Loudoun residents oppose development plans

— Loudoun residents showed up in force at recent Loudoun County Board of Supervisors meetings to speak out against increased development being considered as part of the Loudoun County Comprehensive Plan, Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton said Tuesday.
About 130 people spoke at the first public input session, with the overwhelming majority promoting conservation. “It was a great showing for people who really want to protect western Loudoun,” he told attendees at the Middleburg Business and Professional Association’s monthly Biz Buzz networking event, held May 14 at Mystique Jewelers.
The Board of Supervisors will hold five more work sessions before voting on the plan, including a May 20 meeting focused on the fate of the Transition Policy Area, which is slated for an additional 18,000 homes under the draft plan. Those wishing to comment on the plan can email the entire board at bos@loudoun.gov or find emails for individual supervisors here.
MBPA’s Biz Buzz also served to highlight several recent successes, including Salamander Resort & Spa winning Marketing Campaign of the Year at Visit Loudoun’s annual meeting for the resort’s “Keeping Up with Cupcake” advertising campaign following the miniature horse. (You can read more about the award ceremony, including other nominees here.)
Middleburg also had winners in several categories in this year’s Virginia Living Magazine “Best of Virginia” contest, including Salamander Resort & Spa for best hotel and Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery for best cidery.
Middleburg also has several new businesses in town, including Southerly House, Le Petit Marche and Regain Your Voice. Others expected to open soon include Atelier Design & Decor, Old Ox Brewery, Chloe’s of Middleburg, Middleburg Bridal, Middleburg Juice Co. and Purple Cherry Architects.
Upcoming events include:
- Grand Opening at Le Petit Marche (May 16 | 4-6 p.m.): Join us to celebrate the opening of Le Petit Marche!
- 7 Year Anniversary at Middleburg Common Grounds (May 17 | 4-6 p.m.): Come out and celebrate with Middleburg Common Grounds! They will have wine tastings, free pizza, drink specials, and more!
- “Canter & Crawl” Opening at the National Sporting Library & Museum (May 17 | 6-8 p.m.): Join NSLM to celebrate the opening of “Canter & Crawl: The Glass Sculpture of Joan Danziger.” The evening will include a reception and viewing of the exhibition from 6-7 p.m. and a lecture by artist Joan Danziger at 7 p.m. $10 admission, free to NSLM members. RSVP to info@nationalsporting.org or 540-687-6542 x4.
- “Concert on the Steps” at the Middleburg Community Center (May 17 | 6-8 p.m.): Come on out to the MCC front steps for a night of fun with live music by the Bottle Shop, light bites by the Locke Store, and beverages by the Middleburg Lions Club. Bring your friends and family for a community favorite! This event is free and open to the public.
- Art in the Burg (May 18 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.): Local and regional artists will offer their artwork for sale. Plus, there will be live music by the The Glimpses.
- Twilight Polo at Great Meadow (May 18 | 5:30-8:30 p.m.): Join Great Meadow on May 18 for military appreciation night. All military personnel are granted free entrance with proper ID.
- “A Night of Music” at Middleburg United Methodist Church (May 18 | 6-9 p.m.): Enjoy music from talented local musicians (dancing is the aisle is permitted), nibble on hors d’oeuvres, and have a rollicking good time while helping support Back Pack Buddies, Angel Tree and the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter.
- Aldie Ruritan Bingo Fundraiser at the Middleburg Community Center (May 18 | 6:30-9:30 p.m.): The Aldie Ruritan celebrates the 100th birthday of Sarah Douglas with bingo, delicious food, a martini bar and other libations. Tickets: $35. Contact Tommy at 703-471-4911 or Tucker at 703-327-4206 for questions.
- Disco Fever at The Hill School (May 19 | 2-3 p.m.): Join A Place To Be and the Inova Stoke Survivor Choir, Different Strokes for Different Folks, for its annual community spring concert. “Hot Stuff” and “Dancing in the Moonlight” are just a couple of songs on the ticket for this upbeat concert full of ’70s music. Come have some fun and experience the benefits of music therapy. This event is free!
- Land Trust of Virginia’s 21st Annual Garden Party at Hickory Tree Farm (May 19 | 4-7 p.m.): This event is LTV’s major fundraising event of the year and includes a silent auction full of unusual gifts not found anyplace else. It is the region’s annual party not to be missed! The Garden Party will again feature a “wet paint” auction, “Painting for Preservation,” where artists will create individual and unique artworks from selected locations in the Hickory Tree Farm landscape. Party guests will be able to bid on these works of art during the party to secure their opportunity to take a canvas home.
- Grand Opening of Northwest Federal Credit Union (May 22 | 1-3 p.m.): Please join Northwest Federal Credit Union for a memorable event as they open the doors to their newest branch, located right in the heart of Middleburg. Meet their members, community partners and local business leaders. Stop by to enjoy light refreshments and giveaways, as they celebrate their grand opening.
- Hunt Country Stable Tour (May 25-26): Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the grandeur of some of the finest equestrian facilities known to the world!
- Upperville Colt & Horse Show (June 3-9): During this week, the nation’s top ranking hunters and jumpers will compete alongside the local ponies, sidesaddle ladies and racing Jack Russell terriers.
- Digital Literacy Workshop at the National Sporting Library & Museum (June 4): Join us for the second workshop in this ongoing series of seminars aimed at helping business owners with digital literacy.
If you want to connect with other Middleburg business owners and professionals, please join us at the next Biz Buzz, to be held June 11 at Goodstone Inn & Restaurant. RSVP via Facebook or by emailing info@visitmiddleburgva.com.