Loudoun Now for July 15, 2021

n LOUDOUN

Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG

VOL. 6, NO. 34

Pg. 6 | n PUBLIC SAFETY

Pg. 10 | n OBITUARIES

Pg. 17 | n PUBLIC NOTICES

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‘I Want You to Call Me Max Now’ Family Embraces Life with Transgender Child

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Seven-year-old Max is bounding around the monkey bars at Dinosaur Park in Ashburn on a Tuesday afternoon in June. He’s just about sweat through the T-shirt with “He, Him” written on the front. He’s got on black basketball shorts, as basketball is his favorite sport. The playground is practically empty. It’s the kind of outside heat that prompts most kids to go to the pool instead of to the playground. Max leaps down from the jungle gym and flashes a thousand-watt grin, but it’s missing a few light bulbs.

“The tooth fairy left me seven dollars,” Max announced, pointing to the gap in his teeth.

His mother Emily nods and smiles on, confirming the going rate for baby teeth tucked under pillows.

Max turns back to the jungle gym.

“Stay where I can see you,” Emily tells him, with every hint of worried-mother in her voice.

Emily’s worries exceed what most mothers endure, though. When her baby was born, she was handed baby Sophia.

Through toddlerhood, Sophia showed a preference for “boy toys” and sports.

“I was like ‘oh OK it’s just a tomboy phase,’” Emily recalled. She continued to offer dresses and dolls, thinking Sophia would eventually show interest. Reality sunk in on Father’s Day of 2019 when Sophia was five years old.

“We were out to brunch, and the waitress was like, ‘oh he’s so cute with his long, luscious hair,’ and I didn’t correct her. That’s

Pg. 23

JULY 15, 2021

Input Sought on Renaming Rt. 50, Rt. 7

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Max, a transgender student entering second grade next month, plays at a playground in Ashburn.

when it really sunk in for me that this isn’t a phase, his wanting to be a boy and dressing as a boy.”

It never occurred to Sophia that she was anything other than a boy.

“If I say the word ‘transgender’ he doesn’t know what it means, he doesn’t know he has a label,” Emily said.

In the summer of 2019, the family was binge watching the series “Stranger Things.” A character on the show appealed to Sophia. The character was Max, a young red-headed girl. The androgynous name was a novel and exciting concept for Sophia.

“Mommy, I want you to call me Max now,” he said.

The family began to tell friends and

family that Sophia was to be called Max. Everyone in the family’s circle obliged, with no protest or pause.

He loved bow ties, which he would pair with a button-down shirt to make a “handsome outfit,” as he calls it.

“It looks awesome!” he said after seeing himself in his very first handsome outfit.

Emily started trashing the girl clothes in the closet.

As Max entered first grade at his Aldie elementary school, Emily and administrators hatched a game plan for the school year. He would use the boys’ bathroom, but only after a teacher ensured it was empty.

While the first meeting of the Rt. 7 and Rt. 50 Renaming Task Force was set up as a briefing on the process for coming up for new names for Harry Byrd Highway and John Mosby Highway, and the county has just begun gathering public input on new names, the committee’s debate over those new names has already begun.

Members of the committee last week debated whether they should take names of individual people off the table, with several worrying naming the roads after specific people could put Loudoun County in the same situation in the future.

“That’s why we’re here in the first place, because we may pick names and in 20 or 30 years, you might get somebody [who] doesn’t like those names,” said committee member and former Planning Commission chairman and Heritage Commission member Cliff Keirce. “So, I think we should just avoid that potential problem in the future.”

A debate on one name in particular followed after committee member Daniel Eisert suggested George C. Marshall as a likely candidate for the honor. Another committee member, nonprofit founder and former Library

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PAGE 3

A Community Effort

Civic Groups Continually Helping Neighbors

BY PATRICK SZABO

Part one of a two-part series

Loudoun’s seven incorporated towns are often talked about for their events and the help they provide residents. But while those town governments are often in the spotlight for that work, dozens of civic organizations and their thousands of volunteers are constantly and tirelessly working to help their neighbors.

Those groups include the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, the Ruritan Club, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, among many, many others.

And with those different groups come different programming, such as scholarships awarded, food handed out, neighbors clothed and roads beautified.

One of the most well-known civic organizations in the nation and the world is Rotary International, which features six clubs and a total of more than 150 members in Loudoun who work to promote peace and wellness, provide education and clean water and protect the environment, among other goals.

For the Leesburg Rotary Club, that has meant providing hands-on service and investing more than $670,000 in more than 30 local, national and international programs and projects in the last 23 years.

Katie Gould, the District Area Governor for Area 12 of Rotary International, said the Loudoun clubs work with Toys for Tots, All Ages Read Together, Loudoun Hunger Relief, The Salvation Army, the

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Salvation Army volunteers annually help to provide children in need with presents at Christmas time, and run programs year-round to help the community’s less fortunate.

Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter and Mobile Hope. She said the club also volunteers with Keep Loudoun Beautiful, Vets Day at Dodona Manor, Boulder Crest Retreat, and other groups and events.

“It’s more of having the presence in the community that’s around the needs of the community,” Gould said.

Gould said the club internationally has been working more to provide Africans with clean water, by building wells in different parts of the continent.

“That is one of our strengths,” she said.

Another well-known civic organization is Ruritan National, which operates multiple clubs spread out across Loudoun, including one in Lucketts. There, about 40 members work each year to run programs that provide area residents with refuge and recycling, community welfare, three to five college scholarships, a coat drive and more.

Treasurer Don Stanley said the refuge and recycling program provides the club

Loudoun To Wind Down Mass Vaccination Site

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The COVID-19 vaccination operation at the Dulles Town Center will shut down next month as demand wanes and vaccines have become more available at doctors’ offices and pharmacies.

According to the latest Health Department update provided to the Board of Supervisors, approximately 76.4% of Loudoun adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 68% of adults are fully vaccinated. Also, more than 40,500 teens age 12-17 have received at least one dose since the vaccines were approved for younger individuals. That’s 60% of that age group.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Brittney Turnbow gives a person a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at the Dulles Town Center Point of Distribution.

Following the widespread vaccinations, the average number of new daily cases has fallen to four and the positivity rate of COVID-19 tests is 1.1%.

Additionally, there has been little evidence of the potent delta variant taking hold in Loudoun. The strain has been spreading quickly in other areas of the country, resulting in increased infections and hospitalizations primarily among unvaccinated individuals. In Loudoun, only three cases of the delta variant have been documented, with no new cases in the past two weeks, according to the state health department.

The pace of vaccinations has slowed considerably. On June 26, only 469 individuals received vaccine at the department’s vaccine sites, compared to 4,437 doses on April 30 and 1,184 on May 28, according to the report. The Health Department has administered nearly 300,000

with the most money to fund its other programs. That program sees up to 250 cars visit Lucketts Elementary School each Saturday morning to drop off their trash and recycling. Stanley said about 7 tons of trash is collected every weekend. It’s during those weekly events that community members have the chance to donate to the club.

The community welfare program sees the club donate $15,000 to $20,000 annually to 15-18 local charities. Recently, the club worked with the Lucketts Elementary PTA to each raise half of the $9,500 needed to install a new playground.

The club also helps with the local food pantry and fundraises alongside the Leesburg Optimist Club.

Vice President Patricia Logue said what has also helped the club to raise more funding in the last year is the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties’ Give Choose campaign, which allows community members to choose a charity and donate. Logue said that provided the club with about $13,000 in 2020 and about $20,000 in 2021.

“The community has been very generous,” she said.

But while raising money and helping the community is second nature to the Lucketts Ruritan Club, expanding its capacity to help out even more is a bit more difficult to do; Stanley said drawing in new HELPING NEIGHBORS continues on page 30 doses since the vaccines became available.

The county’s lease for the mass vaccination space, the former Nordstrom store at the mall, expires in September. Because of the slowing demand, most of the vaccine received in the county now is being redistributed to medical offices, pharmacies, and urgent care centers, according to the department. While the mall operation is expected to continue until the end of August, other mass vaccination centers in other areas of the commonwealth began closing in May and June.

Information on other vaccination opportunities is available on the county government’s website, loudoun.gov/covid19, which includes a search tool for vaccination appointments at pharmacies and other locations, in addition to a schedule for local community vaccination events being held throughout the summer. n

PAGE 4

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

ON THE Agenda

Loudoun

Supervisors Accept Gerachis Offer for Aldie Assemblage

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

County supervisors have accepted a $600,000 offer to buy the county’s property around the Aldie Tavern, bringing to a close a tumultuous stewardship.

Supervisors on July 6 voted to accept the offer from Aldie resident and Aldie Heritage Association member Guy Gerachis, who proposed buying the property, restoring the Aldie Tavern and nearby Satterfield Cottage as residences, and refurbishing the 19th century cellar house, along with other renovations. The property is comprised of three parcels together just over 6 acres and includes floodplain and sloping terrain. The county government purchased the property as part of a now-abandoned plan to build a fire station there.

Gerachis’s proposal enjoyed broad support from the community around Aldie, which had organized and fought against the fire station plan. It was a long fight; the previous county board shouldered aside objections from both the community and their own Historic District Review Committee, seeking to take the property out of the Aldie Historic and Cultural Conservation District before finally reversing course and actually expanding the district.

Supervisors found another site for the station at Gilbert’s Corner, the intersection of Rt. 15 and Rt. 50, and that project is expected to be finished in the winter of 2022-23.

Gerachis’ was not the highest offer. Aldie Community Development Company LLC—a development firm comprised of the same developers behind the Mojax project in St. Louis, which has left village residents pleading with supervisors for protection from those plans—has offered $750,000 plus a 50-acre easement on the property behind it for use as a public park.

Hobie Mitchel, one of the partners in the company, told supervisors before their vote about the company’s plans, which include the parkland, restoring the buildings, an artist studio he likened to the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, and a forge.

“I tell you that we are extremely committed to do the right thing here,” Mitchel said. “We’ve really started on this project, even working on it for a long, long time, before the county even owned it. There’s many things we want to preserve there.”

An attorney for Aldie Community Development Company, Jim Campbell, also asked the board to accept their proposal.

“We know that we’re not the most popular kids on the block, you know, that’s the

way it is,” Campbell said. “If you ever wore the hat of a developer that’s the scarlet letter for you for a period of time.”

He said the decision is an issue of equal protection under the law, arguing the government cannot reject a better offer because the populace doesn’t like it.

“If we’re thinking about what’s fair and who should be treated alike, yes, we understand that some citizens of Aldie don’t like us, but they don’t disagree with our project,” Campbell said. “We’re offering more substantially in money and benefits to the public interest.”

It is not the first time the group tried to acquire the property. Supervisors previously negotiated a tentative land swap of the Aldie property for the St. Louis property, plus money to help with restoring the Aldie property. Those plans also faced opposition from people around Aldie, but those plans falling through left people in St. Louis still worried that development nearby could damage their village’s character and already-unreliable water supply.

Supervisors’ 8-0-1 vote, Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) absent, came ahead of the schedule they approved in June, when they had voted to discuss the offers in closed session on July 6 but not vote until July 20. n

Activist Group Calls to Remove Commonwealth’s Attorney

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

The conservative activist group Stand Up Virginia announced its attempt to have Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj removed from office during a July 8 press conference outside of the county government center, asserting that Biberaj disregards domestic violence cases, among other charges.

Stand Up Virginia also is pushing for the removal of Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. Both are firstterm Democrats.

“Ms. Buta Biberaj, you do not do your job,” Stand Up Virginia President Brenda Tillett said, standing among about 20 supporters. Three people in the crowd wore masks said to represent anonymous

victims at the hands of Biberaj’s office.

“Although we have a large crowd here today, there were people who called and said we would love to support you as organizations and as an individual, but we’re afraid of Buta Biberaj,” Tillett said.

To remove an elected official, the group will have to gather Loudoun signatures equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast at the last election for that office—in Biberaj’s case, 11,279 signatures.

A Circuit Court must then find “neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties when that neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of the office,” according to state law.

Stand Up Virginia’s counsel Andrew Kersey acknowledged that removing Bib-

eraj would be a challenge.

“It is a unique remedy, one that I have not seen in my 25 years practicing law, certainly not involving a Commonwealth’s Attorney,” Kersey said.

Sean Kennedy, the policy director at the Law Enforcement Defense Fund, spoke on behalf of Stand Up Virginia. Although he was identified as working for the fund, he said he was speaking as a private citizen.

“The progressive prosecutor movement is not unique here. … There are about 75 of these progressive prosecutors across the country using the doctrine of prosecutorial discretion to rewrite the law,” Kennedy said.

Kersey said that the effort would likely take months to collect enough signatures for the petition to be picked up by a judge. n

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Animal Services Director Nina Stively pets Rubio, a cat previously up for adoption at the department’s Waterford animal shelter.

Waterford Animal Shelter Closes Loudoun County Animal Services is in the process of moving to its new facility in Leesburg, with the Waterford-area shelter closing July 9.

The shelter marked its final day by waiving adoption fees on pets. All the animals were adopted out or put into foster homes.

This week, the department will be open only for emergency services.

Humane law enforcement services will be available as usual.

Then from July 18 to 29, Animal Services will begin offering services at the new facility by appointment only.

All services, including adoptions, surrenders, licensing and other in-shelter business, will require an appointment.

Anyone who needs to make an appointment during this time can call 703-777-0406.

And on Friday, July 30 at 11 a.m., Animal Services will hold the ribbon cutting and grand opening of their new shelter, and it will open for regular business. Adoption hours at the new facility will be every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Regular business hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The new shelter is at 42225 Adoption Drive south of Leesburg. Visitors must access the site from Sycolin Road via Crosstrail Boulevard.

More information is at loudoun.gov/animals.

Workforce Resource Center Certified One-Stop Center The Loudoun Workforce Resource Center has been certified as a Virginia Career Works One-Stop Affiliate Center site by the Virginia Board of Workforce Development.

ON THE AGENDA continues on page 5

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

ON THE Agenda continued from page 4

The Board of Workforce Development sets policies and oversees operations of the U.S. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act at job centers across the state. The One-Stop Affiliate Center certification demonstrates that the Loudoun Workforce Resource Center delivers high-quality employment services by meeting or exceeding all mandates from the Virginia Board of Workforce Development, and that the center collaborates with other state agencies and local nonprofits to ensure seamless career services.

The Loudoun Workforce Resource Center offers job announcements, résumé preparation assistance, computers and other resources necessary to conduct a job search, along with career development workshops to assist job seekers with basic computer skills, resume writing and interviewing skills, and a variety of workrelated topics.

The center also sponsors career fairs, employer panel discussions and Meet the Employer events where businesses con-

duct on-site interviews with applicants.

Employment counselors are available to provide career assessments, employment counseling and information on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act services.

All services are free.

The Loudoun Workforce Resource Center is located in the Shenandoah Building at 102 Heritage Way NE in Leesburg. For more information, contact the center at 703-777-0150 or go to loudoun.gov/wrc.

Davis Drive Ribbon Cutting Rescheduled to July 15 Loudoun County will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Davis Drive extension Thursday, July 15 at 3 p.m. The ceremony was originally scheduled for July 1, but was postponed because of weather.

The extension of Davis Drive completes a road network missing link by connecting Old Ox Road and South Sterling Boulevard and providing a north-south alternative to Rt. 28. Previously, drivers between those roadways had to use either Rt. 28 or Shaw Road.

The ribbon cutting will take place

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PAGE 5

Student IDs Could Equal Free Bus Passes

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County staff members will examine a proposal by Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) to allow Loudoun County Public Schools students to use their student IDs as free bus passes.

Supervisors voted 8-0-1 on July 6, with Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) absent, to study letting public schools students ride free on Loudoun Transit local fixed-route buses, which cost $1 per trip.

They are the cheapest of Loudoun’s beside Davis Drive near Old Ox Road at 22900 Platform Plaza.

The Davis Drive project included building a four-lane, undivided roadway between Old Ox Road and the existing road, which previously ended at Transdulles Plaza. There is sidewalk on the east

several bus services. Metro Connection bus trips range from $1 to $2, and a one-way trip on the commuter bus into Rosslyn, Crystal City, the Pentagon or Washington, DC costs $10 with a SmarTrip card or $11 cash.

County staff members will present supervisors with a report on the idea’s fiscal impact and options for putting it into practice.

“This will hopefully promote use of public transportation by our youth, and maybe alleviate some financial impacts of trying to use public transportation around the county,” Briskman said.

Learn more about public transit in Loudoun at loudoun.gov/transit. n side of the road and a shared use path on the west.

The developer of Waterside North designed the improvements, provided rightof-way and easements, and funded the construction.

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Leesburg

Commission To Begin Review of Union Street School Plans

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Preserving a key piece of local Black history will be the end goal in a rezoning application headed for the Leesburg Planning Commission this week.

On Thursday evening the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a rezoning for 20 Union Street NW. It’s an area that has historical significance, as it was the former center of education for the county’s Black students from the early 1880s to 1958, first as the Leesburg Training School, then the Leesburg Colored School, and later as Douglass Elementary School. More recently the school system has used it for storage, and also to house its Child Find program.

A little more than two years ago, Loudoun County Public Schools transferred the property to the Board of Supervisors. Both the Douglass Alumni Association and the Loudoun Freedom Center have expressed interest in repurposing the former school as a museum and/or cultural center honoring African American heritage, according to a staff report.

According to a statement of justification submitted by Loudoun County government, the current plan is to restore the building and reopen it as a museum, displaying artifacts of Black education in

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The Leesburg Town Council will soon consider a rezoning of the property that includes a historic school. The Union Street school property could ultimately house a museum and “Hall of Fame” recognizing its former educators and students.

Loudoun and a “Hall of Fame” that tells the stories of the teachers who taught at the school and the students who attended. The long-term plan for the property also includes retrofitting the facilities to promote STEM activities, developing programs on how to grow food as part of the educational outreach of the museum, and establishing a DNA lab at the site to process materials that may be found at slave cemeteries, an area that has been of particular interest to the Loudoun Freedom Center.

According to Loudoun County spokesman Glen Barbour, the Board of

Supervisors has not identified any specific organization to serve as curator of the property. It is anticipated that the board will provide more direction in that regard once the land development process is complete.

The Town of Leesburg has a role to play in that area. Ernie Brown, Loudoun County’s Director of General Services, wrote to Town Manager Kaj Dentler to request the Town Council concurrently consider approval of both a rezoning application to change the property’s zoning designation to either R-HD or R-6, as the land falls in both zoning districts, and to add museum and office as uses permitted under those zoning designations. But after town and county staff members put their heads together, another option was ultimately selected—to consolidate the property into the G-C (Government Center) District and the Old & Historic District, and to do so concurrently with zoning text amendments that support the addition of the property in those zoning districts, according to a staff report. The G-C District allows museums as a by-right use, and adding the property to the historic district ensures that the historic buildings on site will be adequately preserved.

Following a recommendation from the Planning Commission, the rezoning application heads to the Town Council, which has final approval authority. n

Town Eyes Pilot Program for Murals on Businesses

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Town Council appears poised to move forward with a pilot program that would permit murals on private commercial buildings—just not in the historic district.

The subject came before the council again at its Monday night work session.

The council had previously discussed the idea of permitting murals on private buildings in May. Currently, murals are only permitted on government-owned buildings in town.

As in May, council members on July 12 continued to express misgivings about permitting murals on private residential buildings. They, like Town Attorney

Christopher Spera, acknowledged that First Amendment rights need to be taken into consideration.

“There’s a very slippery slope if you attempt to do some regulation” on mural content, Spera said.

There was unanimous vocal support for trying the program on for size, and limiting it to commercial properties outside of the Old & Historic District. There was also talk of prohibiting the murals from being advertisements for a business, but the subject looks to be studied further in developing the pilot program.

Vice Mayor Marty Martinez suggested, and his council colleagues supported, forming a task force with members from the Board of Architectural Review, Economic Development Commission, and

Commission on Public Art. The task force would be charged with developing the framework for a pilot program for private commercial murals, and would report back to the council with a status update in four months. The council had suggested a six-month timeframe for forming the program, but appeared willing to extend that window if committee members ask for more time at the four-month mark.

Among the items the task force will need to consider are what the approval process for commercial murals would look like. Several council members said that ultimately the council should be the final arbiter, but initial review from the Board of Architectural Review or Commission on Public Art may be appropriate. n

JULY 15, 2021

Town May Pay More for Council Health Insurance

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Town Council may have found its first fiscal year 2023 General Fund enhancement—better health insurance rates for Town Council members.

The council discussed the subject of health insurance rates at its July 12 work session. Currently, according to Human Resources Director Joshua Didawick, council members are eligible for the same health insurance coverage as town employees, but pay different rates. There are three rate structures in place: one for regular full-time town employees; one for regular part-time town employees; and one for elected officials. The premiums are built into the town’s annual General Fund budget.

Currently, the town’s annual contribution for elected officials’ health insurance coverage is $4,164 for coverage for the council member only; $8,016 if the council member elects for one additional family member; and $11,268 for family coverage. Only two of the sitting council members are enrolled in the town’s health insurance, but their identities were not disclosed. According to Public Information Officer Betsy Arnett, council participation in the town’s health insurance program is considered personnel records that are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. A majority supported moving elected officials’ health insurance rates to mirror those of regular part-time town employees. If so, the town’s annual contribution would increase by a little more than $2,000 for individual only coverage; $2,856 for employee plus one; and a $3,420 for family coverage.

“A lot of us are very privileged to be able to serve on the council. Unfortunately, other folks are not as privileged and may like to serve. Any kind of extra benefit that would allow a unique, diverse group of people to decide they can run would only benefit the town,” Councilman Zach Cummings said in support of the change.

Mayor Kelly Burk suggested that the council wait on enacting such a change until the spring’s budget deliberations, as that would give the public the chance to weigh in during a review of the entire fiscal year 2023 spending plan. The rest of the council supported her suggestion. n

JULY 15, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Leesburg To Form Task Force to Study Police Procedures, Policies

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A divided Town Council eked out just enough support Monday night to move forward with the formation of a citizen-led task force to study Leesburg Police Department policies and procedures.

The council has several times over the past year discussed options for forming some sort of oversight body for the town Police Department. However, the General Assembly did not grant municipalities such an authority.

Civilian oversight bodies have grown in popularity and number nationally since George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin put a focus on concerns about racial injustice and police brutality. In some localities, civilian oversight bodies are even charged with reviewing instances of police misconduct and making disciplinary determinations.

A new state law that took effect July 1 creates authority for certain civilian oversight bodies with direct regulatory authority over law enforcement agencies. But, as the law is currently written, towns are not authorized to create such oversight bodies. Localities in the legislation are defined as either cities or counties and, while town police departments are subject to oversight, only the county Board of Supervisors, not the Town Council, is authorized to create an oversight board for the town’s police department. The Board of Supervisors would have the same authority to create such a board for the county’s two other town police departments in Purcellville and Middleburg. Interestingly, the new law does not subject a county sheriff ’s office to an oversight board.

Understanding that their legislative hands are tied when it comes to forming a civilian oversight board of their own, a majority of the Town Council indicated support for putting together a task force to study whether an advisory commission for the police department—something the council does have the authority to create—would be beneficial.

Vice Mayor Marty Martinez has been a vocal proponent of creating a task force to study the formation of an advisory commission, which he said would go a long way in helping to educate the community on police policies and

procedures. Police Chief Gregory Brown had also voiced support for a task force during a previous council meeting “Once you educate, then people become your advocate,” Martinez said.

Councilman Neil Steinberg said it’s better to study such a subject “when you don’t have a critical situation or a serious problem.” He also acknowledged that, while the council expressed satisfaction with the current department and with Brown’s leadership, the department and its personnel could be viewed in a different light by other members of the community, based on their interactions.

“We cannot put ourselves in every citizen’s shoes that interact with our police,” Councilman Zach Cummings echoed.

Mayor Kelly Burk and council members Suzanne Fox and Kari Nacy did not support forming such a task force. Burk said she did not see a problem that needed to be solved.

“I have to ask, what is the problem that we’re trying to solve, and where is the data that indicates there is a problem,” she said. “I’m just trying to figure out why do we need this task force or commission and what are we basing this on.

So, my concerns run very deep that we have to be careful that we are not making it sound like we have a department that needs oversight that is having problems.”

In response to council members’ comments about increasing citizen engagement, Fox commended the department on the active community outreach it already performs.

“I would contend that our police department, more than any other department, has done such an amazing job with community outreach,” she said. “There’s been no lack of opportunity for any sort of citizen to opine on anything.”

The council members who did support the formation of such a task force indicated a desire to see the panel include seven town residents appointed by each council member. The selected residents should have some sort of familiarity with legal or police procedures, the majority indicated. The task force would likely also include members of town staff and of the police department itself.

At Town Manager Kaj Dentler’s request, the scope of the task force’s charge would exclude any type of input related to human resources matters. The council is expected to vote on a resolution to form the task force July 27. n

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A review committee consisting of teachers, librarians, and Department of Instruction personnel has recommended that the school division mostly keep certain controversial books with sexually explicit content in school libraries after objections from parents.

The committee recommended that “Monday’s Not Coming” by Tiffany D. Jackson be removed from middle school shelves, but should remain available for high school students to read. The title currently is available in six middle school libraries across the district.

Jackson’s work is a young adult novel about a middle schooler confronted with themes of systemic racism as her best friend goes missing.

The committee also recommended that “#MurderTrending” by Gretchen McNeil

should remain in both middle and high schools. #MurderTrending is a horror novel about a teen who is framed for the murder of her stepsister, and is sentenced to vie for her survival on an island full of killers.

At a School Board meeting in the spring, parents read aloud passages from both books and shared their disapproval of the sexually suggestive content.

“If this is inappropriate for me to read to you, this is inappropriate for our children,” said parent and activist Patti Menders during a May meeting. “Please get these dirty books out of our schools.”

School Board Policy 5045 allows parents to submit proposals for materials to be reviewed. Parents may appeal a school’s decision to keep books through a process with the School Board. The superintendent appoints a committee, which is given 30 days from the original complaint to reach a conclusion. n

Changes to Grading Likely for Upcoming School Year

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

The School Board’s Curriculum and Instruction Committee is reviewing proposed changes to the district’s policy governing grading and homework assignments, aiming to make homework an equitably-applied learning tool instead of an assessment of mastery of a subject.

The updated Policy 5030 also will not permit a single assignment or assessment to count for more than 25 percent of a student’s cumulative quarter grade. Prior to the pandemic, single assessments could not count for more than 20 percent of a cumulative grade. Focus group and community feedback indicated strong support for allowing assessments to count for a quarter of a grading period.

The committee at its June meeting also considered focus group feedback on homework, determining that it should count for no more than 10 percent of a marking period, to help ensure that the work helps to address students’ progress and reinforces concepts for students as opposed to being a continuation of testing.

“Focus group feedback is that homework is practice, and an opportunity for

application, and should not be graded.

Part of the situation is about the equity of that,” Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Ashley Ellis said. “For example, a student who has parents at home who are supporting them in their homework and can do seventh grade algebra well, versus a student required to do homework on his or her own without parent support.”

The policy makes a distinction between homework and summative assessments that take place outside of a classroom, such as more long-term coursework such as written papers and research assignments.

Those assignments also may not count for more than 10 percent of a quarter grade.

“We want the learning to occur in the classroom so that the teachers can modify and personalize. We have a difference between teaching for learning and teaching for grading,” Neri Gonzalez-Sales, Director of High School Education, said.

Previously, teachers were allowed to use homework as summative assessments, grading the content of the work as opposed to just its completion.

The School Board is scheduled to vote on the changes to the policy during its Aug. 10 meeting, and to implement the changes for the 2021-2022 school year. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

Loudoun Spelling Phenom Appears in First Career Finals

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Loudoun’s most decorated young speller, Ashrita Gandhari, 14, of Leesburg, appeared in her first ever Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals on July 8 in Orlando, FL. She was eliminated after spelling “platylepadid,” a species of barnacle, incorrectly.

Gandhari was the only four-time speller in the final round’s field of 11 spellers.

She competed in the bee in 2017, 2018, and 2019. This year was her first-ever appearance in the final round.

The competition featured opening remarks from First Lady Jill Biden, who shared that she had been her elementary school’s spelling champion. Overcome with nerves, she told her mother she was sick on the day of the regional competition. Her spelling career ended there.

“I have incredible admiration for each and every one of you. You not only studied and trained to be here—you found the courage to take this chance and compete,” Biden said.

During the competition, Biden sat

Courtesy Scripps Spelling Bee

Ashrita Gandhari competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals in Orlando, FL.

alongside Gandhari’s family in the audience.

Gandhari earned her bid to the finals after navigating the words “quondam”

(former), “cataplexy” (a medical condition in which strong emotion or laughter causes a person to suffer sudden physical collapse) and “asterixis” (a tremor of the hand when the wrist is extended) in the virtual semi-final round.

A force on the local spelling circuit, Gandhari has been spelling competitively since she was five years old. To prepare for the Bee, she drilled for as many as 10 hours a day, reviewing flash cards with her family members and quizzing herself.

What sets her apart from other spellers is her delivery. Most spellers mime writing their assigned words on their hands.

Gandhari is a true Gen Z speller, instead typing the word on an imaginary keyboard before attempting to spell it.

Gandhari recently graduated from Stone Hill Middle School. She first garnered national attention appearing in the documentary “Breaking the Bee” on Netflix.

She told Loudoun Now prior to the finals that no matter the outcome, she was proud of herself for making it so far in the competition.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals aired on ESPN2. n

PAGE 9

New Principal Named for Sully Elementary School Sully Elementary School has welcomed John Tuck as its new principal.

He had previously served as the assistant principal and teacher at Rolling Ridge Elementary School.

Tuck has worked in education for Tuck 14 years, also serving in Cumberland County and Saxe, VA. He won Loudoun County Teacher of the Year honors in 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies from Bridgewater College and a Master of Science in education administration from Shenandoah University.

He succeeds Colleen O’Neill, who is the new principal at Sterling Middle School. n

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Public Safety Trucking Company Complaints Refuted

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The president of the Florida trucking company who last week complained that a data center generator transport faced unreasonably high fees and fines after it was twice inspected and put out of service by Loudoun authorities isn’t finding much sympathy locally.

Representatives of the Sheriff ’s Office and the towing company called to remove the tractor trailer after it became stuck on a Rt. 9 roundabout say the operator flouted oversize transport rules and posed a danger on the highway.

The saga began June 25 when the tractor-trailer, hauling a massive generator from Wisconsin to an Ashburn data center, failed to navigate a roundabout at the western edge of Hillsboro, getting stuck on the newly completed stone wall. A crew from Roadrunner Wrecker Service, one of the few companies in the region qualified to handle a load of that size, was called to clear the road and to move the rig to its Purcellville shop. Sheriff ’s Office inspectors cited the rig for inadequate brakes and permit violations. The roundabout sustained damages estimated at $40,000.

KCE Solutions President Rick Diggs complained about the high fees charged for the towing and storage of the rig on top of the costly fines imposed by the truck inspectors. The company called a mobile repair company to make the required connections and departed the Purcellville industrial park July 6 to complete its journey.

However, the truck was stopped again by the Sheriff ’s Office just a few miles later outside of Leesburg, where it was again inspected and put out of service. Diggs alleged the inspectors had planned the second intercept, a claim the Sheriff ’s Office denies.

Sheriff ’s Office spokeswoman Michele Bowman said patrol deputies initially responded to the area of Rt. 7 and White Gate Place after a 6:41 a.m. 911 call in which caller stated a “tractor trailer was creating sparks and now the back is on fire.” The deputy making the stop then made the request for the agency’s Motor Carrier Safety Units to assist. They responded to the scene from Rt. 50 in the Aldie area.

As a result of the second inspection, the rig was again cited for overweight and hauling permit violations because the front escort vehicle did not have a height pole and the rear escort vehicle did not meet required standards, and the permit was issued to a different company. Two safety violations also were found, putting the tractor-trailer out of service. Diggs had the rig moved by another towing service.

While the trucking company faces fees and fines surpassing $100,000, the Sheriff ’s Office and the towing company say the assessments are well in line with the industry.

David Butcher, the president of Roadrunner, said his crew receives sophisticated training to handle such specialized emergency recovery operations. The towing fee was based on the 140,000-pound weight of the transport, the million-dollar value of the freight and risk of the job, which included backing up the rig on Rt. 9 for more than a mile. Butcher said he offered to waive the storage fees if his mechanics were used to make the repairs, a cost of about $2,000.

Diggs said last week he paid $3,000 to the mobile repair company.

Diggs did not return a call by press time and as of July 13 it was not clear whether the generator had reached its destination where rented cranes have been waiting to offload it.

As a result of the delays, Diggs said his company lost the contract to make additional deliveries to the project. n

LCSO Makes Arrest for Rape of Minor LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Sherriff ’s Office arrested a suspect in connection with a rape of a teenager on June 12 in the Sterling area and is asking other victims to contact investigators.

Eddeer Cruz Quinones, 23, of Manassas Park, is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of sodomy, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Investigators say Cruz Quinones presented himself as “Eddie Cruz” on social media,

where he contacted his victim, offering to provide alcohol and marijuana for multiple teens.

According to the investigation, Quinones met up with the victim in the parking lot of a condominium complex, and forced her into his vehicle. Investigators believe there may have been other victims.

The Sheriff ’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Detective L. Sayre at 703-777-1021, or to submit a tip through the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office app. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

Loudoun Soccer Team Claims National Showcase Championship

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

The Loudoun Soccer Elite Clubs National League under-17 girls’ team has won the league’s 2021 National Playoff Showcase, winning four straight against teams from across the country in Florida heat and rain.

The Loudoun team in red, after qualifying for one of 16 spots in the country in their bracket, charged through a fourgame single-elimination bracket, defeating teams from as far away as California.

They clinched the championship Monday, July 5 with a 2-0 victory over Michigan’s Vardar SC. It comes after a crazy year for the team, said coach Dave Bucciero. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the team had to play all local ECNL teams. Nonetheless they built up a record good enough to qualify for the postseason.

“Going down to Florida, it was challenging because it was very hot, but the other thing I didn’t realize—It’s the rainy season down there, so just about every day, storms came in and games were

moved,” Bucciero said.

The team quickly found that out—their first game, which kicked off in the middle of the day, was called with only seven minutes left to play. They came back at night to play the last seven minutes.

Another game, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., didn’t start until 9:40 p.m., lasting until almost midnight.

He said many of the players have been together for years as they’ve grown up.

“Many of them go to school around here, they go to Briar Woods and Riverside and Stone Bridge,” Bucciero said.

“This was my second year coaching them, and they’re a great group of kids. They work hard, and they’ve got great team chemistry because the team’s been together for a long time, even before I coached them.”

Now, the team is set for some wellearned down time.

“We’re taking three weeks off before we start preparing for next year, and everyone’s getting a break from soccer,” Bucciero said. “It’ll be a nice time to go on vacation and get a complete mental and physical break.” n

PAGE 11

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JULY 15, 2021

Nonprofit

Latest 100WomenStrong Grants Focused on Housing With the COVID-19 pandemic apparently subsiding, but its ramifications for housing and hunger continuing, the later round of 100WomenStrong Emergency COVID-19 Grants are focused on housing.

The giving circle has announced $75,500 in emergency funding to Loudoun nonprofits, a tenth round of COVID relief funding bringing the group’s total pandemic relief giving to $763,373.

“One of the biggest and longest lasting issues created by the pandemic is the inability for millions of Americans to pay for their housing. Here in Loudoun County, this is exacerbated by a lack of affordable housing,” stated Kirsten Langhorne, chair of 100WomenStrong’s affordable housing committee. She pointed to a report from the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech, the latest to show that many people in Loudoun cannot afford housing.

“The report shows that the overall median rent in Loudoun County is $1,674.

Only three of the top 10 occupations— electricians, office clerks and customer service representatives—can afford to rent here and that is only if they are earning at the top of their fields,” Langhorne stated. “Supporting nonprofits that help with rental assistance is a top priority for 100WomenStrong. We have created a working group to study the issue and hope to work with the county and other organizations as they study it and evaluate potential solutions.”

In this round of funding, five nonprofits were awarded grants.

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The Salvation Army Loudoun Corps was granted $18,000 to continue their COVID emergency feeding program and fill the void for the Feed the Hunger of Loudoun program through the end of July.

St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church was granted $20,000 to provide rental assistance to help keep families in their homes.

And Tree of Life Ministries was granted $15,000 to support the Transitional Housing Program to provide an affordable, safe place for women-led households in crisis, to meet heightened demand due

to COVID-19.

In total, 100WomenStrong has disbursed 63 COVID-19 emergency response grants to nonprofit organizations that serve Loudoun County. They also purchased and distributed PPE for first responders early in the pandemic. And the group’s “Pay it Forward” Direct Assistance loan program in partnership with Northern Virginia Family Service helps area residents cover basic expenses.

For more information about eligibility requirements and an application for the Pay it Forward Loan Program, go to the Northern Virginia Family Services website at nvfs.org/payitforwardapp.

100WomenStrong, founded in 2008, is a group of concerned philanthropists seeking to strategically invest in organizations and programs that enrich the lives of Loudoun County residents. For more information go to onehundredwomenstrong.org or contact Pam Ray at Pam@ OneHundredWomenStrong.org. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

PAGE 13

Acosta Promoted, Wins JMU Alum Award LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has announced that Nicole Acosta is the recipient of the 2021 R. Ann Meyers Alumni Award from the James Madison University Department of Social Work, and has been also been promoted to Vice President of Grants and Nonprofit Programs.

Acosta was honored with the award, which recognizes significant achieve-

ments in the careers of their alumni, earlier this spring.

“I am honored by this recognition,” Acosta stated. “The education I received at the James Madison University DeAcosta partment of Social Work gave me a solid foundation to be an effective advocate for change in my community. I am proud to

be a JMU Alumni.”

And as vice president, Acosta manages the Community Foundation’s grantmaking processes, develops and facilitates nonprofit programs and capacity-building trainings, and helps implement the organization’s leadership work in the community.

Acosta formerly served as executive director of the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, then after a stint as the countywide domestic violence coordinator for Fairfax County’s Office for Women and

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Domestic and Sexual Violence Services returned to Loudoun nonprofits as the Community Foundation’s nonprofit programs and grants director in 2018.

“Nicole has been an invaluable member of our team for 3 years,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Amy Owen. “Her expertise and hard work has been essential to our growth and development. During the pandemic she made it possible for our programs to not just continue but to thrive.” n

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A Loudoun Therapeutic Riding client tours the facilities at Morven Park.

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Shows New Digs

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR Hbour@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding celebrated its upcoming August move, from Morven Park in Leesburg to the newly purchased Lucia Farm in Lovettesville, with Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) in attendance at the July 8 ceremony.

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding, which uses equine therapy to improve the lives of people with developmental, emotional, and physical disabilities, has served the Loudoun County special needs community for 46 years. The nonprofit purchased the 24-acre property for $1.6 million. The organization is asking that the community help foot the bill, hoping to raise $200,000 before the sale settlement in late July. After four decades in the community, this is the first property LTR has owned.

Incoming president Susan McMunn said that without the community’s support, the move wouldn’t be possible.

“We have so many people who support us, and now we have a place they can come to and see what we do, we can show them what these horses can really do for people.,” McMunn said.

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding at Lucia Farms will host its “Barn Warming” on Sept. 18 to introduce the public to the new facility. n

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JULY 15, 2021

Business

BUSINESS announcements

Addo Leaving Inova Loudoun; Carroll Tapped as Interim President

StoneSprings Behavioral Services Taps Benbow

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Inova Loudoun Hospital will soon have a new leader at the top.

Deborah Addo, who has served as the hospital’s CEO since 2017, has taken a position with Penn State Health System as its new executive vice president and chief operating officer. She leaves Inova after seven years with the hospital system. Addo previously served as CEO of Inova’s Mount Vernon Hospital for three years.

Addo’s tenure at Inova Loudoun came at a critical time for the hospital, one that included its years-long North Tower expansion project, not to mention the worst global pandemic in more than a century.

Along the way, she and her 1,600-plus employees helped shepherd in new advances in healthcare, and earned the hospital more accolades.

“Deborah’s leadership was instrumental in the success of the Loudoun Rising fundraising campaign and the Inova Loudoun Hospital Master Plan expansion, which most recently included the

Contributed

Contributed

Deborah Addo has left her job as Inova Loudoun CEO to join the Penn State Health System.

Susan Carroll will serve as interim president of Inova’s Western Region.

hospital’s new North Tower. Under her leadership, Inova Loudoun also achieved Level III Trauma Designation and has been recognized as a Leapfrog A and CMS five-star hospital. Deborah been an incredible leader for Inova and we wish her much success in her new role,” stated Dr. J. Stephen Jones, president and CEO of Inova Health System.

Susan Carroll, president of Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, will serve as the interim president of Inova’s Western Region. In her career, Carroll has served in numerous leadership at Inova. She previously served as the acting president of Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, CEO of Inova Alexandria Hospital, and Chief Operating Officer of Inova Loudoun Hospital. n

Loudoun Named Finalist for National Chamber of The Year Award LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce has been named a finalist for the 2021 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Based in Alexandria, the association is the Chamber industry’s leading professional association, representing more than 9,000 professionals at more than 1,600 chambers of commerce and economic development organizations.

The Chamber of the Year award is the most prestigious and competitive recognition presented annually by the association. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on community priorities such as education, transportation, economic

prosperity and quality of life.

“This year’s finalists are among the most impactful organizations within the industry,” stated ACCE President and CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Following a tumultuous year, these chambers emerged as community champions, providing catalytic leadership to address their region’s greatest challenges and opportunities for prosperity.”

Chamber of the Year winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 20, at ACCE’s Chamber Innovation Summit.

“We are so grateful to ACCE and our Chamber industry peers for selecting the Loudoun Chamber for this great honor,” said Loudoun Chamber President and CEO Tony Howard. “This recognition belongs to our Board of Directors, our members and staff, who have worked tirelessly to make Loudoun County a

stronger, more equitable community. It is truly rewarding to see their hard work and community leadership recognized on a national level.”

Chambers of commerce compete for the award through a multi-stage process. To qualify, they must first meet thresholds in performance areas such as net revenue and assets, membership account retention, and membership dollar retention, as well as on ACCE’s Annual Operations Survey.

Qualifying chambers then complete written applications addressing all aspects of organizational operation and programmatic work, which are scored by peer chamber executives, determining the finalists. Winners are selected from among the finalists based on an interview before a panel of chamber professionals. n

StoneSprings Hospital Center has named Cynthia Benbow as its executive director of Behavioral Services.

She will oversee the new BeBenbow havioral Health Inpatient Unit and Outpatient Clinic, which will treat people experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal thinking, and behavioral health crises related to other mental health conditions. The clinic will have a staff of psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, mental health technicians, and licensed professional counselors.

For the past 20 years, Benbow has served as the director of clinical operations at Research Psychiatric Center in Kansas City, MO. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Workers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She holds a master’s degree in social work and an MBA with an emphasis in healthcare administration.

The Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit and Outpatient Clinic, totaling 9,176 square feet, is under construction within existing space on the campus of the Aldie hospital. They are scheduled to open this fall.

Waltonwood Hires Independent Living Manager Waltonwood Ashburn has hired Tracy Philemon as its new independent living manager.

She has been working in the senior living industry since 2010, serving in a variety of management positions. As the independent living manager, Philemon will act as the customer service lead for independent living residents and is the initial contact for any resident needs at Waltonwood.

While Philemon’s primary duties include resident relations and communication, the role will see her act as the backbone of the community, ensuring day-to-day operations are running smoothly and that residents are happy and safe in their homes.

JULY 15, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 15

Capital Firm Invests in All Points Broadband, Pai to Join Board LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Searchlight Capital Partners, a private investment firm with nearly $9 billion in assets around the world, has invested in rural broadband internet provider All Points Broadband as the company works to extend its fiber optic network.

The investment will also put former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on the All Points board.

Founded in 2014, All Points Broadband serves approximately 25,000 customers through a combination of fiber-to-thehome and fixed wireless networks in Virginia and Kentucky, according to a press release announcing the investment. Over the past 18 months, the company has begun focusing on building out rural fiber to the home, including through partnerships with electric utilities. In Loudoun, the company has partnered with Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative to bring broadband internet to underserved areas, and some county supervisors have indicated the company is a favorite for their plans to pursue state funding to help build out broadband internet access.

Searchlight’s investment will accelerate and expand the company’s work, according to the press release.

“All Points’ mission is bridging the digital divide for all homes and businesses in all the communities we serve,” Carr stated in the July 6 announcement. “We have pioneered a new model for connecting rural America through public-private and electric utility partnerships.”

Pai is best known for his term as FCC Chairman during the Trump administration, when he fought to roll back net neutrality, the principle that internet service providers must treat all traffic the same rather than, for example, blocking traffic from some sites or charging more to access them.

The push, backed by industry lobbyists, caused a massive outcry, with more than 50,000 websites taking part in a “Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality,” including big names like Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, and Google. Amid suspicion of fake comments in support of the rule change during the FCC’s public comment period, Pai refused to hand over evidence or help a New York Attorney General investigation into the scope of manipulation by internet service providers.

Pai resigned the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated and took a job as a partner at Searchlight.

All Points Broadband at the time of that debate also expressed their support for principles of net neutrality, with founder and CEO Jimmy Carr pledging in 2017

that the company does not block or throttle any legal content unless necessary to relieve network congestion. He also wrote that the company supports “robust privacy protections” for customers.

Carr said Pai would join the All Points board as part of a major capital infusion for the specific purpose of growing the fiberto-the-home network.

“This is a significant indicator of the importance of what we’re doing and validates the approach we’ve successfully pioneered elsewhere in Virginia,” Carr wrote

by email. “This is great news for Loudoun County. Ajit’s past positions on regulatory policy aren’t relevant to All Points’ mission to improve internet access in Loudoun and elsewhere. All Points has embraced the principles of net neutrality (no blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization) since inception and will continue to do so.”

“The coronavirus pandemic has ended any debate about the need to expand Internet access to all Americans. Today, broadband is not a luxury. It is a necessity in a modern American life. But too many Amer-

icans still find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide,” Pai stated in the announcement. “Searchlight’s investment will help APB meaningfully bridge that divide for many thousands of consumers in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic. More generally, this transaction highlights how a unique partnership among governments at all levels, electric utilities, ISPs, and private capital can deliver major benefits for consumers.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the third quarter. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

Our Towns

TOWN notes

Middleburg Residents Oppose New Connections to Resort Property

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

As Salamander Resort prepares for the construction of its next phase, some town residents are pushing to tweak the plans in hopes of avoiding increased traffic in their neighborhood.

Under the plans to build 49 single-family homes on the 340-acre resort, new connections would be made to the property by extending Chestnut and Reed streets.

Residents in the Ridgeview neighborhood are urging the Town Council to consider alternatives that would instead funnel the traffic through Pendleton Street, and limiting the Chestnut and Reed streets to emergency equipment access and pedestrian links.

The impact of the connections, critics say, won’t just hit their neighborhood, but could alter the character of the town.

Recent promotions touting the luxury homes—with starting prices near $2 million—as ideal for short-term rentals also have sparked concerns among some residents. They say there is a big difference in having neighbors living in the homes and vacationers rotating in and out.

“The more people I talk to, the more concerns I hear with regard to the changes to what is perceived to be a working, comfortable town—a special living opportunity for many people—is being threatened by the proposed, large-scale change, which are at this time being focused on

Hillsboro Plans First Sidewalk Sale Hillsboro residents plan to put their newly installed sidewalks to good use on Saturday morning as the town holds its first community-wide sidewalk sale.

The event is planned along Rt. 9 from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday July 17.

Shoppers should expect everything from furniture to clothing to holiday decorations.

MIDDLEBURG Town Hall Plan Advances

Aili Hou/Loudoun Now

A “Save Chestnut” sign on display at a property in Ridgeview near Middleburg.

the roadways in and out Chestnut and Reed streets,” Ramsay Metcalf told the Town Council at its July 8 meeting. “The town as it exists is almost being looked at as a throughfare to these residences.”

“This is not just about Chestnut Street.

This is not just about Reed Street. It is about the whole town,” Roxene Hill said.

“It is about preserving, in my mind, what will be a legacy in that we have managed to separate the town from the development, from Salamander. Salamander has been a great addition to the town … but I also realize that the town itself should

have another identity.”

There have been community meetings to discuss residents’ concerns and an update of the 350-page traffic study conducted in 2015 is underway to examine the impacts of not adding the new connections, but Town Council members appear ready to stay the course, worried that limiting access points would create bottlenecks or dangerous conditions in other areas of town. Deputy Town Manager William M. Moore, the town planner, also recomCONNECTIONS continues on page 17

Candidate Deadline Set for Purcellville Special Election Purcellville residents considering a run to fill a Town Council vacancy have until Aug. 13 to qualify for November’s ballot.

The Nov. 2 special election will fill the seat held by Ted Greenly, who resigned May 31 because he was moving out of town.

After interviewing five residents who applied to be considered, the Town Council in June opted not to make a temporary appointment to the position.

The winner of November’s special election will finish Greenly’s term, which

HILLSBORO

expires June 30, 2022. The seat also will be on the ballot in the May 2022 election for a new four-year term starting July 1, 2022.

Candidates wishing to run for the seat will be required to file a certificate of candidate qualification, a declaration of candidacy, petitions with the signatures of at least 125 town voters, a statement of economic interests, a statement of organization, and campaign finance reports.

The filing deadline is 5 p.m. Aug. 13.

Typically for town elections, voters would cast ballots at one location.

However, during general elections, like the Nov. 2 election for state offices, the town voters are divided in two precincts.

Approximately 2,731 town voters are in Precinct 301 and cast ballots at Emerick Elementary School. Another 3,776 are in Precinct 310 and vote at Mountain View Elementary School.

To avoid confusion, the Town Council is proposing that voters in the special election be permitted to cast ballots at their assigned precinct. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 27 to hear input on that request. n

The Town Council expects to issue a construction contract for the new Town Hall by years end, following two actions at its meeting last week.

The council approved a special exception permit to allow the government center to have a front yard greater than 30 feet. It also approved a revised purchase agreement to acquire land from Salamander Resort.

The new office will be built behind the current Town Office, which will be razed.

Cadenas Honored for Arts Promotions The Town Council on July 8 presented a resolution of appreciation to Debbie Cadenas recognizing her efforts to promote public art in town.

She served on the Middleburg Arts Council for nearly five years before stepping down in May. In its resolution, the council described Cadenas as playing instrumental roles in introducing and organizing Foxes on the Fence campaign; organizing and supporting Art in the Burg; and, in raising funds for and supporting the Bronze Fox Project that resulted in the fox sculpture located at the Middleburg Community Center.

Town Awards Visit Loudoun Grant The Town Council last week approved a $5,000 grant to Visit TOWN NOTES continues on page 17

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

Supervisors Back Town Expansion Request The Board of Supervisors on July 6 set in motion the work needed to allow the Town of Hamilton to bring an 8.2-acre parcel it owns inside the town limits.

The Town Council in May requested the boundary line adjustment to incorporate the land, which is next to the town’s wastewater treatment plant and located off Peach Tree Court at the northeastern boundary.

TOWN notes

continued from page 16 Loudoun to help sponsor a special program for local businesses during Salamander Resort’s Family Reunion event next month.

The Aug. 19-22 event is organized by chef and author Kwame Onwuachi to put the spotlight on some of the hospitality industry’s top Black and Brown talent and cooking traditions.

The Visit Loudoun grant will support the Power of Diversity program geared toward local businesses. It will include panelists, discussions, presentations by Visit Loudoun, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Destination DC, and members of Visit Loudoun’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

The town’s Cultural and Community Events Committee reviewed the grant application and recommended approval.

Red Thinking Tapped for Social Media Contract After leading the town through its recent rebranding campaign, Red Thinking LLC has been awarded a new one-year contract to manage the Middleburg’s social media efforts.

The firm was selected from among 19

Connections continued from page 16 mends keeping the connections.

Mayor Bridge Littleton acknowledged residents’ concerns about changes in town, but said the council’s responsibility is to look out for the interests of the entire town and future residents, as well. “We need to do what we feel is best,” he said.

Other council members also expressed support for sticking to the plans to extend

The boundary line adjustment process is intended as a non-adversarial annexation. It requires public hearings and approval by the Town Council and the Board of Supervisors and then an order by a Circuit Court judge.

The council had discussed holding its hearing July 12, but the required material would not have been available in time to make that schedule. That hearing now is expected to be held Aug. 9. n

applicants. The contract is expected to cost $75,000-$85,000 during fiscal year 2022. Overall, the town has $125,000 budgeted for marketing and research.

During the July 8 discussion of the contract award, council members noted the promotional efforts should be targeted—and perhaps not overly successful.

“Endless visitors is actually not what we’re seeking,” Mayor Bridge Littleton said.

“There’s a balance.”

ROUND HILL Town Leaders Eye Farmers Market at Poulsen Park Round Hill leaders are working to establish a farmers market at Niels Poulsen Park.

The town has issued a Request for Proposals seeking candidates to operate, manage and market the operation. The town will accept proposals to get a market up and running this season and/or for the 2022 market year, with contract extensions possible beyond that. The deadline for submissions is 3 p.m. July 23.

Inquiries should be directed to Town Planner Danni Albright at P.O. Box 36, Round Hill, VA, 20142, or to dalbright@roundhillva.org. the road network as envisioned when the resort was approved 15 years ago.

However, Councilwoman Darlene Kirk questioned whether they were finding the right balance. “Is the resort more important than the people who live here in town now? It shouldn’t be,” she said. “I think we have to look after our citizens first and put them first instead of the resort.”

The council will continue its review of the street connection options once the updated transportation study is complete, at its July 22 or Aug. 12 meeting. n

PAGE 17

Obituaries Daniel L. McGinnis tion technology revolution of the early to mid-1990s, Dan took on the role of president and later CEO of Coherent Communications Systems Corporation based in Hauppauge, NY. He successfully moved the business operations to Ashburn, VA. Following an initial retirement from Coherent, Dan was drawn to a leadership position as President and CEO of SOTAS, Inc., in Gaithersburg, MD.

Daniel L. McGinnis, 82, of Round Hill, Virginia passed away of congestive heart failure on July 5, 2021 surrounded by his family. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Bridget of Ireland Catholic Church in Berryville, Virginia.

He is survived by Arlene, his wife of nearly 60 years, and their three daughters; Colleen McGinnis, KellyAnn Royston and Erin Meitzler, their spouses, 5 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, his sister, Maureen Kane and brother, Edward McGinnis.

Born and raised in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, and a year later, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, also from the University of Notre Dame.

While working to support his family, he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Lehigh University.

He started his career as an engineer at Hercules Corporation, working in both Cumberland, Maryland and Kenvil, New Jersey on the Polaris Missile project. He then held numerous positions at Air Products and Chemicals, based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Furthering his career, Dan moved on to Division Controller for the international consumer products division of Bausch & Lomb based in Rochester, New York. After three years in that role, he joined C & J Clark America, Inc as Vice President and Controller in West Chester, PA. In the midst of the worldwide communica-

In addition to his primary employment, Dan served on numerous boards, including Loudoun County Economic Development, Loudoun Hospital and Independence Air. He also started a family foundation supporting education, healthcare, aid and relief, and Catholic organizations.

Serious by nature, his brilliant wit was unexpected, as was his ability to slay a room.

Although a man of few words, his interest in everything mixed with his zeal for reading, awarded Dan a breadth of knowledge that made conversing with him fascinating.

Dan obtained both a pilot’s and a captain’s license, and was an avid mariner. He loved nothing more than having his family near and sharing his interests in boating and traveling. He and Arlene planned multiple unforgettable global trips with their children and grandchildren. Those closest to him knew him to be determined, demanding, and decisive.

Throughout his life, Dan was a role model for many; leading by his faith, his integrity, and his generosity. There is no measure of the number of lives he positively impacted during his lifetime. His memory will be eternally cherished.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 17th from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Hall Funeral Home in Purcellville, VA. A second visitation will be held on Sunday, July 18th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at Teeters’ Funeral Chapel, in Hawley, PA. At 10:00 am funeral mass will be held on Monday, July 19th at Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Peace & St. Veronica in Hawley, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations be directed to Capital Caring Health in the name of Daniel L. McGinnis.

To place an obituary, contact Susan Styer: 703-770-9723 sstyer@loudounnow.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 18

JULY 15, 2021

THINGS to do

Loco Living

SUMMER TUNES VAL Plaza Party: Ken Wenzel

Friday, July 16, 6-8 p.m.

Village At Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: villageatleesburg.com Wenzel shines on the Plaza with his roots-rock, country-jazz take on love, learning and life in America.

Music In The Gap: Ernie Bradley and the Grassy Ridge Band

Friday, July 16, 7 p.m.

Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro Details: oldstoneschool.org Hillsboro’s summer concert series continues with traditional bluegrass at its best. General admission is free. Tickets for veranda seating are $20 for a table of four.

Tarara Summer Concert Series: White Ford Bronco

Saturday, July 17, 6 p.m.

Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Lucketts Details: tararaconcerts.com White Ford Bronco serves up your favorites from the 90s as Tarara’s journey through the decades continues. Tickets are $20 for adults 21 and over, $10 for ages 8-20. Admission for children 7 and under is free.

Courtesy Todd Rosenberg Photography

Anabel Katsnelson, Melvin Lawovi, Hannah Marshall, and Duncan McIlwaine in American Ballet Theatre’s performance of Indestructible Light.

American Ballet Theatre to Perform in Middleburg

BY JAN MERCKER jmercher@loudounnow.com

When the American Ballet Theatre launched its first post-shutdown tour, organizers chose just eight cities and towns around the country. Thanks to Loudounbased entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheila Johnson, Middleburg made the list.

ABT’s Across America Tour rolls into Middleburg Monday, July 19 on the final leg of a cross-country tour before returning to home base in New York.

For ABT Executive Director Kara Medoff Barnett, who’s on tour with the company, the joy of performing live and engaging with audiences around the country is hard to describe.

“It was truly exhilarating for the artists and the audiences. … Everything about it was glorious. To hear the sound of live applause again—I can’t begin to express the adrenaline that was pumping,” Medoff Barnett said after a recent performance.

The company remained productive during COVID shutdowns, but hitting the

road is “in our DNA,” Medoff Barnett said.

During the pandemic, dancers and choreographers were able to come together safely in 11 “bubble residencies” inspired by the NBA. During the past year, the company created 22 new ballets, which were filmed and shared digitally.

“That was an important way to continue to serve our mission, which is to create and to present and to extend the repertoire of classical ballet and share it with the widest possible audience,” Medoff Barnett said.

“That said, we’re all about the live performing arts. We miss the magic of that energy exchange that happens between artists and audiences who share a space. ... The company has been itching to get back out on the road.”

ABT has been a touring company since its founding in 1940. Dancers and crew have been getting on buses since the 40s and built up to traveling companies of 90 dancers and a support crew of 40 people before the pandemic. The post-shutdown tour is on a smaller scale, but the magic remains.

ABT Across America is crossing the

United States in a caravan of six sleeper buses and three production trucks. The tour features a group of 20 ABT dancers and 28 support crew traveling 3,100 miles to perform outdoors for socially distanced audiences. The tour kicked off July 1 in Lincoln, NE, and hits Iowa City, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Charleston, SC, before arriving in Middleburg. Across America wraps up with a final performance at Rockefeller Center in New York City on July 21.

Medoff Barnett said organizers were looking for host venues with flexibility and creativity as they planned the tour.

“In the end the eight selected cities are the cities where our partner shared massive passion, shared an adventurous spirit and shared an agility and flexibility that allowed us to find the ideal route, timing and context so that the stars could align,” she said.

Middleburg snagged a show thanks to Johnson, the founder of Salamander Hotels & Resorts who also serves as an advisory board member for ABT’s RISE program.

ABT IN MIDDLEBURG continues on page 22

Acoustic on The Green: Liz Springer Duo

Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m.

Leesburg Town Green, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: leesburgva.gov Wammie-nominated vocalist Liz Springer and guitarist Joel Newman bring an evening of blues, pop, jazz and roots rock.

Leftover Salmon Weekend at B Chord

Friday, July 16, Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18, 4 p.m.

B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com B Chord continues to snag top national touring acts with longtime festival favorite jam band Leftover Salmon. Tickets are $50 per show or $125 for a three-day pass.

LOCO LIVE Live Music: Colin Thompson

Friday, July 16, 5:30 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com One of the country’s rising-star roots music guitarists, Thompson serves up high-energy rock, blues and soul.

Live Music: Emma Rowley

Friday, July 16, 7 p.m.

Black Walnut Brewery, 212 S. King St., Leesburg Details: facebook.com/blackwalnutbrewery The Nashville-based pop artist is back in Loudoun for fun summer gigs.

Live Music: Laura Farrell

Friday, July 16, 7 p.m.

Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern

THINGS TO DO continues on page 22

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

PAGE 19

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Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. Regular Full-Time Positions Position

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Custodian

Parks and Recreation

$40,000-$60,024 DOQ

Open until filled

IT Systems Administrator

Utilities

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

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Police Officer

Police

$53,233-$89,590 DOQ

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Project Manager

Utilities

$76,941-$131,689 DOQ

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Senior Buyer/Contracts Administrator

Finance

$67,175-$115,044 DOQ

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Senior Zoning Analyst

Planning & Zoning

$61,857-$105,896 DOQ

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Systems Analyst/Infrastructure & Asset Management

Public Works & Capital Projects

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

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Training and Development Coordinator

Utilities

$52,446-$89,790 DOQ

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Utility Inspector II

Utilities

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Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior

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Regular Part-Time Position Position

Department Outreach Program Coordinator

Hourly Rate Parks and Recreation

$23.03-39.43 DOQ

Closing Date Open until filled

Flexible Part-Time Position

DRIVERS NEEDED Regular & CDL Call 703-737-3011

Position

Department Customer Service Representative III

Hourly Rate Utilities

$23.03-39.43 DOQ

To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs.

Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications.

All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.

FULL TIME FLAGGER Traffic Plan seeks FT Flaggers to set up and control traffic around construction sites. A valid drivers license is a must, good pay, and benefits.

If interested please fill out an application at 7855 Progress Court Suite 103 Gainesville, VA on Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 pm or online at www.trafficplan.com

Closing Date Open until filled

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 20

JULY 15, 2021

BEST BETS

ERNIE BRADLEY AND THE GRASSY RIDGE BAND Friday, July 16, 6 p.m.

Music in the Gap Concert Series Hillsboro Old Stone School oldstoneschool.org

MELISSA QUINN FOX Saturday, July 17, 6 p.m.

MacDowell’s macdowellsbrewkitchen.com

WHITE FORD BRONCO Saturday, July 17, 6-9:30 p.m.

Tarara Summer Concert Series Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com

LIZ SPRINGER DUO Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m.

Acoustic on the Green Leesburg Town Green idalee.org

SUPERVANA NIRVANA TRIBUTE Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Polo in the Park Returns Saturday at Morven Park The “Best Party in Loudoun” returns this Saturday, July 17 with the season opener of Polo in the Park at Morven Park.

The family-friendly arena Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now polo matches will be Polo in the Park returns at Morven held every Saturday Park this Saturday, July 17. night through Aug. 21. Car passes are available at PoloInThePark.org for $40 and must be purchased in advance online.

Each night of the season will feature two matches, with the first starting at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring in their own food and beverages and may also purchase a dessert from one of the on-site vendors.

This weekend’s sweet treats will be provided by 1,000 Shakes.

This season of Polo in the Park is sponsored

by AMJ Financial, Climatic Heating & Cooling, Lauten Design & Construction, and Salesforce.com. Each night of the season will showcase the skills of polo players from around the world, including internationally renowned players Juan Salinas-Bentley and Doug Barnes of Destination Polo.

Follow Morven Park on Facebook for updates and announcements of weekly vendors. For full Polo in the Park season details, and to purchase car, tailgate, or season passes, go to PoloInThePark.org. n

Courtesy of Dianne Canney

Hope quilts remembering the COVID-19 pandemic are on display in Gallery One in the Loudoun County Government Center lobby in Leesburg.

Hope Quilts to Display at Gov’t Center, Quilt Museum LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

A group of quilts telling the story of the COVID-19 pandemic are on display at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg before they make their way to the Virginia Quilt Museum this fall.

The quilts remember the people lost to the pandemic, as well as honoring the people who helped to fight it. The blocks were drawn, painted and decorated as part of the Hope

Quilt Project, an ongoing community-based art project inviting people to create a quilt block of their own. The project was launched by artist Diane Canney last summer at the urging of her 95-year-old mother, Phyllis Liedtke, who asked her to do something about the pandemic. They recently made an appearance at Dodona Manor, Gen. George C. Marshall’s home in Leesburg.

The display in Gallery One in the Loudoun County Government Cen-

ter lobby is sponsored by the Loudoun County Art Advisory Committee.

The quilts will be on display during business hours through Sept. 3.

Then, they will make their way to the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg. The quilts will be on display there from Sept. 21 to Dec. 18. More information about the Virginia Quilt Museum is at vaquiltmuseum.org.

For information about how to contribute a quilt block, go to hopequilt.org. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

FREE CONCERT FRIDAY, JULY 16!

LAWN OPENS AT 6 P.M.

ERNIE BRADLEY & the GRASSY RIDGE BAND

From traditional favorites to Ernie Bradley originals, get ready for bluegrass at its best!

Local Beer, Wine, Food

Bodieʻs Bagels & Tacos Food Truck Old 690 Brewery Walsh Family Wine Two Twisted Posts Doukenie Winery

For details or to reserve a table visit oldstoneschool.org

“One of the Summer’s best concert lineups.”

-The Washington Post

The Town of Leesburg’s Award Winning Free Summer Concert Series

2021

Washingtonian Magazine’s Best Bet for Summer Concerts.

Official Radio & Social Media Partner

Official Media Partner

Town Hall Green 25 West Market Street

Presents:

Liz Springer Duo Saturday, July 17 7:00 - 8:30 pm Lawn chairs and blankets are advised.

No smoking, alcoholic beverages, or pets allowed.

In case of inclement weather, the show will be cancelled.

For more information, visit www.idalee.org

PAGE 21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 22

ABT in Middleburg continued from page 18

TICKETS ON (703) 777-1665 SALE NOW! wwww.TallyHoTheater.com

COWBOY MOUTH

FEB 1

SHOT THRU THE HEART-THE BON JOVI EXPERIENCE THE UFO

WAILERS

07/16/21 FEB 13 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

FAREWELL TOUR

FEB 21

SUPERVANA: SOUL ASYLUM WITH LOCAL H

FEB 22

A TRIBUTECARBON TO LEAF NIRVANA FEB 28 FEB 29

UNCLE KRACKER

BROTHERS IN ARMS TOUR

2/7

ND COBS BA 07/17/21 CHRIS JA 8 19 W Market St., Leesburg, VA DOORS: 7PM TRIAL BY FIRE 2/2/14-15 ts For a full schedule pleaseSHOW: visit Two Nigh 8PM IA AN EAGLEM S 3/6

www.TallyHoTheater.com

AN YEAR

THE REAG

MY KID BROTHER WITH PALMYRA 07/23/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

THE #1 CARS EXPERIENCE: BEST FRIENDS GIRL 07/24/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

BETTER OFF DEAD 07/30/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

REVEREND HORTON HEAT

WITH THE HACKENSAW BOYS 07/31/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

COMEDY NIGHT IN LEESBURG PRESENTED BY DC IMPROV 08/06/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

THE TEN BANDPEARL JAM TRIBUTE 08/07/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

EYES OF THE NILE-A TRIBUTE TO IRON MAIDEN 08/08/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

The company’s Representation and Inclusion Sustain Excellence program works to advance diversity in the training pipeline for ballet students, teachers and include a diversity of viewpoints in its activities and programming.

With plenty of outdoor space, Johnson’s Salamander Resort was a perfect spot as the tour makes its way up the East Coast for a return to NYC. “We’re honored and excited to be one of just eight stops on this incredible tour,” Johnson said. “I am always looking for ways to integrate the arts into the programming we offer at Salamander Resort and Spa, and believe these performances will provide a truly one-of-a-kind experience for our guests.”

Hosting ABT is just the latest step in Johnson’s ongoing efforts to put Middleburg on the map with cultural

THINGS to do continued from page 18

Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com This talented DMV singer/songwriter is known for powerful vocals and lively performances.

Live Music: Warren Hayford and Sofa King

programming. “[Johnson] is a champion for ensuring that America’s cultural treasures, leading artists and most extraordinary ensembles and institutions ... reach and encounter and inspire audiences in small towns as well as in big cities. You shouldn’t have to go to New York City or Chicago or LA to see great art. There should be and can be world class art in other parts of the country,” Medoff Barnett said.

The tour is a chance for ABT to showcase new programming developed during the pandemic. The tour features Lauren Lovette’s La Follia Variations, a work for eight dancers set to music by Francesco Geminiani, Jessica Lang’s Let Me Sing Forevermore, a pas deux blending ballet and jazz vocabulary set to songs sung by Tony Bennett and Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Indestructible Light, a celebration of American jazz.

Medoff Barnett added that another of the company’s goals is making ballet more accessible on a financial level. Admission

for most of the shows on the tour is free or by donation. Tickets for the Middleburg show include suggested donation amounts of $10, $25 and $50. All proceeds will go to the Middleburg Community Center’s arts program.

“Our firm belief is that excellence shouldn’t be exclusive. ... There’s a misconception that there’s something about ballet that’s intimidating. The truth is that it’s an incredibly human art form that is instantly understandable,” Medoff Barnett said.

“One of the driving goals of the ABT Across America Tour is to provide access to the power and the dynamism and the diversity of ABT artists and to bring them into communities and introduce kids and families and audiences to these superheroes in their own backyards.” n

Live Music: Tom Rhodes

Live Music: David Davol

Live Music: Dave Goodrum

Live Music: Ginada Pinata

Saturday, July 17, 2 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Rhodes is a Loudoun-raised, San Francisco-based singer/songwriter and The Voice alum.

Friday, July 16, 7p.m.

Crooked Run Brewing, 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling Details: crookedrunbrewing.com Hayford’s psychedelic Americana meets King’s groovy surf and heavy blues.

Saturday, July 17, 2 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Goodrum brings acoustic music at its most fun-covering a range of genres from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today.

Live Music: Shot Thru the Heart Bon Jovi Tribute

Live Music: Melissa Quinn Fox

Friday, July 16, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com STTH pays tribute to the music and showmanship of Bon Jovi with a high-energy and authentic concert experience. Tickets are $15.

Live Music: Kenny Ray Horton

Saturday, July 17, 1 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg Details: vanishbeer.com Catch Nashville singer/songwriter Kenny Ray Horton at a favorite local venue.

Live Music: Acoustic Moose

Saturday, July 17, 1 p.m.

Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com This south-central PA duo with acoustic guitar and dynamic vocal harmonies plays a range of folk rock, blues and classic rock favorites.

Live Music: Jes Jams

Saturday, July 17, 2 p.m.

Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro Details: bozwines.com Enjoy covers from the ’60s through today as Jessica Paulin covers favorites from Joplin to Gaga.

JULY 15, 2021

Saturday, July 17, 5:30 p.m.

MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Fox returns to Mac’s Beach with a high-energy blend of rock and country.

Live Music: Tejas Singh

Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m.

Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com NOVA-based singer/songwriter Tejas Singh brings his angelic voice and devilish guitar skills to Social House.

Live Music: Elevado, Jon Tyler Wiley and Meaghan Farrell

Saturday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.

Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn Details: lostrhino.com It’s an exciting three-artist lineup with Elevado, Jon Tyler Wiley and his Virginia Choir and Meaghan Farrell. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $24$28 for reserved seating.

Live Music: Supervana Nirvana Tribute

Saturday, July 17, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater All your favorites from the industry-changing 90s grunge rock band. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $35 for VIP seats.

Tickets for both performances are sold out, but donations for Middleburg Community Center are still being accepted. For more information, go to salamanderresort.com/ abt-across-america.

Sunday, July 18, 1 p.m.

Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com David Davol returns to Maggie Malick’s with folk rock and country favorites from the Eagles to James Taylor.

Sunday, July 18, 2 p.m.

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights Details: facebook.com/harpersferrybrewing Shepherdstown-based Ginada Pinata taps the influences of jazz, funk, rock, fusion, trance and drum and bass and blends them to create an organic vibe.

Live Music: Short Hill Mountain Boys

Sunday, July 18, 2 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, classic country and folk music from a local favorite.

Live Music: Mark Cullinane

Sunday, July 18, 2 p.m.

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro Details: 868estatevineyards.com Cullinane delivers acoustic classic rock tunes.

Live Music: Eric Selby and Deane Kern

Sunday, July 18, 1 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Singer/songwriter Deane Kern and drummer/multiinstrumentalist Eric Selby join forces for an afternoon of excellent local music.

Live Music: Chris Timbers Trio

Sunday, July 18, 4:30 p.m.

MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macsbeach.com Spend Sunday afternoon on MacDowell’s beach with the chillaxed music vibes of the Chris Timbers Trio.

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JULY 15, 2021

PAGE 23

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following: ZCPA-2020-0012 & ZMOD-2021-0008 LEXINGTON 7 - LAND BAY A

ZCPA-2020-0009, SPEX-2020-0024, SPMI-2020-0009 & ZMOD-2020-0021 DULLES BERRY

(Zoning Concept Plan Amendment and Zoning Modification)

(Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Special Exception, Minor Special Exception & Zoning Modification)

Van Metre Communities, LLC of Fairfax, Virginia, has submitted an application to amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP-2015-0001, Lexington 7 in order to allow Land Bay A to be developed with a maximum of 35 age-restricted single-family attached residential units at an increase of 8.18 dwelling units per acre. The subject property is located within the R-8 (Single Family Residential) zoning district and the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours. The application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification:

Vizsla Ventures LLC, of Washington, DC has submitted applications for the following: 1) amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZCPA-2018-0002, ZMOD-20180005 & ZMOD-2018-0006 in order to increase the permitted Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 0.4 to 1.1; 2) a Special Exception to increase the permitted FAR from 0.4 to 1.1; 3) a Minor Special Exception to eliminate the six (6) foot earthen berm required within the Road Corridor Buffer Type 3 Buffer. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and the proposed increase in the maximum FAR is permitted by Special Exception under Section 4-406(C). The proposed modification to Section 5-664(E) (2), Landscaping/Buffering/Screening, Road Corridor Buffer is permitted by Minor Special Exception under Section 5-600. The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s):

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§1-205(J), Interpretation of Ordinance, Limitations and Methods for Measurements of Lots, Yards and Related Terms, Road Corridor Buffer and Setback and Other Setback Measurement from Streets.

Permit building and parking setbacks to be measured from the existing right-of-way limits for Riverside Parkway, rather than the future 120-foot right-of-way (ROW) that would be accommodated by the proposed reservation area.

and §5-1403(A), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Road Corridor Buffers and Setbacks, Road Corridor Buffers and Setbacks, General Provisions and §5-1403(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Road Corridor Buffer; Setbacks Matrix, Table 5-1403(B).

(More detailed descriptions of each modification are available upon request.)

The subject property is approximately 4.28 acres in size and is located north of Route 7 on the north side of Riverside Parkway (Route 2401) and west of Smith Circle (Route 823) in the Algonkian Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as 056-18-0246. The area is governed by the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Neighborhood Place Type)) which designates this area for predominately residential uses arranged on medium-to-large lots at a density of up to four (4) dwelling units per acre or up to six (6) dwelling units per acre of infill development.

ZMAP-2019-0014, SPEX-2019-0029 & ZMOD-2019-0039 LOUDOUN SOCCER PARK

D E

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception & Zoning Modification)

Loudoun Youth Soccer Association of Leesburg, Virginia, has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 11.14 acres from the JLMA-20 (Joint Land Use Management Area-20) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-SA (Planned Development-Special Activities) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit the development of all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-SA zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 0.40; and 2) a Special Exception to allow lighting standards that do not comply with the standards of Section 5-1504(A). These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 5-1504(C). The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification:

R R

E F

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

§4-705(B)(2), PD-SA Planned DevelopmentSpecial Activity, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Agricultural and Residential Districts and Land Bays Allowing Residential Uses.

E D

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

Reduce the required yard from one hundred (100) feet to thirty-five (35) feet where the property borders agricultural districts, any existing or planning residential district, or land bays allowing residential uses.

The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, within the Ldn 65 or higher, between the Ldn 60-65, and outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 11.14 acres in size and is located north of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653) on the east side of Sycolin Road (Route 625) at 19798 Sycolin Road, Leesburg, VA in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 192-36-5833.

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Joint Land Management Area (Leesburg JLMA Employment Place Type)) which designates this area for a range of light and general industry core uses, and conditional uses including special activities and parks and recreation, at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§4-406(A) PD-RDP Planned Development - Research and Development Park, Building Requirements, Lot Coverage.

Increase the maximum lot coverage from 0.55 to 0.80 within the PD-RDP zoning district.

§4-406(B) PD-RDP Planned Development - Research and Development Park, Building Requirements, Building Height.

Allow a maximum building height of one hundred (100) feet without additional setbacks within the PD-RDP zoning district.

The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 6065 aircraft noise contours and located partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District), Major and Minor. The portion of the subject property subject to this application is approximately 92.97 acres in size and is located north of Shellhorn Road (Route 643) and the Dulles Greenway (Route 627), on the east side of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 062-25-6361. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Urban Policy Area (Urban Employment) and Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment)), which support a broad array of Employment uses at a recommended minimum FAR of 1.0 in the Urban Policy Area (Urban Employment) and a recommended maximum FAR of 1.0 in the Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment).

ZMOD-2021-0002 DULLES TRADE CENTER WEST LOTS 28 & 29 (Zoning Ordinance Modification)

Dulles Investments, LLC, of Alexandria, Virginia has submitted an application for a Zoning Ordinance Modification in the Planned Development – General Industry (PD-GI) zoning district to request the following Zoning Ordinance modification: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§5-1403(A)(1), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Road Corridor Buffers and Setbacks, General Provisions, and Road Corridor Buffer and Setbacks Matrix, Table 5-1403(B)

Reduce the minimum setbacks along Arcola Boulevard from 100 feet to 75 feet for buildings, and from 75 feet to 35 feet for parking.

The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, within the Ldn 65 or higher aircraft noise contours This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The subject property is approximately 3.93 acres in size and is located north of Arcola Mills Drive (Route 621) and east of Trade West Drive (Route 3535), in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 162-38-0068 and PIN: 162-48-2 288. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Sub`urban Policy Area (Suburban Industrial/Mineral Extraction Place Type)), which designates this area for large manufacturing, contractor with outdoor storage, and other productive uses at densities up to 0.6 Floor Area Ratio (FAR).

Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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JULY 15, 2021

Legal Notices electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. To arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email dpz@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246, or you may view the file electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. For detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5). Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Planning Commission public hearings are available for viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40, and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast. All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, MSC #62, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing if special arrangements for additional speaking time and/or audio-visual equipment will be requested. Such an organization representative will be allotted 6 minutes to

speak, and the Chairman may grant additional time if the request is made prior to the date of the hearing and the need for additional time is reasonably justified.

Citizens are encouraged to call the Department of Planning and Zoning on the day of the public hearing to confirm that an item is on the agenda, or, the most current agenda may be viewed on the Planning Commission’s website at www.loudoun.gov/pc. In the event that the second Thursday is a holiday or the meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be moved to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event that Tuesday is a holiday or the Tuesday meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be held on the following Thursday. The meeting will be held at a place determined by the Chairman.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings at all other locations. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246. Please provide three days’ notice.

BY ORDER OF: FOREST HAYES, CHAIRMAN LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 07/08 & 07/15/21

Notice of Public Hearing Town of Lovettsville Town Council The Lovettsville Town Council will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on July 29, 2021 at the Lovettsville Council Chambers located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue.

Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically.

LVZA 2021-0001 Amendments to Article 42, Zoning, Division 42-VIII-2, Additional Standards, to add Section 42-304, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems.

Consideration of an amendment to Division 42-VIII-2, to add Section 42-304, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems.

The purpose of the amendment is to establish standards for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment on buildings and lots. The Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2288.7 permits residential, commercial, and agricultural landowners to install PV equipment and allows localities to regulate height and setback requirements. The proposed amendment would add definitions, apply height limits and design standards, and require PV facilities comply with setbacks applicable to accessory structures in the zoning district in which the property is located.

The proposed zoning amendment is available for review on the Town website www.lovettsvilleva.gov.

You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by calling the Town Office at (540) 822-5788 or contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at jmerrithew@lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

07/15 & 07/22/21

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PURSUANT TO SECTION 15.2-2507 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, 1950, AS AMENDED, TO CONSIDER A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION Pursuant to Section 15.2-2507 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on July 27, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia to consider the following budget amendments: A supplemental appropriation of proffered contributions for Loudoun County Public School capital improvements totaling $1,755,000 to the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, which exceeds one percent of the total expenditures shown in the Fiscal Year 2022 adopted budget, and a corresponding amendment to the Fiscal Year 2022-2027 Capital Improvements Program to include Proffer Contributions to Loudoun County Public Schools in the amount of $1,755,000.

A copy of any additional information regarding the proposed amendments is available in the office of the Clerk of Council located at 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or by calling (703) 771-2720 and asking for Clark G. Case, Director of Finance and Administrative Services.

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views regarding these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733, three days in advance. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

07/15/2021

Loudoun County Public Schools

Proposed Middle School & High School Attendance Zone Change On June 8, 2021, the Loudoun County School Board initiated an abbreviated attendance zone change process that proposes to assign the Hartland and Lenah Circle East communities to the Mercer Middle School/John Champe High School attendance zone – prior to the start of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Additional information on this proposed attendance zone change is posted on the Loudoun County Public Schools webpage (https://www.lcps.org/Page/236732).

The School Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the attendance zone change on August 10, 2021, to be followed by action on the proposed change later the same evening. Persons may sign up to speak at the August 10 meeting by calling 571-252-1020. Written comment may be sent to lcpsplan@lcps.org; all correspondence and information received will be shared with the School Board.

The August 10 meeting will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the Loudoun County Public Schools website (www.lcps.org).

Town of Leesburg Continues Water Valve Exercise and Maintenance Program Public Notification The Town of Leesburg is continuing a preventative maintenance program to protect the longevity and operation of the water system infrastructure and valves. This valve exercise program requires closing, then opening each main line valve and service line valves in specific distribution areas.

The purpose of the program is to exercise main line valves throughout the distribution system to assure reliable operation and maintain water quality. During this program, crews will exercise the valves by operating each valve through a full cycle and returning it to its normal position. Where valves are exercised, a fire hydrant will be flowed to ensure that the water in the main remains clear.

Persons who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, in order to participate meaningfully in the August 10, 2021 public hearing and meeting, should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.

During the valve turning exercise, customers may experience some sediment or discolored water for a short period of time. Water is safe to drink and safe to use during this period. If this condition is noticed, we recommend running several cold water taps at full force for a period of 1-2 minutes. It may be necessary to repeat this process after 30 minutes. In addition, the closing and opening of valves may introduce air into water lines which can cause temporary erratic water flow. If this occurs, open your cold water tap until a clear steady flow of water is observed.

Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services, Division of Planning Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org

The valve exercising will occur June through November during the hours of 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Town regrets any inconvenience the maintenance program may cause. If you have any questions regarding our valve exercising program, or have any concerns about water quality, please call the Utilities Department at 703-737-7075. For after-hour emergencies, please call the Leesburg Police Department at 703-771-4500.

06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, & 08/05/21

05/27/21 07/15/21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

PAGE 25

Legal Notices ORDER OF PUBLICATION

NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES Notice is hereby given that the bicycles described below were found and delivered to the Office of the Sheriff of Loudoun County; if the owners of the listed bicycles are not identified within sixty (60) days following the final publication of this notice, the individuals who found said bicycles shall be entitled to them if he/she desires.

All unclaimed bicycles will be handled according to Chapter 228.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.

Description

Case Number

Recovery Date

Recovery Location

Phone Number

Black/white Kent Ambush bicycle

SO210009074

6/6/2021

42840 Beaver Crossing Sq. Ashburn, VA

703-777-0610 07/08 & 07/15/21

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ040484-09-00 JJ040484-10-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Christian Carter Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

David Craig Johnson, father

ABC LICENSE

Bogati Bodega & Winery, trading as Bogati Bodega & Winery LLC, 35246 Harry Byrd Hwy, Suite 190, Round Hill, VA 20141 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Beer on and off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

James Bogaty, CEO Della Bogaty, CFO Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

07/15 & 07/22/21

ABC LICENSE

Corner Essentials, LLC, trading as Culinary Corner Essentials, 44200 Waxpool Road, Suite 112, Ashburn, VA 20147 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer on and off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan with goal of adoption, pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Christian Carter and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of David Craig Johnson, father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Christian Carter.

David Craig Johnson is hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of his residual parental rights with respect to Christian Carter. David Craig Johnson is hereby further notified that if his residual parental rights are terminated, he will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Christian Carter; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Christian Carter; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Christian Carter. Further, David Craig Johnson will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Christian Carter, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Christian Carter for adoption and consent to the adoption of Christian Carter.

It is ORDERED that the defendant David Craig Johnson, father appear at the above-named Court and protect his August 10, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

07/15, 07/22, 07/29 & 08/05/21

Don’t miss the show.

07/08 & 07/15/21

NOTICE OF HEARING Seizure of 1 Chicken

In accordance with the authority set forth in §3.2-6569 of the Code of Virginia, on Friday, July 2, 2021, the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services seized 1 orange and white chicken that was found abandoned at 903 Catskill Ct NE, Leesburg, VA 20175. A hearing to determine whether chicken has been abandoned, cruelly treated or has not been provided with adequate care will be held on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 10:00AM in the General District Court of Loudoun County, located at 18 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.

GETOUTLOUDOUN.COM GetOutLoudoun.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 26

Legal Notices

JULY 15, 2021

Misc.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MIDDLEBURG PLANNING COMMISSION The Middleburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021 to hear public comments on the following: SD 21-01 - Request of Byron Hughey for approval of the preliminary plat of subdivision for 3 lots at 300 E. Washington St (PIN 538-29-4079) zoned R-3 Residential.

The land is located at the northeast corner of E. Washington Street (US 50) and N. Jay Street. The proposal is to divide the existing 21,736 square foot lot into 3 lots ranging in size from 7010 sf to 7615 sf.

The file for this application may be reviewed at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

Questions may be directed to Deputy Town Manager Will Moore at (540) 687-5152 or by email at wmoore@middleburgva.gov The Town of Middleburg strives to make its hearings accessible to all. Please advise of accommodations the Town can make to help you participate in the hearing.

07/15/21

HORSE BOARDING Two stalls available on 20-acre property between Leesburg and Hamilton. Large stalls, rubber mats, tack room, hay storage, wash stand, 60-ft. round pen, 3-board fencing, shade trees, multiple fields, ride out, very private and quiet, owners on premises.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

J044669-03-00

$200/month (self care) | 703-201-0977 | glenfarmpottery@aol.com

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Itzep, putative father, and Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Itzep, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m 07/01, 07/08, 07/15, & 07/22/21

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR: STATE LOBBYING SERVICES, RFP No. 421782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, August 2, 2021.

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/ procurement. If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT.

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NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction.

This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned”, as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.

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PAGE 28

JULY 15, 2021

Opinion Keep It Simple In the early 1990s, the Loudoun government undertook a countywide addressing program that required renaming numerous streets. The goal wasn’t to honor community leaders or promote social causes; it was to ensure fire-rescue crews and law enforcement showed up at the right location when someone called for help.

The effort required that every structure be located on a uniquely named street with a number matching a newly adopted grid system, and it kicked off a years-long effort to rectify duplicate roads and provide names to lanes serving multiple homes. For the most part, the renaming effort focused on identifying historically accurate names or finding suitably generic names not yet taken.

There is no reason to employ a different method during this renewed look at select street names. Road titles don’t have to make a point. They just need to help get the mail delivered and to help Siri get you to your desired destination.

And even in instances when politicians feel the need to champion their heroes of the day, there are methods to accomplish that without requiring new road signs and company letterhead. Few probably are aware that the General Assembly has renamed Rt. 28 in Loudoun County as Darrell Green Boulevard to honor the NFL Hall of Fame cornerback. Properties on that highway retained their Sully Road designation.

As the county government enters a new process to rename several streets, including two of Loudoun’s major throughfares, it’s best to keep it simple. For example, Leesburg Pike—as Rt. 7 is known as it crosses Fairfax County—seems a contextually suitable name. And Rt. 50 was known as Little River Turnpike or the Aldie and Ashby’s Gap Turnpike—both suitably Loudoun-centric names— long before Col. Mosby’s cavalry began wreaking havoc.

The greater challenge may be in renaming the subdivision streets on the list.

Most of the typical names long have been taken and today’s developers face significant challenges in devising new ones. That’s why there are communities in Ashburn where the streets are named for famous authors or racehorses.

As county leaders learned during their exercise decades ago, changing street names can be a disruptive, confusing, and even costly process. It’s best to keep it simple and leave the politics of the day to be championed in other forums. n

Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC

EDITORIAL Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com

15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176

Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com

PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723

Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Patrick Szabo, Reporter pszabo@loudounnow.com Hayley Milon Bour, Reporter hbour@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Now is delivered by mail to more than 44,000 Loudoun homes and businesses, with a total weekly distribution of 47,000.

ADVERTISING Susan Styer, Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com Tonya Harding, Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com

LETTERS to the Editor Divided Society Editor: On June 22, I was there, sitting quietly waiting to give my input to the Loudoun County School Board in favor of Policy 8040, simply because I firmly believe that all of our students have the state-given right to an education without prejudice.

In addition, I learned, as most interested parties should have known, that this protection was mandated by state law. The School Board was simply going through pro forma motions to update School Board policies in order to be in line with the laws of Virginia.

The Loudoun “parents” reportedly want the School Board to listen to them and eight members were physically present and a ninth member was virtually present, electronically, making it a full house of listeners that were there to do just that—listen. The board even continued to listen as School Board members were personally vilified and threatened.

They listened after some speakers insisted that the school system was teaching Critical Race Theory, after they have said on many occasions publicly that they do not have any curriculum based on CRT. It appears that these “parents” are themselves incapable of listening or learning.

Could this meeting have been infiltrated by agents with a particular agenda? The aggrieved “parents” even brought out a retired political hack to help them spew insults and these professed “parents,” as well, had professionally produced

placards to wave along with American flags to hold upside down (insurrection-like) when a speaker acknowledged their support for trans-students and Policy 8040. What was really sad is that these unruly parents or stand-ins used their warped ideas of religion to exert divisiveness in our Loudoun community, to tear people apart from one another.

Faulty and extreme religious zeal has no role to play in the deliberations of the public’s School Board. Where is the love? It was painfully absent among so many in attendance June 22 who wrapped themselves in the cloak of a religious dogma egged on by false prophets that thrive on exclusivity. Thank God, and I do believe in a loving God, for all those churches, synagogues and temples with families that actually practice their faith of love one another, kindness and who follow the Golden Rule, to treat others as you would treat yourself.

Due to a second round of outbursts, as was warned by the chairman, and witnessing the increased unruly and rancorous behavior in the audience, the board was forced to end public comment in the interest of safety. So much for public discourse in a divided society that my country, and now my county, has become.

— Tom Marshall, Leesburg Tom Marshall represented the Leesburg District on the Loudoun County School Board from 2008 to 2012 and from 2016 to 2020.

JULY 15, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 29

Readers’ Poll

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

How should Rt. 7 and Rt. 50 be renamed?

What’s your view of the debate surrounding the school division’s equity initiative?

Transgender kids continued from page 1 First grade went smoothly, and Emily was confident Max was in good hands with his teachers in Loudoun.

Culture War Fodder The identities of children like Max came under fire in Loudoun County this past May, when Tanner Cross, an elementary school PE teacher, told the School Board that he wouldn’t affirm a transgender child using their preferred pronouns.

“It’s lying to a child; it’s abuse to a child—and it’s sinning against our God,” Cross said.

The School Board had been going through a review process of Policy 8040, which provides protections for transgender and gender expansive students.

Although such protections for students aren’t novel in the county—Policy 1080 already accommodates many needs of trans students—the district is required to implement a thorough policy to comply with a new Virginia mandate. Proposed Policy 8040 is largely the same as the model policy the Department of Education drafted.

The School Board received complaints from parents about Cross’ comments, including families of five of Cross’ students.

Administrators placed Cross on paid leave.

The conservative Christian advocacy nonprofit, Alliance Defending Freedom, took up Cross’ cause and sued for his reinstatement. ADF alleged that the school division violated Cross’ First Amendment right to critique the policy. Loudoun Circuit Court Judge James Plowman granted the reinstatement. In an appeal to the state Supreme Court, the district argues the teacher’s right to free speech does not supersede schools’ responsibility to protect students.

Cross’ case impelled conservative crusaders across Northern Virginia to join an existing effort to remove School Board

Share your views at loudounnow.com/ polls

members—a campaign that began months prior over the district’s handling of learning during the pandemic.

Activists in blue T-shirts reading “Let Tanner Teach” became fixtures in the School Board meeting room and at demonstrations over the summer. Conservative media outlets nationwide showed Cross’ remarks and shared his story, many offering contortions of the events and the School Board’s handling of the matter.

“I love all of my students and treat them with dignity. There are some things that I can’t do because of my faith,” Cross told Loudoun Now. Cross also said that his belief that “a biological boy can’t be a girl, and vice versa” is not based on experience or exposure to trans people.

The case has moved through the court system, and arguments will be heard in the Virginia Supreme Court in coming months.

Building a Support System “I didn’t want this to happen,” Emily said while sitting at a picnic table, worry furrowing in her brows. Max was on the swings doing cherry bombs, yelling for his mother to look at how high he was getting.

“Do people actually think I want to go through that? It is going to doctor’s appointments, it’s putting him on hormones, he’s going to be putting needles in his body, possibly undergoing surgeries, who knows?”

Emily is a Trump-supporting, conservative Christian—antithetical to most LGBTQ champions—and never foresaw the uncertain path that her son now faces.

When she realized her family would be a “trans family,” she became an enthusiastic LGBTQ ally, watching documentaries, researching doctors, and reaching out to transgender members of the community for support.

“I have tons of friends and family members who I’ve changed that perspective for them. Some of them have never come

“I hate that it’s this divide. It doesn’t need to be, I don’t understand why it’s always political.”

— Emily across a transgender person or experienced one or met one. They’re glad they can learn from this. I hate that it’s this divide. It doesn’t need to be, I don’t understand why it’s always political,” Emily said.

What gripped her most strongly was the specter of Max’s mental health taking a turn if he didn’t feel supported.

“I’d rather have a trans son than a dead daughter,” Emily said.

Statistics from a 2020 study by The Trevor Project, the largest U.S. survey of transgender and nonbinary youth, found that 60 percent of trans and nonbinary youth had engaged in self-harm, and more than half reported that they had seriously considered ending their lives.

Cris Candice Tuck, a transgender Army veteran in Leesburg, is an active member of the trans community, and has befriended Max and Emily. Tuck is gender fluid, and didn’t transition until his 30s.

“Max’s existence destroys every single argument you could make about trans kids.

There’s nothing sexual, nothing perverse or corrupt about his existence. He’s just a kid.

The idea that he’s somehow doing this for attention, or political cause, or perversion, it’s all just so laughable,” Tuck said.

Tuck wrote an impassioned letter to the School Board after Cross’ comments.

“It can make you feel like the best choice in the world is to disappear. So for a child, I

can only imagine it amplifies those feelings times a thousand,” he said.

Tuck said having an affirming parent and supportive community is invaluable in preventing the worst.

“When you’re that age, your trust is put in the adults around you. And when you feel a certain way and you feel you’re a certain gender, you believe that,” Tuck said.

Dr. Karen Gail Lewis, a family psychologist and social worker in Silver Spring, MD who was a trailblazer in studies of gender identity, watched as media outlets tossed around the transgender issue.

She said that having affirming role models is the most crucial factor for the mental health of transgender children to thrive.

“The alternative is you can be traumatized and kill yourself because there’s no support,” Lewis said. “It’s not just the parents, but the larger community around that kid.”

The Future for Trans Children “He’s a laid-back kid. He loves playing tag, playing video games with his dad,” Emily said while pushing Max on the swings.

Emily’s personal creed is to not live in fear. While she worries about Max dealing with bullies and possible medical procedures, she knows she can’t control what happens outside of her home.

She can’t help but wonder, though, what would happen if one of Max’s teachers refused to affirm who he is.

“I was going through his backpack the other day and I found a sheet with his favorite things. He wrote that his favorite class is PE. What if he had been in that class?” she said.

The late afternoon sun is still beating down through the trees by the time Max has had about enough of the swings.

“Mom, can we go to the pool tonight?” he asks. He adds a “Please?” for good measure. n The last name of Emily and Max was withheld at the family's request.

PAGE 30

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Renaming routes continued from page 1 Board chairman Mark Miller pointed out, “as a Jewish American, George Marshall was vehemently opposed to the creation of Israel.”

Heritage Commission Chairman Robert Pollard defended Marshall’s legacy, arguing “the story about Marshall and Israel is complex, and it should in no way eliminate him from consideration,” and “if one small slice of a person’s background could be offensive to one, some or many, then we could be back in this position in the future.”

But Loudoun NAACP Education Chairwoman Robin Burke argued that it may not be impossible to predict which figures will become controversial in the future. She pointed out that Marshall had maintained that it was essential for the U.S. Army to remain segregated during World War II—and that at the time Harry Byrd Highway was named, he was not an uncontroversial figure. The highway was named in 1968, at the height of the civil rights movement.

And Loudoun NAACP President Michelle Thomas offered another idea for

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A sign near Round Hill declaring Rt. 7 Harry Byrd Highway.

honoring individual people with highway names.

“I actually think that perhaps this could be a great time to level the playing field in terms of the way we use names and refer especially to our underrepresented communities, like the enslaved,” Thomas said.

She suggested even using a person with no known last name: “It could be a person that was just enslaved at Belmont, or a commonly enslaved known name. I want to reserve the right to, in places, use names of enslaved people.”

Keirce also offered the simplest answer to the dilemma.

“I’d like to make this real quick,” Kei-

JULY 15, 2021

rce said. “I think Rt. 7 should be called Rt. 7, Rt. 50 should be called Rt. 50, because that’s all anybody calls those two roads, then we’re done.”

Some committee members also wanted to know when they would be able to meet in person, as Loudoun has maintained its state of emergency even as the state has lifted its own emergency declaration and all other COVID-19 precautions have been relaxed. The committee is permitted to meet electronically under the state of emergency.

“The challenge with the public meeting at this point is, we’re not confident yet that we have a space large enough that people who desire social distance are allowed to maintain that space,” said county government Communications Manager Shawn Zelman. “We’re a little concerned about crowding. So, for example, we don’t know if we’re going to be able to get back into school buildings.”

And others were concerned that the proposed schedule doesn’t give the committee enough time. The previous schedule called for a two-week public outreach campaign to gather name suggestions from July 12 to July 23.

“If we really want public input, I think that they need three weeks,” said Heri-

Helping neighbors continued from page 3 members can be a challenge. Although 40 members might seem like a lot, the club is operating at full capacity right now.

“Growing it beyond that point would be great but it’s a challenge,” Logue said.

Lions Club International is another community group that operates multiple clubs in Loudoun. Aside from its usual activities in the community, the Lovettsville Lions Club stepped up its outreach when COVID hit.

Club Secretary Julie Balch said members have exemplified the club motto of “we serve” by participating in monthly food pantry distributions since November. This month, the club contributed $750 in Weis Food Cards to community members in need.

Beginning this Friday, club members will lend some help at the town’s Love Summer events by handing out snow cones and popcorn on the Town Green as residents enjoy movies and concerts.

As for area youth, the club awards two college scholarships to graduating Woodgrove High School seniors and gift cards to the most improved students in each class at Lovettsville Elementary

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Salvation Army volunteers work at the organization's annual Christmas gift drive.

School.

And all the money the club raises from food sales through the year go right back into the community by helping those in need to pay bills and cover other day-to-

day expenses. In coordination with a few other organizations, including Lovettsville American Legion Post 1836, the club also plans to help the town pay for the installation of a flagpole outside the new

tage Commission member Alicia Cohen.

County staff members have since extended that timeline to July 30.

The county is now soliciting name suggestions from the public and offering more information at loudoun.gov/renaming7and50, and there is a tool online to check street name availability at logis. loudoun.gov/streetrenameavailability.

After gathering suggestions for new names, the task force will narrow the list to 10 possible names for each roadway, which are then scheduled for review and approval by the Board of Supervisors in September. After that review, the public will again be asked for feedback to rank the short list of names by preference. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to review those results and approve a new name at their meeting Dec. 7.

The county board’s selected names will then go to the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Commonwealth Transportation Board for ultimate approval.

The task force will meet again on Aug. 4 or Aug. 5, depending on members’ schedules, after the public outreach campaign. n

town office.

Perhaps one of the lesser-known missions the club has relates to sight and hearing. Balch said members host several sight and hearing screenings in town each year and help qualifying area residents pay for eye exams and glasses.

But the Lions Club takes care of more than just community members, it also tends to the environment by picking up trash along its designated section of Berlin Turnpike twice a year.

And as the Lions Club helps to beautify Lovettsville’s environment, the Lovettsville Game Protective Association, known better as the Game Club, brings people into that natural environment.

Club President Fred George said the club hosts programs like fishing derbies and archery programs. It also runs gun safety clinics and offers its building—which, according to some, features Virginia’s largest hardwood dance floor— to residents for private events. n This is part one of a two-part series.

Check back next week to read about the work civic organizations are doing to help Loudoun’s veterans.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JULY 15, 2021

PAGE 31

PARENTING WITH A PURPOSE

Summer Family Time

BY NEIL MCNERNEY

Now that we are fully into the summer, some of us might be looking for ways to keep our kids engaged with each other as a family.

FAMILY MEAL PLANNING AND COOKING

– It’s never too early to begin to develop cooking skills. I thank my interest in cooking from being around my mother in the kitchen while growing up. Try assigning each family member an evening to plan and cook dinner. Depending on their age will depend on how much help they will need.

This is a great way to spend more time with each child separately.

ONE-ON-ONE DINNER OUT – Another great food related idea is to spend some one-onone time with each child at their favorite restaurant. Families with more than one child don’t tend to spend much time with each of them individually. Having a monthly time set up for each child to spend the evening with each parent increases bonding time and helps each child feel special.

MAKE A FAMILY TIMELINE - Using multiple large sheets of posterboard, start a family timeline and have the family fill in import-

ant, fun, and memorable events for the family and each family member. The timeline could either start when the parents met, or it could begin at the birth of the first child.

Adding pictures and stories to the timeline makes it a keepsake and a living document that can be added to every summer.

HIDE THE BALLOON - This is a fun way for families to spend time indoors on a hot or rainy day. Blow up 5 or 6 balloons and hide them throughout the house. Then have the children seek them out. A balloon is a good item to use as it is big enough to only be hidden in more obvious places, which makes it easier for younger children. After a child finds a certain number, the remaining ones are left for the other children to find.

DON’T BREAK THE CHAIN! – One person begins a story by writing down the first paragraph, and hands it to the next family member. They then read it and add another paragraph that relates to the first paragraph, and then hands it to the next person, and so on. It can go around and around a number of times. For example: First Person: Once upon a time there was a small village named Messyville. It was a nice village, and it had lots of nice

people in it, but it had one major problem.

Second Person: The big problem was that everyone was very messy. They never cleaned up after themselves and there was trash everywhere. But since everybody was messy, it didn’t really matter. Nobody really had a problem with it, until…

Third Person: … a new family moved in. The parent’s names were Patty and Peter Particular. Their kids were named Paul and Penny. If you haven’t figured it out yet, they were very neat and particular. During their first walk around their new neighborhood…

MAD LIBS – Mad Libs is a series of fillin-the blank stories. One person asks the group for the required type of word (noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, etc.) and fills in the word for the story. After all the blanks are filled, she then reads the whole story.

This is lots of fun, always hilarious, and really helps with grammar skills. Keep a few Mad Libs in the car. They are great for trips.

Travel Related Ideas FAMILY TRIP ACCOUNTANT – Have one child keep a running tab of all the expenses during the trip, adding the expenses up each day. The ‘accountant’ can also separate

the expenses into different categories.

ALPHABET GAMES – These are the simple games families can play in the car. Try to find the letters of the alphabet on road signs or on license plates. These games are best played as a team since the younger kids will feel left out.

LICENSE PLATE STATES – Have one child make a list of all fifty states and see how many state plates you can find during your trip. This increases geography and awareness. This can be a cooperative game as the family is all working toward one goal vs. each family member competing against each other.

Hopefully these ideas will help your family enjoy each other during the summer. n Neil McNerney is a licensed professional counselor and author of Homework – A Parent’s Guide To Helping Out Without Freaking Out! and The Don’t Freak Out Guide for Parenting Kids with Asperger’s. He can be reached at neil@neilmcnerney.com

A Busy Loudouner’s Education on ... Loudoun Education

BY CHRIS CROLL

There has been a lot of noise in our community these past few months about public education. The volume of that noise has been amplified by the national news media who reward the loudest screamers with appearances on prime-time TV. So, why the kerfuffle, and what is really going on in our schools?

Spoiler alert—the issues actually have nothing to do with education, your kids, or our schools. These “campaigns of outrage” are orchestrated political moves to instill fear in parents in the hopes people will “vote for change” this November. This effort is ultimately an attempt to shift Loudoun from voting blue (Democratic) back to red (Republican).

Fortunately, most Loudouners are politically savvy and are not easily duped by campaigns based on misinformation. But when you are busy living your life, and you hear these messages over and over again on local and national news, it is sometimes hard to differentiate fact from fiction.

As a political independent, and former School Board member, here is my take on what is really going on.

When you hear people say, “Get Critical Race Theory (CRT) out of our schools,” you are hearing an attempt to discredit the legitimate work LCPS and other school divisions are doing to create less hostile, more inclusive academic environments for students of color. Some politicians are trying to turn “equity” into a dirty word synonymous with white oppression. This is simply not the case. Equity, as it relates to public education, is about giving all students opportunities to be successful in their academic careers.

I served on the first LCPS Equity Committee. I also personally received the foundational elements of the “Equity at the Center” training many of our LCPS teachers receive. I have also had in-depth conversations with the current and former LCPS superintendents about the equity work the school division is undertaking. I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, that CRT is not being mandated, taught, or otherwise applied in any of Loudoun’s public schools.

When you hear people say, “Recall LCPS School Board members,” you should know that these efforts are being led by political operatives paid by well-funded political action committees. These people want your

name, email address, mailing address, and other contact information so they can add you to their constituent database. If you sign a recall petition, expect your mailbox to be overflowing with political ads leading up to the November election. If you give your phone number on a recall sheet, you will likely receive texts and robocalls asking for your money, your vote or both.

The School Board recall effort is not about holding elected officials accountable, it is about building a voter database.

When you hear people say, “Test scores are down so LCPS is failing our kids,” know that, because of the pandemic, some test scores are down in Loudoun, and across the country. This has less to do with ineffective teaching or a poorly run school division than it does with the inherent disadvantages of prolonged distance learning. Everyone took a hit from COVID. LCPS has shared plans with the public related to providing additional curricular and mental health supports for the 2021-2022 school year. I would expect any dips in student performance to be corrected in the coming years.

The latest battle cry of the conservative political machinery in our community appears to be, “Everyone is leaving Loudoun

because our schools are so bad.” The people spreading this rhetoric hope that voters will panic at the perceived threat of decreasing home values and will vote in support of change candidates. The truth is that many home values in Loudoun have increased in the past two years, and some have experienced double-digit growth. Our public schools are a big part of the appeal of living in Loudoun County.

In summary, LCPS students are getting a world-class education in schools that are more inclusive than they ever have been before, teachers are working hard to fill in any learning gaps resulting from the pandemic, and there are more people who want to live in our community than there are homes to house them. My advice to busy Loudouners? Ignore the noise. Loudoun County is thriving. n Chris Croll is a writer, empathy activist and communications consultant.

She sits on the Board of the Ryan Bartel Foundation, a youth suicide prevention nonprofit. Croll lives in Leesburg with her husband and two teenage boys.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 32

MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

JULY 15, 2021

ATOKA

PROPERTIES

S I M P LY B E T T E R .

33846 FOXLEASE LN | UPPERVILLE

35487 SNAKE HILL RD | MIDDLEBURG

$9,500,000 | Magnificent Foxlease Farm on 160 acres* in Upperville's Hunt Country.

Transformed into a one-of-a-kind equestrian facility: 2 horse barns (12 stalls/17 stalls), 3 run-in sheds, machine shed, hay barn, riding ring, fenced paddocks, 2 silos with rolling hills and trails to ride out. Beautiful stone building added to existing 19th-century home.

$5,500,000 | Mortgage Hall is situated in the heart of hunt country. The 121-acre estate boasts a Georgian Mansion built in 1850 that currently operates as a destination event venue and horse farm. With scenic views of the countryside and Bull Run Mountains the “manor house” is the perfect venue or family home with grand ceilings and 6 fireplaces.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

21167 TRAPPE RD | UPPERVILLE

WYLD WOLF FARM | FAIRFAX STATION

$3,750,000 | Stunning manor home w/ 4 BD/3 bathrooms, & 3 half bathrooms w/ a beautiful lake view on 166 lush acres. This light-filled home features exposed beams, exquisite HW floors, updated bathrooms, custom cabinetry, & countertops. Large kitchen island, numerous living spaces, & back porch make this home an entertainer's delight.

$1,495,000 | Welcome to a suburban oasis on 5 acres! This stunning property has it all: 4 BR/4.5 BA/5,100+ finished square foot contemporary home with finished basement and 2 car attached garage, in-ground pool, detached studio/garage, 5 stall barn, paddocks, pond, and chicken coop, as well as multiple outdoor entertaining areas!

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

COMING SOON

82 THORNTON RD | BOYCE

675 LIME MARL LN | BERRYVILLE

$1,399,000 | Built in 2019, this luxurious modern farmhouse situated on 10 peaceful acres offers 4,700+/- sqft of finished living space on 3 levels. The large windows, wood beams & flooring throughout, evoke a feeling of being in touch with nature.The thoughtfully designed home has multiple living areas for entertaining & daily living.

$1,300,000 | This historic pre-Civil War home is situated on 20 acres in Clarke Co. Tax records date the home to 1815, making it one of the oldest existing properties in the county. The house & old stone quarters built for farm help sit on a hill overlooking pasture, pond, & Chapel Run creek. The main house was renovated in 1997 & many original details were retained. The property has several outbuildings, is fenced for horses, & has a 4-stall barn w/ wash stall & tackroom.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Anne McIntosh 703.509.4499

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

S I M P LY B E T T E R . | AT O KA P R O P E R T I E S . C O M MIDDLEBURG: 540.687.6321 | PURCELLVILLE: 540.338.7770 | LEESBURG: 703.777.1170 | ASHBURN: 703.436.0077 CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 | LICENSED IN VA + WV

Maria Eldredge 540.454.3829