Thursday, January 5, 2006

Playground Gets a Boost

A Sterling elementary school's efforts to build a science-oriented playground received a significant boost last week when the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation donated $20,000 toward its construction.

Peter Kronenberg, co-chairman of the project, said the donation doubles what the Sully Elementary PTO has raised for the playground, which has been dubbed Discovery Park. Organizers hope to raise $125,000 to build the playground, Kronenberg said.

The Claude Moore Foundation, formed from the estate of a wealthy Loudoun County landowner and doctor, also recently donated $10,000 to the Loudoun Literacy Council, which offers free and low-cost tutoring to adults and families.

The donation matched a challenge grant for December pledged by an anonymous donor. In one month, the council raised $23,500, enough to cover three months of its operating expenses.

The Republican Party's nomination process for the state Senate's 33rd District seat, which is being vacated by Sen. William C. Mims (R) effective Jan. 14, will be finalized in the coming days.

Voters and potential candidates for the nomination can contact Suzanne Volpe, the district's legislative chairman, for more information on the process. Volpe can be reached at s.volpe@adelphia.net , 703-406-6147 or 20547 Quarterpath Trace Cir., Sterling, Va. 20165.

Loudoun County residents are invited to a federal town-hall style meeting on gangs from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW.

Free transportation to and from the meeting and a box dinner are available for the first 40 residents to reserve space. Call Janet Clarke at 571-252-1172 or e-mail jclarke@loudoun.k12.va.us .

At the meeting, Paul J. McNulty, acting deputy U.S. attorney general, will speak about approaches to fighting gangs, and a panel of experts on gangs will take questions.

The proposed reconstruction and paving of two unpaved sections of Sycolin Road/Route 643 will be the subject of a public hearing Wednesday night in Ashburn.

The hearing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at Sanders Corner Elementary School, 43100 Ashburn Farm Pkwy. In the event of bad weather, the hearing will be deferred to Jan. 18.

Preliminary plans, environmental documents and project information can be viewed at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle's Northern Virginia District office at 14685 Avion Pkwy., Chantilly, or at the VDOT Leesburg Residency Office, 41 Lawson Rd. SE, Leesburg.

ArtShare, the Loudoun Arts Council's annual grant program, has awarded more than $9,600 to seven local arts groups: Master Singers of Virginia, Loudoun Symphony, Loudoun Academy of the Arts, Loudoun Ballet Company, Blue Ridge Thunder Cloggers, Round Hill Arts Center and Loudoun Community Band.

The Loudoun Arts Council promotes visual, performing and literary arts. The ArtShare grants assist nonprofit groups that have strong artistic quality and management skills.

-- Compiled by ARIANNE ARYANPUR