Loudoun Now for April 19, 2016 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 1, No. 28 ]

[ loudounnow.com ]

[ May 19 – 25, 2016 ]

Home and Garden Special section inside........... 21-31

SPARKS FLY

Fire Officials Alarmed by Code Revisions BY RENSS GREENE

Crowd Management Ali Khaligh/Loudoun Now

Mercer Middle School in Aldie enforces strict traffic patterns to move 1,605 students between classes. By this fall, the school will have 688 students more than its building is designed to hold.

Enrollment Relief Put on Hold for Packed Schools BY DANIELLE NADLER

ercer Middle School, Loudoun County’s most crowded school, has gotten creative to accommodate 255 more students than the building was designed to hold. To cut down on the number of times 1,605 students must forge the hallways, daily homerooms have been replaced with a weekly advisory period. And students are asked to follow strict traffic patterns: no left turns unless absolutely necessary. “This traffic scheme is the only way kids can get to class. And they’re only going to have more students next year,” said School Board member Jeff Morse (Dulles), who represents the district in which Mercer sits. It will be another couple of years before Mercer Middle School, and other packed schools in the southern end of

the county, get much reprieve. That will come when a yet-to-be-named middle school (MS-7) opens along Braddock Road in August 2018. Until then, the school system faces what its leaders have called an “enrollment hump.” Some members of the Loudoun County School Board saw the opening of Brambleton Middle School as a chance to move about 200 students from Mercer, and other schools south of Rt. 50, to schools north of it to get over that so-called hump. But, as the board adopted school assignments for Brambleton Middle and HS-11, the high school next door, last week, the majority of members opted for a boundary map that moves the fewest students, holding off on any major changes to families to the south. Board members who favored the adopted map, called Plan 2 Amended, said it will mean fewer assignment changes for students in those very full schools. For example,

! LE W A O S N N O

they don’t want a middle school student to be moved north to Brambleton Middle School in 2017 only to be reassigned to MS-7 when it opens in the following year. They prefer to redraw the attendance lines in the south this fall, when they have new enrollment projections and, hopefully, a site for HS-9, the high school slated to open in 2021. “I do think it’s the right move to wait and gather more information about enrollment projections,” said Chairman Eric Hornberger (Ashburn). But the adopted boundaries also leave Mercer Middle School with 688 students above its building capacity this fall and 1,050 students over by 2017. It also leaves Eagle Ridge Middle School 153 students over capacity in 2017. Morse, who proposed the alternate plan that would have shifted about 200 PACKED SCHOOLS >> 47

Loudoun fire officials say state revisions to the fire code are placing homebuilders’ demands above the safety of homes and businesses. The Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development is in the process of revising the state fire code, with a goal of removing elements that are duplicated in the building code. The problem, Loudoun’s fire officials said, is that deleting those rules from the fire code takes away their ability to enforce them. Chief Fire Marshal Linda Hale gave the example of presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton’s visit to a Stone Ridge coffee shop last week. Hale’s office made sure that, while people crowded into the shop to see Clinton, there were adequate emergency exits for everyone. “So, should something happen, we can assure that everyone gets out,” Hale said. “The Secret Service is here to be able to make sure the dignitary gets out. Our job is to be able to make sure everybody else gets out.” And while the building code is set in stone at the state level, localities can add to the fire code to address local concerns. For example, Loudoun’s fire code has more deSPARKS FLY >> 20

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Combined Fire-Rescue System Chief W. Keith Brower Jr., Chief Fire Marshal Linda Hale, Chesterfield County Assistant Fire Chief Rob Dawson, and Fairfax County Fire Marshal Captain George Hollingsworth tell the Board of Supervisors’ finance committee about their battle in Richmond.

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3 May 19 – 25, 2016 Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

The Hayman Lane home is the largest construction project undertaken by Loudoun Habitat for Humanity.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Loudoun Habitat for Humanity Construction Manager Bud Green hands the keys to a new two-story Round Hill home to Andres and Dianna Sandoval-Cadena and their three children.

Family Settles in to Habitat House in Round Hill BY NORMAN K. STYER Volunteers for Loudoun Habitat for Humanity celebrated the completion of its largest project Saturday morning. In front of a crowd of Hayman Lane neighbors and Habitat volunteers, Construction Manager Bud Green handed the keys to a new two-story

Round Hill home to Andres and Dianna Sandoval-Cadena and their three children. The nonprofit owned the lot for 14 years and initially thought of using the land to raise money for other projects. But last year Habitat moved forward with construction. “This was a daunting home as you

can well imagine to build. It was outside of our comfort zone. The plan was different that anything we’ve ever done,” Green said. “We’ve built the best house we’ve ever built” Also on hand for the dedication ceremony were Supervisor Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Round Hill Mayor Scott Ramsey.

nstyer@loudounnow.com

Under Federal Pressure, Loudoun Schools Assess Transgender Policy BY RENSS GREENE Loudoun County Public Schools are giving their policies on transgender students a second look after receiving a memo issued Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Education outlining the federal government’s stance on treatment of those students. The memo requires that when a student’s parent or guardian notifies school administration that their child will assert a gender identity that differs from previous representations or records, the school system will begin treating the student according to that person’s gender identity. It also specifies that there is no medical diagnosis or treatment requirement—in other words, no doctor’s note is required. “Loudoun County Public Schools’ consistent practice on this matter is to have the building administrator work out accommodations with students and their families that respect everyone in the school community,” stated LCPS Public Information Officer Wayde Byard. “We are assessing the federal government’s stance on this issue and will give it due consideration as we move forward.” Connie Rice is a former Marine, parent of three

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A sign on a men’s restroom in Leesburg. Public schools across the country are looking at their transgender bathroom policies following new federal guidelines.

Boy Scouts, and a transgender woman who lives in Leesburg. She said the transgender students she knows have been using the nurse’s bathroom instead of the bathrooms other students use.

Rice said she is not aware of cases in which transgender students have been permitted to use the bathroom of their choice. “The personal accommodation seems to have been, use a special bathroom,” she said. The school system’s $16.7 million in federal funding is at stake. Under Title IX, the school system’s federal funding is contingent with the federal nondiscrimination policy, which now includes these guidelines on treatment of transgender students. “Theoretically, yes, there are things on the line, but all that is really early to be saying what ramifications are going to come out of this, so that’s yet to be seen,” Byard said. He also said it would be up to the School Board to determine whether the federal memo will require the school system to create a system-wide policy for transgender students. The federal memo includes definitions for terminology relating to transgender people, a sign of how new the idea is to many school systems. In the memo, “gender identity” is defined as a person’s internal sense of gender, which may be different from the person’s sex assigned at birth. “Sex assigned at birth” is TRANSGENDER POLICY >> 12

County looks to preserve Loudoun Museum ................6

Middleburg Bank’s tiff spurs growth ..............................34 Meet the voice of the Purcellville Cannons............................. 32

New bar, Hugo, does hooch right...........36

Loudoun Moment ..............4 Loudoun Gov .....................6 Crime ..............................14 Education ........................16 Our Towns ........................32

Biz ..................................34 LoCo Living ......................36 Obituaries ........................40 Classifieds ......................40 Opinion ...........................44

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[ INDEX ] Despite health concerns, schools go with crumb rubber fields ................................16

Welcome Home

“I can’t believe what you’ve built here. It’s so beautiful,” Buffington said. “The Sandovals are going to be a great asset to the town of Round Hill and we are lucky to have them, not the other way around,” Ramsey said. The Habitat volunteers also have been busy in Leesburg, renovating two townhouses. “So we’ve done three homes in the last 10 months—fairly significant work effort on all of them,” Green said. “It’s beautiful work. I would hold it against the work of any production builder anywhere without a doubt.” Green said he also was happy for the Sandoval-Cadena family. “These guys are perfect for this home,” he said. “It has been a dream come true. We prayed every single day that this could be our home. Thank you very much,” Dianna Sandoval-Cadena said.

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[ A LOUDOUN MOMENT ]

AVFRD Vice President Marvin Boyd takes a trip down one of the station’s fire poles.

The new Company 6 building has functional fire poles to get firefighters and EMTs to their vehicles immediately. At the old station, said AVFRD president Jimmy Olevson, the run to the vehicles would take 20 to 30 seconds. “It doesn’t seem like much until it’s your house on fire,” Olevson said.

Ashburn Celebrates New Fire Station A PHOTO ESSAY BY RENSS GREENE/LOUDOUN NOW

Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue held a grand opening of its new station building with a community festival Sunday. Ashburn District Supervisor Ralph M. Buona (R) said the station is “a symbol of the community and a testament that the volunteer system is still thriving today.” “I want to say, this was a true partnership between the volunteers and the county,” Buona said. Virginia Delegate Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R-32) said 15 years ago, he came to the Ashburn volunteer squad to learn how to properly install a child car seat. Fifteen years later, he said, “we’re standing in a beautiful, beautiful building.” “When we come back home [from the General Assembly], we’re welcomed by things like this—accomplishments in the community,” Greason said.

Ashburn firefighter Peter Ciba hands out plastic firemen’s helmets in his turnout gear. A girl tries out the view from a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority fire engine.

A girl tries to break a board held by a Top Kick instructor. AVFRD President Jimmy Olevson gives a tour of the new facility, including a mural of the old building.

5 May 19 – 25, 2016

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The Potts dairy farm in Purcellville is the last of its kind in Loudoun, standing the test of time and passing the dairymen lifestyle down through the generations.

New Land Uses in Western Loudoun Cause Concern BY RENSS GREENE Loudoun’s Zoning Ordinance Action Group has recommended a variety of changes to rural land use regulations, but a long line of public hearing speakers from the west agreed with staff that the changes need more work. Some of the proposed changes are technical quick fixes, such as clarifying rules for equestrian facilities. Others are uncontroversial, such as writing in set-back and lot- size exemptions for historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But language about farm wineries and breweries again drew western Loudouners’ ire during a recent Planning Commission hearing. “The contradiction is clear,” said Marvin Watts during the April 25 hearing. “When you industrialize the country, as with the so-called farm brewery,

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Zoning Ordinance Action Group members Mark Trostle and Packie Crown hear concerns from western Loudouners.

there is no country left.” “I know I wouldn’t knowingly purchase a residence where the ingress and egress to my driveway is on the entrance for a farm winery, and that’s certainly what would happen in our little neighborhood,” Tom Curtis said. Other amendments, however, enjoyed strong support—such as proposed rules that would allow more farm infrastructure, like barns, in open spaces. Many supporters of Willowsford turned out to support that amendment, allowing the Willowsford Farm to grow. “We love Willowsford Farm, and we count the days every year until their farm stand opens,” Amy Beahm said. “Eleven days, by the way.” Elizabeth Raitz-Cowboy and her daughters Nicole and Camerson also spoke as a Navajo family, telling the commissioners that they love Mother Earth and “you cannot have a farm without a barn.” “We are here again as urban Navajos,” Raitz-Cowboy said. “We are real Navajos. Please let us build our farm structures to continue to support our children’s growth.” “I like the farm, because it actually has hands-on experience, instead of reading inside a book and watching a video on how to do stuff,” Nicole Raitz-Cowboy added. Representatives from the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition, the Aldie Heritage Association, the Transition Area Alliance, and the Waterford Citizens Association all turned out to ask the Planning Commission to give ZOAG’s suggestions a second look. “We did not intend to assault rural Loudoun County, and I do think that needs to be said, because there has been some visceral reaction, obviously, to the work that ZOAG has done,” said Packie Crown, a ZOAG member. The commission voted 6-2-0-1 to forward technical changes to the Board of Supervisors, while the rest of ZOAG’s proposed changes will go back to a work session for more review. The two western planning commissioners, Charlie Douglas (Blue Ridge) and Eugene Scheel (Catoctin), voted against. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Board Moves on Plan to Save Loudoun Museum BY RENSS GREENE The Board of Supervisors’ finance committee has endorsed a plan to spend up to $90,000 a year for three years to help the Loudoun Museum get back on its feet. “It’s difficult for an entity like this to turn their ship around in a single year,” County Administrator Tim Hemstreet during the May 10 meeting. “They do need a lot of work, and what this is offering is that professional support to help them through that process.” The museum previously came to the county board asking for help—warning that without immediate action, the museum would likely begin dissolution. The previous Board of Supervisors in December narrowly voted to help bail out the museum, which is in financial

dire straits, and to take an oversight role in the museum’s operation. But county staff members determined that doing so would threaten the independence of the museum’s Board of Trustees and, in the case of county government taking control, the museum’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The new plan directs the staff to find an outside vendor to provide development services to the museum. The county would sign and control the contract. The board also will enter into a memorandum of understanding with the museum, which supervisors have suggested should also include accountability such as fundraising benchmarks and a requirement that museum Board of Trustees members raise or donate money. The money for the outside vendor was included in the fiscal year 2017 county

budget, to the tune of $156,000, including $91,000 for operating expenditures and $65,000 for hiring a development manager. That money will now be used for hiring the third party vendor, plus a transfer of funds to the museum of $66,000. Finance committee members said they would like to look at using transient occupancy tax funds from hotel stays—money earmarked for promoting tourism and travel—rather than general operating funds. And while supervisors continue to be wary about giving more money to the perennially struggling museum, Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) said he is willing to give it one more chance. rgreene@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun Museum Curator Alana Blumenthal hears the news that the county government will provide funding for professional fundraising, but still retain supervisory control over that contract.

Dulles Airport last inked a sister airport agreement with Beijing Capital International Airport. The deal is aimed at introducing Loudoun’s airport to 90 million people in the Chinese market. The airport partnership will place images of Loudoun and Dulles around Beijing International, which saw almost 90 million passengers during 2015, making it the world’s second busiest airport by passenger volume. “China is the second largest international market in terms of visitor spending, experiencing double-digit growth over the past decade,” Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson stated. “This partnership greatly increases our visibility and opportunity to be in front of both potential visitors and future investors in Loudoun County.” The launch of a sister airport relationship establishes extensive collaboration between the Metropolitan Washington Airports Association and Capital

Airports Holding Company, which is owned by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and manages Beijing International, and strengthens the connection between the Chinese and American capital cities, according to CAH. “This marketing partnership will help raise awareness of Loudoun County as a business location. Attracting Chinese companies to Loudoun will bring jobs to county residents, help pay for schools, roads and safety personnel, and diversify our commercial tax base,” Economic Development Director Buddy Rizer stated. “We are delighted to begin this working relationship between Dulles International Airport and the Capital Airports Holding Company, operators of Beijing Capital International Airport, to strengthen and expand the nonstop air service connecting our two capital cities,” said Mark Treadaway, MWAA’S vice president for Business Outreach. “Working together with BCIA alongside Loudoun County and Shunyi District, we will learn from each other and grow our aviation markets.”

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Mark Treadaway, MWAA’s vice president for Business Outreach, and Wang Xing, executive vice President of Capital Airports Holding Company, sign the sister airport agreement in Beijing during a May 13 ceremony. Also in attendance from Loudoun were County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), Economic Development Director Buddy Rizer, and International Business Development Manager Robert McCollar.

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Skate Park Design Up for Review

The public is invited to review and comment on conceptual drawings for the renovation of the Catoctin Skate Park.

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One of the proposed designs for Leesburg’s new skate park.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

A ceremony was held last week to mark the 250th anniversary of the Old Stone Church cemetery site, the first land parcel owned by Methodists in the Western Hemisphere.

250 Years of Methodist History Commemorated in Leesburg BY MARGARET MORTON

tiny cemetery in downtown Leesburg was celebrated for its historic significance last week. It was 250 years ago—May 11, 1766—that Leesburg founder Nicholas Minor deeded a half-acre lot on Cornwall Street to shoemaker Robert Hamilton. The Methodist convert paid “four pounds current money of Virginia” to build a church or meeting house or graveyard on the land. It was the first Methodist land acquisition in the western hemisphere. More than 50 people—including parishioners from three United Methodist Church congregations—gathered at the Old Stone Church cemetery Monday, May 11, to hear Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-VA-10) read the General Assembly’s Joint Resolution commemorating the anniversary. The resolution came about after the Rev. James Wishmyer, pastor of Leesburg United Methodist Church, gave an invocation to open a House of Delegates session in February. He mentioned the site’s anniversary to Minchew. “He perked up and said ‘let’s get a resolution,’” Wishmyer recalled. The resolution commended the Old Stone Church Foundation and its United Methodist Church affiliates for the 250 years of church history at the site. Today, the land is owned by the Virginia United Methodist Historical Society of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. The first building on the site, erected in 1768, was a Methodist meeting house, within the Anglican community. After the congregation split from the Anglican Church in 1784, a

The drawings were released Monday by Spohn Ranch, the design firm contracted by the town for the skate park project. They can be viewed online at leesburgva.gov/skatepark. The new park will be located on the empty lot to the west of the existing park on Catoctin Circle. The new design incorporates ramps, stairs and handrails with modern, cement-based structures like a bowl and a vertical wall. The design takes into consideration that park users have different levels of ability and include in-line skaters and bicyclists in addition to skateboarders. Comments may be sent to skateparkinfo@leesburgva.gov or posted on Facebook facebook. com/groups/leesburgskatepark. Comments will be accepted through May 25.

Funding for Battlefield Interchange Considered

More than 50 people gathered at the cemetery to honor the 250th anniversary of Methodism in Leesburg.

new church, known as the Old Stone Church, was constructed. It was the only church building in Leesburg and counted many of colonial Leesburg’s leading citizens among its congregation. In 1848, the congregation split over the issue of slavery, with some members leaving to form what is now Leesburg United Methodist Church. The rest stayed at Old Stone Church, but later black members of the congregation moved to form what is now Mount Zion United Methodist Church. Both congregations helped form the relatively new Evergreen United Methodist Church. The building was sold in 1900 by court order and demolished in 1901, with the materials being used elsewhere in town. A private home adjoining the churchyard, the oldest part of which dates from 1762, was the first parsonage of the Old Stone Church. In 1965, the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church pur-

chased the Old Stone Church property. Today, the cemetery walkway bricks, the original doorway stones and headstones in the churchyard remain to mark the site of a cradle of American Methodism. It has been preserved as a historic and archaeological site, and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Following the reading of the resolution, the crowd joined in singing hymns writing by Methodist founder John Wesley. “I think he would be proud of your singing,” Wishmyer told the group. John Creamer received praise for his leadership of a group of parishioners who maintain the property, which, by the early 1960s was neglected and overgrown. “Think about the people who’ve worshiped in this place,” Wishmyer said. “We are part of a heritage.” mmorton@loudounnow.com

The Northern Virginia Transit Authority has put the Rt. 7/ Battlefield Parkway interchange project on its list of candidate projects for fiscal year 2017. The NVTA recently released its draft FY17 program for public comment. Included among the proposed $668 million, 24-project program is the Leesburg interchange. Town and county leaders have requested $37 million for construction of the interchange. The project previously received $13 million for the design study, which is underway. The interchange project is the only project in Loudoun County included in NVTA’s draft FY17 program. The town released a press release encouraging residents to submit comments to the NVTA in support of funding for the project. Comments may be submitted to FY2017Program@ thenovaauthority.org until June 17. The NVTA will hold an open house and public hearing on the draft FY17 program on Thursday, June 9, beginning at 6 p.m. at the NVTA offices in Fairfax. Additional information about the draft program, the open house LEESBURG BRIEFS >> 11

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

Shawn Onellette/LoudounNow

May 23 will be the last day for Créme de la Créme in Leesburg.

to our corporate headquarters and our very first Crème de la Crème, where our company was launched,” the release stated. In the release, Tara Wegdam goes on to say she is excited about bringing the Crème de la Crème concept to Frederick, “with its vibrant downtown scene and thriving retail community.” Crème de la Crème offers a wide range of French and Italian influenced tableware, furniture, linens and gifts including cards and stationery. The store’s headquarters in Middleburg and the Richmond store will continue operations, as will sister company lou lou, which is also located in downtown Leesburg. “We will continue to serve our lou lou customers in Leesburg out of our current location for many years to come,” Ben Wegdam stated. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A 14-year downtown fixture, Crème de la Crème will be moving out of Leesburg, and up Rt. 15 to new digs in Frederick, MD. Company spokeswoman Stephanie Shaffer confirmed the store’s closure Monday. She said May 23 will be the last day of operations for the Leesburg store, located at 101 South King St. A July 1 opening is eyed for the new Frederick location, which, at 3,500 square feet, will be more than triple the amount of space than the Leesburg store. The opportunity to move to a larger space, coupled with declining traffic at the Leesburg store, were the major factors in the decision to move, Shaffer said. She pointed to the growth of the mixed-use developments at the Village at Leesburg and One Loudoun in Ashburn, which she said was pulling away traffic from the Leesburg store. In a press release, Crème de la Crème owners Ben and Tara Wegdam called the decision to leave Leesburg “a difficult one.” “We have enjoyed wonderful support over the years from our loyal Leesburg customers, and look forward to continuing to serve them in our new location as well as in our other stores in downtown Middleburg and in the Carytown neighborhood of Richmond. Loudoun County is still home

9 May 19 – 25, 2016

Crème de la Crème Closing Leesburg Store

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Macbeth Kicks Off Town Council Campaign BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ A longtime campaign volunteer and organizer has launched his campaign for political office. Evan Macbeth kicked off his Leesburg Town Council campaign Sunday afternoon. He is running for one of three council seats up for grabs in November’s general elections. Although he has been a longtime campaigner for many local races, and a former chairman of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, Macbeth is not a newcomer to running for office himself. He ran for county treasurer last fall, challenging five-term incumbent H. Roger Zurn Jr. Most recently, Macbeth organized the Educate Don’t Segregate activist group opposing the Loudoun County School Board’s proposal to assign a large percentage of the town’s low-income and English Language Learner elementary students to two schools. Surrounded by family, friends and supporters at the pavilion behind Rust Library, Macbeth said his family is the reason he is throwing his hat into the ring after years of helping others get elected to political office. “This is why,” he said, nodding to his children, Natalie and Henry, who flanked him during his kickoff speech. He said he wanted to make sure that Leesburg continues to be a place where children can grow and spend the rest of their lives—going to school, working here, settling down with their own families and retiring. “That is what it means to have a hometown,” he said. Several local politicians came out in support of Macbeth for his kickoff.

Kara C. Rodriguez/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Supervisor Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg) applauds Evan Macbeth at his campaign kickoff event Sunday.

Supervisor Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg), Leesburg Vice Mayor Kelly Burk and Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-33) all offered remarks in support of Macbeth. Leesburg Mayor David Butler, School Board member Tom Marshall (Leesburg) and fellow council candidate Gwen Pangle were also in attendance. Wexton said she was “so impressed by the amazing energy and depth of knowledge” Macbeth brings to his endeavors. She encouraged those in attendance to support his campaign for office, as he has done for so many others. “Now that he’s finally decided to take the plunge I couldn’t be happier. It’s time for us to do for him what he did for us,” she said. Macbeth is the latest challenger to announce a council campaign, joining Ron Campbell, John Hilton and Pangle. They are running for the seats currently held by council members Katie Hammler, Tom Dunn and Bruce Gemmill. While Gemmill recently announced he will not seek re-election and Hammler said she would stay mum on his plans. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Hammler Announces Re-election Bid BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ The field of candidates in the Leesburg Town Council race grew again Monday, with council incumbent Katie Sheldon Hammler confirming that she will seek a fourth term in November’s general election. Hammler said her desire to seek another four-year term stems from her commitment to public service. “I love serving the residents of Leesburg. It’s been one of the best jobs I’ve ever had,” she said. First elected in 2004, Hammler staged successful re-election campaigns in 2008 and 2012. She served as the town’s vice mayor from 2008 to 2010, and currently is the vice president of the Virginia Municipal League. She is in line to serve as VML president beginning in 2017, if she is re-elected to her council seat. In her years serving on the council, Hammler said she is proud of the council’s attention to long-term financial planning and ability to keep taxes low, all while at times managing complex capital projects. She believes it is this council experience, as well as her time spent serving on VML, that makes her an ideal council member. “If there is one thing I’ve learned in the past 12 years, it’s that individuals on our council make a huge difference,

but goals can only be achieved together,” Hammler stated. “As a fiscal conservative, I will continue to be a council member who listens to all citizens, researches the issues, and who works with my fellow council members cooperatively and civilly. We need predictable expenses for essential and efficient town services, and must prioritize necessary projects and funding sources to keep the town progressing moving forward, such as alleviating the gridlock on the Rt. 15 North Bypass. Without additional financial burdens, we can spend more time with our families and less in traffic, to enjoy our wonderful hometown.” A former captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, Hammler works for Telos Corporation as its cyber security and information assurance Xacta product manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brown University and a master’s degree in information systems management from The George Washington University. A 22-year town resident, Hammler and her husband, Rich, have two children. For more information about Hammler and her campaign, go to katiehammler.com. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

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[ BRIEFS ] << FROM 8 and public hearing and ways that the public can comment on the draft program is available on the NVTA website at thenovaauthority.org. If not funded, the Rt. 7/Battlefield Parkway intersection will be the last at-grade, signalized intersection along the Rt. 7 corridor from Rt. 28 to Berryville. All of the other remaining at-grade intersections along that section of the corridor are under construction or in final design for transition to grade-separated interchanges.

Storage Unit Regs Endorsed

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Town resident Matthew Melvin has again outpaced thousands of other Boy Scouts in the National Capital Matthew Melvin region in annual popcorn sales. Proud mom Andrea Melvin shared with Loudoun Now that 11-year-old Matthew, a fifth grader at Frances Hazel Reid Elementary, raked in $17,305 in popcorn sales during the Scouts’ annual campaign in 2015. This marked the second year in a row that Matthew was the top popcorn seller in the National Capital Area Council and the figure also made him the top seller in the entire Northeast region and the fifth top-selling Scout in the nation. For his efforts, Matthew was again given the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals game, which he did in the April 23 game versus the Minnesota Twins, as well as being gifted with a two-person kayak. According to mom, Matthew had more than 600 customers in 2015, and personally went door to door to sell each kernel.

The Town Council has given a thumbs-up to new rules regulating the use of temporary portable storage units in town. By a 6-0-1 vote on May 10, with Councilman Bruce Gemmill abstaining, the council voted on a series of Zoning Ordinance regulations that define and regulate these units. Many national companies offer temporary portable storage units, PODS being a major player in the market, and many residents or businesses use these to move their belongings into or out of a space. The storage company then comes and picks up the units and brings them to a new household or place of business, or stores them in a facility until the owner is ready to receive delivery. The new rules enacted by the council afford a 14-day grace period for any temporary storage units in town. Thereafter, residents or businesses are required to procure a temporary use permit from the town for up to 30 days. The Zoning Administrator may grant a 30-day extension prior to the expiration of the permit. A temporary portable storage unit may be located on a property in town for no more than 60 cumulative days in a calendar year, with an exception for a unit that is used in conjunction with an active building permit. In that case, the temporary unit may remain in place no longer than six

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months from the issuance date of a temporary use permit. New regulations also dictate where units may be placed on a residential or nonresidential property, and the size limitations for each type of property. The changes apply to all temporary portable storage units currently in the town as of the date the action was taken, Tuesday, May 10. Residents or business owners with questions about how the changes may affect them, or to secure a temporary use permit, should contact the Planning and Zoning Department. The department webpage can be found at leesburgva.gov/government/departments/planning-zoning.

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May 19 – 25, 2016

Loudoun County ed in February, ManHigh School sophoson (the only Loudoun more Maggie Manson participant in this year’s showed off her clothcompetition) traveled ing design skills Friday to Richmond to choose during the Virginia a piece of art to inspire Museum of Fine Art their designs. Her art2016 Teen Stylin’ comwork inspiration was a petition in Richmond. Tiffany glass punch bowl The Teen Stylin’ with three ladles on disprogram gives stuplay at the museum. dents with a passion LCHS sophomore Maggie Manson, Model Anna Fedderfor clothing design, left, and model Anna Fedderson sen walked the runway studio arts, installa- showcased Manson’s design at wearing Manson’s detion art, and sculpture the VMFA Teen Stylin’ competition sign made of microfiber a chance to show- in Richmond on Friday. mop heads, dyed microcase their creations. fiber rug material, nyOver the course of a semester, more lon hammock material, clear acrylic than 80 Virginia student designers vinyl, and cut CD shards. Her engiin grades 6-12 constructed wearable neered component included a bracelet works of art inspired by pieces in with a holographic image projector. the VMFA collection in Richmond. Learn more about the Teen Stylin’ After applying in November with a program at vmfa.museum/teens/teenwritten application and being accept- stylin.

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recalled. “I loved doing it. [Hansbarger] started out as a great teacher. His interpretation of history personalizes it through the songs, and recording them was really emotional for all of us—I’d never seen the suffering of the Civil War personalized like that before,” Kitselman said. “It’s not a lecture. It’s more vignettes and stories, tied in packages by the songs, and he’s chosen images that go along with them. I’m really in awe,” Kitselman said. “We just love to do it. It never gets old, I get something new out of it every time,” Kitselman said.

FYI WHAT: Dream of a Good Death WHERE: Mt. Zion Church Historical Park, 40309 John S. Mosby Highway, Aldie WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 22 TICKETS: $18 at the door; $10 for students; $15 in advance at mosbyheritagearea.org or 540-687-6681

The Bitter Liberals, from left, Gary McGraw, Allen Kitselman, Mike Jewell and Clark Hansbarger.

‘Dream’—A New Take On the Civil War BY MARGARET MORTON A multi-media performance by Clark Hansbarger and the Bitter Liberals on Sunday night portrays the Civil War as you’ve never seen it before. “Dream of a Good Death” is a combination of songs, music, slides and words to tell the Civil War story, an approach that has struck an evocative chord in audiences around the region over the past three years. Half folk/roots concert and half TED Talk, the show traces America’s most bitterly contested conflict as Hansbarger and performers Allen Kitselman, Mike Jewell and Gary McGraw follow the soldiers’ hopes, fears and sacrifices as they endure the Union conquest of Port Royal, the fires in The Wilderness, the slaughter at Cold Harbor and the long siege of Petersburg. The evening also features paintings of Civil War themes by artist Winslow McCagg. “Dream” is co-sponsored by the Mosby Heritage Area Association and the NOVA Parks System. For Rich and Tracy Gillespie—executive director of MHAA and NOVA Parks site manager for the Mt. Zion historic park, respectively—the performance is the culmination of sever-

Transgender policy << FROM 3 the sex designation recorded on a birth certificate, and “transgender” means a person whose gender identity differs from his or her sex at birth. In particular, the memo specifies that transgender students will be allowed to use the restroom and locker room consistent with their gender identity. The federal memo is accompanied by a document containing guidance and example policies from school sys-

al years’ efforts to host it. Hansbarger’s imaginative take on Civil War history involves the performance of 10 songs, each of which is introduced with slides and a recounting of the stories behind each by Hansbarger, and then the band’s performance of the songs. In a recent interview, Hansbarger, a musician himself and a former Loudoun high school teacher, said the show looks at the Civil War in terms of the personal emotions of those involved in it, rather than from the political perspective. It draws strong reactions from audiences. “One woman came up to me and said, ‘Now I get it why it took four years and so many people died,’” he recalled. Hansbarger wrote “Dream of a Good Death” for the Civil War sesquicentennial. It has been performed in theaters throughout Virginia to large audiences. Howard Means, author and former editor of The Washingtonian magazine, wrote that the show is “one of the most imaginative approaches to the Civil War I’ve ever witnessed. In short, terrific entertainment—the rare evening that leaves you better informed and fully satisfied.” For Hansbarger, the opportunity to tems that have adopted rules for how they treat transgender students. Rice said she knows transgender students at Loudoun schools who have faced bullying and violence. “It’s not transgender people who are the threat, it’s the transgender people who need protection.” “There have been no cases of transgender people attacking someone in the bathroom,” Rice said. “By the way, that’s not true of Republican congressmen or senators, or coaches at colleges or high schools, or priests.” The accompanying document from the U.S. Department of Education includes guidance on everything from confirming a student’s gender identi-

perform “Dream” at Mt. Zion is a “deep joy and honor,” a natural locale in light of the significant role that Loudoun and Prince William counties played in the war—“at the center of so many of these songs.” He’s a writer and a musician—playing music since he was 16, in bars around Loudoun. Then he met up with the Bitter Liberals. “We just clicked,” he said. He’d always been curious about the Civil War, but it was not until he and his wife, Ginger Reuling, were kayaking in the Ace Basin, SC, that he got the Civil War bug—and the inspiration for “Dream.” The Ace Basin covers 100,000 acres, an area where the Combahee and Edisto rivers converge below Charleston, SC. Some 700 slaves worked on the surrounding plantations. At the beginning of the war, a large Union force took the deep water fort at Beaufort, and the basin, and freed thousands of slaves—leading to southern lawsuits seeking return of their property. “I learned about it and wrote the first song—brought it back, and we played it.” Hansbarger followed that technique throughout the project. “He’d bring the song idea, and we all put the icing on the cake,” Kitselman ty—they’ll tell you—to how schools are addressing bullying and harassment of transgender students. After news of the federal guidelines came out last week, some Loudoun parents took to social media to express concerns that it puts their children in harm’s way. But Rice said transgender people just want to live their lives free of stereotyping and discrimination. “I don’t drink. I’m not some crazy stereotype. I’m not out there attacking little girls in bathrooms,” Rice said. “I’m just a woman, and I just want to be left alone.” rgreene@loudounnow.com

Hansbarger uses the slides to introduce each song. “Ten songs and a TED talk—I put in the chronology, spanning the beginning of the war to the aftermath.” The songs reflect the growing strain of war and questions such as “how did I get here and when can I go home?” Or, “What is God doing here?” on the killing field of Cold Harbor. Hansbarger called the band’s fourpart harmonies “elegiac,” adding, Kitselman “has this Beatle-esque way of doing harmonies—it’s not normal. Gary is a brilliant violinist and Mike’s voice is amazing. I feel like a hack.” For Hansbarger, doing the show again is exciting. “We perform it so rarely. It’s a different evening. And when we play it, I fall in love with playing with these guys.” Without the Bitter Liberals, the show wouldn’t exist. His songs were just interesting little guitar songs, Hansbarger said. “What they did with them is amazing. I was going to give it up, but it’s timeless, so we’ll keep going.” For more on the show’s images and music, go to civilwarsong.com. mmorton@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Connie Rice is a transgender activist and member of the Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau.

May 19 – 25, 2016

[ CRIME ]

loudounnow.com

Jury Selection Begins in Castillo Murder Case BY NORMAN K. STYER May is Jury Appreciation Month and this week scores of Loudoun residents are getting a close up look at that part of the justice system. As many as 300 Castillo potential jurors were on notice Monday and Tuesday that they could be called to serve on the trial of Braulio M. Castillo, who is charged with first-degree murder in the March 19, 2014, death of his estranged wife, Michelle. The trial is scheduled to last 18 days. On Monday, groups of jurors were called into the courtroom in groups of 10 to be questioned by Circuit Court Judge Stephen E. Sincavage, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Nicole Wittman and Castillo’s attorneys. Questions centered on whether they could devote their time and attention to the trial, and whether they knew about the case and had formed opinions on the defendant’s guilt or innocence. As jurors with conflicts were excused from service, another group was brought in for review. Before the trial gets underway, the lawyers will select 12 jurors and four alternates to hear testimony over the next three weeks. In addition to murder, the Ashburn businessman is charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit

during a struggle in her bedroom and then staged a scene to make it appear she committed suicide. The prosecution’s case is built on circumstantial evidence and key questions facing the jury are whether they believe there was evidence that she was killed in the bedroom and her body

nstyer@loudounnow.com

Crews Battle 2 House Fires Monday A house fire in Hamilton and another in Aldie kept Loudoun County Fire and Rescue’s units busy Monday afternoon, causing one minor firefighter injury and significant damages to two homes. At 12:41 p.m., crews were dispatched to the 100 block of Ivandale Street in Hamilton. The first arriving units found fire and smoke at the rear of the single-family home. Flames had extended up the siding on the exterior of the home and into the attic. The fire was extinguished before progressing further into the attic, limiting damages to the residence. The residents evacuated before crews arrived and no injuries were reported. The Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire was accidental, blamed on a failure to extinguish a portable fire pit before storing. The loss was estimated at $20,000. Shortly after 2 p.m., fire and rescue crews were dispatched to another fire in the 25000 block of Vacation Place in Aldie. Flames and smoke were coming from the rear of the single-family home. The fire spread into the attic and a second story bedroom before it was extinguished. One firefighter sustained a minor injury and was transported to the hospital for treatment. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. The loss was estimated at $750,000.

Loudoun County Fire-Rescue

This fire caused an estimated $750,000 in damage to a Vacation Place home in South Riding.

THE TOWN OF LEESBURG

15th Annual Leesburg Business Awards Ambassador Award Winner Eyetopia Inc. Honorable Mention PR Simplicity

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New Business Award Winner Loudoun Now Honorable Mention Loudoun Computer Help

Community Steward Award Winner CycleLuv Honorable Mention Jared Melvin & Loudoun Youth Inc.

Public Art Award Winner Friends of Leesburg Public Art Honorable Mention CraftyStitches

Environmental Award Winner Leesburg Garden Club Inc.

The George C. Marshall Award Winner Jared Melvin Honorable Mention Ara Bagdasarian

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murder and with violation of a protective order. The case began when Michelle Castillo’s body was found hanging in a basement bathroom in her Belmont Station home. Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office investigators say Castillo entered her home, killed Michelle

later moved, and whether the man seen running in grainy surveillance video footage taken from a neighborhood home at the time of the crime is Braulio Castillo. If convicted on the murder charge, Castillo faces a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.

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VRT’s McGregor Guilty in Bribery Case

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DNA Sample Generates New Leads in 1987 Assault Case

Leesburg Police Officer Brad Schultz was among the honorees during the 25th Annual Awards for Excellence in Community Service and Public Safety last week at the Westfields Marriott in Fairfax. The event is sponsored by the Fairfax County VASAP Chapter and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “DUI continues to be a major public safety concern. I am pleased that Officer Schultz was recognized for his efforts in addressing DUI’s in our community, and I am also grateful to MADD and VASAP for their continuous partnership with law enforcement,” Interim Chief of Police Vanessa Grigsby stated. Schultz was recognized for removing 19 drunk or impaired drivers from Leesburg streets last year. It was the consecutive month that Schultz received the award, including six consecutive years while employed with the Winchester Police Department.

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A Leesburg man was hospitalized after allegedly being attacked by an acquaintance about 12:30 a.m. May 11, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office. Anthony C. Pearce II, 20, of Powhatan, was charged with aggravated malicious wounding. Sheriff ’s Office spokesman Kraig Troxell said Pearce and the victim and assailant were driving in a car together along Rt. 15 when they stopped at a gas station just south of Leesburg. “They got into some sort of argument that resulted in a physical altercation,” he said. Pearce was held without bond at the Loudoun Adult Detention Center. The victim was expected to fully recover.

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Cold Case Unit detectives with the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office have tapped new DNA technology to help solve a nearly 30-yearold child sexual assault case. Parabon NanoLabs, a Reston-based DNA technology company, developed a phenotyping service, called Snapshot, that can predict the physical appearance and ancestry of a suspect from DNA evidence. In this case, the company produced composite images of the suspect using gene trait predictions. The investigation stems from the abduction and sexual assault of a 9-year-old Sterling girl on June 26, 1987. Around 4 a.m., deputies were

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Former Virginia Regional Transit CEO Mark W. McGregor pleaded guilty in federal district court Monday to charges stemming from a bribery scheme that caused $380,000 in losses to the U.S. government. According to investigators, McGregor, 63, received approximately $190,000 in kickback payments for allowing the owner of a repair shop to submit fraudulent charges. VRT is a Purcellville-based nonprofit bus service that is funded by a combination of federal, state and local grants. In December, federal agents executed a search warrant at the VRT office, but did not disclose the nature of the investigation. Last month, the co-conspirator, Thomas Ahalt, then president of Mobile Auto Truck Repair which provided services to VRT, pleaded guilty to bribery. Investigators said that between January 2007 and December 2015, Mobile Auto submitted—and McGregor caused to be approved— false invoices for additional weekly labor charges totaling $380,000. Some of the money VRT paid to Mobile Auto was from the Federal Transit Administration. In exchange, McGregor received regular kickback payments from Ahalt and others associated with Mobile Auto equal to half of the additional weekly labor charges. Ahalt is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2. McGregor, who resigned his post in February, is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 9.

called to a home in the 200 Block of E. Poplar Road where the victim reported that a man broke into her residence, abducted her and sexually assaulted her. The victim described the suspect as a white male, with a thin build, 6 feet 3 inches tall, with brown hair and a mustache. Using evidence collected at that time, the Snapshot technology combined attributes including ancestry, eye color, hair color, skin color, freckling and face shape, to create two composite sketches, one showing what the suspect may have looked like at 25 years old and at 50. The composites are described as scientific approximations of appearance that are unlikely to be exact matches for the suspect’s appearance. Anyone with any information about the case is asked to contact Det. Dave Canham at 703-7770475. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.

May 19 – 25, 2016

[ CRIME BRIEFS ]

[ E D U C AT I O N ]

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TURF TIFF Loudoun Now/File Photo

A sample of artificial turf with crumb rubber infill is displayed at the Joint Board of Supervisors/School Board Committee meeting in March.

School Board OKs Crumb Rubber Field for Potomac Falls BY DANIELLE NADLER

oudoun County school leaders last week gave the green light for Potomac Falls High School to install an artificial turf field with crumb rubber infill, despite concerns that the material may be dangerous to young athletes. After a half hour of heated debate on May 10, the board voted 5-4 to go with a crumb rubber field for the Cascades high school, and awarded the $1.56 million construction contract to The Landtek Group. Potomac Falls will be the 12th Loudoun public high school to be outfitted with crumb rubber fields, the cheapest type of artificial turf, and the remaining three high schools are in line to receive synthetic turf fields by 2023. School system senior staff members recommended the board use crumb rubber, citing a report from Loudoun County Health Department Director Dr. David Goodfriend. In his report to the Joint Board of Supervisors/School Board Committee in March, Goodfriend said he could not find a correlation between use of the rubber pellets— made from recycled tires—and cancer in athletes who play on the fields. “The number one issue is if it puts kids in harm’s way then we’re not going to do this. The challenge is to prove something is safe and not causing a problem,” he told county and school

“THERE’S NO GUARANTEE THAT IF WE WERE TO MOVE TO SOME OF THESE OTHER MATERIALS THAT OTHER ISSUES WOULDN’T COME UP.” leaders during a March 18 meeting. “I can’t prove the negative at this point that crumb rubber cannot increase the risk of cancer.” But the four School Board members who opposed the motion—Beth Huck (At Large), Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge), Eric DeKenipp (Catoctin) and Joy Maloney (Broad Run)—said they did not want their names on a decision to expose students to a material that could one day cause harm. “I want the schools to have the [artificial] turf fields—I do—but not at the expense of children’s health,” Huck said. “I’d rather wait and see if there’s any link that they could find.” Turgeon pointed out that cigarettes were considered to be safe for decades until the medical community announced, “by the way, these are dangerous,” she said. “I’m hesitant to support something that could be dangerous in the long run.” There are alternative field infill materials, including acrylic-coated sand, thermoplastic elastomer pellets and organic infill. But Assistant Superinten-

dent of Support Services Kevin Lewis told the board he’s heard some negative reports from school systems that have used them. One ended up having to spray pesticides on a field with organic infill to keep weeds down. “There’s no guarantee that if we were to move to some of these other materials that other issues wouldn’t come up,” he said. Responding to board members’ concerns, Superintendent Eric Williams defended the senior staff members’ recommendation to go with crumb rubber for now: “If [Dr. Goodfriend] were saying anything that would suggest to not proceed with crumb rubber, that would carry great weight with me. But that has not occurred.” School Board member Debbie Rose (Algonkian), who represents the district that includes Potomac Falls, was the most vocal proponent of moving forward with approving the field. She said most of the concern from the athletic community was tied to a possible increase in cancer among soccer goalies, not students who play lacrosse and football or use the fields

for physical education classes. Plus, she stressed, the 19-year-old Potomac Falls High School has waited long enough for a synthetic turf field. “There’s an economic advantage, a competitive advantage that comes with artificial grass fields,” she told her colleagues. Some board members said they preferred to delay the vote until a test on the current fields in the county had been conducted—planned for later this month—but school system staff said that would make it difficult to have the field completed for sports this fall. Stephanie Heese, a parent of a Loudoun student who has become an activist against the use of crumb rubber, said following the vote that she was “alarmed and disheartened” to hear of the board’s decision. “Either they haven’t taken the time to read and learn the science around this critical issue or they are concerned purely with budget. Neither is an acceptable answer when it comes to entrusting my child’s health,” she said. “We need to use the precautionary principle here; our kids are not a science experiment.” The Board of Supervisors allocated $1.25 million to install the Potomac Falls field, and the school system will pull $311,995 from fiscal year 2016 surplus. dnadler@loudounnow.com

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Dominion High School’s class of 2016 will hear from Scott Russell, who teaches personal finance, computer information systems and accounting at the school. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. June 12 in Dominion’s gym, 21326 Augusta Drive in Sterling. Loudoun schools Superintendent Eric Williams will speak at Douglass School’s graduation ceremony, held at 10 a.m. June 7 at the school, 407 E. Market St. in Leesburg. Alexis Chaet, Freedom High School’s 2012 valedictorian, will address the school’s class of 2016. Chaet was named a Global Health Scholar and served on the Center for Global Health student advisory board for three years. The ceremony is at 7 p.m. June 14 at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena. Heritage High School’s Athletic Director Ronald Petrella will speak to the school’s graduates. The ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. June 14 in the high school’s stadium, at 520 Evergreen Mills Road in Leesburg. Loudoun County High School grads will hear from one of their classmates, Zachary Van Tol at a ceremony beginning at 8 a.m. June 15 on the school’s lawn, at 415 Dry Mill Road SW in Leesburg. Bonnie Carroll, president and founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and a 2015 recipient of the Medal of Freedom, will address Loudoun Valley High School graduates. The ceremony is at 9 a.m. June 15 in the high school’s stadium, at 340 N Maple Ave. in Purcellville. Monroe Technology Center graduates will hear from their former principal, Wagner Grier. Grier served as principal of Monroe from 2003 to 2015, when he retired. The ceremony is at 7 p.m. June 8 at Tuscarora High School, 801 N. King St. in Leesburg. Park View High School teacher Michael Aaron Vereb will speak to the school’s class of 2016. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. June 12 at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena.

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Loudoun County Public Schools has announced its lineup of graduation speakers for this year’s 18 commencement and completion ceremonies. The list of men and women who will formally send off the county school system’s class of 2016 includes Grammy-award winning poet and performer J. Ivy, NBC4 Washington reporter David Culver, and Medal of Freedom recipient Bonnie Carroll. The end-of-year ceremonies run through June 16, with the first one, the CAMPUS graduation ceremony, held Wednesday, May 16. Academy of Science grads will hear from Katherine Kamis, a member of the school’s class of 2012. The ceremony is at 7:30 p.m. June 10 at the Loudoun County school administration building, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn. Wayde Byard, Loudoun school system’s public information officer, will address Briar Woods’ class of 2016. He’s become popular among students for his snow day calls. The ceremony is at 8 p.m. June 13 at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena, 4500 Patriot Circle in Fairfax. J. Ivy, a Grammy, Peabody, Clio and NAACP Image award-winning hiphop poet, will speak at Broad Run High School’s commencement ceremony. Ivy won a Grammy for his performance on Kanye West’s debut album “The College Dropout.” He performed at Broad Run earlier this year as students and staff took part in a letter writing campaign inspired by his book “Dear Father.” The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. June 12 at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena. Jason Belser, founder of Athlete Asset Management who played safety in the NFL for 11 seasons, will address students at the CAMPUS ceremony. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, at the Loudoun County school administration building. John Champe High School grads will hear from News4 Today anchor David Culver. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. June 16 in the high school’s gym, 41535 Sacred Mountain St. in Aldie.

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J. Ivy, a Grammy, Peabody, Clio and NAACP Image award-winning hip-hop poet, will speak at Broad Run High School’s commencement ceremony.

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[ SCHOOL NOTES ] Exceptions to Leesburg Attendance Reassignments Approved Forty-one rising fifth-grade students who were initially slated to change schools this fall will now get to stay put. After the Loudoun County School Board adopted a new attendance map for eight Leesburg-area elementary schools in March, it surveyed all 188 rising fifth-grade students who would be affected by the changes. Forty-one said they’d prefer to finish out their elementary career at their current schools. The board agreed, with a unanimous vote at its meeting last Tuesday. “I don’t see a problem with this. It is consistent with what the board has done,” Chairman Eric Hornberger (Ashburn) said. The attendance changes go into effect in the 2016-2017 academic year, and reassign 1,105 students. The elementary schools that will be impacted are: Ball’s Bluff, Catoctin, Evergreen Mill, Frances Hazel Reid, Frederick Douglass, John W. Tolbert, Jr., Kenneth W. Culbert and Leesburg.

Courtesy of Lisa Gillespie

Leesburg second-grader Rowan Gillespie shows off a handmade pet toy made by members of the school’s Paws and Claws Club.

Students Help Animal-Friendly Nonprofit Groups Students from Leesburg Elementary School’s Paws and Claws Club will be selling handmade animal toys and treats Saturday, May 21, at the Exeter Bazaar in Leesburg. The group, launched by second grader Rowan Gillespie, is made up of students looking to put their love for animals into action. Proceeds will go to two local animal welfare nonprofit organizations: Loudoun Community Cats Coalition for cats and Save the Tails. They will sell selling dog biscuits, cat treats, catnip seedlings and pet toys at the bazaar from from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Exeter clubhouse, 350 Plaza Street in Leesburg. The group has also planned a puppy “kissing booth” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 301-758-1682.

Courtesy of Woodgrove High School

The Woodgrove High School’s Odyssey of the Mind team is one of 12 from Loudoun County headed to the program’s world competition later this month.

12 Loudoun Teams Make OM World Finals Loudoun County Public Schools will have a big presence at the 2016 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. Twelve teams from Loudoun will join 830 teams from around the world at the competition in Ames, IA, May 25-28. Potowmack Elementary School and Freedom High School will compete in Problem 1 (No-Cycle Recycle); Moorefield Station Elementary School, Newton-Lee Elementary School, Blue Ridge Middle School and Woodgrove High School will compete in Problem 2 (Something Fishy); Emerick Elementary School, Belmont Ridge Middle School and Woodgrove High School will compete in Problem 3 (Aesop Gone Viral); Steuart Weller Elementary School will compete in Problem 4 (Stack Attack!); and Trailside Middle School and Tuscarora High School will compete in Problem 5 (Furs, Fins, Feathers and Friends). About 50 teams will compete in each problem at the elementary, middle and high school level.

Valley’s Yearbook Earns Major State, Nat’l Accolades Loudoun Valley High School’s 2015 edition of its yearbook, The Saga, received its 32nd consecutive Trophy Award, the highest honor given out by the Virginia High School League to a publication. The Saga has the longest consecutive winning streak for publications in the state. On the national level, the 2015 yearbook received a Pacemaker award from the National Scholastic Press Association at the University of Minnesota. In March, the yearbook also brought home a Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Awards Assembly, where publications were judged on their excellence as shown by their design, photography, concept, coverage and writing. SCHOOL NOTES >> 19

19 May 19 – 25, 2016

[ SCHOOL NOTES ] << FROM 18

Foxcroft Sends Two to Gov’s Schools Two Foxcroft School juniors— Sofia Tate of Upperville and Lindsay Woods of Philomont—have been chosen to attend Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s Schools, highly selective institutes for gifted students held at university campuses. Tate is one of about 160 students in the commonwealth selected to participate in the Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science and Technology, which will be held

Grad speakers << FROM 17 Potomac Falls High School English teacher Jason Walker will address the school’s graduates. The high school’s senior class has a long-standing tradition of choosing a teacher as its graduation speaker. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. June 16 at Rock Ridge High School, 43460 Loudoun Reserve Drive in Ashburn. Stone Bridge High School grads will hear from the school’s director of choral activities Debbie Settle at a ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. June 13 at George Mason University’s EagleBank

Sofia Tate

Lindsay Woods

at Lynchburg College July 3-30. Woods will be one of 200 students attending the Governor’s School for the Humanities June 26-July 23 at Radford University.

Arena. Tuscarora High School’s class of 2016 will get its official send off from Danny Chu, executive director of the 5C Technology Academy of Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC, and CEO and founder of Digipixart. The ceremony is at 8:30 a.m. June 16 in the school’s stadium, 801 N. King St. in Leesburg. Muriel Forrest, co-founder of the Faith and Family Foundation at Wheatland Farm, will address Woodgrove High School graduates at a ceremony beginning at 8 a.m. June 16 in the school’s stadium, at 36811 Allder School Road in Purcellville.

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“What I thought was Webster’s definition of consensus was definitely not what I witnessed in the room,” Hale << FROM 1 agreed. “How do we have consensus? I tailed requirements on explosives. just said I don’t agree with it.” “We think probably 100,000 pounds DHCD spokeswoman Amanda Love of explosives go in and out of Loudoun said the code changes are driven stakeCounty every day,” Combined Fire-Res- holder participation, and are strictly for cue System Chief W. Keith Brower Jr. clarification. said in an interview in his office. Other “By including multiple stakeholders, counties don’t have that problem, but Virginia is recognized nationally for its the combination of constant construc- code change process and the codes adtion and rocky land means a lot of ex- opted each three-year cycle,” Love statplosives are in use. One of Hale’s respon- ed. “Everyone has the same opportunity sibilities is making sure construction to submit and speak about any proposed sites are safe when blasting. changes at any of the work group meetIn addition, building inspectors, for ings. As far as consensus is concerned the most part, can only enforce building in the work group meetings, besides the code rules for two years after a building author of the proposed change, if anyachieves its certificate of occupancy. So one else in the work group adamantly once a building has been in use for two opposes the change, then the change is years, those rules are difficult or impos- considered as non-consensus and will sible to enforce. be sent to the Virginia Board of Housing “They’ve created this trap where the and Community Development for final fire official’s not going to be able to en- decision.” force it, and it’s going to be outside the Of the 14 members of the Board of scope of what the buildHousing and Community ing official can correct,” Development, 10 are emHale said. ployed in the real estate or Hale also said the rule building business. changes will have uninDawson also said the retended consequences. vision process has begun She gives the example of without any documenta rule that allows the fire ed action by the Board of marshal to order a busiHousing and Community ness owner to hang a sign Development. The Fire that says a door must be Services Board, he said, unlocked during business asked the DHCD to stop hours; that helps ensure its revisions and let the Loudoun County Fire Marshal that in the case of a fire, Fire Services Board look at there are enough exits A photo of an emergency the fire code. to evacuate the building. exit blocked by storage, “Let those of us who enThat rule is proposed inaccessible in case of fire. force that code daily look for deletion—meaning at the code and say this is her office must rely on a different rule, or is not an enforceable provision, and which would require her to drag a build- let us make the amendments and bring ing owner into court for a violation. that forward,” Dawson said. “That re“We believe that these changes that soundingly fell on deaf ears, and the are happening are with one specific in- workgroup process actually accelerated tent, and that is primarily to weaken at that point.” the enforcement of the fire code at the Fairfax County Fire Marshal Captain local level,” Brower told the Board of Su- George Hollingsworth, president of the pervisors’ finance committee last week. Virginia Fire Prevention Association, The more the state relies on the build- which represents most fire marshals ing code, he said, the less a locality can statewide, said his membership is “basiamend regulations to suit its needs. cally, at this point, at a loss for what else Chesterfield Assistant Fire Chief Rob we can do.” Dawson is a member of the Virginia “This is overwhelmingly skewed to Fire Services Prevention Association special interests,” said Loudoun Board and represents the Virginia Fire Services of Supervisors Vice Chairman Ralph M. Board on the Virginia Board of Housing Buona (R-Ashburn). “And which speand Community Development. He said cial interests is it skewed to? The exact that as the only fire official on the hous- same special interest that crammed the ing board, he is often the dissenting vote. proffer bill down our throats earlier this The fire code revisions, he explained, year—the builder. They wield so much start in special workgroups, where De- influence. This is one more example of partment of Housing and Community their political power, and it’s one more Development officials hear opinions example of them eroding local power in the room and decide whether there and local jurisdictions.” is consensus. The lack of a formal vote In the meantime, the Loudoun Decan be used to smother the objections of partment of Fire, Rescue and Emergenpublic safety officials, he said. cy Management has hired Bill Lloyd, one “The process is overwhelmingly of the original architects of the state fire over-represented by some special in- code, to represent the county at Board terests, and our opinions are put to the of Housing and Community Developback burner,” Dawson said. “I’ve been ment meetings. Loudoun’s fire officials, in some of these workgroup meetings Brower said, don’t have time to make it where there’s an issue before the group, to every meeting in Richmond—they and five fire officials can raise their have day jobs, after all. hand and say that’s a bad idea, don’t The DHCD plans to publish public move it forward, and DHCD staff says hearing notices in the Virginia Register ‘well, that’s consensus, we’ve got enough on June 27. agreeing with it that that’ll be fine.’ And another issue comes up that one memrgreene@loudounnow.com ber of the special interests can say, ‘I don’t like it,’ and it’s not a consensus item.”

21 May 19 19 –– 25, 25, 2016 2016 May

Home & Garden Edition Weather Plays Tricks in the Merry Month of May BY MARGARET MORTON

weather you feel more like napping than gardening,” he quipped. Some of the gardening crews get pretty dispirited after working in cold, wet soil, and there seems a damper over what is usually an energetic buying season. Damage to bulbs planted several weeks ago is also possible. Smith said he’d planted elephant ears. “They haven’t yet come up,” he said. One customer told him she feared the worst for her dahlias—so she dug them up to see if they’d rotted out. They hadn’t, much to her delight. And speaking of wet—those who have pot gardens need to make sure the pots have drainage holes. Otherwise, the pots will become completely water-logged, and the plants will die. Several home gardeners said they are waiting until the soil in their large pots dries out before they plant herbs, which are not happy with the constant rain. Grapes so far do not appear to be impacted. Malcolm and Pamela Baldwin, who grow grapes and run a weddings business at their farm north of Lovettsville, report more damMAY SHOWERS >> 22

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Some wits are calling this exceptionally cool and rainy May “Loudoun’s own climate change.” And you’ve heard this one: April showers bring May showers. It certainly has been an unseasonable season, and the area’s commercial nursery owners have suffered along with the rest of us. They agree that planting dates are behind schedule, leaving some to worry whether cool weather vegetables will have enough low temperatures to ripen before summer’s hot temperatures hit. Some plants got zapped in a late killing frost and may not bloom this year, and weeds will be rampant. David Lohmann, owner of Abernethy and Spencer Greenhouses in Lincoln, estimates the cool, if not downright cold, rainy spring planting season so far is “about three weeks behind” the typical schedule. And that’s not just for vegetables, “It’s everything,” he said Monday. But some plants are thriving. “It’s a hell of a weed season,” he said. “I’ve never seen this amount of water before.” The lush growth that already has taken place will mean “so

much more maintenance,” Lohmann said. For nurseries like Lohmann’s that offer regular lawn maintenance crews for customers, that all spells jobs. And so far, stock buying has been strong— except for vegetables. Ellmore’s Garden Center’s plants are right on schedule because they are grown in a greenhouse, then transported to the nursery center in Hamilton. “Our biggest challenge is to stay ahead with deadheading and not leaving them outside in the rain,” owner Barbara Ellmore said. Giving advice to customers not used to this kind of weather also helps, she said. “Last night was going to be very cold, so we told our customers, don’t plant in the cold,” she said Tuesday. While he said he could not speak to the horticultural, soil condition side of things, Tom Smith, manager of Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping in Leesburg, had some good anecdotal observations. Plant sales are slower than normal at Meadows Farms, but “the grass is growing crazily,” he said. His sense is that homeowners and home gardeners in general feel way behind. “In this

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May showers << FROM 21 age to the weddings side of their operation than to their grapes. “So far, so good—Malcolm sprayed this morning,” his wife said, while acknowledging the spray had to be delayed from its original date because of rain. Last Saturday, “we had our first wedding, but it rained, so we had to put everything into the barn,” Pamela Baldwin said, adding the forecast for the coming weekend appears to be the same. “Malcolm was on the mower Saturday between every rainstorm.” Plants appear to be creatures of habit. And they don’t like—at least most plants have not liked—the warm

March and the cold April, but they are resilient. Plants like the old-fashioned hydrangea, for instance, leafed out earlier than normal, propelled by the warm spell. Then, last month the cold spell did them in. Likewise, a young Golden Rain tree produced delicate fronds in March—only to have them hang limply after being zapped by the deep frost last month. But today, the tree is a blur of bright green foliage. The rainy weather has its upsides. Daffodils, narcissi, tulips, and Virginia bluebells thrived and the peonies and iris are coming out. True to Lohmann’s prediction, the weeds are proving the most successful of all. mmorton@loudounnow.com

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The plants at Ellmore’s Garden Center in Hamilton are right on time, because they are kept in a greenhouse before they are transplanted to the garden center.

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Donation Drive—Through Blooms—Returns A Leesburg woman continues to share the yield of her green thumb with the community. Starting this week, large arrangements of pink and red peonies can be spotted at the end of Rachel Roberts’ driveway at 307 Edwards Ferry Road, near downtown. For the fourth year, Roberts is cutting flowers from her garden, arranging them in vases and giving them to anyone who wants to brighten up their home or treat a friend. In exchange, Roberts asks that people donate money or non-perishable food items to Loudoun Interfaith Relief, the county’s largest food pantry. Passersby will see a moneybox next to the flowers. Last year, her efforts brought in more than $11,000 for the food pantry. Roberts, a longtime volunteer at the food pantry, encourages people who take flowers to donate as much as they can afford. They can also make a tax-deducible donation via check, and Loudoun Interfaith Relief will mail them a receipt, if requested. This is the first year Roberts has offered peonies. “They’re pretty special because they’re so stunning and they have a short season,” she said. She fills most of her garden with zinnias because with that variety of flower, she said, “the more you cut the more you grow.” But until the zinnias bloom in mid-July, Roberts will likely keep donations coming in through

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Arranged flowers are ready for pick up in front of Rachel Roberts home, at 307 Edwards Ferry Road in Leesburg. Those who take the flowers are asked to leave a donation for Loudoun Interfaith Relief.

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loudounnow.com HOME, GARDEN & REAL ESTATE | LOUDOUN NOW

BY EMILY SOUTHGATE, VIRGINIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

Do you know whether bald eagles breed in Loudoun County? Or, in what part of the county you might look to find an osprey, far from the coast? For the past five years a tireless team of 85 birders devoted 5,900 hours watching birds in the county for evidence that they are breeding, and sending the information to the Loudoun County Breeding Bird Atlas. These birders reported that bald eagles breed in numerous places in the county, and that ospreys frequent many Loudoun lakes. They confirmed that 104 species of birds breed in the county, with another 13 probably breeding and three more possibly breeding (seen at the right time with no evidence of breeding). They also noted non-breeding birds that spend the winter in Loudoun and migrating birds that pass through on their way elsewhere, adding 143 species to the total reported, for a grand total of 263 species of birds tallied in the county over the past five years. This “citizen science” project provides data to the United States Geological Survey, for comparison with historical data and with information from other parts of the country that also do breeding bird surveys. I surveyed two “blocks” of the coun-

OUR

was a great-crested flycatcher with a nest in the end of a dead branch in the woods. I was sure that downy woodpeckers, titmice and chickadees bred near my house, but I did not know where. Walking down a path one day, I was chased by a chickadee, so looked back to see where it went. Soon, it popped into a hole in a tree that I had passed several times before noticing the nest. When the parent popped in, I could hear its young chirping. At the end of my driveway, a family of downy woodpeckers made their home in a hole in a tree, and a family of titmice was nesting nearby in another tree. From comparing the atlas data with data collected 20 years ago, we can see that field birds, such as bobwhite quail and meadowlarks, have declined in the county, while others such as bluebirds and bald eagles, have increased—the bluebirds most likely because of the installation of bluebird houses throughout the county, and the eagles from the 1972 ban on DDT and the protections of the federal Endangered Species Act. Scientists will be scrutinizing the results over the next few years to see what they can find about causes of increases and declines in numbers and species, to better understand changes in habitat and other environmental factors. For more information about the Breeding Bird Atlas, contact the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy at loudounwildlife.org. Citizen science projects like this one are a great way to get to know your county better, to contribute to understanding our environment, and to meet

BACK

The Birds of Loudoun County

YARD

ty, each about 5 by 5 kilometers. I had birded informally most of my life, but this survey took birding to a new level. I did not just identify the bird, but also watched it for the tell-tale signs that it was actually raising, or trying to raise, a family. A bird seen in its appropriate breeding habitat when it was very unlikely to be migrating was a “possible” breeder. More evidence, such as singing from the same perch for a week or more, moved it into the category of “probable” breeder. Most exciting was finding evidence, such as building a nest, defending its nest (sometimes by trying to drive me away) or feeding its young, that qualified it as a “confirmed” breeder. Finding this kind of evidence required watching the birds carefully, even quietly following them to nesting sites. My first confirmed breeder was a Carolina wren with a nest in my neighbors’ gas grill. They waited patiently until the nestlings were gone before doing any grilling. My second

There’s room for you in Loudoun. One to three acres from the $500’s

With award-winning

May19 19––25, 25,2016 2016 May

3-car garage homes up to 7400 sq. feet on beautifully wooded homesites near Waterford and in Purcellville, your family will fit in perfectly.

Ask about move-in ready incentives

Call 703-926-7241 CarrHomes.com

like-minded people. There are many opportunities, such as monitoring bluebird boxes, streams, and amphibians. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy sponsors a wide variety of programs, providing training and direction. Goose Creek Association can always use more volunteers to help with its stream monitoring program. The data are collected according to strict protocols so that they can be used by scientists to study our environment. Get involved and learn more about your county and its environment. In Our Backyard is compiled by the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition. To learn more about the organization or to participate in the rural road initiative, to go loudouncoalition.org.

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

May 19 19 –– 25, 25, 2016 2016 May HOME, GARDEN & REAL ESTATE | LOUDOUN NOW

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CONSIDERING LISTING YOUR HOME THIS SPRING? INVENTORY IS LIMITED. CALL BECKY TO GET IT SOLD! COMING SOON! LEESBURG

SO OMIN ON G ! Potomac Crossing: Brick front 3-level TH backing to open space! Three BR, 3.5 BA with updated kitchen, baths, new HDWD flooring throughout main level. Fresh paint, walkout LL, deck on ML. High 200s

HOME, GARDEN & REAL ESTATE | LOUDOUN NOW

UNDER CONTRACT!

Three+ AC zoned AR-1 Excellent condition $375,000

Hanrahan

BECKY HANRAHAN Owner/Principal Broker

Properties

Hand in Hand Property Partners

Cell: 703.203.5675 Office: 703.777.1578

HANRAHAN PROPERTIES, LLC PO Box 4404 Leesburg, VA 20177

Licensed in Virginia

www.BeckyHanrahan.com

IN THE HEART OF WINE COUNTRY!

Purcellville $589,500 12864 Sagle Rd.

Nestled on 4+ private acres w/mountain views! Over 4400 finished sq. ft., open floor plan. 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths. Country kitchen w/bar seating, main level office, bonus room w/skylights, LL in-law/guest suite with kitchen, BR, bath, rec room. Lovely front porch and huge wrap around deck. Circular drive, large equipment barn. Hardwoods, new roof, fresh paint, new carpet! Bring the animals! Close to commuter routes. LO9628539

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LIFESTYLE!

Leesburg $790,000 20473 Gleedsville Rd.

Five Tips for Presenting a Winning Contract in a Competitive Market BY ALLISON METZGER The Northern Virginia real estate market is experiencing very low housing inventory, making it a seller’s market. Sellers are getting top dollar for their homes and even receiving multiple offers. Quality properties are receiving contracts within days of hitting the market. If you are looking to buy a home this spring, how can you compete to ensure

GREAT VALUE IN MARBURY ESTATES!

Chantilly $635,000 26640 Marbury Estates Dr.

Craftsman style home to be built! ~ 3300 sq. ft., on 1/3 acre lot. 4 BRs, 3 1/2 baths (buddy & princess), butler’s pantry, 1st ﬂoor ofﬁce, craftsman style trim included in the base price! Gorgeous gourmet kitchen w/granite, SS appliances, gas cooktop, double oven, island w/bar seating, FP---all included! Plus $10k in design options! LO9655526

you don’t lose out on your dream home to another buyer? With a few tried and true steps, your dream home can become a reality.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm If you are actively looking for homes, it’s important to go out and see properties as soon as they become available. FIVE TIPS >> 29

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY!

Trailside in Ashburn $565,000 43747 Sweet Goldenrod Sq.

Fabulous light filled craftsman style floor plan with ~ 3400 sq. ft on 4 levels, 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths. Next to the W&OD trail in the heart of old town Ashburn (corner of Ashburn Rd. & Hay Rd.)! Bamboo floors, gourmet kitchen w/island, SS appliances, granite. 4th fl w/loft, bedroom/bath; mudroom, finished basement, 2 car garage, 2 porches. Move in before summer! LO9559238

NEW CONSTRUCTION - PRIVACY GALORE!

Stunning views, pond & pool! Spacious….approximately 5400 fin. sq. ft. w/4 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths on 3 acres. Remodeled home with luxurious master suite, huge office/in-law suite over 3 car detached garage plus another attached garage space. Finished LL w/rec room, bedroom, bath, 2nd family room. 4 fireplaces! Great commuter location! LO8710203

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UNDER CONTRACT!

Broadlands South: Spacious 2-car garage TH with over 2400 finished SF. Updated master bath, wide-plank cherry HDWD floors on ML, deck and patio for outdoor entertaining, neutral paint throughout, SS appliances, quality touches—must see to appreciate! Listed at $459,900

Bluemont $644,900 Blueridge Mountain Rd.

Live the lifestyle of your dreams! One of 5 models can be built on 9.2 acre lot or another lot of your choice! Blue Ridge Model is 3209 ﬁn. sq. ft., 4 BR (2 on main or use 1 as den/study), 3 full BAs, bonus room, porch, hardwoods, gourmet kitchen w/42 in. cabinets, granite counters, SS appliances! Gorgeous private lot! CL8716585

CLIENT-FOCUSED • PROFESSIONAL • TENACIOUS

Julio & Nancy Laranjo 703-618-0088

Email: julioandnancy@LNF.com • www.julioandnancy.com 508 E. Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176

Build your dream home! Only 3 lots left! Blueridge Mountain Rd. in Bluemont 8.97 acres ($175,000) 9.2 acres ($185,000) 12.77 acres ($175,000)

<< FROM 28 Waiting until after work or for the weekend to go out and see properties will not work during a seller’s market. Be willing to see properties at all hours. Another benefit to having a flexible schedule is that the property won’t be full of other buyer traffic which will allow you to view the home without being rushed or interrupted.

Research, Research, Research If you’re looking at a particular neighborhood, you should already know what the comparable sales are before you even go out to look. Ask your Realtor to prepare a report of the most recent sales so that if you find a house, you can quickly determine your offer price.

Be Prepared If you are financing the property, be sure to connect with a mortgage lender to understand how much home you can afford and how much you will need to bring for down payment and closing costs. This means having the funds available in your account since you will be asked for an Earnest Money Deposit and Pre-Qualifying Letter to be presented with your offer. Most real estate transactions fall apart due to financing issues so if at all possible, work with a lender that can give you full underwriter approval up front. This will definitely make your offer look more attractive to the seller.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Allison Metzger is a Realtor with Picket Fence Homes in Leesburg.

COME HOME TO THE COUNTRY! 14194 Griffin Farm Lane • Leesburg, Va So Much To Offer In This Beautiful Custom Built Home. Lots Of Curb Appeal On 5.9 Acres. Stocked Pond & Creek! Open Floor Plan W/4,148 Finished Sq.Ft. of Comfortable Living Space. 5 Bedrooms 5 1/2 Baths (a private bath for each bedroom! 2 MBRs with Jacuzzi in each Bathroom. Spacious Rooms, Central Vac, Gas Fireplace, Verizon Fios, Hardwood & Ceramic Tile, Mud room, Laundry Room, Oversized 2-Car Attached Garage - Separate Fully Contained Apartment Above, with Separate Entrance For In-Laws or Potential Rental Income! 2-Story Barn w/ 2 Pull Thru Bays & Huge Room Above for Gatherings or Events. Very Low Maintenance Home. Too Many Amenities To List All Here. Only 4 Miles From Marc Train and C&O Canal Towpath.

VERY PRIVATE SETTING! BRING YOUR ANIMALS!! THIS IS A MUST SEE, MOVE IN CONDITION, CUSTOM HOME WITH LOTS OF EXTRAS! Call U S Realty @ 866-807-9087 To See This Unique Property! At prompt, enter MLS #9635399 Online MLS#LO9635399

During a competitive market, it’s not the time to go in with a low offer and expect to negotiate back and forth for days. If a better offer comes in during the negotiation period, depending on the terms of the contract, the seller has the right to decline and take the better offer. Also, be willing to work around the seller’s timeline. It’s not always about the money. Some sellers’ timeline for moving is just as important as the selling price. Maybe they want to wait until their kids are out of school or for a new home to be built. Being flexible might just make all the difference.

not need to be frustrating for a buyer. Consult with a professional real estate agent to help you prepare an offer that will stand above the rest. Keep these five tips in mind, and above all, keep your cool, to ensure the home-buying experience is seamless and stress free. Happy house hunting.

29 May 19 19 –– 25, 25, 2016 2016 May HOME, GARDEN & REAL ESTATE | LOUDOUN NOW

Five tips

OPEN HOUSE! SUNDAY MAY 22 1-4PM

Keep Contingencies to a Minimum

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Inspections are an important part of the home-buying process but if at all possible, you may want to conduct a home inspection, “for informational purposes only.” This does not mean that you will be stuck with the house. You can still walk away from the contract if you find something during the inspection that is alarming, but the seller might be swayed to accept your offer if they know you will not nickel and dime them over small fixes. Other contingencies, such as a home sale contingency, can be a thorn in a seller’s side, so talk to your agent about how to put in an offer without one. A competitive housing market does

May19 19––25, 25,2016 2016 May HOME, GARDEN & REAL ESTATE | LOUDOUN NOW

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So What Do Realtors Really Do?

ligently on the seller’s behalf. The real estate negotiation is not a single negotiation; it is a series of negotiations. It starts with your offering price (the offer being made to the public), then there is the initial offer from a buyer (actually a counter-offer), then there is usually a series of counter and re-counter offers. Once all of that gets decided there are negotiations over home repairs, additional conveyances, postponements, etc. Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of competing offers, and being able to explain the relative pros and cons of each is also a crucial part of what needs to be done. When representing a buyer, these same skills are required; they are simply applied in a different fashion. Software programs, social media and all the technology in the world will never take the place of a professionally trained and competent negotiator who is committed to protecting your equity.

BY ROBERT PIZZIMENTI There is a popular, generally accepted, belief that Realtors sell homes; and like many popular, generally accepted beliefs, it isn’t exactly the case. Consider the following: Your home is of a certain age, has a certain square footage, is located in a particular neighborhood. You are not going to add an extra bedroom if you decide (or need) to sell. So your home has an approximate value based upon what similar homes have sold for in the recent past. Let’s say further that approximate value is $500,000. A Question: If your Realtor: a) advises you to price your property correctly (and you do so), and b) enters it into the Multiple Listing System (MLS), and c) then he or she meets with an untimely end … will your property still sell? The answer is “Yes” based upon the existence of at least one qualified buyer becoming aware of your being on the market (the purpose of the MLS). Another question: What did the Realtor do to “Sell” your home? A Realtor’s role is vital in many significant ways, but hardly any of them has to do with actually “selling” your home.

The Realtor needs to understand the market and be in a position to explain to you why a particular price is more likely to succeed than another. We’ve all seen properties priced too high which sit for ages and eventually come down and have a stigma attached.

Most of these homes sell well below what they could have fetched had they been priced well initially. If a Realtor accepts a price knowing that it is likely to “sit there”, it is a disservice. A skilled advocate for a home seller needs to be able to negotiate intel-

Robert Pizzimenti has been a licensed Realtor in Virginia since 1998 and is a member of the Professional Development Committee of The Virginia Association of Realtors, the Education Committee of The Dulles Area Association of Realtors, and one of two instructors certified by Virginia to teach Realtors The Certified Negotiation Expert designation course.

simon sBaagsyosf..s.and

We have 1 ton tones and Lands cachp eoosse from) (m any co lo rs to

$479,800 105 Ravello Ct, Purcellville

Quiet cul de sac with in-town living at its best – walk to schools, restaurants, shopping and the W&OD Trail. Low maintenance yard and hardiplank siding. Great outdoor living spaces-front and rear covered porches, deck with hot tub and firepit. Private (not shared) driveway. Hardwood floors, stainless appliances.

$270,000 503 Sunset View Ter., #503, Leesburg

Gated community – Rare three bedroom, two bath features bright open floor plan with wide plank hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless appliances, gas fireplace and French doors to balcony. Community amenities include clubhouse, billard room, computer space, resort-style pool, hot tub and exercise room. EZ commute to Route 7, 15 and Dulles to Road.

OPEN HOUSE – Sunday 1:00-4:00

$639,800 17010 Lakewood Ct., Purcellville

Enjoy your heated pool, quiet cul de sac in established neighborhood. Gracious wrap around front porch, fenced rear yard. Open floor plan with main level master bedroom to screened porch, deck and pool, luxury master bath, separate tub and shower. Light filled rooms, two story foyer, hardwoods on main, dual staircases, 2 fireplaces-in living room and den/study/library.

“Oh, by the way, I’m never to busy for your referrals.”

JoWilla Beck, Associate Broker

Pearson Smith Realty

Direct: 703-618-0305 Jowilla@verizon.net www.jowillabeck.com

Licensed in Virginia

New 1-ToN Bulk Bags

40987 Nestlewood Lane

Sotheby’s

www.huntcountrysir.com

InternatIonal realty $999,000

Four level Wetherburne built all brick home on 7+/- acres with extraordinary upgrades and sweeping views. Six bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 5 fireplaces, home theater, detached carriage house/workshop with HVAC. Janeen Marconi • 703.401.6465

513 Beauregard

$799,000

Custom 4 BR,4.2 BTHS home with three finished levels. Desirable large first floor master suite that opens to patio, hot tub. Formal rooms, rec room w/custom bar, exercise room, library/study. Outdoor entertaining space with pool. Janeen Marconi • 703.401.6465

$2,299,000 39090 Dobbins Farm Lane

42873 Lucketts Road

$1,999,000

Turnkey equestrian facility w/ 100X200 indoor ring w/ observation loft, outdoor ring. Total of 35 stalls in multiple barns. Five bedroom 4 bath all brick home with indoor pool. Apartment over detached garage. Janeen Marconi • 703.401.6465

$499,999 40478 Tim Tam Court

$1,499,000

UN DE RC

15679 Limestone School Rd

22 West Market Street Leesburg, VA 20176 Office: 703.443.1757

Stunning custom 5 bedroom, 5.2 bath home on 25+/- picturesque acres designed for fine equestrian living. Nine stall center aisle barn w/rubber footing, 2 round pens and 6 fenced paddocks. Lisa Thompson • 571.207.6580

17140 Bold Venture

Great farmette with 7.97 +/- acres, stream access, fenced paddocks with auto watering system, blue stone arena and round pen. Home has amazing views, gourmet kitchen, hardwood flooring, fireplace and flagstone patio. Lisa Thompson • 571.207.65800

$1,349,000 17163 Silver Charm

$2,299,000

Over 8000 sf of elegant living space on a private 3.69 acre lot. First floor includes bedroom suite, and media room. Five bedrooms and 6.5 baths, pool, spa and built in grill for outdoor entertaining. Lisa Thompson • 571.207.6580

38454 John Wolford Road

$2,200,000

May 19 19 –– 25, 25, 2016 2016 May HOME, GARDEN & REAL ESTATE | LOUDOUN NOW

Hunt Country

Custom built Schulz Home with six bedroom, 5.5 bath. Wrap around porch and views of Sugarloaf Mountain. Resort style pool, deck, bar and pavilion complete the outdoor oasis. Lisa Thompson 571.207.6580

22552 Hillside Circle

Georgian estate on 4.19 landscaped acres. Six bedrooms, 7 full baths and 2 fireplaces are included on almost 12,000 sf of living space. Enjoy pond views, pool with spa and three season room. Lisa Thompson • 571.207.6580

$1,050,000 40081 Thomas Mill Road

$1,650,000

Circa 1832, sited on 30 acres this early 19th century federal brick home has been amazingly renovated with no detail overlooked. Five bedrooms, 3.5 baths, two barns spring house and 1 bedroom 1.5 bath guest house. Lisa Thompson • 571.207.6580

It takes extraordinary sales associates to maintain our vision of artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives. Please join us in welcoming Evelyn McMichael and Gail Lataille to Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty.

Timeless estate has been renovated and upgraded. Large living and dining areas for grand entertaining, master suite w/private den, solarium, 7 fireplaces. Separate three car garage with apartment. Plus 2 add’l lots. Windy Harris • 703.554.3815

Each Office Is Individually Owned And Operated.

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Creighton custom built 6 bedroom 5.5 bath home on 5 acres w/lake views and expansive decking. Open floor plan with 3 fireplaces, conservatory, beamed ceilings, office w/ private entrance in lower level. Windy Harris • 703.554.3815

[ OUR TOWNS ]

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Residents Debate 7-Eleven Plans in Lovettsville BY MARGARET MORTON About 25 residents turned out for the Lovettsville Town Council’s May 12 public hearing on the proposal to install gas pumps at an expanded 7-Eleven store in town. The new franchise owners applied to the town last year to replace the existing store and to add fuel pumps as part of the expanded operations. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the conditional use permit. The proposal has sparked controversy, with some residents supporting the plans and others raising concerns about safety and the store’s compatibility with historic downtown area. The proposal has been reworked in talks with the town staff. The result is called the “homeplate” option. Zoning Administrator Josh Bateman said the new store will be triangular and located near the northwestern tip of the property. There will be landscaping on all sides to screen the eight fuel pumps from Town Square and neighbors. The plans also call for two entrances—the existing one on East Broad Way and a new opening on North Church Street. Other amenities will include a bike rack and a picnic area. Representing the applicant, Kimberlee Welsh-Hise said the new store would be a big improvement, offering baked goods and fresh prepared foods “tailored to the community.” She said the applicants have tried to achieve an architectural look that will be compatible with the nearby retail center. She said 600 petition signatures have been

[ TOWN NOTES ] Purcellville Line-Up Set for Music & Arts Festival Fireman’s Field will be hopping Saturday. The annual Music & Arts Festival includes live entertainment, a juried art show, kids’ activities, arts and crafts vendors, and offerings of local food, beer and wine. The free family-oriented festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Concerts will be performed on multiple stages. Headliners on the main stage will be The Woodshedders, Down Range U.S. Army Band, Lord Nelson and Colin Thompson. New this year, will be the community art initiative sponsored by the Painted Barrel Project and the Western Loudoun Artists Studio Tour. The art show will be held inside the Bush Tabernacle. Another new feature will be the “Painting with Wine and Coffee” classes at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., sponsored by 868 Estate Vineyards. Andrea Cybyk will show her students how to turn wine and coffee into more than just something to drink. Those interested should register online at 868estatevineyards.com/ events. The Purcellville Business Association will again partner with the Purcellville Historical Society to offer free trolley tours throughout town.

Town of Lovettsville

An aerial view of the proposed 7-Eleven store expansion area, showing the existing store on East Broad Way overlaid by the new plan. The island of gas pumps lies to the east.

received. During last week’s hearing, Bob Cornwell was among the supporters. He said the additional space was needed and urged the town not to put too many restrictions on the applicant. “They’ve complied as best they can,” he said. Larry Anderson agreed, noting the applicant had done a good job in addressing concerns. “I’m 100 percent in support,” he said. Concerns over public health implications were expressed. Peggy McElligott said she was worried that fumes from a gas station could be a danger to pregnant women and children. Former Mayor Elaine Walker had

concerns about the project’s impact on the town’s historic district. “That took a lot of time and care to establish,” she said. She also was concerned about gas leakage and spilling. Former Town Councilman Jack Burden expressed support. “We’ve asked all sorts of questions and got good answers. I do support a larger store and the gas pumps,” he said, adding better landscaping and drainage would improve the look of the property. The Town Council will discuss the project at a future meeting before making a decision.

The festival is produced by the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Purcellville Arts Council. The presenting sponsor is Carl Fisher of United Real Estate Purcellville, in conjunction with other businesses, including the PBA, Western Loudoun Pediatrics, OHM Productions and the Businesses of Valley Industrial Park on East Richardson Lane For more information and the performance schedule, go to purcellvillemusicandartsfestival.com.

the third Boulder Crest Hoedown for Our Military Heroes. The event supports combat stress recovery programs for military members, veterans and their families. Included is a New Orleans-style barbecue, grill master meats, vegetarian options, complimentary beer and wine, homemade Sangria and sweet tea and lemonade. There will be plenty of live music, entertainment and dancing. Sponsorship opportunities are available. To purchase tickets, go to bouldercrestretreat.org. For more information, contact Angela Reamer at 304-596-3106 or angela@bouldercrestretreat.org.

Bluemont Founders Tour and Hoedown Planned at Boulder Crest The Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness has two upcoming events that are open to the public. Julia Falke, who founded the retreat along with her husband Ken, will give a “founders’ tour” from noon-2 p.m. Sunday, May 22. Falke will give an in-depth tour of the 37-acre property, which the couple donated to establish the retreat for recovering wounded warriors and their families. The tour is open to the public, and participants should register in advance at bouldercrestretreat.org. The retreat is located at 18379 Bluemont Village Lane. On Saturday, June 4, from 5-9 p.m., the retreat will welcome the public to

mmorton@loudounnow.com

Lovettsville June Debut for Concert Series The Town Green will become a music venue this summer as the town’s We’re In tourism and economic development committee launches a concert series, to complement the existing summer movies program. The Concerts on the Green series will be held at the Walker Pavilion on the first and third Saturdays of June, July and August from 7 to 9 p.m. The schedule is: • June 4: Airmen of Note (U.S. Air Force) • June 18: 4Six2 (Top 40s tunes) • July 2: The Commodores (U.S. Navy)

Jeyhan Turker Tops Field in Cannons’ National Anthem Contest Loudoun will be hearing more from Riverside High School sophomore Jeyhan Turker. The Ashburn teen has already set the foundation of careers Turker as an actor and singer. On Saturday, he added to his résumé when he was selected to sing the National Anthem before the home games of the Purcellville Cannons this summer. Turker was one of 17 singers to participate in the Oh Say! Can You Sing? Contest at Fireman’s Field. Each sang the Star Spangled Banner in front of a crowd of family and friends—and a panel of judges. He was the top winner, but two others were selected to sing the anthem during games when Turker is not available. Sofia Cipolloni was the second place winner and Malcolm Fuller was third. Playing their first season in Purcellville, the Cannons are part of the Valley Baseball League, which is NCAA Sanctioned and supported by Major League Baseball. The season starts June 2 and the first home game will be Friday, June 3. See videos of the performances at LoudounNow.com.

• July 18: Flat Foot Sam (Blues) • Aug. 6: The Sea Chanters (U.S. Navy) • Aug. 20: Cheap Date (Top 40s)

Double-Digit Utility Rates Increase Planned Mayor Bob Zoldos indicated in his weekly online newsletter that the Town Council again will have to raise its water and sewer rates to meet the costs of running its utility system. The council has raised rates over the past few years to make the Utility Fund self-sufficient. The good news, Zoldos said, is that the coming year’s rate hike—a 12 percent increase—should enable the town to finally balance the utility budget. Town projections indicate it will no longer use the General Fund tax revenues to offset utility operations. After fiscal year 17, the mayor said the town expects to raise utility rates only 3 percent in FY18 and FY19, respectively. The utility budget also includes a significant increase in contributions to the town’s Debt Retirement Fund and the repair, renewal, replacement and maintenance program. According to the town, the new rate would put the town at about the average for water and sewer costs in Loudoun, but cheaper than some neighboring jurisdictions, including Middleburg, Purcellville and Berryville.

BY MARGARET MORTON

Round Hill Hometown Festival Committee

The pie-eating contest is a favorite tradition of Round Hill’s Hometown Festival.

and his daughter, Jessie. The Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department will hold an open house and pig roast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while there will be other food options available from Tammy’s Diner, Anthony’s

and The Wandering Chef, plus snacks. At 1:30 p.m. comes the first of the afternoon treats—the pie-eating contest. The pleasure of seeing one’s family, friends and neighbors dunk their faces in a pile of chocolate cream mush never

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mmorton@loudounnow.com

B ox

F ox

Fox Rocks

Free Community Shred Day

Round Hill’s annual Hometown Festival is a day-long celebration of smalltown life. On the agenda for Saturday, May 28, is a parade, a 5K race, memorial ceremony and pig roast, downhill derby, a pie-eating contest, and plenty of live music. At the end of the day, residents gather at the town park for the evening community feast and a free concert under the stars. The 5K run starts at 8 a.m. at Round Hill Elementary, for a cost of $25. Online registration is open until Thursday, May 21, at hometownfestival.org. Raceday registration starts at 7 a.m. Young runners can enjoy a free half-mile Kids Fun Run after the 5K is completed. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. near the intersection of Evening Star Drive with Hudson Street, and ends at the town park. Register in advance at roundhillparade.com. At 10:45 a.m. the Woodgrove Jazz Band will perform from the park pavilion, setting the mood for the memorial ceremony and wreath laying. At the end of the ceremony, local favorites the Plankstompers will get the stage entertainment going. Other acts include Dominion 4, the Immortals, and Diamonds and Rust—notable as a duo featuring Town Administrator Buster Nicholson

palls—and cameras will be at the ready. Another highly popular event is the renowned Round Hill Downhill Derby. Youngsters, sporting determined expressions, race their soap box derby cars down North Locust Street in heats of two, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd. From 3 to 5 p.m., the Round Hill Arts Center hosts an open mic session for local singers, dancers, poets and comedians at the pavilion stage. Ages 12 and up may sign up online at roundhillartscenter.org. But it’s the evening feast and music at the town park as the sun starts to go down that provide a fitting finale to the day. The community meal will be provided under a pay-as-you-go format by multiple vendors—The Wine Kitchen, Tammy’s Diner and Anthony’s Italian— and Round Hill Mt. Zion Baptist Church will be frying up fish sandwiches on the spot. Beer and wine also will be available for purchase. If rain should intrude, check for event changes at hometownfestival.org.

May 19 – 25, 2016

Small Town Fun at Round Hill’s Hometown Festival

Saturday, May 21st • 9 a.m. to Noon

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703-777-6327 middleburgbank.com

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[ BRIEFS ]

After Shareholder Battle, Middleburg Bank Leaders Look Ahead

Stoneleigh Golf and Country Club Plans Big Changes

BY NORMAN K. STYER It has been a tumultuous few weeks for Middleburg Bank, but the leadership of the 93-year-old institution sees only a bright future ahead. The community bank gained national attention in finance circles as its largest shareholder, David Sokol, went public with his criticism that the bank was underperforming and pressed the Board of Directors to pursue a sale to better leverage the company’s value. Heading into the bank’s annual meeting May 4, Sokol, the former chairman, president, and CEO of NetJets and former chairman of MidAmerican Energy Holdings, urged shareholders to withhold support for the bank’s slate for its 12-member board of directors. Some did, but the slate was elected, nevertheless. Now, bank President and CEO Gary R. Shook is looking to a brighter future. The result of the public feud may even be a stronger bank. “Independence has to be earned every single day,” Shook said of the focus shared among the bank’s staff. “This isn’t just a live your life and everything will be OK. This is: Everybody in the company needs to be doing everything in their power to help the company earn its independence.” “Our real focus is moving forward and it comes down to loan growth,” he said. He cites the bank’s weakness—if it is one—of being too liquid or too conservative in its use of deposits. The bank experienced a spike in deposits after the recession, but didn’t fully turn around and put that money to work, or at risk, with loans, he said. The bank has more than $1 billion in deposits and continues to top the market share rankings in Loudoun County.

Drive for Charity Supports Community Organizations Toll Road Investors Partnership II, owner of the Dulles Greenway, will hold its 11th annual Drive for Charity on Thursday, May 19. All tolls collected that day will be donated to six area charities and the Dulles Greenway Scholarship Program, which provides $1,500 to one senior at each of the Loudoun County public high schools. This year’s beneficiaries are: March of Dimes (National Capital Area), Every Citizen Has Opportunities (ECHO), Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS), Fresh Air/Full Care, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (LWC), and Loudoun Free Clinic.

Ashburn Cares Donates Big to Food Bank The grassroots effort Ashburn Cares and the Darryl and Tiffany Tapp family recently donated $20,000 and 3,000 pounds of food to Loudoun Interfaith

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Middleburg Bank leaders’ feud went public after its largest shareholder aired his criticisms.

“The size of balance sheet does not dictate success, because you can make a balance sheet very profitable—and we are very profitable. We can be more profitable. There is no argument there,” Shook said. “Our’s (balance sheet) is more liquid than our peers’, so it has less return than our peers’, but it is much more secure than our peers’. So you get your trade-offs.” The bank’s loan to deposit ratio was 77.4 percent, last year an increase from 74.2 percent two years earlier. Banks identified in Middleburg’s peer group run closer to the 100 percent mark. Shook said Middleburg Bank will build its performance through its loan outreach. Sokol, who began purchasing Middleburg Financial Corp. stock in 2008 and acquired as much as a 30 percent stake in the company, in two letters in advance of the shareholders meeting said the bank leadership’s growth strategy would fall short. “I am convinced that maintaining the status quo or even seeking to grow through acquisitions under MBRG’s current leadership would not be in

the best financial interests of its shareholders. In fact, I believe that there is no prospect that MBRG’s own growth initiatives can offset the negative market conditions impacting it and other community banks, including increased competition for customers, costly regulatory compliance and general economic uncertainties,” Sokol wrote. “I also believe that a failure to seriously explore strategic alternatives given the current favorable [mergers and acquisitions] market is inconsistent with the Board’s fiduciary duties to all shareholders.” Other bankers in the market share some of Sokol’s criticisms, suggesting that Shook and the bank board fail to grasp the urgency of the bank’s growth needs. However, Shook said the commitment to continuing as a local independent community bank remains strong, as does the effort to climb back into the top tier of bank performance. “Improving performance is the salve for everything,” he said.

Relief. Ashburn Cares is a group of nearly 100 friends and neighbors who came together to fight food insecurity in Loudoun. The Tapp family learned of this effort and stepped forward with a dollar-for-dollar challenge match up to $10,000 of monetary donations. Legacy Elementary School students collected a total of 451 pounds of food, $762.12 in loose change, and $1,000 from the Legacy PTO to assist in the effort. “Enough food was collected to provide three days of groceries for three meals each day to 300 people,” Loudoun Interfaith Relief Executive Director Jennifer Montgomery said. “Enough funds were raised to help us ensure the success of our summer feeding program for atrisk children. We have all been made better by getting to know the grassroots volunteers who made this happen.” Loudoun Interfaith Relief served 16,944 people at least once in fiscal year 2015.

Minchew Tapped for Good Scout Award

nstyer@loudounnow.com

Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10) has been selected to receive the 2016 Goose Creek District Good Scout Award during Minchew a May 19 reception at Stone Tower Winery near Leesburg. Minchew will be honored for his decades of public service in Loudoun County. The Good Scout Award recognizes a local leader for his or her contributions to the community and raises funds to support the Goose Creek District Boy Scouts. The district serves the 5,000 participants in the scouting program in Loudoun County. An Eagle Scout, Minchew has served as scoutmaster of Troop 998 and twice served as chairman of the Goose Creek District. He previously was recipient of scouting’s highest adult leadership recognition, the Silver Beaver Award.

Stoneleigh Golf and Country Club near Round Hill is in the throes of some major changes, designed in large part to meet the needs of young families moving into the area. General Manager Rohan B. Somers says among the changes are the addition of tennis courts, practice golf and short game areas, activities and games for kids, expanded dining and bar facilities at The Tavern and a poolroom in the basement. An old barn on the property has been renovated and will be used for events. A new class of social memberships—an addition to the golf and pool memberships—will allow area residents to use the club’s events and dining facilities. Find out more at stoneleighgolf. com.

Courtesy of Inova Loudoun Hospital

Dr. Jill McCabe, medical director at Inova Loudoun Hospital’s children’s emergency room, stands with Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10) while speaking at Saturday’s anniversary celebration.

Inova Throws Birthday Party for Children’s ER A crowd gathered at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Lansdowne on Saturday to celebrate the hospital’s 10th anniversary of the children’s emergency room. Guests enjoyed a variety of activities including a petting zoo, glitter tattoos, moon bounce, and educational stations. In addition, there were tours of the children’s ER, ambulance and the PHI AirCare 3 helicopter. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire & Rescue Department foam truck and Loudoun County Fire & Rescue emergency vehicles were also in attendance. “Thank you for helping us celebrate 10 years of serving you and our community,” stated Dr. Jill McCabe, medical director at Inova’s children’s ER. “We are proud to be the only ER in Loudoun County dedicated to treating pediatric patients.” The center was designed to meet the needs of kids, especially those who aren’t feeling well. Special touches range from the child-size wheelchairs to the large, climb-on toys in the waiting room. BIZ BRIEFS >> 35

Hail & Hog Opens at One Loudoun

Biz Coach Company Names New CEO

Wegmeyer Farms U-pick Fields Open

The Washington Redskinsthemed restaurant Hail & Hog Kitchen and Tap is scheduled to hold its grand opening May 20-22. The 12,000-square-foot restaurant occupies two levels at 20376 Exchange St. in One Loudoun, just up the road from the team’s headquarters at Redskins Park. The restaurant is a collaboration between the Redskins and G3 Restaurants and is the group’s fifth professional football-themed restaurant. The restaurant will have a broadcast studio designed for the Redskins to host radio and television shows. When not in use by the team, the studio may be reserved for private events. There will be 57 ultra high-definition televisions throughout the restaurant. The upper level will have its own entrance and feature a fire pit and a rooftop bar.

iFLY Loudoun Celebrates Opening iFLY Loudoun welcomes the public to its grand opening celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Visitors can see firsthand the indoor parachuting venue and enjoy music from the Ashburn School of Rock band and Fresh 94.7 radio, face painting and vendors. iFLY Loudoun is at 20315 Commonwealth Center Drive in Ashburn. Learn more at iflyworld.com/ loudoun.

Giant Food stores in Loudoun County are joining forces with Ashburn-based Modern Mechanical for National Pet Month and hosting a pet food and supply drive. During the week of May 22-28, customers can purchase pet food,

May 21 - 22 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. LoudounFarms.org/FarmTour

Timmons Group Wins Lansdowne Congregate Contract Timmons Group in Ashburn will provide civil engineering services for the Lansdowne Congregate Living Facility. The 162-suite active adult community will be developed on 5.7 acres and include full service facilities and recreational amenities on site for its residents. Lansdowne Congregate Living Facility’s site was chosen because of its proximity to the Inova Loudoun Hospital and other medical office buildings. “Congregate living facilities are low traffic generators, have no impact on schools, provide jobs, and allows local seniors to remain in the area,” Bill Vest, senior project manager of Timmons Group, stated.

FARMS

CRAFT BEVERAGES

SPECIAL EVENTS

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Loudoun Businesses Host Pet Supply Drive

Mid Atlantic Strategic Services announced Rene Hollebrandse as its new CEO. MASS, based in Winchester with a Loudoun County office opening in June, started as a company providing bookkeeping and social media marketing to clients of local business coaches. Today, it has expanded into a full service business coaching enterprise. MASS’s mission is to create 1000 new jobs every year by assisting in the growth of area businesses. Hollenbrandse, of the Netherlands, comes to MASS with seven years experience working with the largest business coach franchise in the world, Action Coach. Prior to joining Action Coach, Hollenbrandse had a global career in business and IT. Working with the business coaches at MASS, Hollebrandse will expand on their market offering business coaching to two percent of the businesses in Loudoun and the Shenandoah Valley.

Lincoln-based Wegmeyer Farms announced its U-pick strawberry fields are open through June 1. All ages are invited to come out and enjoy some hours picking strawberries at three locations. The first is at the Wegmeyer Farm homestead tucked away on a back road near Hamilton, at 38299 Hughesville Road, where there are tables for guests bringing a picnic. The second is the new strawberry patch at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane. Period-dressed guides will provide a sense of picking berries in the 1800s. Children younger than 16 are free. At Gilbert’s Corner, berry lovers can enjoy a no-fuss strawberry picking. Parking is available at the site. Tyler Wegmeyer encourages parents to bring their kids, noting they “love eating them right off the vine.”

leashes, collars, and pet toys for donation at any of their Loudoun county stores. Beneficiaries of the week-long effort are The Loudoun County Animal Shelter, The Humane Society of Loudoun County’s Pet Pantry, and Loudoun Interfaith Relief, which offers patrons pet food and supplies in addition to food for their families. “We thought organizing a Pet Food and Supply Drive during National Pet Month would be a winwin since many pet items are on sale this month,” My Pham, manager of the Giant store in Leesburg, stated in a release announcing the drive. “Our customers are like family to us, and if we can help collect much needed supplies for our area shelters, we know it will help them to better care for the animals in their safekeeping.” All Loudoun County Giant Food Stores will be participating in the Pet Food and Supply drive. Modern Mechanical will reach out to their customers across the region and pick up donations during the week.

FROM >> 34

May 19 – 25, 2016

[ BRIEFS ]

[ LOCO LIVING ]

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Dusty Lockhart/ThreeLockharts PR

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Sam Scarlett mixes a cocktail at Hugo, a new venture launched by the owners of The Wine Kitchen.

Hugo’s pantry jars are fun for snacking— ingredients like seasonal pickled vegetables and dainty pink beet-pickled quail eggs offer a nice touch of acidity and crunch to your meal.

MEET HUGO

Wine Kitchen Proprietors Offer a Gin Mill for the New Millennium BY SAMANTHA BARTRAM

oudoun County is a drinker’s paradise. Wineries, breweries and, more recently, distilleries dot the landscape like so many wildflowers, beckoning our collective proboscises to drink deeply of their strong nectars. As the watermark on local booze continues to rise, creative restauranteurs Jason Miller and Michael Mercer created Hugo, a new watering hole with old-world air that, true to reputation, incorporates local ingredients from the shaker up. Named for legendary cocktail creator Hugo Ensslin and hosted on the first floor of WK Hearth in Purcellville, Hugo features a menu of intriguing pre-prohibition era cocktails pulled straight from the pages of Ensslin’s bartending primer, “Recipes For Mixed Drinks.” Miller happened upon a copy while browsing the dusty shelves of a local antique shop, and was quickly absorbed by its contents. In a happy coincidence, Miller noticed Recipes was published in 1917, the same year in which the historic farmhouse that houses Hugo and WK Hearth was built. The serendipity was impossible to ignore. “Hugo is special because of its setting in a farmhouse from the same era [as] our cocktails, all slightly re-interpreted in a modern and creative way,” Miller

said. “The pre-prohibition cocktails using local spirits and seasonal ingredients, paired with distinctive menu items designed to be shared and spark conversation, are what we feel set Hugo on a unique path.”

Let’s Talk Hooch Many of the drinks included in Ensslin’s famous guide are still ubiquitous today, such as the Manhattan, Old Fashioned and Martini. Others however — the Beauty Spot, Humpty Dumpty and Littlest Rebel, to name but a few — have been virtually erased from the popular consciousness. Convenience is perhaps the hangman here, as few modern bartenders can afford the time it takes to whip a fresh egg for every Love Cocktail that comes down the rail. Hugo, however, with its pareddown menu and succinct drink offerings, affords room to craft beautiful, delicious beverages from a bygone era. A must-try among Hugo’s current cocktails is the Aviation, considered by many to be Ensslin’s signature drink. It incorporates gin, maraschino, fresh lemon juice and house-made crème de violette for a delicate, highly quaffable concoction that barely betrays it’s almost all gin. Those looking for something a bit more straightforward will enjoy the Manhattan Flight — two, made per-

THE AVIATION 1.5 oz Plymouth Gin ½ oz Luxardo Cherry Liquor ¾ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon Creme de Violette ½ oz simple syrup (dissolve two parts sugar in one part water)

fect, one with locally distilled Catoctin Rye, the other with Woodford Reserve. Adventurous, nostalgic palates will find a rotating cast of swing-era-inspired drinks—one of Miller’s current favorites is the Widow’s Dream. “[It’s] the most unique and fun cocktail, and also the hardest to reinterpret from its original recipe,” he said. “The original drink called for Benedictine with a whole egg cracked into it, then topped with whipped cream. Ours has the same Benedictine but with milk and a fennel/orange simple syrup, shaken until frothy and served in a tall, slender coupe-style glass.”

And Eats? Like Miller and Mercer’s other properties, Hugo’s menu features innovative dishes crafted from local, seasonal ingredients. Novel “pantry jars”—short vessels stuffed with beet-pickled quail eggs, steak tartare, pickled vegetables and other delights—are lovely for snacking and sipping. Slightly larger plates like the half smoke (featuring Lothar’s sausage, a Loudoun favorite) and rabbit pot pie lay down a firmer foundation if an evening’s cavorting is ahead. “To us, it is an expectation, rather than something new or novel, to use local farms and maintain a seasonal approach to both cocktails and [food] *secret ingredient: a tiny pinch of salt helps make all the other flavors pop! Add all the above ingredients plus a large scoop of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for about 45 seconds. Strain using a cocktail strainer and a fine mesh strainer (if you happen to have

menus,” Miller said. “We will always maintain our commitment to seasonal, local ingredients.”

Dames and Daddies Welcome Hugo’s revamped interior cultivates an intimate, conspiratorial experience. About 15 guests can install themselves in the bar’s deep leather couches and swank booth area, while 10-12 have room to post up at the bar. When the weather’s right, 20 more have room to mill around and shoot the bull outside on the patio. “To us, the best part of Hugo is our ability to interact with our guests and craft a cocktail just for them while they watch it all happen,” Miller said. “With cocktails, if you like it a little sweeter, we can do that. If you like your drinks a little lighter, we can do that, too. Cocktails give us another opportunity to have a conversation with our guests and offer an even greater experience of hospitality.” Hugo’s grand opening celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the restaurant, at 30 Purcellville Gateway Drive in Purcellville, and will feature tastes from the menu and the full array of craft cocktails. For the latest information and updates on Hugo, follow the Wine Kitchen on Facebook or Twitter, or go to thewinekitchen.com. one) into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry or lemon twist. The key to this cocktail is making sure you get enough dilution from the ice to make the drink nice and smooth. Although the Aviation is comprised mostly of alcohol, the drink should not be abrasive, but cool and refreshing.

37 .org

Saturday June 4, 2016 - 7:30 p.m. John Champe High School, Aldie VA Tickets $15.00 Buy online at boston-brass.bpt.me

Only 30 minutes west of the beltway in Northern VA 15 minutes west of Chantilly

Courtesy of Suzy Bogguss

Bogguss Returns to Tally Ho Country music singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss returns to Leesburg’s Tally Ho Theatre on Saturday, May 28. Based in Nashville, Bogguss is best known for a string of hits in the early ’90s, including her breakthrough album “Aces” and her chart topping 1992 single “Drive South.” After taking a hiatus to start a family in 1995, Bogguss was dropped from her label, Capitol records, and began work on a series of recordings with indie labels while continuing to tour extensively. Her most recent record, 2014’s “Lucky,” is an album of Merle Haggard covers. Her May 28 performance begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the fully seated show are $30 in advance, $35 day of show and $60 VIP. For tickets and more information, go to tallyholeesburg.com.

LOCO CULTURE PURCELLVILLE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fireman’s Field, 250 Nursery Ave., Purcellville. Details: purcellvillemusicandartsfestival. com Event features music from The Woodshedders, Andy Hawk, The Immortals and other local favorites, juried art show, food vendors, and local wine and beer. Admission is free, but cash is recommended for vendors.

LOUDOUN SPRING FARM TOUR Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., countywide. Details: loudounfarms.org Check out local farms, wineries, breweries and meaderies, including eight new sites, on this self-guided tour. Admission is free.

Celebrate all things strawberry with hayrides, children’s activities, exhibitors, vendors, concessions and pick your own berries from Wegmeyer Farms’ on-site patch.

POTOMAC VALLEY DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION SPRING SHOW Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Morven Park Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. Details: pvda.org The public is invited to this annual show featuring 130 horses from six states. Free for spectators.

NATURAL MERCANTILE OPEN HOUSE Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Natural Mercantile, 341 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton. Details: naturalmercantile.com Enjoy samples of ice cream, nutritional products, wine tasting and live music. Organic vegetable and herb plants have arrived and are available for sale.

Cochran Family Dental Welcoming all new patients

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"A formidable sound" - Indianapolis Performing Arts Examiner "Spectacular and technical musical wizards is an understatement." - Charleston Today "... packs a wallop" - Lincoln Journal Star "More powerful than a speeding locomotive" - Charleston Daily Mail

May 19 – 25, 2016

with

[ THIS WEEK ]

LUCKETTS STORE SPRING MARKET

Oatlands Strawberry Festival

Sunday, May 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Details: oatlands.org

Find great antiques and vintage items from more than 170 vendors at this annual market. Admission is $10 per person, free for children 12 and under.

MORE TO DO >> 38

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OATLANDS STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 21, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; The Old Lucketts Store, 42350 Lucketts Road, Leesburg. Details: luckettstore.com

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Drama Kids Raises the Curtain on Three Productions A few hundred budding actors and students of Drama Kids of Loudoun are putting on end-of-year performances over the next several weeks. The performances are a chance for students at the theater school to showcase what they’ve learned in after-school workshops held throughout the school year. Kids from the drama school will perform three plays in 10 showings over the next two weeks. The first showing was Thursday, April 12; about 50 friends and and family members of the young performers gathered around the stage at Loudoun Country Day School. “We’re happy to have you here for the performance of ‘The Cleanest Town in Texas,’” Drama Kids Director Jen Drake told the audience before the show. “The students put a lot of hard work into it and I’m very proud of them.” “The Cleanest Town in Texas” is the play Drama Kids’ third- through fifthgrade students are performing. Students in kindergarten through second grade will perform “The Grasshopper and the Ants,” and DramaKids’ Acting Academy, for middle and high

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

At left, Lulubelle, played by Loudoun Country Day School student Logan Dearing scolds Jellybone, played by Beatrix Edmunds, in Drama Kids’ production of “The Cleanest Town in Texas” on April 12.

school students, will perform “Murder at Mornington Manor.” Each play is written and copyrighted by Drama Kids International. The performances are open to the public, but are generally meant for friends and family of the

students. Drama Kids has 290 students enrolled this year. From September through February, most of those students take part in after-school classes that include lessons in improv, voice

projection and stage presence. “It really builds confidence both on stage and off stage,” Drake said. “We like to say not every kid is going on to Broadway, but every kid is going to need to speak publically in their life.” By early March, the students receive play scripts and begin working on their end-of-year productions. A few weeks after the standard classes and productions wrap up, Drama Kids offers week-long summer theater camps, both full day and half day options. “There’s a larger emphasis on the fun and silliness of theater in our summer camps,” Drake noted. This month’s productions bring to a close a busy and successful year for Drama Kids. Drake bought the Loudoun franchise last June after working at the drama school for three years. The school has since seen demand for drama classes tick up. “We pretty much doubled everything—student numbers and class numbers,” Drake said, “and I’m hoping to expand more next year.” Learn more at dramakids.com/va4. — Danielle Nadler

[ THIS WEEK ] << FROM 37

SIP AND PAINT BENEFIT Thursday, May 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Plum Grove Cyclery, 120C E. Market Street, Leesburg. Details: leesburgpublicarts.org Artist Jill Perla hosts a sip and paint event to benefit Friends of Leesburg Public Arts. Tickets are $45 and are available online.

NIGHTLIFE CORKS FOR A CAUSE Friday, May 20, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Purcellville. Details: lcsj.org Enjoy small bites from top local restaurants along with Breaux wines. Event benefits the Loudoun Child Advocacy Center, a program of the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter. Tickets are $60 at the door.

LIVE MUSIC: TIMOTHY JAMES Friday, May 20, 7-9 p.m.; Trinity House Café, 101 East Market St., Leesburg. Details: trinityhousecafe.com James is a Leesburg-based singer-songwriter and accomplished guitarist performing a mix of originals and covers spanning rock, country, folk, blues and reggae. No cover.

This favorite tribute band offers all the versatility of the Dave Matthews Band, shifting from Celtic to jazz to acoustic funk. Tickets are $14 in advance, $19 day of show.

LIVE MUSIC: ZOSO: THE ULTIMATE LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE Saturday, May 21, 8:30 p.m.; Tally Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St.; Leesburg. Details: tallyholeesburg.com Zoso is a mesmerizing and accurate portrayal of one of the biggest bands of the 70s. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show.

LIVE BAND KARAOKE Friday, May 20, 8 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com Bring out your inner star with backup from the Harikaraoke Band and a great catalogue of songs. No cover.

Details: paxtoncampus.org Loudoun-based, internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Todd Wright is accompanied by the band from his Half King Studios in downtown Leesburg. Event is rain or shine—bring your own blankets and chairs. Admission is free. Wine, beer and food are available for sale.

ON STAGE “MY FAIR LADY” Friday, May 20, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 21, 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Harmony Middle School, 38174 W. Colonial Highway, Hamilton. Details: thepickwickplayers.com The Pickwick Players present the classic musical love story based on George Bernard Shaw’s play, “Pygmalion.” Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for children and seniors.

LIVE MUSIC: PATRICK GREEN AND THE BLUES BUCKETS Saturday, May 21, 7 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com

Friday, May 20, 8:30 p.m.; Tally Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St.; Leesburg. Details: tallyholeesburg.com

Thursday, May 26, 5-8 p.m.; Paxton Campus, 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg.

Sunday, May 22, Waterford Old School, 40222 Fairfax Street, Waterford. Details: waterfordconcertseries.org The Waterford Concert Series presents one of its best-loved concerts featuring young musicians from the Levine School of Music. Performers Courtesy of Waterford include alumna, Concert Series Pallavi Mahidhara, now an acclaimed professional pianist, violinist Netanel Draiblate, a member of the Levine faculty and outstanding student competition winners. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and free for children 12 and younger.

Sunday, May 22, 2-5 p.m.; North Gate Vineyard, 16031 Hillsboro Road, Purcellville. Details: northgatevineyard.com Courtesy of Slow Magic

LIVE MUSIC: CROWDED STREETS: THE DAVE MATTHEWS EXPERIENCE

BEST OF LEVINE MUSIC CONCERT

LIVE MUSIC: JOSH WALKER

Texas and Chicago-style blues, rhythm and fun from a Virginia favorite. No cover.

MUSIC AT THE MANOR: TODD WRIGHT AND THE HALF KING HOUSE BAND

includes headliners Bronze Radio Return and Slow Magic, along with local battle of the bands winners Midia, Deep Creek and Never Born To Follow. Tickets are $7.50 in advance, $10 day of show.

YOUTHFEST LOUDOUN Saturday, May 21, 3-8 p.m.; The Barn At One Loudoun, 20450 Savin Hill Drive, Ashburn. Details: loudounyouth.org The 11th annual teen music fest

Noted jazz guitarist Walker brings a mixture of all-instrumental versions of jazz, Latin American music, classical, and original compositions to North Gate. No cover.

MORE TO DO >> 39

Loudoun YouthFest Enters 11th Year

May 19 – 25, 2016

AT IDA LEE PARK • LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

Courtesy of Bronze Radio Return

Bronze Radio Return, shown, and Slow Magic will headline Saturday’s Loudoun YouthFest.

at The Barn at One Loudoun, 20405 Savin Hill Drive in Ashburn. Tickets are $7.50 before May 21 and $10 after or at the gate. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to loudounyouthfest.com.

[ THIS WEEK ] Details: brambletonhoa.com

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• • • • • •

600’ Lazy River Drop Slide Large Slide Tower Two Body Flumes Little Squirt Whale 25 Yard Lap Lane

• • • • • •

Two Gang Slides Water Pipe Fall Floating Snake Large “Beach” Area Bubblers Water Fountains

• • • • • •

Birthday Parties Concession Stand Classes & Camps Grass Picnic Area Shade Structures Rentals

The ins eg h B n u F 28t May

Event features 25 local breweries, live music and food trucks. Tickets are $30 (includes six 5 ounce tastings), $10 for designated drivers and youth 13-20, and free for children 12 and younger. Limited VIP tickets are $50 (includes brunch at 11 a.m. and noon entry to the fest).

WINE JUDGMENT IN PARIS TASTING Courtesy of Clark Hansbarger

“DREAM OF A GOOD DEATH” AT HISTORIC MT. ZION Sunday, May 22, Mt. Zion Church Historical Park, 40309 John S. Mosby Highway, Aldie. Details: mosbyheritagearea.org Singer-songwriter Clark Hansbarger of The Bitter Liberals showcases his multi-media Civil War show “Dream Of A Good Death” at the historic church. Part folk/roots concert and part TED-talk, “Dream of a Good Death” is a multi-media evening of storytelling and music tracing the arc of the war. Tickets are $15 in advance, $10 for students, $18 day of show.

GALLERY COFFEEHOUSE: MEET ARTIST KAREN COLEMAN Sunday, May 22, 6:30 p.m., Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Meet botanical artist Karen Coleman and learn about her process and vision. Admission is $8 and includes coffee.

BRAMBLETON ALL THINGS BREW FEST Saturday, May 21, 1-6 p.m., Brambleton Town Center, 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Brambleton.

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Steven Spurrier’s famed 1976 California wine tasting with a sampling of top wines from Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa. Tickets are $40. Advance reservations are required.

COMING UP LOVETTSVILLE MAYFEST Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Lovettsville Town Green, Lovettsville. Details: lovettsvillevamayfest.com Loudoun’s German settlement celebrates spring with a day of children’s activities, live music and local food and wine. Event is free and open to the public.

RINGING IN HOPE 5K/10K Monday, May 30, 8 a.m., One Loudoun, 20626 East Hampton Plaza, Ashburn. Details: ringinginhope.com The annual Memorial Day race benefits Boulder Crest Retreat and includes a 10K, 5K and 1K fun run. Registration is $35 for the 5K and $40 for the 10K through May 28. Registration for the fun run is $15 (free for children 3 and younger).

Sunday, May 22 11am–4pm

A Day of Family Fun Activities! U-Pick Strawberries, Hayrides, Music, Games, Tours & More! Food Available for Purchase $10 per individual • $20 per family Children under age 3 are free

Call 703-777-3174 or visit oatlands.org Oatlands Historic House & Gardens 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane Leesburg, VA 20175 www.oatlands.org

Spring is Sweeter at Oatlands!

loudounnow.com

LIBATIONS

Monday, May 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Parallel Wine and Whiskey Bar, 43135 Broadlands Center Plaza, Broadlands. Details: parallelwinebistro.com

Loudoun YouthFest will hold its 11th annual teen-centered and teen-performed concert Saturday, May 21. Midia, local youth band winners of the countywide Battle of the Bands series, will open, followed by headliners Bronze Radio Return and Slow Magic. “Loudoun YouthFest continues to expand, not only offering unique big stage performing opportunities, but supporting a myriad of other youth programs that make Loudoun the best place to grow up,” stated Carol Kost, founder of Loudoun Youth Inc. “We are incredibly proud to be able to serve the youth in Loudoun County through a wide variety of programs. We could not be more excited about the direction we are headed in the future.” The event is presented by Loudoun Youth Inc. and the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Department and will also feature moon bounces, vendors and food. The event takes place from 3 to 8 p.m.

May 19 – 25, 2016

loudounnow.com

[ OBITUARIES ]

James C. Athey James C. Athey, 78 years old, of Lucketts, Virginia died on May 10, 2016. He was born at home in Furnace Mountain, Virginia on July 9, 1937 to parents Emory Calvin Athey and Lucille Green Athey. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jo Ann “Jody” Kerrigan Athey; children Mark Athey and wife Jackie, Mitchell Athey and wife Debbi, Michele Athey Coates and husband Danny, and Michael Athey; sister Debbie Athey Fitchett and husband Wayne; brother Thomas Athey and wife Linda; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Jacob, Joseph, Amanda, and Sean Athey; Alton, Ashton, Autumn, and Austin Echols; three step grandchildren, Wayne Fitchett, Jr., Victoria Athey Pounds, and Vincent Jenkins; six great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. “Jimmy” as he was known to his family and friends, was a hard worker from early childhood. At the age of ten he worked on the local saw mill. His parents purchased a 196 acre farm near Point of Rocks, Maryland, during his teenage years, which sparked his lifelong love of farming. He used money saved from hunting, trapping, and fishing the land around his home to purchase his first International Harvester tractor. Jimmy was an all-star baseball player in his youth; played catcher just like his father; and was a powerful and consistent hitter. A May 17, 1956 Loudoun Times Mirror article captured it best, “The Yankees have Mickey Mantle, but even he could have done no better Sunday than Lucketts’ Jimmy Athey,” with three home runs and five hits for five at bats and four runs. He also loved shooting skeet and trap and won state championships. He was part of the first graduating class of Loudoun County High School in 1955. After graduating, Jimmy went to work as a bricklayer and quickly moved up the ranks. By the early 1960s he was contracting his own work which evolved into custom homebuilding as James C. Athey Builder. Jimmy built over 800 homes in Loudoun County. Eternally positive, one of his favorite sayings was the word “can’t” is not in the dictionary. After Jimmy and Jody married in 1958, they moved into a small brick home in Point of Rocks, Maryland that he built with his own hands. He and Jody were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1971. In 1973 he moved his family to the Loudoun County farm that he would call home for the next 43 years and where he raised Charolais cattle and passionately maintained a large garden each year. Jimmy was known for his kindness and generosity to his community, his friends, his church, and most of all his family. Many in the community will remember his gifts of fresh vegetables, country ham, biscuits, and butter showing his appreciation for others. After all, his appreciation and concern for others defined his life. Above all life’s accomplishments, he was most proud of his love story with Jody. Viewings will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Loudoun Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 11 AM at Loudoun Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at 1:00 PM at Furnace Mountain Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leesburg North Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Please share condolences with the family at www. LoudounFuneralChapel.com.

Jacqueline Freer Clark Jacqueline Freer Clark, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at Maple Grove in Ashburn, VA. Born in Washington, DC on October 5, 1927, Jacqueline (“Jackie”) was the daughter of the late Evelyn and Gorham Freer. Jackie graduated Western High School (now Duke Ellington School for the Arts) and then attended The College of William and Mary where she met her husband, Dale, in the choir. She and Dale shared 68 loving years together. Jackie was a bright, loving woman who lived her life for others … family, friends, fellow church goers, and strangers. Even during her twelve-year journey with Parkinson’s, her concern was always for others. Her example of bravery and dignity with just the right amount of that amazing wit during such a challenge will stand tall for all of those around her. Most of Jackie’s adult life was spent in Vienna, VA where her love of family, history, faith, music, and giving kept her very busy. She was not only always “there” for her husband and children but by her actions and words (and those left unsaid)

lived a life that exemplified the meanings of inner strength and selflessness. Jackie expressed her faith in a myriad of quiet ways. The years at Fairfax Presbyterian, Holy Comforter in Vienna, and Church of the Holy Cross in Dunn Loring found her teaching Sunday school, being a teen leader, serving as head of the prayer chain, being a vestry woman, taking on the position of President of the Episcopal Church Women, as well as serving on search committees and others. All the while, she lived her faith in a way that whispered sweetly. Giving to others was just what was natural for Jackie. She was a member of the Fairfax Hospital Auxiliary from the planning stages. For years, she volunteered at Pennywise Thrift Shop in Vienna. If an election was taking place, Jackie could be found working the polls. The over ten years she volunteered as a docent at Robert E. Lee’s Boyhood Home in Alexandria, VA gave her great pleasure. When she saw a need, she quietly stepped in to lend a hand and offer insight. She had the rare ability to look at situations from different points of view – never forcing her own. Jackie was predeceased by her eldest child, Alynne, and is survived by her husband, Dale; her children, Scott and wife, Sandra, Dana, and Rory and wife, Ingrid; her grandchildren, Jennifer and husband, Andy, Linh and husband, John, Dieter and wife, Judith, Chris, Joe and wife, Wendy, Justin, and Scott; and her great grandchildren, Nathan, Ashley, Lily, Landen, Eli, Jakob and Ella. Jackie will be forever missed but held tightly in the hearts of her family members. The funeral will take place at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Dunn Loring, VA on Saturday, May 21, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Parkinson Foundation would be greatly appreciated and a wonderful tribute to Jackie. (The drawing of Jackie was done by her husband, Dale, in l947.)

Mary E. McCarthy Mary E. McCarthy, 77, of Leesburg, VA passed away on May 12, 2016. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 am, Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church, Leesburg, VA. Burial to follow in Columbia Garden Cemetery, Arlington, VA. www.colonialfuneralhome.com.

For Sale 100 gallon fish aquarium with pumps, accessories and stand. Includes two huge tiger oscar fish. $500 Please call (571) 420-1842

Solid cherry dining room set with hutch (in Leesburg) $1500 Contact: (703) 443-2414

Yard Sale Exeter HOA Community Yard Sale

YARD SALE

May 21, 8am-1pm 350 E. Plaza St. Leesburg

39471 Charles Town Pike Hamilton, VA Furniture (incl antiques) lots of toys, kitchenware, clothing, tools, decorative items, appliances and much more Fri 5/20 3-7pm Sat 5/21 8-2pm

Will also collect monetary donations to benefit local food bank groups

Moving Sale

Email: classifieds@loudounnow.com or Call: (703) 770-9723 to place your yard sale ad

you need, and at the n afford. ations.com 77

www.akidsplacewest.com 16 Months Through Kindergarten

AWARD WINNING PROGRAM

is looking for

FT & PT Preschool Teachers

703-777-9012 248 Loudoun Street SW, Leesburg

HIRING HAIRSTYLIST Leesburg Salon Great location 10x12 private room bring your business keep your business reasonable rent, utilities included fully furnished no drama professional laid back License required Contact: 571-271-4009

Leesburg Sterling Family Practice

Is Expanding

Our sixth location located in the Medical Professional Building at Stone Springs Hospital in Aldie, VA is scheduled to open this Summer. If you are compassionate, energetic and love working with a team, then we need YOU. FT positions are available for LPN’s and MA’s. Pediatric and or family practice preferred but wil ing to train the right candidate. We offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401K and many other benefits. FT positions are also available in our Broadlands location. Please send your resumé to: lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax: (703) 726-0804 attention Lisa

Crossword

Anderson Mechanical Services Inc. – Family owned and operated in Loudoun since 1988, AMSI is a commercial HVAC contractor offering industry-best employment packages including 401(k), 100% employer paid healthcare, 100% employer paid dental and vision, life insurance and paid holidays/PTO. Submit resumes to jobs@amsihvac.com or via www.amsihvac.com.

JOB SUPERINTENDENT Experienced crew leaders with sheet metal background wanted. Must be able to oversee full mechanical system installations from start to finish on projects ranging from $50K - $1 million. Experience with stainless steel and aluminum ductwork, kitchen hoods, black iron, and welding is a plus. Submit resumes to jobs@amsihvac.com or via www.amsihvac.com. HVAC INSTALLER Commercial HVAC installers with 2+ years of experience needed. VRF experience a plus. Candidates must exhibit strong skills in the basics of HVAC installation: soldering, brazing, pipe/hanger layout and installation, insulation, nitrogen purging, etc. Proficiency in reading mechanical plans, calculation line sizing, material ordering is a plus. Submit resumes to jobs@amsihvac.com or via www.amsihvac.com. HVAC SERVICE TECHNICIAN Looking for commercial HVAC service technicians with 5+ years of equipment. Must have experience troubleshooting air and water cooled commercial equipment including RTU, WSHP, VRF/VRV, CRAC, dehumidification systems and traditional split-systems from manufacturers like Trane, Carrier, York, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Daikin, Liebert, Stulz, AboveAir, Desert Aire, and Pool-Pac. Proficiency with pneumatic, DDC, and BAS control systems is required. Submit resumes to jobs@amsihvac.com or via www.amsihvac.com. SHEET METAL MECHANICS/FOREMAN Commercial sheet metal mechanics with 5+ years of experience needed. Ability to layout, order, and hang ductwork systems required. Experience with stainless steel and aluminum duct work, kitchen hoods, black iron, and welding is a plus. Submit resumes to jobs@amsihvac.com or via www.amsihvac.com.

LOUDOUNNOW you! wants Do you have a knack for sales and a passion for the Loudoun community? Let’s talk. Contact: sales@loudounnow.com Do you have a knack for writing and a passion for the Loudoun community? Let’s talk. Contact: editor@loudounnow.com

e & Experience acost with the ointing of the oly Spirit”

m :30 pm

5414

e Drive!

For Hire

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 Call Naana (630) 200-9592

loudounnow.com

Doctor’s office. Will train. Full time. Apply on Monday May 23rd only at 205 E. Hirst Rd., Ste. 102 Purcellville, VA.

• Siding

A KID’S PLACE

May 19 – 25, 2016

fing, Siding, ces Virginia

Employment

loudounnow.com

Business Card Directory CONSTRUCTION

APPLIANCE

C ustom C onstruCtion A dditions • r epAirs Blue Ridge Remodeling, Inc. 540-668-6522

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www.brrinc.net Purcellville, VA

Since 1976 • Free Estimates Licensed & Insured

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CLEANING SERVICE CONSTRUCTION Francisco Rojo

R&D CLEANING SERVICE, LLC Residential - Commercial - Move-In/Out Carpet Cleaning - Excellent Reference Reasonable Rates - Licensed & Insured FREE ESTIMATE

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571-213-0850 Project Manager 571-235-8304

Email: bolimex101@gmail.com

General Contractor Licensed & Insured

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karycleaning@yahoo.com Licensed & Insured

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

LEE E. ABERNATHY

PROTECH COMPUTER SERVICES Ashburn, VA 20147-5664

Office: (703) 729-5995 Fax: (703) 738-7011

“Big Enough To Service & Good Enough To Care”

CHIROPRACTOR

Professional, certified and experienced gardener.

Flower, Veggie, Butterfly, Native, Herb gardens, Ornamental Bushes, Design, Plant, Prune, Mulch, Maintain Low hourly rates. Pkg. avail.

703-297-9821. www.yourlushgarden.com

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Loudoun Event Management Benjamin Hall (571) 246-8409 loudouneventmanagement@yahoo.com Weddings • Catering • Corporate Events • Dinner Parties

EXCAVATING

Virginia irginia Handyman Home remodeling • Doors • Trim Crown Moulding • Hardwood Flooring Tile • Deck Repair • Electric Plumbing • Drywall Painting & Powerwashing

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HANDYMAN Baker’s

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Serving Northern Virginia area for over 10 years. INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING ROTTED WOOD REPAIR DECKS • BASEMENTS • KITCHENS • BATHS BASEMENT FINISHING & REMODELING

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jbremodeling22@gmail.com

HANDYMAN HHHHH FIVE STAR GENERAL CONTRACTOR & HANDYMAN SERVICES

Mention this ad for New Patient savings!

JUNK REMOVAL

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COMPUTER SERVICES EVENTS MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO la@protechservices.com

HOME THEATER GARDENING YOUR LUSH GARDEN

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May 19 – 25, 2016

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LANDSCAPE C.L.L.

CORUM’S LAWN & LANDSCAPING • Lawn Maintanence • Landscape & Hardscape • Tree Service • Drainage Solutions • Bobcat Services Senior & Neighborhood Discounts

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Business Card Directory LAWN CARE

TREE REMOVAL

REAL ESTATE

IZP Lawn Services

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Mowing As Low As $30 • Mowing • Trimming • Edging • Blowing • Mulching • Lawn Care • Core Aeration • Leaf Removal • Spring & Fall Clean-up

cell: 571.258.7371 stephany.deberry@exprealty.com www.stephanysellsthedmv.com 43723 Lees Mill Sq Leesburg, VA 20176 Licensed in VA & MD

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May 19 – 25, 2016

LANDSCAPE

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Ask about our annual maintenance program. Now is the time to Mulch! Licensed

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ROOFING

RENOVATIONS

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Services Include:

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LAWN CARE

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Purcellville Lawn & Landscape

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PET SITTING

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LAWN CARE

Chesapeake Potomac Window Cleaning Co.

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TRAVEL Don’t worry Loudoun we deliver

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House of Worship N L Praise & Deliverance Church ew ife

“Come & Experience Pentacost with the Annointing of the Holy Spirit”

We deliver your business card to over 37,000 homes in Loudoun County for one low price.

Sunday School - 10:00 am Sunday Worship Service - 11:30 am Prayer Tues. 7:30 pm / Bible Study Wed. 7:30 pm www.be-blessed.org *Bishop Michael Gilcreast (681) 252-3784 305 S. Charles St. Charles Town, WV 25414

classfieds@loudounnow.com

A Church Alive is Worth the Drive!

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loudounnow.com

To Include Your House of Worship Email: classifieds@loudounnow.com Phone: (703) 770-9723

LAWN CARE

[ OPINION ]

loudounnow.com

Easily Ignored Just weeks before Virginia’s new proffer limitation law goes into effect, Loudoun leaders have entered another battle with the state’s homebuilder lobby in Richmond. This time, they say, it is not the fiscal health of local governments that is at stake, but the public’s safety—a core government function. You’re not likely to hear many businesses, or even members of the public, come to the defense of their local Fire Marshal’s Office, but the work done there is important. And when the county’s top public safety administrators raise the alarm we should pay attention. The last time local leaders squared off with state homebuilders they were pushing for construction material standards that would give first responders a fighting chance of extinguishing house fires before melting rafters brought the ceilings down. The homebuilders won that battle. Earlier this year, Loudoun supervisors went all in to battle the homebuilders’ bid to limit the types of proffers developers can give to governments to approve their rezoning requests. They lost that battle. Then they asked for the governor’s veto and lost that, too. That law takes effect July 1. Local leaders—and many local developers—continue to predict it will have dire consequences, but the analysis commissioned by the county to document the damage has yet to be published. It is remarkable that the county’s voice is so easily ignored in these debates. No other jurisdiction in the commonwealth deals with development on a scale close to Loudoun, yet it is the interests of those downstate who operate in entirely different building environments that control the debate—and, in fact, the legislative process. That’s got to change—and not just for the good of Loudoun residents and property owners, but also to ensure the state’s chief economic engine is not strangled by long-distance regulatory tampering. The two sides must work to find more common ground—or at least a better understanding of the challenges each side faces. That division should not be allowed to grow; we know who will lose if it does.

LoudounNow

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 • Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 • Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723 Norman K. Styer Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

Samantha Bartran

Danielle Nadler Managing Editor dnadler@loudounnow.com

Advertising Director

Margaret Morton Senior Writer mmorton@loudounnow.com Renss Greene, Reporter rgreene@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriquez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Douglas Graham, Photographer dgraham@loudounnow.com

Contributors Jan Mercker

Susan Styer sstyer@loudounnow.com Classified Manager Lindsay Morgan lmorgan@loudounnow.com Production Electronic Ink 9 Royal St. SE Leesburg, VA 20175

[ LETTERS ] Many Hands Editor: The Board of Directors of Blossom and Bloom Thrift Shop would like to thank the Leesburg Town Council for honoring our shop as the Northwest Quadrant Small Business of the Year. Blossom and Bloom was recognized among the top four businesses at the May 10 meeting leading up to the start of Small Business Week, which began Monday. Blossom and Bloom, which is a familiar historic downtown landmark to many area residents, was founded as a nonprofit in 1976 and is run entirely by volunteers. There is no paid staff. All monies raised are put to work in our community. In the past three years alone, more than $150,000 was raised to benefit local organizations that support children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. These include The Arc of Loudoun, ECHO, Sprout Therapeutic Riding, Legacy Farms, A Place to Be and Very Special Arts. Additionally, the shop contributes to a number of other partners such as Joshua’s Hands, Maggie’s Closet, Lions Club of Loudoun, Interfaith Relief, Rust & Thomas Balch Library, the Frederick Mission and others. It takes many hands to be a successful charitable organization that is still going strong after nearly 40 years. The Board expresses gratitude to loyal customers, generous donors, supporting partners and especially to the volunteers ranging from young- to senior-adults. Volunteer opportunities exist for as few as three hours per week, and we encourage those interested in making a real difference to consider joining the fun and dedicated group of volunteers—even if just for the summer months. For more information, please call the shop at 703-777-3286 and ask for Cindy. Hours for donation drop-off and

Blossom and Bloom’s unique shopping experience are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. With the recent recognition from the Town Council, we renew our pledge to continue efforts to benefit others with disabilities in Loudoun County. — Victoria Daly, Leesburg President, Board of Directors Blossom and Bloom Thrift Shop

Insulting Editor: I am just a country bumpkin from a small New Hampshire town but my Mama didn’t raise a total fool so I knew right away that Chairwoman Phyllis Randall of the Loudon County Board of Supervisors was talking down to me when she said: “The vote for Metro is done. So everyone who is lamenting the vote – without being inappropriate-at this point get over it.” I ain’t learned yet why city slickers playing politician get such enjoyment spending other folks’ money but this must be called leadership by insult. Randall seems to think that the boneheaded decision by a previous Board of Supervisors to team us up with the mismanaged and financially inept D.C. Metro system is a good thing for us little people taxpayers who are not in the real estate business and have nothing to peddle. The only thing the little people taxpayers of Loudoun County will get from their lifetime membership in the Silver Line will be more schools, a need for more fire and police services, and higher taxes. Maybe the Metro into Loudoun County should be called the “Slick Line”! If the insulting comment by the chairwoman is credible, perhaps it also means she now realizes the vote for next November is done, too. So everyone who is lamenting the vote at this point should “get over it.” If she follows her own advice Randall must LETTERS >> 46

[ OPINION ]

BY DEEP SRAN

First name _____________________________________________ Last name _____________________________________________

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

Direct from our newsroom to your mailbox.

Loudoun Now is mailed to 34,000 homes and businesses in selected ZIP codes each week. If you do not receive the newspaper in the mail, you may purchase a subscription. The cost is $39 per 52 issues. For addresses outside Virginia, the cost is $50. To get the paper delivered every week, visit loudounnow.com/subscribe Or mail this form to with your check to:

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Loudoun Now PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178

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Contact him at dsran @idealschools.org.

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.

Deep Sran, founder of Loudoun School for the Gifted in Ashburn, has been on a mission to improve formal education for two decades.

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.”

hat is the goal of school? What do we want students to know or to be able to do when they graduate? While there are countless ways to answer these questions, there is general agreement that students should leave high school with the knowledge and skills they need to be informed citizens and to find gainful employment (either right after high school or after graduating from college). To endure, our democracy needs educated, law-abiding citizens, and our economy needs people with valuable skills who can work well with others. Other possible desirable outcomes for students are a virtuous and prosocial “character,” soft skills or “emotional intelligence,” and emotional resilience or “grit.” So, in addition to the traditional civic and economic goals, there could be psychological goals for schools. I’ve never heard anyone say that the purpose of education is to get high standardized test scores. Yet, it is with test scores that we measure the efficacy of our schools and teachers, and the quality of student outcomes. Standardized tests focus on students’ reading and math knowledge and skills, and what you test is usually what you teach. So, judging from what we test, and from the national discussion about directing students towards STEM fields, schools today are focused on the economic goal of preparing students for employment after college (not after high school). Civic and psychological goals suffer from benign neglect, and new goals do not advance in the face of the economic orthodoxy. As a teacher and educational designer, I have civic, economic, and psychological goals for my students. I want them to know enough in every subject area to be able to study anything they want in college, and to pursue any professional path after college. I want them to reason well about complex political questions. I want them to be open-minded, able to think for themselves, and inclined to challenge conventional wisdom. I want them to be optimistic about what the world can be, and about their role in it. And I want them to defend liberty and justice for all. Until very recently, when I thought about these goals I didn’t realize what actually mattered most to me as a teacher and as a parent. This larger purpose was always implicit, just below the point of recognition: I want my students and children to be happy at school and to learn how to be happy in life. When I speak to teachers and parents, this seems to be their goal, too, but it is rarely explicit and it is never discussed as being the proper focus of the academic program in schools. After twenty-six years as a student, and more than fifteen years as a teacher, I now realize that the ultimate goal of

primary and secondary schools should be student happiness. By “happiness,” I don’t mean something ephemeral or passive. I mean something that is enduring and active. I’m not describing the pleasant feeling you get from a sunny day; I’m describing understanding born of effort, problem solving, achievement, and reflection. This is the happiness Aristotle wrote about in Nicomachean Ethics, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi wrote about optimal experience in his book Flow: “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times. … The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.” Or, as Theodore Roosevelt said, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Philosophy, literature, and experience suggest that happiness is the product of how you think and what you do, not of what happens to you. Happiness is a choice, built on reflection about the human condition. And, I submit, what you need to know and to do to be happy can be taught in school. This is a philosophical goal for schools. It is radically different from what we have now, but not very different from the original goal for education articulated thousands of years ago. For students to be happy in school, and to learn how to be happy in life, educators and educational designers should expand their focus beyond the economic goal of school in two important ways. First, we should create and maintain a daily experience for students built on kindness and humanity through and through, in how adults speak to and treat students and how students speak to and treat one another. Second, there should be a focus on personally meaningful, challenging, and important work across the curriculum, with a core of essential literary and philosophical works from around the globe. If students are doing work that they know is worth doing across classes, while also working with core texts that promote reflection and help them develop the intellectual resources to withstand “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” daily happiness is possible in school, and the path to long-term happiness will be visible. In closing, whether the goal of school should be to promote student happiness seems to be a question that, once you ask it, answers itself.

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45 May 19 – 25, 2016

The Pursuit of Happiness … in the Classroom

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

[ LETTERS ]

loudounnow.com

46 << FROM 44 now be supporting Donald Trump for president. — Lou Gros Louis, Lansdowne

Leadership Editor: Gov. Terry McAuliffe should be praised for his persistent efforts to keep Virginia moving toward compliance with the Clean Power Plan, which certainly qualify as more than “going through the motions” (Letters, May 12). Contrary to one report that unfairly derides McAuliffe’s performance, the governor has been busy fending off legislative roadblocks that would undermine the Commonwealth’s ability to develop a plan that works for Virginia. By planning early and convening a business-friendly advisory committee, McAuliffe is setting the groundwork for a compliance plan that will not only be cost-effective, but also stimulate new investment in high-performing technologies to build the New Virginia Economy. Rather than calling for Gov. McAuliffe to become “a strong, responsible leader,” we should recognize the strong, responsible leadership he is already providing. — Dylan Reed, Arlington

Stonewalling Editor: Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Loudoun County Local 2222, as well as members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), joined 39,000 employees in a strike against Verizon in states from Virginia to Massachusetts. Verizon, the profits of which have been $1.8 billion a month since the beginning of 2016, and $39 billion over the last three years, is a major American media and telecommunications corporation. Verizon and CWA/IBEW had been in negotiations for more than 10 months. But lack of progress led to a work stoppage after the company refused union offers to resolve several major company initiatives, such as job

Loudoun’s Strong Women Don’t Need a Special Commission Editor: Your recent headline “Loudoun Committee on Committees Looks at More Committees” is an instant classic. For countless millions of Americans who have endured life-sucking meetings about meetings about meetings, it garnered knowing nods of appreciation. The article could easily be cast off as the time-wasting minutiae of a small-town politics. Yet one part of the story kept jumping out at me; Loudoun Chair Randall’s insistence on reinstating a “Commission on Women” with Randall claiming “I believe that a commission on women can have a much more powerful, much stronger place in our community.” This “powerful” and “stronger” inference caused me to look around not just our community, but at my own life and professional experiences, and how they have been shaped by women. Staring with my mom, of course, a single mother raising four children here in Loudoun in the early ’70s and ’80s. The majority of my teachers were women, with my fourth grade teacher at Douglass Elementary, still a pillar in my upbringing. She made it very plain I would do as I was told and work hard, and she tolerated nothing less. She was a powerful and strong woman when Ms. Randall was still in elementary school. From my sixth grade dean through college, women teachers, advisors, and professors were powerful influences. In the military, I served under women commanders from company up to a combat aviation brigade commander; I could easily write a outsourcing to foreign countries, hiring of non-union contractors, freezing and reducing retirement benefits, and forced overtime. The company is also proposing to force employees to work for periods of up to four months at locations far from their families. The strike is officially a month old. Verizon’s hardline stance against its own workers and its proposed conditions are unreasonable and represent an unconscionable imposition on the

SPEAK NOW Readers’ comments posted at loudounnow.com

5,000-word essay on just her leadership qualities alone. She became a general officer and currently serves as an under secretary of defense. She is her very own walking Commission on Women. Women instructor pilots taught me to fly. On the flight deck, I flew with exceptional pilots, who happened to be women. For most of my professional career, I have called women “boss.” More often than not, their boss was a strong woman, too. Loudoun County was electing powerful women to the Board of Supervisors chair 20 years ago. Many remarkable women have served on our governing body, with three sitting currently. Three of the four state senators representing Loudoun are strong and powerful women. Two other women represent us in the House of Delegates. The Town of Leesburg has essentially been governed by women for well over two decades, and is likely to elect another woman mayor in the near future. Does anyone actually believe that highly competent long time Mayor, now Supervisor, Umstattd ever needed a commission to help her with anything? We are represented in Congress by a woman, who is facing another woman in the election. Women in Loudoun are managers, supervisors, police chiefs, and sheriff ’s deputies. They’re firefighters, EMTs, lawyers, judges, doctors and nurses, not to mention all of the women-owned businesses in the county. And last but not least, Ms. Randall herself, a strong and powerful woman, is the elected chair of the Board of Supervisors. Women already run Loudoun lives and livelihoods of their employees and retirees. Verizon has been a successful and highly profitable corporation because of the efforts of its employees. Rather than penalizing them with their unreasonable demands, Verizon should be rewarding them. As members of the community, you can support these striking families by respecting their picket lines and not patronizing Verizon Wireless or allowing replacement workers (who are

“This news just broke my heart. I love visiting and shopping at Creme de la Creme. I really do feel as if I’m stepping into Europe when I walk in. The corner of Loudoun and King Street will never be the same.” — Jennifer Alves, on Crème de la Crème Closing Leesburg Store, via Facebook “We should be focused on expanding our love and compassion for one another. Many of Loudoun’s schools have a mission statement that includes something like, ‘I will be responsible, respectful, and ready to learn.’ We must hold true to these basic standards of human decency. Let’s fulfill this goal, modeling love for others rather than hatred.” —Susan Hayden, on Loudoun Schools Assess Transgender Policy After Federal Memo

County. They don’t need a “commission” to tell them that. Rather, they need elected officials to stop the silliness and address real issues that need fixing. They need the nightmarish traffic trouble spots addressed, such as Rt. 606, Rt. 15 north of Leesburg, and the dreaded Battlefield Parkway and Evergreen Mills Road intersection in the mornings and afternoons. They need good jobs right here in Loudoun, not down the river in DC. They need a responsive and reasonable local government that doesn’t waste their tax dollars which could be better spent on their families. Women need a local government that no longer attempts to pack 10 pounds of stuff into a 5-pound bag, thus creating the horrific overcrowding of our schools, roads, public facilities, and even simply getting into a grocery store parking lot. These are basic quality of life issues—they’re the ones I hear about every day from women. I commend the Committee on Committees for casting off the deadwood committees. It frees up staff and resources to focus on real results to positively affect our quality of life. Resurrecting a defunct commission on women won’t reduce seats in a classroom, relieve traffic congestion, or create prudent spending plans. The women of Loudoun don’t need some gaggle of political flunkies to tell them they’re strong and powerful; they already know. — Chris Manthos, Leesburg untrained FIOS technicians) into your home during the strike. I would hope that we could demonstrate to Verizon that their workers are members of our community and we support their efforts for fair bargaining. The corporation’s leadership should bargain in good faith with their employees rather than stonewalling to get their way. — Randy Ihara, South Riding

“I’d rather see a tax increase to make up the $16M and tell the federal government to pound sand than to see this vile directive implemented.” —David Dickinson, on Loudoun Schools Assess Transgender Policy After Federal Memo “Museums like this across the nation are hurting and are becoming wholly dependent on tax subsidies. There just are not that many wealthy people in this county nor businesses that care about the Loudoun Museum. I feel this is a big waste of tax dollars.” —Ken Reid, on County Moves on Plan to Save Loudoun Museum

<< FROM 1

The secondary attendance boundaries adopted last week reassign students ahead of the opening of Brambleton Middle School and the yet-tobe-named high school, HS-11. The middle school changes will be implemented in the fall of 2017, and the high school changes in fall 2019. See the adopted map at LoudounNow.com/education. dents by name, connect with families through written notes or late-night emails, and are open to meeting with parents before or after school. “They are wonderful,” Lecker said. “They make it a point to connect with every kid.” Until more schools can be built, families in the Dulles District may see some non-traditional methods to house the growing number of students, even beyond classroom trailers. One option on the table is to open an intermediate school and house sixthand seventh-graders at Mercer Middle School, eighth- and ninth-graders at Brambleton Middle School and 10ththrough 12th-graders at John Champe High School. “If enrollment projections are as they currently are, we’ll have to make some sort of changes ahead of MS-7 opening,” Morse said. “It’s all a matter of available seats.” Living in one of the county’s—and one of the nation’s—fastest growing areas, Lecker knows her youngest son, a first-grader at Buffalo Trail Elementary, may not get to attend the same middle school as his older siblings. But she’s still keeping her fingers crossed. “He already talks about going to Mercer,” she said. “There’s a connection for our family and a sense of ownership there. We just love that school.”

Under the stars at Ida Lee Park

dnadler@loudounnow.com

NS 101 DALMATIA

HOMEWARD

BOUND

SHRUNK

HONEY, I THE KIDS The Fox and the Hound

May 26th June 23rd July 28th August 25th

Time: Movies begin at dusk Location: Ida Lee Park, across from the outdoor pooll

A rare quiet moment in a Mercer Middle School hallway shows the traffic signals created by staff to help students change classes in under 5 minutes.

For more information, please visit www.idalee.org or call 703-777-1368.

loudounnow.com

Blast to the past as we show some favorite childhood movies! We provide the flick; you provide the blanket and snack. Coolers are welcome. Glass containers and alcohol are not permitted. No pets please.

Ali Khaligh/Loudoun Now

students who live south of Rt. 50 to schools north of the highway, said it was unfair to Mercer’s team of administrators and teachers to put off moving kids. “I was there this week—they’re overwhelmed,” he said. From the dais ahead of the May 10 boundary vote he told families in the audience, “Nobody wants to move, but something’s got to give.” Mercer Principal Bob Phillips, described by one parent as a glass-halffull kind of guy, has encouraged the staff and students to make the best of the situation. This fall, the school’s entire eighth grade will be housed in a wing of John Champe High School, while the high school’s foreign language department will move into eight trailers on the campus. Phillips describes the work to prepare for that shift as a chance to improve communication between John Champe and Mercer staff members, who want to do more than just make do during the enrollment surge. “These kids only have one shot at middle school, so we want to make it the best for them while we have them,” he said. “It’s a big task, but they’ll do whatever the students need to get the job done.” Christin Lecker, a parent of two Mercer Middle School students, said she’d take a packed school over her kids having to get used to a new middle school. She lives in the Lenah Run community, which was slated in Morse’s boundary plan to attend the new Brambleton Middle School to the north. She and her neighbors made their opposition to that plan clear to board members ahead of last week’s vote, speaking at public hearings and organizing a petition with 378 signatures. “The continuity for our kids and having that seamless transition needs to be a priority,” Lecker said. And her kids certainly don’t feel like they are two of nearly 2,000 students, she added. The administration and teachers make it a point to know stu-

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