Loudoun Now for Oct. 12, 2017 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 2, No. 49 ]

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[ Oct. 12 – 18, 2017 ]

Tequila: Loudoun’s next libation

Supervisors Order Safety Audit of Evergreen Mills BY RENSS GREENE

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

From left, Anna Thorner, Dale Freeman, Candy Baracat-Donovan and Elizabeth Freeman, friends of the Schulz family, speak to the press after the Oct. 10 hearing.

‘NO CONTEST’

Weeks of mourning and activism by Loudouners after four lives were lost in six weeks on Evergreen Mills Road have turned into action by the county Board of Supervisors. Erin Kaplan was killed and three of her family members seriously injured at the intersection of Evergreen Mills and Watson Road when her car was hit by a food truck converted from a bus. Only weeks before, a Suffolk woman, Courtney Ashe, apparently lost control of her vehicle in a heavy rainstorm while traveling along Evergreen Mills Road and drove into Sycolin Creek. The car was found upside down in the creek three days later, with Ashe’s body and the bodies of her 9-year-old cousin and 5-year-old son inside. Last week, the board unanimously ordered a safety audit of both Evergreen Mills and Watson Road. Kaplan’s husband, Faran, and one of her children were at the Board of Supervisors Oct. 3 to ask for action. Faran Kaplan said it appears his wife’s life was taken by “somebody that was trying to avoid Rt. 50.” EVERGREEN MILLS >> 34

Miller Found Guilty in Infant’s Death BY NORMAN K. STYER

ohn Miller IV was found guilty this week of two misdemeanor charges resulting from the death of infant Tristan Schulz Oct. 10. He was killed while being pushed in a stroller across a Lansdowne crosswalk last summer. In front of a courtroom filled with the Schulz family and supporters, Miller entered a plea of no contest to a charge of reckless driving and guilty to failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail, plus fines and a year-long loss of his driver’s license.

The pleas came one month after county prosecutors dropped a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter, after concluding that evidence in the case would not support the elements required to obtain a conviction. At the request of Deputy County Attorney Sean Morgan, Circuit Court Judge Stephen Sincavage agreed to schedule a two-day sentencing hearing—highly unusual for misdemeanor convictions. The hearing is expected to afford family members their first opportunity to talk publicly about the lasting impact Miller’s action will have. In the courtroom, the family’s

supporters wore powder blue ribbons and some held T-shirts that displayed a larger blue ribbon. Tristan’s parents, Mindy and Rod Schulz, sat in the front row, with Mindy clutching a stuffed toy that belonged to her son, who was five months old when Miller’s SUV drove over the baby’s stroller as he accelerated when the traffic signal turned green. Early evidence in the case suggested that Miller was on his phone at the time of the incident, prompting the initial manslaughter charge. However, data collected from the

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Sophia Kaplan, who was injured in the crash that killed her mother Erin, attended the Board of Supervisors meeting Oct. 3 among a crowd of green-clad supporters to ask for safety improvements to the famously dangerous road.

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3 Oct. 12 – 18, 2017 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Academies of Loudoun Unveiled

BY DANIELLE NADLER

This building is the first of its kind. There’s nothing like this anywhere in the country. We’re charting new territory in public education.

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

oudoun County school leaders haven’t held back in describing just how different the future Academies of Loudoun will be. Claims like these are tossed out too often to tout the uniqueness of a project, but in this case, it’s no exaggeration. The 315,000-square-foot Academies of Loudoun is designed to house magnet programs that focus on engineering and science, as well as two dozen career and technical programs—everything from culinary arts to masonry. When it opens in August 2018, it will bring the Academy of Science, C.S. Monroe Technology Center and the Academy of Engineering and Technology under one roof. The building was designed so that students and teachers in those programs can easily work together on research and projects. The physics lab oversees the auto-tech lab. The practical nursing classroom sits near the specialized pharmacy lab. A greenhouse in the environmental plant science program is not far from the makerspace. That room is equipped with interior garage doors that open up to the Innovation Commons, an open space that is accessible from most of the building’s classrooms and workspaces. “We’ll be able to fly our drones in here,” Science Supervisor Odette D. Scovel said, standing in the In-

The massive Academies of Loudoun facility is the largest construction project Loudoun County Public Schools has ever undertaken. More than 250 workers are busy at the site each day.

ACADEMIES OF LOUDOUN >> 22

INDEX

INSIDE

Student’s murderer gets 35 years

Council mum on chief’s leave

Not your grandma’s rummage sale

Loudoun Gov..................... 6 Leesburg ........................ 12 Public Safety .................. 16 Education ....................... 18 Nonprofit ........................ 24 Biz ................................. 26 Our Towns ...................... 30 Politics .......................... 33 LoCo Living .................... 36 Legals ............................ 41 Classifieds ..................... 41 Opinion .......................... 44

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A view of the Academies of Loudoun, which sits on a 119-acre site along Sycolin Road south of Leesburg.

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Supervisors Say Comp Plan Committee is ‘Way Off Track’ 18,300 homes by 2040 on its current track. But the county is planning major policy changes—not least the very comprehensive plan the stakeholders committee is revising. In a separate report, the Loudoun Department of Planning and Zoning found the county on track to keep up with demand. And neither the county nor GMU’s studies account for the county’s ambitious plans to create urban settings around its future Metrorail stops. County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) saw a mismatch in putting most or all of that extra capacity in the transition zone. ENVISION LOUDOUN >> 9

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Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge) said he is “concerned that we’re not listening to the public.”

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Loudoun supervisors have planted a “wrong way” sign in front the committee currently shaping revisions to the county’s comprehensive plan. “I think the conversation that’s happening on the stakeholders committee is on a completely different planet than what it was at the Envision Loudoun meetings, and what we hear from the public virtually every day,” said Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) during the Oct. 3 board meeting. He was not alone. The 26-member stakeholder steering committee, which is tasked with revising the county’s comprehensive plan, is considering several scenarios for the county’s transition policy area. That area, designed as a buffer between suburban east and rural west, is often described in terms of protecting the west from development and sprawl. Although the vast majority of feedback at public input sessions across the county favored leaving the transition policy area as-is—with policies that primarily allow low-density residential development—there has been very little support for the status quo on the stakeholders committee. Instead, the committee is exploring two other scenarios—one, recommended by the county staff, that would allow 12,000 more homes, and one developing in the committee that so far would allow 18,300 more. Those would both also allow about 30 million 10.12.17 Avie-LN HalfPg square (BBL).pdffeet 1 more industrial space and 1 million

additional square feet of retail. If no changes are made, the transition policy area allows 2,800 more homes, 700,000 more square feet of industrial space, and no more retail space. “I’m kind of curious and baffled as to how the only three scenarios on the table are one that’s the status quo—a 2,000-unit scenario—and then one that jumps up to six times that volume, and then one that jumps up to nine times that volume,” Letourneau said. His district includes a swath of transition policy area along the county’s southern reaches, and two of the county’s famously congested east-west corridors, Braddock Road and Rt. 50, pass through his district. Those two roads are major points of access for people living in the transition policy area. Letourneau said anyone who thought the area could handle that kind of additional growth has “never been there during rush hour.” The stakeholders steering committee has looked at adding housing to the transition area as a way to create opportunities for more affordable housing in the county. Supervisors didn’t buy that, either. “Frankly, affordable housing comes from affordable land,” said Supervisor Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin). “That’s the biggest driver in the cost of a house, and there’s not a lot of affordable land in the county.” Loudoun’s housing needs are a moving target. A county-commissioned study from 10/5/17 3:39 PMGeorge Mason University found the county could come up short

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Miller & Smith Vice President Bill May celebrates the opening of the Ashburn Village Boulevard interchange on the newly completed bridge over Rt. 7.

Motorists’ Delight: One Fewer Rt. 7 Traffic Light

BY RENSS GREENE

evelopers, government officials and elected leaders gathered on a bridge over Rt. 7 on Tuesday morning to celebrate the opening of an overpass, the end of a stoplight, and hopefully the end of one more traffic headache during rush hour. They cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the interchange at Ashburn Village Boulevard. “The significance of today is that tonight, the traffic signal beneath us will be decommissioned,” said Mill-

er & Smith Vice President and One Loudoun developer Bill May to applause. Supervisor Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) said it’s part of an ongoing plan to get rid of stoplights on Rt. 7 from Clarke County to Countryside Boulevard near Sterling. The remaining stoplights are at Belmont Ridge Road, Lexington Drive, Battlefield Parkway and Cardinal Park Drive. He also said it’s an example of what the General Assembly threw away with legislation restricting proffer agreements. The interchange was built as part of a proffer agreement with One Loudoun despite being off the devel-

oper’s property. “This is a win for One Loudoun. This is a win for Loudoun County. This is a win for Loudoun citizens,” Buona said. “All because we had a proffer system, it was a win-win. We couldn’t do this today under the new proffer law.” “This is what it should be like,” agreed Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run). “This is what development should be like.” And Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian) said the bridge is an example of what collaboration can build. State Delegate J. Randall Minchew (R-10) said the lesson for legislators is “we never should take tools out of the

toolbox for local governments.” The ramps for the interchange are not all complete. Those are expected open in two months. Motorists will continue to navigate temporary detours until the interchange and its ramps are completed. Eastbound traffic on Rt. 7 will not be able to turn right to go southbound onto Ashburn Village Boulevard. Instead, drivers will detour right at Lexington Drive, turn right at Atwater Street, turn right again onto Russell Branch Parkway and then left onto Ashburn Village Boulevard. INTERCHANGE >> 11

Advocates Say Disability Support Forgotten in Nonprofit Assessment BY RENSS GREENE A comprehensive review of the needs of Loudoun’s nonprofits found there are gaps and shortcomings in the county’s safety net. Disability advocates say that report has gaps of its own. “As a representative of the Arc of Loudoun, I participated in the nonprofit survey as well as one of the focus groups,” said Arc of Loudoun at Paxton Campus Executive Director Melissa Heifetz. “I was shocked and saddened to see the recommendations from the assessment completely overlooked the needs of the disability community.” The Arc of Loudoun provides services to people with mental and physical disabilities in Loudoun, through

programs like the ALLY Advocacy Center and the Aurora School. It is also known for its Shocktober fundraiser, which features a haunted house tour through the property’s 140-yearold manor. Heifetz said even though she and other disability advocates were part of the nonprofits needs assessment’s study, the people they serve were left out of the results. “These are significant gaps in service, and they were mentioned in the focus groups, but somehow were overlooked when the findings were developed,” Heifetz told the county board last week. The full 266-page report—actually DISABILITY SUPPORT >> 10

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Planning Commission Mulls Data Center along Goose Creek low this in this area,” said Joseph Smith. “… If we’re going to have an Envision Loudoun proThe county Planning Commission is concess, then let that take place.” He also argued sidering an application that would allow conthat the bridges along Sycolin Road on either struction of a data center complex along Goose side of the project will make it difficult to exCreek and Sycolin Road south of Leesburg. pand the already-congested road. The applicant, H&H Capital Acquisitions The applicants also caused a flap by proof Dallas, TX, proposes to build up to 750,000 posing 40- to 60-foot-tall buildings—since square feet of data center space and a utility reduced to 35 feet—but presenting renderings substation on the property, and has offered to depicting 25-foot-tall buildings. construct turn lanes and sidewalks along SyThe property also highlights a conflict becolin Road, refrain from using the water on tween the committee guiding the Envision the site for cooling, agree to setbacks from Loudoun process and the Board of Supervisors the creek and wetland mitigation, and save an that appointed that committee. It sits on an easement for a future Goose Creek Trail. area that the committee favors changing to a Colleen Gillis, of the law firm Cooley LLP, light industrial setting, but the Board of Supersaid the project, by Compass Data Centers, visors at its most recent meeting told the comis “very different from the other data centers mittee it was off track in suggesting sweeping that we see up and down Loudoun County Loudoun County changes to the Transition Policy Area when Parkway.” She described it as water-free, fu- A Texas company plans to build a 750,000-square-foot data center complex at the majority of public comment has been to ture-ready, and repeatable. preserve it. this site, on the south side of the Dulles Greenway and west of Goose Creek. “Because we are a water-free facility—we The project has divided the commission. only use it for humidification—we use less than 1 “I was very fortunate several years ago to spend a Commissioner Eugene Scheel (Catoctin) moved to percent of the water that would otherwise be con- day on the river with a former planning commission- recommend the Board of Supervisors deny the apsumed by a similarly sized data center,” Gillis said. er, Bob Klancher,” Metras said. “Bob and I spent the plication. The project has drawn opposition from both neigh- entire day on the river, and he said this is a gem we “I’ve known this area since 1965,” Scheel said. “It’s bors and environmental groups. about the same now as it was in 1965, except the road need to protect.” The project would rezone a low-density residential And Gem Bingol, of the Piedmont Environmental is paved.” He said the area around the property is area to office park zoning. It would also encroach on Council, pointed that the property is upstream of a “open, sylvan.” a rare ecological environment, a type of rocky, mossy Loudoun Water intake for drinking water. Commissioners Tom Priscilla (Blue Ridge) and area the Virginia Department of Conservation and “So while I think that the globally rare community Dan Lloyd (Sterling) supported that motion. Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage calls a is important, I think public drinking water is a way “We start putting these data centers everywhere, “Northern Piedmont mafic barren.” According to the more important issue,” Bingol said. we are ruining the beauty of our area,” Lloyd said. “… DCR, the mafic barren on the property is one of only She and others also argued that approving the data I think if we start pushing these further out west, it’s 10 worldwide and the northernmost in existence. center would preempt the work of Envision Loudoun, just the wrong move.” Brian Metras, who lives nearby, said the area is the ongoing revision of the county’s comprehensive But the majority of commissioners voted instead to “pristine,” separated from other development by plan. The county is currently grappling with whether continue review during an Oct. 12 meeting. Despite bridges and the Dulles Greenway. And he said as a and how to change development policies in the Tran- revisions to the proposed proffers on the site, county project manager who has built data centers, he knows sition Policy Area, the buffer between its suburban planners still recommend denial. those projects include large generators, the potential east and rural west. The project falls in that area. for fuel spills, and other unsightly problems. rgreene@loudounnow.com “It’s really going to be setting a precedent if you al-

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Envision Loudoun “I’m very glad that this is preliminary, because I agree with what’s been said by several of my colleagues, that we’re way off track here,” said Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge), whose district, along with Higgins’ Catoctin District, encompasses most of the county’s transition area. “And I’m concerned that we’re not listening to the public.” The stakeholders committee has also discussed adding an area of rural policy area south of Leesburg between Evergreen Mills Road and the Dulles Green-

way north of Sycolin Creek to the transition policy area, although the Board of Supervisors’ charter for the comprehensive plan rewrite leaves little leeway for tampering with the rural policy area. The stakeholders committee plans to finish its first draft of the new comprehensive plan policies by the end of the year, with another round of Envision Loudoun public outreach in January. The committee is scheduled to finish its proposal for the new comprehensive plan by June of 2018, after which the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will work on the plan. rgreene@loudounnow.com

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The Coordinated Entry System services will eventually incorporate other supportive resources such as employment, transportation and veterans’ services. The CES phone line, which began operating in July 2017, is open to all residents of Loudoun County, including towns, villages, and other unincorporated communities. The phone line

is in operation Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After-hours calls or weekend calls are returned the following business day. The Loudoun County Government is a member of the Loudoun County Continuum of Care, which is a community coalition of public, nonprofit and faith-based organizations that provide a variety of emergency and temporary housing and supportive services to those in Loudoun County experiencing a housing crisis. More information about the Continuum of Care and the Coordinated Entry System is available at loudoun.gov/CoC or by contacting Continuum of Care Coordinator Jennifer Hope at Jennifer.hope@loudoun. gov or the Department of Family Services at 703-777-0353.

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

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County to Push for State Fire Code Written by Fire Experts BY RENSS GREENE The Loudoun Board of Supervisors has set its priorities for state and federal lawmakers, and among the new requests this year is putting the State Fire Protection Code in the hands of fire professionals. Currently, the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development controls the state fire code. Its latest attempt to revise the code has raised alarms with fire officials, who say it strips authority from fire marshals to ensure buildings are safe and

Disability support << FROM 6 a cluster of reports both on Loudoun and how it compares to other jurisdictions—includes mention of disability services in its long-form breakdown of results from focus groups, surveys and research. But those references disappear in the report’s summarized recommendations. And while other areas of need have problems with overlapping services and lack of coordination among nonprofits, Heifetz said disability nonprofits work well together—they just need more funding. The county government does provide some services for people with disabilities through the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Disability Services, but Heifetz said it can’t meet

weakens enforcement at the local level. The housing board includes 14 members and includes only one fire official, Chesterfield Assistant Fire Chief and Virginia Fire Services Board member Rob Dawson. Loudoun is asking the General Assembly to put the state fire code in the hands of the Virginia Fire Services Board. The county also continues to fight the regular increases in tolls on the Dulles Greenway. Although the Greenway appears every year among the county’s priorities, this year there is a

new statement: The county opposes any legislation to extend the Greenways’ automatic toll increases, which are guaranteed by an act of the General Assembly and sunset in 2020. The county also wants the Greenway to be required to implement distance-based tolling and relieve congestion before any subsequent toll increases. Currently, commuters on the Greenway pay the full toll no matter how short their journey on the toll road. The board has also approved a statement supporting local land use and taxing authority over short-term rent-

als such as AirBnB. Among the county’s other priorities: undoing the state’s proffer legislation, which has crippled the county’s ability to negotiate with developers in many areas; change the state-mandated process for acquiring professional services, which limits the county’s ability to pit bidders for county contracts against one another; and legislation that would enable the county to bill and collect taxes on behalf of the towns.

the full need. She gave the example of people who graduate high school and need support because of their disability. They don’t go straight to college or into jobs. The Arc of Loudoun is represented on a county committee that helps with that transition out of high school. “If that person needs some kind of support, and they don’t have a Medicaid waiver, there is no ability really for them to get that kind of support,” Heifetz said. “So they kind of look to us, and say, can you provide case management, and we would love to. But we need more funding.” And the study already has that reflected in its full results, she said. “All we’re asking is that they look again at what people were saying in those focus groups,” Heifetz said. “… In the end you have this 200-something page document, but if you sum it all up

and you leave out that group, they’re going to be left out.” She voiced her support for Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large)’s idea to include some nonprofit funding as line items in the county budget, rather than subjecting them to the county’s competitive nonprofit grant-making process. Heifetz said that would create stability and the ability to plan ahead for nonprofits that are doing work where the county falls short. Jennifer Alves, who lives with a disability and works at Arc of Loudoun, said she has difficulty being independent. She said she’s been looking for a new place to live in Leesburg. “The cost of rent per month takes all of my job income and my Social Security check, leaving me nothing for meals, transportation, a phone, clothing, and no recreation spending whatsoever,” Alves said. “My struggles are

that of so many residents in Loudoun County.” “It is a nick every time we are omitted, overlooked, discounted, downgraded,” said Loudoun ENDependence outreach coordinator Tracee Garner, who told the board, “I am going to be 41 on Oct. 15, that’s just 12 days away, and for a Jerry’s Kid, that’s really good.” Jerry’s Kids refers to children assisted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. “The needs assessment is so important because that is our voice, and that is how we are counted, and that is how we are heard,” Garner said. “And that is why it should be reconsidered.” The board’s finance committee saw the nonprofit needs assessment at its meeting Sept. 20, and was scheduled to take it up again Tuesday.

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Join Us for the Celebration of the Birth of Baha’u’llah Saturday, October 21 Doors Open: 7:00 pm Progam: 7:30 pm Reception: 9:00 pm

Sunday, October 22

Baha’i Center Open House Panel Discussions, Music, Tours 11:00 am - 4:00 pm The Loudoun Bahá’í community will be joining others around the world to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. Bahá’í’s are members of a global community that believe in one loving Creator, one unfolding religion and one human family. The Bahá’í Faith is the youngest and 2nd most geographically widespread of the world’s independent religions. Since its inception in 1844, it has grown to more than five million followers in over 200 countries. This Holy Day marks the happiest and most festive time for Bahá’í’s around the world. We invite everyone to celebrate this joyous occasion with us. Northern Virginia Baha’i Center 21415 Cardinal Glen Circle, Sterling 20164

For questions and further information, please visit us at www.novabc.org

Interchange

Football Season Specials

rgreen@loudounnow.com

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Luisa Fritsch/Loudoun Now

From left, Commissioner of the Revenue Bob Wertz, Supervisor Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn), Miller & Smith Vice President Bill May, Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10), Chief of Staff to Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) Bo Machayo, Supervisor Ron A. Meyer Jr. (R-Broad Run), and Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian) cut the ceremonial ribbon on the new Ashburn Village Boulevard bridge over Rt. 7.

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Southbound traffic on Ashburn Village Boulevard will not be able to turn right to go westbound on Rt. 7.Â Drivers will need to go west on Riverside Parkway, turn left onto Lansdowne Boulevard and take the ramp onto westbound Rt. 7. Northbound traffic on Ashburn Village Boulevard will not be able to turn left to go westbound on Rt. 7. Drivers will cross Rt. 7, turn left onto Riverside Parkway, then turn left onto Lansdowne Boulevard and take the ramp onto westbound Rt. 7. Eastbound traffic on Rt. 7 will not be able to turn left to go northbound onto Ashburn Village Boulevard. Motorists will exit Rt. 7 onto Lansdowne Boulevard and turn right onto Riverside

Oct. 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18, 2017

<< FROM 6

Parkway. Miller and Smith agreed the build the Ashburn Village Boulevard interchange after the Board of Supervisors agreed to use county funds to build the Rt. 7/Loudoun County Parkway interchange that is closest to One Loudoun. Loudoun County contributed $5 million toward the cost of the Ashburn Village project, which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2018. Also next year, construction will wrap up on the Rt. 7/Belmont Ridge Road interchange, removing that traffic light. The Town of Leesburg and the Virginia Department of Transportation are working on designs for the Rt. 7/ Battlefield Parkway interchange that will remove the final two traffic lights.

on Select Flooring and Carpet Sale Ends October 28th!

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Ashburn (703) 724-4300 Purcellville (540) 338-4300

[ LEESBURG ]

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Said Mehenni, a fixture in Leesburg’s pizza scene for a quarter century, opened the doors to his own restaurant, the aptly named Solo Pizza and Restaurant, on Monday.

The Pizza Guy Goes ‘Solo’

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

fixture at a Leesburg restaurant for a quarter-century, Said Mehenni has now set sail on his own, with the opening of the aptly named Solo Restaurant and Pizza. Mehenni began his career in Leesburg 25 years ago, and worked his way up within his former restaurant, starting off as a dishwasher, moving over to cooking and then serving as general manager. He quickly earned a reputation as the “face” of his former place of employment, which he preferred to not name. He became known for greeting customers and making sure their needs were attended to. Speaking six languages also helped him strike a chord with Leesburg’s diverse community. Mehenni was just as famous for his acumen as hand-tossing pizzas.

“Pizza was the thing I loved the most,” he said. “I started practicing flipping the tower. Then I started making pie, people would come and see and take video.” To the delight of parents, Mehenni also started handing out dough balls to young kids to keep them occupied so mom and dad could enjoy a meal in peace. He even remembers the first time he did this—with a young girl named Emily, 3 years old at the time and now about 20 years old, who was too antsy to sit still with her parents. He handed her a dough ball and told her to go make a pizza for her mom and dad. She promptly sat down with them and they were able to enjoy the rest of their meal. It’s that attention to detail and value on customer satisfaction that has given Mehenni a loyal fan base and he hopes they will follow him across town to his new venture. On Monday they did.

Following the 11 a.m. opening, patrons lined up out the front door. Between assembling pizzas and juggling other orders, Mehenni greeted most by name, often asking about their children or making some other personal connection. Each conversation ended with a hug and heartfelt “I appreciate you” from the proprietor. Mehenni had been mulling breaking out on his own and starting his own restaurant for five years and over the summer finally decided to pull the trigger. “People started waking me up. They said ‘Said, you’ve got all the quality after 25 years.’ They were pushing me the last five years: ‘Go get your own [restaurant],’” he said. So, Mehenni began scouting locations in Leesburg and fortuitously found a former pizza shop looking to sell. Now, Solo will set up in the Exeter Neighborhood Center at the former site of Pizzarella’s.

Solo has a decidedly New York feel to it, from the posters of the Brooklyn Bridge to the open-style kitchen where pizzas are prepared within customers’ view. Mehenni promises to be just as much of a focal point in his own venture as at his former place of employment. He will help with cooking as well as working the room in his signature style. The expansive menu includes the best of New York fare, from freshly made pizzas to hearty Italian dishes, like veal parmigiana, to a selection of tasty steak and cheese sandwiches. Signature dishes include a seafood platter and grilled chicken. Putting the menu together was the hardest part of jumpstarting his restaurant, Mehenni admits. He enlisted the help of his wife, Faida, who served as the official taste tester. The two would try out some dishes at home for dinner SOLO >> 15

Consultant Recommends Town Keep ‘Payment In Lieu of’ Parking BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ A consultant hired by the Town of Leesburg to study potential parking changes in the downtown historic district has recommended that the Town Council keep one of its most controversial regulations. Council members and downtown property owners alike have railed against the town’s current payment in lieu of parking regulation, where developers pay into a fund rather than construct necessary parking for their project. Currently, developers pay

$6,515 per space for nonresidential development, or residential development only within the limits bounded by Liberty, Church, South, and North streets. Town leaders have pointed out that the price per space does not come close to matching the actual cost of providing a parking space in a structured facility, estimated at more than $25,000. Property owners have also called the requirement an impediment to creating the kind of development that Leesburg leaders desire. Loudoun Now/File Photo

PARKING >> 14

The downtown Leesburg parking garage approaches capacity during popular events, like First Friday.

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The town will again recognize the commitment and dedication of the Leesburg Police Department with the third annual Leesburg Police Appreciation Day Thursday, Oct. 19. To mark the day, town staff will place blue ribbons on trees in front of town facilities, at town parks, and throughout the downtown. Residents, schools, and businesses are encouraged to show their support for the Leesburg Police by tying blue ribbons around trees in their yards or on their mailboxes. The town asks residents to wear blue on Oct. 19 as an additional sign of support and appreciation. “Our police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” Mayor Kelly Burk stated. “Police Appreciation Day gives us the opportunity to come together as a community to say ‘thank you’ to these dedicated men and women.” Members of the public can write notes of thanks and encouragement on the “Leesburg Police Appreciation Day” Facebook page at facebook.com/LeesburgPoliceAppreciationDay. The notes and comments posted will be printed out and displayed at the police department for all department staff to enjoy.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

The town will hold a final public meeting on the Eastern Gateway Small Area Plan Tuesday, October 17, from 6:308:30 p.m., in the lower level of Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss current progress associated with the Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan and to gather one final round of public input before presenting the draft plan to the Planning Commission. Over the past year, town staff has developed the plan based on input received from stakeholders and the general public through surveys and public meetings. Participants at the meeting will hear about the plan’s overall vision and proposed policies for development. Meeting participants will also have the opportunity to provide feedback and help to further refine specific aspects of the plan related to recreation, aesthetics, and opportunities for innovation. “Everyone who participated in the process so far had some unique ideas about the future of the Eastern Gateway District, but there were several key themes where there was clear consensus,” said Rich Klusek, senior planner and project lead. “Community members made it clear that they want a mixed-use neighborhood with lots of recreation and entertainment opportunities. They also want the Eastern Gateway District to be an attractive area and something that town residents could be proud of as the gateway into the historic downtown.” Members of the public, whether they attend the meeting or not, are encour-

aged to answer a six-question survey that will help prioritize improvements the town should pursue. More information about the project is available at leesburgva.gov/easterngateway. The survey will close Nov. 5. Visitors to the website can sign up to receive project updates via email as well.

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

Final Gateway Meeting Tuesday

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Exeter Neighborhood Sees Second Sinkhole BY RENSS GREENE The Exeter neighborhood off Battlefield Parkway in northeast Leesburg is seeing its second sinkhole in as many years. Crews were at work at the scene on Jared Square NE Tuesday, Oct. 10. Residents discovered the sinkhole when they wake up this morning. The area is closed to vehicles, and workers are trying to determine the sinkhole’s impact on water and sewer service. Tuesday, Leesburg Director of Capital Projects Renée LaFollette said a geotechnical team was tentatively scheduled to survey the sinkhole and determine its extent the next day. “Once that’s done, that will determine the extent of what we’re looking at,” LaFollette said. “Currently, we do have sanitary sewer impact, but we don’t know how severe that is at this time.” If the town sewer line in the sinkhole cannot function, she said, the 16 townhouses on Jared Square could be evacuated. In the meantime, the town is working to determine the damage to the line and asking residents in that area to minimize their water use. Two residents could also see their water service interrupted by the sinkhole. LaFollette said there is no sign, so far, that the sinkhole, which is under asphalt, has undermined any of the townhouses. “Right now all we believe that is im-

pacted is the sanitary sewer and the water service connections, but until we do the investigation we really don’t know,” LaFollette said. “There are no superficial signals or signs that there is any impact back toward the townhouses.” The neighborhood saw another sinkhole develop in 2015, within sight of the Jared Square sinkhole, under Currant Terrace. LaFollette said she doesn’t believe there’s anything particular to the Exeter neighborhood that makes it more susceptible to sinkholes than any of the rest of Leesburg’s northeast quadrant— much of which is over limestone. Almost all of Leesburg is built over limestone, which can cause sinkholes when underground water dissolves the rock and carries it off, forming subterranean spaces and caverns. The county recently sent $5.4 million to construction of a four-story parking garage by the existing Pennington parking lot off North Street in Leesburg after two sinkholes developed under its foundation. In 2015, as now, the sinkhole developed after heavy rains. “The weather that we’ve had the past month and a half, and then having an inch of rain in the past day and half, makes the conditions ripe for these types of things to occur,” she said. rgreene@loudounnow.com

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Parking << FROM 12 In its justification for maintaining the payment in lieu provision, with an annual escalation cost, the report provided to the council notes, “the parking Payment in Lieu provision is a critical element to downtown parking as the fund provides resources to add parking spaces and provides an option for infill development to occur in a practical way.” The report also recommends that monthly revenues from the lease of monthly spaces in the Town Hall parking garage should also be added to the fund. The consultant, Wells + Associates, does recommend that the council look at decreasing some of the parking ratios downtown. The report notes that current ratios reflect more of a suburban-style development, which generally calls for more parking. Recommended ratio changes include: reducing the requirement for office development from 3.3 spaces to two to 2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of area; reducing the requirement for retail from five spaces to three to 3.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet; and one parking space per multi family dwelling unit of two bedrooms or less rather than 1.5 to two spaces. The consultant also recommends that the council increase the allowed walking distance from 500 feet to 1,000 feet from a municipal parking facility,

which increases the number of parcels available for infill development and conversions. In a nod to the changing commuting needs of the public, the report also recommends that the town coordinate with Loudoun County Transit to extend bus service from the future Ashburn Metro Station to the Loudoun County Government Center, already a hub of commuter bus activity, to “provide enhanced travel choices that will reduce parking demand in future years.” The consultant says that the downtown currently has adequate public parking supply, with 2,595 total public parking spaces plus an additional 2,041 private parking spaces, for a total of 4,636 spaces. They suggest looking at the addition of other private parking spaces to defer the need to construct more public parking. Currently, the Town Hall parking garage approaches capacity during popular downtown events, like First Friday. “Additional parking supply should be considered when cumulative demands recur frequently enough to justify providing those spaces,” the report reads. The Town Council was expected to discuss next steps at its meeting on Tuesday, after this newspaper’s press deadline. See an updated article at LoudounNow.com. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

15 Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

Solo << FROM 12

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The menu includes the best of New York fare, from freshly-made pizzas to hearty Italian dishes, like veal parmigiana.

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

to Solo’s tag line—”for the people.” It’s the reason he’s doing all this, after all. “I can’t wait to go back and serve Loudoun County, my people,” he said with a broad smile. “I can’t wait.” Solo’s hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. It is located at 700 Fieldstone Drive NE #124 in Leesburg. Reach them at 571-5103909, solonypizza.com, or on Facebook at Solo NY Pizza.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

to decide what would be a part of Solo’s menu. Mehenni credits his 7-year-old son, Adam, for the inspiration behind one of the restaurant’s delectable desserts, a Nutella pizza. It starts off with a warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza crust, topped with Nutella hazelnut spread and cannoli cream. It promises to be a good reason to save room for dessert. He’s also exploring a nut-free spread. The restaurant will offer dine-in service, with seats for 55 people, carry out and delivery. Mehenni acknowledges that for those not personally familiar with him he has one chance to make a great impression. “First when you open, when there’s a new restaurant in town, the curiosity will draw you over there. Basically, you’ve got one shot,” he said. “If you see a rookie on the block you’re ... going to judge the personality, the greeting and the approach.” And that’s an area where Mehenni excels. “I follow [people’s] body language. That’s what I’m good at,” he said. “I make sure I provide good food and service. My experience has taught me a lot.” Mehenni can’t wait to get back to “his people” as he warmly calls his faithful past customers. He even points

loudounnow.com

[ PUBLIC SAFETY ]

Judge Urged to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Sheriff

BY NORMAN K. STYER Former Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office investigator Mark McCaffrey got a day in court Friday as federal Judge Anthony J. Trenga heard an hour of lawyers’ arguments about why his $6.3 million wrongful termination lawsuit should be immediately dismissed—or immediately upheld. The lawsuit alleges Sheriff Michael Chapman violated McCaffrey’s constitutional right to free speech by not re-hiring him to serve in Chapman’s second term after McCaffrey supported a different candidate in the 2015 Republican primary. Legal precedents give elected sheriffs, like Chapman, broad leeway to terminate employees, including for partisan actions. However, McCaffery’s attorneys are arguing that an agreement between the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff ’s Office that extended the county’s employee policies to Chapman’s staff should have provided McCaffrey and other deputies with additional protections. In court Oct. 6, Trenga heard arguments on several motions. Chapman’s attorney, Alexander Francuzenko, sought the immediate dismissal of the lawsuit. Assistant Loudoun County Attorney Courtney R. Sydnor sought to have the Board of Supervisors and the county government dismissed as defendants in the case. And McCaffery’s attorney, Robert J. Cynkar, sought a summary judgement in which the

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Former Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office investigator Mark McCaffrey, right, is suing Sheriff Mike Chapman and the county government over his termination in 2015.

judge would find substantial evidence to rule in the plaintiff ’s favor without a trial. Trenga took no action, but said he would issue a ruling quickly. As of Tuesday afternoon, no ruling has been issued. “The law is clear that Sheriff Chapman was within his rights to not reswear [McCaffrey],” Francuzenko said. Sydnor said that the agreement between the county and Sheriff ’s Office made it clear that Chapman’s employees were not subject to the county government’s grievance policies and that Chapman retained “full authority” over his employees. Cynkar argued that the agreement was significant and that county leaders should have prevented Chapman from dropping McCaffrey from the staff in

an act of political retribution because the general government personnel policies specifically protect employees’ political activities. One factor that could play into Trenga’s decision is whether McCaffrey, a lead major crimes investigator at the time, was in a policy-making position within the agency. Cynkar argued he was not. “Loudoun County is not Mayberry,” he said, noting the LCSO is the largest sheriff ’s office in Virginia, with more that 600 employees. “Mark McCaffrey is a deputy. He is far down that 600-member heap,” Cynkar said. Francuzenko argued that McCaffrey was a high-profile member of the Sheriff ’s Office, handling major cases and representing the agency with the

Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. A primary precedent case—a 1994 lawsuit initiated in Buncombe County, NC—upheld the firing of deputies who did not support the sheriff ’s election bid. In that case, the Appeals Court ruled that deputies are policymakers and serve as alter egos of the sheriff, with the sheriff liable for their conduct. Trenga questioned Cynkar on how McCaffrey’s case differed from others in which the sheriffs’ firing authority has been upheld. Cynkar said, in this case, the county government had a responsibility to provide a “backstop” to Chapman’s action. “Without the cooperative agreement we wouldn’t be here,” he said. When the judge asked what action the county could have taken against Chapman for his political retribution against McCaffrey, Cynkar suggested county leaders could have withheld or reduced funding for the Sheriff ’s Office. “They knew and they did nothing,” he said. Francuzenko said other federal judges have repeatedly dismissed assertions that agreements like the one between the LCSO and Loudoun’s government limited ability of elected sheriffs to fire employees. “The county has absolutely nothing to do with this case,” he said. “This case should be cut off now.” nstyer@loudounnow.com

[ SAFETY NOTES ] Gang Member Gets 35 Years for Murder of Sterling Teen The man convicted in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old Park View High School student near a Sterling bus stop in 2015 will serve 35 years in prison. Jose Miguel Espinosa De Dios Espinosa De Dios, who is 19 years old but was 17 at the time of the shooting, had entered Alford pleas of guilty to first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the shooting death of Danny Centeno-Miranda as he walked to the school bus stop on the morning of Sept. 4, 2015. The Alford plea permits the defendant to maintain a claim of innocence while acknowledging prosecutors have enough evidence to obtain a conviction. According to testimony in prior hearings, Espinosa De Dios was a MS13 gang member known as “the Mexican” or “the enforcer” in Sterling. He

allegedly shot Centeno-Miranda twice in the back. Centeno-Miranda was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he died. Espinosa De Dios faced a sentence of 20 years to life in prison on the first-degree murder conviction and a mandatory three-year sentence on the conviction of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. As part of the plea agreement, the commonwealth’s attorney’s office agreed to drop prosecution of two other charges—shooting in the commission of a felony and gang participation. In addition to the murder sentence, Espinosa De Dios was fined $25,000 for the use of a firearm during the murder and was required to serve three years on the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He will serve three years of post-release supervision for both charges. Two others were charged in the case. Henry Ernesto Dominguez-Vazquez pleaded guilty last year to a charge of accessory to murder after the fact. The charge was reduced by prosecutors from a felony to a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison. A charge of accessory to murder against a third suspect, Dominguez-Vazquez’s

brother Juan Moiser Aguirre Zelaya, ultimately was dropped.

Discarded Smoking Materials Blamed in Lovettsville Fire The fire that ripped through a Lovettsville home early Saturday morning was caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials, according to Loudoun County Fire-Rescue. At 5:15 a.m. Oct. 7, fire and rescue crews from Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Frederick County, MD, and Lucketts were called to the fire at 27 Cooper Run St. The family of six had been alerted to the fire by a neighbor and was located safely outside when firefighters arrived. Three family pets were found dead inside the home. According to a fundraising page set up for the family, one dog, Snoop, survived the fire. Three firefighters were transported to a local area hospital for medical evaluation. Damage was estimated at $525,000. The fundraising page has been set up for the Jones Family at youcaring.com. As of Tuesday, nearly $9,000 had been raised.

Early Morning Assault Reported Along Sterling Street The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office is investigating a reported attempted sexual assault in the Colonnade neighborhood of Sterling, near Dulles Town Center. The victim, an adult female, was walking home from the area of Waterview Plaza around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. She told deputies that a man started following her and attempting to talk to her. In the area of Alberta Terrace and Edwards Terrace, he walked in front of her and pushed her to the ground. A struggle ensued and the victim punched the suspect. She was able to flee and returned home before contacting authorities. The suspect was described as a darkskinned, possibly Hispanic male, and was wearing a dark shirt and pants. The victim was not physically injured during the assault. Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective D. Orr at 703-777-0475. You can also submit a tip through the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office app.

Oct. 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18, 2017

loudounnow.com

9/29/2017 5:21:59 PM

Untitled-1 1

[ E D U C AT I O N ]

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

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Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Students in Loudoun’s new Academy of Engineering and Technology watch physics at work. The academy is one of three magnet programs that will be housed in the Academies of Loudoun in fall of 2018.

Loudoun School Board Weighs Whether to Cut Ties with TJ

BY DANIELLE NADLER

he Loudoun County School Board has broached the thorny question of whether it should continue spending millions each year to send students to the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School in neighboring Fairfax County. After heated debate, board members

voted Tuesday to renew the contract with Fairfax to send about 270 students to the magnet school for the 20182019 academic year, just when the new Academies of Loudoun opens. That comes with a price tag of $4.3 million. Three School Board members said they no longer want to send the county’s top-performing students to Fairfax County and cover their tuition and transportation costs once the Acad-

emies of Loudoun opens. The Academies is set to open in August 2018 and will house expanded versions of the existing Academy of Science and C.S. Monroe Technology Center, and the new Academy of Engineering and Technology. Next school year, the Loudoun School Board will spend $17,435 per student. That figure includes tuition and transportation costs, plus an

additional $2,074 to help cover the school’s $76 million renovation. The cost for the 2018-2019 academic year is $600,000 more than the current year because 25 more Loudoun freshmen were selected. For the first time, the contract requires that school divisions that intend to discontinue sending students TJHS >> 20

Emerick Named National Blue Ribbon School Emerick Elementary School in Purcellville has been named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School. The school was one of seven in Virginia to receive the designation and one of 342 nationwide. School staff members and students held a party last Tuesday to celebrate the honor. “National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future,” U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos stated in announcing the honorees. “You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of

you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff.” National Blue Ribbon Schools are selected based on one of two criteria: performance on state assessments and performance in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups (such as low-income students or EnContributed

EMERICK >> 20

Emerick Elementary Principal Dawn Haddock, left, and Superintendent Eric Williams join students to celebrate the school being named a National Blue Ribbon School.

[ SCHOOL NOTES ]

MAKE THIS SCHOOL YEAR

GREATER THAN LAST YEAR!

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SCHOOL NOTES >> 21

“A Will to Survive” cast members rehearse ahead of their first performance in 2016.

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“A Will to Survive,” the rock opera about suicide prevention, mental health and teenagers finding hope, will host a free performance Monday, Oct. 16. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. at Loudoun County High School, 415 Dry Mill Road SW in Leesburg. The performance is being sponsored by Loudoun County Public Schools, the Loudoun Education Foundation, Claude Moore Charitable Trust, Chichester DuPont Foundation and Inova Loudoun Hospital. “A Will to Survive” is a production of A Place to Be, which helps people navigate and overcome life’s challenges

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

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<< FROM 18

to Thomas Jefferson notify Fairfax County by June 1, 2018, for the 20192020 school year. Loudoun is one of five Northern Virginia school divisions that send students to Thomas Jefferson. At their Sept. 26 meeting, board members talked about the effect of bringing the 273 students the county sends to Thomas Jefferson back to Loudoun high schools, aside from the money saved. School Board member Eric Hornberger (Ashburn) noted that the goal of the Academies of Loudoun is to give more students access to specialized programming. The Academies of Engineering and Technology alone will add 200 more seats next school year, he said. “That’s just at AET, not to mention the fact that we’re also expanding Monroe Tech and the Academy of Science. So there is space should the board choose to not send a freshman class to TJ from Loudoun County.” Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) noted that students only attend those Loudoun programs every other day. “It’s true we can accommodate them on an A/B schedule but the seats will be hard to come by [at Freedom High School] until the new high school opens in 2020,” he said. “Each incremental increase is something we’re going to need to consider.” Read an update on the board’s decision at LoudounNow.com/education.

glish Language Learners) and all students during the past five years while increasing graduation rates for each subgroup. “That doesn’t come easy,” Emerick Principal Dawn Haddock said of meeting the award criteria. “It doesn’t happen overnight. …This is really an accomplishment that you should be very

dnadler@loudounnow.com

proud of. ... Thank you for coming (to school) every day and not just giving a little, but giving your all.” “You should be incredibly proud,” LCPS Superintendent Eric Williams said. “The Blue Ribbon recognition is an important symbol, not only of excellence, but the pursuit of excellence and the closing of achievement gaps. It is really the pursuit that is important to celebrate because it doesn’t just happen in a day. This is a reflection of efforts day in and day out throughout

the years.” Fourth grade teacher Karen Houtz will accompany Haddock to the awards ceremony Nov. 6-7 in Washington, DC. The last Loudoun County public school to receive the Blue Ribbon designation was Belmont Station Elementary in 2011. Other Loudoun schools that have received the award include Meadowland Elementary (2003), Leesburg Elementary (2005) and Lincoln Elementary (2010).

Contributed

From left, Superintendent Eric Williams, Emerick Elementary Principal Dawn Haddock, Director of Elementary Education W. Michael Martin, and Supervisor of Elementary Education Teri Finn.

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Loudoun Now is adding to its small, dedicated newspaper team. We’re looking for advertising sales executives who value the mission of community journalism and the marketing power the newspaper’s print and online products offer to area businesses. There’s a veteran support team in place to help, but we’re looking for self-starters and go-getters.

If that’s you, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sstyer@loudounnow.com

[ SCHOOL NOTES ] using the therapeutic arts. It is meant to be a tribute to Will Robinson, a Loudoun Valley High School student who lost his life to suicide in 2016, and shine a light on the need for mental health support for teens. Learn more at aplacetobeva.org.

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13 Students Named National Hispanic Scholars Thirteen Loudoun County Public Schools seniors have been named 2018 National Hispanic Scholars by the National Hispanic Recognition Program. The program is operated by the College Board and run in conjunction with Wake withprogram. the National Meritup Scholars Students who identify as Hispanic/ Latino and trace their ancestors to one of 21 Start Latin your countries day are witheligible the for

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Dominion High School has been selected to participate in PBS NewsHour’s national journalism program that equips students to produce original, youth-focused news reports. The program is partnering with schools in 42 states. Mitchell Schwartz, who teaches journalism at Dominion High School, said his students were excited to hear about the opportunity. “How many kids can write to colleges and say, ‘I produced content for PBS NewsHour,’” he said. “We’re thrilled.” He asked students to begin to come up with story ideas to report and produce for the program. Dominion students are required to report three big stories throughout the academic year. Each news story has to be a maximum of three minutes and include 25 different shots. Dominion’s first project will be to report on Loudoun County’s new computer science immersion elementary schools. Their stories will be aired on the national NewsHour site and the nightly broadcast, which reaches more than one million viewers each night. Teachers will help program leaders develop curriculum to teach teens about journalism and public affairs. “Passionate educators are the glue that hold this program together,” said program founder Leah Clapman. “Every year we discover new ways to expand and improve SRL, with the most innovative and effective ideas coming straight from the teachers on the front lines.”

consideration. The students must earn a qualifying score on the PSAT during their junior year and have at least a 3.5 grade point average. The 2018 National Hispanic Scholars are: Daniel Valerio Montero (Briar Woods), Nicolas Burbano (Briar Woods), Sophie Wong (Broad Run), Jorge Gallo Munoz (Broad Run), Miranda Garcia (Broad Run), Matthew Armstrong (Dominion), Gustavo Moreira (John Champe), Natalie Morris (Loudoun Valley), Luc Teyssier (Potomac Falls), Elsa Acosta (Rock Ridge), Javid Fathi (Rock Ridge), Giovanni Artiglio (Rock), Patrizia Manziano (Stone Bridge), and Tara Soltani (Stone Bridge).

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

<< FROM 19

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Academies of Loudoun << FROM 3 novation Commons. “This space—this building—is so flexible, it really depends on students’ and teachers’ imagination to do what they want with it.” Scovel and Academies of Loudoun Principal Tinell Priddy gave School Board members a tour of the campus Friday. It is still very much a construction site, with more than 250 men and women working on the 119-acre property each day. But the center for learning is coming into view, with the exterior walls nearly buttoned up and drywall going up on the interior walls. Rooftop outdoor learning commons, for one, look ready for students, equipped with benches and tables inviting teens to sit and study or eat lunch. “I want to come to school here,” School Board member Beth Huck (At Large) said, walking past one of the many floor to ceiling windows that looks out over the wooded campus. Students enrolled in one of the 30 programs housed at the Academies will attend every other day. That will allow the programs there to enroll a total of 3,000 students each semester. Derk Jeffrey, senior principal at Stantec, the architect for the Academies, said it is always surreal to walk through a facility that, only more than a year ago, was just an idea discussed in board meetings. “The best buildings always start with

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

From left, School Board Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) and board member Beth Huck (At Large) take a tour of the Academies of Loudoun with Construction Supervisor Tony McGraw. The 315,000-square-foot building sits on a 119-acre site along Sycolin Road south of Leesburg.

a client with a vision, and that’s how this project was. Seeing the clients excited about getting their vision realized, that’s the best part of my job,” he said. The Academies was designed to harness the interests and talents of all students—not just the top-performing ones—and prepare them for a variety ACADEMIES OF LOUDOUN >> 23

The Academies of Loudoun will house 30 science, engineering and technical career education programs. Here’s a sampling: ■ Auto collision repair

■ Cosmetology

■ Biotechnology

■ Environmental plant science

■ Culinary arts

■ Masonry

■ Graphic communications ■ Veterinary science ■ Information technology

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of career paths. Holder Construction, the contractor building the Academies, shares school leaders’ passion for that idea. Holder Senior Project Manager Callie Gregory said the company makes a point to connect with local students wherever they have projects and invite them to get a glimpse of career paths in the construction industry. She gave the example of a recent Monroe Tech graduate who Holder brought on as an intern. Through the internship, the young man discovered he enjoyed plumbing, and has since taken a job with Javier Plumbing, a subcontractor working on the Academies of Loudoun. “We want to expose students to the variety of trades that are out there and, ideally, we want them to come work in construction,” Gregory said. “That’s a good example of how this comes full circle.” Construction on the Academies of Loudoun is scheduled to wrap up early next summer, and the first students will begin classes at the school in August 2018. View drone footage of the Academies of Loudoun at lcps.org/Page/170116.

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

dnadler@loudounnow.com

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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.

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

Academies of Loudoun

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Summit Examines Charitable Gaps and Solutions

BY DANIELLE NADLER onprofit leaders want to get business leaders, philanthropists and other caring citizens in one room to talk about how to unite the community to fill Loudoun County’s charitable voids. The Philanthropy Summit, put on by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, will offer presentations and panel discussions on racism, mental health, substance abuse, child care, and affordable housing. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Loudoun School Administration Building, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn. The summit will include four sessions: Putting Racism on the Table; Daycare in Our Community: An Unseen Economic Driver to Family Success; Affordable Spaces: From Homes to Offices, How Do We Put a Roof Overhead?; and Mental Health and Substance Abuse: A High-Level Window into Resources and Gaps. Tamara Copeland, president of the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, will kick off the day’s

Philanthropy Summit Thursday, Oct. 19 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Contributed

Philanthropy Summit speaker Tamara Copeland, president of the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, will discuss how philanthropy can help deconstruct racism.

events with her talk, “Putting Racism on the Table,” which looks at the role philanthropy can play to address racism. “It’s not focused on any kind of in-

Loudoun School Administration Building, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn Details: communityfoundationlf.org

dividual acts of personal racism, but it’s really about structural racism and implicit bias,” Copeland said. “The first step is understanding how societal institutions have advantaged or disad-

vantaged one group over another.” The “race conversation” is a societal one, she said, that everybody should be having no matter the makeup of their school, workplace, or neighborhood. “If there is a community disadvantaged by a societal structure, what do we do to change that? My belief is that we all have a role to play and it will benefit us all as a society, as a country and as a community.” To tie that to philanthropy, Copeland said she’s noticed that the nonprofit community is often the “hands and feet” of a cause. “When philanthropists decide that as a community it’s going to look at an issue, it sends a certain message to those who follow what they’re doing. It brings change.” The Philanthropy Summit is free and includes lunch prepared by students in the C.S. Monroe Culinary School for the Arts. Interested attendees are asked to RSVP by Friday, Oct. 13, by calling 703-779-3505 or emailing candida@ communityfoundationlf.org. Registration for the summit is from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Oct. 19. See the event’s full schedule at communityfoundationlf.org. dnadler@loudounnow.com

[ NONPROFIT NOTES ] Humane Society Hosts ‘Tails and Ales’ Fundraiser The Humane Society of Loudoun County invites people and their leashed four-legged friends to enjoy an afternoon of music, food and family fun at its Tails and Ales fall fundraiser, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at Black Walnut Brewery. The event will feature live music by PG and the Hot Tips, a costume contest of the cutest dog (photos of cats are welcome, too), children’s and adult games, silent auction, raffle baskets, hourly door prizes, baked goods, face painting, and the Buena’Dillas! food truck. Woofie’s Mobile Pet Spa will offer a nail trim and brush-out for a $5 donation.

A $50 family ticket includes two mugs, decorative cups for the kids, and a door prize ticket for each member. Tickets purchased online prior to the event will receive an additional door prize entry. Proceeds will go to the Humane Society, an all-volunteer, no-kill organization that has been serving Loudoun County for more than 50 years. Ticket information can be found at humaneloudoun.org or facebook.com/ humaneloudoun. Black Walnut Brewery is at 210 S. King St. in Leesburg.

Bahá’í Center Hosts 20th Anniversary Celebration The public is invited to join the Loudoun Bahá’í community as it celebrates the Bicentenary of the Birth of

Bahá’u’lláh. The celebration will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Northern Virginia Bahá’í Center, 21415 Cardinal Glen Circle in Sterling. The weekend of Oct. 21 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. Baha’is recognize Baha’u’llah— meaning the “glory of God”—as the divine educator who came to inaugurate a new age of peace and justice. Learn more at novabahaicenter.org.

Sounds of Blue Ridge Benefit Concert Oct. 29 Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with its very first fundraiser, a benefit concert featuring the Furnace Moun-

tain Band with Danny Knicely. The event is from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, and includes a reception featuring wine from Twin Oaks Winery and gourmet treats from Savoir Faire. It is at Franklin Park Performing Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane in Purcellville. General admission tickets are $60; tickets for people 24 years and younger are $35; and tickets for premium seating are $75. All ticket sales will benefit the nonprofit organization’s scholarship program that supports young people who are pursuing careers in environmental and conservation sciences. Tickets can be purchased online at friendsofblueridge.org.

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Oct. 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18, 2017 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

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Trevor G. Morgen-Westrick, bar manager at Cocina on Market, prepares a tequila sunrise with the restaurant’s first house spirit, Dos Gringos.

The Making of Loudoun’s First ‘Tequila’

BY JOHN MCNEILLY riendships that blossom from mutually shared interests can form solid bonds. But when a friendship results in custom-distilled tequila, that’s something truly special. For Becky and Scott Harris, owners of Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville, making tequila for their friends, Chef Jason Lage and Rebecca Dudley, proprietors of the newly opened Cocina on Market restaurant in Leesburg, was a labor of love. The couples became friends after opening their now well-established businesses around the same time in Purcellville in 2009. (Dudley and Lage also own Market Burger across from the distillery on Main Street, as well as Market Table Bistro in Lovettsville.) They share a commitment to environmental sustainability and to local farmers and businesses, including each

Contributed

The team at Cocina on Market in Leesburg joined forces with Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville to make Dos Gringos.

other’s. The Harrises provide their spent grains, which produce Catoctin’s numerous award-winning whiskeys (as well as brandy and gin), to area

farms as organic animal feed. Lage and Dudley have long been recognized for supporting local farmers by purchasing produce and proteins for every dish their restaurants create. “Our businesses were aligned from the beginning. We’re right across the street from one another and there was so much synchronicity between us. Our friendship quickly developed,” Dudley said. “If we hadn’t gotten to know them, this collaboration might never have happened.” The Harrises are equally enthusiastic about Lage and Dudley. Scott Harris said their restaurants have become his family’s de facto celebration sites. He said both he and Becky “practically live” at Market Burger, and that Market Table Bistro sells more Catoctin Creek spirits than any other restaurant in Loudoun County. “This partnership reflects our gratitude and affection for them. Jason and Rebecca have always been big support-

Chamber Forum Highlights Growth Concerns

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ The economy at both the global and local level is still not growing at its pre-recession pace, and Loudoun’s housing stock may not be sufficient to accommodate future needs. Those were some of the key takeaways from last week’s Loudoun Chamber of Commerce forum, Keepin’ it REAL in LoCo, held at One Loudoun’s Alamo Drafthouse. Economist Anirban Basu, of the Sage Policy Group, served as the

keynote speaker for the Oct. 4 forum, giving attendees an overview of economic activity at the global, national, statewide and local levels. The global economy grew at a pace of 3.2 percent last year, and this year looks to hover around 3.5 percent, he said. That’s alarming considering that during the 10 years of the financial crisis it averaged over 4 percent, Basu said. The U.S. itself hasn’t averaged 3 percent growth since 2005, he noted. Virginia added more than 58,000 jobs last year, with an economic

growth rate of 1.5 percent, slightly above the U.S. average of 1.4 percent. The Washington, DC, metro area boasted the fourth-lowest unemployment rate in the nation from August 2016 to August 2017. Loudoun County’s unemployment rate during that time was 3.1 percent, and the county added just fewer than 5,700 jobs. But Basu cautioned that statistic does not necessarily mean that that many jobs were created. GROWTH CONCERNS >> 28

ers and they share our values,” Harris said. “It was really a fun, exciting process.” Even though the distilling functions are the same, Harris and Dudley point out that their custom-distilled spirit cannot legally be called “tequila.” That’s because, just as France has a proprietary lock on the use of the “champagne” and “cognac” tags, tequila produced outside of Mexico must be labeled as an “agave spirit.” “This is all established by international law and treaties,” Harris said. Regardless, both couples are pleased with the first run, which produced a test batch of 100 gallons (about 15 cases of 750ml bottles). Scott Harris said Becky, the chief distiller at Catoctin Creek, did “a ton” of research about tequila making before embarking on the project. He says it’s a relatively easy, quick process for an experienced distiller, with the first batch only requiring two weeks. The couples chose a wild heirloom agave from Mexico, which according to Dudley, resulted in subtle citrus and honey notes. The Harrises were pleasantly surprised at the distinct lime and grapefruit hints on the tongue. And they’re excited to do more, including experimenting with longer fermentation times which can result in a richer, more complex taste and color. They noted this is the first time agave spirits have been produced in Loudoun County. The agave spirit, which Lage and Dudley aptly named Dos Gringos, serves as Cocina on Market’s house tequila. Depending on how well it sells with customers, they expect to regularly order more from Catoctin Creek Distillery. Dudley is optimistic about a continuing collaboration. She said, “Our regular customers already love it.”

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INMED’s Family and Youth Opportunity Center in Sterling will offer a community job fair Oct. 20. From 10 a.m. to noon, recruiters and business representatives will be on hand to discuss employment opportunities in construction and manufacturing; horticulture design and landscaping maintenance; hospitality, restaurant, hotel and event management sales; customer service and clerical representatives; medical and insurance service providers; and transportation and transit service providers. Trade schools, vocational and technical training programs, as well as apprenticeships, scholarships and ﬁnancial aid, will be part of the discussion. The center is located at 21630 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 130. The program is offered free in cooperation with Supervisor Koran Saines (D-Sterling). The event is geared toward job candidates who are 18 years and older. Candidates should bring identiﬁcation and résumé. For more information and registration, contact Cecilia Capece at ccapece@inmed.org or call 571-465-2032 to register.

ZavaZone is bringing its trampoline and indoor adventure park concept to Sterling. The company has leased 34,000 square feet at 45685 Oakbrook Court. It will be the second ZavaZone location; the first opened in Rockville, MD, in early 2016. The company is also negotiating several franchise arrangements outside the Washington metro area. Founded by Josh Oboler and Joe Henry of Washington, DC, ZavaZone offers multiple family entertainment activities, including obstacle courses, climbing walls, ropes courses and trampolines. The Sterling location is expected to open Nov. 4. The lease was brokered by Transwestern. “ZavaZone has experienced incredible success since opening its doors in Rockville last year,” Transwestern Vice President Nathan Bortnick said. “Sterling has strong demographics, and the location is near a popular volleyball court, essentially creating a recreational destination for the area.” Learn more at zavazone.com.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Brad Boland, past president of the Dulles Area Association of Realtors and principal broker of Keller Williams Realty Dulles, has been selected to serve on the board of directors of the National Association of Realtors. NAR is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. Boland, of Philomont, previous-

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

Boland, Bolle Elected to Leadership Posts

28 loudounnow.com

Telos Tapped to Upgrade, Secure Air Force Wireless Networks

Telos Corporation has been awarded a two-year, $34 million contract to modernize the Base Information Transport Infrastructure Wireless Local Area Networks for the U.S. Air Force. The work will be completed under a Network Centric Solutions-2 Small Business task order at all worldwide active duty bases and specified Guard and Reserve bases. Under the contract, at each BITI Wireless location, Telos will replace the network access control appliances and upgrade the WLAN components and operating systems. The new components will be integrated into the Hanscom Collaboration & Innovation Center to support a full cybersecurity certification and accreditation effort. Ashburn-based Telos specializes in helping military, intelligence and civilian agencies of the federal government, allied nations and commercial organizations around the world operate with continuous security assurance of individuals,

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THE REAGAN YEARS

Growth concerns << FROM 26 “That’s just more people have jobs here than a year ago. It might not be new jobs,” he said. “That speaks to an increasingly tight labor market.” Coupled with the low unemployment rate, this places an increased emphasis on the need for more housing options in Loudoun, Basu said. “When you have an unemployment rate that low it’s hard to retain them because they get tired of the traffic each and every day. It stimulates turnover, which is not good for business.” Homeownership is going to come back “with a vengeance” in the next five to 10 years, and the millennials who are now seeking more urban-style apartments and condominiums will transform into young families desiring a suburban, single-family home or townhouse-type of environment. “We haven’t built many single-family homes for them. We’ve built a lot of

Loudoun Now/File Photo

John Wood is Telos Corporation’s CEO and chairman of its board.

systems and information. Telos’ offerings include cyber security solutions and services for IT risk management and information security, secure mobility to protect globally connected organizations, and identity management to establish trust in personnel and continuously monitor for insider threats.

apartments and condos,” he said. Basu also pointed to the declines in both the retail and office markets, with the latter’s vacancy hovering around 20 percent in the metro area. Colleen Gillis, a land-use attorney and partner with Cooley, led forum attendees through an interactive poll that allowed them to weigh in on their typical commutes, as well as their preferred outcomes for Loudoun County as it navigates a review of its comprehensive plan, dubbed Envision Loudoun. Words used by the audience to describe the county’s housing market ranged from challenging to exclusionary to supply-constrained. The far and away winner in the category—expensive. Gillis also led a panel discussion, including some of the county’s top employers, like Deborah Addo from Inova Loudoun Hospital and Robert DuPree from Telos. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

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Crescent Place is one of Leesburg’s newest developments. Business and real estate leaders have concerns the county will not have enough homes to accommodate population growth.

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Bolle

Doug Fabbioli has been reappointed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to serve another term on the Virginia Wine Board. He is the owner/vintner at Fabbioli Cellars north of Leesburg. The 10-member board was created by the General Assembly in 1984 as part of Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The board promotes the interests of vineyards and wineries in the commonwealth through research, education and marketing.

Inova’s Rastogi Named to NEHI Leadership Post Dr. Amit Rastogi, the senior vice president of Strategy, Growth & Innovation at Inova, has been appointed to a leadership role in NEHI’s Health Care Without Walls initiative. The program is focused on advancing

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This October,

FALL IN LOVE WITH HISTORIC OATLANDS!

Visit Oatlands for Daily Mansion Tours, Special Events & Much More! Fall Special Events: Scout Day October 15 Fall Harvest Festival October 22 Recipe Share Afternoon Tea October 22 Paranormal Mansion Tours October 27, 28 & 29 Special Witches’ Brew Afternoon Teas October 28 & 29 For additional details, visit www.oatlands.org 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane Leesburg, VA

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Virginia Tire & Auto will donate a portion of proceeds from oil changes through June 2018 at its 13 locations to the International Justice Mission. IJM, based in Washington, DC, is the largest international anti-slavery organization in the world working to protect the poor from violence and human trafficking throughout the developing world. IJM partners with local authorities to rescue victims, bring criminals to justice, restore survivors and strengthen justice systems. “Virginia Tire & Auto is a family-owned and operated business that stands in support of people who work to protect the most vulnerable among us and uphold human dignity,” stated President Julie Holmes. She credited Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins with making the company aware of IJM’s work. “Most people think slavery is a thing of the past, but there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. IJM is incredibly thankful for champions like Julie and Kirk Cousins and Virginia Tire & Auto for using their voices and resources to bring others to the fight,” stated Jaclynn Willert, IJM’s director of Professional Athlete Partners and Programs.

Fine Cabinetry for the Entire Home

Fabbioli Reappointed to Wine Board

Virginia Tire Donates to International Justice Mission

CABINET SHOWPLACE

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ly served as president of the Virginia Realtors and on several NAR committees. He has been named Realtor of the Year for both the Virginia Realtors and DAAR. He is one of 15 industry experts who participate in Fannie Mae’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council. Beckwith Bolle, also past president of DAAR and principal broker and owner of Carter Braxton Preferred Properties in Leesburg, was sworn in as 2018 president‐elect of the Virginia Realtors. She is in line to serve as president in 2019. She also received the prestigious Omega Tau Rho Award recognizing those providing exemplary dedication and service to the organization. Bolle has been a licensed real estate agent since 2004 and a licensed broker since 2010. She has held several leadership positions at DAAR, Virginia Realtors and NAR. In 2013, she chaired DAAR and in 2010 was voted Realtor of the Year. She has served on the state board of directors since 2013.

development of a more distributed and accessible health care system, drawing on current and future technologies. He will co-lead the Healthcare Technology work stream of the initiative, one of its five core program areas. The Network for Excellence in Health Innovation is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization comprised of stakeholders from across several sectors of health Rastogi care. Through conferences, independent research, and thought leadership, it focuses on advancing innovations that improve individual and population health, increase the quality and efficiency of health care, and produce better value for the entire healthcare system. The Health Care Without Walls Initiative is premised on the notion that advances in technology, such as telehealth and remote sensors, are already shifting some health care outside of conventional institutional settings, including hospitals and physicians’ offices.

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

<< FROM 27

[ OUR TOWNS ]

[ TOWN NOTES ] HILLSBORO

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

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A Mystery: The Hamilton Murders StageCoach Theatre Company presents an original Murder mystery with a basis in American history Sunday, Oct. 15 at the Old Stone School in Hillsboro. The presentation of “The Hamilton Murders,” will benefit the town’s continuing efforts to preserve the Old Stone School. Doors open at 6 p.m. The $45 ticket price includes dinner by Grange & Grub. For more information, go to stagecoachtc. com/the-hamilton-murders.

PURCELLVILLE

Station Auto Wash Sold

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Jammin’ at the Fair Organizers and vendors were all smiles on Saturday as sunny skies and unseasonable warm temperatures helped draw thousands of visitors—including this group of budding musicians on the Corner Store stage—to the National Historic Landmark village for the second day of the 73rd edition of the Waterford Fair. The oldest and largest of Loudoun’s fall community festivals, the Waterford Fair features demonstrations by traditional craftsmen, tours of historic homes in the 18th century village, and Civil War demonstrations, along with lots of music, food and servings of local wine and beer. Held for three days starting on the first Friday of October, the event raises money to support the Waterford Foundation’s preservation and educational programs.

Purcellville Police Chief Placed on Leave; Town Leaders Silent BY PATRICK SZABO Interim Purcellville Town Manager Alex Vanegas has confirmed that Police Chief Cynthia McAlister had been placed on administrative leave. Lt. Joe Schroeck is serving as the acting chief. No public announcement of the actions has been made and town leaders largely have declined to make any comment. Vanegas said McAlister was on administrative leave until last week, when she began to use her personal leave. Vanegas declined to comment on the situation except to say that he planned to meet with her this week. “We have to have some dialogue about things,” he said. Vanegas declined to say when the chief was placed on leave. “At this point I can’t say anything,” he said. When an email was sent to

Town of Purcellville

Chief Cynthia McAlister

McAlister’s town email address last week, inquiring whether she had been placed on administrative leave, an automated response was returned. It read, “Chief McAlister is currently out of the

office indefinitely; please forward all correspondence to Acting Chief Joe Schroeck.” Schroeck referred questions to Vanegas. Mayor Kwasi Fraser did the same. When Fraser, Vice Mayor Nedim Ogelman and Councilmembers Karen Jimmerson, Chris Bledsoe, and Ryan Cool were asked this week whether they knew McAlister was on leave, each declined to answer, referring all inquiries to Vanegas. Town Attorney Sally Hankins said she does not comment on personnel matters. McAlister was hired as chief in May 2015, following a unanimous endorsement by a panel of representatives from the town council, the business community and town residents that conducted candidate interviews. pszabo@loudounnow.com

Station Auto Wash of Purcellville will be under new ownership, effective Oct. 11. Tom and Ryan Magazzine said they sold the business and will refocus their efforts on their original Station Auto Wash of Leesburg, which recently underwent an overhaul of its water supply, installing a new well that produces all the fresh water required in the wash process and will be recycled at a rate of 90 to 95 percent. “We look forward to growing our business at Station Auto Wash in Leesburg,” Ryan Magazzine said. “Our goal is to continue delivering products and services that enable us to say ‘you’ve never seen anything like it. You’ll never go anywhere else.’”

Artists Sought for Holiday Decorations Discover Purcellville is seeking artists to donate their talent to paint large holiday decorations. The finished decorations will be placed along Main Street and Old Town Purcellville during the holiday season. Last year, the organization had 85 pieces displayed. The goal is to display those pieces, along with 100 new ones this year. Discover Purcellville welcomes all creative individuals to apply. Contact Michael Oaks at 540-751-0707 or email dpurcellville@gmail. com for details.

Purcellville Police Dept. to Reinstate Facebook Page Purcellville residents can soon use a new Facebook page to stay up-to-date with information from the town’s police department. According to Lt. Joe Schroeck, the department plans to bring back its Facebook page, which was deactivated about six years ago, in hopes of accelerating the spread of information. Because a social media policy must first be created, an activation date has yet to be announced. “I just want to do it soon,” Schroeck said. “We need to do a better job of getting our message out.” TOWN NOTES >> 31

BY PATRICK SZABO

The department feels a police-specific page will help communicate public safety issues with residents quicker than going through the town’s Facebook page, which is currently being managed by Town Clerk Diana Hays. “We need one specific for us,” Schroeck said. “It’s just a little quicker.” Councilman Ryan Cool also expressed concern during the Council’s Sept. 26 meeting that residents were posting about suspicious activity on the town Facebook page instead of calling the police.

In response, Schroeck said the page will have a disclaimer stating it won’t be monitored 24/7 and that it should be used only to obtain information on public safety and how to report crime. “We just want to do it right,” he said. — Patrick Szabo

ROUND HILL Community Shred Event Planned It’s time to empty out those boxes of old bills. The town is planning a Com-

munity Shred Event on Saturday, Oct. 21. From 10 a.m. to noon at The Round Hill Elementary School contractors will safely destroy up to three boxes or trash bags of documents. Accepted material includes office paper, checks, envelopes, and small fasteners such as staples, paper clips and binder clips. Newspapers, magazines, three-ring binders, cardboard, plastic, and electric media will not be accepted. For more information contact Kim McGaha at Town Hall, at 540-338-4772 or by email at kmcgaha@roundhillva. org.

Volunteer with us!

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue System is currently seeking volunteers! Whether you’re new to public safety or if you are a veteran looking for a new challenge, we want you! Volunteering is a great way to support your local community, prepare for a paid career in the fire-rescue or health care field, learn invaluable skills, and grow as an individual. Volunteering is an experience you will never forget. Come see how volunteering can Open New Doors for you!

Currently seeking volunteer firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Administrative Support members at fire and rescue stations throughout Loudoun County.

Free training provided • No experience needed For more information call 571-442-2801 or visit www.OpenNewDoors.org

Benefits include: Free Training • Tuition Reimbursement Retirement Program • Tax Benefits

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<< FROM 30

Lovettsville residents should expect a survey in the mail within the next month with questions relating to development option in the Town Square neighborhood. The Planning Commission last week voted unanimously to authorize the town staff ’s distribution of a ninepage public opinion survey intended to gather resident feedback on concept plans. “It’s come a long way,” said Planning Director Joshua Bateman. “We’re in a substantially different place than we were a couple months ago and that’s a good thing.” The survey took town staff one month to create, originally presenting it to the planning commission in September and since modifying it for succinctness. It was drafted using concept plans developed by Arnett Muldrow & Associates, the town-hired consultant that is developing the Town Square Master Plan. The survey has five questions regarding layouts of the Town Square Commercial Area and the Town Square Park. Two new questions were added to determine whether residents would like to see drive-through businesses in town center and which types—pharmacies, banks or restaurants. Although Commissioner George Mayor expressed concern that some residents might not want drivethrough restaurants in town square, Bateman said survey-takers would express such concern in their responses. He also said the town’s zoning ordinance would have to be amended if drive-through restaurants were to be added to the plan, since they are currently not allowed anywhere in town. The survey most notably contains options depicting three different arrangements of commercial buildings and professional offices. For each option, there are two separate layouts, one with and one without a drive-through business location. Respondents may also include opposing preferences if they don’t like any of the layouts. The fourth and fifth questions will be used to gather feedback on the layout and contents of the Town Square Park. The finalized survey comes three months after town staff requested council get input from the planning commission on town square concept plans. It will be mailed to in-town residents and posted on the town’s website within the next month. Respondents will have three to four weeks to respond. “I look at this as very conceptual,” Bateman said. “I really feel like we’re in the right place.” Residents may also voice their concerns and ask questions at a public input meeting when survey results are back. According to Bateman, this should be around mid-November.

[ TOWN NOTES ]

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

Lovettsville Plans Survey on Town Square Options

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Gift Helps Expand Offerings at Historic Oatlands BY MARGARET MORTON Thanks to the generosity of philanthropists John and Diana Jaeger, aided by owners of J&L Interiors Julie Hoffmann and Lori DuVal, Oatlands has found a new way to bring visitors to the former plantation and manor house property six miles south of Leesburg. Built by plantation owner George Carter in the early 19th century, Oatlands was purchased in the early years of the 20th century by William Corcoran Eustis and his wife, Edith Morton Eustis. The family donated the property to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1965. Oatlands is a National Historic Landmark. The property, managed by a local board of directors, is known for its history programs, community events, and as one of the county’s most popular wedding venues. It is the latter service that will see the biggest boost from the latest project— the renovation of the former Emmet family house. Now known as the Inn at Oatlands Hamlet, the manor house will serve as a wedding, reception and small retreat center. Bookings are strong, particularly from wedding planners who appreciate the opportunity to host the entire wedding party in the house, according to Director of Development Matt Kraycinovich. Equally, businesses like the retreat space that includes kitchen facilities and the ability to allow overnight stays for travelling executives. The purchase of 50 acres and the house from its longtime owner, Gerry Emmet, in 2014, returned an essential part of Carter’s early estate to the Oatlands holdings and also expanded the National Trust’s ownership of Rt. 15 frontage along the estate. Oatlands began a $2.5 million capital campaign to preserve the house and other historic structures on the estate and to support Oatlands’ cultural and educational programs. In a recent letter to thanking the Jaegers, who are funding the renovation, Emmet said the house had been the gardener’s cottage when he was growing up at Oatlands. His mother inherited the house and added to it substantially, as did Emmet and his wife. That the new venture has gotten off the ground with a flourish is attributable to the generosity of the Jaegers, who live south of Oatlands at Creighton Farms, and their partnership with the creative design genius of sisters Hoffmann and DuVal—particularly because the four have known and worked with each other for years. Oatlands Board Chairman Doug Miller cited “the visionary qualities” of the Jaegers’ gift. “As with much of their philanthropic efforts, the Jaegers are focused upon giving in a way that continues to deliver impact not just in the present moment, but also for the future.” And that’s a point the couple stressed in a recent interview at The Hamlet. Giving has always been a tenet of their philosophy, according to Diana Jaeger, while her husband said, “it’s just in my nature to give.” They both have profound reactions

Jack Cook/L&L Interiors LLC

The Emmet House on the Oatlands property has been renovated to accommodate weddings, receptions and other special events.

Matt Kraycinovich

Oatlands donors Diana and John Jaeger, front, display the plaque that memorializes their contribution to the Emmet House’s renovation that was led by sisters Lori DuVal and Julie Hoffmann, standing, owners of Leesburg-based J&L Interiors.

to what they have seen on mission trips through their church. They stressed the importantance of a gift that continues to roll over. They have a philosophy of “giving people a hand up, not a handout” Diana Jaeger said. That’s a philosophy that DuVal and Hoffmann also espouse. The sisters are longtime supporters of Oatlands and introduced the Jaegers to the Oatlands team. They were tapped to lead the Emmet House renovation—with Hoffman as

the lead designer—which they finished in the spring. Their touches add elegance to the Emmet House while remaining true to its rustic charm. One of the strong points for visitors is the ability to feel at home. “You experience the estate—you have the thing all to yourself,” Oatlands Development Director Matt Kraycinovich said. DuVal and Hoffmann’s design care is evident throughout the house—from the luxury of the bridal suite, to the more masculine feel of the groomsmen’s quarters downstairs, and updated kitchen. Hoffmann meticulously scoured area antique shops and sourced fabrics, some of which were selected to accent

the colors of Dows’ artwork, while Diana Jaeger also put her mark on some of the design aspects. Miller said the project is “so much more than just repairs and maintenance,” noting that Oatlands constantly has to generate resources to fund its preservation and educational work. He said The Hamlet will provide new uses—some of which may not be apparent yet. He thanked the Jaegers for “embracing the idea that we are investing in the future.” “Without John and Diana this project would never have been possible,” Kraycinovich said. mmorton@loudounnow.com

[ POLITICS ]

BY PATRICK SZABO

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Democrat Wendy Gooditis talks with residents following the Oct. 3 candidate forum for the 10th House of Delegates Race.

ums with plenty of historical context,” Gooditis said. When asked if the candidates would support a tax increase to help the region’s cash-strapped Metro system, all three agreed the federal government needs to play a larger role in helping to fund it. “I will not support a tax increase for Metro,” Minchew said. “The federal government indeed needs to come to the table.” Traffic on Rt. 15 north of Leesburg was also brought up. All three candidates agreed that road improvements

Station Autowash CR to come

pszabo@loudounnow.com

vere mental issues,” Gooditis said. “We can do that now.” Another key topic discussed was the question of whether localities should have the power remove Confederate war memorials. Minchew talked about the confusion surrounding whether a new state law is needed to give local counties and cities say over the fate of statues and monuments. Walbridge and Gooditis, however, both said the monuments should be in museums instead of in public settings. “I would love to see them in muse-

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About 100 people packed into a conference room at the Rust Library in Leesburg last week to hear Virginia House of Delegates candidates for the 10th and 33rd districts debate issues including gun control, Confederate war memorials, Metro and traffic. The Oct. 3 candidate forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Loudoun County, and invited the candidates to lay out their priorities ahead of the Nov. 7 election. Del. Randy Minchew (R-10), his challenger Democrat Wendy Gooditis and Democrat Tia Walbridge, the 33rd District challenger, attended the forum. Incumbent Del. David LaRock (R-33) was absent. Candidates were given an initial two minutes for an introduction before taking turns of 90 seconds each to answer questions written on notecards from the public. Because the forum was held just two days after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, a major topic was gun control. Walbridge brought up her background in sheep farming to express her understanding for the need of guns to protect livestock. However, both she and Gooditis said there needs to be more control in who can purchase them. “We can prevent guns from being put into the hands of people with se-

need to be made. Minchew and Gooditis said roundabouts might be the best solution, while Walbridge said putting rumble strips back in place after paving projects could help in the short term. “Little things like that we can do right now,” Walbridge said. “My district also has Rt. 9 so we talk traffic quite a lot.” With elections about a month away, Minchew and LaRock are seeking re-election for fourth and third terms, respectively. Gooditis and Walbridge are trying to beat them out as first-timers. Loudoun Times-Mirror Managing Editor Trevor Baratko moderated the event. Loudoun League of Women Voters President Priscilla Godfrey said that efforts to organize another election forum for delegates serving Eastern Loudoun districts were unsuccessful. She said Republican candidates declined to participate, a problem she said League organizers experienced in Prince William County, as well. She asked Minchew how to address that concern. “You’ll have to ask the other delegates why they couldn’t be here,” he said. “This is a busy time of year.” “I’m here. I live about three blocks over there,” he said.

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

Delegate Candidates Debate Gun Control, Statues, Traffic

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Evergreen Mills << FROM 1 “Congestions have made the roads in this area virtually impossible to pass during certain times,” Kaplan said. “Congestion is what forces people off of the arterial routes and into the secondary country roads. In this case, I believe it was congestion that took my wife.” Those secondary roads, he said, “used to be out in the country at the edge of society. But as sprawl heads out to the west, they quickly become in the middle of our everyday.” And he said it will only get worse when Metro arrives in Loudoun. “So I’m not here with a complaint,” he said. “I’m here with a question of how we can fix this before more lives are lost.” He and a crowd of other people wore green to the meeting to show their support for improving Evergreen Mills Road. Among those: state Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10) and state Sen. Richard H. Black (R-13). “I lost a good friend of mine, former Dulles district Supervisor Henry C. Stowers, in 2001 in an eerily similar accident to the one that took Erin Kaplan, at the corner of Evergreen Mills Road and Ryan Road,” Minchew recalled. Stowers served on the county Board of Supervisors from 1972 to 1979. Minchew also pointed out the multiple projects on Evergreen Mills Road in the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s TransAction Plan, sched-

Caring for dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, horses, and cattle.

uled for a vote Oct. 12. The latest draft of the plan lists projects that would widen Evergreen Mills Road to four lanes along its entire length. Appearing in TransAction is the first step to winning funding from the authority, which spends hundreds of millions of dollars in construction every year. Kris Countryman told her story of getting the unwelcome surprise of a phone call about an accident on Evergreen Mills. “When I picked up the phone, I realized that the phone call was from a Loudoun County police officer telling me that the bus that was taking my two daughters to school that day had been in an accident,” Countryman said. “Not only that, but my 6-yearold daughter is being transported to the hospital.” County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure Director Joe Kroboth wrote by email that the safety audit will involve comparing the conditions on Evergreen Mills Road and Watson Road to nationally accepted design and safety standards. He said that includes a wide variety of factors among them the geometry of the road, such as curves and hills; the width of the lanes; the need for paved shoulders, turn lanes, and passing lanes; sight distances; speed limits; lighting; and the history of accidents along the road. “Often these studies are isolated to smaller areas or specific intersections,” Kroboth said. “The Evergreen Mills Road corridor study will be the largest safety audit undertaken by our department in the past five years.” The safety audit was formally pro-

Brian A. Ta

ylor 2012

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posed by Supervisors Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin), whose districts encompass Evergreen Mills Road, but they gave credit to the full board for its unanimous vote and support. “I am actually not going to try to sell this to my colleagues,” Buffington said. “I think there is nothing better I can say than what has already been said by the folks in green that are here tonight.” The board’s meeting was punctuated by another serious accident on Evergreen Mills Road. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office, about a half hour before the Board of Supervisors meeting started, a driver on Evergreen Mills Road crossed the centerline. Two vehicles coming the opposite direction swerved to miss. One vehicle was sideswiped and all three vehicles wound up in the ditch. This time, there were no serious injuries reported. rgreene@loudounnow.com

<< FROM 1 two phones he had in his vehicle did not support that belief. Sincavage and the attorneys in the case will meet Friday to schedule the sentencing hearing. Neither the Schulz family nor Miller has publicly commented on the court proceedings, with both sides girding for an expected civil lawsuit that may follow. After Tuesday’s hearing, Schulz family supporters were concerned by Miller’s no contest plea, saying it continued the pattern of him not taking responsibility for the death and demonstrating no remorse. With a no contest, or nolo contendere plea, the defendant neither disputes, or admits doing the crime. It nevertheless carries the weight of a guilty plea. Supporters said they were shocked and disappointed that the felony charge was dropped. But they now are focused on getting some sense of closure for the family. “There is really nothing that can fix what happened,” said Anna Thorner. “An apology would have been nice.” “They deserve justice for him,” Lansdowne resident Elizabeth Freeman said. “We all feel like we’ve lost a child in this.” Added her husband, Dale, “The community is looking for some glimmer of justice.” nstyer@loudounnow.com

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Congestion is what forces people off of the arterial routes and into the secondary country roads. In this case, I believe it was congestion that took my wife.”

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Inova Loudoun Ladies Board President Alexia Orr sets up a section of the 79th annual Hospital Rummage Sale called “The Look.”

Get Your Rummage On

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Volunteers get to work Monday, organizing thousands of donations for the 79th annual Hospital Rummage Sale. It’s an annual shopping bonanza you can feel good about—proceeds go to nursing scholarships, improvements at Inova Loudoun Hospital’s Cornwall campus and other needed items at the hospital.

Your Guide to Bargain Hunting this Weekend

BY JAN MERCKER

argain hunters and fashionistas, get ready! The sprawling Ladies Board Rummage Sale this weekend at Morven Park’s equestrian center has something for everyone—from posh frocks to cool decor. So, whether vintage dolls or Burberry trench coats are your jam, here are a few highlights and tips for navigating the Mid-Atlantic’s biggest rummage sale.

She’s Got the Look When Alexia Orr took over the rummage sale’s high-end women’s clothing boutique four years ago, she made a few important changes. Orr rebranded the longstanding French Room

(think old-school designer cast offs from Middleburg socialites), changing the name to The Look and shifting the focus to more contemporary fashions. Orr also moved the upscale boutique from a separate outbuilding to its own corner of the sale’s main barn. Orr, who has five adult children, including four daughters in their 20s, is plugged into current fashion and has a great eye for hot looks and labels. With a list of brands supplied by her daughters, she set out to create a self-contained boutique with a younger, hipper feel. Finding the best donations is a year-round project for the glamorous Orr, who is also the current Inova Loudoun Ladies Board president. And during the past few years, she’s created an inviting spot at the sale, complete with elegant lighting and heated

dressing rooms. Orr draws in shoppers with hip displays and cute signs. And while the prices at The Look aren’t rock bottom as in some departments at the sale—there are still some terrific bargains for folks in the know. This year, The Look boasts even more contemporary fashions than in the past, including great shoes, Orr said, with donations of Hunter and Ugg boots and clothing lines like Madewell, Anthropologie, Burberry and other favorites flowing in. Orr has also expanded her trendy, upscale mini-bridal boutique offering great gowns for around $50. “We are taking it up a notch,” Orr said. But there’s one holdover from the RUMMAGE SALE >> 37

The 79th annual Inova Loudoun Hospital Ladies Board Rummage Sale Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Morven Park Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg. Admission is free during those hours; tickets for the 8-9 a.m. Saturday early bird hour are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. See more information at ladiesboard.org/rummage-sale.

French Room that continues to attract shoppers in droves: vintage fur coats are still hot. And are a big draw for early-bird shoppers who go specifically for furs. Last year, Orr’s first sale of the day was $1,200 in furs to a single eager customer. “The really nice ones are gone usually within the first 20 minutes,” Orr said.

From fine furniture and pristine china sets to retro kitchenware and eclectic odds and ends, the rummage sale’s Antiques department is another big draw for bargain hunters—and the knowledgeable early bird crowd. Every year, collectors and the curious flock to the department for antique trunks and chests, metal milk cans and tons of gorgeous furniture. Every year, the department styles a separate Kitchen Corner with retro cool items and mid-century modern finds. And this year, department co-chair Judy Swezey says one of the top finds this year is a stunning tiered glass baker’s rack worth around $600. Like The Look, the antiques department has made efforts in recent years to appeal to GenX and millennial shoppers, keeping up with the shabby chic trend in antiques. The department offers lots of gorgeous high-end furniture but also tons of stuff that can be repurposed (think retro chic furniture for folks who like chalk paint)—com-

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

JoAnne Weston joined dozens of other volunteers to turn the Morven Park Equestrian Center’s main barn into a one-stop-shop center for the 79th annual Hospital Rummage Sale.

plete with staff suggestions on creative uses, said Holly Raymond, a former antiques department chair who’s now the sale’s repurposing guru. Favorite finds in the antiques corner vintage include vintage Mason jars, musical instruments, records, baseball cards and magazines. And a staff favorite is the annual landslide of vintage dolls that descend on the department—from perfectly preserved collectors’ items to the slightly creepy wild-eyed babies that undoubtedly have an interesting history. They always sell like hotcakes, organizers say, so if you’re into dolls, come early.

The Bargains While the high-end departments are a big draw for collectors, there are also loads of dirt-cheap bargains to be found—in men’s and women’s cloth-

ing, shoes, electronics and housewares. And some of the best deals of all are in children’s clothing and books. Both of these departments are so popular and expansive they have buildings of their own on the equestrian center property. In the children’s department, shoppers can stuff a plastic grocery bag to the brim for just $8 with clothing from infants to teens. And the book barn is a reader’s dream, with rows of well-organized volumes from classics to cookbooks. The department does draw collectors on the hunt for rare finds, but it’s also perfect for folks looking for great reads on the cheap. Other outbuildings offer big bargains in toys, sporting equipment and holiday items.

Start Early, End Late For in-the-know shoppers and collectors, it pays to early bird. Spending

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<< FROM 36

Rummage sale

a little extra to get in an extra hour of shopping is well worth the price for the truly committed. For an extra donation, sale gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday. Early bird tickets are available in advance at the Inova Loudoun Hospital gift shop, the Twice is Nice thrift shop and online for $12. For an extra $3, you can buy early bird tickets the morning of the sale. Enthusiastic bargain hunters start lining up as early as 6:15 a.m. on Saturday so grab a coffee and get ready to wait in line. On the flip side, Sunday is sale day, and the closer you get to the 3 p.m. closing time, the cheaper the bargains as departments slash prices to get rid of inventory. You may not get the cream of the crop, but you’ll save big time on the leftovers. Many departments slash prices in half while others (like antiques) are open to bargaining.

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[ THINGS TO DO ]

80’s Night

with the Reagan Years 10/13/17 Doors 7:00PM

Kix 10/14/17 Doors 7:00PM

Shovels & Rope 10/18/17 Doors 7:00PM

Living Colour 10/20/17 Doors: 7:00PM

Dave Matthews BAND Experience with

SHOCKTOBER Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14, 7-10 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 15, 7-9 p.m.; Paxton Manor, 601 Catoctin Circle, NE, Leesburg. Details: shocktober.org

Arc of Loudoun at Paxton Campus

Loudoun’s scariest haunted house is now in its eighth year, with a new theme in the basement attraction. The Carnival of Souls features crazed killer clowns in twisted underground carnival carnage. The event benefits Paxton Campus and runs weekends through Oct. 29. Admission is $35 in advance, $40 at the gate. Advance purchase is recommended.

Crowded Streets

10/21/17 Doors 7:00PM

Howard Jones With Todd Wright

10/24/17 Doors: 7:00PM

Nick Fradiani & The Alternate Routes

10/26/17 Doors: 7:00PM

Ballyhoo! 10/27/17 Doors 7:00PM

1st annual

Wiener dog dash & canine costume contest 10/28/17 12:30PM 90s Halloween Party featuring Doc Marten

and the Flannels

10/28/17 Doors 7:00PM

Los Lonely Boys with Gary Smallwood

11/3/17 Doors 7:00PM

FALL FUN HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OKTOBERFEST Saturday, Oct. 14, noon-6 p.m.; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: holytrinityleesburg.org Enjoy food, games, live music, beer, wine and family activities at Holy Trinity’s inaugural Oktoberfest celebration.

PURCELLVILLE RESCUE OPEN HOUSE Saturday, Oct. 14, noon-4 p.m.; Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad, 500 S. Maple St., Purcellville. Details: purcellvillerescue.org

KETTLES & GRAINS HALLOWEEN BALL Saturday, Oct. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Kettles & Grains, 161 Fort Evans Road, NE, Leesburg. Details: library.loudoun.gov

GREAT PUMPKIN BEER DINNER

The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties presents a talk from author Carol Weisman. The event is free but reservations are required by Oct. 13.

HAMILTON VFD CHILI COOK-OFF

Taste eight craft beers from around the U.S. with a carefully paired five-course menu. Tickets are $80 in advance.

Hamilton fire department’s fifth annual cook-off features prizes, a silent auction, music and lots of great chili.

LIBATIONS OLD OX FRIDAY THE 13TH RELEASE PARTY

Celebrate Friday the 13th with the release of the new Oxorcist Barrel-Aged Beer and a screening of “The Exorcist.” Movie starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Award-winning photographer Lise Metzger teaches a full-day photography workshop in the gorgeous Western Loudoun countryside. Workshop is suitable for all experience levels using digital camera or smart phone. Fee is $195.

CAROL WEISMAN: RAISING CHARITABLE CHILDREN

Thursday, Oct. 19, 7-10 p.m.; Magnolia’s at The Mill, 198 N. 21st St., Purcellville. Details: magnoliasmill.com

Sunday, Oct. 15, 1-4 p.m.; Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department, 39071 Colonial Highway, Hamilton. Details: hamiltonfire.org

Lovettsville. Details: groundedwomen.com

Loudoun’s home brewing supply store and Loudoun Public Library join forces to host an evening of spooky fun for the 21-and-over crowd, including a costume contest, raffles, games, craft beers and tasty treats.

Meet local volunteers, check out the squad’s new ambulance and enjoy children’s activities, food and tours.

Friday, Oct. 13, 2:30-10 p.m.; Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. Details: oldoxbrewery.com

Now Open Tues. through Sun. for Lunch & Dinner

Ayrshire’s heritage breed meats paired with wines from the Country Vintner. Cost is $125 per person. Advance reservations are required.

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.; The River Creek Club, 43800 Olympic Blvd., Leesburg. Details: communityfoundationlf.org

ON STAGE

LOCO CULTURE LADIES BOARD RUMMAGE SALE Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Morven Park Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg. Details: ladiesboard.org Hunt for bargains and great finds at the biggest rummage sale in the mid-Atlantic. General admission is free. Admission for early bird hour from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday is $12 in advance, $15 at the gate.

AUTHOR TALK: DAN DAVIS Saturday, Oct. 14, 2 p.m.; Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg. Details: library.loudoun.gov

AYRSHIRE HERITAGE BREED WINE DINNER

Davis discusses his book, “Bloody Autumn: The Shenandoah Valley Campaign Of 1864,” as part of Rust Library’s series on the Civil War in Virginia.

Saturday, Oct. 14, 6-10 p.m.; Ayrshire Farm, 21846 Trappe Road, Upperville. Details: ayrshirefarm.com

VISUAL STORYTELLING PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT

Enjoy a four-course plated dinner by Executive Chef Lawrence Kocurek featuring

Sunday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Georges Mill Farm, 11873 Georges Mill Road,

Main Street Theater Productions

‘OKLAHOMA!’ Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 15, 2 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center. Details: mainstreettheaterproductions.org Main Street Theatre presents the classic story of Curly, the handsome cowboy,

MORE TO DO >> 39

[ THINGS TO DO ]

<< FROM 38

‘THE HAMILTON MURDERS’ Sunday, Oct. 15, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. Details: stagecoachtc.com

Courtesy Kixband.com

Courtesy of StageCoach Theatre Company

The Hamilton Murders cast photo

LIVE MUSIC: KIX ‘WILL TO SURVIVE’

<< FROM 38 and Laurey, the winsome farm girl, set against the backdrop of the west at the beginning of the 20th Century. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, students and children. Performances continue Oct. 20-22.

‘DEEP IN THE FOREST’ Saturday, Oct. 14, 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 15, 2 p.m.; Loudoun Valley High School, 340 N. Maple Ave., Purcellville. Details: lsofballet.com The Loudoun School of Ballet presents an original children’s ballet filled with fairies, unicorns and a troublesome dragon. Tickets are $25.

Monday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.; Loudoun County High School, 415 Dry Mill Road SW, Leesburg. Details: aplacetobeva.org This free rock opera by A Place to Be shines a spotlight on suicide prevention, mental health and teenagers finding hope.

FOR THE KIDS SIMPLE MACHINES EXPO Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-noon; Whole Foods Market, 19800 Belmont Chase Drive in Ashburn. Details: goldenpondschool.com Golden Pond School invites children ages 2 to 8 to experiment with an array of simple machines, including a catapult, wheel

and axle, pulley, balance board, inclined plane and balance scale.

Saturday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m.; Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyhotheater.com Founded in 1978 in Hagerstown, MD, Kix went on to become glam metal stars with favorites like “Atomic Bombs” and “Heartache.” Tickets are $35 in advance.

NIGHTLIFE LIVE MUSIC: THE REAGAN YEARS Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.; Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyhotheater.com Five talented musicians perform the best of the ’80s, from pop and rock to new wave and heavy metal. Tickets are $15 in advance.

LIVE MUSIC: SWAMPCANDY Friday, Oct. 13, 9 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com

BEATLES SING ALONG COSTUME PARTY Saturday, Oct. 14, 7-9:30 p.m.; Leesburg United Methodist Church, 107 W. Market St., Leesburg. Contact: 301-639-7608 Love the Beatles? Love to play an instrument or sing your favorite Beatles tunes? This beloved local sing-along is back! This month, wear your favorite Beatles-themed costume. RSVP requested.

MORE TO DO >> 40

The aggressive foot-stomping Mississippi

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StageCoach Theatre Company’s interactive historical whodunit is an original play based on conspiracy theories around the 1804 murder of Alexander Hamilton. Tickets are $45 in advance and include dinner from Grange & Grub. Wine, beer and tea will be available for purchase.

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

blues and roots duo returns to Smokehouse for an evening of fun.

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VFW Post Lands Home Depot Grant The Loudoun VFW Post 1177 in Leesburg will be getting a major facelift this fall, thanks to a grant from the Home Depot Foundation. The announcement of the $20,000 grant came as the post celebrated its 80th anniversary with a community potluck on Saturday. The post’s headquarters on Old Waterford Road was built in 1950. Aside from a later addition, the building has changed little over the decades, but its role in the community has transformed significantly. It had a reputation as a raucous party venue in the ’60s and ’70s, but ceased being a “bottle club” in the 1980s.

Today, the building operates more as a community center. It’s not only a place for veterans to gather, but also provides meeting space for scout troops and other civic organizations and is rented out for community activities on many weekends. Former post quartermaster Bill Packard has been working to secure a donation from The Home Depot Foundation for several years. The grant will allow the post to spruce up the building with new floor and wall treatments, among other renovations. The work is expected to wrap up next month. The focus of the post’s membership

remains on helping veterans. Members work closely with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Martinsburg and provide direct assistances to veterans in need. Post Commander Ray Delpesche and his officers also are focused on growing membership. That outreach includes a recently updated website and improved events calendar. The post holds its formal meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. “We do a lot of good things,” Quartermaster Les Flores said. “We just want everybody to know about them.” — Norman K. Styer

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

VFW Post 1177 Commander Ray Delpesche addresses the crowd on Saturday during the celebration of the organization’s 80th anniversary.

[ THINGS TO DO ] << FROM 39

open, 8 p.m., music begins; Broadlands. Contact: musicontheheights@gmail.com

Details: tallyhotheater.com This husband and wife American folk duo are wowing music lovers with their old-school sound and fresh storytelling. Tickets are $30 in advance.

Loop artist Jeff Miller is a unique oneman band, doing it all with his voice, guitar, hands and feet. Suggested donation is $15 to $20 in cash, with all proceeds given directly to the musicians. Email the organizer for address and details.

COMING UP LOUDOUN FALL FARM TOUR

LIVE MUSIC: DELTA SPUR

Music on The Heights

MUSIC ON THE HEIGHTS HOUSE CONCERT: JEFF MILLER

Saturday, Oct. 14, 9 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com

Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; countywide. Details: loudounfarms.org

One of the region’s most popular contemporary country cover bands makes an energetic return to Smokehouse.

Enjoy the people, animals and great fresh products of Loudoun’s gorgeous farmland. The self-guided farm tour is free and no tickets are required. Visit the website for a map and details.

Shovels and Rope

LIVE MUSIC: SHOVELS AND ROPE Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.; Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg.

Saturday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m., doors

Lessons

[ D E AT H N O T I C E ] Samuel Eugene Corbin (Age 70) of Alexandria, VA formerly of Purcellville, VA Departed this life on OCT. 3, 2017 at Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center, Arlington, VA He is survived by: one daughter Karen Whitsett (Alanzo) of Waldorf, MD, two

sons Philip Burns (Shari) of Clearwater, FL and Samuel E. Corbin, Jr. (Maite) of Alexandria, VA, three sisters Pearl Marie Simms, Margaret Elizabeth Ramey (Melvin) of Purcellville, VA and Saundra Ann Brown of Germantown, MD and a host of grandchildren other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Sat-

urday Oct.. 14, 2017. Time of service: 11:00 a.m. Viewing at 10:00 a.m. at: Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 6477 Lincolnia Road, Alexandria, VA 22312 Interment at: Grace Annex United Methodist Church Cemetery, LINCOLN VA. Arrangements By: Lyles Funeral Service of Purcellville, Virginia

PIANO LESSONS Experienced piano teacher is accepting new students for 2017/18 school year. Beginners to advanced levels. Studio located in Leesburg. Tel. 757-358-2964 Email: lena.a@cox.net Web: http://lenaspianostudio.com Facebook: http://goo.gl/oOKaJL

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Legals ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

110465

Loudoun County Circuit Court

FT LPN or MA

Looking for a Full Time Receptionist to join our established, family wellness Chiropractic clinic. The ideal candidate must have a positive attitude, be dependable, friendly, and energetic.

Large family practice in Loudoun County seeking FT LPN’s or MA’s for our new site located in the professional building at Stone Springs Hospital in Aldie, VA.

Location: Leesburg, Virginia Job Type: Full Time, 35+ hours per week Job Responsibilities include, but are not limited to front desk duties, customer service, and basic office tasks. Must be able to prioritize and have computer skills. Please include 2 professional references when applying. Contact: cleggchiro@gmail.com with the Subject: Receptionist Position

We also have openings in our Ashburn, Lansdowne, Cornwall and Purcellville offices. Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred but willing to train the right candidate. EHR experience highly recommended. We offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401k and many other benefits. Please send your resume to lgray@ lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-7260804, attention Lisa.

Ashburn Village Location Servers / Kitchen / Hosts / Food Runners Full time or Part time Apply online at BRGrill.com or in person between 2:00-5:00 Ashburn (703) 729-0100 44065 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Ashburn VA 20147

Dental Hygienist Well-established dental office is looking for a full-time/part-time dental hygienist who is invested in providing excellent patient care. No evenings/weekends. Competitive salary. Please call 703-777-5600 or send resume to: groyfamilydentistry@verizon.net.

Operation Research Analyst F/T, Master’s Degree in Information Systems Management or Related Mail resume: Star Home Theater, LLC 42714 Cool Breeze Square, Leesburg, VA 20176

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

110259

Loudoun County Circuit Court

Ana Cecilia Peña Fernañdez /v. Gonzalo Javier Serrano Gumuci

Laurel Ngozi Anyagaligbo /v. Tony Odili

The object of this suit is to:

Divorce. It is ORDERED that Gonzalo J. Serrano Gumucio appear at the above-named court and protect his interests on or before 11/03/17 at 10:00 am.

change name of child. It is ORDERED that Tony Odili appear at the above-named court and protect his interests on or before 11/03/17 at 10:00 am.

09/21/17, 09/28/17, 10/05/17, 10/12/17

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ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

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Diplomat/World Travelers Downsizing Home Entertainers/Decorators - Textiles Unique Items

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Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

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[ OPINION ]

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Ending The Export As the Academies of Loudoun campus continues to take shape south of Leesburg, the county School Board again is reviewing the merits of its partnership with Fairfax County’s

When TJ opened in 1985, Loudoun County was home to

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. four public high schools and one small community college campus. In the early years of the partnership, a handful of Loudoun students were selected annually to attend the regional state-chartered magnet school. It offered a rigor of STEM (before there was STEM) education that was otherwise out of reach, even for the best and brightest students. Local educational offerings are more expansive today; they will grow significantly when the Academies open next fall. Four universities have set up operations in Loudoun and the Northern Virginia Community College campus continues to of world-leading medical research and technology innovation companies offers the opportunities for academic partnerships

Positive Feedback

that could hardly be conceived of in 1980s Loudoun. The

Editor: After over 20 years in “Corporate America,” I’ve learned that 95 percent of the time, company feedback is mostly negative. So, I can only imagine that it’s even worse in local and state government. (I can’t think of anything remotely positive to say about our federal government situation, right now, so I won’t go there.) And in reading the opinion columns and letters to the editor in various local publications, positive feedback seems to be on the low side. But my family and I have thoroughly enjoyed the 12 years we’ve lived in Loudoun County. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Traffic sucks and I’m not a fan of paying seven times what my across-River-CreekParkway neighbors pay for their water and sewer. But when I see the scary things happening in other places in the U.S., not to mention the horrors taking place around the world, I have to stop and take a moment to really appreciate how great we have it, here. Our water is clean, we have a solid police force and our roads (while overcrowded) aren’t endlessly pothole-ridden like they are in other areas. Our Board of Supervisors doesn’t seem to be rife with corruption, the overall quality of education we get in LoCo schools is what others have to put their kids in private school to obtain and our hospitals (especially the pediatric ER at the Inova Loudoun Hospital) are great. And people genuinely care about each other in this community. I see daily evidence of that on social media. Yes, I’m a member of the “Real Housewives of Loudoun County” Facebook page. And every day, there’s at least one request for help from the community and people offer assistance by the droves. Frankly, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I’m minutes from the mountains, but only a half-day’s drive to the ocean. I have the nation’s capital, and all the cultural events that come with it, a mere 45 minutes away. The amount of history in our county is pretty epic. There’s certainly no lack of things to do that are both fun and educational.

school system’s leaders are focusing on those resources, but have barely tapped their full potential. The proposal under review by the School Board, would commit Loudoun taxpayers to spend $4.3 million to enroll and transport 273 students to the Alexandria school next year and to help cover the cost of its renovation. It is a hefty investment. The question to be answered by the School Board members is: Can the educational opportunities offered in Loudoun come close to providing the benefits students find at TJ? If the answer is still no, then the partnership should continue. If the answer is still no, then members of the School Board—and the Board of Supervisors—have more work to do. We shouldn’t be exporting our best students and we should not be leaving so many others with fewer opportunities.

LoudounNow

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

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

[ LETTERS ]

expand its offerings into specialized fields. Also, the presence

Margaret Morton Senior Writer mmorton@loudounnow.com

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

Advertising Director Susan Styer sstyer@loudounnow.com Display Advertising Tonya Harding tharding@loudounnow.com Production Electronic Ink Leesburg, VA 20175

And, best of all, my daughter is growing up amidst a plethora of diversity that I could only have dreamed of, as a kid. Look, I know that nothing and no one is perfect, so I’m not saying Loudoun is some pinnacle of perfection. I realize that not everyone loves Loudoun as much as we do and certainly not everyone has had the same positive experiences that we have. But I still know a lot of people who have. Sure, there are things that could be better. But it’s still a damned good place to live and work. And I’d like to say thank you for that. Thank you to our local government, thank you to our schools, thank you to our law enforcement, thank you to our fire and rescue, thank you to our medical community, thank you to our local news outlets and thank you to all of the awesome residents of Loudoun County. You deserve to know that who you are and what you do is acknowledged and appreciated. — Elizabeth Robson, Leesburg

A Ploy or a Plan? Editor: For months, the Envision Loudoun process has collected citizen input on how Loudoun’s Comprehensive Plan should be re-done. However, it seems that this citizen input is being dismissed. The Transition Policy Area is the area in central Loudoun which has always been planned to have 50 to 70 percent open space, and act as a buffer between the dense Suburban Policy Area in eastern Loudoun, and the Rural Policy Area to the west. A move to suburbanize the TPA is being supported by the majority on the Stakeholders Committee, that is steering the new plan. This is taking place, despite 89 percent of public comments which expressed a desire to keep the density in the TPA the same or reduce it. Aren’t Loudoun’s citizens also important stakeholders in Loudoun’s future? The justification to open-up the TPA to more density as expressed by the Committee, is twofold. Several members of the CommitLETTERS >> 45

[ LETTERS ]

Bravo Editor: “Bravo, Bravo” I say to the Board of Supervisors for sending the message loudly and clearly to the Envision Loudoun Stakeholders’ Committee that the idea of putting 18,000 new homes in the Transition Policy Area demonstrates that they are, in the words of Supervisor Letourneau, on “a completely different planet.” Consider what 18,000 more homes would mean to the TPA in terms of traffic. VDOT, when evaluating the impact of new development, assumes that each home generates 10 vehicle trips per day on the roads providing access. That may seem high until you consider the daily lives of a typical Loudoun household. Perhaps two parents commute to and from work. Perhaps two children are

taken to and from various after-school activities. A UPS truck makes a delivery. A lawn service company arrives and departs. A friend is driven over for a play date and picked up again later. There’s another trip to (and from) the grocery store. Before you know it, vehicles have come and gone from that household 10, or possibly more, times per day. The math is simple: 18,000 more houses means 180,000 more vehicle trips per day on surrounding roads. Much of the TPA is already in gridlock. At last week’s meeting, Supervisor Letourneau, whose district includes parts of the TPA, was clearly exasperated. “It took me 51 minutes to get from my house to the Greenway” to attend the Board meeting, he said, “at an average speed of 13 miles an hour.” Supervisor Ron Meyer, in addressing the issue, asked, “Are we going to invent flying cars?” Bravo to Supervisor Higgins for telling the Stakeholders’ Committee that their recommendations are “going in the exact wrong direction from what the people in the county have told us.” Bravo to Supervisor Buffington who said that the options presented were “way off track and I am concerned we are not listening to the public.” Bravo to Chair Randall, who described the recommendations as “illogical.” And thank you to Supervisor Umstattd who reminded everyone that such growth also burdens the county with school needs. But that is a whole ‘nother story. — Emily Houston, Paeonian Springs

If that’s you, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sstyer@loudounnow.com

tee have suggested that parts of the TPA have already been suburbanized, so why not the rest? It is true that the county has allowed many rezonings to chip away at the TPA. But does this make it desirable? It is like saying, “I have beaten my dog for several years, so I should be able to continue to do so.” Suddenly, affordable/ workforce housing, which has always been needed in Loudoun, is the hue and cry from the committee and planners alike. Why now? Why has the county not insisted on this in the past? In one recent TPA rezoning request, a developer asked to double the number of dwelling units in a subdivision from 40 to 81. And how many of these approximately 40 extra homes were slated to be affordable? To quote the county staff report, “… with voluntarily providing (2) TWO, Affordable Dwelling Units, the proposed density would be”, …” twice the density envisioned,” for this subarea, “of the Transition Policy Area.” Why has a county currently so concerned with affordable housing allowed so many extra homes to be built and so few to be Affordable Dwelling Units until now? Further, where should this type of housing be built? Should it not be near the Metro, bus lines, in towns or near large employment centers? The TPA, with Loudoun’s drinking water supply, its rich green infrastructure, and heritage assets, seems to be a poor fit for this type of development. Is this just a ploy by developers to open up the TPA to suburbanization, rather

than a well-thought-out plan to provide for homes for our workforce where they are needed? The chipping away of the Rural Policy Area of Loudoun may be underway as well. Two areas that were previously identified as in the RPA, are now included in the TPA on a new “working” map, produced by the Stakeholders Committee. Could this small change be adopted, and establish a precedent, opening the rural area as well to increased development? If this is not your vision of Loudoun’s future, please call, mail or e-mail your Supervisor, or call the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors comment line at: 703-777-0115. — Nancy Ryan, Aldie

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

<< FROM 44

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PARENTING WITH PURPOSE

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Talking with Your Children About Tragic Events BY NEIL MCNERNEY, PARENTING WITH PURPOSE Events like the Las Vegas shooting, while tragic on their own, bring about additional dilemmas for parents: How do we talk with our kids about it? How do we help our kids make sense of something that is so senseless? In this column, I will share some specific ideas to help your children during difficult times.

Keep your emotions in check Your kids will listen very carefully to what you say around them. Avoid making statements like: “What is wrong with the world?” “There is so much hate.” Comments like this, although appropriate for adult conversation, can often be misunderstood by children and significantly increase their anxiety. Regardless of how upset you might be about these types of events, try to keep a lid on it while your kids are in earshot. Their level of anxiety will be directly affected by your level of anxiety.

Create a quiet home space If your family typically has the TV on in the background during family time, consider turning it off while your children are around. Live TV is unedited TV. Images, once seen by young children, can be traumatizing and create long-term fears. Even if the news is happening in real time, your children’s mental health should take precedence over your need to know what is hap-

pening right at this moment. It is your responsibility to filter the news so that, depending on the age of the child, you can help them make sense of it. We know that, based on the Sept. 11 attacks, those children who were exposed to more media images and videos of the event had more long-term anxiety than children less exposed. Children under 6 do not need to be told about events such as Las Vegas and shouldn’t be exposed to any media coverage. Keeping their routine is the best way to help kids this age. Children ages 6-11 need very basic facts and lots of reassurance that they are safe. It is also important at this age to significantly limit media exposure. Children over 11 often have more control over their ability to learn what is happening through social media and their technology. It is important to encourage them to limit their exposure to news events and not view image after image. Also, try to avoid staring at your phone to get updates. Your kids will notice it and get worried. Whenever something overwhelming happens in a child’s life, the tendency is to look toward their parents for reassurance. Your goal is to send the message that all is OK with the world, even if there is something sad that happened.

Acknowledge their feelings Children will respond with many types of emotions and questions. Fear, anger, curiosity and indifference are all normal responses to such an event.

Provide some context Help them understand that these types of events are very rare. Children do not understand the size of the United States and the distance between what happened and their neighborhood.

Assure them that they are safe In addition to reminding them that these events are extremely rare, it is also a good idea to remind them that their home and school is safe. Now would be a good time to talk with them about how the school doors are locked when they are in the classroom and every person that comes in must be checked. Also, they might not be aware of your nighttime routine of checking your doors and windows and any other safety measures that you take as a family to keep your house safe. Sharing these procedures with them could be very reassuring for them. Remind them about how the police and other emergency professionals are always on the lookout for dangerous situations.

Be aware of significant changes in their emotions and behavior Temporary changes are normal when a tragic event has occurred. Irritability, clinginess, difficulty sleeping, appetite changes, school avoidance and fearfulness are all normal responses. Be extra accommodating during this time. If they need extra time with you at bedtime, give it to them. If they seem to always want to be at your side, let them. Don’t hesitate to let their teachers and

school counselors know that they are having difficulty adjusting. Extra reassurance and TLC during this time can be very beneficial. If, after a week or so, it seems that they are still having difficulty adjusting, a few visits to a counselor or mental health provider could be a good idea so that they can learn specific anxiety reduction techniques. Hopefully, these ideas will help create some structure around tragic events. Lastly, I would encourage you to use this time to hold your family a little closer and spend a little more time together.

Save The Date! On Oct. 14, I will be participating in Loudoun County Public School’s parent seminar series, “Navigating the Path to Wellness!” This will be a day of inspiring speakers and trainers that will help all of us become better parents. I will be providing a breakout session on developing grit and perseverance. Go to navigatethepath.com for more information. Neil McNerney is a licensed professional counselor and author of, “Homework – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Out Without Freaking Out!” and “The Don’t Freak Out Guide for Parenting Kids with Asperger’s.” He can be reached at 703-3529002 and neil@neilmcnerney.com.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT Saturday, October 21st, 2017 8:30am – 2:30pm LEESBURG PARK AND RIDE 19730 Sycolin Road, Leesburg, VA 20175

BRING FOR RECYCLING - Televisions, computers,

computer monitors, servers, laptops, printers, copiers, stereos, DVD players, cable tv receivers, cell phones, i-phones, power cords, cables, Christmas lights, and more.

LIMIT 15 ITEMS PER VEHICLE - Businesses with larger quantities may contact C2 Management, Berryville, VA 540-955-5740 / WWW.TRYC2.COM

DO NOT BRING - Printer cartridges, household batteries,

hazardous wastes, light bulbs, fluorescent lights, thermostats, fire alarms, gas powered equipment, or household appliances including refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, stoves, washers, dryers, etc.

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

RECYCLING FEES - Only cash or local check will be accepted. Please make checks payable to C2 Management. CRT TV / MONITOR 31” SCREEN OR LARGER CRT TV / MONITOR 30” SCREEN OR SMALLER CONSOLE TV LCD TV LCD COMPUTER MONITOR

$20 EACH $10 EACH $20 EACH $8 EACH $4 EACH

ALL OTHER ACCEPTED ITEMS ~ FREE (TV SCREEN SIZES BASED ON DIAGONAL MEASUREMENT)

CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE EVENT? QUESTIONS? Visit WWW.LOUDOUN.GOV/ELECTRONICS / Call 703-771-5514 SPONSORED BY THE COUNTY OF LOUDOUN

Local Postal Customer

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PRST STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage

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Permit 105 Dulles, VA

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U.S. Postage

NAACP Says Efforts Fall Short, Threatens Legal Action BY DANIELLE NADLER Loudoun public school leaders want more of the county’s teachers to look like the students they teach. Twelve percent of the school system’s teachers and administrators are racial minorities, a far cry from the 48 percent of minorities who make up the student body. “We want to develop a diverse

PATIENCE URGED continues on page 18

CLASSIFIEDS

workforce to serve our diverse community,” Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services Kimberly L. Hough said. She reported data on the racial makeup of school district employees to the Loudoun County School Board last Thursday. The report is in response to an inquiry from the NAACP, which raised concerns last fall about the lack of diversity among the district’s workforce. Hough’s report also showed that minorities apply for licensed positions at a higher rate than they’re being hired. From October 2014 through Septem-

ber 2015, 19.5 percent of the applicants for licensed positions were racial minorities. Of the employees hired during that time, 8.32 percent were minorities. Hough’s department is requesting $162,350 to help turn those figures around. The money would cover the costs of a personnel specialist who would target diversity recruitment, as well as $40,000 worth of consulting services to DIVERSITY continues on page 21

Virginia’s fastest growing county reached a milestone this week: Loudoun County Public Schools’ budget hit the $1 billion mark. The School Board adopted a $1.07 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2017, trimming the spending plan drafted by Superintendent Eric Williams by just $214,849. The spending plan is $86.7 million, or 8.8 percent, higher than the current fiscal year’s budget and would require a $58 million increase in county tax funds. The funding hike aims to cover the cost of enrollment growth—projected to tick up by 3.8 percent this fall—as well as pay for an expansion of full-day kindergarten, the opening of a new elementary school and lay the groundwork for the long-awaited Academies of Loudoun. Board member Jeff Morse (Dulles) said the adopted budget takes important steps to move the county forward, not just maintain the status quo. “If you want full-day kindergarten, if you want the Academies of Loudoun, you have to pay for it,” he said. “Those specific items are leading us to the Loudoun we need to be.” Several line items added to Williams’ initial proposal reinstate positions and programs that the board cut in recent years in the face of tight fiscal constraints. Perhaps the most surprising addition was to reinstate fulltime principals and add full-time media/technology assistants to the county’s small western Loudoun schools. Five years ago, principals at the four smallest schools were cut to part-time positions, and two years ago, librarians and technology resource teachers were reduced to part time. Throughout the budget process, residents have raised student safety concerns around school leaders in the building only parttime. “I think it’s extremely challenging to run an organization part time,” Morse said, referring to the part-time principal position. “This is safety, this is security, this is continuity.” SCHOOLS BUDGET continues on page 21

INDEX

OPINION

LOUDOUN GOV

CLASSIFIEDS

LoudounNow LAND SWAP Deal eyed for Mason campus near Metro

DREW DASHES Loudouner breaks 1-mile record

Vol. 1, No. 14

TURF WARS Students ask for field equality

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LoudounNow

BOUNDARY VOTE continued on page 22

OUR TOWNS

Vol. 1, No. 7

loudounnow.com

December 24, 2015

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Fred Medico and Santa-look-alike helps his granddaughter Kyra Landi wrap one of hundreds of gifts that will be given to Purcellville children.

Bluemont’s ‘Santa and Mrs. Claus’ Wrap a Special Christmas for Kids BY MARGARET MORTON Every December, Sue and Fred Medico happily turn into Santa and Mrs. Claus to spread holiday cheer at a variety of public appearances. Their annual stroll together in the Purcellville Christmas Parade is cherished by young and old alike. But their Christmas spirit doesn’t dim when they take off those costumes. And it doesn’t shine only in December. All year long the Medicos collect and buy toys to be distributed to children who might not have much to unwrap on

Christmas morning. On Tuesday afternoon, the Medicos and a dozen “Christmas elves” took over the tasting room of Twin Oaks Winery in Bluemont to wrap hundreds of toys. For close to four hours, the tasting room looked more like Santa’s workshop, with volunteers preparing dolls, skateboards, basketballs and other toys for local boys and girls. The Santa and Mrs. Claus-lookalikes kept their busy helpers stocked with gift wrap, bows and tape. “This is probably the 10th year we’ve done it,” Fred Medico

said of the enterprise. On Sunday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be carried on a fire truck to the North 16th Street apartment complex. The elves will come behind with trailers filled with toys to be distributed on the spot. Medicos say the elves are a mix of friends, people they’ve met through the wrapping campaign and volunteers who work with the Purcellville Police Department.

ARRESTED Suspected hotel bandit nabbed

MAYORAL RACE OPENS Burk announces 2016 campaign

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS continued on page 18

Vol. 1, No. 8

loudounnow.com

Doug Graham/Loudoun Now

Pedal Pushing Sterling resident Justin Mauch, right, and Joe Dombrowski ride across Mt. Weather atop the Blue Ridge as part of a training ride in preparation for European competition. See story, Page 4.

York Closes Political Career

UMSTATTD continues on page 24

countywide office since 1999, takes over that seat. During a recent interview, the conversation reflected his role in leading a “smart growth” movement that focused on curbing the waves of residential subdivisions sprawling over the county.

BY NORMAN K. STYER

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A woman in a headscarf, or hijab, was among people standing vigil with signs promoting peace and acceptance at “Witnessing Our Faith in One Another,” an interfaith gathering in Leesburg protesting anti-Muslim rhetoric in the country.

Loudoun Looks Past Prejudice

Kara Clark Rodriguez/Loudoiun Now

Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd was celebrated Tuesday night at a farewell ceremony held in her honor at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. Council members, town staffers and community figures attended the event, which included a comedic version of “Twas the Night of the Council Meeting.” For more on Tuesday’s farewell ceremony, go to LoudounNow.com.

OUR TOWNS

December 31, 2015

KARA CLARK RODRIGUEZ, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

BY RENSS GREENE They came wearing every color and costume. They prayed in a number of languages and a dozen faiths. Then, members of the diverse group—from Buddhists to Sikhs to Muslims, Christians, Hindus and more—walked silent-

ly to the intersection of King Street and Market Street in the heart of historic Leesburg and held a 20-minute candlelight vigil as rush-hour traffic passed by in the dark, damp night. The Dec. 17 demonstration, organized by Loudoun Interfaith BRIDGES and called “Witnessing Our Faith in One An-

other,” was intended “to raise a voice of love and neighborly regard, that counters the faith prejudice and racial prejudice of anti-Muslim rhetoric.” It was one of a number of events in INTERFAITH VIGIL continued on page 16

INDEX

EDUCATION

LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE SMELL THE COFFEE Local roasters find welcome market

Dog Days: Shelter Promotion Clears Kennel

When Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd pounded the gavel last Tuesday, it marked more than just the end of a Town Council meeting. It marked the end of a 22-year council career. Umstattd is expected to formally resign her mayoral seat by month’s end in anticipation of the beginning of her four-year term as Leesburg District supervisor Jan. 1, 2016. Umstattd was elected Leesburg’s mayor in 2002, but her tenure on the Town Council began 10 years earlier. She goes into the history books as Leesburg’s third longest-serving mayor. For Umstattd, her civic-minded nature came about at a young age. She recalled during a recent interview how her parents involved her in their political activities. “I grew up in a very, very politically active family. My parents were conservative Republicans in the Philadelphia area, and still are. I grew up licking envelopes, handing out brochures at supermarkets and I loved it,” she said. “I wanted to go into politics and at about age 12 I decided I wanted to run for office at some point.” Umstattd moved to Northern Virginia in 1981 while still serving with the U.S Navy and then began working for the CIA four

INDEX

LoudounNow

KARA CLARK RODRIGUEZ, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OPINION

[ loudounnow.com ]

[ February 18–24, 2016 ]

OPINION

EDUCATION

OUR TOWNS

Only two politicians have won more Loudoun votes over their careers and none has been involved in more day-to-day decisions guiding the county through its 25-year growth surge than County Chairman Scott K. York. His fourth and final term ends today. When the new Board of Supervisors convenes Jan. 6 it will be the first time since 1996 that York’s name won’t be displayed on the dais. He lost his bid for a fifth term as chairman— his sixth as a supervisor—in

Jumping In

Chairman Scott York

a three-way race in November. Phyllis Randall, the first Loudoun Democrat elected to

In the early 1990s York was unlikely to be viewed in that role. YORK CLOSES CAREER continued on page 12

DOG DAYS continued on page 10

INDEX

OPINION

Loudoun County Animal Services staff, volunteers and— most especially—its animals had plenty to celebrate over the holiday weekend. The shelter’s first free holiday adoption promotion saw 44 animals find homes, including all the dogs that were available for adoption. The promotion waived all fees for its adoptable animals, which included dogs, cats, horses and small animals like turtles, guinea pigs, gerbils, birds and rabbits. Nina Stively, who joined the county as its director of animal services in September, said residents began lining up as early as 9 a.m. for the event, which ran from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26. Monday morning, she had some quiet time— with only one dog at the shelter currently—to assess the event. Courtesy of Dorri O’Brien “It’s been a real- Scott Stover with his new dog Ranger. ly exciting way to end the year,” she said. This is the first time the Waterford-area shelter has held a free adoption event during the holidays. The timing was right, she noted, as many take the week between Christmas and New Year’s off, making it an ideal time to transition a new animal into the family. Stively is already looking ahead to next year, and to future adoption events. “This is something we’d like to continue. This showed us the people of Loudoun are really excited and want to help” animals

EDUCATION

OUR TOWNS

TOO MANY? A committee on committees

LOUDOUN’S ALTERNATIVE EDUCATOR Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson

LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE CELEBRITY CHEF Teen earns cooking chops

LoudounNow

Vol. 1, No. 9

loudounnow.com

January 7, 2016

CITY STATUS Time for a City of Leesburg?

PULLING TOGETHER Community reacts to Lansdowne murder-suicide

Vol. 1, No. 10

KARA CLARK RODRIGUEZ, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“We have a diversity of skillsets, a diversity of ages, a diversity of beliefs, a diversity of backgrounds, a diversity of political leanings, and yes, for the first time, a diversity of race,”

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Superintendent Eric Williams’ budget for Loudoun County Public Schools calls for an expansion of full-day kindergarten, teacher pay raises and early opening of the Academy of Engineering and Technology.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Chairman Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) was at times tearful as she listened to introductions and prepared to take the oath of office.

Randall said. She and Koran Saines (D-Sterling) are the first black supervisors to be elected in Loudoun’s 240-year history. Randall promised to protect Loudoun’s rural west, and said she would be mindful of both the fortunate and the poor. She said she would focus on the county’s successful businesses, but also on “the struggling businessman who is just trying to meet his payroll and feed his family.”

Shared Optimism Business

and

community

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Purcellville’s Newest Flavor Chef Justin Garrison and Sous Chef Tad Winegar, both native Loudouners, relax in the brand new kitchen of the West End Wine Bar & Pub in Purcellville. The restaurant opened this week in the historic Purcellville Inn as the county’s newest culinary venture. See story, Page 22.

School Superintendent Unveils $1B Spending Plan BY DANIELLE NADLER

leaders have responded with cautious optimism to Randall’s message and the new board’s diversity. “I, for one, think this election bodes well for Loudoun’s future,” Andrew Painter, president of the Loudoun chapter of the Northern Virginia Building Association, said in an email. “The County boasts an unenviable record of political pendulum swings every four years, which has resulted in political infight-

ing and a severe loss of institutional memory.” None of the current board members has served more than one term. Painter said Loudoun may be seeing the beginning of “political stability and maturity” and that at the local level, divided government works best. (The previous board had all Republican members.) He also hopes the board will rely on the wisdom of its staff and Planning

Commission. “I think what people want to see, including NVBIA at least, is careful consideration of their applications,” Painter said in a phone call. “They want to see supervisors that are going to appoint good planning commissioners. They want to see supervisors that actually read their staff reports. And I think the other thing that we’d all like to

NEW BOARD continued on page 4

Superintendent Eric Williams pulled back the curtain on a proposed $1.07 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2017 last week. The recommended budget is $86.7 million—or 8.8 percent—more than the current fiscal year’s budget. If approved, it would be the first time the 76,000-student school division has hit the billion-dollar mark. Williams said his budget calls for enough money to meet the needs of one of the region’s fastest growing school divisions, but also includes some expanded services, including doubling the number of kindergartners who have access to a full day of school. “We want a budget that’s going to allow us to

build on our excellence, not just sustain it,” Williams told Loudoun County School Board members during his Jan. 7 presentation. He’s recommending the creation of 442 new positions and $37.7 million in additional funding just to cover the cost of the 1,978 additional students expected to enroll this fall. “We’ve seen tremendous growth,” he said. His plan carves out $18.5 million for employee raises and other compensation increases. Just more than $10 million of that would go toward raises for employees who qualify, and another $6.7 million would help restructure the teacher salary schedule to make pay for mid-career employees more competitive, where Williams says Loudoun County lags behind its neighbors to the east. SCHOOL BUDGET continues on page 16

INDEX

OPINION

January 14, 2016

Leesburg Council Fails to Appoint New Mayor

New County Board Gets to Work The 2016 Board of Supervisors was sworn in Saturday during a ceremony at Lansdowne Resort amid cheers, tears, and big ambitions. In a formal address, County Chairwoman Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) pledged to set a cooperative, respectful tone on the new board. “I understand that there will be times when we will disagree,” Randall said. “I understand that certain political issues are more important to one political party or the other; that’s just a political reality. But I also understand that people can disagree and not be disagreeable.” Hundreds of people packed a ballroom in the Lansdowne Resort, including Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10), Attorney General Mark Herring, state delegates, and Loudoun county and town officials. Randall said the ceremony was the first time both Democrats and Republicans have taken the oath of office for the Loudoun Board of Supervisors at the same ceremony. She took time in her speech to make admiring remarks about each of her colleagues on the board, making note of the board’s mixed makeup.

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In a rather interesting exercise that at times left certain council members speechless, the six current members of the Leesburg Town Council failed to find the four votes necessary to appoint a new mayor to fill out the remainder of longtime mayor Kristen Umstattd’s term. At Tuesday night’s council meeting, six motions were made regarding the appointment of a new mayor. The only one that passed postponed the vote another two weeks, with another vote eyed for the Jan. 26 meeting. A majority of the elected body has been adamant that the best person to be interim mayor is a current council member. Despite that, motions to appoint council members David Butler, Marty Martinez, Katie Hammler and Kelly Burk failed. Martinez’s initial motion to advertise for residents interested in filling the position also failed. Burk, who as vice mayor is acting mayor until a new mayor is appointed, agreed that the best person to fill the interim post should be found in the greater Leesburg community. “As council members we have experience running meetings and understanding items. I think it is very elitist of us to assume no one from the public is qualified to do the same,” she said.

Burk added that she felt that appointing someone who has vocalized their intention to run for a seat on the council “creates an artificial incumbency” for that person. Butler made a motion to nominate Burk for the mayor’s seat, which clearly caught the vice mayor off guard. Burk announced in late December she will run for mayor in November’s general election but had said she did not want to be considered for the interim appointment. After some obvious hesitation, Burk agreed to accept the mayor’s seat if the votes were there to appoint her. Also nominated, Martinez said he would not accept the appointment. The motion to appoint him, like all the others, failed. Burk, Martinez and Councilwoman Suzanne Fox’s council terms expire Dec. 31, 2018, meaning that if any of the three of them are appointed to the mayor’s seat they will lose the remaining two years of their term. Butler, Hammler and Councilman Tom Dunn’s terms expire at the end of this year. While Leesburg council members’ terms are four years, the mayor’s post is elected every two years. The mayoral office was vacated when Umstattd took office as the Leesburg District representative on the Board of Supervisors. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

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January 21, 2016

BY RENSS GREENE In hurried meetings in windowless rooms in the Loudoun County government center, dozens of people in unheralded committees within committees are trying to give Loudoun a nightlife. Members of the Nighttime Economy Ad Hoc Committee—of the Economic Development Advisory Commission, of the Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee, of the Board of Supervisors—and its seven subcommittees have been working since June to find a way to fit the newest old development idea, urban walkable environments, into Loudoun County. “There’s a cultural phenomenon happening in the country,” said NEAC co-chairman and Loudoun Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tony

Howard. “Folks are moving back toward the cities. In my parents’ generation, and in my generation a little bit, folks were migrating out from the cities, and that’s why Loudoun developed as well as it did since the ’80s.” Loudoun’s suburban leanings have served it well in the past, and there’s still a need for suburban homes. The county has grown explosively as people move further out from the DC area. Now, however, Loudoun businesses complain they have difficulty attracting workforce, because younger employees demand an urban walkable environment: a place where people can go about daily routines without climbing into the car. People are moving back to the cities. That urban environment has a few notable traits, among them population density and nightlife.

“In order for mixed-use to be successful, it really does take an 18-hour economy,” said NEAC’s other co-chairman, Todd Pearson. “You have to have morning, daytime, and nighttime. Right now, you’ll maybe have some lunch, and there’s some evening play, but there’s really no nighttime economy, so that was one of the areas that we thought needed some improvement.” Pearson, 35, is the perfect example of the sort of young professional Loudoun loses out on. Successful, entrepreneurial, and with a young family, he felt forced to leave Loudoun to live his demanding lifestyle. His family has lived for generations in the county, and after growing up here, coming back after college, and starting a family, he was the first in his family to

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Nighttime Economy Ad Hoc Committee co-chairmen Tony Howard and Todd Pearson stand at Loudoun Station. The Ashburn development is an example of what the future of Loudoun growth may look like.

NIGHTTIME ECONOMY continued on page 31

After Another Life Lost to Mental Illness, Community Calls for Action BY DANIELLE NADLER

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Flowers and candles left by classmates form a memorial at the site where a 17-year-old Loudoun Valley High School student committed suicide Jan. 14.

The public suicide of a Loudoun Valley High School student has rattled the Purcellville community in the past week and reawakened a county-wide conversation about the need for mental illness education and prevention. A 17-year-old killed himself at a playground near the school Jan. 14, according to law enforcement and school

officials. Casey Kemps, a friend and former roommate of William Robinson, said he was shocked to hear of his friend’s death. He described the high school junior as goofy and funny. He liked anime and was “all about punk rock.” “He was a best friend to everyone,” Kemps said. “He always made sure ev-

The Town of Leesburg has a new mayor following a special meeting Monday night. Councilman David S. Butler will slide down the Town Council dais a few seats, as he won the four votes needed to be appointed mayor. He was supported by council members Tom Dunn, Katie Hammler and Suzanne Fox. The vote comes following a debate that lasted almost a

month on who would be best to fill the seat formerly occupied by Kristen C. Umstattd, who won election as the Leesburg District representative for the county Board of Supervisors in November. Her resignation became effective Dec. 31, and Vice Mayor Kelly Burk has since served as acting town mayor. The matter of appointing a mayor to fill the remainder of Umstattd’s term, which will expire on Dec. 31 of this

year, was first discussed at the council’s Jan. 11 work session. While it seemed to be the will of the majority of the council at that work session that a sitting council member be appointed to the seat, the following night no council member put forward for appointment received the necessary four votes. Another try at a vote was anticipated for two weeks later, but the meetings were cancelled due to the winter storm. Butler and Fox were the ones

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Renss Greene/Loudoun Now David S. Butler is sworn in as Leesburg’s new mayor Monday, following a month-long stalemate among council members over who should serve the remainder of former mayor Kristen C. Umstattd’s term.

to call for Monday’s special meeting. The meeting began much the way the Jan. 11 meeting ended. Several motions put forward

deadlocked. Burk introduced an initial motion to advertise for residents interested in be-

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Leaders of every political leaning and at every level of government agree that Dulles is essential to Loudoun County and the region. “This airport has to survive,” U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R10) said. “Failure is not an option.” “It’s a fundamentally important economic agent in Loudoun DULLES AID continues on page 30

State funding could buy down ticket prices. Dulles Airport has the second-highest cost-per-passenger to airlines in the country, behind only Newark. local leaders say that includes its sister airport in the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Reagan National Airport. “Dulles Airport is one of Virginia’s premier economic assets, and this critical investment will

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make it even stronger,” McAuliffe stated. “This funding will help support 45,000 direct and indirect jobs related to the United [Air Lines] Hub at Dulles and encourage other carriers to provide enhanced air travel offerings.”

BY RENSS GREENE Governor Terry McAuliffe’s proposed budget includes $50 million over two years to help Loudoun County’s largest employment center. The $25 million-per-year supplement, McAuliffe said, will help Dulles Airport push down ticket prices as it struggles to compete with other major airports—and

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n BY DANIELLE NADLER

here is a 12-letter word that Lyla Hafeez looks for in headlines these days: kindergarten. As county government and school leaders debate whether Loudoun should expand its fullday kindergarten offerings, and how to pay for it, she’s paid attention. Because whatever decision is ultimately made will impact her 4-year-old daughter’s education, and the Hafeezs’ pocketbook. If Loudoun County Public Schools’ plan to expand fullday kindergarten to all but 13 schools this fall is funded, Mari-

na will go to her neighborhood school, Sycolin Creek Elementary near Leesburg. If it’s not, she’ll go to a Fairfax County elementary school, where Hafeez teaches, and pay $10,000 in tuition. “This is on a lot of parents’ minds right now,” Hafeez said. She and her husband have already started making room in their budget for tuition, just in case. He returned a new car, in exchange for one with a less-expensive monthly payment, and they’re reining in other expenses too. “We even contemplated pulling from her college fund but we decided no, we’ll just make due with whatever we can for now,” she said. “It is frustrating to

spend all this money we thought we were going to save.” For many local families, footing the bill for private school is the only option for their kindergartner to receive a full, six-hour school day. Loudoun is one of only three school divisions in Virginia that do not offer universal full-day kindergarten. About one-quarter of Loudoun kindergartners are enrolled in private schools or neighboring jurisdictions, and paying anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 in tuition. That means, collectively, Loudoun families spend about $20.6 million in full-day kindergarten tuition, according to Lindsay Weissbratten, founder of the advocate group Loudoun

for Full Day Kindergarten. “Families are already paying taxes,” she said, “and then they’re paying tuition to receive the same education provided for free in neighboring counties.”

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Families in Limbo Loudoun County has made some progress toward universal full-day kindergarten. Two years ago, 11 percent of the county’s kindergartners attended school all day. This year, it’s up to 32 percent, or 1,536 students. The school system is requesting $9.7 million to expand the program to 75 percent of kin-

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n BY RENSS GREENE County Administrator Tim Hemstreet recommends Loudoun increase its taxes to keep up with the demand on Virginia’s fastest growing locality. On Feb. 10, Hemstreet presented a proposed $2.5 billion fiscal year 2017 budget that could be funded without raising the real estate tax rate, but warned it just doesn’t bring in enough revenue to provide needed county services. County supervisors had instructed He

Full-day kindergarten is a $20.6 million-a-year industry in Loudoun County

Governor Proposes $50M to Lift Dulles

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Energizing Loudoun’s Nighttime Economy Business leaders unveil millennial magnet strategy

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Butler Tapped as Leesburg’s New Mayor BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

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and impassable streets. “It’s been a rough few days,” he said wearily Monday during a rare break. “What we’ve found is a truck with a plow on it is just not enough for this amount of snow.” It was a rough week in Loudoun for local businesses, who at times struggled to keep up with the pre-blizzard pandemonium, as well as its grueling aftermath. Many were still in the process of digging out by mid-week and few were open

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Otherwise routine calls for fire-rescue workers became complex operations with lives on the line. And the Washington Redskins’ training center bubble in Ashburn deflated under the heavy snow. Through it all, snow removal crews worked around the clock to keep main roads passable and, eventually, clear neighborhood streets. Matt Coughlin, of Blake Landscapes, was one of them. He spent the majority of his weekend out in the cold, helping to abate the large snow drifts

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ADAMS continued on page 21

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School Leaders Look to Diversify Classroom Workforce

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Wendy de la Torre, in back, is a Cuban-American who teaches at Seneca Ridge Middle School in Sterling. Loudoun public schools want to attract more minority personnel.

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February 4, 2016

Budget Adopted: Small Schools Win Big—For Now

Crews on King Street in downtown Leesburg continued the massive snow removal effort Tuesday afternoon. Town leaders said it could be as late as Friday before every street in town is passable.

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StoneSprings Hospital Center on Rt. 50 will be a much busier place starting Monday when doors open for its first patients.

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to speak out against “discrimination, vilification, and isolation that American Muslims face.” “We are united as one community and one nation against violent extremism, against hate and discrimination,” said Imam Mohamed Magid, executive imam of ADAMS. Johnson declined to respond directly to GOP frontrunner Donald Trump’s suggestion earlier in the day that Muslims, in-

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ing in San Bernardino, CA, by a husband and wife duo investigators have described to the press as radicalized Muslims. Muslim leaders nationwide have spoken out to condemn that shooting and the catastrophic attacks in Paris Nov. 13, for which ISIS has claimed responsibility. Johnson pointed out that the principal victims of ISIS and Al Qaeda are Muslims. The overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world, he said, are “men, women, and children of peace.” “Anyone who does not understand that does not understand Islam,” Johnson said, promising

December 17, 2015

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Leesburg Hit with Criticism Over Snow-Clearing Delays

The beeping and roaring of snow plows at all hours of the night and day have become familiar sounds to Loudouners— at least, the lucky ones. Parts of the county are still digging out from a historic twoday snowstorm that began Friday afternoon and dumped up to 3 feet of snow over the weekend. The storm forced hundreds of cancelled flights at Dulles Airport, closed schools and businesses and left residents homebound.

When Wendy de la Torre first applied for a teaching job in Loudoun County 11 years ago, she indicated that she was qualified to teach science, elementary school and students not fluent in English. “The first thing they called me for was [English Language

OPINION

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson met with religious leaders Monday at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling to send a message to Americans: “We must not vilify Muslims.” Standing in front of a crowd diverse in age and religion at the mosque, Johnson said, “I know I speak to most people in this room, including those up here with me, when I begin my remarks by saying ‘my fellow Americans.’” The meeting was held in response to the Dec. 2 mass shoot-

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January 28, 2016

Still Buried

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It was the thousands of new students who are expected to move to the southern end of the county who were on the minds of Loudoun School Board members Tuesday night. Several board members mentioned them over and over as they prepared for two important votes. The first vote was to adopt new attendance zone boundaries to make way for a new elementary school and provide relief for the county’s most crowded school buildings. The second was to approve its Capital Improvement Program, which details the building priorities for the next six years and serves as a funding request to the county Board of Supervisors. “Tonight we’re focused on providing relief for some of these schools,” School Board member Kevin Kuesters (Broad Run) said. “It’s not fair to the kids or the teachers when we overload schools.” The board, in an 8-1 vote, backed attendance zone Plan 7, which shifts more than 2,000 elementary school students to different schools next year to free up much-needed space in the Brambleton area. Included in the plan is the reassignment of about 400 students from the overcrowded Creighton’s Corner Elementary in the Dulles North planning area to Sycolin Creek Elementary south of Leesburg. Even when Madison’s Trust Elementary opens next fall, the Dulles North planning area is projected to have 200 more students than the school buildings in that area have seats. However, the 10 Leesburg-area elementary school buildings have available seats, with their average attendance projected to drop to 81 percent of capacity over the next five years. That’s space the county cannot afford to waste, said School Board member Jeff Morse (Dulles), who helped draft the adopted plan.

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While Loudoun County officials were hopeful that every street under their care would see a snowplow by Wednesday, Leesburg town leaders could make no such promises. It may be as late as Friday before plows clear one passable lane on every Leesburg street, according to Director of Public Works and Capital Projects Renee LaFollette. She delivered the less-than-welcome news on a conference call Monday night, prompting heavy criticism from politicians and residents alike over the town’s snow removal strategy. Town Manager Kaj Dentler organized the call, along with Town Council members, and opened it to members of the public and media. With roughly 40 percent of town roads still under a heavy blanket of snow two days after the last flake had fallen, several town residents on the call questioned the jurisdiction’s plan to turn its attention to making primary roads clear instead of starting on neighborhood roads earlier in the storm. In a Facebook post Tuesday, Supervisor Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg), who recently completed 13 years as the town’s mayor, questioned the town’s snow removal strategies. She said while they are perhaps well intentioned, “in the end, [they] will have seriously and unnecessarily jeopardized public safety.” Town Public Information Officer Betsy Arnett emphasized that the town’s snow removal strategy has not changed recently. In years past, when John Wells was still serving as town manager, the town experimented with the strategy of just making primary roads passable rather than completely clearing them. “What our experience was that the more people drove on the primary roads, they became slushy and icy overnight and it was a mess. You really need to have the primary roads clear,” she said.

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Secretary of Homeland Homeland Security Jeh Johnson shakes hands with a Muslim Boy Scout after a press conference at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center.

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COST OF FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN School leaders crunch the numbers

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in Florida. “That’s how great the need is.” Loudoun County’s 76,000student school system is feeling the strain of the national teacher shortage. For several years running, the positions that are most needed are instructors to teach

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more than 600 teachers a year, are getting creative and strategic

Learners] because there’s such a need,” she said. After moving away and then returning to Loudoun in 2013, she again applied to teach science, elementary school and students not proficient in English. “Again, they wanted me for ELL,” said de la Torre, who grew up in a Spanish-speaking home

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School Boundary Vote Reassigns 2,000 Students

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Hunter Kleffman is a first-year history teacher at Park View High School.

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In Loudoun, teacher vacancies have increased every week since July 1, compared with vacancies from the previous two years. On the first day of this school year, 28 classrooms were staffed with substitutes because they couldn’t find teachers to fill them. Most of the positions that are toughest to fill locally mirror the needs at the national level. Loudoun is short of instructors

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months ago, he was hired to teach history at the school. “I was so happy when I got the call,” he said. “I feel like I’ve come home.” That’s music to the ears of the folks in charge of hiring educators for Loudoun County’s 88 public schools. The 76,000-student school division is feeling the effects of the nationwide teacher shortage. Those in Loudoun County Public Schools’ Personnel Services Department, which hires

December 10, 2015

MIDDLE SCHOOL PILOT Kids get with the programming

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owners have watched neighboring storefronts change over three decades or more.

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Hunter Kleffman has wanted to be a Park View Patriot since he was in kindergarten. He watched his older cousin play on the high school’s football team, and figured he’d do the same just as soon as he was old enough. But when he was 13 years old, his family moved to Ashburn. “I always felt like I missed out,” he said. Now 22 years old, he can finally call himself a Patriot. Five

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Seneca Ridge Middle School students in Wendy de la Torre’s English Language Learners class work on a science assignment. Loudoun schools are getting creative to recruit instructors to teach students needing specialized services.

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Vol. 1, No. 5

Hospital Opening Marks New Era Gov. Terry McAuliffe was scheduled to be in Loudoun this week to help celebrate the completion of StoneSprings Hospital Center. The $186.5 million, 124-bed hospital will open Monday, Dec. 7 as Loudoun County’s second full-service hospital. The opening marks the end of a decades long effort by HCA Healthcare to expand into the Loudoun market with a full-service hospital. The company’s original plan to build a hospital in the Broadlands neighborhood in Ashburn spurred a protracted battle with the Loudoun Healthcare Inc., which operated Loudoun Hospital Center, and with the region’s largest medical provider, the Inova Health System. In 2004, Inova acquired Loudoun Healthcare in a merger and forged a compromise in which it would not oppose HCA— which owns Reston Hospital Center— if it built a hospital in the Rt. 50 corridor. In 2010, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the StoneSprings hospital plans, at 24440 Stone Springs Blvd., near the intersection of Rt. 50 and Gum Spring Road. During that long debate, the Rt. 50 corridor was largely undeveloped west of South Riding, but county plans envisioned south Loudoun as its next growth frontier. Those plans have come to fruition and the StoneSprings opening is a welcome

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BY DANIELLE NADLER Jennifer Montgomery stepped out of Loudoun Interfaith Relief into the bright afternoon sun Saturday. She looked down a long line of people that stretched toward the neighboring office space. “Welcome. We’re glad you’re here,” Montgomery, executive director of the food pantry, shouted. “I want everyone to know there’s more than enough for evDouglas Graham/Loudoun Now

December 3, 2015

BUDGET CRUNCH County revenue projects drop

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Nelson “Mutt” Lassiter, who turned 80 in August, has owned Robinson’s Barber Shop at 4B W. Loudoun St. since 1968. KD Kidder and Neil Steinberg opened their Photoworks business in 1979 at 2A Loudoun St. Mike Carroll is the youngster of the group, having opened the

Vol. 1, No. 4

Swell of Donations Helps More Families in Need

Volunteer Willa Kiser fills bags with food for families in need at Loudoun Interfaith Relief in time for Thanksgiving.

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On the Happy Corner of King and Loudoun Downtown Leesburg anchors stand witness to ever-changing streetscape

A Loudoun County deputy was found guilty Tuesday of assaulting a handcuffed man in his custody. John Wayne Gregory, a 10-year Sheriff ’s Office veteran who has been on paid administrative leave since the investigation began into the June 14 incident, was fined $500. His attorney, Caleb Kershner, immediately appealed the case to John Wayne Gregory Loudoun County Circuit Court. District Court Judge Norman deVere Morrison handed down the verdict after a two-hour trial. According to the testimony, the case began when Sgt. Brett Philips was waved down by a woman in front of Mighty Mike’s Bar and Grill in Sterling. She said she was worried about an inebriated man sitting in a pickup in the parking lot. Philips found Lyle Murphy Grenoble slumped behind the wheel of the truck, in a condition described as obviously intoxicated and possibly passed out. Grenoble said he was waiting for a roommate to pick him up. The keys were not in the ignition. As Philips pressed him for information on when his friend would show up, Grenoble became agitated and then aggressive. Gregory joined Philips on the scene as his supervisor made the decision to arrest Grenoble, charging him with public intoxication. He was handcuffed and placed in the back of Gregory’s cruiser. Grenoble became more agitated as he waited for officers to complete the search of his pickup, complaining frequently that the cuffs were too tight. The altercation happened in the secure garage at the Loudoun Adult Detention Center in Leesburg. When Gregory opened the door to let Grenoble, who was still handcuffed, get out, the two stood together and then the deputy suddenly forced the suspect to the ground on his back and held his head

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Nelson Lassiter gives Sterling resident Ken Hills a trim at Robinson’s Barber Shop, one of a handful of longstanding downtown Leesburg businesses. The shop has operated on West Loudoun Street since 1968.

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SCHOOL SWAP Bracing for new attendance map

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gasped, cheered and clapped as the figure emerged of a farmer, flanked by his wife and son, as he prepared to leave them to go to war on behalf of liberty and nationhood. The planning for the newest war memorial started 16 years

LOCO LIVING Spicing up the holiday table

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The solitary Confederate soldier statue in Loudoun’s courthouse square now has some company. Several hundred people— including excited third-graders from Frances Hazel Reid Elementary—gathered there Wednesday to witness the for-

mal unveiling of the “Spirit of Loudoun” statue, the result of an almost two decades-long effort to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Loudoun families who joined America’s fight for independence 239 years ago. The highlight of the colorful Veterans Day ceremony came as the red, white and blue cover was pulled away. The crowd

Oct. 12 – 18, 2017

BY MARGARET MORTON

WHO’S UP NEXT? Leesburg looks for new mayor

BY NORMAN K. STYER

Welcome to Loudoun Now.

Loudoun’s Revolutionary Spirit Memorialized At Courthouse

Vol. 1, No. 3

Loudoun Deputy Convicted of Assaulting Cuffed Man

FIRST EDITION

This is a community-based, community-focused journalism project aimed to fill a void created by the sudden closing of one of Loudoun’s two countywide newspapers last week. This inaugural issue arrives in your hand as a result of an extraordinary undertaking by a relatively small group of people in a very few days. Many hadn’t met before, but they were brought together by one common interest: That is a belief that a community as large and engaged as Loudoun not only can support more than one newspaper, it needs a broader community voice. Quickly joining the effort was a team of experienced journalists who offered to contribute in ways big and small. Those whose work is featured in this week’s issue are alumni of both Leesburg Today and the Loudoun Times-Mirror and, combined, bring more than a century of experience to these pages. Artists jumped in to help design the newspaper and website you see this week. These are projects that typically require weeks or months of planning and you can expect to see both evolve. The community support was extraordinary on the advertising side, as well. The businesses in these pages made their commitments while knowing little about what the paper would be or even where it would be distributed. They, too, value the choices a competitive media market offers. We look forward to adding your voice to the paper and to sharing your stories. We look forward to earning your trust as both government watchdogs and a community stewards. And we look forward to hearing from you. The Loudoun Times-Mirror this week observed that it was “A new day for news in Loudoun County.” We agree.

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The emotional power of what happens to a family when the father goes off to war, leaving behind wife and children, is well displayed in the Revolutionary War memorial statue that was unveiled during a Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday at the county courthouse.

November 19, 2015

BUY LOCAL Yes, even your Christmas tree

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LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE LOCO LIVING: Dig in with the Delta Spurs

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November 12, 2015

A New Day For News In Loudoun County

VINO POWWOW: Wine elite hit Loudoun

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IN COURT: Battered wife gets 15 years

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LOCO LIVING: Concert series stages storytelling

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TEACHER’S PET: Canine classmates

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LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE? The Rt. 7 tree is back

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12 2015 F- OCTOBER 11 2015 O

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