Easy new way to stay up-to-date with your Community!

What is the Virginia Homeowners Alliance?

• The Virginia Homeowners Alliance (VHA) is an exciting new service provided by REALTORS® to help homeowners protect their most treasured investment, their home.
• It’s not an organization with boring meetings and a bunch of bureaucracy. It’s an organization comprised of a free, online one-stop-shop (www.VAHomeownersAlliance.com) for improving the value of your home and keeping up with local government decisions that affect your home, your community and your quality of life.
• By joining VHA, you can stay informed of all the latest news relating to real estate taxes, property assessments, new residential and commercial developments, transportation, school construction and a host of other issues affecting your home, family and neighborhood.

What other features can you find on www.VAHomeownersAlliance.com?

• Easily contact local government bodies including your City Council, Board of Supervisors, School Board, Planning Commission, and Housing Authority to name a few,
• Lawn care and other valuable home maintenance tips,
• Local school report cards,
• “Kids’ Room” where children and parents can access practice SOL tests and learn more about the Commonwealth of Virginia.

How do you join the Virginia Homeowners Alliance?

• Visit www.VAHomeownersAlliance.com and register as a new member. It’s that easy!

51 LCPS Schools Honored by Governor’s Awards!!!

Click the website below to see the full list of schools!
http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=533494&C=90400

Check out the Express Delivery Homes in Haymarket!

Taken from http://www.mihomes.com/FindYourHome/CommunityDetails.aspx?Community=297590000000

Have real estate questions? Contact Gina M. Tufano * (703) 574-3478

NY Times voted Washington, DC #2 in the top 44 places in the world to visit!

Check out the other top voted places in the world to visit below:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/11/travel/20090111_DESTINATIONS.html

Inauguration Street Closings!

The closures & restrictions below will remain in effect through today's inaugural events. Restrictions will be gradually phased out after the parade, which is scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m.
Inauguration Street Closings and Parade Route map on the site below along with information on public transportation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/daily/graphics/inaugurationClosings_0115.html

Volunteers needed to help low-income Loudoun County Residents file Taxes

The Loudoun County Department of Family Services, through its Community Action Advisory Board, and the Loudoun County Department of Parks,Recreation & Community Services, through its Area Agency on Aging, are helping low-income residents file their taxes free of charge and in many cases obtain a tax refund.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, locally known as the Northern Virginia CASH Campaign (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope), relies on volunteers to deliver free tax preparation services at no cost to working families and individuals in the community who earned less than $42,000 in2008.

"This is a priority initiative of the Loudoun Community Action Advisory Board as it is with Community Action Programs and Social Service agencies throughout the Commonwealth. It is also very much a part of the campaign to cut poverty in half in Loudoun County, an initiative recently endorsed by the Board of Supervisors," said Susan Jane Stack, Executive Director of the Loudoun Community Action Program (CAP).

"This year we need volunteers to help people find out about the Earned Income Tax Credit and other assistance that may be available to help the mafford basic necessities such as rent or food for their children," said Karen Velez, Volunteer Income Tax Coordinator for Family Services and Loudoun CAP.

Volunteers contribute a few hours weekly during the tax season to help prepare tax returns, or serve as greeters, screeners, site coordinators and interpreters. Free tax certification training is provided by the Internal Revenue Service to all volunteers.

The Northern Virginia CASH Campaign is leading the Northern Virginia effort to mobilize a coalition of public agencies, businesses, libraries, faith and community-based groups to operate the tax assistance program at 16 sites throughout Northern Virginia, beginning January 31, 2009.

To register as a volunteer, or for more information about the Northern Virginia CASH Campaign, contact Karen Velez, 703-771-5718 or karen.velez@loudoun.gov; or Debra Bressler, 703-777-0505 or debra.bressler@loudoun.gov.

Calling all walkers & runners of Rivercrest! * Debate over walking trails to Algonkian PKWY * COME SUPPORT!

Rivercrest HOA Residents:
We have received a positive update from Supervisor Buckley's office regarding the River Bank Street sidewalk that I have been working on since 2006 along with the president of Riverbank Woods HOA, our neighboring community. Please read about the details below in an email from Staff Aide Debra Jenkins.

As you may know, we applied for a VDOT grant through the lengthy SAFETEA_LU application process which was denied on Nov. 2007. Our efforts with previous Sugarland Run District Supervisor Mr. Mick Staton was not successful either, though it allowed us to turn in all the documentation and lay the ground work to get Loudoun County involved.

Since Supervisor Buckley took office, we have been directly working with her on this as a pedestrian safety issue with an added benefit of pedestrian connectivity to Great Falls Plaza Shopping Center. She pledged to do everything she can and she has worked on it tirelessly since.

This month, Supervisor Buckley introduced a motion before the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to consider proffer flexing 'Great Falls Chase Residential Proffer C.1.g' to utilize toward constructing a sidewalk segment on River Bank Street between Algonkian Parkway and River Crest Street. This motion passed on consent agenda, 9-0 to be brought up in a Public Hearing on Monday Feb. 9 at 6:30 at the Government Center in Leesburg in the Board Room.

We're asking the Rivercrest Resident to plan on being present at this public hearing to show our community's need for this sidewalk to be built. Please wear a GREEN shirt so that we can 'stand-out' in the crowd!

Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m., but this does not mean this item will be heard at 6:30, the time depends on how many items and the placement of this one on the agenda. At times, these hearings go until very late, you are welcome to stay as long as you can. Also, please coordinate car pooling with other neighbors as much as possible due to limited parking space. If there is any other updates about the public hearing, I will let you know.

The address is:
Loudoun County Government
1 Harrison Street, S.E.
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-777-0100
http://www.loudoun.gov/default.aspx?tabid=628

We may also coordinate gathering signatures for a petition which will be helpful since all residents can not be present at the hearing. If we decide to do this, details will follow.
Shiva Chen(Communications and Safety Committees volunteer)

"OFF THE WALL" Art Sale Extravaganza at Gallery 222

"OFF THE WALL"

HUGE Savings on
Original Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture

January 17 & 18 ONLY

For two days only, the gallery is hosting its BIGGEST SALE EVER of original artwork by Loudoun's favorite artists. If you have yearned for original fine art or if you want to add to your collection, this is the time.

Artwork by these gallery artists will be available for sale at amazing prices; Maggie Siner, Antonia Walker, Kurt Schwarz, the late Alfred McAdams, Carmen Howell, Michael Beckner, Sarita Moffat and Elissa Savos. There's more, because many King Street Studio artists are participating too -- Ann Noel, Dana Thompson, Rick Steinberger, Libby Stevens and other local talents!

You have never seen prices like these!

And you will see them ONLY on Saturday (10 am to 5 pm) and Sunday (Noon to 5 pm), January 17 and 18.

You may preview the artwork beginning Tuesday, January 11, but no sales will be transacted until Saturday morning, January 17.

Don't miss this very special sale of art by the leading artists of our area!

Gallery Hours:
Monday through Saturday, 10am - 5pm and by appointment
For inquiries, please e-mail the Gallery Director:
GWaldron1@verizon.net

Location:

222 South King Street
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-777-5498
http://www.gallery222.com/

Located at 222 South King Street in Leesburg's historic downtown, Gallery 222 is a component of the Loudoun Academy of the Arts Foundation, a 501(c)3 Visual Arts Center which offers fine art instruction, gallery exhibitions and studio space for working artists.

Road Construction Schedule for Loudoun County

The Loudoun County Office of Capital Construction will hold a public information session about construction of the Route 7 & Route 607 (Loudoun County Parkway) interchange on Wednesday, January 21, 2009. The meeting is scheduled from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Research 1 building on the George Washington University campus, 20101 Academic Way in Ashburn. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the project.

The interchange will also be the county's first construction under the local road bond program approved by voters in November 2006. Construction on the project is expected to begin in early January.

For more information about the project, contact Kent Marrs, Office of Capital Construction, at kent.marrs@loudoun.gov.


Article taken from http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=2507

Get the skinny on all things inaugurational!

Planning to attend the presidential inauguration on January 20? Get the latest information here: http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp

10 Keys to a Stress-Free Home & School * Free Workshop for Parents & Teachers

Thursday, January 29, 2009
7pm-9pm
Horizon Elementary School
46665 Broadmore Drive/Sterling, VA 20165

• Create a calm home - eliminate yelling & arguing
• Improve focus, attention, & behavior in school
• Build confidence & social skills
• Create stress-free discipline & homework time
• Relieve anxiety & sensory6 integration issues

Join us for a humorous, transforming workshop with nationall-recognized expert Kirk Martin, who has trained over 45,000 parents and teachers across North America. Helpful for all families and teachers, especially those working with intense children affected by Anxiety, Sensory issues, Aspergers, Autism, ODD, OCD, and AD/HD. This is insight you have never heard before.

The Workshop is FREE. There is no need to register. Just bring friends and neighbors - we'll laugh together, have several "ah-hah" moments and leave with a dozen practical tools to transform your home and classroom.

Educators receive CEU credits for attending.

For more information, contact the school office at (571) 434-3260 or visit http://www.celebratecalm.com/ to learn more about the program.

Beautiful Vacation Rental in the Outer Banks * Perfect for a Family re-union

Brand New Home FOR SALE! * Completely Upgraded * 4800 sq ft * 4 BD/4.5 BA * <700K * 15,000 in closing costs!

Take advantage of THE LAST OPPORTUNITY to live in the

sought after community of The Retreat at South Village!

HOMESITE: RR0033

AVAILABLE: Immediately

MODEL: Browning

PRICE: $699,000

• Brick Front
• Over 4,800 Square Feet of Finished Living Space
• 4 Bedrooms; 4 ½ Bathrooms
• Rear Solarium
• Expanded Kitchen, Breakfast Area and Mudroom
• Gourmet Kitchen with Maple Cabinets, Granite Countertops, and Upgraded Stainless Steel Appliances
• Fully Finished Expanded Lower Level with Full Bath and Areaway
• Lower Level Wet Bar with Cherry Cabinets & Zodiac Countertop
• Stone to Ceiling Gas Fireplace in Family Room
• Dynamic Upgraded Flooring Throughout the Home
• Upgraded Lighting, Hardware, & Plumbing Fixtures Throughout
• Angle Bay Window in Study
• Master Suite with Tray Ceiling
• Oak Stairs With Carpet Runner
• Luxurious Master Bathroom with Jetted Tub

Have questions? Contact Gina M. Tufano, a local realtor to answer your questions and help guide you through the home-buying process!

For additional community and pricing information, please visit: www.winchesterhomes.com/communities-styles/community/the-retreat-south-village

Richmond American - New Construction – Immediate Delivery – Contact for details!

It is an Amherst floorplan backing to woods with a walk-out basement. The home features about 4,000 sq. ft of living space including a basement rec room with a wet bar rough-in. Below are some of the important features;

• Luxurious kitchen featuring 12x16 rear sunroom, granite, G.E. Monogram appliances, and tile backsplash
• Owner's suite includes sitting room and 3-sided fireplace
• Recreation room with wet bar rough-in and full bath in basement
• Oak stairs with iron balusters
• Stone front exterior features full porch with a stone slab
• The home features custom paint and plasma pre-wires
• 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and almost 4,000 sq. ft of living space
• http://www.homesdatabase.com/loudoun/LO6843785
• Now Offered at $599,990

Amberleigh Estates is one of the final communities with easy access to the Dulles Greenway in Ashburn. We are only a few blocks from the planned Moorefield Station Metro Center http://www.dullesmetro.com/, and Loudoun Station http://www.loudounstation.com/.

Amberleigh Estates offers community amenities and easy access to Broadlands and Brambleton (5 grocery stores and 5 Starbucks within 2.5 miles!). We have sold about 140 homes during the past three years and our prices and interest rates have never been lower.

For Informational Purposes Only

This email is a non-binding communication, offered for informational purposes only.

Ashburn LINK Shuttle Bus Service is Free for the Winter

As of January 5, 2009, rides on the Ashburn LINK Shuttle Bus are free for the winter, thanks to a grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Riders can pick up the LINK at designated stops on Ashburn Farm Parkway near Summerwood Circle and just past Crossroads Drive. The third pickup location is on Claiborne Parkway at Belgreen Drive. Parking is available at Parkhurst Plaza Shopping Center and in the lot across the street from Crossroads United Methodist Church.

More information about Loudoun County’s transit and commuter services is available at 703-771-5665 or online at www.loudoun.gov/bus.

Article taken from http://loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=2504

Thinking of buying a new Toll Brothers home? Now you can get the best price and then take an additional 1500 off!

Let Toll Brothers help you ring in the New Year, 2009

With a luxury home!

Why wait any longer. Take advantage of the great rates and incentives being offered NOW.

Bring this ad into any one of our Virginia, Maryland, or West Virginia offices, and receive $1,500 toward options in your new home for the new year!

This our gift to you!

Please feel free to contact me via email or phone regarding any of our communities. I am here to answer your questions!

Michaela Corcoran

Internet ConciergeVirginia/Maryland/West Virginia

Toll Brothers, Inc.

Office (800)528-9087

Cell (571)237-3596

mcorcoran@tollbrothersinc.com

100% Financing Available! * Lovely condo with access to Ashburn Farm Amenities Included!

Happy New Year!