November 9, 2008
I am recycling this post from October 12th to let you know that you have another chance to triple your coupons at Bloom. You have until midnight tonight (Sunday, November 9, 2008). But, beware! The word on the street is that you should double check your receipt to make sure they actually triple the coupons. Have fun! Save lots of money!
I once suffered from a year long case of coupon-itis. My dream job of the moment paid very little and I found the act of cutting the coupons almost as satisfying as actually shopping. Visiting the local “double coupon” store at midnight—the only time it wasn’t too crowded to do the slow coupon shuffle through the store—and buying only items I had coupons for felt positively subversive. Over time I came to realize that not only were most items in the coupon section of the paper not on my list, they also contained unnecessary packaging, phosphates, partially hydrogenated oils, or other evils. Finally I took a new job that did not leave time for lazy afternoons cutting coupons and slow midnight shopping trips. I was cured and my kitchen cupboards more accurately reflected my values… until I stopped by SuburbanFizz earlier today and caught a case of triple-coupon-itis. I am here to pass it on.
Locals have just over two hours left to visit Bloom (closes at midnight) and they will triple up to 20 coupons (99 cents and under). If you are lucky you won’t read this until it is too late. I, however, was completely suckered in and am now the proud owner of a $22.92 receipt that reflects $27.62 in savings and three bags of brand name groceries. Behold!
It consumed at least an hour of my weekend, but I thoroughly enjoyed my triple coupon experience and am tempted to cut more coupons. I am really excited about frozen Eggo waffles and SpaghettiOs. Maybe I’ll ask my husband to hide the scissors.
If you are ready to join the coupon cult but missed the Bloom triple coupon deal, you can visit Safeway instead. I just confirmed with the Leesburg location that they double coupons valued up to 50 cents every day, and they do not limit the number you can use.
October 28, 2008
There is a great new playground at Brandon Park on Harrison, just off Catoctin Circle (behind the BB&T bank and across the street from the Village Lanes Bowling Center).
Even though there are no swings, monkey bars, bathrooms, or drinking fountains it still gets our thumbs up! Everything is still in mint condition and in my opinion it is one of the easier parks in town for juggling lots of kids. It is also one of the easier parks for toddlers since it has one of those rubber play surfaces made from recycled tires rather than mulch, and none of the play features are too high. The park is not entirely fenced, but it does have some strategically placed fencing to discourage kids from heading towards the street or the creek—or at least slow them down so you can catch them.
If you get bored with the playground there are picnic tables, lots of grassy space for running, and access to Tuscarora Creek. From what I gathered by googling town records, it appears that there is a long term plan in place to connect this park to Raflo Park and the W&OD via a walking trail. Many thanks to the folks who put this in the town’s plan. It was a great surprise to see it being built!
We walk to this park so I am not sure where the best place to park is… there’s some street parking and I think you can park behind the BB&T bank in unlabeled spots, but don’t quote me on that.
October 3, 2008
“The McGruff Child Safety and Identification Program will be conducted at Party City… Other activities are also planned for the day, including Free Light Sticks and Temporary Tattoos for the Kids…
YOUR CHILD WILL:
- Watch Educational Safety Videos
- Have their picture & fingerprints professionally taken by a trained associate.
- Take home… safety materials”
…For more info contact Michael Halperin 240-876-5470”
Both events are listed on our community calendar. Watch for more updates and additions to the calendar in the coming weeks.
September 9, 2008
This summer we attended a rain barrel workshop. The workshop was a joint presentation by the Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District and the Town of Leesburg.
We enjoyed making our own rain barrel by adapting a fifty gallon drum to include a spigot, overflow release, and insect screen. When we got home we needed to choose the best location and build a stand to put it on… this part proved to be the harder part.
We are slowly watching our rain barrel fill up a little more each time in rains and looking forward to watering our garden with it someday soon. Rain barrel workshops continue to be offered throughout Loudoun County, and we will add them to our community calendar as we hear about them.
Here’s the content of a previous announcement of the workshops that was emailed to me:
Build a Rain Barrel & Conserve Water; Workshops Scheduled
Rain barrels have started to re-emerge as an economical and practical way for homeowners to conserve water, reduce runoff, save money, and help protect the Chesapeake Bay. The recent lack of rain has left many looking for ways to conserve water. A rain barrel collects the water that runs off the roof and makes it available for homeowners to water plants, fill the birdbath, wash their car, the dog, and muddy feet. It can even be used in toilet tanks when the well pump isn’t working. This water is free and the water is collected before it runs off and picks up sediment and contaminants that pollute our streams and rivers and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.
The Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District in partnership with the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County Parks, Recreation & Community Services will present 3 workshops where homeowners can learn more about the benefits of rain barrels and make one to take home. The workshops will be held…
Participants are reminded to dress appropriately as they will be constructing their barrel. There will be a $XX charge per barrel, and pre-registration is required.
Contact: Suzanne Brown, Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District, 703-777-2075
And here’s the info I have received regarding upcoming dates:
Rain barrel workshops will be held on Wednesday 09/24/08 and Thursday 09/25/08 from
6:00 - 7:00 at Tuscarora Creek Park in Leesburg. These 2 workshops are for Leesburg residents only.
Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District is getting a shipment of 70 more barrels in and will be holding a rain barrel workshop open to all county residents later this fall. Probably early
October in Lovettsville or Hillsboro. They also plan to hold a workshop in Ashburn. The dates for these workshops are being determined this week. Contact Suzanna Brown (703-777-2075) for details.
August 2, 2008
If you’re looking for a way to simplify your hunt for local foods in Virginia, you’ll want to check out the buylocalvirginia.org site created by the Piedmont Environmental Council of Charlottesville, VA. The site contains a wealth of information, including:
August 2, 2008
17558 Dry Mill Road
Leesburg,
VA 20175
Today is the last day of the Loudoun County Fair and I have failed to visit once again. The fair seems to hit on a busy week for my family every year, but I plan to go and report back next year. In the meantime I am hoping some local families can fill us in via the website comments feature?
August 2, 2008
Dulles 28 Centre
22000 Dulles Retail Plz
Dulles, VA 20166 (map it)
(703) 904-0001
One glimpse of this play area and I came to the conclusion that the chain stores of America have realized that some of the best ways to reach folks with small children is to provide a place where our kids can safely play while we sip a beverage and take a minute to regain our sanity, and have clean bathrooms with changing tables nearby.
I made an unplanned stop because the play area looked like a fun place to kill some time, and then made an unplanned purchase at Starbucks when we needed a potty stop. (Their master plan is working.)
This play area is the perfect place for pint-size mulch-eaters to lower their fiber intake — no mulch! This outdoor playground is surrounded first by a fence, then benches, then snack spots (Starbucks, PotBelly, Cold Stone… and Pei Wei if you’re willing to walk another 50 yards), and after that the parking lot. It offers fresh air without any actual contact with nature. My two year-old had fun, there were other kids to play with — even in the afternoon when most kids are home napping — and the place seemed well maintained. I especially appreciated the latching gate which reduces the likelihood of kids straying into the parking lot.
August 2, 2008
Watching the expansion of Lansdowne and Lansdowne Town Center was one of our first Loudoun experiences… I am pleased to report that something good has come of this bit of suburban sprawl. The fountains and the live music on the green are some of suburbia’s most redeeming qualities. (And with the addition of Go Bananas Toys there is one more place to find hula hoops in Loudoun County...)
Their summer concert series seems to be advertised only by poster. Since it is not captured on Lansdowne Town Center’s website we have added it to our community calendar.
The joy on my kids’ faces when we arrive at this fantasy land of spraying water and happy children set to music (on Wednesdays during the summer anyway…) is one of those things that my words cannot begin to capture. It’s up there with Christmas morning, waking up on the day of a long-anticipated plane trip, or being told that their stingy mother is going to buy them something.
Frolicking in the fountains was only done by tot-sized law breakers and their guilty parents last year. (You can read more about it at Suburban Fizz.) Many thanks go to all those involved in making the fountains safe and legal for our kids this year. I want the folks at Lansdowne Town Center to know that the fountains and concerts are the reason we spend our hard-earned money at their shops. Thank you for listening to your community!
I also want the performers we have enjoyed the last few weeks (Westpole and Steven Palmer Band) to know that, even though our backs are turned to the stage so we can supervise our children, we appreciate and enjoy the music. It must be a rather thankless endeavor to play to an audience that keeps its distance and half of its attention elsewhere, but the music is a key part our experience. Thank you for providing the soundtrack to our summer evenings!
Click here for a short video clip
