Loudoun Now for Dec. 8, 2016 by Loudoun Now

LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

[ Vol. 2, No. 5 ]

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Teens get creative to stop distracted driving

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016 ]

Parents Sue Counselor Over Son’s Suicide BY DANIELLE NADLER

revocably damage the character of the community and undermine the success they have had over decades.” “Sometimes a good idea, which at its heart has good intentions, is not such a good idea when pushed to the limits of the law,” Diamond said. Jane Covington wondered if an application like Catesby couldn’t be denied— with its historic area, pristine property, and massive opposition—what applica-

The parents of a Loudoun County teen who took his own life in February are suing the school counselor who was warned that the student was considering suicide. Jay Gallagher, an outgoing senior at Potomac Falls High School, had told a friend in Colorado that he was depressed, struggling with high expectations at school and a strained relation- Gallagher ship with his parents, according to the lawsuit. Jay’s friend emailed Potomac Falls school counselor Richard Bader to see if he could reach out to Jay. On Jan. 11, she wrote that her friend “wants some help but isn’t sure how to initiate, so just thought I’d let you know.” Bader replied in an email, thanking her for the heads up and said that he had been in touch with Jay. A few days later, the 18-year-old took his life. Jay’s parents, Erin and Timothy Gallagher, are suing Bader—both as an employee of Loudoun County Public Schools and as an individual—in a $5 million wrongful death suit. The lawsuit filed in Loudoun Circuit Court on Friday asserts that Bader is required to report a student’s suicidal behavior to parents. In the case, Bader is represented by Julia Judkins, the school system’s attorney on retainer. Judkins told the Washington Post that the lawsuit does not tell the full story. She said Jay had told Bader to not tell his parents about their meeting. Loudoun County has seen a rise in teen suicides in the past year. It’s prompted a community-wide conversation about how to improve the safety net to help struggling teens before they make a fatal decision. Law enforcement leaders and mental health professionals have

CATESBY >> 42

GALLAGHER >> 42

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Plans to open an events center at Catesby Farm near Unison drew vehement opposition from area residents concerned about the impacts it would have on the rural community.

The Battle of Catesby Farm Supervisors Approve Events Center in 8-1 Vote

BY RENSS GREENE

ounty supervisors on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the controversial application to operate an events center at Catesby Farm near Unison. At Catesby Farm, the LaRose family sought a minor special exception to allow them to hold up to 20 events a year with a maximum of 200 attendees at each on the 241-acre property. Family representatives—and most supervisors—noted that

they could open a county inn without any board approval and would be permitted to host an unlimited number of events with up to 100 people, and up to 20 events per year with more people. Nonetheless, many western Loudouners vehemently opposed the application, even after hearing that explanation from supervisors and staff. Nearly three dozen addressed the board Tuesday night. Mitch Diamond said opponents to the application had legitimate concerns that traffic, noise, and light that would “ir-

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A man and his pup walk along the W&OD Trail, across the creek from what will soon be the home of new development. Plans call for commercial space and 64 multi-family residential units.

AFTER THE VOTE

South King Street Retailers Prepare for Moves BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

hile plans for more residential units were celebrated by many as having a positive impact on downtown Leesburg, some downtown retailers are being affected in a different way. Builder Don Knutson received unanimous approval from the Town Council last month on a special exception application that clears the way for the project. It calls for 64 multi-family residential units and 7,100 square feet of commercial space, including 3,000 square feet that is already existing, on two acres on the east side of South King Street, by the W&OD Trail. It’s a property that many will recognize

from one of its long-term tenants, Battery Warehouse. Oleg Totchin took over ownership of Battery Warehouse in 2004. But within one year of signing a new 10-year lease, the former property owner began laying out development plans for the site. Then, the property was sold to current landowner Waterford Development, which proposed its own commercial project and parking structure. That project received approval of the Town Council in 2008, but never moved forward. So, to say Totchin has seen this show before, would be an understatement. “For 12 years I’ve probably paid [employees] a month’s worth of time talking about something that’s never happened,” he said this week.

Over the years, he repeatedly has responded to questions and concerns raised by his loyal customers as to whatever current development proposal was up for debate would force his closure. Totchin noted that he and other merchants have been kept very well in the loop by property owners about discussions on the future of the property. But, even if the Knutson project does not move forward, Battery Warehouse is leaving, Totchin said. “Quite honestly, we need more room,” he said. “We’ve overgrown the location tremendously. We’ll continue rocking but somewhere else.” But that “somewhere else” will still SOUTH KING STREET >> 43

Castillo Attorneys Argue to Overturn Murder Conviction BY NORMAN K. STYER

INDEX Loudoun Gov..................... 4 Leesburg........................... 8 Public Safety................... 12 Education........................ 14 Biz.................................. 22 LoCo Living..................... 28 Obituaries....................... 35 Classifieds...................... 37 Braulio M. Castillo

Opinion........................... 40

loudounnow.com

Our Towns....................... 20

LCSD

CASTILLO >> 35

A Loudoun County Circuit Court judge will rule this week on motions seeking to overturn the murder conviction against Braulio M. Castillo, who faces life in prison for killing his estranged wife. During six hours of post-trial arguments Monday, defense attorney Peter D. Greenspun put the spotlight on the conduct of county prosecutors and the lead investigator. Key claims include that Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Nicole Wittmann made improper statements during her closing arguments in the case and that prosecutors failed to dis-

close concerns that Mark McCaffrey, the former Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office detective who led the Castillo investigation, may have filed a false report in an unrelated fatal overdose case. Following a five-week trial ending in June, the jury recommended Castillo be sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife, Michelle Castillo, in her Ashburn home. During the trial, prosecutors claimed that Castillo jogged from his nearby home to his wife’s house, snuck inside and then strangled her in her bedroom, while their children were asleep in the home. He then took

Second time is the charm for Crescent Parke

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Town scrambles to avoid exit delay

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[ BRIEFS ] Pickup Trucks’ Personal Property Tax Relief Qualifications Changed

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Because of recently enacted legislation, trucks with a gross weight between 7,501 and 10,000 pounds may qualify for Personal Property Tax Relief from the Commonwealth of Virginia beginning in 2017, Robert S. Wertz, Jr., Loudoun’s Commissioner of the Revenue, has advised. During the 2016 General Assembly session, registration and license plate requirements for personal use trucks were changed. Beginning Jan. 1, personal use trucks within that weight class may qualify for tax relief if the vehicle is registered with the DMV as a pickup and displays standard passenger vehicle license plates. Business-use vehicles or those displaying truck license plates are not eligible for tax relief. You may verify your vehicle is properly registered and is therefore eligible for Personal Property Tax Relief qualification by contacting the DMV at 804497-7100 or by visiting a DMV customer service center.

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Rock Ridge High School senior Adwait Srivastava speaks about distracted driving at the Legislative Breakfast on Dec. 2.

PREVENTING TRAGEDY

Students Partner with Delegate to Curb Distracted Driving BY DANIELLE NADLER

istracted driving can be blamed for several lives lost this year in Loudoun County. The death of a 5-month-old Lansdowne boy in a stroller prompted the most outrage. In response, a group of high school kids is teaming up with a state legislator to deliver a safety message to people right when they need the reminder most—when they’re behind the wheel. The idea is to create a license plate with a message that reminds drivers to stay off their phones when they’re on the road. Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R32) said, following the string of “horrific accidents caused by distracted driving,” he and a few of his colleagues in the General Assembly got to talking about what might be done to stop people from texting while driving. “We could sit and create legislation, increase penalties, make it very difficult for you and ruin your life if you do this,” he said. “But it’s too late at that point. We haven’t saved anybody.” He pitched the idea of creating a license plate with some sort of awareness message during the Loudoun County School Board’s Legislative Breakfast on Friday. Addressing the eight student School Board represen-

tatives in attendance, he said, “What if we held a contest at all the high schools in Loudoun and you guys determined what the license plate would say?” Carder Saul, a Tuscarora High School senior, said he and his friends who are just starting to drive are constantly berated with messages from adults about not texting while driving. “But it’s not involving us. If we make this a community-based activity and allow the students to get involved, we might get some creative outcomes.” He gave the example of a license plate that offered the blunt message, “Don’t text and drive, stupid,” might just draw some attention. “They might think, that’s right, I am being stupid. I should put my phone down,” Saul said. Darius Fraser, a Loudoun Valley High School senior, said he liked the idea of focusing on prevention rather than punishment and convictions. “Because at the end of the day, the penalty of taking a life is penalty enough. Instead, build a culture of safe driving. I think that’s an excellent idea.” Potomac Falls High School senior Mackenzie Dorsey agreed, saying, “A big problem with students today is apathy. I don’t think laws scare them enough to stop them from going on Instagram or Snapchat while driving.” Greason met with several of the students after the Legislative Breakfast

and said they’re eager to get started. The plan is to hold a contest at each of the county’s 15 high schools and, from there, the winning designs from each of the schools will compete for the final prize, the chance to be on thousands of bumpers in Virginia. The Ashburn legislator is working with Del. Richard L. Anderson (R-51), of Prince William County, and Del. Ronald A. Villanueva (R-21), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, to draft a bill for the 2017 General Assembly, which begins next month. Greason, whose son is a senior at Stone Bridge High School, told the students that a safety message from teens would go further than any law or infomercial. “Raise your hand and help us implement this,” he challenged the students. “Because you guys are the ones we’re most worried about and you guys are the ones we need to protect most.” Greason championed another cause using state tags two years ago when he got approval for a “Cure Childhood Cancer” license plate option for Virginia drivers. The plate came at the request of Team Mathias, an organization created by Mathias Giordano, a 13-year-old Loudoun boy who died in 2014 from Osteosarcoma. dnadler@loudounnow.com

County to Give Rental Property Owners Project-Based Vouchers The Loudoun County Department of Family Services is accepting proposals from the owners of rental properties to contract with the county for Project-Based Vouchers. The department will award a contract to rental property owners for assistance tied to specific housing units. PBV assistance may be attached to newly constructed or existing rental housing. PBV may also be awarded to the owners of affordable rental housing units who provide fully accessible housing for residents with disabilities. Proposals will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. More details about the application procedures and proposal review process may be found online at loudoun.gov/ProjectBasedVouchers.

County Offers Free Pet Adoptions On Saturday, Dec. 10, Loudoun County Animal Services will hold its second annual “Home for the Holidays” free pet adoption event from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Animal Shelter, 39820 Charles Town Pike, Waterford. Adoption fees will be waived for cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, small pets and reptiles. Other holiday fun and festivities will include hot cocoa, cookies, and holiday music. BRIEFS >> 6

5 Dec. 8 – 14, 2016 LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Richmond Times-Dispatch political columnist Jeff Schapiro listens to fellow panel member and George Mason University Professor Toni-Michelle C. Travis at a Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce breakfast event Thursday, Dec. 1.

Schapiro, Chamber Look Ahead After Election Richmond Times-Dispatch political columnist Jeff Schapiro told a Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce crowd last week that businesses may be the ones to get legislators unstuck. “I think that business allows itself, maybe needlessly at times, to be pushed around by the political class,” Schapiro said during a Dec. 1 breakfast panel discussion of the impact of the 2016 presidential election. “These cats are in safe districts. I think they have become

increasingly transactional in their view of politics and policy, and they respond primarily to those who stroke them checks.” Instead of “accommodation,” Schapiro asked what would happen if businesses united and became, in his words, “petulant” to legislators. “How would the legislature respond if there were unity among corporate interests on a particular point, that maybe had to do with the continuing intranSCHAPIRO >> 6

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<< FROM 4 In hopes of finding homes for as many pets as possible, the shelter staff have invited the Humane Society of Loudoun County to participate as well. In addition, 12 dogs from overcrowded shelters in West Virginia will make the trip to Loudoun, hoping to find families of their own. All adopters will receive a goody bag for their new pet, including toys, treats, and gifts. “There is nothing better than being surrounded by loved ones during the holidays,” stated LCAS Community Relations Manager Nicole Falceto. “Opening up your heart and home to a new pet and making them a part of your family is a great way to celebrate and make the season one to remember.” In lieu of adoption, those wishing to help homeless pets may items or make a financial contribution to the Animal Program Trust Fund. Needed supplies include durable, rubber pet toys of all sizes, such as KONG brand toys; puzzle feeders; small bags of dry dog or cat food (10 pounds or less); canned dog and cat food; soft treats for dogs and cats; cat toys; dog toys; and collars and leashes.

Schapiro << FROM 5 sigence of the legislature to fix problems?” Schapiro asked. “What if the business community said ‘not a dollar more?’” Chamber president and CEO Tony Howard agreed that the business community could do a lot. “I don’t know if petulant is necessarily the word I would use,” Howard said. “…I would say more insistent and a little less deferential, which is not to be confused with disrespectful.” Howard said business leaders could stand to be more insistent, instead of treating legislators with deference that they would not grant in other relationships, such as with employees or vendors. “It’s going to require the business community to step up in a big way, and it’s not necessarily in the DNA of a lot of CEOs,” Howard said. “They don’t necessarily see their job or their responsibility as advocating for public policy change. Their job is to increase shareholder value.” “I would make the argument… that that is a way of increasing shareholder value, but it’s a long-term way and it’s imprecise.” Howard said businesses can’t wait for another crisis situation, such as in transportation, to get involved in policymaking. “I think if the business community collectively can come together through groups like the Chamber and start to be more forceful, and hold elected officials more accountable on these issues, then we’ll start to see real progress on these issues,” Howard said. “Because management by crisis is the least effective school of management out there.” Much of the morning’s panel discussion centered around lawmakers crippled by partisanship—in Richmond and Washington—and the chances for

All dogs and cats adopted from shelter are spayed or neutered, have up to date vaccinations, and leave with a registered microchip to help them reunite with their family if they are ever lost. The shelter frequently has many pets available for adoption including hamsters, guinea pigs, reptiles, rabbits, other small pets and livestock. A current listing of available pets can be found online at loudoun.gov/animals. In most cases, the standard adoption screening process, which also applies during the Home for the Holidays event, can be completed on the same day. finding middle ground in a political sphere characterized by partisanship and “Trumpism.” “Loudoun County is accustomed to shock and awe candidates—after all, you elected (former Sterling supervisor) Eugene Delgaudio as supervisor,” Schapiro said. “Some of us remember when Eugene was standing on street corners, literally, protesting against Democratic candidates, so maybe Eugene was onto something in terms of politics as theater.” County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) asked the panelists, Schapiro and George Mason University Professor Toni-Michelle C. Travis, if there were a national voice for moderation. Neither seemed optimistic. Schapiro said much of that can be put down to “hyper-partisan gerrymandering” largely benefitting Republicans, who, he said, also enjoy outsized representation because conservative, white, males are the most reliable voters. Democrats, he said, have “an enduring problem in terms of their ability to turn out” in state and local elections. Virginia’s voters also encourage partisanship because so many of them came to the state from elsewhere, he said. Partisan issues are a simpler, more convenient way to understand politics and vote. And voters everywhere tend to find themselves in cultural and political bubbles, consuming only content that reinforces instead of challenging their views, Schapiro said, a segmentation only exacerbated by social media. The election does not bode well for moderation in the state General Assembly either, Schapiro said. “Richmond legislative politics, which has been increasingly tribal in the past 20 or so years, will probably become even more so,” Schapiro said. “I think the presidential primary will embolden some of the more restive Republicans to become even more so.” rgreene@loudounnow.com

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PURCELLVILLE

Important funding for the design and construction of an interchange at the heavily-trafficked intersection of Rt. 7 and Battlefield Parkway in Leesburg appears back on track this week, thanks to quick action by town leaders. Last week, Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10) noticed that the subject of funding for the interchange was taken off the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s Dec. 8 meeting agenda. Following up, Minchew said the NVTA staff pulled off the project because it appeared the town was pressing to retain the traffic light on Rt. 7 and Cardinal Park Drive—something VDOT engineers say shouldn’t be allowed because it would be too close to the interchange. “A deferral could have been very problematic,” Minchew wrote. Minchew said he called Leesburg Mayor David Butler to alert him to the problem. Reached Tuesday, Butler explained how the misunderstanding arose. “The Interchange Justification Report is required by VDOT in order to do an interchange of this type,” Butler said. “They’re looking at three different alternatives to the entrance at Cardinal Park Drive and Rt. 7. Two of them include a [traffic] light. So NVTA was confused about this because their expectation was that the light would no longer be there, and their reaction was to take this item off the agenda.” Butler said the town agrees the light would impede traffic flow and does not object to its removal. “If that light goes away as well as the one at Battlefield Parkway then there are no lights between the other side of [Rt.] 28 and Berryville,” Butler pointed out. So the mayor called NVTA Chairman Marty Nohe to see what he and the council could do to assure NVTA voting members that they, too, believe the light at Cardinal Park Drive should be eliminated once the Battlefield Parkway interchange is constructed.

According to Butler, Nohe advised that the council write a letter to the NVTA stating that the council and town staff plan to select an option for the Cardinal Park Drive/Rt. 7 intersection that does not include a traffic light. In the letter, sent Tuesday, Butler wrote, “I want to assure the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority that the Town of Leesburg fully intends to remove the traffic signal on Route 7 at Cardinal Park Drive as soon as permissible. … Although the [IJR] study must look at various options to meet federal and state requirements, the Leesburg Town Council fully anticipates supporting a configuration that results in the removal of the traffic signal on Route 7 and Cardinal Park Drive.” The item regarding funding the project was restored to the authority’s agenda. If approved, it would secure an additional $20 million for the interchange. With $13 million for the project already awarded, the town would still need to secure an additional $25 million to move forward with construction. The council is expected to formally request the balance in fiscal year 2018. There is not yet a construction start date listed in the town’s Capital Improvements Program; however, the report put together by the NVTA identified a fourth quarter of 2019 target. “It’s important to get the money this year because next year there will be a lot more projects and so there’s the risk that we wouldn’t get the money next year at all,” Butler said. In a nod to his former opponent— the two challenged each other for the 10th District House of Delegates seat in 2011—Minchew praised Butler on his quick action. “Fixing this NVTA-Leesburg misunderstanding early, before the deferral of the action item occurred, was critical in keeping the project on track and Mayor Butler deserves the credit,” Minchew wrote. “As an NVTA voting member, I really appreciate his efforts.”

CO MI NG SO ON

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Letter Could Save Battlefield Interchange Funding

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Traffic at the intersection of Rt. 7 and Battlefield Parkway.

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Offices in Ashburn, Burke, Fairfax, Leesburg and Purcellville

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OLD IZAAK WALTON PARK

ROUT E

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Lansdowne Development Corp.

An illustrative rendering of the Crescent Parke layout approved by the Leesburg Town Council last week.

In Round Two, Crescent Parke Gets Green Light BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

our months after the Leesburg Town Council voted it down, and two months after rescinding that decision, Crescent Parke developer Hobie Mitchel got the vote of confidence he’d been hoping for. It was another close vote that determined the project’s fate Nov. 29. But this time it was in Crescent Parke’s favor, with a 4-3 vote to approve a rezoning for the mixed-use development. The project calls for 344 residential units, including 70 age-restricted units, and 161,725 square feet of commercial development. The council’s vote in favor of approval also means that Olde Izaak Walton Park will become a townowned property, as Mitchel included the purchase of the park, and funding to improve it, in his proffers. It was a revised application from what the council had voted on in July, with fewer proposed residential units, the addition of active adult units, and accelerated commercial phasing, with 20,000 square feet of non-residential uses to be built before the issuance of the 173rd occupancy permit. It was in part these changes that prompted Councilman Bruce Gemmill, who in the July vote on the project had not supported the development, to make a motion to approve the project. Gemmill was also the one in September who put forward the successful motion to rescind the July vote. In explaining his changed position, Gemmill said it goes back to his role as a businessman. “I hate to close doors. I felt that this application had a great deal further to go, and it has a lot of potential based on what everyone has heard here,” he

said. “The enthusiasm in this meeting alone even from people before who were not for this project has made me feel a lot better about bringing it back to the public.” The crowd that turned out for last week’s meeting was largely in support of the project. Included in the standing room only Council Chambers were about a dozen people decked out in white T-shirts showing support for Crescent Parke, many of whom were representatives of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

tinez and Tom Dunn in opposing the project, held firm to why she believed it was not the right fit for Leesburg. She said the vote to approve was for a residential, not mixed-use, development as has been claimed by the developer. She noted that up to 172 housing units could be built without a single square foot of commercial uses. “We’ve been told over and over again if you don’t balance commercial with residential the impact of the cost goes to residents who live here now. The lack of phasing makes this unacceptable to

Watch what we do. Look what we’ve done in other areas.

— Hobie Mitchel

Marshall Brown, who spoke to the council on behalf of LIUNA, said they had turned out in support since Lansdowne Development Group had pledged “to hire locally and pay good wages” for the construction jobs generated by the 53-acre project. Others in the audience who supported the project noted Mitchel’s past accomplishments in Leesburg, including the much-lauded Crescent Place development on the former Barber & Ross site on Harrison Street, as well as the millions of dollars in proffers pledged by the developer. In addition to the park, proffers also included a $9 million extension of Davis Avenue from South King Street to Gateway Drive. That will need to be constructed and open to traffic before the first residential occupancy permit can be issued, Mitchel noted. But Vice Mayor Kelly Burk, who was joined by council members Marty Mar-

me,” she said. “This means that Leesburg is nothing more than a bedroom community.” Mitchel begs to differ, as he believes the future development could help spur redevelopment efforts on other properties in the Crescent District, and could become a “lifestyle center” for Leesburg and greater Loudoun. A week after the vote, Mitchel is already hard at work on the next steps before the shovels hit the ground. Noting he was “obviously pleased” with the approval, “now we got to get it done.” A top priority is the design of the Davis Avenue extension, with the grading plan already underway. Attention has also turned to the preliminary subdivision plan and storm water study, and then a decision will need to be made on what builders to select for Crescent Parke, he said. The park land will officially be conveyed to the town within 12 months fol-

lowing the rezoning’s approval, Mitchel said, and work on pond restoration and rework will begin within 18 months of the conveyance. The park improvements alone will be a heavy undertaking, with Mitchel estimating the total price tag to hover around $1 million. These include significant improvements to the pond alone, dredging it, putting in a fountain to help with aeration, replanting around the pond, restoring the dam structure, and constructing a natural trail around the pond. Following the pond improvements, the developer will do pond maintenance for two years. Mitchel has also proffered a new road access into the park’s existing parking lot, which will make the current bridge entrance into the park for pedestrian use only. Finally, he will provide funds for the town to either restore the existing building at the park, used for community events and some Parks & Recreation Department activities, or funds to replace it altogether. He is also reimbursing the town for lease payments on the park property for the current and next fiscal year, after which it will be town-owned property. “Basically we’re doing everything except 100 percent replacement of the building and we’re providing money for that,” he said. And along the way he pledges to keep nearby residents and the local media informed of the process to lessen its impacts. But understanding that, despite the proffers put forward and what he believes will be a positive enhancement to the town, not all community or council members are sold on Crescent Parke, Mitchel’s advice is simple. “Watch what we do. Look what we’ve done in other areas,” he said. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Leegate Vote Deferred

Courtesy

A vision for proposed Leegate development, shown here looking to the southeast with Rt. 7 on the left and and Battlefield Parkway at the top.

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

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Ultimately, the council voted to postpone a vote on the project by two weeks. Councilwoman Suzanne Fox had initially proposed deferring the application until the council’s first meeting in January, but when there was clear resistance voiced by other council members, she said she was amenable to a two-week delay instead. The vote to defer passed by a 5-2 vote, with Mayor David Butler and Councilman Marty Martinez opposed.

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A proposed development at the intersection of East Market Street and Battlefield Parkway continues to await its fate, as the Town Council deferred action on the application last week. Developer Stanley Martin is requesting authority to build 430,000 square feet of office uses, 200,000 square feet of commercial uses, a 130-room hotel, two parking structures and 475 residential units—a combination of townhouses, two-over-two condominiums and multifamily units. The 77-acre development would be located at the southwest quadrant of the intersection, across from the Lowe’s. To move dirt on the project, the Town Council must first approve a rezoning, special exception and an amendment to the Town Plan, which designates the area for regional office uses. In its initial debate over the project, council members have wrestled with moving away from that Town Plan vision, and inserting more residential units into an area once viewed as an employment center. Other concerns have been voiced about the proposed phasing of the project, with the bulk of non-residential uses planned for later stages of the development, and the impact to local roads. While the applicant is proposing to build an extension of Russell Branch Parkway to link with Trailview Boulevard near Cardinal Park Drive, some council members have suggested the applicant should contribute more than

just land reservation for the future Rt. 7/Battlefield Parkway interchange. The applicant, represented by Cooley LLP, says the town will see a positive fiscal impact if the project is approved, and has pointed to other successful mixeduse developments that built rooftops before retail, restaurant and office uses, to generate immediate business for the non-residential uses once constructed.

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

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Brown’s Car Stores

Proposed designs of the two car dealerships Brown’s Car Stores wants to build in the East Market Street corridor.

Brown’s Gets First Approval

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ A proposal to put two car dealerships in the East Market Street corridor gained steam at the Planning Commission last week. The plan by Brown’s Car Stores received the unanimous endorsement of the panel last Thursday. The company is seeking approval for both a rezoning and special exception on land north and south of Russell Branch Parkway between the Village at Leesburg and the new Lowe’s home improvement store. The property is zoned I-1 (Industrial). If approved by the council, the land would be rezoned to B-3 (Business) and special exception approval would allow for the construction of two automobile dealerships that will front on Russell Branch and face each other. Each dealership would be a maximum of 33,502 square feet, and both will contain indoor sales areas, outdoor vehicle display, and service areas. According to the staff report, the dealership on the north side of Russell Branch Parkway will be located between the Lowe’s site on the east and the Cobb movie theater parking lot to the west, with East Market Street to the north. The dealership on the south side of Russell Branch Parkway would be between the town’s Public Works/Utilities facili-

ties to the west, and open space to the east that is associated with Land Bay C of the Village at Leesburg development, which is made up of two-over-two and townhouse units. To the south of the site is an extensive floodplain associated with Tuscarora Creek. Within the floodplain area, which is not proposed for development, the applicant wants to build a portion of the Tuscarora Creek pedestrian/bike trail along their property. Access for both of the dealerships will be provided from Russell Branch Parkway with the cul-desac for Keystone Drive providing additional access to the southern dealership. In its recommendation for approval, commissioners encouraged the applicant to work with town staff during site plan review to incorporate more pervious surfaces into the development area. The application now goes on to the Town Council for final approval, but it won’t be the council’s first glimpse of the proposed project. In June, council members approved a Town Plan amendment on the property to change the land use designation of the property from Regional Office to Community Office/Light Industrial and remove Keystone Drive from the Road Network Policy Map. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ The Leesburg Town Council has established the process for what is expected to be a top priority at the start of the year: filling an empty seat on the council dais. Mayor-elect Kelly Burk will resign from her current Town Council seat by year’s end and begin her two-year term as mayor Jan. 1, 2017. Since Burk’s council term will not expire until Dec. 31, 2018, a special election is required to fill the seat. In the meantime, the council will have 90 days from when the vacancy is created to fill the seat on an interim basis. The council was in a similar position earlier this year, needing not only to fill the vacant mayor’s seat, following Kristen Umstattd’s election to the Board of Supervisors in November 2015, but also a vacant council seat after David Butler was selected to finish Umstattd’s mayoral term. Some of those who put their hats in the ring for Butler’s unexpired term criticized the process the council used to make its selection, ultimately choosing Bruce Gemmill. The council advertised for candidates and reviewed applications prior to the special meeting called to make the appointment. During that meeting, the candidates were not asked to speak and there was no debate among council members. The procedure called for motions to nominate candidates and the first to win four votes got the seat. Gemmill was nominated first and the motion was approved. While that method was similar to past appointments,

candidates and councilmembers criticized the process. During the council’s Nov. 29 meeting, Burk said she wanted to ensure that council members and candidates have clear expectations. At her suggestion, the council directed the town staff to begin advertising to accept expressions of interest for the vacant seat, which it did Tuesday. Those interested in serving until the special election—in the spring or next November—until noon on Wednesday, Dec. 21, to submit confidential letters of interest along with a professional résumé. After all the applications have been received, council members will individually rank the candidates. From the combined rankings of all council members, the top three candidates will be identified. The finalists will be invited to speak at the special organizational meeting on Jan. 9, 2017, to address the following questions: 1. Why are you interested in filling the vacancy on Town Council? 2. What unique skill set or experience do you offer? 3. What do you believe are the top three priorities the Council should focus on over the next two years? After the presentations, the council members will discuss an appointment. They may elect to go into closed session, something several current council members said they were against, preferring to discuss candidates in an open forum. While Burk did have the support of a VACANCY >> 11

<< FROM 10

A sheen on the surface of the Potomac River spotted Sunday, Nov. 27—later identified as lubricating oil leaked from the NRG Dickerson Power Generating Station in Montgomery County, MD—caused the Town of Leesburg Utilities Department to temporarily shut down its water intake in the river. The oil slick, first spotted near Point of Rocks upstream of the town’s water intake, flowed directly over the town’s offshore submerged intake. The town filled its reserves to capacity on Monday in anticipation and shut down the intake as the slick approached. By Wednesday morning,

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apart the budget in detail. I feel it would be more seamless and less political to just have him go ahead and continue,” until the winner of the special election takes the seat, he said. Council members-elect Ron Campbell and Ken Reid were in the audience Tuesday night, and also were asked to share their opinions with the council. While Campbell supported Burk’s proposal, Reid said he thought it would be best for the town staff just to advertise for applications now, and for the council to set the process later. Dunn put forward a motion to that end, but failed to receive a majority support. Burk’s motions passed. Both Gemmill and Butler abstained on the votes to set the process, and Dunn dissented. Gemmill voted in favor of advertising, while Butler abstained again.

the oil had drifted away and pumping had resumed. “Our staff were among the first to identify the sheen,” said Leesburg public information officer Betsy Arnett. On Sunday, she said, the town’s utilities staff walked the banks of the Potomac to see the extent of the oil. The town has since deployed a boom to divert contaminants away from the town’s intake, which remains in place, although Arnett said the sheen has drifted across the river away from the town and has not returned. The Utilities Department continues to conduct additional testing and monitoring as a precaution. Loudoun Water sources its water

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

council majority to move forward with a new process, it did not come without some debate. Katie Sheldon Hammler, a threeterm council member who did not win re-election, recused herself from the conversation, leaving the meeting early. She has expressed interest in being considered for the interim appointment and possibly running in the special election. Gemmill and Butler both stayed for the debate. Butler has firmly stated, and did so again Tuesday, that he will not apply for the interim seat. Gemmill stated that he has no intention of filling the interim seat, but said if the council “decided they wanted to pull me out of [council] retirement,” he would consider it, but only if the special election were set for the spring. The council cannot yet request the Circuit Court to set a date for a special election, as no vacancy currently exists. When Burk’s resignation becomes official, the council has 15 days to petition the Circuit Court for a writ of election. The court will set the date of the special election for the next general election, Nov. 8, 2017, unless the council asks for it to be earlier, likely in the spring. It will be a debate that comes with some financial implications, as the cost of a special election is around $30,000, while the costs for a November election, when polling precincts are already up and running, is minimal. Dunn said he would like the council to consider Gemmill for the appointment. “He’s already demonstrated, beyond anyone I’ve seen, the ability to take

BY RENSS GREENE

from Goose Greek and from Fairfax Water, which pumps from the Potomac River. Fairfax Water is also taking precautions, and both the Town of Leesburg and Fairfax Water said there was no need for customers to take any action. The sheen, which was identified as less than 150 gallons of oil, has largely dissipated, according to the EPA. The EPA continues to investigate other evidence of sheen, reporting that it appears that degraded sheen from the original discharge lodged in “small discreet spots south of the plant” and was released “due to changing weather and shoreline conditions.”

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

Vacancy

Oil Slick Briefly Shuts Down Water Intake

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loudounnow.com

[ PUBLIC SAFETY ] Chamber Seeks Nominations for Valor Awards The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the Loudoun County Valor Awards. This is the 32nd year that the Loudoun business community will honor the career and volunteer emergency first responders and ordinary citizens for their courageous, often lifesaving actions during 2016. Nominations are due by Jan. 6. All career and volunteer law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel from agencies within Loudoun—including the towns, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Virginia State Police—and civilians who live or work in the county are eligible for nomination. “The Annual Valor Awards is the Loudoun County Chamber’s proudest tradition, because it provides our members the privilege of honoring our community’s emergency first responders and those ordinary citizens whose heroic and selfless actions, often in the face of great peril, have saved lives and kept our community safe,” Chamber

Loudoun Now/File Photo

Loudoun firefighters pose for photos during the 2016 Valor Awards.

President Tony Howard stated. To submit a nomination, complete the online nomination form at

loudounchamber.org/Valor-Awards. Contact Events Manager Paige Romanow at promanow@loudounchamber.

org with questions or requests for assistance.

Pedestrian Struck While Crossing Leesburg Bypass A 39-year-old man remained hospitalized Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle while he was attempting to cross the Leesburg Bypass on Saturday evening. Just after 5:30 p.m., Leesburg Police officers were called to the crash site at the Fort Evans Road intersection. Preliminary indications are that the victim was attempting to cross the bypass when he was struck by a 2013 Toyota Highlander, driven by a 71-yearold Culpeper man. The victim was transported by an AirCare helicopter to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. The police department is asking if anyone witnessed the crash to contact MPO Lotz at 703-771-4500. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703443-TIPS (8477).

Trial Set in Death of Lansdowne Infant A 15-day trial has been scheduled for the Leesburg man charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 5-month-old Tristan Schulz. John Miller IAV, 45, was indicted by a Loudoun grand jury on one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of reckless driving, and one count of failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. If convicted, he could face up to 11 years in prison. The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 10, 2017, in Loudoun County Circuit Court. Investigators say on Aug. 31, Miller drove through the crosswalk at Riverside Parkway and Coton Manor Drive in Lansdowne, crashing into Mindy Schulz and her infant son. Five-monthold Tristan was pronounced dead at

Suspects in ABC Store Robbery Caught on Video Loudoun Sheriff ’s Office detectives have released video surveillance stills of three suspects involved in the Nov. 29 robbery at a Sterling ABC store. The suspects entered the store on South Sterling Boulevard at 1:26 p.m. and waited for customers to leave before they grabbed several boxes of liquor. As they fled, a clerk attempted to stop them. One of the suspects hit her in the head with a bottle. They were last seen running to a dark colored vehicle with a possible partial tag of “2907” (unknown state). the hospital shortly after. Mindy Schulz was injured and released from the hospital after three days of treatment.

Residents Surprised by Robbers, Unsecured Garages Blamed Two residential break-ins on Monday morning highlight the risks associated with unlocked garage doors. The first incident happened at 1:30 p.m. at a home on Difrank Court in Ashburn. The homeowner found a

The suspects are described as three black males approximately 5-feet, 9-inches to 6-feet tall. They were wearing dark jackets and dark colored caps. The video may be viewed on the Sheriff ’s Office’s YouTube channel. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Sheriff ’s Office at 703-777-0475 or submit a tip through the agency’s app, available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play.

man in the house who said he was looking for cigarettes and then walked out the front door. Investigators determined the man entered the home by using the garage door opener found in an unlocked vehicle. The second case happened just after 7:30 a.m. at a home on Black Branch Parkway near Watson. A resident found a stranger in the kitchen/dining area going through drawers. She initially thought the man was with a work crew and she went upstairs. The suspect left the area before deputies were

called. The suspect entered the home through an open garage door. Both cases are under investigation.

South Riding Stabbing Deemed Drug Related A man sitting in his car near the Center Street/Shipley Terrace intersection in South Riding was stabbed Monday afternoon. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office, two suspects entered PUBLIC SAFETY >> 13

8 Seek Consideration for Judgeship

Public Safety << FROM 12 his vehicle and demanded drugs. The victim drove himself to a hospital for treatment. Hospital personnel contacted the Sheriff ’s Office. Investigators said the assault appeared to be drug-related and the victim was likely targeted. The suspects were described as darkskinned males, wearing black sweatshirts with red/grey emblems and Nike Air Jordan Retro shoes.

The Nov. 6 rally at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds for Donald J. Trump turned out to be the largest campaign event of the year, with as many as 8,000 people lining up to attend. The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office has completed tabulations on its cost of supporting the United States Secret Service in providing security for the event. The bill came to $38,503.49, including $37,503.49 in overtime payments. Because the detail was considered as providing mutual aid to States Secret Service, there is no requirement for the campaign to offset the costs.

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

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in 1996; Robert Hartsoe, a partner at Harsoe & Morgan, and Thomas Plofchan, of the Westlake Legal Group. The next step is for Bar members to complete evaluation forms about the candidates. The committee will rate each as highly qualified, qualified or make no recommendation. The full Bar will meet in January to hear from the candidates and vote to select its top candidate to be recommended to the General Assembly. The Bar associations in Fauquier and Rappahoncok counties, also part of the 20th Circuit, also will have input, although the position is recognized as a Loudoun seat. The state legislature is expected to make its appointment in late January. McCahill is Loudoun’s most senior judge. He began practicing law in Leesburg in 1976 and was appointed to the judgeship in 1998.

13 Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

Members of the Loudoun County Bar Association were told Tuesday that eight attorneys have expressed interest in filling Circuit Court vacancy that will be created with the Jan. 1 retirement of Judge Burke F. McCahill. The Bar’s Candidate Qualifications Evaluation Committee last month put out a call for candidates and ask those interested to complete questionnaires. Candidates for the post include three county prosecutors: Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Sean P. Morgan, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Alejandra Rueda and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Germaine (Gigi) Lawless. Others include Assistant County Attorney Zaida Thompson; former Assistant County Attorney Lorrie Sinclair, of Biberaj, Snow & Sinclair; Alexander Levay, who served nine years in the Public Defender’s Office before starting his own practice

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School Board’s Request for Flexibility to Charge Bus Fees Gains Traction BY DANIELLE NADLER

chool Board members sat down with Loudoun’s state delegation Friday to outline legislative priorities they want the lawmakers to champion for them in Richmond. Specifically, they asked for a change in state law that would free school systems up to charge students for bus rides to optional programs, like Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax County and Loudoun’s Academy of Science. The request stems from a difficult budget season two years ago when the board was faced with a decision to eliminate bus service for Loudoun students to Thomas Jefferson High School, a magnet school in Fairfax County. Parents packed the board room, asking that the board at least let them pay for the service as opposed to getting rid of it all together. “We only have the option to either not provide it … or provide it and we bear the cost,” said board Chairman Eric Hornberger (Ashburn). The board members got good news on this point. A bill to do just that is being drafted and co-sponsored by two of Loudoun’s state senators who rarely see eye to eye on issues, state Sen. Barbara A. Favola (D-31) and Richard M. “Dick” Black (R-13). “So long as we are providing the basic transportation, when it comes to the extracurricular things, I don’t have any problem at all with granting the authority to charge for that,” Black said. “If the School Board decided, with public input, that that was the thing to do.” Favola agreed. “You can’t have an all or nothing option. It just doesn’t work.” The most discussed topic at the Legislative Breakfast was a request that all of the School Board members seemed in favor of: relaxing some of the state’s Standards of Quality staffing requirements. The SOQs mandate how many teachers and support staff schools must have at a minimum. But as Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Cynthia B. Ambrose point-

School Leaders Consider Canceling Classes on Inauguration Day BY DANIELLE NADLER Loudoun County students may, just may, get Inauguration Day off school. After receiving several inquiries from parents, the School Board is discussing whether to cancel classes Friday, Jan. 20, to allow students and employees to attend the inauguration ceremony of president-elect Donald J. Trump.

ed out, every school has a different makeup and some principals would rather hire an additional math specialist or English Language Learner teacher than staff two librarian positions. “One size doesn’t fit all,” she said. “What you needed to educate students well 25 years ago won’t cut it today.”

ence program. “It would allow us that flexibility to staff our schools how we think best meets the needs of our students,” she said. Favola and Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R-32) voiced support for the idea, but said it was difficult to come up with an accountability framework

I don’t have any problem at all with granting the authority to charge for that. — Senator Dick Black

ability and student growth measures,” he said. School Board member Jeff Morse (Dulles) brought up one example he called a success story in what’s possible when more decisions are left up to local boards. He pointed to the repeal of a state law a few years ago that limited the number of charter schools a school system could approve. “I’m glad that was defeated because, as you know, Loudoun is leading Virginia in charter schools,” Morse said.

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

From left, Sen. Richard M. “Dick” Black (R-13), Sen. Barbara A. Favola (D-31) and School Board member Joy Maloney (Broad Run) take part in the annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday.

School Board member Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) said that the current SOQ requirements inhibit innovation and sometimes restrict the best use of resources. She gave the example of a school that hires a third grade teacher who also happens to have extensive background in biochemistry, that could be put to use bolstering the school’s sci-

Superintendent Eric Williams told board members last week he prefers to hold classes that day. “Not that we disapprove having off Inauguration Day,” he said, but the staff disapproves of altering a calendar that the board adopted a year ago. “We think, given that there’s already a calendar, we stick to that calendar.” There is precedent for this, however. In November 2008, the School Board voted to alter the already adopted calendar to cancel school Jan. 20, 2009, for the first inauguration of President Barack Obama. School was also out for Obama’s second inauguration in 2013, but only because it fell on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. School Board member Brenda

that works for all of the school systems statewide. “It’s tough because we don’t want to erode the Standards of Quality,” Favola said. As a good place to start, Greason suggested that educators and legislators change how they look at assessments. “We’ve got to do a better job of separating the concepts of school account-

Sheridan (Sterling) said she would oppose canceling school that day because no one knows what this winter will bring and how many snow days might be in the school system’s future. Plus, she questioned how many of the division’s 10,000 employees and 78,000 students would actually attend the ceremony in Washington, DC. “Teachers could stream it in to the classroom and students would actually get more information about the inauguration, as opposed to kids staying at home and playing video games,” she said. Eric DeKenipp (Catoctin) voiced support for making Inauguration Day a school holiday. “I have five tickets,” he offered. To which Sheridan responded, “I’m

Loudoun County has two charter schools, more than any other jurisdiction in the state. “Allowing divisions to succeed and giving them the incentive and ability to do it in their own way is something that would benefit all the schools.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

going to respectfully pass, thank you.” The board was presented with four options, should it decide to make Jan. 20 a school holiday. Option A would treat Jan. 20 like a snow day for students and employees that would not have to be made up; Option B would make President’s Day a school day to make up for Inauguration Day off; Option C would make the Friday before spring break the make-up day and teachers would be required to work one day during spring break as a planning day; and Option D would extend the school year by one day. The board is scheduled to make a final decision at its Dec. 13 meeting. dnadler@loudounnow.com

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Board Debates Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Policy

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feels uncomfortable putting a picture of their spouse of the same gender on their desk. “This [policy] would go a long way,” she said. Maloney and Beth Huck (At Large) also challenged their colleagues to delete the other 11 characteristics that are specified in the policy to demonstrate they were sincere in their comments about wanting to drop the labels all together. “If labels don’t matter,” Huck said, “let’s give a general statement that says we do not discriminate, and leave it at that.” Sheridan said that she’s met with students and school employees who identify as gay and transgender. “They said they want their label recognized.” She pointed out that Arlington County, Falls Church and Fairfax County adopted policies that specifically protect students and employees of any sexual orientation and gender identity from discrimination or sexual harassment. She said she was “most shocked” in her research to learn that the Loudoun County government’s personnel policy ensures fair treatment of all applicants and employees without regard to “race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.” “This is not about bathrooms,” she said, referring to the U.S. Supreme Court case that is weighing whether to require public schools to let students use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. “This is about harassment and bullying and not allowing it in LCPS, for our staff or students. There is no cost to this. But the cost of not including it could be great.” Board members ultimately agreed to hold off on a vote on the matter until they can get information from legal counsel on whether the law allows them to adopt a blanket equal opportunity statement. They plan for a final vote Dec. 13. dnadler@loudounnow.com

‘Count on Me’

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Students at Creighton’s Corner Elementary School in Ashburn sing about team work during their recent Leader Day. They invited community leaders to visit the school to see how the students are learning leadership skills of their own.

Dec. 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14, 2016

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Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Excellence in Education Banquet honoree Jack Zent poses with his guest Loudoun County High School teacher Mel Vahsen.

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Rock Ridge High School students Andrew Zheng, Maya Ramani and Brandie Young take a selfie during the Excellence in Education Banquet on Sunday.

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Excellence in Education Banquet honoree Dhyey Parikh poses with his guest Academy of Science teacher Sundar Thirukkurugun.

Banquet Honors Top-Performing Students, Teachers BY DANIELLE NADLER Some of Loudoun County’s brightest high school seniors were honored at the 34th annual Excellence in Education Banquet on Sunday. The 300 students recognized at the event ranked in the top 5 percent of their class academically during the first three years of high school. “All those late-night study sessions paid off,” Rock Ridge High School senior Andrew Zheng said, between snapping selfies with his friends at the banquet. “It’s kind of cool to be surrounded by so many other students who have worked so hard.” Maria C. Lo Presti, a senior at John Champe High School, said, after working for years for good grades, she appreciates being recognized in such a way. “I wasn’t expecting it. It’s a fun surprise,” she said. Student honorees also got to take one teacher who most influenced their pursuit of academic excellence as a guest to the banquet. Mel Vahsen, who teaches AP Calculus and Al-

gebra 1 at her alma mater, Loudoun County High School, remembers her senior year being an exciting time, and the Excellence in Education banquet was among the highlights. For the past three years, she’s attended the banquet as a guest of her students. This year, senior Jack Zent invited her. “It’s really, really nice that they want to include me in such an important moment of their senior year,” Vahsen said. Sundar Thirukkurugun, an Academy of Science teacher, has attended the event as a guest of his students six times. The invite always is an honor, he said, but also a reminder of the great responsibility he has as an educator. “We as teachers see them for a small percentage of time of their life and to think we can make an impact on their life that affects them for years makes me realize every moment we spend with them in the classroom has to be done very carefully,” he said. “Sometimes that can be a stressful thought.” The idea of celebrating excellence in education

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was introduced in 1983 by Al Sowards, who then served as Loudoun County Public Schools social studies and gifted program supervisor. The first banquet was held at Leesburg Baptist Church with 18 students being honored. The event is now split into two banquets each year at the National Conference Center to fit the hundreds of student honorees, their family members and their teachers. Sunday’s event was made possible by donations and support from more than 20 sponsors, including businesses and individuals. The banquet is put on by nonprofit organization Loudoun Education Foundation and cost about $50,000. “It’s quite the undertaking,” said Dawn Meyer, executive director of the foundation. “It’s all because of a community effort that we can even host the event.” Since its inception, the Excellence in Education Banquet has honored 5,013 students. dnadler@loudounnow.com

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Contamination Prompts Purcellville to Disable Well BY MARGARET MORTON Purcellville’s troubled Hirst Farm well has been shut down again. Town Manager Robert W. Lohr Jr. said Sunday morning that two tests last week revealed the presence of E. coli bacteria. Lohr said the Virginia Department of Health permitted the well to continue running after treatment killed the bacteria and stated there is no risk to the town’s public water system. Out of an abundance of caution, however, the town closed the well. “We didn’t want that risk and exposure to citizens, so we shut it down,” Lohr said, adding that the town is exploring additional treatment options, as well as consulting with its utility advisors and the state about the best way to move forward. The Hirst Farm well produces about 6 percent of the town’s total production. The well has only been online since Oct. 25 after a previous E. coli finding in raw water samples in July 2015. During that period, the town, in consultation with the Department of Health, conducted extensive repairs to the well and developed an operating and monitoring system approved by VDH’s Office of Drinking Water. The town staff conducts twice-weekly

sampling for the presence of fecal coliform. The town also added treatment and monitoring capabilities to guarantee disinfection to ensure that drinking water was clean and safe. During last week’s rains, the E. coli problems surfaced again. Last Friday evening, a testing laboratory informed the town that a sample had tested positive for fecal coliform—the first positive result since the well re-opened. Lohr said the town will continue to discuss options with VDH and town consultants, including coming up with a plan of action. “We’d hoped we’d addressed the issues,” Lohr said. Last year, the town repaired a small crack in the pedestal area around the pipe, and re-grouted the well casing. Lohr said it appears water again penetrated the cracks during the heavy rains, allowing surface water to enter the well. Testing will continue to identify the source of the infiltration, he said. Among the options under consideration are increasing the treatment level at the Hirst Farm well or developing other water sources to bring online. In addition to supplying drinking water, the well provides additional pressure and water flow for the southwestern end of town. mmorton@loudounnow.com

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

M. Walker, of Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry, installs one of the clock faces on the Lovettsville clock tower Thursday, Dec. 1.

Lovettsville Installs Iconic Clock Faces The huge 7.5-foot-tall faces of the Lovettsville Square Clock Tower are now in place. Crews from Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry, of South Carolina, installed the clock faces last Thursday as part of the long-planned glockenspiel project that is intended to reflect the western Loudoun town’s German heritage.

The Town Council authorized $53,000 for the clock face installation, including the cost of manufacturing, shipping and installing the faces. This is just the beginning of the project. Although still under design, the town hopes to add a working “cuckoo bird” that pops out as clock bells ring, as well as figurines that rotate.

[ TOWN NOTES ] Middleburg

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Free Community Christmas Concert Planned

Purcellville

The Middleburg Concert Series will present its “Home for Christmas” concert on Sunday, Dec. 18—with a troupe of well-known classical musicians and an antique Steinway piano. The free concert of classical and traditional seasonal music will start at 4 p.m. at the Middleburg United Methodist Church, at the corner of Pendleton and Washington streets. Performers will include guest vocalists Michael Forest and Aime Sposato. Renowned pianist Dudley Oaks will play the newly acquired 1927 restored Steinway concert grand piano, which retains its original keys and soundboard. Oaks is a member of the faculty at Shenandoah University, where he teaches classical piano and organ. Sposato is a renowned national and international soloist, while tenor Forest will make a welcome return engagement. Forest has performed with the Metropolitan Opera as well as with national symphony orchestras. Organist Steve Cooksey is professor emeritus at Shenandoah University, and the founder of the Bach Handel Festival. The concert is sponsored by Greenhill Winery and Vineyards and the Bank of Charlestown and is supported by a special grant from the Town of Middleburg. A free reception catered by Savoir Fare of Round Hill will follow, for which donations are welcome. For

Book Tells the Story of a Century The town is offering a special sale on copies of a book detailing Purcellville’s rich history. “Purcellville, Virginia, 1908-2008: A Centennial Anthology,” was edited by historian Deborah A. Lee to commemorate the town’s incorporation in 1908. The book features first-hand stories, photographs and artwork relating to residents past and present. The book details life in town, and its changes over the years, providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding of Purcellville’s distinctive characteristics. The books may be purchased at the Town Hall Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during the Town Hall Open House on Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (cash or check only.)

Hirst Farm Pond Slated for Upgrade Survey work began Dec. 2 at the Hirst Farm Pond off Devonshire Circle as part of the town’s effort to upgrade the sediment basin to a Level 1 wet pond. The work is partially funded by the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund through a grant awarded to the town by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The survey is expected

to take about a week to complete.

Dominion Power Plans Tree Trimming Dominion Power tree contractor Asplundh Tree Expert Company crews be will pruning trees and brush along the overhead high voltage lines throughout Purcellville over the next few weeks to help avoid power outages this winter. Crews will remove dead, diseased or leaning trees so they do not fall on power lines. To find out when crews will be in your area, call 888-324-9922.

Round Hill Applications Sought for TC, Commission Seats The Town of Round Hill is looking for qualified residents interested in serving on the Town Council and Planning Commission. An interim candidate is sought to fill a vacancy created by the Nov. 24 resignation of Councilwoman Kim Fortunato, who was elected to council in May. The Town Council will appoint a resident to serve as an interim council member until November 7 next year, when a special election will be held. The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Fortunato’s term, through June 30, 2020. The council meets twice a month on first and third Thursdays. The application form is available on the town website, roundhillva.org, and

residents should also submit a letter of interest and a résumé. The deadline is 3 p.m. Dec. 22. The council plans to review the applications Jan. 5, then announce an interview schedule, and to make the selection by the end of January. The new council member will be seated at the Feb. 2 council meeting. For more information, contact Town Administrator Buster Nicholson at 540338-7878. There also is a vacancy on the Planning Commission, which meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Candidates can submit the same application package as for council. There also will be new committees formed to assist the town in implementation of the 2017 Round Hill Comprehensive Plan. Those interested should contact Town Planner Melissa Hynes at 540-338-7878.

Lovettsville Breakfast with Santa Santa has planned a breakfast stop at the Lovettsville Fire & Rescue Department on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8 to 11 a.m. Families can enjoy pancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuits and coffee, as well as have their photograph taken with Santa. Participants are asked to drop off a wrapped and labeled gift for their children and grandchildren between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. this week at the firehouse. Donations of non-perishable food items are welcome.

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Should Loudoun’s towns have the authority to better control traffic with the use of speed cameras? Leaders in Hamilton and Hillsboro are exploring the concept in advance of the 2017 General Assembly session. Such a measure would benefit small towns that don’t have police departments. Hamil- Simpson ton Mayor Dave Simpson, a retired law enforcement officer, has talked about the idea with Del. David LaRock (R-33) and plans to bring it up for a Town Council discussion next week. Leaders in Hillsboro, which is bisected by Rt. 9, also expressed interest in taking a look. Simpson has suggested that fines resulting from the cameras wouldn’t go into town coffers, but could be earmarked for area schools, community nonprofits or homeless shelters. That’s just one idea being floated as Loudoun’s town councils prepare their wish lists for the assembly session that begins Jan. 11. The Purcellville Town Council discussed its priorities Nov. 8, approving 22 items proposed by Councilwoman Kelli Grim. But, after Councilman Doug McCollum suggested the list should be narrowed to the eight items that would have the most impact for the town, the final resolution to be discussed with LaRock and Sen. Richard H. “Dick” Black (R-13), contained those eight, plus two additional items proposed by the town, with the remaining items included as supporting documentation for the county’s legislative priorities. The priority list includes opposition to the new state proffer law and any state legislation restricting the town government’s authority to accept cash and in-kind proffers from developers and support for local governments’ right to collect connection fees and impose rates to support the full cost of utility systems.

Other priorities are related to transportation. The council supports the completion of the Rt. 7 Bypass/Rt. 690 interchange—a longtime priority for the town; supports the revenue sharing program and supplements for local investments in road projects, and endorses efforts to lower tolls on the Dulles Greenway, including the potential state acquisition of privately owned Vance highway. Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-10) was scheduled to give the Middleburg Town Council an update on the upcoming General Assembly session on Thursday. One of the topics town leaders have targeted is a bill introduced last session by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27) that would set conditions for short-term rentals in residential properties, such as those promoted by AirBnB. The bill was carried over for study. In Lovettsville, the council endorsed three priorities tagged by the Virginia Municipal League. They are opposition to any proposal to eliminate the right of localities to impose business taxes; support for revenue sharing opportunities; and increased funding for transportation. The council also is looking at two additional items. “We want to start the conversation with the state looking at population guidelines regarding road maintenance,” Lovettsville Town Manager Palko Laszlo said. Currently, once towns reach the 3,500 population threshold they have to take over responsibility for road maintenance. While that comes with some new state funding, many jurisdictions find that the money falls short of covering the costs and procurement regulations are difficult. In Loudoun, Leesburg and Purcellville are responsible for maintaining their own streets. The town also may seek authority to expand personal property tax relief, Palko said.

Loudoun Valley Floors...

21 Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

Towns Prepare General Assembly Wish Lists

[ BIZ ]

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EARLY BIRD GETS THE SWEETS

B Doughnut Draws a Crowd from Day One BY DANIELLE NADLER

fluffy, fresh breakfast treat was enough of a wakeup call for few dozen hungry Loudouners on Dec. 1. They lined up outside of B Doughnut ahead of the new downtown shop’s 7 a.m. soft opening. A small, tired cheer from their soon-to-be customers is what greeted B Doughnut owners Brian and Pin Chanthapanya when they unlocked the doors a few minutes after 7 a.m. The Ashburn couple opened B Doughnut in Baltimore in October 2015, but created a following among Loudouners by making deliveries long

before they had a brick and mortar shop in the county. Some in line last Thursday morning had had the gourmet-style doughnuts from the original B Doughnut shop, but many others lined up early to see— and taste—what all the buzz was about. A Facebook event promoting the soft opening showed that 1,055 had posted that they were interested in attending. It was Madi Cooley’s 2-year-old daughter, Sloan, who convinced her to visit the doughnut shop shortly after dawn. “I love doughnuts,” Sloan said with a hungry grin. “Doughnuts are her favorite,” Madi Cooley added. “And shops like this don’t open in downtown very often, so

it’s kind of exciting.” Matt Thomas drove from Sterling to step in line just as B Doughnut’s doors opened. “My wife really wanted me to bring her a doughnut,” he said. His wife works at Ashby Mae Children’s Boutique, next door to B Doughnut. “She’s been eyeballing this place for months,” he said. In a Facebook post, the Chanthapanyas thanked the followers of the Real Housewives of Loudoun County Facebook page for their longtime support. “RHOLC & VA people is who was there to support us since day one from when we started doing deliveries a year ago and everyone was constantly ordering/giving us amazing feedback,”

Business Incubator Celebrates Five Years BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ Businesses and government leaders raised their glasses to toast five years of success for the Mason Enterprise Center during a Dec. 1 celebration. The downtown Leesburg incubator opened in 2011 with a capacity to hold 28 businesses in house, as well as virtual clients. Along with the MEC staff, the center also houses the town’s Economic Development Department and the Loudoun Small Business Development Center. Interest in the incubator has been strong since its birth. MEC Leesburg Regional Manager Susan Henson notes that her staff has done its best to squeeze in as many businesses that want to be a part of the incubator as possible, with currently 45 who have

Kara C. Rodriguez/Loudoun Now

Winners of the Mason Enterprise Center’s 2016 awards pose after the Dec. 1 ceremony.

set up shop there now, in addition to 20 virtual clients. There’s even a waiting list with eager businesses ready to take the spot of businesses that graduate. Since the center’s opening, 79 businesses have graduated from the program, with an average stay in the incubator of about two years. Businesses to

be in the incubator have ranged from biotech to real estate to government contracting to IT to nonprofits, and everything in between. Going forward, Henson said she hopes to be able to grow the center staff, currently just at three, and said there is the possibility of exploring a new location, or additional locations, to continue to grow

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Eager customers line up at B Doughnut ahead of the new shop’s 7 a.m. opening Thursday, Dec. 1.

they wrote. “We thank you for being so patient with us while we searched & searched for the perfect spot to open one here in Loudoun.” B Doughnuts is at 7 Loudoun St. SW, once home to West Loudoun Street Café, in downtown Leesburg. It opens at 7 a.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and closes at 2 p.m. or until they run out of doughnuts. The shop has sold out of doughnuts before noon every day so far. For more information on B Doughnut, go to bdoughnut.com or the B Doughnut Loudoun Facebook page. dnadler@loudounnow.com small businesses throughout Loudoun County. She mentioned the area of the future Silver Line extension in Ashburn as a possible future landing spot. Last Thursday night’s ceremony featured awards given out for distinguished businesses that have come through the incubator. The Rookie of the Year honor went to Ade Odutola of Solvitur Systems LLC. The Alumni Honoree was Custom Software Systems Inc. Awards recognizing Federal Contractor went to B3 Group Inc., and the Community Supporter Award went to American Capital Planning. Finally, the Rapid Growth Award went to Sparkfire Branding Inc. The results for the Superpitch Video Pitch Contest by the SBDC were also announced. It Takes a Village, Baby took top honors in the Service Category, Houndworks won in the Product division, and the People’s Choice Award went to Loudoun Coupons for Hope. Each winner will receive $500, along with a six-month virtual membership to the incubator, among other prizes. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Notaviva Vineyards Leaving Loudoun for Colorado

Contributed

After building strong brands in Loudoun’s wine and business community, Stephen and Shannon Mackey are planning a move from the Blue Ridge to the Rockies.

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In a surprise announcement last week, Stephen Mackey, co-founder and owner of Notaviva Vineyards west of Hillsboro, said the company, he, his wife, Shannon, and their three sons will be relocating to Colorado. The Mackeys plan to set up shop as an urban winery near Colorado Springs, in Woodland Park, CO. Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty is marketing the sale of the 42-acre Notaviva property on Sagle Road west of Hillsboro. Stephen Mackey is CEO of the wine operation, while Shannon is COO. Stephen Mackey said that a key concern has been trying to raise three growing boys in a small apartment underneath the winery’s 4,500 squarefoot tasting room, and that the transition would be the best thing for the family. The decision to move to Colorado and develop an “urban winery” stemmed from a realization that the wine production business did not have to be tied to their home and farm. Rather, the company’s focus on pairing wine with music is hindered by its remote location in a rural area, he said. It would also eliminate the time constraints imposed by the farming side of the business. The couple’s vision involves a customer tasting room enhanced by interactive digital media technologies, to redefine customer expectations and preconceived notions about the enjoyment of wine. The expansion of the Mackeys’ web design and development company, Mesh Omnimedia, also appears a key focus of the move. The business was founded in 2008, “almost as an aside to the winery,” he said. Mesh Omnimedia recently was awarded a five-year subcontracting project for a federal agency—and that gives the Mackeys the opportunity “to raise the company to a higher level, to where we could be a world-class creative agency,” Stephen Mackey said. Mesh Omnimedia will continue to operate fully in downtown Leesburg, with the Mackeys flying in regularly and remaining active members of the Loudoun business community, Stephen Mackey said. At the same time, it was a strategic decision to place Mesh Omnimedia in Colorado Springs, to locate the company near all the technology companies that support the defense industry there, and just a short drive from the Denver Tech Center, Mackey said. “[It] positions Mesh as the only creative agency with offices in both the Denver and Dulles technology corridors,” he said. And, while leaving their timber frame home and business will be difficult, the Mackeys say they are fine with it passing to other hands. “It was our vision, passion and hard work that brought it to life for the betterment not only of the rural community but for the thousands of people

who have visited, and hopefully will continue to visit far into the future,” he said. The Mackeys plan to continue their family farming, raising their own livestock and producing as much of their own food as possible. The farm, tasting room, production facility and vineyard are listed at $2.192 million. For more information, contact Janeen Marconi with Hunt Country Sotherby’s International Realty: janeen.marconi@huntcountrysir. com.

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

BY MARGARET MORTON

loudounnow.com

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Contributed

The Emmet House at Oatlands will receive a complete interior design overhaul over the next five months as part of a collaboration between J&L Interiors and Oatlands Historic House and Gardens.

J&L Interiors Tapped to Lead Emmet House Renovation Oatlands Historic House and Gardens is partnering with Leesburg-based J&L Interiors to assist in the renovation of the Emmet House, the final property to be brought back into the Oatlands fold. The renovation is made possible through support of John and Diana Jaeger. The house was acquired by Oatlands in 2014 from Gerry Emmet, a member of the family that donated Oatlands to

This was our first time and we can't wait to come back. The food, drinks and service were excellent and the kids were fascinated by the salt water aquariums. This will be our new spot for out of town guests; absolutely loved it!

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the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1965. Once known as Oatlands Hamlet, the 54-acre property is being preserved by Oatlands, which is conducting a $2.5 million capital campaign to support its efforts to preserve the house and other historic structures, as well as to acquire additional venues for educational programs and special events, including weddings, corporate retreats and private parties.

J&L Interiors owners Julie Hoffmann and Lori DuVal said they are excited to be working with Oatlands—a sentiment reciprocated by Oatlands Executive Director Bonnie LePard. “We are delighted to partner again with J&L Interiors, a team that has a wonderful history of interior design excellence,” she stated. The renovations are expected to be completed by April 1.

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[ BIZ NOTES ]

Redwood Expands to Reston

Stone Tower Announces 2017 Wine Retreats Adding to its busy tasting rooms and events schedule, Stone Tower Winery has announced a Wine Retreat and Wine Camp program starting next year. The first-ever Wine Retreat will be held Feb. 24-26. The program is de-

We hope everyone leaves the weekend having had an exceptionally fun time and feeling more knowledgeable about artisan winemaking and culinary pairings.” The cost for the three-day, two-night retreat is $1,250 per person. Those wishing to sign up can register by contacting Huber at lacey@stonetowerwinery.com or calling 703-777-2797. For more information about the retreats and Stone Tower Winery go to stonetowerwinery.com

Cafesano Opens at Dulles Town Center Building on its success in Reston, Cafesano has launched its newest location near the Dulles Town Center. Offering Mediterranean flavors in a quick-casual dining setting, Cafesano’s new, larger location maintains the welcoming dining environment of the original location, while also housing a bar and outdoor patio. “We’re excited about bringing our concept to Loudoun County and especially to Dulles Town Center,” General Manager Gino Maza stated. ”Many of our Reston customers work in that market but live in the Dulles corridor and are excited that we’ll now be able to serve them in both markets.” The restaurant is located at 21305 Windmill Parc Drive and is open for lunch and dinner. For more information, go to cafesano.com.

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December 10 - 12:30 to 2:00 PM And December 11 - 2:00 to 3:30 PM

Ashburn-based Redwood AdVenture, operating as Century 21 Redwood Realty, had opened its 11th office, in Reston. While initially operating from a corporate suite at 1818 Library Street in Reston Town Center, the office will soon move to a permanent location, to be completed in early 2017. The expansion into Reston will be overseen by Heather Elias, the company’s vice president of Industry Engagement. “Reston is such a perfect fit for what we’ve built here at Redwood. We’ve always sold a lot of houses in Reston from our other offices, so it feels like home for us,” stated Chief Financial Officer Nicholas Pasquini, who co-founded the firm in 2002. Learn more at c21redwood.com.

signed to offer fun, educational workshops focused on food and wine paring, winter vineyard management, cellaring and production techniques, and more. A five-course wine pairing dinner with locally sourced ingredients and champagne brunch are among the highlights. Participants also will experience crafting artisan Bordeaux-style blends with Winemaker Tim Crowe. Founded three years ago, Stone Tower Winery is located on 306 acres atop Hogback Mountain, south of Leesburg. It has more than 60 acres of French vinifera that include 12 different varietals and plans to increase to 100 acres under vine within the next few years. Stone Tower produces roughly 15,000 cases of wine per year under the Stone Tower Estate label and their secondary label, Wild Boar Cellars. The retreat is open to only 25 registrants who, in addition to attending the workshops, will be able to interact one on one with the winery owners, winemakers, and Stone Tower’s own sommeliers. In partnership with Lansdowne Resort and Spa, the participants will enjoy two nights of luxury accommodations including resort amenities, complimentary transportation to and from the winery and gourmet meals. “Our team is incredibly passionate about wine and food, and we can’t wait to share our collective knowledge and get the retreat participants in on some behind-the-scenes action at the winery,” stated Lacey Huber, Stone Tower’s vice president. “The Winter Wine Retreat is a truly exciting expansion to our programs here at Stone Tower.

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

The HUBZone Contractors National Council has appointed Kindra Harvey, Leesburg’s business development manager, to its Economic Development Committee. The mission Harvey of the panel is: to define and promote economic benefits of the HUBZone Program, to reach out to state and local economic development agencies and district SBA offices to promote the HUBZone Program, to develop a toolbox of resources to assist small businesses and agencies in maximizing HUBZone benefits, and to monitor and recommend changes to related programs and services. Harvey will bring a local economic development agency perspective to the committee. “I believe the spirit of the HUBZone program makes it one of the best programs to benefit small government contractors and the community,” she stated. “This program helps small business owners grow and expand their company while giving back to the community by helping neighbors to start a new career” A section of downtown Leesburg was designated as a HUBZone by the U.S. Small Business Administration

in 2013. The program promotes economic development and employment growth in distressed areas through federal contracting opportunities. To date, 73 Leesburg businesses have received HUBZone certification.

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

Leesburg’s Harvey Tapped For HUBZone Panel

Frosted Holiday Skate (public skate rates apply)

December 17 - 12:30 to 2:00 PM And December 18 - 2:00 to 3:30 PM Come skate with your Favorite Frosted Princesses

Get Your Last Minute Gifts for the skater in your family At the Ashburn Ice House Pro-Shop The Ashburn Ice House is Located at 21595 Smith Switch Rd., Ashburn, VA 20147

703-858-0300

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Additional Public Skate Sessions during the Winter Break

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Barnhouse Brewery Goes Bigger BY RENSS GREENE Haven’t tried Barnhouse Brewery, one of Loudoun’s longest-running breweries? Don’t be surprised. Roger Knoell and Rob Larrick ran their brewery out of a garage and under the radar since 2012, spreading the word about their beer only through word of mouth. It was wildly popular among those in the know. People would gather at Knoell’s garage for a weekend only every four to six weeks or so, trying out the experienced homebrewer’s latest craft, or stop by during off weeks to fill up growlers. “If you have to find the silver lining in everything, the fact is that it throttled us,” Knoell, the brewer, said. “It gave us an opportunity to catch up. We always had eight things on tap, because we had four weeks to keep brewing for the next round.” No longer. In May, they moved up to a much bigger space with much bigger brewing capacity and are now open every weekend, but the people running the brewery are the same: Knoell, Larrick, their wives and children, and a few friends. And they hope the feel of the place is the same, too. “We want people to come here and feel like they’re coming to a cookout at our house,” Larrick said. “Horseshoe pits, bocce ball courts, just hanging around and not being inundated with a lot of pomp and circumstance.” It fits with their motto: “Laid back beers for laid back people.” Behind the backyard atmosphere and laid-back people is a gleaming,

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Roger Knoell looks into the new mash tun, part of his new, greatly expanded brewing operation.

modern brewery, which has quadrupled Knoell’s batch size and multiplied the amount of beer he can make in a year. He has been home brewing since 1995, but even after starting the brewery in 2012 he was limited to about a barrel and a half at a time. “Now he can get anywhere up to seven barrels out of it,” Larrick said. “Now from a capacity, end-of-year standpoint, we’re probably 10 times, maybe 15 times [that].” And the new brewery does it using even less water and energy than the old one, and that has Knoell effusive about his fancy new setup as he paces excitedly around his new equipment, point-

703-957-7217

ing out and explaining every feature. “I use less propane to make seven barrels than I was to make one and a half barrels,” Knoell said. “It was so little water. It was just amazing. I am just astonished at how efficient that damn thing is.” The county’s brewery scene has changed significantly since Knoell and Larrick got started in 2012. “I think Roger probably was the first brewery in our rural policy area,” said Loudoun County Department of Economic Development Agricultural Development Officer Kellie Hinkle. Barnhouse Brewery predated the state’s farm brewery law, and predated

the county’s own brewery zoning rules. Knoell and Larrick, along with Hinkle and other brewers, had to take a step back and wait for the state to pass its own farm brewery law before charging ahead with helping to shape Loudoun’s. “We were out in front of it, and that part of this that I think is important is we saw the movement coming,” Hinkle said. The department launched educational programs on growing the ingredients for beer, and now with Pilot Malt House at nearby Black Hops Farm and many local farms growing hops and other ingredients, Loudoun is becoming an agricultural center for breweries. “Other breweries across the state are looking at us for our hops,” Hinkle said. Meanwhile, Knoell and Larrick hope Barnhouse Brewery, tucked away down a gravel road in Lucketts, keeps growing. They get as many of their ingredients as they can locally, including growing their own hops. The new system opens up the possibilities for brewing more types of beer, and Knoell is excited to start lagering in the new tanks. Soon, they hope, their beer will start appearing at local restaurants and in stores. They’re already meeting with distributors, hoping to work out an agreement by the beginning of January. “Ultimately, if everything was great, the goal would be to have a brewer to help me out, some staff here, and then we would just be doing more of the larger picture stuff,” Knoell said. “I mean, I still want to brew, don’t get me wrong … but certainly it would be great if I could have a little more time with the family.” rgreene@loudounnow.com

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[ LOCO LIVING ]

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Artist and instructor Colette Kalvesmaki works with Don Phillips during her weekly iconography classes, held at Trinity House Café in downtown Leesburg.

Getting Schooled in the Ancient Arts BY JAN MERCKER

olette Kalvesmaki has a fascination with the origins of things. That passion for returning to beginnings drew her to Eastern Orthodox Christianity and to the ancient art of iconography. Kalvesmaki, who operates a gallery and teaching studio focused on Byzantine art in Washington, DC, spends every Tuesday passing on her craft to students at Leesburg’s Trinity House Café. Head upstairs to the café’s second floor, and you’ll see Kalvesmaki’s quietly stunning Saint Peter icon. And in that same space, the artist is passing on her knowledge to a cadre of students from Loudoun, and points west for whom iconography is both an art form and a spiritual practice. “People are starting to look at how to make things, how did we used to do things. ...We’re looking back,” Kalvesmaki said when asked about the appeal of the ancient art form to contemporary students. Religious iconography is a centuries-old practice of creating symbolic paintings of religious figures—often Christ, Mary and Christian saints and angels. The Eastern Orthodox Church has a particularly rich tradition, and Kalvesmaki said the art form is undergoing a revival as interest in the traditional process and the spiritual component of the work create new enthusiasm among artists and believers.

“People are drawn to it because they can see there’s a lot going on here,” she said. The combination of richness and simplicity of the Eastern Christian icon is a big part of the appeal: Kalvesmaki points out that as Western religious art has changed through the ages, the Eastern icon has changed relatively little over the centuries and retains a sense of serenity and stillness often absent in Western art. Learning the physical process of creating an icon is also part of the draw for students. Kalvesmaki handcrafts her materials—including the chalk-based material called gessa, which is used to treat the wooden boards on which icons are traditionally painted, and traditional egg tempera paint. The gilding process, an essential element of many icons, is also a painstaking process involving the application of gold leaf to a soft clay called bole. Early iconography was primarily the work of monks who were immersed in the life of the church, and Kalvesmaki is a practicing Orthodox Christian with a theology degree. A California native, she earned a degree in classical archaeology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. A convert to evangelical Protestantism in her teens, Kalvesmaki began researching Christian history and was drawn to the Orthodox Church, going on to earn a master’s degree in theology from an Orthodox seminary in the early ’90s. During her time in the seminary, she heard about a shortage of American iconographers, but it wasn’t

until a move to Boston found her living down the street from renowned Russian iconographer Ksenia Pokrovsky that she decided to take the plunge. “I took it as a sign from God,” she said. Kalvesmaki studied with Pokrovsky for three years and spent time in Seattle before moving to the Washington, DC area with her husband, Joel, in 2001. Joel Kalvesmaki is an editor in Byzantine studies at Dumbarton Oaks research library and museum in Washington, DC. And Colette Kalvesmaki’s Saint Peter icon on display at Trinity House Café is based on that museum’s prized 13th century Saint Peter icon. The couple now lives in Montgomery County, MD, with their two children. Kalvesmaki said that, as there are few written teachings on Orthodox Christian iconography, the tradition of passing on knowledge from teacher to student has been—and continues to be—key. She opened the Center for Byzantine Material Arts in 2014 as a showcase and instructional center for the DC metro area. Around the same time, her friend Ever Johnson, founder of the John Paul II Fellowship, opened Trinity House Café in an 18th century house in downtown Leesburg and invited Kalvesmaki to teach classes. “Our mission at Trinity House is to renew community and culture, and Colette’s classes are a perfect example of how that works practically speaking,” Johnson said. “The ancient art of iconography can help renew our dignity ICONOGRAPHY>> 29

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Matthew Sheffield works on his iconography artwork during a class led by artist and instructor Colette Kalvesmaki.

FYI For more information on Colette Kalvesmaki, go to sacredpresence.com. Check out offerings at the Center for Byzantine Material Arts in Washington, DC, at byzarts.com. For information on programming at Trinity House Cafe, go to trinityhousecafe.com.

As an enthusiastic young writer, Susan O’Brien started a neighborhood newspaper, covering not-so-gripping stories like the birth of her neighbor’s gerbils. She went on to write for big national publications, only to find that covering the daily news cycle didn’t satisfy her the way mystery writing did. In addition to her jobs as a writer, editor and mom, the longtime Sterling resident studied forensic psychology and worked as a private investigator to make her writing dreams a reality. With that effort came the Nicki Valentine Mystery series. Her first novel, published in 2014, “Finding Sky” earned O’Brien an Agatha Award nomination. The positive feedback and reader interest propelled her to write and publish “Sky High” the subsequent year. “Skydive,” the third book in the series, was released this week. O’Brien’s novels are a healthy mix of humor, mystery and love. The series centers around protagonist Nicki Valentine, who is working to balance her career as a private investigator and the complexities of being a single mom. Valentine’s job has her working on dangerous missing person cases, often putting her in risky situations in drug dens and back alleys. Being a widow makes raising her children challenging when she has to weigh the risks of her job while keeping her family safe. And

Iconography << FROM 28

Go to Susan O’Brien’s webpage, skywritingsusan.com, for more about her books.

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jmercker@loudounnow.com

not knowing where her children are. From the sales of “Child Abduction and Kidnapping” she donated part of her earnings to a variety of missing children’s charities, and continues to do so through the sales of the Nicki Valentine books. When asked if her character Nicki Valentine mirrors her own life in any way, O’Brien said, “Nicki and I have some similarities and a lot of differences, but we both need humor to survive parenting and life. We follow our hearts and our intuition, although hers leads to much more danger and excitement than mine does.”

by taking time to develop personal gifts and profound relationships in the creation of sacred images.” Kalvesmaki offers individual instruction every Tuesday at Trinity House Café and occasionally offers weekend workshops for beginners. Matthew Sheffield travels from Berryville to Leesburg every week for his class with Kalvesmaki. Sheffield became interested in Eastern Christianity and iconography after reading “The Way of a Pilgrim,” a well-known anonymous 19th century works recounting the journey of a Russian religious pilgrim. Sheffield searched for iconography classes but was unable to find any close to home—until an internet search led him to a weekend workshop Kalvesmaki had scheduled at Trinity House Café last March. Sheffield is working on an icon of Saint Euphrosynos the Cook, a 9th century monk whose image is a common fixture in Orthodox Christian kitchens. He’s improving as a craftsman, he says, and also finds the practice spiritually uplifting. “I look forward to it every week,” Sheffield said. “It’s completely enriched my own prayer life.”

has been a longtime writer and editor, working with USA TODAY, PI Magazine and The Parent Institute, among others. In 2008, she published her first book, “Child Abduction and Kidnapping,” a nonfiction book that was part of a Criminal Investigation series for young adults. She was eager to use her background in writing, forensic psychology and parenting to write a book intended to empower, not frighten, young adults. This book educates youth about types of kidnappings, and practices put in place to protect and solve cases of missing children. As a parent of two, she says she can’t imagine the desperation and despair of

BY LEAH FALLON

somewhere within all the confusion, she wants to find love again. Through her writing, O’Brien wants to reassure parents that they’re not alone in balancing work, family and social life. She says readers connect with her stories because Nicki Valentine conducts her investigations with passion, O'Brien heart and humor. “Her honesty about the challenges of combining single parenting with a challenging career is something that a lot of people can connect with. Life isn’t easy, and Nicki is honest about that,” she said. In addition to earning a master’s degree in forensic psychology, O’Brien

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

Sterling Author Releases Latest Book in Mystery Series

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[ THINGS TO DO ]

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Leesburg Mayor David Butler emceed the town’s annual tree and menorah lighting ceremony Friday.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS CHRISTMAS IN HILLSBORO Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, noon-4 p.m.; Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. Details: oldstoneschool.org This annual craft fair features local artisans on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday also includes a tour of five historic homes from noon to 6 p.m. Admission to the craft fair is free. Tickets for the homes tour are $17 in advance, $20 at the door.

LEESBURG CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY PARADE Saturday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.; King Street, Leesburg. Details: idalee.org

(540) 338-4300

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703.724.4300 703.777.8056

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Rabbi David Greenspoon of Congregation Sha’are Shalom in Leesburg will lead a Hanukkah celebration near the large menorah on Village Plaza. Event is free.

TRINITY HOUSE INDOOR CHRISTMAS MARKET Saturday, Dec. 10, 6-8p.m. Trinity House Cafe, 101 E. Market St., Leesburg. Details: trinityhousecafe.com Enjoy seasonal live music with Daniel Heffington and shop for treasures from local artisans and crafters with products ranging from ornaments to jewelry to soaps and lotions. Admission is free.

OATLANDS CANDLELIGHT TOURS

Watch Santa and dozens of community organizations as they parade down King Street from Ida Lee Drive to Catoctin Circle for this annual holiday extravaganza.

Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m.; Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Details: oatlands.org

BETWEEN THE HILLS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Guests will have a chance to enjoy a special evening self-guided tour through the mansion sparkling with Christmas lights. Final admission is at 8 p.m. Candlelight tours are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for children 6-16. Admission is free for Friends of Oatlands and children younger than 6.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 8:30-10 a.m.; Between The Hills Community Center, 11762 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville.

129 N. Bailey Lane, Ste C Purcellville, VA 20132

Leesburg. Details: villageatleesburg.com

Santa will be there to take requests while visitors enjoy a buffet breakfast of sausage gravy and biscuits, ham, fresh homemade donuts, home fries, eggs, and pancakes. Free-will offering.

SMOKEHOUSE LIVE BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Saturday, Dec. 10, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com Get a picture with the jolly one while enjoying an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Two seatings are available. Cost is $22.99 for adults, $15.99 for children. Advance purchase is required.

MASTER SINGERS OF VIRGINIA: ‘FINDING CHRISTMAS’ Friday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Arcola United Methodist Church, 24757 Evergreen Mills Road, Sterling; Saturday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m.; Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church, 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn. Details: msva.org MSVA presents an array of modern holiday choral arrangements, framed by reflections from Charles Schultz’s iconic character, Charlie Brown. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for children 6-17. A special package features four tickets for $50.

VILLAGE AT LEESBURG HANUKKAH CELEBRATION Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 p.m.; Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd.,

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 31

[ MORE THINGS TO DO ] LOVETTSVILLE CO-OP CHOCOLATE BARK WORKSHOP Saturday, Dec. 10, 1-3 p.m.; Round Hill Arts Center, 34246 Harry Byrd Highway, Round Hill. Details: lovettsville-grocery.com Learn to make chocolate bark for the holidays with artist and confectioner Jill Evans-Kavaldjian. Cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members.

‘THE GIVER’ Thursday, Dec. 8 and Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday Dec. 11, 2 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter Geronimo Productions presents a take on Lois Lowry’s dystopian classic, the story of an 11-year-old boy who lives in a community without choice, differences or the ability to see color. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and $8 for children and seniors.

MICHAEL HEUFELDER: EVERYDAY MAGIC Friday, Dec. 9, American Legion Post 293, 112 N. 21st St., Purcellville. Contact: 540-338-0910 Everyday Magic’s approach to illusions includes mystifying effects and closeup table magic. Row tables are $5 per person and VIP tables are $10 per person. For back tables, admission is an unwrapped new toy for Toys for Tots.

LOUDOUN SYMPHONIC WINDS TOYS FOR TOTS CONCERT Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.; Potomac Falls High School, 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. Details: lcbandinc.org The Loudoun Symphonic Winds, in collaboration with the Loudoun Chorale and Dominion High School Chorus, will hold its annual holiday concert to benefit Toys for Tots. Admission is a new unwrapped toy.

Courtesy of Lucketts Bluegrass

LUCKETTS BLUEGRASS: THE HILLBILLY GYPSIES Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m.; Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Lucketts. Details: luckettsbluegrass.org

BEST. GIFTS. EVER.

This young, West Virginia-based band offers bluegrass with a fun barn party ambiance. Tickets are $15. Courtesy of StageCoach Theatre Company

‘BARNYARD CHRISTMAS’ Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Cascades Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Details: stagecoachtc.com

F ie ert ig

ARTS IN THE VILLAGE: SMALL WORKS SHOW RECEPTION Saturday, Dec. 10, 4-7 p.m.; Arts in the Village, 1601 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg; Details: artsinthevillage.com

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 32

300+ AMERICAN ARTISTS, LIVE! HANDMADE HEAVEN! •Exciting Demos •Tasty Treats •Live Music •Kids’ Entertainment DISCOUNT TICKETS, show info, exhibitor lists, directions and more at:

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Arts in the Village gallery presents an all-artist show featuring paintings, mixed media and photography, as well as ceramics, jewelry and other three-dimensional items. The gallery also offers unique, hand-made ornaments and small artwork for holiday giving.

Sing along to classic carols, modern-day holiday tunes and even a few mischievous numbers at StageCoach Theatre Company’s second annual

LOCO CULTURE

a rr

Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.; Lansdowne Woods, Monroe Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Lansdowne and Sunday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.; Leesburg Brewing Company, 2C Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg. Details: stagecoachtc.com

Charles Dickens himself began the tradition of performing his novella as a one-man play in 1853 and Hardy continues the tradition, bringing the story to life. Tickets are $20.

C by

NAUGHTY OR NICE CHRISTMAS CABARET

Thursday, Dec. 15, 8 p.m.; Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane Purcellville. Details: franklinparkartscenter

tal Me

This original holiday production tells the story of Farmer Jack, who has lost the spirit of Christmas, and his barnyard animals that help him find it. Show is suitable for the whole family and ideal for children 4-9. Performances continue Dec. 17 and 22. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-12.

JOHN HARDY ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ ONE-MAN PERFORMANCE

ON STAGE

holiday review. Tickets are $15 for the Lansdowne show (dinner not included) and $60 for the Leesburg show, which includes dinner and dessert bar.

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

<< FROM 30

[ MORE THINGS TO DO ]

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<< FROM 31

GLENFIDDICH FARM POTTERY HOLIDAY SALE

“Last Week Tonight” charms audiences with his good-natured storytelling and sharp wit. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of show.

Saturday, Dec. 10, noon-4pm.; 17642 Canby Road, Leesburg. Details: glenfarmpottery.com

LIVE MUSIC: SCOTT KURT & MEMPHIS 29

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

Enjoy a cup of hot mulled cider and shop from a selection of handmade plates, bowls, mugs and wine coolers.

LIVING LEGENDS OF LOVETTSVILLE HISTORY TALK Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.; New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 12942 Lutheran Church Road, Lovettsville. Contact: 540-822-9194 The Lovettsville Historical Society launches a new series featuring stories and reminiscences of the town’s leading senior citizens. James Spring, a long-time farmer in the Lovettsville area, kicks off the series.

Energized, hard-charging country from this Smokehouse regular. No cover.

LIVE MUSIC: AFROMAN Thursday, Dec. 15, 8:30 p.m.; Tally Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyholeesburg.com Rapper Joseph Foreman, a.k.a. Afroman, puts a contemporary twist on classic rap elements, creating high-spirited tunes with a familiar yet fresh vibe. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show.

COMING UP

NIGHTLIFE

LOUDOUN BALLET COMPANY’S ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

TALLY HO COMEDY NIGHT: JOSH GONDELMAN Sunday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.; Tally Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. Details: tallyholeesburg. com

Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m.; Smokehouse Live, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. Details: smokehouse-live.com

Friday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18, 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.; Broad Run High School, 21670 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Details: loudounballet.org Gondelman

Gondelman, a writer for John Oliver’s

LBC presents its 27th annual fulllength “Nutcracker.” Advance tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for seniors and children 12 and younger. All tickets are $30 at the door.

Dec. 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14, 2016

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11/29/2016 1:31:05 PM

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Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

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Christmas

in Middleburg [A LOUDOUN MOMENT ]

Photo essay by Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Thousands made their way to the western Loudoun town of Middleburg on Saturday for its annual, day-long Christmas celebration. For years, Christmas in Middleburg has produced some of the county’s most iconic holiday scenes. A favorite of many is the procession of the Middleburg Hunt and hounds down Washington Street. An afternoon parade featured seasonal floats, musical groups, classic cars and hundreds of animals, including horses, ponies, alpacas, llamas and dogs.

Castillo

credibility should have been known to jurors. “Without a credible Mark McCaffrey there is no case,” he said. Wittmann characterized the disputed report as more of a misunderstanding than a falsification. McCaffrey and Rueda simply had differing recollections of the information, she said, adding that the circumstances did not amount to anything requiring disclosure to the defense. In this second motion, Greenspun asked Sincavage not only to set aside the murder conviction, but also to bar Rueda and Wittmann from serving as prosecutors if a new trial was pursued. Sincavage said he would rule on the motions at 1 p.m. Thursday. nstyer@loudounnow.com

[ OBITUARIES ] 66 of Ashburn, Virginia went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. Bettie was born Thursday, August 3, 1950 in Middleburg, Virginia. She was a daughter of the late Arthur Douglass and the late Mary Strozier Douglass.

Roger Fenton Collins

JOHN HENRY COLEMAN, M.D. (Age 88) Of Potomac Falls, VA. Passed away on November 26, 2016. Dr. Coleman was born in Madison, IN and lived, raised his family and practiced medicine in Toledo, OH for over 50 years and in Northern Virginia for 13 years. His life was his family and his patients. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan H. Coleman; sons, Michael B. Coleman (Janelle) and Jeffrey L. Coleman (Valerie), both of Columbus, OH; daughter, Dr. Linda E. Coleman of Sterling, VA; grandchildren, Kimberly A. Coleman, Justin A. Coleman, John-David Coleman, Quentin J. Coleman, Jeromy Q. Coleman, Murphy A. Coleman, Jeffrey B. Coleman and Stefan G. Carter II; sister-in-law, Elaine F. Pittman and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by one son, David L. Coleman.

She leaves her family to cherish her memory including two sons, Worford “Opie” O’Bannion of Leesburg, and VA Kevin (La’Shawn) O’Bannion of Creedmor, NC, her daughter, Gail N. “NuNu” Appling of Ashburn, VA, 5 sisters, Gloria Robinson, Diane Scott, Peggy Bell, Paula Huggins, and Gail Douglass, one brother Raymond Douglass, and 17 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. Memorial Services to celebrate Bettie’s life will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at The Salvation Army Loudoun County VA located at 10 Cardinal Park Drive Leesburg, Virginia 20175 with the Miguel Ramos officiating. Interment to be held privately at a later date, Leesburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be sent to the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be made to the family at loudounfuneralchapel. com.

To Place an Obituary, Death Notice or Memoriam Contact Lindsay Morgan lmorgan@loudounnow.com 703.770.9723

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A family and friends hour will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service 11 a.m., at All Saints Episcopal Church, 563 Pinewood Ave., Toledo, OH 43604. Interment to follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park, Toledo, OH 43606. In leiu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kappa AlphaPsi Fraternity, Inc. (memo/ John Coleman), PO Box 1730, Ashburn, VA 20146. Arrangements by LYLES FUNERAL SERVICE, serving Northern Virg i n i a , Eric S. Lyles, Director, Lic. VA/MD/DC 1-800-388-1913

of Leesburg, Va., passed on November 10, 2016, due to a severe stroke. He was born in April of 1936 in Washington, D.C. to Hugh Fenton and Gladys Nowitzky Collins. He is preceded in death by his parents and two daughters, Nora Elizabeth Mason and Jennifer Sarah Dolan. He is survived by his wife, Esther Koci Collins; his sister, Barbara Axline; two sons, Andrew Fenton Collins (Karen) and Justin F. Collins; five grandsons, Daniel and Michael Mason and Liam, Lucas, and Teddy Dolan; and two sons-in-law, Glenn Mason and Paul Dolan. Roger graduated from McKinley High School in 1954 followed by a four-year enlistment in the Air Force. After being honorably discharged, Roger attended George Washington University and graduated with a Pharmacy Degree. Roger worked at Georgetown and Children’s Hospitals and other local pharmacies, retiring from the Safeway Pharmacy in Leesburg, Va., in 2006. Roger will be remembered by family and friends for his great wit and his eager willingness to share his thoughts, opinions and entertaining stories, covering an amazing number of topics and often reflective of his own personal experiences. He had an avid interest in world religions, appreciating aspects of all, and gave many a discourse on any subject which had caught his interest. He greatly enjoyed travel and other cultures, appreciating diversity. He visited all fifty states, Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 10, at 1:00 p.m. at the Leesburg Presbyterian Church, Leesburg, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for acts of kindness in his memory.

Bettie loved children and helping people. She worked with Harmony Preschool in Hamilton, VA years ago. In recent years, she worked for Volunteers of America and The Salvation Army in Leesburg, VA.

Ms. Bettie LaTisha O’Bannion,

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

Chapman’s re-election bid, then was hired by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and prosecutors argued that it would be prejudicial for jurors to be led to believe he had been fired from the Sheriff ’s Office. They provided the defense with personal records that showed McCaffrey had not been subject to internal investigations or discipline and a statement from Chapman that his release was not performance-related. At that time, the defense attorneys agreed not to raise McCaffrey’s job status before the jury. That position would have been different if they had known McCaffrey may have filed a false report as part of another death investigation, Greenspun said. The detective was involved in almost every aspect of the case, and the attorney said, questions about his

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

<< FROM 3 her body to a basement bathroom and made it appear that she hanged herself in the shower. The couple was in the final stages of getting a divorce. Castillo’s attorneys argued that there was no conclusive evidence that he was in the home that night or that Michelle Castillo had not committed suicide. Final sentencing by Judge Stephen E. Sincavage was scheduled in October, but Castillo’s attorneys filed an 87-page motion seeking to set aside the verdict. Among the claims was that the circumstantial evidence in the case was insufficient for a guilty verdict and that Wittmann improperly swayed the jury by casting prejudicial aspersions on Castillo’s lawyers and making unsupported statements during closing arguments. Greenspun focused on Wittmann’s narrative of the killing, which included Castillo hiding in a ditch outside the home until the lights went out, taking a key from the garage to enter the house, trying to suffocate Michelle in her bedroom while their youngest son was asleep on the bed, turning on the shower to cover the noise, and stopping her from reaching a shotgun locked in the closet before strangling her. “They are powerful arguments if they are based on facts but they are not based in facts,” he said. “They are based on the imagination of counsel.” The motion also criticizes comments Wittmann made to the jury about Castillo’s defense team and the use of expert witnesses hired to testify in the case, comments Greenspun said undermined Castillo’s right to put on a defense and prejudiced the jury. Greenspun characterized her comments as saying “we’re the pimps who hire the whores to provide false evidence to the jury.” “The commonwealth didn’t care what they said as long as they got a conviction,” he said. “There is no way this conviction should stand under these circumstances.” Wittmann refuted the claims, but also argued that it was too late for those objections to be considered. She cited Virginia case law that requires the objections to be made immediately so the judge can address them and instruct the jury when comments should be disregarded. Monday’s hearing also dealt with a second motion to overturn the conviction that was filed last month. After the trial, Castillo’s attorneys learned of a controversy involving McCaffrey. In a fatal overdose case, the detective wrote in a report that Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Alex Rueda, who also prosecuted the Castillo case with Wittmann, had declined to bring criminal charges against the suspected drug supplier. Rueda later did bring felony drug charges, but after a plea agreement had been entered in which the suspect could not be charged beyond the DWI offense for which he was originally arrested. Rueda made note on McCaffrey’s report that his statement that she did not support charges was “misleading” and during the court case she disputed Mc-

Caffrey’s account. Ultimately, the case was dropped. As late as last week, prosecutors were working to clear up the discrepancy, issuing a letter stating that McCaffrey stood by his report that the issue was discussed, but Rueda stating she did not recollect the meeting. Greenspun said the concern about McCaffrey’s report should have been shared with the defense team under standard pre-trial discovery disclosures. Early in the case, the attorneys held a special motion session to determine whether the jury would be told that McCaffrey was not re-sworn by Sheriff Michael Chapman following his re-election in 2015. That put the Castillo case’s lead investigator out of a job. McCaffrey, who had not supported

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The Town of Purcellville’s Office of the Town Attorney is seeking a Paralegal to work 20 to 25 hours per week. Compensation range is $20 to 25 per hour, depending on qualifications. Under supervision of the Town Attorney, the Paralegal will provide substantive legal work and administrative support for the Town Attorney’s office. Duties include file management, office management, legal research, and drafting correspondence, resolutions, ordinances, memos, public notices, and pleadings. A more detailed job description can be found on the Town’s website at www.purcellvilleva.com/jobs.aspx The Paralegal position will initially be more administrative in nature, in order to establish the administrative processes and procedures of the Town Attorney’s office. The position will progressively become more reliant upon complex paralegal skills. Paralegal Certification plus 5 years of related experience preferred. Must be licensed to drive. Must be a commissioned notary for the Commonwealth of Virginia, or obtain such commission upon hiring. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Town of Purcellville is an award-winning, thriving community whose 9,000+ residents enjoy an exceptional quality of life that has become a hallmark of the town. If you are eager to work in this environment, submit an application and resume to Sharon Rauch, Human Resources Specialist, Town of Purcellville, 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia 20132. For an application, visit purcellvilleva.gov. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm on December 21, 2016. Equal Opportunity Employer.

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[ OPINION ]

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Off for Inauguration? The Loudoun County School Board has sparked spirited community debate over the latest proposal to add a system-wide holiday to the 2017 calendar on Jan. 20. In most parts of the country, cancelling classes on Inauguration Day would be viewed as educational folly. Closer to Capitol Hill, however, there may be opportunities for valuable civic lessons outside the school walls. In this region, it is feasible for students to witness the historic transfer of power in person, finding space on The Ellipse or along the presidential parade route. That’s not an opportunity readily available to students in Kansas or California. In recognition of that, several area school districts designate Inauguration Day as a school holiday every four years. Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County and Montgomery County have adopted the holiday. Those further outside the Beltway have not. More recently, Loudoun has addressed the issue on an ad-hoc basis. President Obama’s first inauguration was declared a holiday after the votes were tallied. Four years later, schools were closed again, but for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. When the calendar was set last fall, the notion of canceling classes Jan. 20 wasn’t given much thought. In this case, we are reminded school administrators’ logic in not providing Veterans Day as a student holiday: Students are more likely to reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women serving in the military through school programs, than they would be if left to their own devices at home. The best approach can be found in the middle ground. Students with the opportunity to attend the ceremonies should be permitted to do so as an excused absence. But for the rest, there is value in viewing the historic event in a classroom setting where the inherent civic lessons can be highlighted in a way that promotes better citizenship.

Correction In last week’s article, “Youth Football Teams Embrace a Safer Tackle,” Ken Fraine’s coaching experience is incorrectly reported. He is a former rugby coach at Gonzaga College High School. Loudoun Now regrets the error.

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

Contributors Leah Fallon Jan Mercker

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

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Historic Event

[ LETTERS ]

Editor: I was quite delighted to see School Board Member Eric DeKenipp’s support for making Inauguration Day a school holiday. I am a senior at Loudoun County High School. I and many of my friends are looking forward to seeing this historic event—a game changer in a positive manner for the future of this great nation. Additionally, some are planning to witness the presidential inauguration first-hand in Washington, DC. I am quite disappointed in Dr. Williams’ comments regarding having the day off, especially since school was taken off for both of President Obama’s inaugurations. Dr. Williams, being the head education in Loudoun County, is essentially discouraging students from being a part of history and seeing firsthand how a peaceful transition of power works—something unique around the world. Additionally, looking the statements by some other board members, I think it is unlikely that all teachers would be willing to stream the inauguration during class—there are plenty of liberal teachers in the public school system who will come up with a “reason” on why they are “unable” to show the inauguration in class. Even if it meant adding an additional school day to the calendar and regardless of one’s political views, I think it is essential for us students to have the opportunity to watch the presidential inauguration, something imperative to our democracy. I would like to thank Mr. DeKenipp for defending the opportunity for Loudoun County Public School students to be able to witness history whether that is from the event itself in Washington, DC, or from their television at home. — Daniel T. Eisert, Leesburg

Be Smart with Guns Editor: The holidays mark a time when we hold close what’s most dear: Our families. And for many of us Loudouners, that means we’ll be visiting our parents,

in-laws, cousins and relatives that we rarely get to see. This is a joyous time that inevitably brings families closer, though it can be a tricky one if the relatives you are visiting have something in their home you don’t have in yours. I don’t mean an air hockey table or a hot tub. I’m talking about guns. Talking about guns with family can feel difficult, but it’s a conversation I urge everyone with children to have before you hit the road this Christmas. Better to ask before you get there than wonder why and how a tragedy could have been prevented. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, every year, at least 100 children aged 17 and under die in unintentional shootings. These are not accidents: they only happen when children come across unsecured guns. You can prevent a tragedy this Christmas by following the principles of Everytown’s Be SMART program (besmartforkids.org): • Secure guns in homes and vehicles (locked up unloaded). • Model responsible behavior (never casually display guns, never point them at anyone, never leave them unattended) • Ask about unsecured guns in other homes. You should do this for all play dates, and especially at the holidays, if you are planning to visit relatives. Ask before you arrive, “Where do you store your guns?” If they have them, make sure they tell you they are locked up secure and unloaded. • Recognize the risks of teen suicide. Just over half of the 30,000 deaths each year by guns in the U.S. are due to suicides. Everytown.org says every year, more than 400 children 17 and under die by suicide with a gun. • Tell your peers to be SMART. Pass it on. Staying safe this holiday season is more than just about locking up your home and car when away. It’s asking about guns in the homes of your relatives and making sure they’re stored properly, where kids and teens can’t access them. And if you asked relatives last year, go ahead and ask again this year. Don’t assume nothing has changed. — Samantha Villegas Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

41 Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

A VIEW FROM THE GAP

Future Shaping BY ROGER L. VANCE

... sustainability and preservation does not necessarily mean ‘nothing new,’ rather it will require innovative thinking and doing.

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The concerted and focused engagement on the part of western Loudoun citizens, beginning now, will be the key determinant of the direction and possibilities. “Envision Loudoun” is the moniker for the ambitious program designed and orchestrated by the county’s Department of Planning and Zoning staff alongside the Board of Supervisors’ appointed Stakeholders Committee. The program’s intent is to maximize, from the outset, grassroots public participation in the Comprehensive Plan process. Kicked off in November, the first phase of the process consists of a series of workshops in which citizens can gather to learn about the process and the issues facing Loudoun, and

lections matter, a lot. When we make our ballot choices we are investing in the ideas and the leadership of those individuals the majority freely select. It is a distinct and awesome responsibility of a democracy’s citizens. The informed and uninformed, the activists and the apathetic all have an equal vote. Each election however, has a built in corrective: the next election. At all levels of government it is not unusual to see the public’s sentiments take a dramatic swing in the “next” election that puts into power new leaders who are diametrically different from the old leaders, resulting in policy shifts that can have significant short- and longterm implications. Elections matter. However, especially at the local level, sometimes citizens have a unique opportunity to influence the long-term policies of their communities in a manner that supersedes the outcomes of any particular election or series of elections. In Loudoun County, that “sometimes” is now. Not nearly as sexy or entertaining as a charged political campaign can be, these exercises in self-government are so deep in the weeds for most they are largely ignored. But the final product that emerges—a set of policies, guidelines and goals, a new Comprehensive Plan—will have significant impacts on the everyday lives and well being of citizens for decades to come. A Comprehensive Plan is a requisite document or set of policy documents the Virginia code commands for each jurisdiction in the commonwealth. It represents the foundational vision for a community and forms the legal basis for policy direction and decisions made by elected officials on matters related to land use, economic development, transportation, public facilities and ultimately the entity’s growth and its citizens’ quality of life. Loudoun County’s Comprehensive Plan consists of its General Plan, Countywide Transportation Plan and various specific strategic and area plans. Although these living documents may be amended, policy makers and officials must adhere to the underlying philosophy and goals established by the plan until a new or revised plan takes its place. Fortunately, in recognition of the critical importance of the Comprehensive Plan, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors have crafted a deliberate and inclusive 18-month process for the creation of a new county Comprehensive Plan, a roadmap whose impact will extend over the next two decades. The new plan will replace the current Revised General Plan, adopted in 2001. In what is one of the nation’s wealth-

iest, fastest growing and economically dynamic counties, the stakes are high and the outcomes highly anticipated by businesses, developers and investors from far beyond the county’s borders. While this plan will, no doubt, shape, direct and possibly expand and propel what has been unparalleled growth in the increasingly urbanizing east, the new plan’s impact on the rural west is much less certain. What is certain is that in the course of developing this new plan will be the potential to invite the unalterable transformation of rural western Loudoun—or the opportunity to codify its preservation and ensure its long-term sustainability. Another certainty is that sustainability and preservation does not necessarily mean “nothing new,” rather it will require innovative thinking and doing. Perhaps alongside the array of wineries, farm breweries and boutique farms there may emerge a collection of culinary and arts destinations, recreational outfitters and accommodations, all accessible via a network of bike/pedestrian paths and trails.

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Catesby << FROM 1 tion could. “If a special exception is allowed with such opposition, where would it not be allowed?” Covington asked. Dennis Gingold warned that approving the Catesby application could lead to legal action. Brian Walker said it plainly: He didn’t believe the LaRoses would actually operate a a bed and breakfast on the property. “It’s just too good to turn into a bed and breakfast,” Walker said. “I think they would never do it. There are so many things that go along with that. ... These are very big business people. They wouldn’t want to be running some mom and pop bed and breakfast.” But other speakers saw sense in the application. “We had a similar go-round a number of years ago with Salamander [Resort & Spa],” said Middleburg Town Councilman Kevin Hazard. “I have to say that there was a lot of animosity, and in the long run, the inn was built. It has helped stabilize Middleburg.” Georjan Overman pointed to the additional concessions negotiated in the minor special exception application. “They listened to their neighbors and they responded to their neighbors, and I think you should now respond to their application and approve it,” she said. And speaking at the home she inherited from her father—whose ashes remain on the property—Michelle LaRose last week said she and her brother were trying to be transparent to the community when they made the application, and that the furor turned into something she never expected. “We primarily look at this as a family retreat,” LaRose said. “We don’t want to be open 365 days a year, but we will, is what we’re trying to convey. If we have to, that’s the route we’ll go. We wanted to open it up for exclusive events.” Attorney Frank Stearns, who represented the LaRoses in the review process, said the application was supposed to be a minor one. “It hasn’t proven to be that,” Stearns said. “They were being transparent. They were saying, ‘here’s what we want to do, so we can protect the community,’” Stearns said. “That seems to gather no appreciation.” Supervisor Tony R. Buffington Jr. (R-Blue Ridge), whose district includes the property, said his goal “since day

Gallagher << FROM 1 held town hall-style meetings, working to arm parents to promote potentially life-saving tips. And, in the spring, the school system’s top psychologists, social workers, and counselors rolled out an emergency outreach effort to every high school after a fourth Loudoun student in less than a year committed suicide. But this is the first a young person’s suicide has made it to a Loudoun County courtroom. In July, Loudoun County Public Schools posted a statement in response

“My goal, from day one, has been to ensure the least intrusive use.” — Tony R. Buffington Jr.

one has been to work with all parties to find the least intrusive use on the property,” and that if the LaRoses are bluffing about opening a country inn, he’s not willing to chance calling the bluff. “I’m confident that a vote no here would be a vote for a more intensive use, and I’m not comfortable doing that,” Buffington said. Supervisors voted 8-1 to approve the application. Only Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) voted against it. “I view what’s going on here as part of philosophical debate,” Umstattd said. “Do we allow the neighbors, the community, to decide what is best for them, or do we tell them what is best for them? … They are fighting for the legacy that they have protected and want to protect into the future, and I personally don’t think I have a right to tell them they’re wrong.” But other supervisors felt it was their responsibility to approve the application. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said that generally, the people who show up in boardrooms are the people who are upset. “I think that in a representative democracy, we get elected to represent our constituents and spend a lot of time on these sorts of issues on a regular basis, which most people don’t,” Letourneau said. “And one thing that always strikes me, particularly during the budget, is just how small a sample we always have in terms of public input if we just rely solely on the people that show up in the room.” Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) said that she has promised to protect western Loudoun, and that the best way to do that was to approve the family’s request. “When they have said they will go byright, I don’t have any reason not to believe them,” she said. “You all want me to roll the dice. I would rather have you to an outpouring of complaints from Potomac Falls parents and students about Jay’s death. It said that the school system mourned his loss along with the entire community. The statement continued, “For the past several months, the Gallagher family has been represented by a lawyer, who has given the school division notice of a potential claim. LCPS has been in confidential communication with this lawyer, to whom information has been provided. Loudoun County Public Schools is not at liberty to share additional information regarding this pending legal matter.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

upset with me for this vote than roll the dice, and they go with this use, and you have a much more intensive use.” The paradox of the Catesby Farm debate—neighbors arguing for a more intensive use, applicants offering to restrict themselves to a less intensive one—highlights a big question as Loudoun goes through a complete review of its comprehensive plan. It was a controversy that prompted Bonnie Mattingly, who the night before had attended an Envision Loudoun meeting as part of the county’s effort to gather public input on the comprehensive plan, to wonder: “I think we all in that room agreed that we love western Loudoun. The question now seems to be how to love it without loving it to death.”

Give an Inch, Save a Mile? County planners, consultants, and leaders are struggling to suss out the best way to preserve western Loudoun as the east inevitably grows. Leaders at an Envision Loudoun meeting at Woodgrove High School on Monday night said that even though it was Envision Loudoun’s only meeting in the west, they had heard similar sentiments as at every other meeting. “I think just by virtue of where we are, there were more ideas about the rural area, but the reality is that most of these tables were also talking about the larger issues of the county,” said Jamie Greene, one of the team of consultants hired by the county to help guide it through its comprehensive plan rewrite. “I think we’re hitting on some of the same types of comments, a lot about preserving our dichotomy, our suburban and soon-to-be-urban east and our rural west,” said Community Planning Program Manager Chris Garcia. “This was really about the western environment and the western culture,

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Classmates of Potomac Falls student Jay Gallagher urged Loudoun County School Board members in August to do more to prevent suicide.

and I think more than anything what people here wanted to convey was for us to have an appreciation of what happens in the west,” Randall said at the Envision Loudoun meeting. There has been little appetite on the Board of Supervisors for opening up the rural west to more development, but some have argued—during the Catesby Farm review and in other conversations—that allowing some business is essential to protecting the west at large. Supervisor Geary M. Higgins (R-Catoctin) has often given the example of houses going being build around his own home near Waterford. “I have nothing against houses, I live in one, but I sure would prefer to have something other than the 78 houses that are going in next to me,” Higgins said. Property owners have to be allowed to open rural businesses, he argued. “Those people that own that land, if they’re not given an opportunity to keep those properties profitable, and homes become their best use, then you’re going to get homes,” Higgins said. “The agriculture-based economy is collaborative and supportive in ways that may not be obvious,” Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson said ahead of the supervisors’ vote on Catesby. “This ecosystem depends on the supply of agriculture-based businesses and producers and the demand of everyone from residents and visitors to restaurants and accommodations. We need to continue and even build upon this successful ecosystem if we want agriculture-based businesses to survive.” And Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Manager Brian Fauls, while declining to take a position on any particular application, said that businesses keep agricultural land in agricultural use. “We are increasingly concerned that the board is being presented with an inaccurate picture of our rural economy, and a false choice between unregulated ‘rural’ businesses and untouched wilderness,” Fauls told the Board of Supervisors. Instead, he said, the choice is between rural businesses and 11,650 houses that he says are currently permitted by-right or in approved rezonings. “If we do not support rural businesses that keep agricultural land in appropriate uses and provide a source of income to land and business owners, rather than prevent, we will hasten the day when our rural lands are converted into housing estates,” Fauls said. “We know that this result is not the one that some had hoped for,” Michelle LaRose said in a prepared statement after the vote. “We have listened, and respected the neighbors’ perspectives—and will continue to do so. As we’ve said all along, we want to be good neighbors and residents – now, and in the future.” But to many of the neighbors around Catesby Farm, it’s hard to see how opening an events center saves the west from ruination. “As our representatives, I implore you to please deny this permit,” Eleanor Morrison said. “And let this ruling be the start of a new conversation on where these types of commercial ventures are appropriate and not appropriate.” rgreene@loudounnow.com

South King Street

<< FROM 41

Roger Vance is the mayor of Hillsboro. His column appears monthly.

loudounnow.com

provide their input and vision for the future of the county in small working groups. The first and only western Loudoun workshop was on Monday, Dec. 5, at Woodgrove High School and was attended by more than 200 area residents. Joining them and reasserting their commitment to rural Loudoun were County Chairwoman Phyllis Randall, Blue Ridge District Supervisor Tony Buffington and Catoctin District Supervisor Geary Higgins. Comp plans matter, a lot. In addition to the county plan, each town has its own plan, including the county’s smallest, Hillsboro, where its first ever Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2004, has served as the catalyst for policies and subsequent actions leading to transformative projects coming to fruition in the next two years. Called out in that 2004 plan were a set of critical infrastructure projects that will address essential safety, health and quality of life issues, which in turn will ensure the long-term preservation and sustainability of one of Loudoun’s most unique historic assets. Loudoun’s 2001 Revised General Plan creators deserve our praise and appreciation for their courage to insist on the existing plan’s emphasis on historic preservation and the development of a sustainable rural economy that encourages conservation of open spaces and discourages excessive res-

idential development. The expanding and thriving agricultural-based rural economy in western Loudoun is a testament to their foresight 15 years ago. The new Comprehensive Plan must fortify land use policies that will continue the rural protection of the old plan. Further, the new plan needs to assert a set of priorities and policies that places the highest value on preservation of mountainsides, ridgelines and viewsheds—the natural attractions that bring the visitors who in turn support agricultural, recreational and historic tourism-related businesses. Investments in traffic-calming, congestion mitigation, a network of pedestrian/bike paths connecting western Loudoun towns and existing regional trails will stimulate an economic development model that is dependent upon rural preservation and protection of environmental resources. On Monday night, Western Loudoun turned out to voice its views in a big way. In the months ahead we must seize the opportunity and remain engaged and steadfast in shaping our future.

Future shaping

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

LOUDOUN NOW | NEWS |

be in Leesburg, Totchin emphasized. He is looking at the possibility of purchasing a building in town, but if those plans don’t come to fruition, he is content to lease elsewhere in town. “We’re not leaving Leesburg. Most of our business is here,” he said. Husband and wife Steve Makranczy and Alex Korab are also preparing for a move. The owners of Transition Triathlon, at 222 S. King St., opened their shop in 2011. Korab had recently left the corporate world and decided it was time to do something completely different and help to provide the apparel and tools needed for other area triathletes like herself and her spouse. Noticing a “for lease” sign on the building in late 2010, a few months later the new business opened its doors. “We knew from the start that eventually we would need to look for another location, as Waterford Development was trying to sell the property. And while close to the trail, the building was not ideal for retail with little window displays and not close to other shopping destinations. But we took the chance, always keeping our eyes open for our permanent place,” Korab said. And a year later, their eyes were opened to a proposed development off Harrison Street—Crescent Place. Now, the duo is officially under contract to buy three retail units at Crescent Place, with visibility directly from the W&OD Trail. “The timing is almost uncanny how perfectly it’s working out,” she said,

43 Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

<< FROM 3

also noting the irony of the seller they are working with at Crescent Place— Knutson. “It’s kind of been fortuitous for all of us.” Korab said they are hoping to begin build-out of their new space in March, and expect that process to take about two months. But they will remain open in their South King Street space until their new store is ready to open, just in time for the peak summer season. They’ve launched a commemorative brick campaign to help fund their move, which can be found online at transitiontriathlon.com/were-moving. In addition to owning their own property, Korab said they are looking forward to the increased visibility, especially to passers-by on the trail, greater access to customers both on the trail and within the Crescent Place development, and a better parking situation. They are also planning to fix bikes, as they have in their current shop, but will be looking forward to adding the option to rent bikes. But she said they are also looking forward to what will come to pass on their current property. With their current building slated for demolition once the new development starts construction, Korab said she believes the development will be a great thing for that part of town. “I feel like this area of the town is really kind of starved for something. Being a business here we kind of always felt detached from the rest of town. It’s kind of a no man’s land down here,” she said. “I feel that the plan we’ve seen is going to be a big benefit to the town.”

ASHBURN 703-436-0077 | LEESBURG 703-777-1170 PURCELLVILLE 540-338-7770 | MIDDLEBURG 540-687-6321

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575 WINDWOOD LN, PARIS

Dec. 8 – 14, 2016

Unrivaled value in this 7000+s/f stone-front home at end of quiet cul-de-sac in beautiful Beacon Hill. Great location, tucked away & backing to acres of grassy cmty open space. Craftmark-built 5BR home features multiple FPs & 2 bright sunrooms to let in daylight & view**Established luxury cmty; commuter’s dream, just off Greenway. Ken Culbert ES. Google “Youtube Kim Hurst Presents” for video tour. $849,000 Kim Hurst • (703) 932-9651 • YourCountryHome.net

Fantastic Custom 4 level Grand Victorian with 4 BR/3.5 BA on a peaceful 29-acre lot! Main floor features a truly open concept kitchen, dining, and living area with fireplace and huge windows overlooking the wildflower gardens. Attention to detail shows in every aspect of this beautiful house. Room to expand in basement and 3rd floor. Seller not responsible for roll-back taxes. Call or text for appt. $817,000 Mary Roth • (540) 535-6854

13722 HIDDENHOLLOW LN, LEESBURG

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First public offering of one of Purcellville’s favorite houses, this unique earth-sheltered home sits on 5+ pastoral ac. mins.from town. This surprising house, built partially underground, features large, sunlit rooms incl. 2 main-level bedrooms, w/2 more upstairs. Greatroom has stone-framed woodstove, timber beams, skylights. 24x24 barn/garage plus a scenic pond make this a perfect country home. $524,000 Kim Hurst • (703) 932-9651 • YourCountryHome.net

703 PIPERS BROOK DR, PURCELLVILLE

314 LOUNSBURY CT NE, LEESBURG

1395 GEORGES MILL RD E, LOVETTSVILLE

Beautifully updated home with flawless front porch! Fresh paint. Large private lot in Village Case with amazing back yard and additional private parking area (property extends to trees behind fence in rear), basement framing, plumbing and electric rough in completed! Come fall in love with Purcellville’s small town charm and make this house your home today. Loaded with upgrades! $499,000 Sam Chapman • (540) 454-7776 Ryan Clegg • (703) 209-9849

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