Karen Dilley Joins the Town of Leesburg as Human Resources Manager

Town of Leesburg officials announced today that Karen Dilley has been hired as the Town’s new Human Resources Manager. Ms. Dilley will fill the position left vacant by the retirement of current Human Resources Director Nancy Fixx. She will start with the Town on Monday, December 3, 2012.

Karen Dilley has ten years of Human Resources experience in a variety of industries, including local government, manufacturing and the non-profit sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Labor Relations and Human Resources from Michigan State University. A native of Michigan, Ms. Dilley moved to Northern Virginia in late 2010. She resides in Ashburn with her husband and two children. … Continue Reading

New Auction Company Launches

Savvy Buyers and Motivated Sellers Come Together in Lively and Entertaining Shopping Event

Auctions on Main, a live auction company in downtown Purcellville, is now accepting consignments for their Grand Opening auction, beginning 2013. For the home or business with unused items, or those looking to furnish or equip their place, auctions are the perfect solution for buyers and sellers.

Buyers can find bargains on previously owned items, all under one roof. Auctions sell just about anything­– one never knows what unique item will be discovered. Buyers can also browse a photo gallery online, which features many of the items being auctioned that week.

Sellers eliminate the hassle of selling through the classifieds. Auctions on Main does all the advertising, qualifies the buyer, sells the item and processes the funds. Most importantly, sellers preserve their privacy and save time in finding potential buyers. … Continue Reading

Loudoun Valley Students Accepted at Coastal Carolina University

The following Loudoun Valley high school students have been accepted at Coastal Carolina University for the Fall 2013 semester.

Steffanie May plans to major in Elementary Education.

Connor Chiles plans to major in Marine Science.

Morgan Hammer plans to major in Psychology.

Round Hill Welcomes Holidays on December 8

The Round Hill community will celebrate “Holidays in Round Hill” on Saturday, December 8, with an array of activities.

On Saturday afternoon, the Round Hill Arts Center will offer a special block-printed holiday card workshop with Jill Evans-Kavaldjian. The workshop runs from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and is appropriate for children ages eight and up. The workshop costs $40, which includes materials for 20 cards. The Round Hill Arts Center is located in the Hill High Orchards complex on Route 7 just west of Round Hill. Register by calling 540-338-5022 or visiting www.roundhillartscenter.org. While at Hill High, be sure to visit the Country Store and the Gateway Gallery for unique locally produced gifts, and leave time to enjoy a glass of mulled wine by the fire at Bogati Bodega. … Continue Reading

Local Teacher Uses Technology with Traditional Approach to Learning

“The great bug study had begun in our classroom. The students began creating their scientific drawings with paper and pencil and were getting frustrated with erasing; Aha!”

This is a quote from Loudoun Country Day School kindergarten teacher Angie Cross as she presented for the third time at the largest gathering of early childhood educators in the world, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the NAEYC Annual Conference and Expo, held in Atlanta, Georgia, from November 7-10. She specifically talked about how she and her students have not only learned how to integrate iPads into their daily learning in the classroom, but they use it side-by-side with traditional approaches, creating a learning environment that is unique to this age group and built on the success of combined approaches. … Continue Reading

County Hosts Public Information Meetings on Lights at Two Park Sites

The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services and the Department of Construction and Waste Management will hold informational sessions for the public regarding two special exception applications for lights at Byrne’s Ridge Park and the Brambleton Fields (East/West) park site.

Byrne’s Ridge Park is located at 24915 Mineral Springs Circle in Aldie. The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 3, 2012, in the auditorium of Mercer Middle School, 42149 Greenstone Drive, Aldie.

The Brambleton Fields (East/West) park site is located at 22389 Belmont Ridge Road in Ashburn. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, in the auditorium of the National Recreation & Park Association, 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn.

For more information, contact prcs@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0343.

How Do You Help Children Cope with Death of Principal?

Dr. Mike,
My son’s principal, Ms. Kathleen Hwang, of Sanders Corner Elementary School was killed this past week when she was hit by a car while crossing the street. We told our son about the news, and he is very upset. He is so upset that he doesn’t want to return to school on Monday. Do you have an advice on how to get us through this difficult time?
L in Loudoun County
… Continue Reading

Balch Library to Host Booksigning

The Thomas Balch Library will host a book signing for Gale Waldron and Sarah Huntington, author and photographer of “In Their Own Words, Recollections of an Earlier Loudoun” on Saturday, December 1 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Originally published in 2002, the book was recently reprinted as a 10th Anniversary edition and is now on sale.

In Their Own Words, which debuted in 2002, is a close up look at Loudoun’s past as told through 32 personal vignettes. Waldron, founder and editor of the former Loudoun ART magazine, and local award-winning photographer Huntington began working on the idea for Loudoun ART magazine, meeting with people in all areas of the county to collect their stories of earlier times.

For more information, call 703-771-0127 or 540-338-7809.

BOS Should Vote Against Moving Assessor Function to COR

The BoS should vote against moving the Assessor function to the Commissioner of Revenue (CoR) office. Eight points to consider:

1. The prior County Assessor was selected via a nationwide executive search. He was highly qualified and effective. During his seven years of service, he brought assessments and related programs into compliance with the State and local mandates. The office was professionally managed and restructured under strong, independent, leadership. During the Government Reform Commission (GRC) interview, the CoR couldn’t recall his office budget. He said, “I knew you were going to ask that question,” and deferred to staff. Does the current CoR have the qualifications, management expertise, licenses, or certifications to function as the County Assessor? … Continue Reading

Purcellville Police Blotter – Week of November 17, 2012

11/17/12 – 11:24 p.m. – West A St. / Sturbridge Ct. – Simple Assault & Disorderly Conduct – Victim states an adult male attacked him at the stop sign, accusing him of speeding on A Street. Investigation continues.
11/18/12 – 12:19 a.m. – Rt. 7 / Rt. 287 – DUI / Obstruction of Justice – Marlon Erne Martinez-Castillo age 21 of no fixed address was arrested.
11/18/12 – 12:19 a.m. – Rt. 7 / Rt.287 – Public Intoxication / Obstruction of Justice – Perez Javier Figueroa age 30 of Leesburg, Va. was arrested.
11/18/12 – 9:20 a.m. – 300 block of S. 20th St. – Non-violent Family Dispute – Complaint worked by police and resolved.
11/18/12 – 6:00 p.m. – 100 block of N. 16th t – Larceny – Victim reports their bicycle was stolen. Loss valued at $100.00.
11/19/12 – 12:15 p.m. – 100 block of N 16th St. – Destruction of Property – Victim reports that someone scratched their vehicle and broke a vent cover. Damage valued at $500.00.

Leesburg Police and Parks & Recreation’s R.O.C.K. Program Sponsor “Holidays With The Cops”

During the first week of December, the Leesburg Police Department, in partnership with the Leesburg Parks & Recreation Department’s R.O.C.K. Program, will make this Christmas a little brighter for some of Leesburg’s neediest children.

Each child who participates will be paired up with a uniformed Leesburg police officer and will be given $200 to spend on Christmas gifts. “Holiday With The
Cops” will start with dinner for the children and their “shopping buddies” at the Leesburg Police Department. After dinner, the police officers will escort
the children to Target, where they will be able to shop to their hearts’ content. In the past, many children have purchased gifts for family members and
necessary household items. One child even bought a Christmas tree for his family! Once the children have finished their shopping, volunteers from Leesburg Police Explorer Post # 1041 and Leesburg Police Citizen Support Team as well as Leesburg Police Department dispatchers and staff will help the children wrap their gifts. Members from the Leesburg National Guard Armory will then help transport all the gifts home for the kids. … Continue Reading

LCSO to Hold Series of Internet Safety Classes for Parents

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will begin a series of courses called Internet Safety: What Parents Need to Know. This two part course will help introduce parents to basic Internet safety as well as some advanced techniques to help keep their children safe while online and using technology. Be advised that these are PARENT ONLY CLASSES due to GRAPHIC CONTENT.

Internet Safety is a common topic of discussion for today’s parents and in some cases can be a source of anxiety. With technology moving ahead at such a rapid pace, it can be hard for parents to keep up let alone catch up. Topics that will be discussed: Social Networking, Sexting/Texting, Cell Phone Technology and Features, Laptops vs. Desk Top PC’s, Current Trends, Predatory Behaviors, PC and Console Gaming, and Monitoring Techniques. Below is a list of the upcoming Internet safety courses being taught by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Adult Crime Prevention Unit: … Continue Reading

LINK Reaches Out to Needy Families, Serves Thousands

By Mark Gunderman

Friday, November 16, was an extremely busy day as volunteers were sorting food and clothing and tweets were going out seeking additional food items. Facebook was updated with requests for more volunteers to help. On Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. LINK was ready to receive the first of our 800 plus families.

When the day ended shortly after 4:00 p.m., LINK and our volunteers served 801 families (4,300 people comprising 2,066 adults and 2,234 children) food to last five – seven days, fresh produce and meat from Capital Area Food Bank. Volunteers made direct deliveries to 11 homebound families.

$21,930 was distributed in grocery card gift cards. 1,592 winter coats, 1,748 pairs of gloves and winter hats and 1,035 scarves and other winter items were distributed to 320 grateful families. … Continue Reading

Leesburg Toys for Tots Campaign Accepting Donations through December 13

These tough economic times have made the holidays especially difficult for many local families. The Town of Leesburg is partnering with the Loudoun County Detachment of the Marine Corps League to sponsor this year’s annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. Toys collected will be distributed solely within Loudoun County.

Toy donations will be accepted at five drop-off locations at Town of Leesburg facilities:

Town Hall, 25 West Market Street
Thomas Balch Library, 208 West Market Street
Leesburg Police Department, 65 Plaza Street NE
Ida Lee Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW
Leesburg Executive Airport, 1001 Sycolin Road SE

Donated toys should be new, unwrapped and appropriate for children ages 1-12. Donations will be accepted through December 13. Monetary donations may be given directly to the local branch of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation by visiting their website at http://loudoun-va.toysfortots.org.