BRAMBLETON BUZZ: LATEST NEWS & EVENTS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY

News & Events Around Ashburn, November Edition

Posted November 21, 2017

Builder Spotlight

Ready to Move NOW? There’s no time like the present, which makes now a great time to buy your new dream home in Brambleton! Visit our builders to learn about their quick delivery homes, and as an additional incentive, purchase before December 23rd and receive a $2,000 Amazon gift card in our New Homes Special Offer on any new home.

Game Changer: The Brambleton Group Announces Its First-Ever Home Buyer Incentive!

Hurry in to buy your brand new home in Brambleton, and receive a little extra spending money to stock the pantry or “deck the halls!” Now through December 23rd, the Brambleton Group is offering a New Homes Special Offer of a $2,000 Amazon gift card to the first 20 buyers who sign a new, non-contingent contract with any of our builders. Whether it’s a quick delivery or has yet to be built, your Brambleton dream home awaits!

Brambleton’s 14th Model Now Open!Van Metre Homes Downtown Brambleton Townhome

Van Metre Homes celebrated the opening of their Ellington model in Downtown Brambleton on Sunday, November 12th with football, food and fun! Guests were treated to tours of the new model plus a tailgate party for the Redskins/Vikings game. Despite a home team loss, it was a win for Van Metre and fans who watched the game with local football great, Mark Moseley, and enjoyed tailgating favorites such as wings, chips, dips, BBQ and beer! The Ellington model is open weekdays, 10 AM to 5 PM and weekends, 11 AM to 6 PM, and is located at 23098 Sullivans Cove Square.

Brambleton currently has 14 model homes available to tour from the following high quality homebuilders: Knutson, Miller & Smith, Van Metre and Winchester Homes.

Local Builder Inducted Into Hall of Fame

By Carrie Brunner of the NB Herald, November 17, 2017

Local builder Don Knutson, President of The Knutson Companies in Leesburg, VA, was named to the Great American Living Award’s (GALA) Hall of Fame on October 5th. GALA recognizes companies and individuals for excellence in the new home building industry in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, West Virginia, and Delaware, in more than 40 categories, but the Hall of Fame acknowledges more than business acumen and design excellence – it honors a broader commitment to the industry, customers, and the community.

Nothing in life is achieved by yourself. In everything I’ve done, people have looked out for me, helped me out, and taken a special interest in what I was doing. If you see someone who you can help achieve something, make something happen, make themselves better, or help their community, you should do it. Pick someone out in the next three to six months and help that person achieve something they otherwise couldn’t do by themselves,” stated Knutson.

After more than 25 years in the homebuilding industry, including careers with Winchester Homes and Beazer Homes in Northern Virginia, Knutson started his own company in 2012. Since then, his passion for innovative design, architecture, and construction has culminated into the walkable neighborhoods of Crescent Place, a townhome community in Leesburg, VA; Brambleton Town Center, a townhome community in the heart of Downtown Brambleton, VA, and Brambleton Town Center South, another townhome community in Brambleton, VA. Additionally, Don has several new urban designed communities scheduled to come online in 2018 and 2019. Click to read the full article.


Upcoming Events

Celebrate the beginning of the Holiday season by walking in Brambleton Town Center’s Winter Wonderland. Take a family photo in our GIANT snow globe, adopt a cute polar bear, add some sweetness with our Hot Chocolate Bar (free tumblers for adults while supplies last), ride in a Horse-Drawn Carriage and register to win a Yeti Cooler Prize Pack. Enjoy performances by:

  • Brambleton Presbyterian- 1-2 PM
  • Brambleton Middle School- 2-3 PM
  • Creighton Corner Elementary School- 3-4 PM
  • Rock Ridge High School & Stone Hill Middle School- 4-5 PM

Town Center News

 

Celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 25th at the Brambleton Town Center. Here are some stores participating with special offers:

  • Go Bananas – Shop on Small Business Saturday to receive 10% off Legos priced $39.99 or higher (cannot be combined with any other discount or coupon).
  • Misguided Angels – Shop with us on Small Business Saturday to receive a free gift with purchase as well as a special discount!
  • Bicycle Outfitters is leading a calorie burner ride and tour of Lost Rhino Brewery in Ashburn. Meet at 11:30 AM on 11/25 in front of Bicycle Outfitters. Helmets required. Bring water and bike lock. Tours are $8/pp. Total mileage approx 17 miles roundtrip.

Now Hiring

Work close to home with a job at the Brambleton Town Center. These tenants are currently hiring:

  • AhSo Restaurant is expected to open early December! Many positions are available. Email your resume or fill out the Contact form online.
  • Hair Cuttery is seeking talented/licensed Stylists and Managers for our Loudoun County salons. Comp pay, benefits, and flex schedule. Call or text Kenny at 301-331-7861, or visit haircuttery.com/careers. EOE
  • Peet’s Coffee: Are you an early riser? Peet’s Coffee is hiring Baristas and Shift Supervisors who can begin as early as 4:45 AM. Starting pay is $10 with $1 increase after 90 days. Apply at Peets.com/careers.

Brambleton Town Center Fall Coupons

The Brambleton Town Center fall savings booklets have arrived! Stop by the Welcome Center to pick up your coupon booklet while supplies last. Coupons are also available online.

Bella Ballerina Mini Nutcracker Camps

Bella Ballerina is holding one day Nutcracker Dance camps on Dec 28-29 & Jan 3-5. Give yourself the gift of a little extra time this holiday season and register your child for these adorable Nutcracker-themed day camps which run from 8:30 AM -3:30 PM and are $40 per child. Choose from three themes with crafts, costuming, dancing and we’ll even provide parents with a special recorded performance of an end-of-the-day show. Limited space available. Book online.


Giving Back Around The Community!

Salvation Army Angel Tree

If you wish to participate in buying gifts for local children in need this holiday, please stop by the Welcome Center to pick up an angel tag from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. Please note that the gifts will be due back to Brambleton by December 5th. When shopping for an angel, here are the general recommendations:

  • 1 daytime outfit (hats, gloves, socks appreciated!)
  • 1 set of sleepwear
  • 2 to 4 toys/gifts, using their wish list for inspiration
  • Total of approx. $100 to $150 per Angel

You are more than welcome to get together with friends & neighbors and combine your gifts to sponsor one angel. If you have questions, please contact ambercolatosti@gmail.com. Thank you for helping to make sure each child in our community has a merry holiday season!

Step Up and Support Local Breast Cancer Patients

The Step Sisters are currently accepting donations of gently worn, used and new shoes. Drop them off in the pass through of the Welcome Center, which is open daily, 9 AM – 10 PM.

Suzanne Eaton Christmas Tree Stand Returns

Christmas Tree Sales in Brambleton benefit the Cherry Blossom Foundation for Breast Cancer.

The Suzanne Eaton Christmas Tree stand will return to the Brambleton Town Center for the holiday season to provide fresh cut quality Christmas trees, wreaths & garland. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for more details on their opening date, hours and selection.

 


Realtor Spotlight

Meet Kelly Elson, Century 21 Redwood Realty

Kelly is an award-winning real estate agent who lives in Brambleton and focuses on Northern Virginia customers. Her “superpower” is communication skills. She listens intently to her clients and is committed to building long-term relationships with her satisfied customers. She has lived, worked and raised a large family in Northern Virginia for many years. Kelly grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, attended Northwestern University and has lived in many cities including St. Louis, Boston and Chicago. She was introduced to the business world at a young age by helping to operate her family’s miniature-golf course.

Kelly’s career has always been about people. As a change management consultant at a global consulting company, she prepared, equipped and supported people in successfully adopting new ideas and business strategies. As a Dale Carnegie instructor, she taught public speaking and human skills. And finally, as a real estate agent she leads her clients through the process of buying and selling homes. Kelly provides her customers with dedicated and committed customer service.


Library News

 

Jessica West from the Loudoun County Public Library and Robyn Beck Dietter from Friends of Brambleton Library recently sat down with Stacey Rusch to discuss the great things that the new Brambleton Library will have to offer. Catch the video here, and be sure to follow them on Facebook for more opportunities to get involved.


School News

Third Grade Community Map Maker Project

Looking for entertainment and fun in the Brambleton area?  As part of a class project learning about maps, third graders from Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School have identified entertainment destinations such as pools, trails, restaurants and more on a map of Brambleton – complete with labels and legends!  You can view their project here.  We’re proud of our little explorers and wish them many fun times at their mapped out destinations!


Community Updates Via Supervisor Buffington

The following Brambleton updates are from Supervisor Tony Buffington’s Blue Ridge District Newsletter. For the latest news and events, continue reading his Fall 2017 Quarterly Update.

  • Independence High School: Independence High School received funding in Fiscal Year 2017, and will open at the start of the 2019-20 academic year. The high school will be built using the protypical two-story high school design. The estimated 282,064 square foot building will serve students in grades 9 through 12. With an anticipated program capacity of 1,800 students, the high school will include classrooms, a media center, cafeteria, auditorium, gymnasium, auxiliary gymnasium, outdoor physical education fields and other associated spaces to support the high school program. Click here to see a drone recorded video dated September 3, 2017.
  •  Brambleton Library: This proffered library will take up the first two floors of a new building currently being constructed in the heart of the Brambleton Town Center. The top two floors above the library will become commercial office space. There will also be some ground floor retail space for new shops and/or restaurants. Once constructed by the Brambleton developer, the Library will be staffed and stocked in preparation for its scheduled opening in Summer of 2018.
  •  Hal and Bernie Hanson Park: I’m very excited about this project which provides for the design and construction of a regional park along Evergreen Mills Rd between the communities of Brambleton and Willowsford. The 250 acre park will feature both natural and artificial turf soccer fields, a youth baseball complex, a cricket field and tennis courts. In addition to athletic fields the park will have two amphitheaters, two dog park, a large splash pad, two playgrounds, outdoor courts and a skate park. Passive park facilities will include a nature center, a lakeside lodge, paved and natural surface trails and a disc golf course. In addition, an existing home listed on the National Historic Registry is being renovated as part of the project. Five existing lakes on the property are being restored and will be used for park irrigation. The project was fully funded this year; however, due to shallow rock, import of fill material and significant earthwork required to construct the athletic fields, the Board was recently advised that the project is anticipated to cost approximately $14,800,000 more than currently funded. I believe area residents have waited long enough for this highly anticipated park; therefore, I’ve asked County staff to identify a phasing plan that will facilitate construction and opening based on the current schedule rather than delaying the entire project to await full funding of the newly identified shortfall. Most likely this will result in a staff recommendation for phasing of the project whereby most, but not all, will be built on the current schedule, and the rest will be constructed at a later date once funding has been identified and allocated. While this isn’t the ideal scenario, it should keep most of the project on time as previously scheduled which I know is strongly supported by the community. The project is scheduled to go to bid in the Winter of 2018.