Leesburg Offers Free Downtown Parking for the Holidays

Parking in the Town Hall parking garage and at all on-street parking meters will be free from Wednesday, November 23, 2011 through Monday, January 2, 2012

The Town of Leesburg will be offering free parking throughout the holiday season in the Town Hall parking garage and at on-street parking meters in the Historic Downtown. The two-hour limit at on-street meters will remain in effect during the free holiday parking promotion. Free parking will begin on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 and will continue until 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. The tradition of providing free holiday parking in downtown Leesburg began in 2005. … Continue Reading

Governor Volunteers at Foodbank

Governor McDonnell, Mrs. McDonnell and their children Sean, Bobby and Rachel volunteered today at the Central Virginia Foodbank in Richmond. While there, Governor McDonnell also stopped to thank others working to sort food donations, including Jason Anderson who was helped by the food bank and a local shelter after losing his home during Hurricane Isabel. He now works for the Central Virginia Foodbank and says he is grateful to be part of the company, giving back.

To learn more about the Central Virginia Foodbank, visit https://feedmore.org/food-bank

Photo Courtesy of Michaele White, Governor’s Photographer

International Cesarean Awareness Network To Meet

International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) of Loudoun will be holding their December Chapter Meeting at the Rust Library in Leesburg on Monday December 12 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The address is 380 Old Waterford Rd., NW, Leesburg.

ICAN aims to promote evidence-based information regarding pregnancy, birth, cesarean recovery and VBAC as well as offer emotional and educational support to mothers and families in Loudoun County. The chapter meeting creates opportunities for women of like minds to meet in a safe place to share their experiences and receive support and encouragement. The topics this month will be cesarean recovery and VBAC preparation in an open discussion format. Newcomers warmly welcomed.

Little League Registers in December

Upper Loudoun Little League will begin on-line registration for their Spring 2012 youth baseball season on December 15, 2011. All players ages 5 – 12 years old as of April 30, 2012 are eligible to register. This spring season we are also beginning a Challenger division. For more information and to begin the registration process, access the ULLL website at ulll.org.

Schools Cleared To Give Excess Food to Local Food Banks

In an effort to help food banks and food pantries across the country collect more food, language specifically allowing public schools to donate unused food has been included in the annual spending bill that funds the Department of Agriculture, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) announced today.

Wolf pushed for the language after learning many school districts are not donating excess food out of concern they were not covered under the Good Samaritan Act, which protects donors who give to food banks in good faith from all liability. Wolf’s language amends the law that created national school lunch program that provides free or low-cost lunches to needy children. … Continue Reading

Loudoun Symphony Orchestra Announces Holiday Spectacular

The Loudoun Symphony Orchestra will hold its Holiday Spectacular Concert on December 10 at the Virginia Academy in Ashburn, located at 19790 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. The event will feature the Washington Soloist Ensemble, guest conductor Dr. Yeong Su Kim, vocalist Jason Labrador and the Loudoun’s Got Talent Winner, Somok Yoo. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and the String Workshop will perform at 7:00 p.m.. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.loudoun symphony.org or at the door. Pricing is Adults $22/$25, Seniors $18/$20, Students $10/$15, and Youth under 12 free. Tickets are also available at Melodee Music in Sterling and the Loudoun Visitors Center in downtown Leesburg. … Continue Reading

Leesburg Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony Kicks Off First Friday Celebration on December 2

The Town of Leesburg invites locals and visitors to enjoy “the most wonderful time of the year” and experience a little holiday magic in historic downtown Leesburg. On Friday, December 2, at 6:00 pm, join friends and neighbors and celebrate the start of the holiday season in Leesburg at the annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting on the Town Green (25 West Market Street). … Continue Reading

Leesburg’s Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show Offers Holiday Shopping at Its Best!

Need a gift for that person who has everything? Want a great hostess or teacher’s gift that goes beyond just a gift card? Then the 21st annual Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show is the place to find it.

The Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show will be held on main and lower levels of Ida Lee Park Recreation Center on Saturday, December 3, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Sunday, December 4, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The show will feature over 90 local and regional artisans selling a variety of one-of-a-kind items like candles, stained glass, carved wood, jewelry, food products, table linens, and much more. More than 25 new vendors will be featured this year, alongside local favorites including Chase Your Tail Bakery, Gypsy Hill Dips and The Chile Man. … Continue Reading

Body of Missing Boater Recovered in Beaverdam Creek Reservoir

The body of a missing boater was recovered just before noon on Monday, November 28, in the Beaverdam Creek Reservoir.

The victim, Anthony M. DiGiovanna, 49, of Ashburn, was canoeing with his 7-year-old son and a dog Sunday afternoon when around 2:30 p.m. their boat
capsized. Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 42500 block of Mount Hope Road in Ashburn, Virginia to assist Loudoun Fire, Rescue and
Emergency Management with a water rescue. The 7-year-old, who was wearing a life jacket, was assisted to the shore by nearby witnesses. He was taken to a local
hospital as a precaution and was released on Monday. The adult male was not immediately located. … Continue Reading

Meet the Authors at Loudoun County Public Library

Loudoun County Public Libraries will be hosting a number of Meet the Author gatherings.

2:00 p.m., December 10, Purcellville Library
Author, Maria Elizabeth McVoy, will discuss her book, Thirteen Years of Christmas a short story collection about discovering the spirit of Christmas. … Continue Reading

Christmas Comes to Purcellville

The Town of Purcellville will be celebrating its 8th Annual “Christmas in Purcellville” on Saturday, December 10 with fun throughout the day for the whole family.

There will be many exciting activities that day starting with “Breakfast with Santa,” a Lego Train Display, face painting, ornament making, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and many other activities. … Continue Reading

“Local First” Purcellville Christmas Bingo Blast

Local Purcellville independent businesses have rolled out a “Loyal Local” program to reward their regular shoppers. In addition, these 24 unique businesses hope to attract new customers.

Between November 25 and December 20, 2011 a shopper can pick up a FREE Bingo card at any of the participating businesses listed below. Purchases will be validated by the merchant with a unique stamp in the business’s space on the card. Wild spaces allow a shopper to go back to a favorite shop. When the shopper gets Bingo in any direction, they bring their card to Purcellville Tropical Smoothie, Little GREENe Dress, or 29 Vines Winery Tasting Room to be validated and have their name entered into the drawings to be held on December 21, 2011. … Continue Reading

Get in the Holiday Spirit in Historic Hillsboro

Start your holiday season with three wonderful events at Hillsboro’s Old Stone School: the Hillsboro Community Association’s (HCA) Greens Workshop and the Hillsboro Town Tree Lighting and Potluck, both on Sunday, December 4; and annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, December 10.

Greens Workshop on Sunday, December 4 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.—Learn how to make traditional holiday wreaths and arrangements using fresh greens, like those featured on the Christmas in Hillsboro Historic Homes Tour held every other year (the next homes tour is planned for 2012), at the HCA’s Greens Workshop. You purchase what you make to decorate your own home. Small arrangements and wreaths are $15; large arrangements and wreaths are $20. Remember to bring your own gloves and clippers. Registration is free but required. Register for this workshop before November 28 by e-mailing contact@HillsboroVa.com.

Hillsboro Town Tree Lighting and Potluck on Sunday, December 4 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.—Start your holiday season with friends and neighbors while we light up the Hillsboro Town Tree in front of the Old Stone School. Bring your favorite finger foods to share for the second annual tree lighting, co-sponsored by the Hillsboro Community Association and the Town of Hillsboro. RSVP for this event before November 28 by e-mailing contact@HillsboroVa.com.

Annual Holiday Craft Fair—Saturday, December 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.—Find unique, hand-crafted items for friends and family…and an indulgence or two for yourself…at the HCA’s annual Holiday Craft Fair! This year’s craft fair will include alpaca clothing and products, jewelry, pottery, holiday decorations, home décor, and artwork such as sculpture, replica miniatures of Loudoun landmarks, and illustrations. Crafters will be in both Hillsboro’s Old Stone School and Hillsboro Elementary School.

WV Man Loses Life After Vehicle Is Struck by Tree

A West Virginia man lost his life in a fatal accident that occurred November 23, 2011 near the Virginia-West Virginia line.

The victim, Damola Itobi, 38, of Charles Town, was traveling on Harper’s Ferry Road just south of Route 340 around 11:15 a.m., when a tree fell onto his 2007
Nissan Altima. The victim was taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital but was later transported to INOVA Fairfax Hospital for life-threatening injuries.

He succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, November 24, 2011. The accident was investigated by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit.