BRAMBLETON BUZZ: LATEST NEWS & EVENTS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY

What’s Trending in Brambleton: May Edition 2015

Posted May 15, 2015

 GREAT BEER GREAT FOODby Dave Hoffman, Lost Rhino Retreat

Lost Rhino Retreat Ashburn VA RestaurantWhat makes great beer even better?  Great food!  Our Chef, Josh, has been hard at work the last few weeks making sure we had some of the best food in Ashburn to go along with the best beer.

The finishing touches have been put on the seared ahi tuna tacos, slow roasted carnitas, and the Tmavy marinated hangar steak. He has also been refining some of the staples from the Tasting Room like the nachos and the Bavarian Pretzel.  The menu wouldn’t have been complete without them. He has been traveling the area to find local produce, all natural free roam chicken, and fresh seafood.  The fresh, ingredients are really putting the food over the top.  Can’t wait for everyone to try the menu!


The Retreat is just about ready as well.  The draft system has been tested and the Liquor License has been issued so that means beer is on the way!  The pallet wall is complete, art work is being created (the chalk work is pretty impressive), and the final mill work is underway.  We also received the first delivery of what looks to be a very extensive collection of beer bottles that Matt has been amassing for over 20 years.  Interesting rarities, discontinued beers, one offs, and bottles from companies that have long ago ceased production.  Should be a very nice addition to our front cabinets, although I’m starting to wonder if we’ll have room for the whole collection! Hey, did you know that J.R. Ewing (yes, that J.R. Ewing) had his own beer?!  Well he did and it’s part of Matt’s collection.

Lost Rhino Retreat Ashburn VA Restaurant and Brewery


Hiring is still underway and we are looking for great people.  Cooks, in particular.  So if you know anyone who would like to work in a large, clean, well organized, high tech kitchen with a great Chef, send them our way.  All experience levels will be considered.  Smiling faces for our dining room and bar as well!

Thanks to everyone for your patience as we continue this journey.  We appreciate the enthusiasm we hear everyday from folks who are excited we’re coming to the Town Center.  Trust us,no one is more eager than we are to see the patio full, hear the music, and enjoy outstanding craft beer and food than we are.  If you see us working at the Retreat, don’t hesitate to say “Hi” and we’ll even show you around!

Brambleton’s Inaugural Brewfest – May 30th!

Brambleton Brew Fest 2015


Bram Brew Fest – May 30th – 1:00 – 6:00 PM.  Purchase your tickets online to get through registration quicker! Please note that the online service fee will be the same at the gate unless you are using cash. You are welcome to bring your chairs and blankets, but tents are prohibited. We will have several large tents for your enjoyment, along with live music by Hypnotic Willie and Crowded Streets (DMB Cover Band). Newly added to this event is a silent disco!  Entrance will be located on Brambleton Plaza in front of Lost Rhino Retreat.  

Make-Over Contest – Eclips Salon – As part of their generous sponsorship to the Bram Brew Fest, Eclips will be choosing one winner to receive a full make-over at their salon.  If you feel you are in need of a new look, you can enter by sending a message to Eclips on Facebook, and they will send you the entry form.  Winner will be announced at the Bram Brew Fest, but you do not need to be present to win.  

New Running Club Now Forming! – If you’re the type who likes to reward yourself with a cold pint after a great run, we’ve got just the thing for you starting  June 2nd! Join the Rhino Chasers every Tuesday at 6:00 PM (weather permitting) June-October at the Lost Rhino Retreat for an organized 1, 3 or 5 mile run through Brambleton. We’ll meet back at the Retreat to enjoy drinks, food (fees separate from free run) and camaraderie with fellow runners and beer enthusiasts. All paces and ages welcome for run! For questions please email Kelly Superak.


Matt Partlow, World Police and Fire Games Participant


Matt Partlow Sport and Health Brambleton | WPFG participantThe World Police & Fire Games are coming up from June 26-July 5 in Fairfax County

and Brambleton resident and former Deputy Fire Chief of Loudoun County Fire and Rescue, Matt Partlow (who you may also know from Sport & Health at Brambleton Town Center), is attending the games to compete in the golf event. 


When we asked Matt what he’s most looking forward to at the games, he replied, “I get the opportunity to play golf a lot, but I don’t always get the opportunity to play golf against say, a firefighter from Spain or a policeman from Korea, for example. I think that will be the neat part, having someone coming to a place that I’ve lived all my life and they’ll be really excited to be here.”


Fairfax County and the National Capital Region will play host to the 2015 World Police & Fire Games, The Games of Heroes, June 26 – July 5.  Established 30 years ago, today the Games have grown into a spectacular international sporting event, offering police officers, firefighters, customs and correction officers from around the world an opportunity to showcase their athletic excellence in over 65 sporting events.  Held biennially, the World Police & Fire Games will be held in Fairfax County in 2015 then travel on to Montreal, Canada in 2017 and Chengdu, China in 2019. The size and scope of the games continues to grow, with both the attendance and number of participating countries steadily increasing.

The economic impact of the Games is substantial as competitors often plan their family vacations and holidays to the host city and its surrounding area. This means our area could see an influx of an estimated 15,000-30,000 visitors during the Games.

The Brambleton Town Center is honored to serve as a WPFG Merchant Incentive Partner offering special deals to the athletes and the many volunteers.  The Town Center is located within minutes of many of the WPFG sports venues in Loudoun County, and we welcome the athletes, their families, and Games volunteers to enjoy the dining and entertainment options available here.  Please visit the 2015 World Police & Fire Games website or Facebook page to learn more about the sporting events, venues and volunteer opportunities.


The Virginia LOVEwork returns to Brambleton during BrewFest

The Virginia LOVEwork Returns to Brambleton


The Virginia LOVEwork Returns to Brambleton  – The Virginia LOVEwork will be on display in the Brambleton Town Center, May 22 – June 1. These letters travel around the state, promoting that “LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation!” 


We encourage you to take family photos in front of the artwork and then post to Facebook, tagging Brambleton’s, Visit Loudoun’s and Virginia is for Lovers’ pages; or on Twitter and Instagram using the special hashtags #LOVEVA, #LoveLoudoun and #BRAMBLETON! Visit the website for more info.  Our LOVE album can be found here!

Did you know May is ‪Skin Cancer Awareness Month‬? 


Before you pack up for the long holiday weekend, heed the advice of the experts at Galaria Plastic Surgery & Dermatology to keep your skin protected: 

  1. Wear ‪#‎sunscreen‬ every day, in every season! Choose a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 and one with “broad-spectrum” on the label, which means it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Put it on at least 15 minutes before going outside. Use 1 ounce, which would fill a shot glass.
  2. Reapply sunscreen at least every 3 hours, more often if you’re sweating or swimming.
  3. Wear wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts.
  4. Avoid being out in the sun as much as possible from 10 AM – 2 PM.
  5. Parents: protect your children’s skin! Much of the damage that causes cancer later in life occurs before the age of 18.
  6. Do not use tanning beds.

Loudoun Lyme 5K: 1,200 Gather To Raise Awareness

Loudoun Lyme 5K: 1,200 Gather To Raise Awareness
Click here for more photos!


A note from Monte Skall, Director of NatCapLyme…

“Steve, Reagan, Lesley, DryHome Crew, 5K Committee & all,  Thank you for the wonderful event! I can’t express to you in words how proud NatCapLyme was to be a part of it. In the 5 years that we have done the 5K I have never heard as much appreciation expressed by race attendees and the public before. Throughout the morning I was being approached by people expressing their gratitude that this event was happening and how well it was done. I really felt that the difference this year was that for the first time the public felt a part of the event and identified with what was happening. I know that Congresswoman Comstock & Supervisor Janet Clark also appreciated being honored and left with a stronger connection to this cause than ever before.

A special thanks to Steve and Lesley for their flexibility in letting us do the largest Lyme Challenge in the Country and honor the memory of a fallen Lyme advocate. It made the Loudoun Lyme 5th 5K/10K/1K the Lyme event of the year!

With much appreciation to you all, Monte & National Capital Lyme Disease Board of Directors”.

Brambleton Farmer’s Market Opening Day Officially kicks off the season!

Brambleton’s mascot, Bruno the Blue Bird, officially opened the Brambleton Farmers Market for the 2015 season! Thank you to all who came out to support the market now open every Sunday 9AM – 1PM through November 1st. .  Click here to view all the photos from the day and even a short video here!

Brambleton's mascot, Bruno the Blue Bird, officially opened the Brambleton Farmers Market for the 2015 season!

Brambleton Town Center Field Trip

Brambleton Town Center Field Trip

On Tuesday, April 22nd, 3rd Graders from Legacy Elementary learned from the owners and managers of the Brambleton Town Center how they run their business!

Thank you Johnny Rockets, Regal Fox Cinema, Go Bananas Toys, Bicycle Outfitters, Sport & Health, Animal Medical Centers of Loudoun, Bloo Dental, Capital One Bank, Eclips, Froots, Harris Teeter, Little Smiles Dentistry, & Insight Eye for your participation in this great annual event.




Stratford Landing Pool is now open!

Taken by Stephanie Lee, Brambleton Group Stratford Landing Pool is now open!

Our Brambleton Town Center Spotlight Tenant of the Month is Bloō Dental!

  • Our Brambleton Town Center Spotlight Tenant of the Month is Bloō Dental! Stop by the Welcome Center to enter their drawing, you could win an in-office teeth whitening or a Blue Ridge Grill gift card!
  • Talk of the Town Center Spring Update starring the Brambleton Marketing Department is now on the Brambleton TV Channel and also available on our Youtube Channel also here.
  • Brambleton Town Center NewsletterNorthern Virginia Magazine named Bram Brew Fest sponsor Lost Rhino Brewing Company the “Best Tasting Room Experience” AND “Best Pilsner”! At 21730 Red Rum Drive in Ashburn, Lost Rhino boasts a wealth of beers and a delicious menu (we recommend the charcuterie plate!). From lagers to ales, IPAs and Pilsners, Lost Rhino will have something for beer lovers of all stripes — don’t miss this award-winning spot!  Lost Rhino Retreat anticipates a soft opening this Saturday.

  • Sport & Health’s 5th Anniversary Pool Party – June 6th  from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  Live music, hot dogs, drinks, free guest day, Kidz Zumba and limbo in the fountains.  
  • Hot off the Press!  The Brambleton Town Center is debuting a brand new newsletter to help keep you up to date with all the downtown happenings! Feel free to stop by the Brambleton Welcome Center to pick up your copy today.
  • The Regal Summer Movie Express heads back to Brambleton for 9 weeks this summer, beginning on June 23rd. At 10 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, head over to Regal Fox Cinemas for “G” and “PG” rated movies for just $1! Seating is first-come, first-served and limited to capacity. Seat reservation is not permitted. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Will Rogers Institute charity: www.wrinstitute.org/. The 2015 Summer Movie Express schedule is listed here.

The Regal Summer Movie Express heads back to Brambleton for 9 weeks this summer


Builder Buzz

Brambleton new home sales model homes ashburn va

  • Help Wanted   – Winchester Homes at Glenmere is searching for a Model Home Administrative Assistant. This is a full time job with benefits, and your work week would run Thursday – Monday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Great organizational and computer skills required. Contact and send resume to Juan Rodriguez

Single Family Homes:

  • Van Metre raised the base prices of the Northstar Collection by $7,500 (this represents a 1.2% increase from last month)
  • Winchester has increased base prices by $10K, with the exception of the Prescott, which only went up $5K.  This was their first price increase since January ‘14!
  • Brambleton’s average single-family home prices have fluctuated over the past year as builder product has sold out:
    • Average base price today (May ’15) = $655,537
    • Average base prices increased 0.9% since last month (April ’15)
    • Average base prices have decreased 2.5% over the past year (since May ’14)
  • Single Family Homes = priced from the upper $500s to upper $600s*

Town Homes:

  • Van Metre’s Hillcrest Collection (Section 24) increased their base prices by $5K on Plans C & D, but because the larger/higher priced Plan E is now sold out, the average base price decreased 0.7% since last month!
  • Van Metre’s Townsend Collection (Section 33) increased by $2,500 (this represents a 0.5% increase from last month)
  • On average, townhome prices have increased 4.7% over the past 6 months, and increased nearly 7.9% since Jan ‘13
  • Average Base Price of Brambleton Towns today (May ’15) = $472,960
    • Represents a 0.05% decrease from last month (April ’15)
    • Represents a 1.7% decrease from a year ago (May ’14)
  • Townhomes = priced from the lower $400s to mid $500s*

Brambleton Sales

Project to Date Sales = 4,693 (opened Sept. ‘01)

• SF Homes = 1,977
• Town Homes = 1,917
• Condos = 799

2015 Year to Date Sales = 166
• SF Homes = 53
• Town Homes = 113

*Prices, terms, conditions subject to change

New Home Information Packet: www.issuu.com/brambleton

Model Home Map: www.issuu.com/brambleton


Brambleton’s Builder Model Home Video Tours Now Available!  You can check out our Model Home Playlist on Youtube here or click on the links below.

  • English Manor Villas by Camberley Homes: Video
  • Skyview Collection by Miller & Smith: Video
  • South Lawn Collection by Miller & Smith: Video
  • The Brixton Collection at Clover Hill by Van Metre Homes: Video
  • Edgewood at Emerald Ridge by Van Metre Homes: Video
  • The Hillcrest Collection at Southbend in Emerald Ridge by Van Metre HomesVideo
  • Northstar at Emerald Ridge by Van Metre Homes: Video
  • Townsend Collection at Clover Hill by Van Metre Homes: Video
  • Devonshire Collection at Southbend by Van Metre Homes: Video
  • Winchester Homes Glenmere Singles: Video

Ready to Move now? Brambleton Quick Delivery Homes Available


How Does Investing in Brambleton Compare to Loudoun County?

Brambleton All of Loudoun

Average Sold Price                 $536,654         $464,260

Average Days on Market       76                      68

List Price/Sale Price               98.5%               97.5%


RE/MAX Gateway Brambleton

42365 Soave Drive, Suite 200 – Brambleton, VA 20148

Brambleton Community Association News

May 2015 Newsletter – This is the latest monthly community news from the Brambleton Community Association. Click here to view the May Newsletter and click here to view the New Resident Handbook (iPad friendly). You can also follow their latest news LIVE on Facebook.  If you would like to advertise in their monthly newsletter, please email christine.elansary@brambleton.org.  View the Media Guide here.  

Sponsorship Opportunities – The Brambleton Community Association is always looking for area businesses who would like some exposure and advertising.  A great way to do this is through Brambleton event sponsorship.  There are a lot of options available, including customizing packages to make them work best for your business. Download the sponsorship form here.

Brambleton Community  Association Donates Community Garden Plot 

Proceeds to Loudoun Interfaith Relief’s Summer Meals Program 


Each year, Brambleton Community Association (BCA) donates proceeds from its Let Us Garden program to Loudoun Interfaith Relief. The program provides Brambleton residents with “Garden to Table” opportunities, which in turn helps the greater Loudoun community. This year BCA donated $1,850 to Loudoun Interfaith Relief’s Summer Meals program, which will nourish thousands of Loudoun’s school children during the summer who typically receive free or reduced breakfasts and lunches during the school year.  


When school lets out for the summer, hunger doesn’t take a vacation!  An anonymous donor will match every dollar up to $5,000 that is raised on Tuesday, May 5 th towards the Summer Meals campaign.  Please consider donating to Loudoun Interfaith Relief Today!  

Loudoun Interfaith Relief


UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 30th – Brambleton’s Inaugural Brewfest, 1-6PM

June 19th – Summer Kick-Off & Pool Party*, 5-11PM

June 25th – Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series Kicks Off, 7-9:30PM

June 26th – July 5th – Fairfax World Police & Fire Games

June 27th – Red, White & BRAM, 2-6PM

July 9th – Sizzlin’ Summer Concert, 7-9:30PM

July 12th – Brambleton Grand Prix Bike Race, 8AM-4PM

July 17th – Float ‘n Flicks, Dusk-11PM

July 23rd – Sizzlin’ Summer Concert, 7-9:30PM


DMV to Go coming to Brambleton Town Center

*Residents Only


Two Loudoun schools in U.S. News top Va. high schools

Two of Loudoun’s public schools made it into first 50 of U.S. News’ list of top Va. high schools. Briar Woods High School in Ashburn made it in the top 10 at number nine while Loudoun County High in Leesburg made number 27.  

A total of 100 Va. schools were deemed list-worthy in an examination of all U.S. public high schools. The education ranking and advice outlet reviewed 29,070 public high school’s from across the country in its 2015 ranking.

Here’s the 2015 top 10 for Va. high schools:

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria

2. Langley High School, McLean

3. W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax

4. McLean High School, McLean

5. George Mason High School, Falls Church

6. Oakton High School, Vienna

7. James Madison High School, Vienna

8. Richmond Community High School, Richmond

9. Briar Woods High School, Ashburn

10. Fairfax High School, Fairfax


Two of Loudoun’s Largest Employers, Verizon & AOL, Announce Deal


AOL Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., two of Loudoun County’s largest employers announced a deal Tuesday in which Verizon intends to buy AOL for about $4.4 billion ($50 per share).

Verizon and Aol Logos
While exact numbers were not immediately available, both companies are among the top employers in Loudoun. There are 10 businesses with facilities in Loudoun that employ 1,000 to 4,999 people, according to information on the Loudoun Department of Economic Development’s website. The only employer in a higher tier is Loudoun County Public Schools, which employs more than 10,000 people.

A representative from Verizon said that company employed about 9,000 people statewide, and about 3,100 in Loudoun County as of Dec. 31.


Udvar-Hazy Center Summer Concert Series
Don’t miss this chance to see Max Impact, the Air Force’s celebrated rock band, perform classic and current rock and country hits, as well as patriotic favorites and original music at the Udvar-Hazy Center. This Max Impact performance promises to thrill with its trademark high-intensity, hard-rocking vivacity, and musical versatility.

Udvar Hazy National Air & Space MuseumConcert Band:
U.S. Air Force Band’s Max Impact
Sunday, June 28 
5:00 pm
Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Admission: Free

About the concert series: Music at the Museum concerts at the Udvar-Hazy Center feature energetic ensembles from the U.S. military or the local community performed in the Boeing Aviation Hangar. No tickets are required and parking is free after 4:00 pm.

StoneSprings Hospital Center –  Coming December 2015

Silver Line Ashburn Station – Coming 2020