Loudoun Needs 21 More Schools, Says Superintendent

Friday, September 17th, 2010, 3:13am

ASHBURN, Va. (WUSA) -- The head of Loudoun County's Public Schools laid out an ambitious growth plan for his district in his State of Education address. It is one he says is needed.

Dr. Edgar Hatrick released his report and proposals on the school's website. He wrote Loudoun will be the third-largest school district in Virginia, with nearly 92,000 students - up from just under 60,000 now. Hatrick said Loudoun will need 21 new schools to meet the growing number of students. However, Hatrick wrote only eight are planned through 2015.

STATE OF EDUCATION: Read Dr. Hatrick's address and presentation (PDF File)

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Kereth Knapp, Community Blogger

Thursday, September 16th, 2010, 3:27pm

Virginia's Annual Wine Festival is being held this weekend, the 18-19th, at Bull Run Regional Park. What is better than spending a beautiful day trying over 400 varieties of wine in only a few short hours!

Virginia has grown to be the 5th state in US wine prodcution and this event is the #1 tasting event in Virginia. You get all your favorite wines (and probably a few you won't like) in a one stop shop with gourmet food, arts shows, musical entertainment and unique vendors. This is a "Wine enthusiast paradise" you don't want to miss. And check out the 1000 Oaks Barrel Company. They have the cutest little barrel's you can actually keep liquor in right on your bar! Need to convince the kids it'll be a fun time? There's face painting!

Tickets range from $25 (advance) to $30 at the door.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Kereth Knapp, Community Blogger

Thursday, September 16th, 2010, 1:30pm

Great Country Farms is doing their annual Cider Fest and Antique Tractors event this Saturday/Sunday from 12-4. Enjoy tasting freshly pressed cider and demonstrations with 1800's antique presses. Enjoy Cider Slushies and apple pies while taking a tour of the farm and their antique tractors.

For the kids, there is a Corn Maze, a 2800 sqft Jumping Pillow (this is a MUST while there!), Putt Putt Golf, Wagonrides to U-Pick produce, farm animals to visit and feed, rope swings, giant slides, tire mountain and more. Admission price is $10-12 and those with Military ID are free.

Their official Fall Harvest Festival start September 25th and goes until October 31st. Find more information by clicking here.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by WUSA9 Web Staff

Thursday, September 16th, 2010, 11:57am

ASHBURN, Va. (WUSA) -- The Loudoun County Sheriff says a man with a knife has robbed at least three businesses in Ashburn.

Sheriff Stephen Simpson says the crook has robbed two Hair Cutterys and a Taco Bell.

Simpson released surveillance video that shows a man wearing a baseball cap walking into the Hair Cuttery at Parkhurst Plaza around one in the afternoon on Tuesday.

MORE: News From The Ashburn Community

He browses the shampoo and conditioner shelves and then acts as though he is going to buy something. But instead he pulls out a large knife and robbed the business.

It was similar to the incident at another Hair Cutter two days before on Sunday in the Ashburn Shopping Plaza.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Ellen Scott, Community Web Producer

Thursday, September 16th, 2010, 10:36am

It's almost apple picking time again! Come out for the 6th Annual Autumn Apple Festival at Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling, VA on Saturday, October 23. You can visit the exhibit "Viriginia Apples for Flavor: The Story of Hill High Orchards" and see historic orchard tools at work! Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is located at 21668 Heritage Farm Lane.

For just $3-5 a person you can learn how to make cider and apple butter and meet local farmers and learn how to buy fresh and shop local for your family!

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Leigh Macdonald, News Where You Live Ambassador, NoVA, D.C., Maryland

Thursday, September 16th, 2010, 8:05am

Some Northern Virginia tennis players will soon travel to California to compete in the United States Tennis Association League's 2.5 National Adult Championship. The event will take place Oct. 1-3 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

The members of the nine-woman team—which was self-dubbed, "One Hit Wonders"—are clearly anything but. They attended USTA Virginia's District Championship in mid-July and qualified for the Mid-Atlantic Sectional Championship by wild card. There, they went undefeated and picked up their invitation to USTA's National Championship. The team represents Ida Lee Tennis Center and the Town of Leesburg and comprises: captain Ellen Wyly, and players Cristina Sequino, Eve Weber, Jen Culko, Jen Kaine, Jennifer Pearson, Kathy Horne, Nicole Sicre, and Susan Gorman. Moses Gittens and Korey Suk coach the team of superstar-do-it-all-moms.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Nicole Sicre, Ellen Wyly, Jennifer Pearson, Kathy Horne, Cristina Sequino and Susan Gorman. Not pictured: Eve Weber, Jen Culko, and Jen Kaine.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Kereth Knapp, Community Blogger

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010, 4:32pm

Need something fun to do outside this weekend? Cox's Farm has it all to get you excited for Fall. Their Opening Weekend is this weekend, the 18-19th. From the zoo animals to numerous slides and hay rides and mazes, it's the place to be when the weather is great.

Cox's Farm gets extremely busy very early, so if you want to avoid waiting in line for rides or feeling like you're at a high time amusment park on a Saturday, then get there well before the place opens. There are two rides that are by far the best ones there. One is on the far left back corner of the farm. It's their biggest slide and gets the most attraction. The next one is when you walk in it'll be to the left. You have to go through a "barn" to get to the top. It's a short slide, but it's got a sidewinder feel to it.

View Comments | Post a Comment