Brambleton Magazine: Winter 2020-2021 by Brambleton Community Association

Brambleton Growing Families. Building Community. Connecting Life.

Brambleton Community Association Quarterly Publication

Season of Thanks & Gratitude

Winter 2020-2021

www.brambletonhoa.com

Premier Preschool Teaches Little Hands to Make a Big Difference Compassion, generosity and kindness—it’s difficult to define these traits for young children, let alone determine how to teach them. However, these are essential traits to instill in the next generation as research shows socialemotional intelligence is one of the best indicators of future success in school and life. “At Primrose®, our goal is to help children build the foundation they need to succeed later on, and we believe who children become is just as important as what they know,” said Mike Hummer, Franchise Owner of Primrose School at Moorefield Station. “That’s why our Balanced Learning® approach includes classroom experiences that are intentionally designed to nurture children’s social-emotional development in fun, age-appropriate ways.” Although it takes time for children to fully develop complex social-emotional skills and character traits, parents and caregivers can help encourage them early on. According to research from child development expert Dr. Gail Gross, young children start observing the adults in their lives from a young age, picking up social cues that are absorbed into their behavior. Children also start to develop skills that are the building blocks for empathy at as young as 6 months old. At Primrose School at Moorefield Station, character development—which is the development of social-emotional skills and traits that make up a person’s character—is emphasized and nurtured on a daily basis. Children start to learn and practice generosity, compassion, kindness and more through engaging activities, modeling by teachers and experiential learning. For example, children

participate in various Primrose PromiseSM Giving Events throughout the year that allow them to apply concepts like giving and sharing in authentic, hands-on ways. One such event is the annual Caring and Giving Food Drive, which has more learning opportunities built in compared to a typical food drive. Children in Primrose classrooms learn the importance of giving back to their community along with lessons in civics, business, budgeting and nutrition. During the week-long activity, children are asked to earn money through chores at home. They bring their donations to the classroom where they count the money and develop a budget and shopping list for healthy food items. Teachers reinforce the importance of giving through related songs and books. Children further connect with the idea of selflessness through art and story-writing projects. The children then take a field trip to a grocery store to shop for the items on their list, which are donated to local charities and distributed to those in need. In the days that follow, teachers and children discuss how shelters and food banks help people in the community to ensure the lessons come full circle. “Activities like the Caring and Giving Food Drive help young children learn firsthand the joy and fulfillment of lending a helping hand to others,” said Hummer. “By purposefully nurturing compassion and generosity early on through hands-on activities and daily classroom experiences, we hope to instill a lifelong desire to make a positive difference in the world.”

Learn about the Primrose Schools Balanced Learning approach and Primrose School at Moorefield Station by visiting PrimroseMoorefieldStation.com or calling 703.726.9306. 1

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

High-Quality Preschool Experiences Lead to Future Success in School and Life

A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

20/20 Vision

he phrases “20/20 vision” and “hindsight is 20/20” now have new meaning after everything that has occurred this year. Heading into 2020, there were undoubtedly very few indicators of how the year would progress. With all of the challenges that 2020 brought, there were also many lessons that I and others learned this year. Make sacrifices for the greater good. One thing that enduring the COVID-19 pandemic has taught me is the importance of thinking outside of myself. What actions can I take, or sacrifices can I make, to help others or make someone’s life a little easier? Sacrifices can be as small as wearing a mask in public or turning down an invitation to a party to lessen the chance of spreading the virus. One should always be willing to sacrifice a little bit of personal freedom for the greater good of your neighbors and community. Appreciate essential services and goods. I am eternally thankful for all of the essential workers who have made personal sacrifices to serve the greater public. First responders, police officers, doctors, nurses, waiters, grocers, mail and package carriers, trash haulers, truck drivers, and so many others have selflessly served during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also come to understand how vital disinfecting wipes,

sanitizers, and masks are and how we take the availability of food, water, and even toilet paper for granted. Hopefully we will all remember these things and continue to help those still in need as our society begins returning to “normal” in late 2021. Enjoy a simpler life. Over the years, I have come to appreciate a simpler life, and 2020 has taken that appreciation to a greater level. The pandemic has compelled us all to recognize the little things in life. Casual time in the backyard with friends and family satisfies me. I look forward to downtime. Telecommuting provides many of us with a couple more hours each day to go for walks, exercise, read books, watch TV shows and movies, and enjoy other favorite activities. Learn to appreciate nature. With everyone home from work and school this year, and restrictions in place on indoor entertainment, our community has seen a considerable rise in the use of and appreciation for our parks, trails, and natural areas. Brambleton is blessed to have hundreds of acres of common areas filled with outdoor amenities. Our community is also surrounded by regional park facilities that can easily be accessed and utilized. I am grateful to have so many first-class outdoor opportunities located within minutes of our community.

We are better together. There is no doubt that interactions with our neighbors, family, and friends can improve our quality of life. Having these social interactions restricted can negatively impact our lives. Over the last 8 to 10 months, we have found creative ways to connect or re-connect with those we had been too busy to keep in touch with. These innovations have filled a social void that many of us thrive on and have also motivated us to help those in need. Coming together has made our community better and stronger. Today, I am also thankful for my health and safety. These conditions could change tomorrow if I do not make the necessary sacrifices to protect myself and those around me. This winter will undoubtedly test us all as COVID-19 continues to spread and cases increase. However, with nearly a year’s worth of experience in dealing with the virus, we now know what personal actions are required and expected in order to protect ourselves and the greater community. With this knowledge, perhaps we can all say that we now have “20/20 vision and hindsight” as we head into the winter season and the new year. Sincerely, Rick Stone, PCAM, LSM

Brambleton

FEATURES

Community Association Vision & Mission Vision

Leading a high tech community with hometown 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 Brian Viola President

Samarendra Nandi Vice President

Jordan Crotty Treasurer

Susan Wolford Secretary

Meryl Bisaga Director

Anand Mohan Dharmapuri Director

Pat Martin Director

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

20/20 Vision A MESSAGE FROM RICK STONE, GENERAL MANAGER The challenges of 2020 have taught valuable lessons and also provided knowledge and experiences that will help Brambleton Community Association and the greater community move forward together.

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

Rick Stone General Manager, PCAM, LSM

Paul Gentine Communications Coordinator Cover Photo Credit: The Jurkowski Family 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. Special thanks to Stephanie Lee for photography assistance.

COVID-19 Impacts Events & Programs

Applications & Expectations

BY CHRISTINE ELANSARY

BCA Community Standards staff and the Covenants Committee are here to make the Design Review process run smoothly.

BCA has provided events and programs in 2020 in new ways and will continue to do so in 2021.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

BY ANDREA DAO

ARTICLES

MEETINGS

MESSAGE FROM THE GM

SAFETY & SECURITY

BCA Board of Directors: Dates TBD

20/20 Vision

Covenants Committee: Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Feb. 8 at 7 PM

INSIDE BCA

Does Your Evening Include the 9PM Routine?

BCA Board of Directors

Nighttime Run & Walk Safety Tips

Grounds & Facilities Committee: Jan. 12, Feb. 9, Mar. 9 at 7:30 PM

Message from the BCA Board President

BCA Resident Survey Recap

Safety & Security Committee: Dec. 15, Feb. 16 at 7 PM

19 LIFESTYLES

COVID-19 Impacts Events & Programs

Financial Advisory Committee: Dec. 22, Jan. 26, Feb. 23 at 7:30 PM

BCA Committees

Winter Programs

Community Technology Committee: Dec. 23, Jan. 27, Feb. 24 at 7:30 PM

Ground Works: Winter Activity

Urban Forest Management Program

EatLoco Farmers Market at Brambleton

COMMUNITY STANDARDS

COMMUNITY VOICES

Why Does BCA Plows Its Own Streets?

Applications & Expectations

Step, Shred & Shed

Wintertime Pond Safety

Love Where You Live!

30 COMMUNICATIONS

BCA BUDGET

RESIDENT RESOURCES

BCA Communications

2021 BCA Budget

Assessment Payment Options

2021 Assessments & Budget Summary

New Faces on the BCA Team

Resident Spotlight: Aditi Shanbhag & Vyshu Telukuntla

Important Contact Information

HOW TO REACH US

DMV Connect Can’t get to DMV? DMV is coming to you! DMV Connect will be visiting Brambleton over the next few months in place of the DMV2GO mobile office unit. Dates and appointment registration instructions will be provided at www.brambletonhoa.com/dmvconnect, on the BCA Facebook page, and in the Friday Flash. DMV Connect offers: • REAL ID

• Vehicle registrations

• Drivers’ licenses

• E-ZPass transponders

• ID cards (adult and child)

• Compliance summaries

• Disabled parking placards

• Transcripts

• Vehicle titles

• Hunting and fishing licenses

• Address changes

INSIDE BCA

BCA Board of Directors Back Row (l-r): Anand Mohan Dharmapuri - Director; Jordan Crotty - Treasurer; Samarendra Nandi - Vice President; Brian Viola - President Front Row (l-r): Pat Martin - Director; Susan Wolford - Secretary; Meryl Bisaga - Director

The BCA Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance and success of the Association. The Board meets regularly to discuss BCA business, set policies and procedures, and take action on various Association matters. The Board last met on September 16, 2020 and October 13, 2020, and took the following actions in accordance with its governing documents, state statute, and federal laws:

September & October 2020 Board Meetings: Approved the August and September 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Accepted the Toll Brothers at Brambleton common areas for ownership and full maintenance responsibilities. Adopted the revised Security Camera Guidelines as presented by BCA staff to allow installation of basic systems without an exterior modification application. Approved BCA to enter into the Cellular Planning agreement with The Broadband Group to proactively set community standards and goals for future rollout of cellular towers in a manner that will benefit the community. Approved the expenditure of up to $75,000 for the Streetscape Improvement Project to unify the landscaping between Belmont Ridge Road and Ryan Road. Directed the Grounds & Facilities Committee to survey the community for other areas to be included in the Streetscape Improvement Project. Adopted the 2021 Operating Budget and approved the 2021 Assessments as presented by staff and recommended by the Financial Advisory Committee. Approved BCA to enter a five-year contract, with a three-year extension option, with Republic Services for curbside trash and recycling services. Directed BCA staff to include language in exterior modification approval letters allowing owners to consult with staff for questions and confirmation that modifications are in compliance and as approved. Denied several exterior modification appeals related to fence variances, landscaping, privacy screening, and playset equipment material. Approved two owner requests for a fence variance based on unique configuration of the lot, unit, or presence of an easement. Copies of the completed and approved meeting minutes can be requested at hoa@brambleton.org.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS 2021 BCA Board Meeting Schedule TBD Visit www.brambletonhoa.com or the BCA Facebook page for meeting schedule updates.

INSIDE BCA

Message from the BCA Board President Brian Viola - President, BCA Board of Directors

s I sit here contemplating what to write, it’s hard for me not to think of the problems and issues we have all faced in 2020, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, a contentious election, civil and racial strife, worries about the economy, and – perhaps even closer to home – the disruptions to our kids’ school lives and to our social and family lives. It can be hard to imagine what to be thankful for in a time like this.

that our kids have a safe community to grow up in. I’m thankful that, even with the struggles of distance learning, we still have some of the best schools in the country. I’m thankful that we live in an area that is somewhat recessionproof and that we still have good jobs.

However, when I leaned back and thought for a moment, I realized that we as a community still have much to be thankful for. I am thankful for our friends and neighbors. I’m thankful for the considerate people in our neighborhood who you meet in-person or who post on Facebook. I’m thankful

I’m thankful that we’re alive and in the greatest country in the world. Lastly, I’m thankful that COVID-19 and the election haven’t taken away the best in us. I know some of you might disagree with a few – or all – of the things I’ve said, but please keep this quote in mind: “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” - Buddha Who can disagree with that? Happy Holidays to you all! Spring will be here soon!

BCA Resident Survey Recap Brambleton Community Association recently completed a Resident Survey in order to gain an understanding of Brambleton residents’ overall satisfaction with the Association and the community. This survey had an outstanding response rate, with 1,479 residents providing feedback. Here are a few survey response highlights: • 94% of BCA residents would recommend Brambleton as a great place to live to a friend or family member. • 77% of our residents expressed that they are happy with the upgraded Verizon Fios package, which includes broadband speeds of 500/500 Mbps, one free set-top box, and free DVR service. • Both the “Overall” rating of the Association and the rating of BCA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic received 4 out of 5 stars. • Top five most important BCA characteristics/features for residents – Safety & Security; Property Values; Bulk Services (Verizon Fios, Trash/Recycling); Landscaping & Maintenance of Community Assets; and Natural Areas, Green Spaces, & Parks. • 70% of residents feel that the monthly BCA Assessments are a good value. 6

INSIDE BCA

BCA Committees COVENANTS COMMITTEE Responsibility: Reviewing submitted design review applications, considering violations of BCA documents, and taking enforcement actions. Meetings: Second Monday of each month at 7 PM. Upcoming meetings: 12/14, 1/11, 2/8 Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/covenants

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: Second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Upcoming meetings: 1/12, 2/9, 3/9 Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/grounds

SAFETY & SECURITY COMMITTEE Responsibility: Serving as a resource for residents with concerns and making recommendations to the Board regarding safety and security matters in Brambleton. Meetings: Third Tuesday of every other month at 7 PM. Upcoming meetings: 12/15, 2/16 Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/safety

FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Responsibility: Reviewing financial reports and audits, monitoring investments, reviewing funding for capital projects, and developing financial policies and resolutions to recommend to the Board. Meetings: Fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Upcoming meetings: 12/22, 1/26, 2/23 Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/finance

COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE Responsibility: Advising the Board on issues, concerns, and recommendations pertaining to technology issues that impact the greater community. Meetings: Fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Upcoming meetings: 12/23, 1/27, 2/24 Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/communitytech

EVENTS COMMITTEE Responsibility: Advising the Board and BCA staff on issues pertaining to new event idea development, developing ideas for volunteer and sponsorship programs, and more. Meetings: Meets as needed, no less than quarterly. Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/eventscommittee

BRAMBLETON KIDS CARE COMMITTEE Responsibility: Empowering the next generation of Brambletonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residents and facilitating their development and growth towards becoming compassionate, service-minded citizens. Meetings: Meets as needed, typically during the school year. Website: www.brambletonhoa.com/brambletonkidscare

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

INSIDE BCA

Ground Works: Winter Activity As a steward of the land, Brambleton Community Association and its contractors are continually performing various upkeep and service tasks in order to maintain a healthy environment and a great-looking community. BCA focuses its winter grounds maintenance tasks on preparing the grounds for the spring season. Here are a few highlights of services that will occur over the next few months:

Common Areas Landscape Bed Cleanup: All landscaped beds will be edged, and dead material/debris will be removed in preparation for spring mulching. Leaf Removal: All maintained common area parcels will have leaves removed several times throughout the winter months. Renewal Pruning: Renewal pruning will coincide with landscape bed cleanup, and all debris will be removed. Street Sweeping: Street sweeping will take place in March or April (if deemed necessary) to remove any sand or salt that was applied during the winter season. Turf Application: All common area parcels will receive a fertilizer and pre-emergent weed control application in late winter.

Townhome Grounds Maintenance Program Landscape Bed Cleanup: All townhomes in the program will have their mulch beds cleaned up and prepped for spring mulching. Turf Application: All turf areas in the program will receive a fertilizer and pre-emergent weed control application in late winter. The Developer will be performing similar tasks on the common areas they are responsible for. Timely details on services and specific 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.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

INSIDE BCA

Urban Forest Management Program Isaiah Marsh - Grounds & Facilities Supervisor

rambleton has long been known for its rolling landscapes, water features, and extensive plantings. As the community ages, Brambleton Community Association must address issues that come along with aging and maturing trees and shrubs. These issues include, but are not limited to, overcrowding, poor or improper species selection, declining health, and disease. After consulting with a few arborists earlier this year, the Association initiated the implementation of an urban forest management program. This program will kick off in 2021 and will include the selective removal and structural pruning of existing trees in addition to the re-planting of primarily native trees throughout the community. As overcrowded and unhealthy trees are identified for removal, the program will not require these trees to be replaced on a one-for-one basis. This strategy is based on arboristsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recommendations. The replacement of removed trees will be extremely selective and even not necessary in some areas. However, tree removal decisions will consider the impact to adjacent homes and the screening value of the remaining trees. If replacement trees are necessary, then the Association will begin planting native

trees and shrubs in those areas. Native plantings are important because they are suited for local environmental conditions, require less watering, and provide beneficial habitats for birds and other wildlife species. The decision to remove trees in our community is not taken lightly. However, this is a strategic, long-term practice in urban forestry care that will protect the health of remaining and new trees and ensure the lasting beauty of Brambleton.

In addition to the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management plan to remove and replace trees, the Association will structurally prune trees where there are dense and conflicting branches. Generally, pruning will reduce dense branch structure within a tree, remove conflicting and hazardous branches, and clear limbs and branches from adjacent trees. Elevation pruning will also take place; this is the practice of removing low-hanging limbs in order to allow for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Pruning trees also benefits the turf below. The more sunlight that can reach the ground, the easier it is to maintain, plant, and establish new turf. Deep root fertilization of specimen trees is also included as part of the management plan. Outside of Brambletonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urban forest management program, the Association is planning to develop additional pollinator gardens throughout the community in 2021. These gardens will be filled with native plantings that will attract pollinators and add color and interest to the landscape.

Example of tree crowding on Eversole Terrace

If you have questions regarding BCA's urban forest management program, please contact the Operations department at operations@brambleton.org.

INSIDE BCA

Why Does BCA Plow Its Own Streets? Rick Stone, PCAM, LSM - General Manager

rambleton Community Association is responsible for maintenance and snow removal on more than 200 private streets, alleys, and common drives located throughout the Brambleton community. This requires a significant level of year-round inspections as well as maintenance and upkeep practices. The funds necessary for the maintenance, upkeep, and replacement of these streets are generated through assessments charged to townhome and common drive unit owners. BCA has continuously looked for ways to reduce these costs for the benefit of these homeowners and the Association. BCA performs various in-house maintenance tasks in order to reduce assessments for owners of townhome and common drive units. In-house duties performed by Operations staff include

street sign installation and replacement, pavement crack filling, fire lane repainting, and snow removal. With minimal equipment, staff can easily schedule these tasks into their weekly routine. In many cases, performing these tasks inhouse allows for a more rapid response to emergencies or reported hazards. The most significant savings for the Association and for townhome and common drive unit owners come from performing snow and ice management operations in-house. The 2021 Operating Budget projects $70,000 for snow removal on townhome streets and $5,000 for removal on common drives and alleys. These projected funds cover the costs of equipment, supplies, salt/sand, fuel, and repairs required for in-house snow removal operations. They also cover the cost of spring street sweeping to

Visit www.brambletonhoa.com/snow for more information about BCA winter storm management as well as homeowner, Developer, and VDOT snow removal responsibilities. 11

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

remove residual sand from streets. It has been projected that an additional $300,000 would need to be added to the annual budget if snow removal were performed through an outside contractor. This addition to the budget would equate to an increase of nearly $8.50 a month, or $102 annually (32%), in townhome assessments alone. Performing snow removal in-house has other benefits as well. BCA streets are typically plowed multiple times during a snowstorm. The final clearing of BCA streets is generally completed before VDOT residential streets are cleared. BCA also makes special accommodations for clearing streets around homes with residents who have particular needs. Additionally, the widening of streets and clearing of parking spaces can be performed by staff in the days following a storm as residents return to work and school. Furthermore, snowplowing provides tasks for Operations staff in an otherwise slower time of year. The benefits are endless, and the savings are substantial for the community.

Forecast

0-2 inches

BCA Private Street/Alley/Common Drive Standards Sanding/salting as needed, focusing on streets with steep grades and intersections. Streets will be inspected and plowed as necessary.

2-4 inches

Plowing begins at 2". Clearing of all BCA streets to be completed within 6 hours after storm ends.

4-8 inches

Plowing begins at 2" and continues throughout the storm. Clearing of all BCA streets to be completed within 8 hours after storm ends. Plowing begins at 2" and continues throughout the storm. Clearing of all BCA streets to be completed within 16 hours after storm ends.

8-12 inches 12-18 inches 18-24 inches 24+ inches Ice/Freezing Rain

Travel lanes kept open during storm. Streets plowed within 30 hours after storm ends, if VDOT declares streets are passable. Piled snow may be relocated or removed from site by loader and dump trucks in the days following plowing. Travel lanes kept open during storm. Streets plowed within 2 days after storm ends, if VDOT declares streets are passable. Piled snow may be relocated or removed from site by loader and dump trucks in the days following plowing. A travel lane of no more than 8' will be made for emergency vehicles only. Streets plowed within 4 days after storm ends, if VDOT declares streets are passable. Piled snow may be removed from site by loader and dump trucks in the days following plowing. Salting of streets will occur during and/or after the storm depending upon conditions. Pretreatment of road may occur if significant ice is predicted.

Wintertime Pond Safety

Brambleton has a number of ponds and water features located throughout the community. Please observe the following safety practices when near a pond or other body of water this winter: • Frozen ponds should never be used for recreational purposes. Do not skate, play, ride, or step foot on a frozen pond. • If you observe someone on one of Brambleton’s frozen ponds, please take initiative and remind them of hazards and prohibited use of the pond. • If the individual remains on the frozen pond, please report incidents to BCA during business hours (M-F, 9 AM to 5 PM) or to LCSO at all other times, including holidays, at 703-777-1021. • If a person, a pet, or a personal item accidentally falls through the ice, do not try to recover them; you could become a victim too. • If someone does fall through the ice and you are alone, instruct the victim to keep calm while you call 9-1-1 immediately. Hypothermia can start immediately and can cause exhaustion or unconsciousness in only a few minutes. • It is important to let the rescue crew know the victim's age, circumstances of the incident, time it occurred, and where the victim was last seen. • If you are with other people, make sure that someone stays on the shore next to the victim while another person calls 9-1-1. Try to keep an ongoing conversation with the victim in order to keep them calm and to aid in the rescue. • Of course, the best safety message we can offer is to stay away from frozen ponds.

BCA BUDGET

2021 BCA Budget Rick Stone, PCAM, LSM - General Manager

rambleton Community Association’s governing documents and state statutes set requirements for how the Association projects its budgets and calculates its assessments. Assessments are set each year by dividing planned and projected expenses by the total number of homes. Simply put, more expenses equal higher assessments. An increase in the total unit (home) count results in lower assessments if expenses do not increase. As Brambleton continues to expand its total home count and develop more common areas, Association operation costs also rise. This has been the case since the inception of our beloved community in 2001. The BCA Board of Directors approved the 2021 Budget at their October meeting, setting the assessments for next

year. The 2021 Budget increased by 2.8% in relation to the 2020 Budget. However, owners’ assessments for 2021 will only increase by an average of 0.3% compared to 2020 rates. This minimal assessment increase is the direct result of income from new and existing homes outpacing projected additional expenses. The 2021 Budget projects an additional $411,000 in expenses compared to 2020. What do Brambleton residents get from these funds? A large portion of this amount ($200,000) is directly related to pass-through costs for an estimated 145 newly built homes, such as trash and recycling services and Verizon Fios video and data configuration. The remaining $211,000 is primarily dedicated to a 3% increase in trash and recycling service costs, an urban forest management program ($20,000), and a 2% to 3% increase

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

The 2021 Budget also accounts for impacts on our community related to COVID-19. The effects of COVID-19 on next year’s budget are projected to be minimal since affected expenses are typically offset by complementary income. The Association has prepared for its events and programs to be significantly impacted by COVID-19 through the second quarter of 2021. No major events will occur in Brambleton until after June 30, 2021, since one of these events requires a minimum of six months of planning. Even after that date, BCA will not commit to a major event if it cannot ensure that it will not be inhibited by the pandemic. For example, our Fall Fest event is typically held at the beginning of October. If COVID-19’s impacts have not been significantly lessened by April 2021, then the Association will not commit to planning or hosting this event. We believe this is a prudent and fiscally responsible approach. The BCA Board and staff are grateful for the flexibility and understanding that Brambleton residents have demonstrated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thankful that our delinquency rate of unpaid assessments has remained at a low 1.1% rate. Our residents’ commitment to meeting their assessment obligations during this time has been impressive, and we hope this remains the case in 2021. Brambleton is in an excellent financial position to meet the challenges of this pandemic over the next six to twelve months.

2021 Budget Breakdown

in various reserve accounts. Other, smaller allocations include increases in existing contract amounts, administrative cost adjustments due to additional units and trends, and the completion of a reserve study in 2021.

Winter 2020-2021

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BCA BUDGET

2021 Assessments & Budget Summary The BCA Board of Directors met on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 to consider the budget and assessments for 2021. At that meeting, the Board adopted the 2021 Budget which set the various assessments at the following rates:

House Type

2021

2020

Delta

Detached

$192.70

$191.86

$0.84

Detached w/ Common Driveway

$206.25

$205.36

$0.89

Townhouse

$200.19

$0.00

Townhouse w/ Grounds Maintenance

$219.19

$218.19

$1.00

Summerfield Condominium

$147.39

$146.83

$0.56

The Residences Condominiums

$155.59

$155.49

$0.10

Assessments Type

2021

2020

Delta

General

$72.15

$71.40

$ 0.75

General: Condo

$54.11

$53.55

$ 0.56

Tech/Community Services

$93.28

$0.00

Single-Family Detached (SFD)

$19.08

$18.52

$ 0.56

SFD Common Drive

$13.55

$13.50

$ 0.05

Single-Family Attached (SFA)

$26.75

$26.85

$(0.10)

SFA Grounds Maintenance

$19.00

$18.00

$ 1.00

Recreation (Pools Only)

$ 8.19

$ 8.66

$(0.47)

(General) + (Tech/Comm) + (SFD) + (Recreation) (General) + (Tech/Comm) + (SFD) + (Recreation) + (Common Drive)

(General) + (Tech/Comm) + (SFA) + (Recreation)

(General) + (Tech/Comm) + (SFA) + (Recreation) + (SFA Grounds Maint) (General: Condo) + (Tech/Comm) (General: Condo) + (Tech/Comm) + (Recreation)

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

2021 Budget by Category with 2020 Comparison 2021

2020

Assessment Income-Various

$14,620,871

$14,076,862

Other Income

Income

Total Income

480,000

637,000

$15,100,871

$14,689,052

Administrative Expenses-General

$ 648,540

Professional Services-General

$1,989,750

$ 2,022,300

Reserve Contributions-General

$ 579,243

Maintenance & Services-General

$2,517,600

$ 2,431,700

Verizon Fios-Tech/Comm Services

$6,736,495

$ 6,478,296

Single-Family Attached

$ 951,225

887,549

Grounds Maintenance-SFA

$ 529,758

452,520

Single-Family Detached

$ 516,228

496,459

Common Driveway-SFD

80,952

79,522

Recreation-Pools

$ 550,910

556,029

Total Expenses

$15,100,701

$14,713,940

Net Excess (Deficit)

Expenses

170

744,831 564,734

(78)

BCA Replacement Reserve Statement (As required by POAA Section 55.1-1826)

BCA is funding its reserve account at or above the levels recommended in the September 10, 2018 Replacement Reserve Study completed by Miller + Dodson Associates, Inc. Reserve Account

2018 Study Recommendation/ 2021 Annual Contribution

2021 Recommended Balance/ Y.E. Projection (12/31/2020)

Townhome Reserves

$ 263,597 / $ 361,750

$ 1,748,302 / $1,720,400

Common Drive Reserves

$ 56,701 / $ 72,952

$ 711,519 / $ 731,600

Pool (Recreation) Reserves

$ 141,205 / $ 146,910

$ 688,986 / $ 651,500

General Reserves

$ 391,264 / $ 434,349

$ 2,307,201 / $2,451,700

SAFETY & SECURITY

Does Your Evening Include the 9PM Routine? Rick Stone, PCAM, LSM - General Manager

esidents of Loudoun County and the greater Washington, D.C. metro region are often victims of "crimes of opportunity" throughout the year. A crime of opportunity is a crime that is committed by a perpetrator

The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office (LCSO) has joined other law enforcement agencies around the country in implementing the 9PM Routine, which helps deter thefts from unlocked vehicles as well as potential burglaries. Crimes of opportunity primarily occur during the night and early morning hours, even during the colder months.

of view. Residents should also turn on exterior lights at the front and rear of their homes. Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman reminds residents as they go through their nightly routine, "whether it be making a cup of hot tea, settling in to watch a movie, or checking on your kids” to “make sure all of your doors are locked and your garage door is closed". Taking these few simple actions before going to bed each night will significantly reduce your chances of becoming the next victim of a crime.

The 9PM Routine reminds residents to make sure their vehicles, home doors, and garage doors are locked and closed before they go to bed. In addition to locking vehicle doors, all valuables should be removed or placed out

Residents are also encouraged to immediately report all suspicious activity and vandalism, such as graffiti and damage to mailboxes, by calling the LCSO nonemergency line at 703-777-1021. Make the call; don't regret not making it!

without planning when there is a chance to commit an illegal act at that moment for personal gain.

Nighttime Run & Walk Safety Tips Rick Stone, PCAM, LSM - General Manager

rambleton has seen a significant increase in walkers and runners at all times throughout the day. Walking and running around the community before sunrise and after dusk can be dangerous because of low visibility and is discouraged by national running advocacy organizations. Since exercising outdoors during the daytime is not always an option, walkers and runners need to take personal precautions to ensure a safe routine. Walkers and runners training at night should adhere to common-sense guidelines:

• Do not wear dark colors at night. White attire is the easiest to see at night, but orange and yellow items are also appropriate. Black, brown, dark blue, or green items are not recommended. Consider attire with reflective materials or a reflective vest. • Use a flashlight or safety flashing light. A flashlight will improve your ability to be seen by drivers and to see hazards on or around sidewalks, streets, and trails. It can even be used to locate and clean up after your dog. • Try to make eye contact and acknowledge a driver. Making eye

contact with a driver can be used as an indicator of their awareness of you. This interaction, however brief, could save your life. • Walk on sidewalks and trails. Brambleton has miles of sidewalks and trails. Use them. • Run against traffic. If running in the streets, run against traffic. It is easier to avoid traffic if you can see it. • Cross behind vehicles at intersections. Even if a vehicle has stopped at a stop sign, there is no guarantee the driver has seen you. • Do not wear headphones. Wearing headphones diminishes your ability to hear a car horn, a voice, a passing bicyclist, or a potential attacker. • Safety in numbers. Enjoy a walk or run with your family, neighbor, or friend. There's strength in numbers; use that to your advantage. • Vary your routes. Strangers and potential attackers can watch for your patterns and loom in a particularly dark or isolated area.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

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LIFESTYLES

COVID-19 Impacts Events & Programs Christine Elansary - Community Engagement Manager

rambleton Community Association prides itself on hosting many events and offering several programs throughout the year. While we were able to start 2020 with our annual House Hop and Comedy Night events, we unfortunately had to cancel all remaining major events for the year due to COVID-19. As a resident of Brambleton since 2003 and a Brambleton Community Association staff member since 2008, I never would have imagined these cancelations happening. My kids have all grown up in this community attending our big festivals and concerts, so it was pretty sad to have to make this decision. Despite having to cancel our major events, our Lifestyles team quickly shifted focus and brainstormed ways to keep the Brambleton community engaged. We began planning events like our Egg Hunt on the Trail, Virtual Wine Tasting, and Biggest Catch Fishing Contest. In terms of programming, our outdoor fitness boot camp was still able to proceed, and we were also able to host a few summer camps with strict COVID-19 guidelines in place.

As we moved into Phase Two of Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reopening guidelines, we introduced Neighborhood Pop-Up Events, which consisted of movie screenings and live music performances at our parks. Even with limited crowds, these events were well-attended and appreciated by residents glad to resume a bit of normalcy. We also decided to continue our annual Neighborhood Campout with limits on the number of campers at Legacy Park and other community parks. More recently, we co-hosted the Step, Shred and Shed event with the Step Sisters in early November. This drivethrough event allowed residents to make clothing and household item donations, recycle electronics, shred documents, and donate to the Step Sisters. Due to the success of this event, we hope to host it again next spring. We also were able to host Pictures with Santa with physical distancing between Santa and participants. We were excited to see so many kids dressed in their cute holiday outfits. Heading into 2021, the future of our events program is still unknown. We

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

do know that there will be no big festivals or large gatherings at least through the first half of the year. We are hopeful that we can return to larger events in the fall, but we will need to wait and see how the year progresses. In terms of programming, we will continue to offer as many opportunities as we can, and we hope to have camp information available early next year. We also hope to get our community service programs going again next year and introduce family volunteering days as well. Similar to Teen Summer Service Days, this program will consist of taking Brambleton families to volunteer at local charitable organizations. In the meantime, our team will continue to look for new ways to keep the Brambleton community involved moving forward. We have an awesome Events Committee with plenty of fun ideas as well. Stay tuned to the Friday Flash and our Facebook page to make sure you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out on anything. If you have any ideas you would like to share, feel free to send an email to events@brambleton.org. We would love to hear from you!

Winter Programs PROGRAM

DATE

TIME

LOCATION

Brambleton Clubhouse for Distance Learning by Overtime Athletics

1/4 - 6/15

Monday - Friday Full Day: 8:30am - 4:00pm Half Day: 8:30am - 12:00pm, 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Community Center

Drama Kids

9/14 - 5/17

Mondays Elementary: 5:00pm - 6:00pm MS/HS: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Corner Clubhouse

Drama Kids Distance Learning Camp

9/14 - 6/7

Mondays 9:00am - 4:00pm

Corner Clubhouse

12/28 - 12/31

9:00am - 4:00pm

Corner Clubhouse

1/1 - 12/31

Visit www.ďŹ results.com

Community Center Parking Lot

Drama Kids Winter Camp Fitness Image Results

For detailed information and to register for current programs, please visit www.brambletonhoa.com/programs.

COMMUNITY STANDARDS

Applications & Expectations Andrea Dao, CMCA, AMS - Community Standards & Administration Manager

esign review application submittal can be a confusing and frustrating process for homeowners in an association. This is especially true if homeowners have not reviewed guidelines or do not understand the governing documents regarding what can and cannot be done to their house and yard. Approval is often needed if improvements, enhancements, or renovations include elements visible from the exterior of the house. Sometimes homeowners’ choices do not align with standards and guidelines or can even be in violation of them. In Brambleton, there is an established set of design review standards and processes which provide consistency, accountability, and best practices seen throughout the community. These standards have been carefully developed by our Covenants Committee and approved by our Board of Directors to reflect a balance between individuals’ rights and the good of the entire community – that is, property values. With more residents working remotely this year, we have received a considerable increase in homeowner applications to make changes to their houses. Community Standards staff and Covenants Committee members have shown admirable perseverance in a year when the amount of architectural modification applications has doubled compared to the same time period last year. Staff and Committee members continue to keep up with the workload despite the difficulties of virtual meetings and other obstacles that COVID-19

presents to the Design Review process. This is why now, more than ever, it is important to plan ahead for your exterior projects. Steps for Approval The Design Review application process usually takes three to six weeks to complete, depending on homeowners’ ability to provide requested documents prior to deadlines and overall application volume. Application process steps include: 1. Homeowner submits a Design Review application to the Association or requests information on the application process. 2. Homeowner works with the advisor assigned to their section to compile the necessary documentation and project details in order to accurately review the project. Approximately 75% of all applications are submitted incomplete to the Association. 3. Advisors meet daily with the Community Standards Manager to review and report on the status of applications. 4. Atypical applications that are outside the Design Review Guidelines are reviewed with the General Manager for input. 5. At the next scheduled Covenants Committee meeting, all completed applications are reviewed and discussed by the Committee. A consensus of the Committee (not staff ) determines the decision that any individual application receives. Decision letters are

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

then mailed and emailed within three to five days following a meeting. Variances Some of the usual restrictions when considering renovations include color, appearance, style, and proposed location of the modification. For example, in all sections, fences shall be placed at the rear plane of the house. In very rare instances, a variance has been granted by the Board of Directors to allow fences to come forward from the rear plane of the house due to the unique shape of the lot or the unique placement of the house on the lot. Variances for fence placement are NOT granted for: • Security reasons; • Extra space for dogs or children to play; • Obstruction of landscaping or trees; • Deterrence of pedestrian foot traffic or dog walkers; • Homeowners’ preference of a different fence style, color, or height than what is permitted for that section. Completing renovations while living in a homeowners association can involve significant regulations before and during the project. It is always our goal to guide residents through the entire process and make everything run smoothly for everyone. Should you have any questions for staff about your particular project or our guidelines in general, please contact communitystandards@ brambleton.org.

Love Where You Live!

Monthly Tips to Keep Brambleton Beautiful December

Water freezing in your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pipes may cause serious problems. To help combat this, shut off the water to exterior faucets and drain the lines. You may also want to insulate any pipes near the exterior walls of your home or in unheated areas like a garage. Furniture placed outside must be specifically designed for outdoor use and maintained in good condition. Outdoor furniture can be placed on a porch, stoop, or in the rear yard. The use of permanently-placed outdoor furniture is not permitted in front yards. Nothing shall be kept or stored outside the exterior of your home which would create an unsightly condition. This includes, but is not limited to, refuse containers, trash or rubbish, machinery and equipment, building materials, etc. Portable equipment, including grills or fire pits, may not be stored at the front of the home. Mice, squirrels, and other critters are looking to escape the cold. They might decide that your place looks pretty great. Make sure to close any holes and block any potential entrances to your home.

January

Holiday decorations may be placed out 30 days in advance of the holiday and removed no later than 14 days after the holiday. Christmas or winter decorations and lighting may be placed out as early as the day after Thanksgiving and may remain on display until Friday, January 15th. Make sure you have snow shovels, scrapers, and everything else you need to get through winter before the weather changes. Regular shoveling (or snow blowing) is the best way to keep walkways, driveways, and sidewalks safe and ice-free all winter. Keep some pet/plant-safe ice melt or sand on hand to provide traction on stairs and other slippery areas. If you plan to be away during the season, hire a service in advance to clear the snow while you are away.

February

Submit your Design Review Application for your exterior project prior to when you really need it. Remember that you have six months to begin and one year to complete the project after approval. To submit a proposed exterior modification to the Covenants Committee for review, an owner must complete the Design Review Application. This form is available on the Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.brambletonhoa.com/designreview, in our office, or in response to requests submitted to designreview@brambleton.org. Still have questions? Please contact the BCA Management Office at 703-542-6263.

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 Association's lockbox service. Please reference your account number or property address, or include the payment coupon, to ensure the payment is properly recorded. Mailing Address: Brambleton Community Association, C/O FirstService Residential, PO Box 62010, 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 withdrawal of the monthly recurring assessment amount from a designated checking or savings account. Owners can sign up for Direct Debit service online at www.clickpay.com/firstservice. • 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).

Monthly Assessments 2021 $192.70 $206.25 $200.19 $219.19 $147.39 $155.59

2020 $191.86 $205.36 $200.19 $218.19 $146.83 $155.49

House Type Detached Detached w/Common Driveway Townhouse Townhouse w/Grounds Maint. Summerfield Condominiums The Residences Condominiums

It is important to note that assessment payments are NOT accepted at the BCA Management Office, as all payments are processed by the Association’s bank via a lockbox. Payments delivered to the BCA office will be returned. Please also note that cash cannot be accepted at the BCA office or at FirstService Residential offices for payment of assessments. Please email hoa@brambleton.org for more information or to request online access to your account.

New Faces on the BCA Team Please join us in welcoming Kristine Powers and James Duncan to our BCA staff! Kristine helps enforce and uphold Brambleton's high standards as one of our Community Standards Advisors. New to Brambleton, she comes to us by way of Minnesota, New York, and Florida with a background in Geography, urban gardening, financial services, and IT project management. When not in the office, she can be found building Lego masterpieces with her kids, hiking, cooking, practicing yoga, or playing her violin in a soundproof room.

James is a Brambleton resident and has lived in the Ashburn area for 18 years. He brings experience in pool operations and landscaping to his position. Outside of work, James enjoys playing basketball and spending time outdoors with his family.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

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RESIDENT RESOURCES

BCA Resale Disclosure Packet

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 up to date information. The available formats are:

The available delivery timeframes are:

• 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.

• Standard - Packet is sent 14* calendar days from the order date. Fee is included.

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

• Rush - If the Association is able to accommodate a rush order, the packet is sent 5* calendar days from the order date.

• Update with inspection (available within 1 year of the initial order) *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.

Notary Public Services

BCA Certificate of Insurance

Notary services have been temporarily suspended. Visit www.brambletonhoa.com for updates regarding resumption of services.

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.

BCA offers Notary Public services for residents. Here are a few tips to help make your notary experience easy: • Notary services are available by appointment only. This allows staff to be ready and available to provide your requested service. Please email hoa@brambleton. org or call 703-542-6263 to schedule an appointment. • 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 and Change of Appearance forms. • All documents must be written in English. Witnessing on documents is not provided by BCA. 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. • 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. • The first two pages are free of charge. Each additional page is $2 per page. Forms of payment accepted include cash and personal checks.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

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.

Assessment Account Payoff Payoff details and financial update requests are processed and fulfilled via WelcomeLink on behalf of the Association. Please place your request through WelcomeLink's webpage at www.fsresidential.com/corporate/resale-and-lender-documents.

Winter 2020-2021

RESIDENT RESOURCES

Important Contact Information County Contacts

Community Management Contacts Brambleton Community Management Office: 703-542-6263 Residences at Brambleton (FSR): 703-385-1133 Summerfield Condo (FSR): 703-327-4818

Emergency (Fire/Rescue/Police): 911 (call or text); www.sheriff.loudoun.gov Sheriff (Non-Emergency): 703-777-1021

BCA Services

Alert Loudoun: www.loudoun.gov/alerts

Republic Services Recycling & Trash Removal: Brambleton@republicservices.com Verizon (Activation/Account Changes/Billing/Disconnect): 800-501-1172 Verizon (Repair): 888-553-1555

Loudoun County Main Number: 703-777-0100 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 NOVEC (South of Ryan Rd): 888-335-0500; www.novec.com/customer_services

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

Brambleton Town Center

Miss Utility: 800-552-7001 Washington Gas: 703-750-1000

Brambleton Plz, Brambleton, VA 20148

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

703-542-2925 www.brambleton.com/towncenter

Builder Information Builder Beazer Homes Centex/Pulte Homes Gulick Group Knutson Miller & Smith Stanley Martin Toll Brothers Van Metre Winchester & Camberley Homes

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) 703-636-9210; WarrantyGroup@StanleyMartin.com; www.StanleyMartin.com (Contact Us) 571-291-8000; www.tollbrothers.com; www.mytollhome.com (Warranty) 703-348-5800; 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

Winter 2020-2021

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COMMUNITY VOICES

Step, Shred & Shed Ashley Campolattaro - Founder & Co-Executive Director, Step Sisters

ars chock-full of paper for shredding, electronics for recycling, and donations for charity steadily streamed into the Brambleton Community Center on the first day of November for the first-ever Step, Shred & Shed event. A pandemic purge was apparently just what Brambleton residents needed! The community banded together as they decluttered and responsibly disposed of items during this sociallydistanced drive-through event. Brambleton Community Association invited the Step Sisters organization to collaborate and put on this

Brambleton residents donating items

much-needed community event. After canceling their largest annual Ribbon Run fundraising race, the Step Sisters have had to pivot and find creative, virtual, and contactless ways to seek support. Now more than ever, physicallyvulnerable breast cancer patients are facing multiple challenges. Loss of income, mounting medical bills, and extra expenses to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic create strain for area patients. Brambleton-based Step Sisters members have been working to make sure local patients stay safe while also continuing to provide critical support services to patients throughout Northern Virginia.

popped trunks and unloaded items so families could stay safely in their vehicles. The Step Sisters’ go-to DJ, Scorpio Entertainment, was on hand to produce a party atmosphere which drew neighboring residents to the Community Center to see what was happening.

Along with purging unwanted items, event attendees also gave generously to the Step Sisters, providing nearly $2,000 in donations as they departed the parking lot. As an added bonus, those who donated drove away with a “thank you” gift courtesy of Thrive Causemetics, the Step Sisters’ giving partner.

The number of items disposed of and donated to local organizations was incredible Nearly 3,000 pounds of paper were shredded by Patriot Shredding, 8,000 pounds of electronics were recycled by Republic Services, and 2,250 pounds of tax-deductible clothing and houseware donations were made to GreenDrop (benefiting the Military Order of the Purple Heart) during the three-hour event. “The longer we live in our homes, the more we accumulate. Our family was grateful for the opportunity to get rid of items with such safety and ease while also supporting a great local cause, especially during the pandemic,” said Brambleton resident Colleen Robbins.

Other organizations stepped up to help as well. Verizon Fios and Cricket Wireless sponsored this contactless event. Volunteers from the Ashburn Chapter of Young Men’s Service League were masked and ready to help as they

With the success of this collaborative event, BCA and the Step Sisters are already discussing a spring 2021 date for an encore event. Stay tuned to communications from both organizations for updates!

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

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.

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!

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 "Stay Connected" button at www.brambletonhoa.com and following the instructions. BCA's Stay Connected (formerly Notify Me) email 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.

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 BCA Management Office. If you would like to view digital versions of our past magazine issues, 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.

#Bramlife Minute We launched this video series in May 2017 to inform residents about everything happening in Brambleton. 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 whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

COMMUNICATIONS

Resident Spotlight: Aditi & Vyshu

We spoke with Aditi Shanbhag & Vyshu Telukuntla, Brambleton students and founders of Illuminate Learning, about their nonprofit which provides free tutoring and mentoring services to students locally and nationally. They also shared their favorite spots in Brambleton, their goals after graduation, and more! How long have you lived in Brambleton? Aditi: I have lived in Brambleton since 2006 and have grown accustomed to its enjoyable seasonal events and welcoming environment. Vyshu: I have lived in Brambleton for the past three years. I moved from upstate New York to this area at the start of 8th grade. It has been a truly positive experience meeting new people in this area. What inspired you to start Illuminate Learning? We primarily developed our nonprofit as a way to help children learn, explore their interests, and gain knowledge during the closure of schools and summer programs by offering free tutoring and mentoring. Our goal was to develop a responsive platform for younger students to receive guidance from high schoolers and collaborate Aditi Shanbhag Vyshu Telukuntla with their peers as they navigated through the new mediums of virtual learning. As students, we understand that schooling from home can be challenging and at times confusing. Therefore, we wanted to provide an outlet for children to interact with tutors and other students by providing engaging activities and educational projects. What does tutoring and helping others mean to both of you? Tutoring and mentoring enables us to offer our resources and time to give back to the community in a compassionate way. We are extremely fortunate to be in a community that has an abundance of educational/recreational resources and kind people, so to be able to reciprocate the kindness with tutoring has been a great experience for our organization. To us, if we are able to impact one student by teaching them a more efficient way to solve an equation or perhaps assist them in their reading comprehension, it makes all the difference! Has it been challenging to balance going to school and running your organization? Initially it was challenging to maintain the needs of the organization as the beginning of the school year approached. However, as we gradually expanded and incorporated more tutors and team leaders into Illuminate, we were able to develop a healthy balance between tutoring and school. Our passion for teaching others drove us to invent strategies and techniques that allowed us to be more organized with running our organization in a couple states around the nation. What are your favorite Brambleton spots? The Town Center has been one of our favorite spots in Brambleton because of the variety of amenities it provides within walking distance, such as the Brambleton Library, restaurants, and shops. Our first choice in the area would have to be Cold Stone Creamery as it's a classic spot for ice cream and provides the most delicious sundaes! Another area we like is Legacy Park, where we enjoy walking along the trails and having picnics. What do you enjoy doing outside of school? Aditi: I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it be playing basketball or biking through the various trails in Brambleton. I also love to learn new things in medicine, play the piano, and volunteer around the community! Vyshu: Baking has been one of my favorite things to do outside of school, as it is an outlet for me to be creative and make the best desserts. What do you want to do when you graduate? Aditi: My strong interest in the sciences and helping others has driven me to work towards a career in medicine. Ultimately, I aspire to work alongside scientists to engineer new techniques to identify and prevent cancer at its early onset. I would also aim to give back to society as much as possible and find different ways to make it a better place for everyone. Vyshu: My overall goal is to provide research expertise in the medical field because of my strong interest and passion for biology. As a research scientist, I would like to learn and educate myself more on the topic of biology as it helps answer a lot of questions I have about the world around us. I also aim to do my part in the community by volunteering and getting more involved.

Brambleton Community Association Magazine

Winter 2020-2021

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Want to See Your Ad in the Brambleton Magazine? We are now accepting advertisements for our upcoming 2021 magazine issues in March, June, September, and December! If you would like to reach 6,000 households per issue in the growing Brambleton community, then visit www.brambletonhoa.com/communications or email communications@brambleton.org for advertising rates and more information. 32

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

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Winter 2020-2021

Your neighborhood 21st century preschool. We’re proud to serve our community, by supporting 21st century learners and their families. It starts by following CDC guidance for a healthy, safe environment. Plus, we keep you connected with live streaming video of your child’s classroom and regular updates with our mobile app. Here, STEAM brings the world into every classroom, through hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math, as we prepare children for elementary school. • Infant and toddler care • Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten • Before- and after-school programs for school-age students And we offer flexible enrollment options to fit your schedule.

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866.222.0269 • EverbrookAcademy.com *Programs and hours of operation may vary by school. Enrollment is on a space available basis. One coupon per child; one time use; not valid with any other offer or discount; no cash value. Learning Care Group is not responsible for and cannot replace or redeem lost, stolen, destroyedor expired coupons. Offer not valid for Learning Care Group associates or their immediate families. Offer valid at participating locations only and subject to availability. Offer does not guarantee enrollment. Certain restrictions may apply to subsidy families. Please see below for offer specific details. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Everbrook Academy, a Learning Care Group School. ©2020 Learning Care Group, Inc. Must enroll and attend by February 26th, 2021. Winter Two Weeks Free: Offer provides up to 2 free weeks of tuition between January 1, 2021–April 9th, 2021. Tuition credit, equal to one week of enrolled tuition, will be applied in the 2nd and 6th weeks of continuous enrollment. Child must enroll for a minimum of 2 full days per week. Available only when full tuition is paid in advance by check or ACH payment. Winter Free Reg: Offer provides a waiver for the new enrollment registration fee, valued at approximately $150 depending on facility. New enrollments are defined as those that haven’t been enrolled in any Learning Care Group, Inc. facility in the last 6 months. Registration fee credit is applied upon enrollment. HEA26

‘TIS THE SEASON TO SHOP LOCAL THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL RETAILERS AND RESTAURANTS.

Now Open Year Round!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Shop for local artisan gifts every Sunday from 9am - 1pm at Brambleton Town Center

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Brambleton Community Association Magazine

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Winter 2020-2021

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