Monday, December 31, 2007

Same old lang syne

(R.I.P., Dan Fogelberg)

BrambleDirt is still on a holiday hiatus... houseguests come and go, we travel and return, rinse, repeat. I briefly considered doing a year-end "2007 in Brambleton" recap, but honestly, I just can't wrap my head around it right now. Just have a safe and happy New Year's Eve, and BrambleDirt will return in 2008 with more neighborhood news than you can shake a stick at.

Also wanted to mention that the first shop (aside from the Fox Cinemas) has opened up at the southern end of BTC Phase II. The Next Step is owned by Chris Montague, a member of the family that owns the Montague & Son comfort shoe empire. The Next Step carries Birkenstock, Dansko, Mephisto, Keen, Crocs, and other brands. Chris seems really excited about being in Brambleton, so I hope a lot of you check out his store! I will definitely be getting some Birks repaired there soon.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Jackhammers!

7:00 a.m. this morning... the jackhammers started up! I should have known that the fluorescent red "X"s on the sidewalk meant that the noise was soon to follow. I understand that broken pavement needs to be fixed, but a little advance notice would have been nice.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

What's up

Hey, Brambleton peeps... sorry I haven't been posting much, but BrambleDirt has been busy. There's so much to do to get ready for Christmas - we'll be staying home for the first time EVER, and convinced both sets of parents to come to us. Two judging mothers = extra extra cleaning!

I missed the Brambleton Winter Wonderland last Sunday (I have Hoya season tickets - and way to suck, Jacksonville), but I'm sure it was a blast like it always is. I know I've said it before, but our Activities Committee (and the BCA staff) have really stepped up their game this year.

So... there's some news on the BTC. Annalee's is not the only upcoming addition to the Phase I - new on the site plan are Asian Spice Cafe (next to Scotto's) and Aridi Salon and Spa (in the large space closest to the Teet). I'm not sure what the latter will do to the Hair Cuttery and La Belle Nail Spa - it's weird that they're all right there together. Anyhoo, they're not on the site plan yet, but the Brambleton December newsletter confirms that Broadlands Family Practice and Dr. Zachary Casagrande (orthodontics) will be opening offices in Phase II. I've known about Broadlands Family Practice for a while (Dr. Rodriguez is my doctor, and he spilled the beans a few months ago), and I am so psyched that I will be able to walk to the doctor's office. Also, the newsletter says that Dr. Casagrande is a Brambleton resident, which is extra cool.

This is kinda late, but I've gotta put in a plug for the Go Bananas Holiday Toy Drive. Buy a toy or book for $15 or more to donate, and you will get 30% off the purchase price. Donations go to Loudoun Social Services for local needy families, and the deadline is this Thursday, December 13th, at 7:30 p.m. You will also get a certificate for 20% off your total purchase (expires January 31, 2008). This is a great chance to give something and get a little in return, thanks to Go Bananas. Be sure to stop in.

The school boundary process is almost done (until we have to do this again in a few years, which I'm sure we will) - the School Board's boundary plan kept Brambleton north of Creighton Rd. at Legacy ES, and the meeting to adopt the boundaries is tonight at 6:30 p.m.

One last thing... be kind to others. I've seen and heard of some outrageous behavior lately in shopping center parking lots, at the post office, at church, and in the Legacy ES pick-up lane. Take a breath and relax.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Holiday vandalism already starting

One of Brambleton's holiday displays was stolen from the waterfall area near the Visitors Center - wires neatly cut, ice skating couple gone.

What is wrong with people?

Last year, as some of you know, there was a rash of vandalism throughout the neighborhood. Lights cut, houses and cars egged, and most devastating to me - our Frosty the Snowman inflatable was slashed TWICE. After the first day, I stitched him up, but the same bunch of kids came back in broad daylight the next day to cut him again. Fortunately some of them were caught later in the evening while egging a house.

It is a shame that Brambletonians have to worry about having their holiday decorations stolen or destroyed. Are kids really that bored (and unsupervised)? How could they ever think this is acceptable behavior?

They'd better not visit me again this year. Baby Jesus will be watching from the outdoor Nativity. Our security camera will be watching too.