Entries in Living in LoCo for August 2007
Lansdowne Blog Goes Out
Rabble Rouser closed down the comments for the blog Lansdowne... and Out in the Open just after noon today. "I've decided that since it's been pretty hot in here the past few days, that we all need a little time to cool down," wrote RR. The comments have been heated, loaded with personal insults, disparaging remarks, and nonsensical segues (exactly what happens here in any political blog). The blog host was hoping to have a place where people could have a real conversation about issues in the community, but anonymity has reared its ugly side. Read full entry and discussion »
Parents Papered by Politicians
Just to get to the front doors for back-to-school night, parents first had to run a gauntlet of politians, volunteers, flyers, brochures and, in the case of one candidate, an old fasioned wooden ruler. Cedar Lane has residents from both the Broad Run and the Dulles South districts, so the sea of solicitors worked hard to make their case as the masses gathered for two sessions of teacher meet and greets. Read full entry and discussion »
Posted by Tammi Marcoullier at 5:43 p.m. on August 30, 2007
Lunching With the Red Hat Ladies
Have you seen the Blue Ridge Rubies around Loudoun? When they are out together, this group is hard to miss. Dressed in their fancy red hats and purple outfits, they bring a splash of energy to any environment. This week, 14 members of the local Red Hat Society got together for lunch at Cheng's in Sterling. Linda Minshew, of Purcellville, first organized the Rubies in 2004, inviting some friends she had known for nearly 40 years and others from more recent associations. "There are no rules," said Minshew, "It's just for fun -- for the young at heart." Read full entry and discussion »
Posted by Tammi Marcoullier at 12:20 p.m. on August 30, 2007
Greason Uses E-Mail to Bolster Write-In Campaign
Tag Greason is running for the Broad Run seat on the county school board against incumbent Bob Ohneiser. But because of some missteps during the registration process, Greason will not be on the ballot and has launched a write-in campaign. He is using every available means to reach his constituents, including a grass-roots email strategy that he happened upon seemingly by accident. Read full entry and discussion »
I Say Ashburn, You Say "Cashburn"
The 2006 Census data is out and Loudoun County ranked second-highest in median household income $99,371 in the nation for 2006 for counties with 250,000 or more residents. Is this why some call it "Cashburn" instead of Ashburn? Where do you think the money is in our county -- East or West? Technology or real estate? One income or two-income families? Read full entry and discussion »
GPS Helps Launch Geocaching Craze
people from all over Northern Virginia are taking part in Geocaching -- a game where participants solve a puzzle by using GPS navigation to find hidden items (the cache) in far-flung places, parks, and recreation areas. The challenges have a few levels of involvement -- geography, technology, map and coordinate reading, being outdoors and the thrill of a challenge. But there is a downside. Some South Riding residents are up in arms about the invasion of geocachers trekking through neighborhood woods on their quest for the booty. Read full entry and discussion »
After 'No Child' Results, Will You Switch Schools?
The announcement last week that 146 regional schools, including 13 schools in Loudoun, did not meet the "No Child Left Behind" standards has prompted some interesting discussions locally about what parents will do for school placements in the next week. Marti Ponton, who has a child attending one of those that did not meet the standards, wrote to ask if we could set up a topic on this in the Living in LoCo blog. "I'd like to know what I, as a parent, can do about it," said Ponton. Read full entry and discussion »
School Administration Clarifies Military Recruiting Rules
In May, we ran a story about some parents opposing some of the tactics used by military recruiters, and the access they had, to engage students in Loudoun schools. At issue was a request for the schools to distribute an Army survey where information would be collected about potential recruits. On Friday, the Loudoun County Coalition on Recruitment Issues met with Ned Waterhouse, Deputy Superintendent and K. Anne Lewis, Director of Student Services for Loudoun County Schools. Read full entry and discussion »
Heat on Snow for Website Funding
Broadlands residents in their online forum and blog commenters at Tooconservative.com are engaged in heated discussion about Dulles District Supervisor Stephen J. Snow and his alleged ties with OpenBand, the provider of high-speed Internet service and cable TV. At issue: Snow's lack of response to constituents who were and are having problems with the telecommunications/media company and builder Van Metre, combined with his what they say is his alleged support from and financial ties to OpenBand that have not been disclosed in the proper campaign paperwork. Read full entry and discussion »
Concerts Draw Groupies from Local Watering Hole
Update -- Time Change! Opening bands go on at 3:30 p.m., pre-party will start around 1 p.m. Sergio Mendes and Jason Bursey, two 30-something guys who run Ashburn Wine Shop in Ashburn Village have been busy trying to grow the business the past six months and have found a hit with pre-concert parties. Next on the schedule -- INXS on Sept. 3, with the chance that new lead singer J.D. Fortune could make an appearance at the shop as a favor to one of their friends. Read full entry and discussion »
Youth Football, Money & Videotape
Do you think the skill level of 10 year-old football players is high enough that parents need to "scout" the competition and review game tapes? In Loudoun, the answer seems to be yes based on the practices of some youth teams and parent volunteers. Football practices started the first week of August (the commitment is three to five days a week until school, depending on the age group), and a player's parent I talked with soon after was surprised that the competition gets so serious so early. Once the games start, tape reviews are used to identify the best players, weaknesses, and strategies. Read full entry and discussion »
Posted by Tammi Marcoullier at 3:00 p.m. on August 22, 2007
Business Booms for Rainy Day Blues
Yesterday there were hundreds and hundreds of Loudouners in search of shelter and some dry entertainment for the kids. We are just not used to this cool, wet distraction from the death grip of August humidity. (Oh, but the lawns are greening!) Combine the unusual weather with the boredom that ensues at the end of summer countdown to school, and you know how tricky and necessary it is to keep the troops entertained. What for many started out as a cost-free day of plans for playgrounds and pools quickly became a scramble to find alternatives, many of which would easily empty a wallet of $25 to $50 or more. Read full entry and discussion »
After Protest, Church Meeting Will Go On
The illegal immigration debate continues with news from Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Sterling, which is scheduled to host an informational event on the topic on Aug. 26 after the noon mass. According to the head of the group La Voz, which is sponsoring the event, the church was contacted by Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio and asked to cancel it. La Voz supports more education on the hot-button issue, while Delgaudio openly supports ending all illegal immigration. La Voz director Laura Valle said she was contacted by the Arlington Catholic Diocese, was told Delgaudio complained, but was assured the event would go on as planned. Read full entry and discussion »
Posted by Tammi Marcoullier at 1:00 p.m. on August 20, 2007
Stone Bridge Graduates Hospitalized for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Two students from Ashburn who are Virginia Tech sophomores were injured from carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas leak at the off-campus Collegiate Suites apartments Sunday. Stone Bridge graduates Kristin Julia and Elizabeth Burgin, along with three roommates, are currently hospitalized. Julia is reported to be in critical condition and is being treated at the UVA Medical Center. Burgin was flown to Duke University Hospital and is reportedly in stable condition. Read full entry and discussion »
Posted by Tammi Marcoullier at 4:30 p.m. on August 17, 2007
Lemonade Stand Raises $1,000
Here is an unexpected recipe for success: Two kids, one lemonade stand, one firefighter's boot and two and a half hours. South Riding siblings Alexandra Spellar (6) and Jordan Spellar (8) who attend Hutchison Farm Elementary, set up shop August 4 outside their grandmother's house on North Street in downtown Leesburg. They wanted to help raise money for the local fire department in honor of their uncle Joshua Lee who was a volunteer firefighter. Josh passed away in November 2005; his death was not fire related. Read full entry and discussion »
Delgaudio Pulls Out of Radio Debate on Immigration
Producers from WTWP radio (The Washington Post Radio station) called Sterling's board of supervisor representative Eugene Delgaudio to ask him if he would like to be interviewed for the 8 a.m. morning drive show to talk about immigration issues. Initially Delgaudio was not only responsive, but enthusiastic, telling someone who was with him that he was wanted for the show. He was given the studio number and a time was set. Then the twist. The show would also include other guests who were not like-minded on the immigration issues. Read full entry and discussion »
Driving with Horses
One of the greatest challenges of living in an ever increasing urban area is the lack of understanding people have for sharing the road with horse trailers. To put things in perspective, these thousand pound "infants" contribute $78 million to the county economy. Two small horses, when loaded, can weigh close to three tons; and a big trailer is 15 to 20 thousand pounds (a little less than 10 tons) when loaded. That is the same as some semi-tractor trailers. People who would never dream of passing, cutting off, or short-stopping a semi, will not hesitate to do that to a pick-up hauling a loaded horse trailer. Read full entry and discussion »
Big Night Out with Boxer Jimmy Lange
Jimmy Lange, a championship boxer who calls Leesburg home, will be making a special appearance for boxing fans Saturday night for a Fight Against Cancer event. Lange, the WBC Continental Americas super welterweight champion, will give guests a rare, behind-the-scenes look at his last match, which took place May 12 at the Patriot Center. Michael Whalen, who will host the fight event at his house, said "it was an action-packed win" that captured the championship belt. Read full entry and discussion »
Spotting Famous Faces in Loudoun
We are on the lookout for famous faces and notable names in Loudoun. Though the talk of TomKat purchasing a home after sealing a deal with Redskins owner Dan Snyder proved to be nothing more than fat rumor, there are times that the famous and infamous make their way to our backyard. One telltale sign of a VIP visit is an increased police presence, or even a police escort. In the case of the Vietnamese delegation, Kristina Bouweiri, owner of Reston Limousine, said she saw a police escort and armored cars in a procession that closed roads as it traveled along Route 7. Since one of her company's vehicles was in the procession, Bouweiri knew who was among the protected cargo. Read full entry and discussion »
War Walker: Destination Leesburg
A man on a mission to walk 3,000 miles from California to Washington, D.C. is expected to travel through Leesburg Wednesday. A Vietnam-era veteran and former minister, Bill McDannell is walking with a message, to garner support for bringing American troops home. He has a goal of getting to D.C. to talk with Senator Barbara Boxer and deliver his petition. Read full entry and discussion »
Born & Raised in Farmhouse Surrounded by Suburb
While out on a walk one night in Ashburn, a few neighbors noticed a "For Sale" sign on a house. Not that it is so unusual to see a house for sale; but in this case, the house is, in fact, quite unique for its surroundings. In the middle of Belgreen Manor, a subdivision of custom homes between Ashburn Farm and Broadlands, sits a 1935 farmhouse. The two-level house, complete with tin roof, sitting porch, and brick chimneys, is on 0.44 acre of land and was, reportedly, at one time part of the Gray Dairy Farm. Read full entry and discussion »
Friday Night Bands & Beer
Tonight South Riding and Broadlands will host outdoor summer concerts for community residents. The big difference is, one allows those over the age of 21 to bring and consume alcohol and the other does not. For about 12 years, South Riding folks would bring their own beverages and socialize with friends and neighbors at the Town Green. But there has been a crackdown, and as of July 27, people were asked to leave the alcohol at home. Read full entry and discussion »
Posted by Tammi Marcoullier at 11:30 a.m. on August 10, 2007
Gas Leak Forcing Evacuations in Leesburg
Update 11:34 a.m. According to rescue personnel on the scene, the winds have shifted and (the gas) has gotten in the storm drains. A second alarm was raised and firefighters and emergency crews are being rallied to help. Around 10:30 this morning, fire and rescue personnel were dispatched to a large gas leak in Leesburg. Firefighting units from Ashburn and Leesburg and the Leesburg town police are on the scene of a construction site at 161 Ft. Evans Rd., near Heritage Way. Read full entry and discussion »
Push Poll Maligns Candidate
A little over a week ago, state delegate David Poisson, who is running as the Democratic candidate for the same office this year, got wind of a telephone poll that was asking Loudoun residents if they would support Poisson if they knew of rumors that he is a "closet homosexual" or "harbored illegal immigrants." According to those on the receiving end of these phone calls, including Patricia Turner of Sterling, who wrote this letter to the editor in the Connection newspapers (and here is their full story), those who asked were told that the poll was "paid for by the House Republican Campaign Committee and Chapman for Delegate." Read full entry and discussion »
Loudoun's Beckham Fans Unite Tonight
Forty families, about 190 people, from the Ashburn Soccer Club secured seats to see international star David Beckham, who may or may not actually play, with his new team, the L.A. Galaxy in a game against D.C. United at RFK Stadium. Tracie Underhill of Leesburg said, "We will be waving the Union Jack for Beckham!" ASC bought 125 tickets for the game against D.C. United back in June and sent an email to members, who could then participate in a lottery to get these high-demand tickets before others went on sale to the public. For $26 each, fans could have a piece of soccer history, and a decent seat, most in sections 211 and 212. Read full entry and discussion »
No Smoking Policy Brings Unexpected Business
The South Riding Inn's 6-month old "no smoking until 8PM policy" has had some unsuspected repercussions for the Inn's owner Steve Pasquale. "Within two weeks of instituting the ban, we had to order a lot more high chairs," says Pasquale. On a recent Friday evening, the bar was full and the waiting-room only restaurant area was mostly made up of families. "Sure it was risky, but I knew I had to respond to the feedback of my guests," Pasquale said. Being a South Riding resident meant that he was approached at the grocery store, at the pool, and at social events. "No one was reluctant to tell me what they thought. And they told me over and over again that they wanted the air quality to match the food quality." Read full entry and discussion »
Posted by Tammi Marcoullier at 11:30 a.m. on August 8, 2007
Schools Offer Sports Fans a Deal
In addition to the Redskins, the Nationals, D.C. United and other pro teams in the area, there is some pretty interesting sports action close to home. As we approach the fall season, the local high schools are asking athlete families and the community to support neighborhood schools by purchasing a 2007-08 season sports pass. For $200, a family with two adults and four students get unlimited access to home games, excluding playoffs and tournaments. A single pass for an adult or student is $100 for the season. Stone Bridge's form states: "If you attend all Stone Bridge home games this year, you will spend over $400.00 on tickets. Season passes can provide a tremendous saving to families of student-athletes involved in multiple sports." Across the county, regular game admission is $5 per person for varsity football, $4 for all other sports. And since the season pass doesn't cover playoff and tournament games, you can budget an extra $5 per game if your team is in contention. Read full entry and discussion »
Grass Is Not Greener on the Other Side
Whether you are a Western Loudoun Farmer, an Eastern Loudoun suburbanite, or something in between, the water issue is impacting residents across the board. Everyone is sorely missing green grass this summer. Sometimes knowing someone whose life is intracately affected by the drought conditions brings it a little closer to home. Back in June we met Bob Peeler, a farmer from Purcellville whose family used to own the land that is now Ryan Park in Ashburn. Keeping his word, Peeler sent in a photo of his favorite farm resident, a spring cow named Little Bit of Masons Keep. Read full entry and discussion »
Posted by Tammi Marcoullier at 11:55 a.m. on August 6, 2007
Lansdowne HOA President Leaving Post
The Lansdowne on the Potomac homeowners association sent out a notice Friday that there will be a special meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to appoint a replacement for board president and resident Eric Florence, who resigned to "spend more time with his family." Florence, along with the rest of the board, took some serious punches this year in the yet-to-be-resolved issue of a home-based businesses ban, notably day-care, in the community. There have been threats of legal action against the homeowners association, and a significant number of business people who work from home or operate businesses out of their houses, have gone "underground" so as not to draw attention to themselves. (All the backstory is here in the archives.) Read full entry and discussion »
Answering Road Questions: Nokes Blvd. & Rt. 28
We have been hearing about plans to build an interchange in place of the traffic light at Route 28 and Nokes Boulevard in Sterling, near the Dulles Town Center. What is the status? And when driving on Rt. 28 North at the Waxpool Road exit (Ashburn/Dulles), there are back-ups as cars are exiting onto Waxpool from this left-hand exit because there is a light at Pacific that stops traffic flow. (Most afternoons you can see this on the LoudounExtra.com Rt. 28 traffic camera.) Read full entry and discussion »
For Trendy Babies, It's a Wrap
Baby wrapping is all the rage among trendy families in Loudoun who say strollers are so passe, bulky, and unnecessary when you're a woman (or man) on the move. Even celebrities are getting wrapped -- check these photos of Bradd Pitt and Shiloh, Sheryl Crow and Wyatt, and Maggie Gyllenhall with Ramona. Jill Etheredge, 30, from Loudoun Valley Estates said she bought Moby wraps for all her friends before she had a baby of her own. Read full entry and discussion »
What Workers Are Tested for Drug Use?
School Board member John Stevens wrote about drug and alcohol testing for school bus drivers this week in "Our Loudoun Schools." Many businesses have pre-employment drug screening, like fire and rescue staffs, local grocery stores, and day-care centers. Does your workplace test for drug or alcohol use? Are there businesses you think should be testing their employees? Read full entry and discussion »
Camp Demo Becomes Real Police Chase
A summer camp "accident" demonstration was interrupted by a real-life police chase through a Leesburg parking lot and field yesterday. Fourteen middle schools students, along with police, fire and rescue, and emergency personnel were at Station 20 Wednesday morning going through a demonstration exercise where two cars collided, one caught on fire and the other had a passenger extricated from a back seat by the jaws of life. Read full entry and discussion »
See Lansdowne's Sommelier on TV Tomorrow
Tucked in a little corner near the tennis courts at Loudoun's Lansdowne Resort is a lush oasis of organic herbs and edible flowers. This garden belongs to award-winning sommelier Mary Watson-DeLauder who will be featured on NBC 4's "Fun for $40" at 5:45 a.m. Friday, and again in the 4 p.m. show. There is something unique about Mary's passion for her job, and it has made her a star among local wine lovers and foodies who fill her food and wine camps throughout the year. Read full entry and discussion »
Zaio is Photographing Your House
If you haven't already seen photographers walking through your neighborhood taking photographs of each house, you soon will. Being a little suspicious of strangers with cameras aimed at my house, and burned by the rash of solicitors this summer, a neighbor and I were on the phone and out the door in minutes of spotting this photographer to question her. (Yes, we were polite and she was nice, too.) We learned that she works for a company that is on a quest to photograph every home in America. Zaio is building a photographic database for use by 911 emergency personnel, appraisers, real estate agents, insurance and lending companies. Read full entry and discussion »
Sharing Moms' Music Secrets
After listening to the Wiggles' "Big Red Car" a hundred times, many parents of toddlers and pre-schoolers find themselves wanting to ban syrupy children's music from their minivans altogether. Thankfully we have friends and neighborhood bloggers like Loudoun Proud to help find solutions to these mentally taxing problems. If you would rather have your kids making music, take note of the local upsurge we're seeing in music education programs for the pre-school set too. Read full entry and discussion »
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