Today we're introducing Broadlands correspondent Erica Garman. You might also know her as the host of Comcast's channel 3 "Loudoun Magazine," where she interviews people whom she calls the "do-gooders" of Loudoun's philanthropy community. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post and Northern Virginia magazine. Garman and her husband have lived in Loudoun since 1995, as residents of both Ashburn Village and Broadlands, and have two daughters. We are looking forward to Garman's reporting and insight on all things Broadlands.

Recently, a 39-year old mother of two hired a babysitter so she and her husband could have a "date night" at Bonefish Grill in Broadlands.

While at the bar having dinner, a family with small children sat down next to them. Apparently all the table seating was occupied. The children fidgeted on their bar stools, jumped on and off to play in the nearby revolving door, whined and giggled. Precisely the type of behavior that the mother with the babysitter wanted to avoid.

If a restaurant is full, should children be allowed in bars?

She asked the bartender, "Isn't there a law against children sitting at the bar?"

Apparently not.

"There is no ABC law [in Virginia] that prohibits a person under-age from sitting at a bar," said Special Agent Philip Disharoon with the Bureau of Law Enforcement for Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Other states and localities do have such laws. Maryland, for example, allows each individual county liquor board to decide. In Delaware, minors are not allowed to be at the bar area... period.

John Sampogna, proprietor of the Bonefish Grill Restaurant in Broadlands, said he hasn't had any complaints regarding children at the bar, but he has had complaints about kids in the main dining area. Apparently one of his regular customers thinks children should be banned from the restaurant altogether. Sampogna explained that there are no plans to banish children from the restaurant. "In Ashburn, people are very reasonable and understanding. If there is a problem, we will do everything we can to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the customer," said Sampogna.

Do you think kids should be allowed to sit at the bar in area restaurants?

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