Open Burning Guidelines for October 1, 2012-February 14, 2013

Loudoun County allows specific open burning, as listed below, between October 1, 2012 and February 14, 2013. Open burning is prohibited year-round within the town limits of Middleburg, Leesburg, Hamilton, Purcellville, Round Hill, Hillsboro, and Lovettsville. Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or when atmosphere conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous may be prohibited and/or required to be extinguished.

Open Burning is permitted:

When not otherwise prohibited within the town limits listed above.

For the burning of lawn clippings, tree trimmings and brush piles, generated on site, where street side trash service is not available for this purpose. The burning may be no closer than 50 feet from a structure. … Continue Reading

LCSO Warns Residents of Two Ongoing Scams

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to be wary of two scams; an online rental scam and a sweepstakes scam. The online rental scam advertises a property for rent, typically at a low price. The ‘owner’ will ask the victim to send their information via email and will give often quickly reply that they have been approved. They will then ask the victim to ‘wire’ the money for deposit. When the victim goes to move in they find out the house was not for rent. Potential renters seeking rental space online should be wary of owners who are unable to show the property before you send a deposit, owners who request that you send your deposit via money transfer and owners with overseas phone numbers. The “Sweepstakes” scam can occur via U.S. Mail, telephone or e-mail. The victim is contacted advising they have won the New York Lottery, International Lottery or some other type of Lottery. In order for them to receive their winnings, they have to wire money to pay for the taxes associated with their winnings. If you have been a victim of either of these scams, you are asked to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.

Purcellville Police Blotter: Week of September 24

9/24/12 – 7:05 p.m. – 205 Purcellville Gateway Dr. – Hit & Run – Victim reported that their vehicle was hit in the parking lot at this address. Damage valued at $2500.00.
9/26/12 – 11:15 p.m. – 400 block of Crossman Ct. – Non-violent Family Dispute – Complaint worked by police and resolved.
9/26/12 – 11:35 p.m. – 300 block of N. 21st St. – Simple Assault – Verbal altercation between two adults leads to an assault.
9/27/12 – 12:07 p.m. – 100 block of N. 21st St. – Theft from a Vehicle – Victim reports that items were stolen from her vehicle. Loss valued at $200.00.
9/27/12 – 5:52 p.m. – 100 block of N. 16th St. – Non-violent Family Dispute – Complaint worked by police and resolved.

Loudoun County Law Enforcement Partner with DEA for Prescription Take-Back Day

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Leesburg Police Department and the Town of Purcellville Police Department have once again partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft.

On Saturday, September 29, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. law enforcement agencies in Loudoun County will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at four sites in the county. The sites include the Eastern Loudoun Sheriff’s Station located at 46620 East Frederick Drive in Sterling, the Dulles South Public Safety Center located at 25216 Loudoun County Parkway in South Riding, the Lansdowne Public Safety Center located at 19845 Sandridge Way in Lansdowne, the Leesburg Police Department located at 65 Plaza Street in Leesburg and the Purcellville Police Department located at 250 Nursery Avenue in Purcellville. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. … Continue Reading

Farm Bureau Urges Voters To Choose ‘Yes’ on Question 1

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation members and other property rights advocacy groups have posted signs in their yards and around the state urging Virginians to vote yes on Question 1.

That’s because they are supporting an amendment to Virginia’s constitution to further protect individuals’ private property rights. The passage of Question 1 at the polls on Nov. 6 will protect everyone—farmers, homeowners, business and any privately-owned land—from eminent domain abuse.

“This amendment to the constitution in no way prohibits localities, states or utilities from using eminent domain for building roads, schools or other legitimate public uses. It will ensure that if land is taken for a legitimate public use, the property owner will receive fair compensation,” said Trey Davis, VFBF assistant director of governmental relations. “Under no circumstances can private property be taken for private revenue, increasing the amount of tax revenue or under the guise of economic development.” … Continue Reading

Virginia Students Continue to Outperform Peers Nationwide on SAT

Participation and Performance of Commonwealth’s Ethnic Groups Also Increase

Virginia’s 2012 public school graduates outperformed their peers nationwide on the SAT college-admissions test, according to results released today by the College Board. The commonwealth’s graduating seniors achieved at higher levels than public school students nationwide on all three SAT subsections:

• The average reading score of 508 for Virginia public school students is 17 points higher than the national average.
• The average mathematics score of 510 for Virginia public school students is five points higher.
• The average writing score of 492 for Virginia public school students is 11 points higher.

In addition, Virginia public school students in all ethnic groups that the College Board reports, — American Indian, Asian, African American, Hispanic and White — outperformed their peers nationwide on all three SAT subsections.

… Continue Reading

Year of the Bible

By Rev. Dr. David Milam, Pastor

In October 2012, St Andrew Presbyterian Church, 711 West Main Street, Purcellville, will be starting on an exciting journey: The Year of the Bible is a comprehensive, congregation-wide program of Bible reading. We are challenging everyone at our church, along with our neighbors and friends, to read the entire Bible in one year. In addition to reading the Scriptures, there will be help along the way. Weekly sermons, small groups, Christian Education from kids to adults, worship and devotions are focusing on the Year of the Bible.

Our pastors David Milam and Jessica McClure Archer have put together a weekly reading guide. In addition to daily readings, each week will have an overview of the books of the Bible we’re reading, devotions, some thought-provoking questions to ponder, and space for your questions and journaling. This resource will be valuable for your own personal use and for use in small groups. The reading plan booklet is available for download from our church website at www.standrew-pres.org. Also, visit our Facebook page (St. Andrew Presbyterian Church) and like us to keep up to date with all that’s happening with the Year of the Bible. … Continue Reading

Autumn Joy with Joshua’s Hands

As the seasons change and we start to bring another year to a close, Joshua’s Hands will again offer their annual Fall Festival as a free gift to the community – to celebrate the joy of autumn and the change of seasons – a time to be grateful.

This festival has become a Loudoun tradition you won’t want to miss! Located on Rt. 9 just five miles west of Waterford, the Guthrie farm offers views of the mountains and a gathering place for festival goers.

Joshua’s Hands was established in January of 1999, after Joshua’s death (October of 1998) in a car accident. He was 16 and the second of seven children. Joshua’s Hands has a five-fold ministry – like the fingers on a hand: the Annual Fall Festival, American Heritage Education, Community Service, Teen Safe Driving and Scholarships. As part of the heritage programming, Joshua’s Hands offered quilting camps this summer. They also offered two Valiant Warrior Quilting Events that brought together the community (quilters and non-quilters) to make quilts for wounded warriors. In the process, friendships were made, skills were learned and quilts were sent to the front lines to comfort wounded warriors. (233 quilts since January 2011.) … Continue Reading

Community Cancer Support Group Forming

The statistics of a person having a bout with cancer sometime in their lifetime are staggering: For men, it is 1 out of 2; women, 1 out of 3. Because of the emotional upheaval that a diagnosis can cause, most people tend to keep it quiet and sort through things by themselves or with their closest family members. A person with cancer can feel very alone, confused, and frightened.

The Cancer Support Community, which is just being initiated, will support and strengthen people with cancer as well as their families— both physically and emotionally— and discuss healing practices that should be followed regardless of whether using Conventional Treatment, Integrative Treatment (a combination), and/or Alternative Therapies. … Continue Reading

“Fore the Wolverines” Hits the Links at Stoneleigh Golf & Country Club

Eighty-eight Wolverine fans and golfers teed off bright and early Monday morning, September 17 at Woodgrove’s home course, Stoneleigh Golf and Country Club in Round Hill, to compete in the Second Annual “Fore the Wolverines” Golf Tournament. All proceeds from the tournament fund Senior student-athlete scholarships and other activities that further the mission of the WWABC. The weather was great, the course was gorgeous, and a good time was had by all! Aside from the tournament itself, the event featured a silent auction, raffle items, door prizes, breakfast, snacks and a delicious lunch catered by Stoneleigh.

Western Loudoun boasts amazing golfers proven by the tournament’s 3-way tie for the team with the lowest score – 59. The tie was broken by comparing back nine scores, and the winners were: … Continue Reading

New Boots for Firefighters

A $5,000 grant from the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company will equip 17 firefighters with new firefighting boots to help protect them when responding to emergencies. Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company President Richard Wolfe, left, accepts the check from Erin Lively of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. Ginny Pierson, right, holds a pair of the new boots firefighters will wear. Pierson represents Independent Insurance Agency, which was responsible for the selection of the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company as the grant recipient.

Breast Cancer Survivors’ Retreat in Loudoun County

The Loudoun Breast Health Network (LBHN) in partnership with the American Cancer Society and Inova Loudoun Hospital are presenting an Educational Conference and Open House Retreat for breast cancer survivors on Saturday, October 6 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Inova Loudoun Hospital. Reservations are required – call 1-855-694-6682 to register.

The Educational Session will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon and feature a panel discussion on “Survivorship: Thriving Through Integrative Strategies”.

The Open House “New Beginnings” Retreat for survivors will be from noon to 3:00 p.m. and will provide free wigs, bras, scarves and hats, cooking demos, free seated massages and yoga demos, make-over demonstrations and giveaways, and a multitude of resource and support information centers. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Portions of this event were made possible by generous donations to LBHN from Macys and “Breast Cancer Fundraiser Events” at Stone Bridge High School, Broad Run High School, Loudoun County High School and Park View High School.

Ida Lee Tennis Team Captures 2012 Leesburg Cup

Team Ida Lee finished one point better than runner-up Middleburg Tennis Club to win the 20th annual Leesburg Cup championship at the Ida Lee Tennis Center on Sunday, September 16. Ida Lee took two matches during Sunday’s decisive last round to edge Middleburg by a score of nine to eight in total matches won. Chestnut Forks Athletic Club finished with overall seven points by winning five of their last six matches. The three-day tournament featured players aged 50 and over competing in Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles matches with a team format. Middleburg came into the event as the defending champions after winning the title in 2011. Kitty Foster captained the Ida Lee squad, and helped provide the winning margin of victory Sunday when she turned back MTC’s Kim Smithers in a pivotal head-to-head singles matchup. Foster rallied from 1-4 down in the first set to win 6-4, 6-2 and assure Ida Lee at least a tie for the Cup. The clinching point came from the team of Julie Seraphin and Cathy Browning, who won 6-2, 6-1 against Paula Klima and Susan Hanback of Chestnut Forks in the final round to give Ida Lee an insurmountable lead. Seraphin and Browning, Foster, and the mixed doubles team of Doug Whitman and Kathleen Castro each contributed two wins on the weekend for Ida Lee. Scott Carpenter (Singles), Bill Mabry and John Lombardi (Doubles), and Muriel Hunt and Steve Solow (Mixed) also won matches in their divisions. Other team members include Tammy Belote, Jane Sarver, Keith Durham, and Scott McNabb, Susan Nixon, and Ron Carpenter. The Leesburg Cup is an annual event between Ida Lee, Chestnut Forks Athletic Club, and the Middleburg Tennis Club. Originally begun at the Loudon Racquet Club and moved to Ida Lee in 2003, the event is one of three tournaments the clubs sponsor each year promoting inter-club play. The first leg of these is the Chestnut Forks Challenge Cup in early February, followed by the Morgan Cup at Middleburg in June. Ida Lee won all three championships during the past 2012 season.

Kaine Tours Dulles Rail Construction Site with Warner and Connolly

As part of his campaign for U.S. Senate, former governor Tim Kaine toured the construction site of a Tysons Corner Metro station that is part of the Dulles Rail project he helped get under way as governor. Kaine was joined by U.S. Senator Mark Warner and U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly for the tour and an update on the progress of Phase I of Rail to Dulles, which is projected to be completed largely on time and on budget.

“When I took office as governor this project was just a model on a table,” said Kaine. “It is so gratifying to see such progress on Rail to Dulles because it was the single hardest project I have worked on in public life. Things like Rail to Dulles and the Beltway HOT Lanes, while they may cause some inconvenience during the construction phase, are putting people to work right now, will give Northern Virginia commuters more transportation options, and increase economic growth in this corridor for decades.” … Continue Reading