BRAMBLETON BUZZ: LATEST NEWS & EVENTS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY

What’s Trending in Brambleton – September Edition 2015

Posted September 21, 2015

 

Knutson townhome balcony Brambleton town center

Ready For A Yard In The Sky?

Knutson Homes will soon be building it for you in downtown Brambleton!
Be among the first to know when you sign up at www.LiveDowntownBrambleton.com.

Loudoun’s 40 Under 40 Honorees Announced

The prestigious ‪‎40 Under 40‬ list is out, and we’re happy to congratulate two Brambleton Town Center “celebs” who are on it: Dr. Shane Costa, Owner/Dentist at Little Smiles and Costa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry and Natalie Perkins, Owner of Bella Ballerina!

Leesburg Today’s “40 Under 40″ awards recognize Loudoun’s rising business and community leaders, honoring 40 bright stars under the age of 40 annually.

Brambleton TV launches new Meet the Merchant Commercial

With the help of two talented Brambletonians, Loriana Hernandez Aldama (former Fox Channel reporter), and Rum Ngo from The View Above VA, the Brambleton Town Center is pleased to announce a new Brambleton TV Series. This new series will allow you to get to know the merchants here at the BTC and what they offer. Our first stop is a taste of Italy right here in Brambleton at Scotto’s Rigatoni Grill!

Introducing Birchwood at Brambleton: Life Refreshed

Calling all Baby Boomers and Empty Nesters!  Birchwood at Brambleton is a 55+ community for the young at heart with homes and amenities designed for senior living within a refreshing, friendly and secure neighborhood in Loudoun County.

Of all the 55+ communities in the D.C. Metro area, Birchwood at Brambleton is the only neighborhood designed as a vital upgrade for a generation that’s full of vitality, and the only community that includes all the perks and conveniences of a master-planned community like Brambleton.

Brambleton Sponsors Loudoun County Public School Challenge Event on October 22nd

The Innovative Solutions Consortium (ISC) has partnered up with the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development and Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce to hold the LCPS Challenge Event.

The ISC will use its open innovation process to bring in potential solutions from around the world. The top finalists will compete on October 22nd, demonstrating how their solution will help Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). It is their goal to bring the best solutions to the county we call home.

Now Booking 2015 Holiday Parties at the Brambleton Town Center
Let us take care of the catering – Reserve today!
Back-to-school brings back the birthday parties, tailgating, and before you know it… the holiday parties! Let the restaurants in the Brambleton Town Center take care of all your catering and party needs this fall and winter.

 

Calling All Bakers for Brambleton’s 14th Birthday Bash

In honor of Brambleton’s 14th birthday on September 24 and the Brambleton Town Center’s 10th birthday in October, we are holding a Brambleton Birthday Cake Decorating Contest at the Welcome Center. Showcase your talents by decorating a cake that represents one of Brambleton’s themes (think TV Channel, nature, technology, lifestyle, entertainment, movies, shopping, dining, health, garden, trails, etc).

To enter the contest, simply send an e-mail by 5:00pm on Tuesday, September 22nd, letting us know you plan to bring in a decorated cake to brambletoninfo@gmail.com. Then bring your edible and decorated cakes to the Welcome Center by 1:45pm on Thursday, September 24. After the judging takes place at 2:00pm, we will have a community birthday party to enjoy your creations! Winners will be announced promptly after the judging is complete.  If you have any questions, please contact the Welcome Center at 703-542-2925 or send an e-mail brambletoninfo@gmail.com.

Suburban Gardening in Loudoun County with Amie OttoSuburban Gardening in Brambleton with Amie Otto

Harvesting one’s own food is the ultimate in sustainability, not to mention a simply satisfying achievement. No matter what style home you live in – apartment, condo, townhome or single-family – nature’s bounty can be readily available to you with just a little bit of preparation and patience. Need advice on how to start your own garden? Amie Otto, a Brambleton resident since 2003, has had a very successful growing season this year so we asked her a few questions. Happy planting!  Read our blog here.

B_Fit Trail Challenge

The B_Fit Trail Challenge, presented by Fitness Image Results and Families in Training, was held on Saturday, September 19, 2015 in Brambleton. Timed waves competed on approximately 2.5 miles of paved trails including 11 fitness stations with a range of strength and agility challenges along the way.  Thank you to all who participated, sponsored and volunteered!  Proceeds from this event to benefit the pediatric cancer foundation, Smashing Walnuts.

Brambleton’s Realtor Birthday Bash – Tuesday, September 22nd, 12-2PM

Realtors: Our next big event is TOMORROW! Don’t miss the opportunity to network with your peers and collect information on each of our builders’ products while enjoying lunch and Lost Rhino Retreat’s award-winning brews! RSVP today here!

 

September 11th Annual Run Through Brambleton

Gary Cuppett lives in Greene Mill Preserve and runs through Brambleton every 9/11 in honor of those who sacrificed and lost their lives.  The flag was flown at the Capitol as a birthday surprise from his daughter many years ago so it has a very special meaning to him as well. He runs throughout the entire day. He’s been featured in a few newspaper articles and is such a wonderful inspiration!

SAVE THE DATE: All Things Fall Fest – October 10th, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Join us at the Town Center for Brambleton’s largest event of the year! There’s sure to be something for everyone, including rides, moon bounces, train rides, a hay maze, food vendors, beer, wine, chili-cook off, cornhole challenge, live music, and more! Mark your calendars for this fun filled afternoon.

  • Volunteers Needed: If you’d like to help make this event a huge success, we’d love to have you on board for a shift or two. Volunteers get a free event t-shirt, admission wristbands, and food and beverage vouchers.
  • We still have a few spots left at our Fall Fest Marketplace. If you’d like a spot to showcase your one-of-a-kind, handmade
    work, please visit our website and click on “Marketplace Application.”
  • Show off your cooking skills and enter the annual Chili Cook-Off. You could win a $100 gift card.
  • Costume Drive: Brambleton Presbyterian Church is collecting new Halloween costumes for children living in two local homeless shelters. Volunteers will be at the hay maze entrance to collect donations and deliver them to local children who wouldn’t be able to trick-or-treat or enjoy school costume parades otherwise.

Brambleton Town Center Receives IREM BEAM Award

Congratulations to the Brambleton Town Center and the Brambleton team! The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) presented ‪‎Brambleton‬ the Building Excellence and Achievement in Management (BEAM) award at a celebration on Tuesday, September 15th.

Rappaport entered into the following three categories: Community Involvement, Technology & Innovation and Tenant Relations. Their responses on those three topics are available via this link: www.youtube.com/beamaward Note: Community Involvement opens the video, Tenant Relations starts at approximately 9:25 and Technology & Innovation starts at approximately 14:56.

Humans of Brambleton: Dr. Meera Sutaria from Insight Eye OptiqueHumans of Brambleton: Dr. Meera Sutaria

This month’s spotlight Brambletonian is Dr. Meera Sutaria of InSight Eye Optique. She told us about her upcoming Ride to Conquer Cancer, why she enjoys optometry and her five-year-old’s favorite thing about Brambleton.

 Spotlight Realtor of the Month is Gina Tufano
Our Spotlight Realtor of the Month on our website is Gina Tufano from Ask Gina & Company (AGC).  A NJ girl (exit 16), Gina moved to Sterling in ’94 where she still lives, obtaining her REALTOR status 2 years later and the rest is history.  She’s happiest at home with her 3 sons, 2 cats, and kitchen dance parties.

Gina happily made the switch to Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway in 2011. KW takes a different approach to real estate, one that is built on personal touches, win-win deals and positive results. This culture is at the heart of the AGC teammates; we truly believe in building careers worth having, businesses worth owning, and lives worth living.

AGC utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed your expectations. More importantly, we listen and that means we find solutions that are tailored to you.

Development Update
New underpasses, Creighton Road expansion, new elementary school and Dairy Barn site prep! More photos here.

Town Center Tidbits

  • Spotlight Tenant Giveaway – This month’s Spotlight tenant is Nick’s Taverna. Nick’s Taverna can accommodate any type of plans from dining in and take-out to catering or hosting your party! If you want a taste of the Mediterranean then make sure to stop by the Welcome Center and enter your name into a drawing for a chance to win a FREE Dinner for two and see why Nick’s Taverna was awarded 2015 Best of Suburbia by Posh 7 Magazine for Best Mediterranean Food! Be sure to like them on Facebook and visit www.nickstaverna.com for more information.
  • Costa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry and Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is NOW HIRING! You might not always like going to the dentist, but we know you’ll love working for this one! They are looking for awesome, new smile-makers to fill multiple positions. The right candidate must have great communication skills and an eagerness to learn. Dental experience is a plus but not required for all positions. Open positions include Patient Care Coordinators and Dental Assistants. Interested applicants should email DeniseFrisby@costasmiles.com.
  • Insight Eye Optique – With school in full swing, it’s very important for our kids to have healthy eyes and the best vision possible. We have a $50 Kids Lens Package which includes polycarbonate lenses (safety shatter proof, impact resistant material) with Anti-Glare coating (reduces glare and reflection from boards and projectors in the classroom) that offers scratch resistance, along with a year warranty on the glasses with purchase of any frames.  Call us at 703-962-1010 for more information.
  • Galaria Plastic Surgery & Dermatology – Stay Tuned…The Fall specials you have been waiting for come out later this week.
  • Our Talk of the Town September Edition is now showing on our Brambleton TV Channel Verizon FiOS#42 and Youtube Channel.
  • The September edition of the Brambleton Town Center Newsletter is now available online here or in print at the Brambleton Welcome Center. Highlights include Leesburg Today’s 40 Under 40, Brambleton B_Fit Challenge, Spotlight Tenant Nick’s Taverna, Meet the Merchant Ramos Santos from Scotto’s Rigatoni Grill, fan photos, and more.

Builder Buzz

  • This week we shine the spotlight on Van Metre Homes’ Waverly in the Southbend Collection.Priced at $504,350, this end unit villa has 2,495 sq ft on 2 finished levels, first floor master bedroom (+3 more bedrooms), 3.5 baths, 2-car front load garage, and a fenced-in 27′ x 24′ backyard! A fireplace, hardwood flooring throughout the main level, gourmet kitchen, granite counters and coffered ceilings add to the charm! Call Ernie to learn more at 703-764-5433.

Single Family Homes:

  • Average Base Price = $683,320* (Sept ’15)
    o This is a 2.8% increase over last month
    o Represents a 0.3% decrease from Sept ’14 base prices
  • Van Metre has changed their pricing structure so that all their numbers now end in $-990
    o This change reflects only a 0.1% increase from last month’s prices
  • Winchester’s prices increased, on average, 5.7% over last month
    o Most floorplans increased by $10k (i.e., Bradley, Abbey & Prescott)
    o They have added a 2 story expansion to their Portman model. The new base price is $649,900*, which is 7.4% higher than before, and the square footage increased to 3,120.
    o They are no longer offering the Mason or Danfield

Town Homes:

  • Average Base Price = $470,964* (Sept ’15)
    o This is a 0.8% decrease over last month
    o Represents a 3% price decrease since Sept ’14
  • Miller & Smith’s Tremont is sold out
    o Because of this, their average base price has dropped nearly 7% this month
  • Van Metre has changed their pricing structure so that all their numbers now end in $-990
    o The Hillcrest Collection (Sect 24) remains the same (other than ending in $-990), but nothing remains at the base price (only 4 homes available)!
    o The Devonshire Collection (Sect 24 villas) decreased by 0.4%
    o The Brixton Collection (Sect 33) increased by $5k
    o The Townsend Collection (Sect 33) increased by $10k
    o 2 model homes are currently for sale:
  • VM Hillcrest Plan D (Sect 24) = $499,990*
  • VM Brixton Plan M (Sect 33) = $529,990*

Brambleton Sales

2015 YTD Sales = 282

  • 2015 Year-to-Date single-family home sales = 74
  • 2015 Year-to-Date townhome sales = 208

PTD Sales = 4,813

  • Project-to-Date single-family home sales = 1,999
  • Project-to-Date townhome sales = 2,015
  • Project-to-Date condo sales = 799

*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 can be viewed on our Youtube Playlist here.


How Does Investing in Brambleton Compare to Loudoun County?

                                                     Brambleton                     All of Loudoun
Average Sold Price                          $579,948                              $474,457
Average Days on Market                      45                                          54
List Price/Sale Price                           96.8%                                     96.9%

RE/MAX Gateway Brambleton
42365 Soave Drive, Suite 200 – Brambleton, VA 20148

Brambleton Community Association News

September 2015 Newsletter – This is the latest monthly community news from the Brambleton Community Association. Click here to view the September 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 communications@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.

Who Let The Dogs Out?
Brambletonians’ furry friends enjoyed a dip in the pool! Check out all the fun here. Video from the event will be posted on Brambleton TV soon (Channel 42)!

Dog Training Classes Are Coming To Brambleton – Starting October 11th at Brambleton Corner Clubhouse, Sit Means Sit Dog Training will offer a 3-week course to train you to teach your pup basic commands.  They’ll also offer a free Kids Dog Safety Class and Puppy Chat on October 25th.

Annual Neighborhood Campout always a favorite event!
Over 150 campsites with approximately 600 happy campers camped out in Legacy Park on Saturday, September 19th.
S’mores, movies, scavenger hunt and even a continental breakfast the next morning.
More photos can be viewed here and a video from the event will be posted on Brambleton TV soon (Channel 42)!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 22nd – Realtor Birthday Bash, 12-2PM
September 24th – Brambleton’s 14th Birthday, Cake Contest 2PM
October 2nd – Briar Woods High School Homecoming Parade 4-6PM
October 3rd – Fall Yard Sale, Community Wide 8AM-12PM
October 10th – Brambleton’s Fall Festival, 1-7PM
October 23rd – Brambleton Haunted Tour, 6:30 & 7:30PM*
October 25th – Town Center Trick or Treat, 12-2PM
*Residents Only

Bluemont, Zephaniah Farm Vineyards the Stars at First-Ever Loudoun Wine Awards

Zephaniah Farm Vineyard and Bluemont Vineyard had their names etched in the Loudoun wine history books Thursday night. The two local wineries took home the high honors at the inaugural Loudoun Wine Awards.

Bluemont’s 951 “The Ram,” a 2013 merlot, secured the Chairman’s Reserve Award as the highest-scoring wine made of 100 percent Loudoun grapes, while Zephaniah’s Three Captains Red, a blend of 53 percent chambourcin, 41 percent cabernet franc and 6 percent cabernet sauvignon, earned the Chairman’s Grand Award. The Chairman’s Grand was bestowed upon the overall highest-scoring wine of the competition.

Twenty-two Loudoun wineries submitted more than 90 wines in the contest, which was organized and hosted by the nonprofit Loudoun Wineries Association. All of the submitted bottles consisted of 100 percent Virginia — though not necessarily Loudoun — grapes.

Loudoun students work to extinguish Lyme disease worldwide

Summer vacation wasn’t filled with swimming pools and pick-up basketball for 23 students at Rock Ridge High School. It was spent working with bacteria and DNA under microscopes in a lab.

The Rock Ridge High School International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition Team is working to create a living vaccine that will eliminate Lyme disease in Loudoun County and hopefully throughout the biosphere. Unlike most treatments, this vaccine aims to treat ticks that transmit the disease rather than the person infected.

“Once you have Lyme disease you might be cured for a couple of years, but it’s likely to spike back up,” said Vignesh Valaboju, a rising junior at Rock Ridge. “The living vaccine and the plasmid that we’re making have genes that will prevent Lyme disease from ever occurring again.”

Loudoun students outperform state and nation on ACT with growing interest

Loudoun students outperformed their peers in Virginia and nationwide by significant margins on the ACT this year as the number of students taking the exam continued to surge.

The ACT is important to students because most four-year college and universities colleges use ACT scores as part of their admission process. Scored on a 36-point scale, the test is designed to measure academic learning and identify student-readiness for college and career. It focuses on the skills and knowledge deemed important by high school teachers and instructors of first-year college courses.

StoneSprings Hospital Center Construction Update

Construction Update: The entire hospital received flooring and final paint has started up the tower. Go to StoneSprings Hospital Center’s new website, www.stonespringshospital.com, for all the latest news and click here to view more photos.

Tower Crane Goes Up For Innovation Station

 

With temperatures near 90 degrees, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project crews spent a July weekend assembling a tower crane in the median of the Dulles International Airport Access Highway, on the site of the Silver Line’s future Innovation Center Station.

The crane tower (mast) rises approximately 187 feet and is outfitted with a 252-foot horizontal working arm (jib) able to lift 22,000 pounds of steel, concrete, large tools, generators and a wide variety of other building materials that will be used during the construction of the station. The crane’s motors and counter weights are located in the shorter horizontal counter jib.

A second tower crane will be placed at the Herndon Station site in late 2015. Once the first crane has completed its work at Innovation Center Station it will be disassembled and moved onto the Reston Town Center Station site. Both cranes will be moved to the median of the Dulles Greenway to assist in the construction of the Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn Stations.