In Brief

Two men sought after robbery attempt

Investigators are trying to track down two men who held up a pizza deliveryman Tuesday night in Sterling. Police said the deliveryman was returning to his vehicle on Railway Terrace about 8:30 when two men approached him and one drew a gun to demand money. After a fight, the robbers fled without taking cash.

The robbers are described as white men, one about 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, wearing a blue jean jacket, a white hoodie sweatshirt and a white scarf over most of his face. The other is said to have been wearing all dark clothing.

Bus service to Tysons Corner approved

Loudoun County's Board of Supervisors approved an express bus service on Tuesday that will take workers to Tysons Corner next fall. The goal is to lessen congestion during the construction of the Dulles Metro extension.

The county is using money from a special fund related to construction to finance the buses, which are set to run from September until the end of 2013. Four motor coaches will be purchased for the service.

Loudoun's Office of Transportation Services plans to host public hearings early next year to figure out where and when the buses should stop.

Extension Office offers help on spending

The Loudoun County Extension Office is embarking on an effort to help shoppers manage their money effectively as the holidays approach. At three workshops scheduled for the next three weeks, financial counseling coordinator Guy S. Johnson will present advice for controlling spending and staying out of debt.

Monday's class will be at the Loudoun Cooperative Extension Office in Leesburg. The Nov. 19 session is set for the Cascades library in Potomac Falls. And the Nov. 23 class will be at the Purcellville library on East Main Street. Each session will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Those with questions or who want to register should call Sharon Suchoski at 703-771-5715.

State helping on sale of foreclosed homes

The Virginia Housing Development Authority is making it easier for first-time home buyers to purchase foreclosed houses in the Sterling and Sugarland Run areas by offering below-market interest rates to low-income families.

The money should be available through June. The program includes limitations based on sales price, the buyers' income and other factors. And it's good only until the money runs out.

The county Department of Family Services will administer the program. Eligibility details are at http://www.vhda.com.

Chamber honors small businesses

Ten small companies were honored by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce at a gala last week as the best in the county, and Endless Summer Harvest, a grower of gourmet greens and herbs, was named Small Business of the Year.

More than 400 people turned out for the 15th annual event, at the Lansdowne Resort. The contest drew nominations for 239 businesses, 38 of which were chosen as finalists. For the first time, this year's contest included a category for nonprofit groups.

Business owners voted by secret ballot for the best companies in 10 categories.

-- Compiled by James Hohmann