemetery in Middleburg. [Loudoun Funeral Chapel]

Jane graduated from Hanover College, Magna Cum Laude. She enjoyed many occupations, beginning with her service as a stewardess on American Airlines, then teaching at St. Edward’s School, and later managing Loudoun Racquet and Swim Club. She retired from her career serving as a Magistrate in Fairfax & Loudoun County.

Ethel Myers May 20, 1915 to May 15, 2017

May 18 – 24, 2017

[OBITUARIES]

May 18 – 24, 2017

loudounnow.com

Yard Sales Downsizing Sale

Historic Waterford Community Yard Sale! Saturday May 20th 8am-2pm (Rain Date: Sunday May 21st)

Saturday, May 20 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. 1713 Tomworth Ct. NE Leesburg, 20176 (located in backyard & basement)

Antique & Vintage Clocks, Mirrors, Furniture: Desk, Queen & Full-size Bed Frames, Hanging Wall Cupboard, Cedar Hope Chest, Early Blanket Chest, Doughbox, Tables, Chairs; Bicycles: Wooden Door w Screen & Storm Door; Landscape, Still Life, Portrait Paintings; Decorative Accessories; Kayak; Pewter Chandelier; Textiles; Clothing; Throw Pillows; Books; DVDs,; CDs; Vintage Dishware and Tools; Old Dolls; Early Glassware; Hurricane & Other Lamps; Child’s Car & Booster Seats; Travel/Steam Irons; Kitchenware; Collectibles; Auto Parts; Push Lawn Mower; Cement Lawn Ornaments; lots more! Look for balloons! More information at www.waterfordconnection/yardsale

Hamlets at Red Cedar Community Yard Sale

lots of collectibles, art, china, crystal, lawn care items, electronics, car parts and more!

Ashton Downs Community Yard Sale Saturday, May 20. 8 p.m. - 12 p.m.

Rain or Shine Leesburg, off Catoctin Circle. West of LCHS, across from Foxridge Park. Enter on Ashton Dr. SW or Foxborough Dr. SW. Look for signs. Many households are participating. Something for everyone.

Saturday, May 20 8AM - Noon Rain or Shine

Yard Sale -- Saturday May 20 -- 8:00 am-2:00 pm

Enter community from Evergreen Mills at Great Woods or Red Cedar

North Fork/Mt Gilead: Greggsville Rd, Cockerill Rd, Deerbrook Lane, Loudoun Orchard Rd

CARRVALLE COMMUNITY YARD SALE

Look for signs

MAY 20, 2017

7:30am-2:00pm

EDWARDS FERRY - PLAZA - APPLETREE DR NE

Visit LoudounNow.com for more!

Something for everyone! Furniture, bikes, toys, clothes, kitchen supplies, electronics and more!

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov • www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

Fountains of Living Water

(Non-denomination, Full Gospel)

Meeting at: Sterling Middle School 201 W. Holly Ave. Sterling,VA 20164 Sunday 10:15am www.fountainsoflivingwater.org (703) 433-1481 “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 Contact: Lindsay Morgan (703) 770-9723

Part-Time Spanish Teacher Loudoun Country Day School

Email resume to employment@lcds.org

JOIN THE TEAM

Loudoun Now is adding to its small, dedicated newspaper team. We’re looking for advertising sales executives who value the mission of community journalism and the marketing power the newspaper’s print and online products offer to area businesses. There’s veteran support team in place to help, but we’re looking for self-starters and go-getters. If that’s you, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sstyer@loudounnow.com

Looking For Work I AM CERTIFIED CARE GIVERer

Looking For Work Providing Care For The Elderly Seniors / Persons with Disabilities, in their homes & all of their daily needs. • Will run errands • Has own transportation • good cook To Hire Call Naana (630) 200-9592

Hiring? Share the opportunity in LoudounNow We’ve Got You Covered In The Mail Weekly

LoudounNow

We’ve got you covered.

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.

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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

FT LPN or MA

May 18 – 24, 2017

Employment

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Contact: Lindsay Morgan (703) 770-9723 lmorgan@loudounnow.com

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Resource Directory BARBER SHOP Ashburn Barber Shop 44031 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, #139 Ashburn, VA 20147 Ashburn Village Center Same Shopping Center as Old Giant, Popeye Chicken, Burger King, Kinder Care & Ashburn Service Center

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THE CLEAN TEAM ONE, LLC

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Sherley’s Residential and Commercial Excellent reference - Reasonable rates Free in home estimates Family Owned and Operated Licensed, Insured & Bonded 703-901-9142 www.cbmaids.com cleanbreakcleaningcompany@gmail.com

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CONSTRUCTION

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Benjamin Hall owner & chef

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May 18 – 24, 2017

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Preserving Options Appropriately, it appears it will be a collection of regional leaders who will revive the discussion about the future need for an additional Potomac River bridge crossing. It has been nearly three decades since the topic was given serious attention, with the political divides at that time proving too broad to cross. More recently, a Virginia Department of Transportation study dismissed the need for a crossing, while instead offering up plans for yet another set of toll booths to siphon money from the weary commuters being funneled over the American Legion Bridge. That approach— sadly one all too typical in Richmond in recent years—would likely work out well for some foreign-based infrastructure investment company, but it’s not the long-term solution the region needs. Getting the concept of a new river crossing into Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s TransAction long-term transportation plan is an important step. Regional planners starting in the 1960s recognized the need. In later years, political weakness and growth debates eroded that sound transit strategy. With clear direction from regional leaders supporting the concept, planners in Loudoun and Fairfax counties can begin to take a new look at those options. Those around the table now as part of the Envision Loudoun comprehensive plan update effort also should have this project on their to-do list in some form. They’re looking at what Loudoun can look like 20 years from now. In that timeframe, there may not yet be another bridge between Point of Rocks and Cabin John, but that future generation of residents and business owners would be well served by plans that establish a firm foundation on which to build one when the need is critical and the money is available. The most important element of the long-running battle on the river crossing is that it will not be today’s governmental leaders who will build the bridge. It won’t be today’s residents or businesses that will be asked to pay for it. Their only role is to preserve the opportunity. That’s how good planning works.

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

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[ LETTERS ] English Lesson Editor: English and grammar are tricky principles for some to understand. Much has been made of some comments I made during an informal debate on the language for the vision statement for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan revision. The debate was if the word transition should be added to the sentence, “Its well-deserved reputation for great places, natural and built as well as historic and new, in rural, suburban, and urban settings, will foster economic innovation, fiscal strength, and sustainability.” Supervisor Buffington made a motion to add “transition” as a setting. My questions were simple: What is a “transition setting?” Would anyone who hasn’t studied Loudoun land use know what that means? Many Loudoun County citizens are not familiar with our policy areas, and I was hoping to clarify a big picture vision for the plan that all could understand. This question has nothing to do with the preservation of the rural nature of the Transition Policy Area (TPA), which every board member supports. The debate had to do with the English language. “Transition” is not an adjective; to be proper English, one would say “transitional setting.” Further, without defining what setting is being transitioned, the phrase is meaningless. A transitional setting could mean transitioning from urban to suburban, or it could mean hundreds of other things as I inartfully pointed out—considering the word is not a nationally recognized specific land use term. If the word “settings” was replaced with “policy area,” that would be a different discussion altogether. But even then, referring to specific policy areas in a broad vision statement seems out of place. — Supervisor Ron Meyer, Ashburn Board Run District

Myopic Editor: Mr. Ihara’s letter expressing his “outrage” over the House passing the first legislative step in the demolition of Obamacare is indicative of the myopic liberal view of this scam. I’ll be characteristically blunt. In 2013, I was paying $135/month for a policy

that suited me very well. In 2017, I am being charged—ripped off—the princely sum of $589/month for a policy that is nearly useless to me. That is an increase of 437 percent in four years. In the liberal’s mind, that makes it “affordable.” There is not, and has never been, anything “affordable” about the ACA. To rant and rave and condemn President Trump and the House Republicans for “ripping away the economic security of hard working American families” is an absurd notion. Millions of hard working American families can’t afford it now, because of triple-digit increases in premium costs like those I have experienced. I have friends and neighbors who have experienced increases even greater than mine. The level of insurance company participation has dropped precipitously, and the number of available plans has likewise shrunk, in some markets to only a single carrier and one or two plans. Those are our available “choices” under the ACA. “Lastly, the effects on the healthcare of Americans as a result of the bill they voted for were unknown,” writes Mr. Ihara. Well, I would venture to say that they are no more unknown than the effects of the dishonest, treacherous and deceitful representations the Democrats and their president made when the ACA was passed in 2009. “If you like the plan you have, you can keep it. If you like the doctor you have, you can keep your doctor, too. The only change you will see are falling costs as our reforms take hold.” That is from Obama’s weekly address on June 6, 2009. Three very distinct lies, all of which have laid the groundwork to destroy the financial security of millions of Americans since 2013. Isn’t that right, Mr. Ihara? So don’t lecture us on how “outraged” you may be. You start paying 437 percent increases like we have, then—maybe— you are entitled to be outraged. — M.B. Cranshaw, Aldie

A Serving of Rainbow Stew Editor: Regarding last week’s letter by Randy Ihara, he writes that “I am writing to express my outrage at the joyous celebration by the House of Republicans and the President of the United States!” Apparently, he did not see the juvenile reaction of the Democrats when this bill passed LETTERS >> 45

[ LETTERS ] the House. Do you remember any such thing occurring by the Republicans when the Democrats passed Obamacare without a single Republican vote? Of course not; they are too professional and aware of the decorum expected on the House floor to ever resort to such infantile antics. Then Mr. Ihara goes on to castigate the ACHA with numerous derogatory comments about the bill. This even though the bill is no more than a guide to what is likely to come out in the final version. First, the bill must go to the Senate, be reworked there and then sent to conference to reconcile the two versions after which it will need to be approved again by both the House and the Senate. In other words, I don’t know what the final bill will look like and neither does Mr. Ihara. What I do know is that my wife’s insurance, under Obamacare, has shot up from $400 per month to more than $1,100 with a $8,000 deductible; in other words, she must expend approximately $21,000 per annum before she really has any insurance. So much for affordability. The Democratic agenda is to do everything in their power to obstruct and delay the president’s agenda without regard to what impact it has on the country. Country singer Merle Haggard wrote and sang the following words, “When a president goes through the White House door and does what he says he’ll do, we’ll all be a drinking that free bubble up and eating that rainbow stew.” Well, Mr. Ihara that’s exactly what President Trump is doing; he is delivering for his supporters exactly what they voted for. Just so you’ll know I’m enjoying a glass of free bubble up and eating that rainbow stew. — Dale Everett, Ashburn

Editor: On Sept. 26, 2016, a peculiar odor prompted residents south of Leesburg to place more than 100 emergency calls, and a number of people were evacuated. The incident resulted from an unannounced venting at a natural gas compressor station on Watson road, 10 miles south of Leesburg. Ventings are a routine aspect of compressor station maintenance, and emissions or leaks of compounds—including methane, a greenhouse gas far more heat-trapping than carbon dioxide—are one of the consequences of relying on natural gas and the infrastructure it requires. Dominion has requested a permit from Loudoun County to increase capacity at the Leesburg compressor station. Even if you live nowhere near this facility, think about what this means. Natural gas comes from fracking, and the construction and extraction aspects of fracking damage shared resources such as water supplies, human health, and habitat—even public roads because the trucks involved rapidly wear them out. Fracking is so detrimental to the environment and human health that New York and Maryland have banned it. Is it reasonable to expand infrastructure like compressor stations that will lock us into continued dependence on fossil fuel? Why does Virginia have so little solar power while Maryland has so much? Tell the Board of Supervisors what vision of the future you support: bos@ loudoun.gov. They will decide in less than 60 days. Let them hear from you. — S.E. Richardson, Leesburg

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the county’s roads before making any permanent changes. The School Board discussed the proposal at length at its May 9 meeting. “To do this successfully,” Eric DeKenipp (Catoctin) said, “we need to go in not with a hatchet, making broad, sweeping changes, but with a scalpel.” Debbie Rose (Algonkian), who chairs the Student Support and Services Committee, emphasized that reducing the number of bus routes would not put any bus drivers out of work; the school system already has a shortage of bus drivers. And Tom Marshall (Leesburg) added that he does not think high school students will have a problem with school starting 15 minutes later. A few board members raised concerns about the safety of the proposed plans. Joy Maloney (Broad Run) said maximizing bus capacity could be a challenge to present to parents. “I don’t want people to think we’re planning for the buses to be overcrowded,” she said. “We’re already hearing complaints.” The maximum capacity for buses carrying elementary students is 77, and 51 for middle and high school students. The committee reported that the average school bus route has 38 students, and wants to increase that number. Board Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) said his concern was with the mediumand high-impact plans, and the safety

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Falcon’s Landing << FROM 3 residents struggling with conditions like Alzheimer’s. Falcons Landing residents do not actually own the homes they live in. Instead they are tied to them by contract. The Falcons Landing board has reassured those residents that their contracts, which in most cases guarantee a specific address, will be honored and that they can remain in their homes as long as they wish. A county Planning Commission in March hearing saw a packed meeting room, with a long list of residents speaking out both for and against the community’s plans. However, Board of Supervisors’ May 10 public hearing on the same application saw strong support—some by residents with spouses in need of memory care—and little opposition. “Falcons Landing is not another development, or just another community,” resident David Belden said. “Falcons Landing is a family. Not in a blood sense of family, but in a larger sense of shared experiences and activities. However, we’re just like every other family: we don’t agree on much of anything,” he added, to laughter. “The key measure of a community’s viability is occupancy, but we can’t wait until that shows a dramatic drop,” said Falcons Landing board Chairman William Timme. He said if the community waits until occupancy goes down to update its homes, it might not have the financial backing to do, leading to a death spiral for the facility. County supervisors said they can’t get

of the elementary students walking to and from the consolidated bus stops. Under the school system’s policies, the maximum walking distance for a bus stop is one mile. DeKenipp echoed Morse’s concerns, saying he does not want elementary school students walking half an hour to their bus stops in the winter when it’s dark in the mornings and afternoons. Beth Huck (At-Large) said the safety concerns would resolve themselves as the committee continues its work. “I look forward to this fall, having it be less stressful on transportation,” she said. “There is a little bit of homework to do,” Morse added. “Certainly, when we come back for the action item, we can resolve any outstanding issues.” Jennifer O’Dell, who’s been driving a bus for Loudoun’s public schools for about 13 years, fears the plan looks better on paper than in practice. She said her buses already carry two, and sometimes three, kids a seat. “By the time you get two middle school kids and their backpacks, they’re hanging out in the aisle. We’re full,” she said in an interview this week. “They’re letting the computer do the thinking. The computer doesn’t have any common sense. They need to get out and actually talk with the parents and talk with the drivers.” Caroline Boras is an intern with Loudoun Now. She is studying journalism and Russian studies at Washington & Lee University. involved with where specific residents will live—it’s strictly a land use policy decision. “It is very inappropriate for the board in any manner to exert itself in the middle of a private contract between two individuals,” said board Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn). “And I personally have experience with this.” He pointed out a decision on the previous Board of Supervisors which led to both he and then-supervisor Shawn Williams being personally sued, unsuccessfully, by broadband provider OpenBand. The lawsuit alleged Williams and Buona crossed a line by trying to help negotiate a compromise between OpenBand and two homeowners’ associations. Still, Jim and Nancy Haynes, who had raised their concerns to the Planning Commission, have their reservations. Nancy Haynes said she had received a letter reassuring her she would not be forced out of her home. In the same letter, however, it was written that without revenues from the two new apartment buildings—one of which would stand where her cottage is now—the community would not be able to afford the memory care facility without raising fees. “How will the potential last man standing feel in the face of the community’s reaction to the proposition that the memory home cannot be constructed without the revenue of the terrace apartments in the footprints of the cottages?” she said. Falcons Landing’s application was passed 8-0-1, Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) absent. rgreene@loudounnow.com

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