Brambleton Magazine: Summer 2018

Growing Families. Building Community. Connecting Life.

Summer 2018

Brambleton Brambleton Community Association Quarterly Publication

Big Summer Fun and Safety Edition

www.brambletonhoa.com

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A Fun, Full-Day Summer Experience for Children Primrose Summer Adventure Club Balances Fun and Learning for Children K-5 Every summer, many parents find themselves searching for camps and child care programs for their children.

While there are many options available, finding the program that is the best fit for your family can be a challenge.

“The number of summer child care programs and day camps families have to choose from can be overwhelming,” says Mike Hummer, Franchise Owner of Primrose School at Moorefield Station.

“The Primrose Summer Adventure Club makes the decision easy by offering such a great mix of activities that are fun for children but also naturally encourage summer learning through play and exploration.”

The Primrose Summer Adventure Club is designed to provide a fun, full-day experience for children. Each day has something for every adventurer, including time for outdoor play, interest-based activity zones, field trips and special projects.

Every week, these activities and experiences center on a new theme.

The activities for each theme were developed by leading experts in early childhood education to ensure all

programming is safe and designed for fun. Weekly themes vary from engineering-focused to arts-related to sports-based, but each one nurtures leadership, good character, creative thinking and problem solving in a fun and natural way.

Some of the weekly themes children may explore this summer season include: Set It in Motion!

Be on the lookout for child-authored movie masterpieces during this week of Summer Adventure Club! Adventurers will use claymation, stop-motion and more to learn about digital art.

What a Catch!

Adventurers will keep their eyes on the ball this week, making great grabs and terrific throws as they learn the fundamentals of playing catch in fun drills and games.

Crack the Code!

During this week, adventurers will get hands-on programming experience, using problem-solving skills to build robots and code them to life.

As children play and explore each week, they discover new knowledge and make new friends along the way. Learn more about the summer experience at Primrose School at Moorefield Station at PrimroseMoorefieldStation.com or call 703.726.9306.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

The Seeds of Today

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e all know that you cannot plant a seed and then eat the fruit tomorrow. Even in our dynamic, fast-paced world, it still requires dedicated time to plan and provide ongoing care and attention, as well as patience to harvest what we sow. This gardening reference is something that we can all relate to in some aspect of our lives, and we likely all have stories that we can share. It’s also a concept that touches on personal and community values such as hard work, planning, service, dedication, commitment, and patience.

Casting these seeds today will not result in an immediate impact but will have a positive impact on the future.

This concept came full circle for me during my recent experience at the ribbon cutting of the Dulles South Recreation Center. I moved to Loudoun County on Route 50 back in 1995 when South Riding was just getting started. Newly married, my wife and I considered ourselves as pioneers to the Route 50 corridor. We bought our home out of a sales trailer on the side of Route 50, and we soon became the 50th homeowner in a community that would grow to 6,000 over the next 20 years. At that time, Loudoun County had a small, aging, and asbestos-filled community center on the former Gum Springs Road in Arcola. As the community grew, the needs for a larger community and recreation center became much greater. Sometime around 2002, myself and several other

Rick Stone and other Loudoun County leaders celebrate the grand opening of the Dulles South Recreation and Senior Center on May 4, 2018.

dedicated volunteers with a passion for recreation and community formed the Dulles South Recreation Advisory Committee. It was our goal to bring a first-class facility to the fastest growing area of the County. After sitting in numerous meetings, getting the attention and buy in from County Supervisors and staff, and waiting 16 years, our seed of an idea grew into what is now the newly opened Dulles South Recreation and Senior Center.

I am pleased and honored to have been involved with this idea and project some 16 years back. This state-of-the art County facility, along with all of the great services that it will offer residents, serves as a great example of the commitment that it takes to contribute to a growing community. The hard work, dedication, patience, and even frustration at times have resulted in a grand facility for all to enjoy.

The Association is here for the long haul and continually seeks to “sow” what is believed to be in the best interest of the community and the Association.

Being a steward of our common area and assets is an important Association value. Recently, the Association found ways to expand its natural areas in a way that beautifies the community and increases wildlife habitats while decreasing the use of fertilizers and pesticides. The renaturalization of these areas will take several years, but the results will be long-lasting and worth the time and attention. On another front, the Association is taking steps to protect the future appearance and overall condition of the community by properly reserving for repairs and asset replacement. Funding is being set aside today for repairs that may not come for 5, 10, 20, or even 30 years from now.

The Association also takes the time to establish mutually beneficial relationships with local, county, and state agencies and politicians to assure that the future interests of the community are considered. These are just some of the seeds that the Association sows so that

the entire community will reap the future benefits from these actions.

As a resident and neighbor, I ask you to consider: What seeds are you sowing to make our community a great place to live and grow? Maintaining our community as a great place to live takes the efforts of all of us. These efforts can come in the form of being a great and courteous neighbor, picking up that piece of trash as you walk the trails, reporting a hazardous condition on a common area to the Association or undesired suspicious activity to the Sheriff ’s Office, volunteering at a community event or on a committee, or helping out at the county level. The seeds that you sow can be simple seeds; they don’t need to grow into the next multimillion dollar recreation center. The fun thing about getting involved is watching the seeds grow and develop. Taking a few simple positive steps in the right direction can set great things in motion, but keep in mind that patience is required in most cases. “It’s like the seed put in the soil, the more one sows the greater the harvest.” – Orison Swett Marden.

Sincerely, Rick Stone, PCAM, LSM

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Brambleton

FEATURES

Community Association Vision & Mission Vision Leading a hometown community with high tech traditions where everyone can connect with life.

Mission BCA is committed to proactively leading a quality community for its residents through stewardship of resources, advanced technology, and enhanced lifestyle opportunities.

Board of Directors Kim Adams President

Brian Viola Vice President, Resident Director

Meryl Bisaga Secretary/Treasurer

Tom Gurganous Resident Director

Pat Martin Director

Ric Spencer Director

Ram Venkat Resident Director

Management Office 42395 Ryan Road, Suite 210 Brambleton, VA 20148

2 The Seeds of Today A MESSAGE FROM RICK STONE, GENERAL MANAGER The Association continually strives to serve the best interests of the Brambleton community through commitment, hard work, and patience.

(p) 703-542-6263 (f ) 703-542-6266 hoa@brambleton.org www.brambletonhoa.com

Rick Stone General Manager, PCAM, LSM

Rosemarie Linder Editor, Director of Administration & Services, CMCA, AMS, PCAM

Paul Gentine Communications Coordinator To advertise in the Brambleton Community Magazine, contact Paul Gentine via email at communications@brambleton.org or call 703542-6263.

The community magazine is published quarterly by the Brambleton Community Association, distributed via email and can be viewed on our website.

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11 Summer Safety

Slide into Summer

BY ROSEMARIE LINDER

BY ANDREA MARTIN

We share some safety reminders and resources to keep handy when planning your summer activities.

With summer here, Andrea explains how to turn your backyard into a fun and safe place for kids to play.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

ARTICLES 2

MESSAGE FROM THE GM

EVENTS 33

BCA SPONSORSHIPS

JUNE June 4: DMV2GO, 9 AM - 4 PM

The Seeds of Today

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INSIDE BCA

Become a Sponsor

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EATLOCO BRAMBLETON MARKETPLACE

June 15: Summer Kick-Off, 5-8 PM June 15: Teen Pool Party, 8:30-11 PM June 28: Summer Concert, 7-9 PM

Board of Directors

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LIBRARY

Committee Updates

June 29: Teen Late Night Swim, 8-11 PM

Summer Highlights

June 30: Red White & Bram, 6-10 PM

Ground Works Summer Reading Program Natural Area Enhancement Benefits

JULY

Brambleton Library

July 3: DMV2GO, 9 AM - 4 PM

The Importance of a Reserve Study

Adult Book Club/Children's Storytime

Townhome Grounds 37 Maintenance: Backyard Trimming

WHAT ARE YOU READING? Christine Knowles

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SAFETY & SECURITY

July 12: Summer Concert, 7-9 PM July 13: Teen Late Night Swim, 8-11 PM July 20: Float n Flicks, Dusk - 11 PM July 26: Summer Concert, 7-9 PM July 27: Teen Late Night Swim, 8-11 PM

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RESIDENT RESOURCES

Summer Safety Considerations Payment Options & Budget

AUGUST Aug. 2: DMV2GO, 9 AM - 4 PM

Everyone Has a Role in Community Safety

Brambleton Maps

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DMV2GO/BUS TOUR

Important Contact Information

Aug. 10: Teen Late Night Swim, 8-11 PM

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LIFESTYLES

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Aug. 17: Movie on the Green, Dusk - 11 PM

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Summer 2018 Events

JDRF One Walk

Aug. 9: Summer Concert, 7-9 PM

Aug. 23: Summer Concert (Rain), 7-9 PM Aug. 24: Teen Late Night Swim, 8-11 PM

Race Brambleton

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Teen Summer Service Days

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POOLS

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THINK GREEN Summer Home Energy Saving Tips

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VDOT Smart Scale Projects

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NEW BCA STAFF Isaiah Marsh & Brett Unger

MEETINGS Board of Directors Meeting: June 5, Aug. 7 at 8:15 AM Asphalt Sub-Committee Meeting: June 5, July 3, Aug. 7 at 7 PM

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DANA'S FAVORITE THINGS

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BCA FOCUS

Grounds & Facilities Committee Meeting: June 5, July 3, Aug. 7 at 7:30 PM

Resident Services Administrators

Covenants Committee Meeting: June 11, July 9, Aug. 13 at 7 PM

COMMUNICATIONS

Safety & Security Committee Meeting: June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 at 7:30 PM

HOME & GARDEN Protect Against Ticks & Mosquitoes

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

COMMUNITY STANDARDS Volunteer Spotlight: Jan Massey Community Standards Reminders

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2018 EVENTS CALENDAR

Slide into Summer

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HOW TO REACH US

Ad Hoc Technology Committee Meeting: June 19, July 17, Aug. 21 at 7 PM Finance Committee Meeting: June 26, July 24, Aug. 28 at 7:30 PM

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INSIDE BCA

BCA Board of Directors Back Row (l-r): Brian Viola - Vice President, Ram Venkat - Resident Director, Ric Spencer - Director, Tom Gurganous - Resident Director Front Row (l-r): Pat Martin - Director, Kim Adams - President, Meryl Bisaga - Treasurer & Secretary

BCA Board in Action The BCA Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance and success of the Association. The Board meets regularly to discuss Association business, set policies and procedures, and take action on various Association matters. The Board last met on April 3, 2018, and took the following actions in accordance with its governing documents, state statute, and federal laws: • Adopted the minutes from their February 6, 2018 meeting.

• Reviewed the previous Betta Swim Team request and approved up to $3,000 for lifeguard expenses, use of Association lighting at two Wednesday meets, and use of Association sound system at all meets.

• Ratified action taken outside of a meeting that approved the replacement of the Community Center tot lot swings and spring animals. The new play equipment will be funded through the replacement reserve account.

• Approved the expenditure of up to $67,000 and authorized the General Manager to sign a 5-year lease for Association office space at the Brambleton Town Center.

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS Tuesday, June 5, 8:15 AM: BCA Management Office Tuesday, August 7, 8:15 AM: BCA Management Office Visit www.brambletonhoa. com or the Brambleton Facebook page for any updates or changes to the Board meeting schedule.

• Approved the expenditure of up to $77,550 and authorized the General Manager to spend these funds for office renovations, furniture and equipment purchases, and other moving expenses for the Association office relocation.

• Approved the expenditure of up to $4,600 of capital funds to “wrap” the new bus with the Brambleton logo.

• Approved the expenditure of up to $16,000 for borders and safety surfacing for a donated zip line in Legacy Park.

• Took action on several owner obligations and account matters.

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

ALISON HARRIS BURKE R E A LT O R

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INSIDE BCA

BCA Committee Updates SAFETY & SECURITY COMMITTEE The Safety & Security Committee was officially established as an advisory committee to Brambleton’s Board of Directors in 2013. The committee originated from a group of concerned citizens who initiated Brambleton’s Neighborhood Watch program in 2003 in partnership with the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office. Today you’ll find those same neighbors still involved in keeping Brambleton a safe place to live.

In addition to supporting initiatives like the Radar Speed Trailer and Sign programs and the $200 Fine Sign placement request, the Committee has dedicated time to crafting a community traffic calming document to serve as a resource for residents, staff, and the Board. Look for updates on this document in the upcoming months.

Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month. Upcoming meetings: 6/12, 7/10, 8/14 at 7:30 PM Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/safety

GROUNDS & FACILITIES COMMITTEE Responsibility: Advising the Board on issues related to rules, policies, maintenance, upkeep, and the use of the common grounds and facilities.

Meetings: First Tuesday of each month. Upcoming meetings: 6/5, 7/3, 8/7 at 7:30 PM Website: http://www.brambletonhoa.com/grounds

COVENANTS COMMITTEE Responsibility: Reviewing submitted design review applications, considering violations of BCA documents, and taking enforcement actions.

Meetings: Second Monday of each month. Upcoming meetings: 6/11, 7/9, 8/13 at 7:00 PM Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/covenants

AD HOC TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Responsibility: Facilitating review of the end of contract options, seeking resident input, and advising the Board related to the Verizon FIOS bulk agreement.

Meetings: Third Tuesday of each month. Upcoming meetings: 6/19, 7/17, 8/21 at 7:00 PM Website: http://www.brambletonhoa.com/tech

FINANCE COMMITTEE Responsibility: Reviewing financial reports and audits, monitoring investments, reviewing funding for capital projects, and developing financial policies and resolutions to the Board.

Meetings: Fourth Tuesday of each month. Upcoming meetings: 6/26, 7/24, 8/28 at 7:30 PM Website: http://www.brambletonhoa.com/finance

BRAMBLETON KIDS CARE Responsibility: Empowering the next generation of Brambleton’s residents and facilitate their development and growth towards becoming compassionate, service-minded citizens.

Meetings: Meets as needed, typically during the school year.

Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/brambletonkidscare

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

INSIDE BCA

Ground Works

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s a steward of the land, Brambleton Community Association is continually performing various upkeep and service tasks to maintain a healthy environment and great looking community. These are the highlights that will occur over the next few months:

Common Area

Date

Trash & Litter Removal

January - December

Geese Patrol of Ponds

February - June

Mowing & Edging

March - November

Fertilizer & Weed Control

March - November

Pond Maintenance

March - December

Irrigation/Watering

May - October

Playground Inspections

June

Shrub/Groundcover Pruning

June

Irrigation Inspections

June - August

Aeration

August

Townhome Grounds Maintenance Program

Date

Mowing & Edging

March - November

Fertilizer & Weed Control

March - November

Timely details on services and speciďŹ c dates will be communicated in upcoming editions of the Friday Flash, on the BCA website, and on the BCA Facebook page.

Questions pertaining to these services can be emailed to Operations@Brambleton.org.

Did You Know?

You can sign up for Fertilizer and Weed Control alerts via email and/or text message through our Notify Me subscription service.

Subscribers receive notices and details on all fertilizer and/or pesticide applications to the common areas. To subscribe, click on the Notify Me button at www. brambletonhoa.com and follow the instructions.

Learn more about Common Area Management at www. brambletonhoa.com/ commonarea

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INSIDE BCA

Natural Area Enhancement Benefits Shantil Moyer - Operations & Assets Manager

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eveloping communities like Brambleton face many of the same challenges with maintaining natural landscapes as most big cities. These challenges include the loss of natural areas, including vegetation and open space, and a general decline in the health of streams and natural habitats. Natural areas are defined as having physical characteristics developed through natural growth rather than design or planning. Natural areas allow native plant species to thrive and grow, resulting in improved conditions for our environment.

As our community continues to grow and mature, it is vital that we try to reasonably safeguard and enhance our natural areas. By protecting and expanding our natural areas, we are promoting reforestation and inviting beneficial wildlife back into our environment.

It is very important that as a community we understand the impact that we

are making on our environment. As a result, the Association has performed a review of the grounds maintenance program and found natural and common areas throughout the community that would benefit from an increased and enhanced natural area. There are several classifications of natural areas found throughout Brambleton, including forested common areas and woodlands, hedgerows, and meadows.

There are numerous benefits related to the expansion of our natural areas, including natural beauty and air quality improvement. Benefits also include a decrease in the use of fertilizers, pesticides, watering, mulching, and mowing, which result in lower overall maintenance costs. The surrounding site characteristics, as well as the impact on adjacent homes, are examined when natural area expansions are considered.

A transition area will remain between residential properties and the newly established natural area expansions.

An expanded natural area will never directly touch the rear property line of residential lots.

A core value and goal of the Association is to be a good steward. This stewardship compels us to take care of our land and community resources, as well as to keep Brambleton beautiful. We believe that the Association’s natural area expansion program is aligned with this core value and will create a better environment and a more beautiful community for all.

The Importance of a Reserve Study Shantil Moyer - Operations & Assets Manager

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uccessful, healthy, and financially strong community associations must plan ahead for their future needs so that they can budget for future repairs and replacements of capital facilities and amenities. By properly maintaining and replacing common capital assets, community associations help protect residential property values and keep communities from becoming dated. Associations can achieve this by performing regular reserve studies, generating funding according to these studies, and using the accumulated funds to repair and replace capital assets.

A reserve study is a long-range financial planning report used by community associations to budget for long-term capital expenses, such as roofing and paving. Preparing a reserve study involves several steps: 1. Develop an inventory of major capital

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components (major building systems, paving, pools and park amenities, etc.) that the association is obligated to maintain.

2. Determine current replacement cost, useful life, and remaining life for those items.

3. Perform a financial analysis to determine how to methodically fund those long-term costs over time.

The net result of a reserve study consists of a schedule and dollar amount that associations should set aside each year for reserve expenses. The reserve amount assessed in the annual budget will fund the equivalent of a year’s life for each component identified in the study.

The Commonwealth requires community associations to conduct a reserve study and update the reserve study every

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

5 years. However, because Brambleton is a developing community with new capital assets being constructed, the BCA Board has opted for a 3-year reserve study update cycle. A properly funded study greatly reduces the chances of large special assessments in the future.

BCA is currently in the process of updating its reserve study using an accredited reserve specialist to perform and update the study. Brambleton actually performs four reserve studies during each cycle.

Studies for general assets, townhome streets, common drives, and recreation (pools) assets are each prepared independently. The updated reserve studies should be completed this summer, and these will be used to calculate the 2019 assessments and related contributions to each of the appropriate reserve accounts.

INSIDE BCA

Townhome Grounds Maintenance: Backyard B ack kyard d Trimming Trimm ming g

Rick Stone, PCAM, LSM - General Manager

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he Association has seen an increase in the number of questions and concerns related to trimming in the backyards of townhomes that participate in the Grounds Maintenance Program. Residents are contacting the Association to let us know that the contractor skipped trimming their yard after mowing or that the contractor is doing a poor job of trimming. Association staff reviews each and every concern and performs a site visit to the property as a part of that review.

During the inspection, we typically observe two conditions. One observation is that residents are reporting concerns while crews are still actively mowing and trimming the site. Weekly mowing and trimming of the townhome properties is a process. Crews will mow first, and once all the mowing is complete, crews will return to trim with commercial string trimmers. Once the trimming is complete, the clippings on the hard surfaces (sidewalks, streets, driveways) are blown off. The typical timeline for this process to occur is for the yard to be mowed at 9:00 AM, trimmed at 2:00 PM, and then clippings are blown at 5:00 PM. Although it is not typical, severe weather instances can prevent completion of the process in a single day. In these rare cases, services will be completed on the next service day.

The other concern commonly reported is poor trimming. Upon inspection, it has been determined in a few cases that a yard was missed or poorly trimmed.

In these cases, the Association will send its contractor back out to properly address the issue. In the majority of cases, we find that the concern was related to

trimming around items that can be easily damaged.

Why doesn’t the Association direct the contractor to closely trim around all items in my yard? The string trimmers can cause damage to certain items.

The Association and the contractor want to avoid causing damage related to trimming. Trimming around structures, equipment, enhancements, or personal items that can be easily damaged is not a part of the program. It is the property owners’ responsibility to address these areas.

What does the Association consider as “easily damaged” items? Easily damaged items are those containing wood, vinyl, plastic, PVC, plaster or acrylic stucco, aluminum, and some metals that come in direct contact with the grass being maintained. Some examples of easily damaged items include: deck posts, stairs, or lattice; fencing and gates with less than a three-inch (3”) gap from the ground; raised gardens, outdoor furniture, toys & playhouses, recreational equipment, a/c units, gas meters, sheds, or lawn equipment.

What can be done to minimize trimming against “easily damaged” items?

There are a couple of actions that can be taken to address the concern for trimming. First, the Association has directed the contractor to spray an approximately 3” area adjacent to easily damaged items with Roundup. This will leave an area with bare earth that will not require trimming within 3” of that item. Trimming will occur outside the treated area. Some residents do not desire the use of Roundup or the resulting

aesthetic of bare earth around the item.

Second, the homeowner can perform changes to their landscaping around the easily damaged items. Some ways to accomplish this include: • Incorporating gas meters, down spouts, or a/c units into mulched foundation beds. Once these beds are created by the homeowner, the contractor will re-mulch them each spring.

• *Decks - Creating mulched landscape beds around first story decks. Building a patio under 2nd story decks that contains any deck posts. Installing pavers or concrete landing where deck steps come down to rear yards.

• *Fencing – Installing fencing with a 3” gap between the fence and ground, or installing a landscape bed along the interior perimeter of the fence. *Please note that most exterior modifications, including patios, landings and other changes, require review and approval by the Covenants Committee prior to installation. For more information, visit www.brambletonhoa.com/covenants.

Questions? The Association’s website has a wealth of information on the Townhome Grounds Maintenance Program. Please visit the program site at www.brambletonhoa.com/townhomegrounds. Association staff is always willing to meet residents at their property to further discuss the program and provide ideas on how residents can address their trimming concerns through landscape modifications. To set up an appointment, please email your request to Operations@brambleton.org.

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SAFETY & SECURITY

Summer Safety Considerations Rosemarie Linder, CMCA, AMS, PCAM - Director of Administration & Services

T

here’s so much fun to be had in Brambleton during the summer!

We have pools, trails, and a calendar full of community events – we hope you’ll find time to enjoy all that Brambleton has to offer! While you are making plans for summer fun and relaxation, we want to share some safety reminders and resources to keep handy when planning your summer activities.

Water Safety Water is a big element of summer fun, and it can be easy to let down your guard and get comfortable when you’re cooling off, especially with friends. Attention to water safety is essential, and parents serve as the first line of defense for their child’s safety while at the pool. Parents should always remain within an arm’s length of a child who cannot swim, or is learning to swim, regardless of the depth of the water. Lifeguards at the pools should be viewed as a secondary line of safety who can assist parents with their responsibility for their child’s safety.

Lifeguards do not provide childcare.

Swim lessons are offered in the community, and knowing how to swim is a valuable safety lesson. Even experienced swimmers should always have a partner

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nearby in case of accidents or medical problems; use the buddy system! Also, it is important to know that drowning is silent and can occur outside of the water.

Pool rules are posted for everyone’s safety and education as well as to enhance the pool experience. Please review the rules and share them with your family and guests to ensure that everyone is aware of proper and safe behavior at the pool.

Swimming is not permitted in any of Brambleton’s ponds; please stay out of the water. Residents are encouraged to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office if they see non-supervised small children near the ponds.

Safety at Play Just the sight of kids of all ages playing in Brambleton can bring out a smile.

With miles of trails, sport courts, and tot lots, there are endless possibilities for fun and exploration in Brambleton.

To be on the safe side, it is important to encourage play in these areas rather than on the streets. Our office regularly receives reports of concern regarding this issue. Not only is it a good idea

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

to avoid playing on the streets, it’s also state law: § 46.2-932. Playing on highways; use of toy vehicle on highways, persons riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, etc., not to attach to vehicles; exception. A. No person shall play on a highway, other than on the sidewalks thereof, within a city or town or on any part of a highway outside the limits of a city or town designated by the Commissioner of Highways exclusively for vehicular travel. No person shall use any toy vehicle on the roadway of any highway that (i) has a speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour, (ii) has more than two travel lanes, or (iii) is located outside a residence district as defined in § 46.2-100.

The use of portable “children at play” signs while children are actively playing on sidewalks, driveways, and front yards is widely observed throughout Brambleton. Please note that these signs should not be stored outside when not in active use, and they are not permitted in the roadway and may not be used to block access to streets within the community. You may contact Brambleton HOA at 703-542-6263 for assistance during normal business

hours. The Loudoun County sheriff has been provided with written permission to enforce the county ordinance after hours, which states that no street may be blocked to through traffic. The sheriff can be reached at the non-emergency number 703-777-1021.

Burglary Prevention With summer’s relaxed schedules and residents taking trips out of town, it is even more important to keep your guard up and take action to prevent crimes of opportunity. LCSO offers the following burglary prevention tips: • Only use fireworks outdoors.

• Never leave windows open or unlocked when you’re not at home. The average burglary lasts 8-12 minutes from the time of entry to the time burglars leave the scene. Even the shortest trip to the store or to pick up the kids puts your valuables at risk.

• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.

• Never give fireworks to young children, and always wear safety glasses.

• Always have a bucket of water, or

water hose, nearby.

To report concerns for Fireworks, call the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management at 703-777-0333 or the Fire Marshal at 703-737-8600.

• Make sure the doors to your home, garage, and vehicles are locked. An unlocked door is the most common entry method for burglars.

• If you have an alarm system, use it.

Adding an additional layer of home security is always beneficial.

• See Something, Say Something.

Burglaries are not typically random.

If you notice suspicious persons or vehicles, report it to LCSO. In an emergency, call 911; if non-urgent, call 703-777-1021.

Rock Climbing Brambleton’s waterfalls have numerous rocks incorporated into their structures.

Residents should not climb the stacked waterfall rocks due to potential hazards.

The waterfalls were created for aesthetic purposes and are not meant to be utilized recreationally.

Fireworks All residents are encouraged to review the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's list of permissible fireworks and safety tips at www.loudoun.gov/fireworks. The Fire Marshal's Office urges those using approved fireworks to follow these important safety tips:

Everyone Has a Role in Community Safety Rosemarie Linder, CMCA, AMS, PCAM - Director of Administration & Services

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rambleton Community Association takes an active role in community safety by partnering with residents, contractors, and law enforcement. This approach encourages everyone to participate in creating and maintaining Brambleton as a safe place to live and raise a family. BCA supports the following programs, resources, and services:

BCA Safety & Security Committee: This is an all resident advisory committee to Brambleton’s Board of Directors.

This committee meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:30 PM in the BCA Management Office. Each meeting starts with an opportunity for resident input during the resident forum period. Suggestions and comments are welcome and encouraged.

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BCA Parks & Facilities: BCA has a Parks & Facilities Attendant on staff to perform patrols of BCA parks and facilities. Anyone found in a community facility without authorization or in a BCA park after dark will be asked to leave. The Parks & Facilities Attendant is not on-call for Brambleton residents; residents should always contact the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office (LCSO) directly to report concerns.

Traffic Law Enforcement: Speeding on residential streets is often a concern among residents. Please be reminded that the speed limit on all Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) residential streets in Brambleton is 25 mph unless otherwise signed. The speed limit on all BCA drives and alleys is 15 mph regardless of signage. Speeding throughout the community should be reported to LCSO at 703-777-1021 or at sheriff.loudoun.gov.

Radar & Message Trailer: In recognition of frequent concerns regarding traffic safety issues throughout Brambleton, BCA worked with LCSO and VDOT to deploy a radar/message trailer on Brambleton streets. The trailer is used to alert drivers of their speed when over the legal limit, warn drivers of conditions or future road detours/closures, and to collect traffic data that is shared with LCSO to help demonstrate the need for additional patrols and enforcement throughout the community.

Brambleton residents can request this trailer on their street if they are concerned with ongoing speed issues.

The request can be made by completing the online Radar Trailer Request form found at www.brambletonhoa.com/ formcenter. The trailer will be deployed systematically as requests are received.

The trailer will typically remain on a street for approximately one week before it is moved to the next location.

Please Note: The trailer is for awareness purposes only. It does not replace the need for traffic law enforcement by LCSO or state police. BCA cannot enforce traffic laws on VDOT streets. Residents with enforcement requests should contact

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the LCSO non-emergency number at 703-777-1021.

Reporting Hazards/Safety Concerns: The Association also relies on residents to report any hazards or safety concerns on common areas to the BCA Management office. While routine inspections of common areas are performed, the eyes of 20,000 residents will see more than the eyes of the few staff members. Please immediately report all common area hazards to the BCA Management Office at 703-542-6263.

After hours, please use 703-385-1133. For less urgent concerns, please report to hoa@brambleton.org.

most up to date information regarding crime trends and observations in the county and the station area. Meetings are led by station command and include a question and answer session. Meeting dates and times are published by LCSO and BCA.

Alert Loudoun: This is a county-based subscription service that allows residents to receive direct information from authorized agencies regarding emergencies, news, weather, traffic, and safety concerns. In addition, residents may opt in to receive alerts from the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office. Residents are encouraged to sign up at www.loudoun. gov/alert.

Neighborhood Watch & Safety: Together with LCSO, the Association supports a Neighborhood Watch program that is in place throughout Brambleton. The key to this program is educating and encouraging residents to “say something when you see something.” Resident patrols are not part of this program. Neighborhood Watch signs have been installed throughout the community to remind residents of the need to report all suspicious activity to the Sheriff ’s Office.

If you see any suspicious activity, call the LCSO immediately at 703-777-1021, or call 911 if a crime is in progress.

Dulles South Quarterly Station Meetings: The station hosts quarterly meetings to provide residents with the

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

Community Policing Officer: LCSO defines Community Policing as an approach to law enforcement that often employs non-traditional methods of problem solving and one which utilizes crime prevention strategies to address quality of life issues that often lead to criminal activity. Community Policing Officers become involved at the direction of LCSO or in response to escalated concerns. Residents should continue to contact 911 for emergencies or use the non-emergency number of 703-777-1021 as appropriate.

Registered Sex Offenders: BCA recommends that residents know who is living around them by checking the Virginia State sex offender registry often. Visit this link to subscribe: http://sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor/ B_Alert@Brambleton: This residentsponsored Facebook page is available to provide awareness and opportunities to discuss Neighborhood Watch-related topics with your neighbors. This page is not administered by BCA.

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Brambleton Comm Community Association

Bus Tour

Saturday, June 16, 2018, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Meet at Brambleton Welcome Center Join us for a guided bus tour of everything Brambleton has to offer! · Learn about Brambleton’s history as well as the services and activities that Brambleton provides · Stops will include several locations throughout the Brambleton community 15

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

· Visit www.brambletonhoa.com to sign up and find more information

LIFESTYLES

JUNE June 15: Summer Kick-Off 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Summer 2018 Events

June 15: Teen Pool Party 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM

June 28: Summer Concert 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

June 29: Teen Late Night Swim 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Teen Late Night Swim

June 30: Red White & Bram 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

JULY July 12, 26: Summer Concert 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

July 13, 27: Teen Late Night Swim 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Teen Late Night Swim

July 20: Float n Flicks Dusk - 11:00 PM

AUGUST Aug. 9: Summer Concert 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Aug. 10, 24: Teen Late Night Swim 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Teen Late Night Swim

Aug. 17: Movie on the Green Dusk - 11:00 PM

Aug. 23: Summer Concert (Rain Date) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

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2018

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Participants who complete 3 out of 5 races (excluding fun runs) will receive a “Triple Crown Finisher� commemorative race medal.

Teen Summer Service Days Brambleton Kids Care offers Teen Summer Service Days for teenagers in our community. Each service day, teens will visit a different local non-profit organization and help with a variety of tasks, including grounds maintenance, cleaning, and organization. These service days offer teens the opportunity to develop important skills while giving back to the community.

June 21: Boulder Crest Retreat (ages 15+ only) July 19: Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center

More dates will be added throughout the summer. Make sure to visit www.brambletonhoa.com/teensummerservicedays for the latest information.

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POOLS

Stay Cool...

Bea acon Crest Pool 22640 Beacon Crest Terrace, 703-542-22 2222 2

Beacon Crest hass a main pool with a wa B w terfall, wading pool, sp pa, grill, and rentable clubhouse.

Pool Hours Pre re-Seaso on (S Sat at/S /Sun, 5/12-25):

11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

School Weeek ekdays:

4:3 :30 PM to 8:00 PM

School Week ekends:

10:0 10 :00 0 AM to 8:00 PM

Summer:

10:00 AM M to 8:00 0 PM

Brambleto on Corner Poo ol 42255 Palladian Blue Terrace, 703-327-70 060 Brambleton Corner offers an 8-lane pool, grill, and a cl club u hous use. e. The clubhouse and nd pool are available for pri riva vate te rentals.

Pooll Hou ours rs School Weekdays (A Aug ugust):

4:30 PM P to 8:00 00 PM

School Wee eeke kends (August):

10:0 00 AM to o 8: 8 00 PM

Summer Weekdays:

11:00 AM to o 8: 8:00 PM

Summer Weekends:

10:0 10 00 AM to o 8: 8:00 0 PM

Community Centerr Pool 4 645 Regal Wood Drive, 703-542-29 42 2943 43 The Community Center pool offers a freshly redone beacch en e trance, wh white coating, waterline, and lane tiles. This facility als lso o ha has a spa and wa wadi ding pool. The clubhouse is available for private rental.

Pool Hours Po School Weekdays:

4:30 PM to 8: 8 00 PM

Sch chool Weekends:

10:00 AM M to 8: 8 00 PM

Sum ummer:

10:00 AM to 8: 8:00 00 PM

Stra at ford Landing Pool 2350 03 Quillback k Co Court, 703-542 2-7 -736 360 Sttratftford Landing is our “fun” pool that offers amenities designed for younger kids lilikke buckets that fill and d tip i , shoreline wa wate ter spouts, splash pad, and a slide.

Pool Hours rs

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School Weekdays::

11:00 AM M to 7:00 PM

School Weekends:

9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Summer:

9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Post-Season (Sat/Sun, 9/4-16 16): ) Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

...at the Pool!

Lifesttyles at Our Poolls Brambl Br blet e on hos o ts several tee en po p ol partiies es, teen n swi wims, Floaat 'n' Flicks, and an end off th t e season dog swim.

Event Name Ev

Date

Time Ti me

Location

Summ Su m er Kick-off off

6/1 / 5/2018

5:00 PM M - 8:00 00 PM

Corner Pool

Tee Te en Pool Party

6/15/20 018

8:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Corner Poo ooll

Teen n Swi wm

6/29 6/ 29, 7/ 7/13 1 , 7/27 7,

8:00 0 PM - 11:00 PM M

Beacon Crest

8/10 10,, 8/24/2018 F oat n Fliccks Fl

7/2 20/ 0/20 2018 18

Duskk - 11:00 PM

Cor o ner Po ool

Dog Gone Wilild d

9/9/2 201 018 8

2:00 PM - 6:0 :00 PM

Commu unityy Cen ente ter

Saffetty at Our Pools Safe ety iss al alwa w ys the first concern at our pools, and we look forwa ward rd to an not othe h r saafe and fun pool season. Please r me re mem mber er a few safety rules to observe whi h le visiting any of our poo oolls: • Youn Young g ch chilildr dren en who are not str t ong swimmers shall not be farther th than a one arm’s lengt gth h aw away ay from a parent, guar gu ardi dian an,, or res espo pons nsible adult.

• Children e und der the age of 12 mustt be accom ompa pani nied ed by a re esp spo onsible person 16 years of age or olde d r.

• All bather erss should rinse off prior to en ente tering the pool.

• Sm S oking g is not per e mitted within any of the e poo ools l.

• Gllas asss containe ners rs// br b ea eaka k ble objects are not perm mittte ted d in the pool area.

• The chewing of gum is no ot pe permitted in the pool area or pool building.

• Proper bathing attire is required. No cut offs, dungarees, etc. willl be per e mi mitted d.

• Running, pushing, wrestling, dunking, th t e use of profanity, or screaming are not permiitt tted ed.

• Children of diaper age mus u t wear either cloth diap per wit ith h rubber pants or a swim diaper; such de devi vice cess sh s all be properly fitting.

A complete copy of the pool ru ule less ar are e po post sted ed at th the pool and d ava vaililab ble on th the BCA Website. For any additional questions, or for more information about Bra ramb mbleton’s pools, please cont ntac a t uss at Pools@brambleton.org or call 703542-6263.

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POOLS

Common Questions

I'm new to the Brambleton community. How do I get a pass? Stop by the BCA Management office to get your picture pass, or email your favorite headshot and we’ll mail the completed passes to you. All family members over the age of 2 must have a valid pass to use the pool. Residents over the age of 18 need to provide verification of their residency in Brambleton.

What if I rent a property in Brambleton? In addition to the requirements above, a copy of your current lease and a letter of permission completed by your landlord is needed each year.

I already have a pass. Do I need to re-register? Registered owners and their families have a “pass for life� and do not need to re-register (as long as their address has not changed). For forms and more information, visit www. brambletonhoa.com/pools, contact us at hoa@brambleton.org, or call 703542-6263.

What is the guest pass policy? Each household will receive ten complimentary guest visits for the pool season. These complimentary visits will be placed on a household account and will be tracked within the pool pass database. Physical complimentary passes will not be issued. Residents must inform the entrance guard of the number of guests accompanying them upon entering the facility. There will be a maximum of four guests admitted at any time per eligible household.

At what age can my child go by themselves to the pool? Children ages 12 and older may come to the pool by themselves. Please note also that children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible person at least 16 years old while in the pool area.

Can I obtain a pass for my nanny, au pair, or babysitter? A one-season Nanny Pass is available for purchase for residents who wish to give their daycare provider access to the pool facilities in order to bring their children to the pool. Adequate proof of employment must be provided at the time of application for such a pass. The cost for the pass is $50. There is a limit of one pass per household. Homeowners may exchange their pass if the daycare provider changes during the summer for a small fee.

Can I bring food to the pool? Yes, food and beverages are permitted; however, you may only eat in specified eating areas. Gum chewing is not permitted in the pool area or pool buildings. No glass containers are allowed on the pool deck area. No alcohol is allowed at the pool during pool hours.

What should I do if an issue arises while I'm at the pool? If there is a problem while you are at one of our pools, please direct your concerns to onsite staff. If additional help is needed, please contact pools@brambleton.org or call 703-542-6263.

Are swim lessons available? Private swim lessons are available at our pools for all ages and all skill levels. There are two ways that residents can schedule private lessons this summer: 1. LetSwim offers private lessons and semi-private lessons. Register at www.Letswim.com.

2. Crystal Aquatics has managers and lifeguards that have been certified to offer private lessons. Schedule lessons directly through them at the pool. Contact the pool manager at your Brambleton pool for more information and availability.

I'm interested in lifeguarding at a Brambleton pool. Who can I contact? The Association contracts with Crystal Aquatics for pool management. To learn more about opportunities to work with them, visit www.crystalaquatics. com.

For more information, please visit www.brambletonhoa.com/pools or email pools@brambleton.org.

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

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THINK GREEN

Summer Home Energy Saving Tips Rick Stone, PCAM, LSM - General Manager

I

n a recent article from Green Building Advisor, the average new code-minimum household in Virginia spends 19.5% of its annual energy bill on cooling the house. Summer is the time of year when electricity demand spikes, stressing the electric grid.

Here are a few tips that may help you reduce the amount of energy you pay for as you run your air conditioner to cool your home.

Adjust your thermostat: Use a programmable thermostat to save energy by increasing the heat significantly during the day when no one is home. You can also raise the temperature a couple degrees when you are ready for bed. You may be surprised to see that the contrast between outdoor and indoor temperatures matters as much as the absolute temperature inside your home.

When you are home, aim to set the temperature at 78 degrees to balance comfort with energy and cost savings.

Together with winter energy savings, a programmable thermostat used properly can save the average home up to $150.

inefficiency before you've wasted money on monthly heating and cooling bills.

amount of fading to your carpets and furniture.

Use ceiling fans and portable fans: Cooling the room or rooms you are in with fans in combination with your air conditioner uses much less energy than running your air conditioner in the low to mid-70’s.

Strategically plant deciduous trees: If you have the space and time, plant an oak, maple, or other native deciduous tree on the sunny side of your home.

Trees should be planted in a manner that they do not negatively impact utilities, your neighbors, or your home. A small investment today will save hundreds of dollars in the future. Check in with the Community Standards team at designreview@brambleton.org if you have questions or need more information about tree planting requirements.

Keep you blinds closed: Keeping your blinds closed on the sunny side of the house will reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering your home, requiring reduced use of your air conditioner to cool the space. This will also reduce the

Replace the air filter frequently: A dirty filter will reduce its efficiency, making it use more energy and cost more money to do the same job. Check your HVAC system's air filter monthly and expect to change the filter every three months.

Get an annual checkup by a professional: Consider an annual checkup. One preventative maintenance checkup should cover both the heating and the cooling season. A professional should be able to diagnose any

27

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

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HOME & GARDEN

Protect Against Ticks & Mosquitoes Rosemarie Linder, CMCA, AMS, PCAM - Director of Administration & Services

T

icks and mosquitoes are commonly present throughout our region, and residents are encouraged to take personal actions to protect themselves and their families from these pests.

BCA staff closely monitors news and information related to ticks and mosquitoes, specifically information provided by the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health, and Loudoun County.

Brambleton models our approach on that of Loudoun County. The County emphasizes education and strongly encourages residents to take primary responsibility for protecting themselves and their children.

There are precautions that individuals can take, and BCA recommends that residents familiarize themselves with county and national resources.

The Association will continue to actively monitor information. If the county,

29

CDC, or other agencies with authority take or recommend actions, the Association will reevaluate the options available.

There are also several actions recommended for personal property to help reduce tick and mosquito populations.

Some of the recommendations include: • Mow the lawn frequently.

• Discourage unwelcome animals such as deer, raccoons, and stray dogs from entering your yard by constructing a fence.

• Remove plants that attract deer and grow deer-resistant plants.

• Eliminate standing water - empty saucers of potted plants or flush them out with garden hose once a week.

• Place rocks under air conditioner runoff and/or gutters to ensure run off.

Review Brambleton's Design Guidelines to determine if submission and approval of a Design Review Application is required prior to installations. Contact designreview@brambleton.org with questions regarding the Design Review Application process.

Tick & Mosquito Resources Ticks:

Zika:

www.cdc.gov/Features/StopTicks/

www.cdc.gov/zika/

www.loudoun.gov/documentcenter/view/95971

www.vdh.virginia.gov/zika/

www.loudoun.gov/index.aspx?nid=2648

www.loudoun.gov/zika

www.loudoun.gov/index.aspx?NID=1273

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

COMMUNITY STANDARDS

Community Standards Reminders Andrea Martin, CMCA, AMS - Community Standards Manager

B

CA Community Standards advisors continue proactive inspections throughout the summer season and would like to share the following Community Standards reminders: Grass That Exceeds the Maximum Height: Inspections continue throughout the summer and are conducted on a weekly basis, typically on Mondays and Tuesdays. All turf areas on a lot must be kept neatly mowed, trimmed, and edged to a consistent height. Turf may not exceed six inches in height at any time.

Vegetable Gardens: Vegetable gardens must be in the rear of the home and cannot exceed 50 square feet in area. They must be maintained in a neat manner; all plant debris must be removed, and the soil must be turned at the end of the growing season. A border not to exceed 24 inches in height may be installed to provide for a raised bed. A “rabbit fence� or similar fencing may be erected to provide for pest control but must not exceed three feet in height.

Tree Stakes: Per the Property Maintenance Standards, tree stakes are provided when young trees are installed but are to be removed after one year.

If the stakes are left in place, they can cause damage to the growing tree and become unsightly.

Tree and Shrub Care: Residents are responsible for maintaining trees and bushes on their property. These responsibilities include: trimming/pruning trees to a minimum of eight feet above the sidewalk to allow for free, unobstructed passage on the sidewalk; maintaining all trees and landscaping within the scale of the property; and removing dead plant material promptly and planning for required replacements.

Clotheslines/Wind Drying Devices: Per the Design Guidelines, clotheslines or any similar apparatus for the exterior drying of clothes are prohibited. Please refrain from using deck or porch railings to dry laundry outside the home.

Exterior Decorative Objects: Approval is required for all exterior decorative objects exceeding 12 inches in height or 18 inches in width or depth, or in quantities greater than two, whether natural or man-made, which were not part of the original construction design as either a standard or optional feature. The preferred location for decorative objects is in the rear yard, and these items are generally not permitted in front yards or in side yards that face onto a street.

Decorative objects may not be placed in a manner which blocks access or egress to driveways, garages, lead walkways, or front entrances. Examples include but are not limited to: bird houses, bird

baths, weather vanes, sculptures, fountains, free standing poles of all types, house address numerals, and any items attached to approved structures.

Wa s te C o n t a i n e r G u i d e l i n e s : Residents are reminded to use care when placing waste containers out for curbside pickup. All waste is required to be placed in containers with lids. Loose materials are not permitted. If your household consistently exceeds the capacity of your containers, Republic Services can provide a larger size container.

Trash containers and recycling bins are to be put out no earlier than 6:00 PM on the evening before the scheduled pickup day. All trash containers and recycling bins should be removed from the streets, walkways, or exterior portions of the lots following pick-up on the day of the scheduled trash removal. Trash containers and recycling bins are not permitted to be stored in a location visible from a neighboring property.

Exterior Lighting: In Brambleton, residents are responsible for ensuring the proper operation of exterior lighting fixtures which are designed to operate automatically. BCA staff conducts quarterly inspections for proper operation of carriage lights, garage lights, and builder-installed landscape lights which should operate from dawn till dusk.

30

COMMUNITY STANDARDS

Slide into Summer: Backyard Play Equipment

Andrea Martin, CMCA, AMS - Community Standards Manager

T

he dog days of summer are here!

The sun is shining, you’re spending more time outside, and the kids are thrilled to be done with school for the year. But soon they are looking for things to do. Without school to occupy them (and tire them out) during the day, kids need new activities that get them out of the house and keep them entertained. Buying a new swing set or play equipment is a likely solution to help everyone enjoy the backyard.

Before buying new equipment, think about how it will fit into the space where it will be installed. If the equipment will need to withstand heavy use, then you should ensure that the equipment you buy is able to withstand tough physical play without needing to be repaired every month. Also, take into account the age range of children using the equipment. Planning ahead by thinking about your future needs and how the equipment will be used will help ensure that you buy the right equipment.

Whatever the type of playground equipment installed, regular inspections will allow you to make sure that the equipment is safe to use and in good

31

condition. Each year, when the weather gets warm, prep the playground equipment for the season. In addition to inspecting nuts and bolts, make sure that the equipment is level. Also, check for insect and animal habitation around the playground area, and rake out and reapply mulch, if necessary, as well.

Applying a fresh coat of clear polyurethane keeps the equipment looking like new. We cannot recommend this step enough since sun and water damage will age equipment the most. All elements of play equipment must be maintained at the highest standards. Broken or damaged equipment should be removed from view as soon as possible.

There are thousands of ideas to keep your kids occupied during the summer months. Hopefully your summer activities will have you spending more time outside to take advantage of the warm weather. But before you head into the backyard to construct an exterior modification or install new play equipment, please contact the HOA. Building without prior approval could be very costly, especially if projects are not within guidelines and subsequently need further modifications for compliance.

This is the time of year that BCA Community Standards Advisors see an increase in play equipment additions, such as swing sets and trampolines

We are currently seeking a new Covenants Committee member to fill one vacant position. If you are interested in volunteering, or know someone who is, please call ahead and attend the next regularly scheduled meeting, held on the second Monday of every month, to see what our committee is all about!

Meetings begin at 7:00 PM at the BCA Management Office. If you have any questions, please send inquiries to designreview@ brambleton.org or call Andrea Martin, Community Standards Manager at 703-542-6263.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

that are installed without prior approval from the HOA. Permanent or semipermanent play equipment which constitutes a structure, such as swing sets, play-houses, sand boxes, etc., require an application and must meet the Design Guidelines to be approved.

The Community Standards Advisor assigned to your section can guide you through the application process to help ensure that you submit a completed application to the Committee.

The Committee meets on the second Monday of every month at the BCA Management Office to review completed design review applications. Should you wish to discuss your application in person with the Committee, we recommend that you make an appointment ahead of time to ensure that we set aside time to address your concerns at the meeting.

Application decision information is not provided at the meeting; all decision information is communicated in writing 5-7 days after the meeting date.

Please remember our Design Guidelines: All play equipment (except for basketball hoops) must be located in the rear yard. Play equipment must be located a minimum of five (5) feet from any property line. The installation of play equipment in common areas is prohibited.

Portable play equipment that is easily transportable by one person, such as soccer nets, bikes, or scooters, does not require approval but must be stored out of view of neighboring properties when not in use.

Completed applications may be submitted via email at designreview@brambleton.org, by fax to 703-542-6266, or to the office at 42395 Ryan Road, Suite 210, Brambleton, VA 20148.

Love Where You Live!

Monthly Tips to Keep Brambleton Beautiful June Once plants and trees have leafed out, it is time to make a ďŹ nal pruning to remove winter damage. Always cut the limb or shoot back to live wood. If the damage to the plant is severe, you might consider replacing it.

Apply extra shredded bark mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs to better transition these plants into your garden. The extra mulch will reduce water loss and heat stress to the new roots.

Spot treat tough weeds with post-emergent herbicides. Treatment is most effective when weeds are small and actively growing. Fertilize lawns according to soil test recommendations for long-term nutrition.

July Raise the cutting height of your lawnmower 1 to 1.5 inches to help your grass survive drought and heat. This helps to shade the soil, slow evaporation, and reduce weeds.

Arrange for a professional service or a neighbor to monitor your irrigation system and to cut your lawn while you are away on vacation for extended periods.

Treat destructive grubs and other turf pests. Small, newly hatched grubs feed on grass roots right near the surface.

August Aerate compacted soil, dethatch lawns, and plan fall tasks as coolseason grass return to active growth.

Overseed to prevent or strengthen thinning lawns. Do this 45 days before your region's ďŹ rst expected frost.

Seed new lawns. Warm soil, cooler temperatures, and fall moisture make late summer and early fall prime time for germination. Keep newly seeded or overseeded areas consistently moist.

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BCA SPONSORSHIPS

Become a Sponsor

A

re you interested in becoming a sponsor of one of our events?

Our sponsorship opportunities are endless – festivals, an outdoor summer concert series, adult social events, pool parties (for canines and humans!), a neighborhood campout, and much more! We will work with you to create a sponsorship package that works for your goals and budget. You can sponsor one of our three flagship events like Brew Fest, Red White & BRAM, or Fall Fest, or perhaps you would like to sponsor one of our smaller events that is more aligned with your goals. We can customize any of our current packages to optimize your marketing potential, and we are open to your unique ideas and suggestions.

Visibility Becoming a sponsor of one of Brambleton’s premiere events provides the opportunity to make a personal impression on the over 5,000 attendees.

Based upon your level of sponsorship selected, we’ll promote your organization through our well-established communications platforms, including our website, Facebook page, event materials, and our popular Event Volunteer T-shirts. Also, new this year we are providing the option to be featured in our #Bramlife Minute video series for our top two sponsorship

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levels. More information on sponsorship levels and packages is located in the 2018 Brambleton Media Guide, which can be found at www.brambletonhoa.com/ communications.

Brambleton’s most popular events include our celebration of local craft beer at Brew Fest, our patriotic celebration in late June known as Red White & BRAM, the Sizzlin Summer Concert Series held on alternating Thursdays throughout the summer season, and our Fall Fest. These events are very well known throughout Loudoun County and draw attendees from surrounding communities.

We also welcome sponsors for our smaller events, starting at $250. These are usually geared toward a specific target market, such as the Bramble-Bunny Egg Hunt, which is focused on elementary aged children, or our Comedy Night event, which is for adults only. There are many opportunities to be part of our events.

Other Opportunities BCA also provides other opportunities to promote your business or organization in the community, including our Friday Flash and Quarterly Magazine.

Friday Flash: The Friday Flash is a

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

weekly bulletin sent via email to benefit the residents of Brambleton. Sponsor participation in the Flash is limited to local groups and organizations wanting to promote community events and programs. All Flash items must be submitted to communications@brambleton. org by Wednesday at 5 PM. Please limit all submissions to 30 words or less. BCA may edit submissions for formatting. To minimize redundancy, submitted items will only be published once. If you have an event you’d like to promote, up to two submissions will be accepted (a "save the date" post and a reminder). Finally, please limit unique submissions to no more than twice a month.

Quarterly Magazine: The Brambleton Community Association self-publishes a visually rich and engaging quarterly magazine which is mailed to all Brambleton residents. If you are interested in advertising in our magazine, email communications@brambleton.org to check on ad availability. Ad space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment may be made online via Square or by check. No refunds available. Ads should be received no later than the first Monday of the month prior to publication. We are also able to provide premium advertising opportunities, such as stickers, fold-out covers, and inserts.

EAT LOCO

EatLoCo Brambleton Marketplace Nikolle Holland - Marketing Coordinator, EatLoCo

F

armers market season is ramping up for the summer, and the EatLoCo Brambleton Marketplace is one market that you do not want to miss! Every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the marketplace offers a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, baked goods, artisan products, and more!

Now with more than 50 registered vendors, the marketplace takes over Legacy Park and Olympia Drive. Food trucks line the street while vendor tents spill out in a half moon circle around the park. Plus, you can’t miss the free yoga offered in the middle, where you’ll find yogis new and old holding Warrior One

poses and finding their center every Sunday morning.

Patrons can feel free to make a quick stop for a few groceries, or they can stay for a while and enjoy live music while sipping coffee and chowing down on donuts, pastries, and other brunch food.

Also, once June hits, you’ll be able to enjoy summer in Brambleton to its fullest with the new Food Truck Rally taking place every other Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM! The rally starts Thursday, June 21st and will feature a variety of local food trucks offering everything from quesadillas to barbeque to falafel and more, so come hungry!

EatLoCo is proud to connect the Brambleton community with local vendors from around Northern Virginia. It is our mission to promote farmer vitality and community wellness through our weekly markets, and Brambleton plays a huge role in that. Please visit us at www. eatloco.org or check out BCA’s website at www.brambletonhoa.com/eatloco for information about the marketplace and other upcoming events.

FOOD TRUCK RALLY SCHEDULE Thursday, June 21st Thursday, July 5th Thursday, July 19th Thursday, August 2nd Thursday, August 16th Thursday, August 30th All Food Truck Rallies take place from 5 PM to 8 PM. For information on participating food trucks and more, visit www.eatloco.org.

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LIBRARY

Loudoun County Public Library Highlights Programs and Events: June, July, August Vacation Photography: Make the most of your camera while traveling with tips from professional photographer Chas Sumser. For Grade 9-adult. Gum Spring Library: Saturday, June 2, 2 PM. Ashburn Library: Thursday, June 21, 7 PM. Hiking Around Loudoun County: Discover hiking resources for exploring local trails. Beginners and seasoned hikers welcome. For ages 16 and older. Sunday, June 3, 2 PM. Ashburn Library.

College Research and Planning: Learn how to effectively research colleges and discover resources for narrowing your choices.

Presented by the Huntington Learning Center. For teens and adults. Monday, June 4, 7 PM. Ashburn Library.

Brambleton Family Storytime: A weekly storytime at the Brambleton Community Center. Ages birth-elementary. Tuesdays, June 5 & 12, 10 AM. Brambleton Community Center.

Children’s Science Center Mini Labs: The Children’s Science Center hosts a variety of hands-on activities designed to explore, create, and inspire. For Grades K-5. Thursday, June 21, 3 PM. Gum Spring Library.

International Yoga Day: Celebrate International Yoga Day with beginner vinyasa yoga. Bring your own mat or towel. For teens and adults. Thursday, June 21, 7 PM. Gum Spring Library.

Women in Stem Q&A: An all-female panel leads discussion of STEM careers and educational paths. For teens and adults. Saturday, June 23, 2 PM. Gum Spring Library.

Meet American Girl Author Erin Teagan: Get to know Luciana, a science-loving aspiring astronaut who is the 2018 American Girl. See her story from behind the scenes, learn how astronauts train, and find out what it’s like at Space Camp. For Grades 2-5.

Wednesday, June 27, 3 PM. Ashburn Library.

Beatles & Bubblegum Concert: Local musician Ray Leone presents a fun-filled hour of Beatles and 1960s “bubblegum” music, along with dancing and music trivia for kids and adult Beatles fans. Ashburn Library: Saturday, July 21, 2 PM. Gum Spring Library: Saturday, Aug. 11, 2 PM. For more programming information, visit the LCPL website at www.library. loudoun.gov, or pick up a copy of "Your Library" at your local library branch.

Details at a Glance LCPL Website www.library.loudoun.gov Library Locations Ashburn Library: 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn, VA 20147 Gum Spring Library: 24600 Millstream Drive, Stone Ridge, VA 20105 Summer Closings Wednesday, July 4: Independence Day

Summer Reading Program Loudoun County Public Library Get ready to rock with Loudoun County Public Library’s 2018 Summer Reading Program!

From Thursday, June 14 through Saturday, Aug. 11, Loudoun libraries encourage you to ramp up your reading, discover more of the library’s resources, and enjoy the wide variety of special programs available to patrons of all ages. With this year’s “Loudoun Library Rocks” theme, patrons can expect programs featuring music, geology, stone crafts, and more.

Children, teens, and adults can all get in the game by picking up a challenge card at any branch. Complete 16 challenges in order to be entered into a drawing for a gift basket worth $200. There will be four winners at each branch. Each branch will also award a huge trophy to the local elementary school with the highest percentage of students participating in Summer Reading. Eight big trophies will be awarded, so be sure to sign up and help your school win!

How to participate: • Pick up a challenge card starting Thursday, June 14.

• Read great books and complete fun challenges.

• Earn a free ice cream coupon.

• Turn in your completed challenge card by Saturday, Aug. 11, to win a free book and an entry into the grand-prize drawing.

Learn more about Summer Reading and view a complete schedule of events at library.loudoun.gov.

35

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

Brambleton Library Opening in Fall 2018, the Brambleton Library will be a hub for learning and reading, community gatherings, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Some building highlights include: • Dedicated space and materials for children, teens and adults • Multiple meeting and community rooms for library programs and public use • Makerspace providing community access to 3D printers, laser cutters, a recording studio, and other creative technology • A video gaming room located in the Teen Center on the second floor • Expanded Hindi and foreign-language book selection

Programming Patrons can expect traditional library offerings — such as children’s storytimes, Englishlearning programs, resume and job-search help, technology assistance, book discussions, and author visits — with a strong focus on Maker activities, STEM education and state-ofthe-art technology. Brambleton Library will be a center of learning, creativity, community building, and innovation for the digital age.

Friends of the Brambleton Library Community support is essential to a successful library. The Friends of the Brambleton Library (FOBL) is a volunteer group committed to supporting the Brambleton Library.

They are actively looking for volunteers who can help advise and offer fundraising assistance for programming and supplies not covered by the library’s operating budget.

You can find more information by visiting the FOBL Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ FriendsoftheBrambletonLibrary) or emailing friendsofthebrambletonlibrary@gmail.com.

BRAMBLETON LIBRARY: BY THE NUMBERS • 40,000 sq. ft.

• 80,000 Items in Collections

• 3 Meeting Rooms

• 46 Staff Members

• 10 Study Rooms

• 40 Public Computers

Adult Book Club & Children's Storytime Adult Book Club: The Adult Book Club is a perfect way to gather with neighbors for some great discussion. This free club meets monthly on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:30 PM at the Brambleton Community Center, located at 42645 Regal Wood Drive.

You are welcome to attend any meeting at anytime, and you don't need to be a library member to join. Extra copies of the book for each month will be available at the BCA office; feel free to email programs@brambleton.org to see if there are copies available.

Please return the books to the office or at the meeting when you have finished reading it.

Adult Book Club Spring Schedule • June 12: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty • July 9: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett • August 13: The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Children's Storytime: This free storytime is brought to you by Loudoun County Public Library and takes place every Tuesday morning at 10 AM at the Brambleton Community Center. Stroll on over with your little one for a fun and interactive storytime that your children will be sure to love. No sign-up required. Year-round. For preschool age children.

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What Are You Reading?

Friends of the Brambleton Library member Christine Knowles shares her current reading list, her favorite ways to read and find new books, and more!

How long have you lived in Brambleton? My family and I moved to Brambleton seven years ago.

What prompted you to choose Brambleton? My husband was stationed at the Pentagon, and when he retired two years ago, we loved Virginia so much that we decided to stay. We have three boys: one in kindergarten, one in 5th grade, and one in 7th grade.

What’s on your reading list for 2018? Some of the books on my 2018 reading include: A Little Life, The Secret History, Swimming Lessons, From Sand and Ashes, The Language of Flowers, Animal Farm, The Hobbit, A Passage to India, Eyes of the Dragon, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Enders Game, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Hatchet, The Keeper of Lost Things, and A Fine Balance.

What is your favorite way to find new reading materials? With the internet, it seems that there are endless places to find new reading material. The Overdrive app on my iPad has been life-changing. I’m use the app to borrow e-books from the Loudoun County Public Library, which allows me to check out books without ever having to leave the house. Books are also automatically checked out to me when they become available, which is a great feature. If there’s a title not available in e-book form, I’ll check out a printed copy from the library. And whenever I read a book that I love, I’ll buy a printed copy to read again later, or occasionally the audiobook to listen to while I’m traveling.

When I’m looking for a new book to read, I seek out award-winning books and review best sellers’ lists for recommendations. Amazon is my go-to site for reviews because even books praised by the literary community can flop with the general public. I definitely start more books than I finish; life is too short to spend hours reading something that you don’t enjoy.

What types of books do you enjoy reading? I’ll occasionally read one of the classics or a historical novel, but I usually prefer contemporary literary fiction. I’m also a huge fan of children’s and young adult literature. My two older boys and I still read together at night. We like anything by Rick Riordan, and we’ve worn out our copies of the Wimpy Kid series. I don’t care if you’re eight or eighty years old; the Wimpy Kid books are roll-on-the-floor hilarious! I recently bought a cloth-bound, illustrated edition of The Hobbit to read with them. They’re not familiar with the Lord of the Rings series, so I’m definitely more excited to read it than they are.

What is your favorite magazine? National Geographic is one of my favorite magazines.

Living in Brambleton, it’s easy to forget that there’s a whole other world out there. The award-winning reporting and stunning photography in National Geographic opens my eyes to what’s going on outside of our bubble.

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

RESIDENT RESOURCES

Assessment Payment Options

Assessment payments are due on the first day of each month. To avoid incurring late or other collection related fees, it is recommended to align payment with the due date. Late fees are assessed for payments not posted by the 10th day of the month. BCA offers a variety of payment options and encourages owners to select the method that best suits their needs. Details regarding the various payment options can be found on www.brambletonhoa.com/assessmentpaymentoptions.

Payment options include: • Mail: Owners may make payment by check or money order mailed to the Assocations' lockbox service.

• Mailing Address: Brambleton Community Association, C/O FirstService Residential, PO Box 11983, Newark, NJ 07101 • Online Bill Pay: Owners may pay assessments using an online bill paying service from their personal banking institution.

• Direct Debit: The owner authorizes FirstService Residential to withdraw the monthly recurring assessment amount from a designated checking or savings account.

• ClickPay: This third-party payment service offers owners the ability to make one-time or recurring e-check or credit card payment at www.clickpay.com/firstservice. For help with your account or setting up payments online, please contact ClickPay at www.clickpay.com/gethelp, or call 1-888-354-0135 (option 1).

It is important to note that assessment payments are NOT accepted at the Brambleton Community Association management office, as all payments are processed by the Association’s bank via a lockbox. Payments delivered to the Association will be returned. Please also note that cash cannot be accepted at the Brambleton Community Association management office or at FirstService Residential offices for payment of assessments.

2018 Monthly Assessments

House Type

$188.43

Detached

$201.63

Detached w/Common Driveway

$197.22

Townhouse

$215.22

Townhouse w/Grounds Maint.

$144.65

Summerfield Condominiums

For more information or to request online access to your assessment account, please email hoa@brambleton.org.

$153.77

The Residences Condominiums

BCA Budget & Finance Brambleton Community Association maintains a responsible and strong financial position through its budget, investments, reserve study, and financial best practices. The financial state of the Association is confirmed by monthly financial reports and an annual audit. BCA budget and financial information can be found at www.brambletonhoa.com/budget.

• Budget: BCA’s governing documents require the Association to establish a budget each year. BCA’s budget is a financial plan that provides an estimate of the income and expenses throughout the fiscal year. The budget covers operational, capital, and reserve aspects and sets the assessment rates for the period.

• Financial Reports: FirstService Residential is contracted by BCA for financial management services, including financial reporting.

• Reserves & Investments: Replacement reserve studies are technical and financial analyses of the community-owned assets within Brambleton. These studies require the Association to set aside funds for the repair and replacement of major assets. These funds are securely invested with the primary goal of protecting principal for future financial stability.

• Audit: The Association engages an independent accounting firm for the purposes of performing an annual audit.

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RESIDENT RESOURCES

Lender Questionnaires Requests for completion of lender questionnaires for single family and townhomes located within Brambleton are fulfilled by Brambleton Community Association staff. The cost for completion of either a Uniform Mortgage Questionnaire or a Lender-Specific Mortgage Questionnaire is as follows: • 3 business-day turnaround - $100.00 • 1 business-day turnaround - $150.00 Please note: Forms and payment for all services must be received by 12 PM on the day of submission to count as the first day. Forms received after 12 PM will be processed counting the following business day as the first day.

To submit a request or for more information, visit www.brambletonhoa.com/lenderquestionnaire.

BCA Resale Disclosure Packet BCA Certificate of Insurance Requests for Certificates of Insurance are fulfilled by the Association’s Insurance broker. To obtain a Certificate of Insurance for Brambleton Community Association, unit owners and lenders should submit their requests online at www.eoidirect.com or by phone at 877-456-3643, Monday Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM. Certificates will be issued immediately.

Requests for Resale Disclosure Packets are fulfilled by FirstService Residential via Welcomelink. Orders are accepted from the FSR website at https://fsresidential.com via the link Request Resale Documents. At the prompt, enter the zip code for the Brambleton property. Once at the WelcomeLink page, complete the necessary information to place the order. The cost of the packet is dependent upon several factors: the format, the delivery time frame, and the shipping method requested. See the FSR website for the most upto-date information.

Notary Public Services

The available formats are:

BCA offers Notary Public services for residents. Here are a few tips to help make your notary experience easy:

• Electronic (email) format - The link to access the electronic version is active for 180 days. To retain the document, it may be saved as a pdf.

• Please schedule an appointment. This allows staff to be ready and available to provide your requested service. To make an appointment or contact us for questions, please email hoa@brambleton.org or call 703-542-6263.

• Printed (hardcopy) format • Update (available within 1 year of the initial order)

• Please let us know what type of document you need notarized. There are certain types of documents that we are not able to notarize. Virginia notaries are not authorized to certify birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates (copies or originals). Only the Division of Vital Records/Statistics may perform such a certification. We are also unable to notarize I-9 forms.

• Update with inspection (available within 1 year of the initial order) The available delivery time frames are: • Standard - Packet is sent 14* calendar days from the order date.

Fee is included.

• All documents must be written in English. Witnessing on documents is not provided by the Brambleton Community Association. Tell us how many pages you need notarized, and what day and time is most convenient for you. We’ll do our best to meet your appointment requests.

• Rush - If the Association is able to accommodate a rush order, the packet is sent 5* calendar days from the order date. *Forms and payment must be received by 12 PM to count as first day. Forms received after 12 PM will be processed with the following day as the first day.

Assessment Account Payoff

• Important - At your appointment, any person that will be signing the documentation must be present, and the forms must be signed in front of the Notary Public. Photo identification must be provided by all signers at the time of the appointment.

Requests for Account Payoff Statements are fulfilled by FirstService Residential. To obtain an account payoff statement, submit request and owner authorization to payoff.dcmetro@fsresidential.com

• The first two pages are free of charge. Each additional page is $2 per page. Forms of payment accepted include cash and personal checks.

39

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

RESIDENT RESOURCES

Brambleton Maps Brambleton Community Association maintains a variety of maps for the community. Below you’ll find some of the more frequently requested maps. Check for other available maps at www.brambletonhoa.com.

BCA Pools Brambleton Community Association operates four pool complexes for Brambleton residents. These pools are available to all Brambleton Community Association property owners and Residences Condominium owners; who are in good standing with the association; and Summerfield residents that opt to purchase BCA pool membership. For more pool information, visit www.brambletonhoa.com/pools.

BCA's Pool Complexes: Brambleton Community Center Pool - 42645 Regal Wood Drive. 703-542-2943 Brambleton Corner Clubhouse & Pool - 42255 Palladian Blue Terrace. 703-327-7060 Beacon Crest Pool - Residences Condominiums at 22650 Beacon Crest Terrace. 703-542-2220 Stratford Landing Pool - 23503 Quillback Court.

703-542-7360

Little Free Library Brambleton is proud to be part of the worldwide Little Free Library program. Currently there are 8 Little Free Libraries located throughout Brambleton. Check out their locations on the map, and keep an eye open for new ones popping up as well! For more information on our Little Free Libraries, including rules on checking out, returning, and donating books, visit www.brambletonhoa.com/littlefreelibrary.

40

RESIDENT RESOURCES

Important Contact Information County Contacts

Community Management Contacts Brambleton Community Management Office: 703-542-6263

Emergency (Fire/Rescue/Police): 911 (call or text); sheriff.loudoun.gov

Residences at Brambleton (FSR): 703-385-1133 Summerfield Condo (FSR): 703-327-4818

Sheriff (Non-Emergency): 703-777-1021

BCA Services

Alert Loudoun: www.loudoun.gov/alerts

Republic Services Recycling & Trash Removal: Brambleton@republicservices.com

Loudoun County Main Number: 703-777-0100

Verizon (Activation/Account Changes/Billing/Disconnect): 800-501-1172 Verizon (Repair): 888-553-1555

Animal Care & Control: 703-777-0406

Utility Contacts

Building Permits: 703-777-0220

Dominion Electric (North of Ryan Rd): 888-667-3000; www.dominionenergy.com/outage-center

Ashburn Post Office: 44715 Prentice Dr 703-406-6291

NOVEC (South of Ryan Rd): 888-335-0500; www.novec.com/customer_services

Brambleton Town Center

Miss Utility: 800-552-7001 Brambleton Plaza, Brambleton, VA 20148

Washington Gas: 703-750-1000

703-542-2925

Loudoun Water (Water/Sewer): 571-291-7880; www.loudounwater.org/content/contact-us

www.brambleton.com/towncenter

Builder Information Builder Beazer Homes Centex/Pulte Homes Gulick Group

Knutson Miller & Smith Stanley Martin Van Metre Winchester & Camberley Homes

41

Warranty/Customer Care 888-623-2937; www.beazer.com (Request Service) 888-686-0269; dcservice@pulte.com; www.pulte.com; (Customer Care/Warranty Request) 703-674-0330 x 143; customerservice@gulickgroup.com; www.gulickgroup.com (Contact Us/Customer Care) 703-996-4232; customerservice@knutsoncos.com; www.knutsoncos.com 703-821-2500 x 202; warrantyservice@millerandsmith.com; www.millerandsmith.com (Warranty) 703-348-5805; WarrantyGroup@StanleyMartin.com; www.StanleyMartin.com (Contact Us) 703-348-5806; customercare@vanmetrehomes.com; www.vanmetrehomes.com 800-762-2408 (Winchester), 540-788-1114 (ProHome Metro DC); admin@prohomemetrodc.com; www.winchesterhomes.com

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

Wiring Integrator Design Tech: 800-969-8324 Chesapeake System Services: 301-317-0001 Vintage Security: 703-689-2731, 877-767-1800 (Toll-free) Design Tech: 800-969-8324 Advanced Wiring Group: 703-488-9850, 571-237-7621 SmartCom: 540-286-0300 Sight & Sound: 703-802-6443 Vintage Security: 703-689-2731, 877-767-1800 (Toll-free)

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Want to See Your Ad Here?

We are still accepting advertisements for our 2018 Magazine issues in September and December.

If you would like to reach over 5,000 households per issue, email us for rates and more information at communications@brambleton.org.

Giuliana and her friends participating in this year's JDRF One Walk in Brambleton.

42

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

JDRF One Walk Paul Gentine - Communications Coordinator rambleton resident Alison Puccio spoke with us about her and her daughter Giuliana’s experience with JDRF and the JDRF One Walk, including the support that JDRF showed after Giuliana’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis and their participation in the JDRF One Walk since 2014.

B

received a JDRF Bag of Hope, which provided her with some much-needed comfort in her first couple of days back home. We also met with our local JDRF outreach team to talk about what to expect, how to work with Giuliana’s school, and how to take advantage of JDRF resources.

“In September 2013, at the age of six, my daughter Giuliana was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). After we received the news, we began learning about what was to be our “new normal” life with T1D. We were also introduced to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) around this time. Giuliana

The resource that we felt could make the largest impact was the JDRF One Walk in Brambleton. This event has one goal, which is to create a world without type 1 diabetes. All the money raised supports life-changing breakthroughs that give hope to everyone impacted by this disease. Giuliana came up with the name “G Force” as our team name, and we participated in our first walk in 2014, just eight months after her diagnosis.

The walk was a great opportunity to raise money and awareness for a cause that was now very close to our hearts.

Giuliana and her friends participating in this year's JDRF One Walk in Brambleton.

43

This past year, we participated in our fourth JDRF One Walk in Brambleton.

We met our walk goal and raised over $5,000 from family, friends and businesses. This year’s walk was also a huge overall success, raising over $230,000

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

for research. Our favorite part of this year’s walk was being able to step back and watch Giuliana take the lead. The walk provides a unique opportunity for her and thousands of other children to see that they are not alone in fighting this disease.

Our family and friends walk each year because we want Giuliana to know how much she is loved and admired for her strength and courage. We walk to give her and thousands of others ownership over their future. We walk because Giuliana is our hero. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been four years since her diagnosis, but we continue to have faith and hope that one day a cure will be found. Until then we are, 4 years proud, 4 years strong, and she is 4 years our warrior.”

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Their JDRF One Walk is the largest T1D event in the world, where dedicated walkers, volunteers, and sponsors raise money to change the future for everyone living with this disease. For more information, visit www.jdrf.org.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

VDOT Smart Scale Projects

S

everal roadways in and around Brambleton are being considered as part of projects for the Virginia Department of Transportation's Smart Scale program. Loudoun County is seeking public feedback on 18 highway and road projects endorsed by the Board of Supervisors to submit for funding during the pre-application period of the program.

Smart Scale is the method of scoring and prioritizing transportation projects for funding through the Commonwealth Transportation Boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Six-Year Improvement Program.

clicking on the names of projects, survey respondents may read brief descriptions of the projects. Survey respondents also may choose to express a positive sentiment for a project and enter their zip codes and leave comments about the proposed projects. The survey map is posted at www.loudoun.gov/SmartScale.

in the early phases of planning and design because funding for approved projects is not expected to be received until approximately 2025. Projects that are not selected by the Board for funding through the Smart Scale process may be funded through other means in the future.

The Board is scheduled to make its final decision regarding the Smart Scale list in July 2018. The projects listed are

For more information on the VDOT Smart Scale program, visit www.vasmartscale.org.

In order to participate in the Smart Scale competitive application period, which closes on August 1, 2018, the Board is required to reduce the 18 candidate roadway projects to no more than 10 projects. Members of the public are encouraged to submit comments for consideration as the Board makes its final selections. The opportunity for comments will be open until June 15, 2018.

To submit comments on the proposed projects, members of the public should visit an interactive online survey map that illustrates where each proposed project is located in the county. By

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New Faces on the BCA Team We are excited to welcome new staff members to BCA! Isaiah Marsh (right) is our new Operations & Assets Administrator, and Brett Unger (left) now serves as one of our Facilities & Grounds Specialists.

As Operations & Assets Administrator, Isaiah supports the Operations team and ensures that all of the facilities are in excellent condition. As a Facilities & Grounds Specialist, Brett helps maintain the beauty and safety of Isaiah Marsh Brambleton's amenities and facilities.

He is also an instrumental part of our snow readiness team.

Isaiah brings a strong background in customer service to his role and loves playing basketball and baseball in his free time along with other outdoor activities. Brett has experience in landscaping, enjoys fishing, and lives in Winchester.

Brett Unger

dana's favorite things Lifestyles Manager and tastemaker Dana Vinci shares some of her favorite things in Brambleton and the surrounding areas!

"Orange You A Spicy One" Cocktail at AhSo Restaurant: This drink is sweet and then spicy! Soooo yummy! www.ahsoresto.com/to-drink Pure Barre Workout Class: If you are looking for a workout that digs deep into the muscles, this is the one for you! www.purebarre.com Della Terra Face Cream: Della Terra is owned by a Brambleton resident, and their face cream is organic and eco-friendly! You can find Della Terra at the EatLoCo Brambleton Marketplace. https://www.facebook.com/dellaterraorganics/

BCA Focus: Resident Services Administrators

Karen Amilpa 45

Our Resident Services Administrators Karen Amilpa (left) and Carina Arce (right) perform a vital role in the BCA organization. They serve as the first point of contact for our office, responding to Brambleton residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; requests and concerns promptly and professionally. They also provide assistance with services including pool pass registration, facility rentals, and notarization (by appointment) of certain documents. Furthermore, they provide administrative support within the Association, especially to the Community Standards and Lifestyles departments. BCA is proud to have Karen and Carina on our team!

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

Carina Arce

COMMUNICATIONS

BCA Communications Brambleton Community Association utilizes a variety of resources in order to communicate with Brambleton residents in a timely and engaging manner. Here are some of the ways that we connect with the Brambleton community.

Friday Flash and Notify Me The Friday Flash is a weekly bulletin sent via email to benefit the residents of Brambleton.

The purpose of the Flash is to keep residents aware of upcoming community events and programs, future committee meetings, Association rules, and community governance.

Residents can sign up to receive the Flash via email or text by clicking on the "Notify Me" button at www.brambletonhoa.com and following the instructions.

The Notify Me subscription service also allows residents to receive updates on community news, events, pools, fertilizer and weed applications, and more. Just click on the icons next to each list item to subscribe.

#Bramlife Minute We launched this video series in May 2017 to inform residents about everything happening in Brambleton. Hosted by Stacey Rusch, these videos cover topics including community news, events, and programming. We post our #Bramlife Minute videos on our website, our Facebook page, and our YouTube page, so there are multiple places for you to catch up on what’s going on in our community. We have also created educational videos, such as administration and service videos, which provide residents with useful information in a unique and entertaining way.

Brambleton Growing Families. Building Community. Connecting Life.

Brambleton Community Association Quarterly Publication

March 2018

www.brambletonhoa.com

Quarterly Magazine The Brambleton Community Association self-publishes a visually rich and engaging quarterly magazine in March, June, September, and December, which is mailed to all Brambleton residents. In addition, the magazine is published digitally and archived on the Association website, and printed copies are available at the Welcome Center located in the Brambleton Town Center as well as the BCA management office.

If you would like to view a digital version of our March 2018 issue, please visit www.brambletonhoa.com/communications. Advertising spaces are also available in the magazine. If you are interested in advertising with us, please send us a message at communications@brambleton.org.

Core Values

Spring Programming

Brew Fest

Website and Social Media Visit www.brambletonhoa.com for community news, event and meeting updates, and information on all BCA services and programs.

News and updates are also posted on our Facebook page (www. facebook.com/brambletoncommunityassociation), on Twitter @brambletonlife, and on our Brambleton mobile app, which can be found in the Apple and Google Play stores. Also, follow us on Instagram @brambletonlife and add #bramlife to your posts to share your content with the Brambleton community!

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COMMUNICATIONS

Volunteer Spotlight: Jan Massey We spoke with Brambleton resident Jan Massey, who volunteers with the Brambleton Blue Bird and Garden Club and Friends of the Brambleton Library, in addition to serving on the BCA Grounds & Facilities Committee. She tells us all about her experiences living and volunteering in Brambleton, and she shares advice on how others can get involved in our community.

How long have you lived in Brambleton? I first moved to Brambleton in the fall of 2006, almost twelve years ago.

What prompted you to choose Brambleton? I left my single family home in Falls Church to live in a townhouse with next to no maintenance. In addition, I was within walking distance of the Town Center and also near my daughter and her two sons who were four and two years old at the time. I was still working in Bethesda when I moved, so I had a significant commute, but once I was home, I was out of the car for good with shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and Legacy Park at my fingertips.

What compelled you to begin volunteering in the community? When I lived in Falls Church, I had been a volunteer with the Junior Women's Club, a board member and Treasurer of my swim and tennis club in Sleepy Hollow, and a member of the PTA Board.

When I moved to Brambleton, I looked for similar opportunities to meet my neighbors and participate in my new community. I started by going to a meeting of the Brambleton Bluebird and Garden Club led by John White, an original resident. That led me to a new experience monitoring bluebird nest boxes, as well as meeting other volunteers with wider interests.

I also began volunteering for the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, which brought me back to gardening. My gardening interest morphed into an enthusiasm for plant species native to the area. These plants support the insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals that have evolved over thousands of years to be sustainable together. My interest in how my actions affect my environment, not only in my home but also in the surrounding areas, led me to serve on the BCA Grounds & Facilities Committee. As the Committee is responsible for the common grounds in our community, it is important to employ best environmental practices in maintaining these areas.

What have you learned through volunteering in Brambleton? Serving as a volunteer certainly helps your community, but I believe it also makes you a better citizen and community member. Every issue has many stakeholders who have common and sometimes competing interests. Working through those issues in a mutually satisfactory manner enables us to know each other better as a group and also fosters a greater respect for people, the process, and the outcomes.

What would you suggest to someone considering living and volunteering in Brambleton? Come! Come! Come! I would suggest living in Brambleton and volunteering in both formal and informal ways. As Brambleton has more new neighborhoods, I believe it is even more important to get involved with your specific community activities. As many of the neighborhoods have a Facebook presence, it is easy to get to know your neighbors, whether it is by correcting mail deliveries, sharing extra plants or toys, or helping with small food drives for our county residents who need extra help. In my neighborhood, my daughter and two grandsons staged a pop-up football game on Thanksgiving morning involving the neighborhood boys and girls, and another neighbor organized an Easter Egg Hunt for the younger children.

Do you have a favorite Brambleton spot? I have many! My favorite Brambleton spot is the newly redesigned Dragonfly Park on Legacy Park Drive, north of Legacy Elementary School. It is an intimate space for relaxing in sun or shade with great established trees, new native perennial gardens, and a relaxing lake view through the weeping willows. The chairs are movable and allow for sitting with a book in the shade or conversations with others. My next favorite spot is the trail leading east from Morning Walk Drive towards Belmont Ridge Road in Park 3. I have seen so many deer, foxes, rabbits, bluebirds, tree swallows, cardinals, blue heron, robins, and chickadees on this walk in the early morning or early evening. I’m also very excited about the new Brambleton Library. It promises to have spaces and activities for all ages and demographics, as well as multiple volunteer opportunities. And, of course, there is an outdoor table at the Town Center in the early evening for a glass of wine.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Since I retired, I refuse to rush out of the house in the early morning except onto my patio with a cup of coffee. I read the Washington Post and attempt the crossword puzzles. Sometimes I’ll also watch YouTube videos on permaculture, ways to save our butterflies and bees, or on LEED building practices. And then I plan my next travel experience.

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018

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How to Reach Us We Love to Hear from You! You can reach us anytime via email. Here is a short list of easy to remember email addresses. It is our goal to respond to all inquiries within one business day. If you have not received a reply, please contact us at 703-542-6263.

HOA@brambleton.org

Start here and we'll be glad to help.

Operations@brambleton.org

Reach our Operations & Assets team for questions or concerns regarding BCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s common areas or facilities.

Pools@brambleton.org

For questions or concerns regarding BCA Pool facilities.

Communitystandards@ brambleton.org

To request attention to a concern or to request information about BCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Standards.

Designreview@ brambleton.org

For information regarding the Design Review process and to request or follow up on an application.

Events@brambleton.org

The best place to reach our amazing events team!

Programs@brambleton.org

Need info about a BCA program, summer camp, or activity?

Rentals@brambleton.org

Interested in renting a community facility?

Communications@ brambleton.org

Contact us about all things communications, including social media, the Friday Flash, the Monthly Minute, or our Magazine.

Stop by and See Us!

A drop box is available after hours and is located outside of the BCA office building at 42395 Ryan Road.

Residents may drop off design review applications, committee applications, etc. Monthly assessments are not accepted.

Official BCA Communications www.brambletonhoa.com

Check Us out on Social Media "Like" Brambleton Community Association on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at brambletonlife. You can also find our mobile app in the Apple App Store and Google Play by searching for Brambleton.

Important Disclaimers

42395 Ryan Road, Suite 210, Brambleton, VA 20148

Please visit www.brambletonhoa. com/disclaimers for our publishing and media use disclaimers.

703-542-6263 (p); 703-542-6266 (f ) hoa@brambleton.org Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM 49 Brambleton Community Association Magazine

BCA Drop Box

Summer 2018

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Summer 2018