Blue Ridge Leader News -
July 4, 2010
Lighting Up
Happy Fourth of July! Thanks for sitting in.
I’m sure you’ve heard all the warnings about kids and fireworks- and if you’re a big kid, maybe you should leave ‘em alone, too.
Let the pros do the job: sit back and watch a public display- or a nearby private one, if it’s within your view.
In any case, let’s mark Independence Day in a memorable way- and at the same time, be able to get to work on Tuesday.
Playing with Fire
Sounds like a couple of minors started celebrating a little too early- and in the wrong way; the Fire Marshall’s Office announced arrests on two juveniles in a suspected arson fire from this past week. The incident left a barn totally destroyed in South Riding.
It’s still under investigation, but the suspects remained- at last word- in safe keeping behind bars- on charges of felony arson.
The fire occurred Tuesday night along Braddock Road.
Those juveniles- if found guilty- may just be lucky that the barn had no livestock- or people, inside.
Whew
Well, it wasn’t done by firepower, and even if you don’t believe in global warming, this past June was pretty darn hot. About five degrees hotter than average, according to the slide rule boys at the National Weather Service.
I work outside during the heat of the day, so I can well assure you, that it was a health issue, if not life-threatening.
Always a good idea to check on your neighbors during these hot spells- see if they have air conditioners- that function- and that kids and pets aren’t left outside unattended for too long.
And watch for toddlers and animals in cars- they can perish frighteningly quick in a parked vehicle with the windows up.
If you don’t believe me, roll your windows up on a sweltering day, drive over to a friendly neighborhood blacktop parking lot, park in the sun, and try to just sit there for about five minutes with your favorite book.
See what I mean?
Pouring Away
Which leads us to an on-again, off-again phenomenon in Loudoun County- it’s sure getting dry around here! Don’t be surprised if we hear about water restrictions this summer, if the hot and sunny forecasts continue through July and August.
So far, we haven’t heard of any mandatory conservation measures, but we’ve got a long way to go to hit the cool weather of September and October.
And August is generally a hot, dry month in these parts.
So, best advice is: cool it with the lawn watering.
Don’t know what it is about us Virginians and our green lawns, but I’d rather have a brown lawn than an empty faucet for drinking.
Just watch the word on restrictions- if and when they come- they generally apply to lawn watering, car washing and the like.
And check your outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks- don’t throw it away for nothing.
Just Like on TV
Here’s a cool one: Fox 5 TV broadcast from downtown Leesburg on Friday morning. They interviewed Mayor Kristen Umstaddt down at the Historic Courthouse Square and took some footage at Dodona Manor- the restored home of the late General George C Marshall.
Didn’t see any of it, but, as they say, any publicity is good publicity.
Just spell the name right.
Now- for any of you who think the world will now flock to Leesburg, that’s just not the way it works.
This may help create a bit more interest in our little neck of the woods, but it’s not gonna set the world on fire.
Too hot for that, anyway.
Oath Upon Oath
And speaking of the Mayor of the County Seat, we just had another round of swearing-in sessions around the County for a slew of recently-elected local officials. Leesburg and Purcellville did the honors, as well as some of the smaller incorporated Towns in western Loudoun; not quite the pomp and circumstance of a presidential swearing-in, but an official, honorary passage just the same.
A slice of Americana in your hometown.
An Offer We Can’t Refuse?
Just a quick note on another hot topic as of late- the developers for the Kincora project sweetened the pot for the County’s perusal just prior to an expected vote on the proposed eastern Loudoun design. Now, without going through the entire story for the umteenth time, the builders offered up almost $32 million dollars for an important link for Gloucester Parkway- from Pacific Boulevard to Loudoun County Parkway- which the County’s been pushing to try to lessen the load on Waxpool Road.
Kincora’s 1,400 homes, 4 million square feet of office and half a million square feet of retail would obviously add to the congestion.
The Supervisors may vote on this on the 12.
They already approved a minor league ball field at the site, as you’ll recall.
My Kind of Firecrackers
Hope you and your family have a great Fourth. That chicken I told you about last week went on the smoker grill at 6:30 this morning.
I know what I’m having for dinner.
Thanks for sitting in.
Tim Jon for the Blue Ridge Leader
