The Redskins are Coming!!!!!

The Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North is excited to be the Offical Training Camp of the Washington Redskins. Starting on July 29th, the 2009 edition of the Redskins will begin their training camp at Redskins Park and we are in the middle of all the action.

The Hilton Garden Inn is offering exclusive Hotel Packages that include V.I.P. access to training camp, hotel accomodations, breakfast and dinner. Best of all, all fans that book a Training Camp Package will be registered to win 2 Club Level tickets for any regular season game of their choice!!! Do you want to be there to see the Cowboys, Eagles or Giants?? You have the chance if you book now. Just click on the link below and join the Redskins this preseason.



http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/IADDNGI-REDCMP-20090722/index.jhtml

Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites Baltimore/Arundel Mills Celebrate It's "May'd For Each Other" Grand Opening Celebration

On Thursday May 7th, 2009, the Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites Baltimore/Arundel Mills celebrated its launch into the Arundel Mills market with its “May’d for Each Other” Grand Opening Celebration

Baltimore/Arundel Mills, MD (Vocus/PRWEB ) May 13, 2009 -- On Thursday May 7th, 2009, the Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites Baltimore/Arundel Mills celebrated its launch into the Arundel Mills market with its “May’d for Each Other” grand opening celebration. The marriage of two hotel brands under one roof, the Hilton Garden Inn and the Homewood Suites by Hilton, created the perfect atmosphere for a wedding-themed party, featuring a piano and saxophone duet. And with the recent arrival of spring, April showers brought May flowers to this party as the crowd moved outdoors to the poolside patio to enjoy a luau and the live band, Looking for Lester.


Complex General Manager, Dorothy Paez welcomed the guests, which ranged from county officials to top hotel clients to students from the hospitality program at the Anne Arundel County Community College. Also in attendance were Hilton executives, including Craig Mance, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development for Hilton Hotels Corporation. “Once again the Buccini/Pollin Group has proven that innovative design and relentless commitment to quality can lead to enhanced guest experience and operating efficiencies,” said Craig Mance.

Greg Miller, President & CEO of PM Hospitality Strategies, Inc. PMHS, played up the wedding theme of the two brands with a celebratory toast to a long and prosperous relationship. “With their complimentary amenities and the ability to appeal to two distinct customer segments, these hotels are truly made for each other. We are very excited about the opening of this complex and the opportunity to further our involvement in the financial well being of the community, starting with our charitable outreach,” said Greg Miller. The two hotels teamed up with the Stork’s Nest , a non-profit, prenatal education program that helps keep pregnant women and their babies healthy while fighting infant mortality. Partnering with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health and March of Dimes, Stork’s Nest ensures that new mothers are informed throughout the pregnancy process and receive adequate medical care early and often.

The hotels put together an interactive fund raising platform, as guests were invited to participate in a treasure hunt throughout both hotels and compete in remote control speed boat races in the pool. Prizes for those guests who found the most “treasure” included an HD LCD television, concert tickets to see Keith Urban in a Verizon Center executive suite, free hotel stays, and gift certificates to various local restaurants in the Arundel Mills area, including Medieval Times, Dave & Busters and Jordan’s Steakhouse. All proceeds from the contributions collected were donated to the Stork’s Nest.

Located at 7491 New Ridge Road, the Hilton Garden Inn and the Homewood Suites Baltimore/Arundel Mills hotels are in a prime location for both business travelers and vacationing families. The hotels are situated only a few miles from the BWI airport and just minutes from downtown Baltimore. Area landmarks include the Baltimore Inner Harbor, Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, the Baltimore National Aquarium, and the National Security Agency. Also located less than one mile from the Arundel Mills Mall, the second largest mall in the state of Maryland, the hotels offer its guests plenty of shopping and dining options at over 225 stores, including entertainment venues such as Dave & Buster’s and Medieval Times. Travelers also have the convenience of nearby Annapolis and Washington DC, which are located less than a half hour away.

Owned by The Buccini/Pollin Group of Washington, D.C. and operated by D.C.-based PM Hospitality Strategies, Inc., the Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites Baltimore/Arundel Mills feature a total of 250 guestrooms and 3,700 square feet of flexible meeting space. This arrangement of two brands in one building enables the hotels to share amenities and while still keeping the design elements of each brand distinct and separate. For more information on the Hilton Garden Inn, visit www.baltimorearundelmills.hgi.com, and to learn more about the Homewood Suites, please visit www.baltimorearundelmills.homewoodsuites.com

About The Buccini/Pollin Group (Buccini/Pollin)
Buccini/Pollin is a privately held, full-service real estate acquisition, development and management company with offices in Wilmington, DE, Washington DC, suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York City. Buccini/Pollin has developed and acquired office, hotel, multifamily, townhouse, industrial, retail, and parking properties in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. Buccini/Pollin has acquired or developed over $3 billion in assets, including six million SF of office, industrial, and retail space in 64 buildings, 3,200 hotel rooms in 17 hotels, six major residential communities, and 1,200 covered parking spaces. Buccini/Pollin is the largest privately held office landlord in the Philadelphia region.

About PM Hospitality Strategies, Inc. (PMHS)
PMHS is the hotel management affiliate of Buccini/Pollin. Based in Washington, DC, the company manages all of Buccini/Pollin’s hotel assets, providing development, technical consulting, on-site management, and accounting expertise. Concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic, PMHS manages full-service and select-service hotels in the Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, and Choice families of brands. Since the opening of its first hotel in 1996, PMHS has participated in the development and acquisition/renovation of dozens of hotels with a market capitalization of $1 billion. PMHS is an approved management company for leading hotel brands, including the full-service Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites Hotel, and Homewood Suites by Hilton.

Posted by: Gissel Ansari

Things to Do and See in Ashburn and Loudoun County

Museums, Historic Sites and Tourism

Ashburn Walking Tour
Oldtown Ashburn
Ashburn,VA 20147

Belmont Chapel
(on the grounds of St. David's Episcopal Church)
19917 Ashburn Rd
Ashburn, VA 20147

Loudoun Museum - offers exhibits, special events, walking and driving tours, gardens, and museum shop. Featured site in Virginia Civil War Trails and Virginia TimeTravelers programs Morven Park
17263 Southern Planter Ln
Leesburg, VA 20176

Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association - website offers a calendar of Loudoun events and info on lodging, dining, and Loudoun's towns and villages. The LCVA operates a visitor's center in Leesburg staffed 362 days a year that provides info and visitor assistance for Loudoun. The center is also a State Certified Visitor Center offering info on other Virginia destinations Oatlands Plantation - this historic landmark, with its four acres of formal gardens, was the home of George Carter (great-grandson of colonial Virginia's renowned Robert "King" Carter) and his wife Elizabeth Grayson Carter. Work on the building and grounds started in 1804
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market St
Leesburg, VA 20176

Ball's Bluff Regional Park
Balls Bluff Road
Leesburg, VA 20176

Aldie Mill
The mill is located on Rt 50, 1 mile west of the Rt 50 and Rt 15 intersection Lanesville Heritage Area
Claude Moore Park
21544 Old Vestals Gap Rd
Sterling, VA 20164

Lovettsville Museum
4 East Pennsylvania Av
Lovettsville, VA 20180

Mosby Heritage Area
P.O. Box 1497
Middleburg, VA 20118

Stone House at Harper Park
Rt 7 west of Goose Creek
Leesburg, VA 20176

Dodona Manor
212 East Market St
Leesburg, VA 20176

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum
Washington Dulles Int'l Airport
Dulles, VA 20166

The Naturalist Center
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History
741 Miller Dr SE, Suite G-2
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 779-9712

Rust Sanctuary
Audubon Naturalist Society
802 Children's Center Rd
Leesburg, VA 20175

Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
21668 Heritage Farm Lane
Sterling,VA 20164

Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
21085 The Woods
Leesburg, VA 20175

N American Pt-to-Pt Association
Steeplechase racing
Various VA & other locations

Where should you stay?

Our Hilton Garden Inn Hotel is located less than five miles from Dulles International Airport and 30 minutes to Washington DC, the Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North hotel in Virginia features 135 guestrooms (including 12 Junior Suites, 4 One-Bedroom Suites and 4 King Whirlpool Rooms) each equipped with:
• self-adjusting Garden Sleep System® bed
• 32-inch HD LCD TV
• Complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access
• Refrigerator, microwave,coffee maker, hair dryer, Iron and ironing board
• Two phones with voice mail and data ports
• Large work desk with convenient outlets
• Adjustable lighting
• Ergonomic Herman Miller Mirra® chair


Please pick up the phone and give us at 703-723-8989 to find out more about our promotions.

Posted By: Gissel Ansari

Raytheon lease second largest in nation

By Jason Jacks
Source: Loudoun Times-Mirror
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 2009
UPDATED TUESDAY, APRIL 7 2009


The call came in December to Loudoun Economic Development officials. Raytheon Co., a large government contractor with offices peppering Northern Virginia, needed office space, and a lot of it.
“And they weren't even looking for financial incentives,” said Steve Hargan, with Loudoun's Department of Economic Development. “They had concerns about traffic and accessibility ... but the AOL campus met virtually all their requirements.”

On April 1, Gov. Tim Kaine (D) announced that Raytheon, which employs 4,000 people in Virginia, would consolidate most of its Northern Virginia operations into 600,000-square-feet of space in Ashburn.

Commercial real-estate information company CoStar reported the deal is the second largest lease signed in the country this year. The space is also five times larger than the space Hilton Hotels recently secured in Tysons Corner.

Raytheon will occupy space in four buildings at AOL’s Pacific Corporate Park near Route 28 and Waxpool Road.

The facility will house portions of the company's technical services and intelligence and information-systems business unit. AOL will continue to have a significant presence in Loudoun.

The project will include a capital investment of about $37.5 million. During the next 36 months, Raytheon expects to create about 100 jobs in the area. About 1,500 people will work at the Ashburn facility starting in 2010.

“We are very excited that Raytheon recognized the advantages of doing business in Loudoun and has selected our community as a hub for two of its major business units,” said Loudoun Chairman Scott York (I-at large) in a statement. “We're very confident Raytheon’s employees, who will now be working here, will find Loudoun County a great place to live and work.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Loudoun officials to out compete both Washington, D.C., and Maryland for Raytheon.

Also, Kaine approved a $500,000 grant from his Opportunity Fund to assist Loudoun with improving access to the AOL site by finishing work on nearby Pacific Boulevard. When complete, the road will connect Route 606 and Nokes Boulevard, taking stress off Route 28.

Ever since the current batch of supervisors took office in January 2008, the county has ratcheted up efforts to lure companies to the county, according to Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run), chairwoman of the board's economic development committee.

Included in those efforts was the creation last year of a new position -- filled by Hargan – who was tasked with extolling the benefits of Loudoun to technology companies looking to move to this region.

“Our neighbors in Montgomery and Fairfax counties are working hard to get these companies,” Waters said. “So we can't just sit back and wait for them to come to us. We have to be proactive.”


Listed By: Gissel Ansari

America's 10 Best Fast-Food Restaurants

The authors of Eat This Not That! shine a light on drive-throughs and chain restaurants that offer healthier fare.

By Dave Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, Men's HealthEating out invariably raises a number of tricky questions: sit down or drive through? Burgers or pizza? Thin or stuffed crust? Choosing one over the other could mean saving hundreds of calories in a single meal, and up to 50 pounds of flab in the course of a year and countless health woes over the course of a lifetime. That's why Eat This, Not That! launched an investigation and put 66 major chain restaurants under the nutritional microscope—so that you and your family can continue to eat out, but do so knowing the types of insider tips and savvy strategies that can help melt fat all year long. And the good news is that many fan favorites scored top marks!
To separate the commendable from the deplorable, we calculated the total number of calories per entrée. This gave us a snapshot of how each restaurant compared in average serving size—a key indicator of unhealthy portion distortion. Then we rewarded establishments with fruit and vegetable side-dish choices, as well as for providing whole-grain options. Finally, we penalized places for excessive amounts of trans fats and menus laden with gut-busting desserts. What we ended up with is the Eat This, Not That! Restaurant Report Card, which will show you how all of the nation's largest eating establishments stack up nutritionally.
Check out those restaurants that scored a B+ or higher:

Chick-fil-A: A-
Between the breakfast and lunch menus, there are only two entrées at Chick-fil-A that break 500 calories, a rare feat in the fast-food world. What this means is that you can't possibly do too much harm—especially if you stick to the chicken. And unlike the typical fast-food chain, Chick-fil-A offers a list of sides that goes beyond breaded and fried potatoes and onions. (Just beware the large cole slaw, which adds an extra 600 calories to your daily intake!) That's why we dub the Atlanta-based chicken shack one of our all-time favorite fast-food restaurants.
Also, be sure to check out our exclusive list of the best and worst restaurants for kids to see why Chick-fil-A receives an even higher grade when it comes to kids' meals.
Survival strategy: The worst thing you can do is supplement your meal with a milkshake—not a single cup has fewer than 600 calories. And instead of nuggets or strips, look to the Chargrilled Chicken Sandwiches, which average only 320 calories apiece.

Subway: A-
A menu based on lean protein and vegetables is always going to score well in our book. With more than half a dozen sandwiches under 300 calories, plus a slew of soups and healthy sides to boot, Subway can satisfy even the pickiest eater without breaking the caloric bank. But, despite what Jared may want you to believe, Subway is not nutritionally infallible: Those rosy calorie counts posted on the menu boards include neither cheese nor mayo (add 160 calories per 6-inch sub), and some of the toasted subs, like the Meatball Marinara, contain hefty doses of calories, saturated fat, and sodium.
Survival strategy: Cornell researchers have discovered a "health halo" at Subway, which refers to the tendency to reward yourself or your kid with chips, cookies, and large soft drinks because the entrée is healthy. Avoid the halo, and all will be well.

Jamba Juice: A-
Jamba offers a viable and tasty solution to the dearth of fresh fruits and vegetables in the American diet: Stick it all in a blender and let us slurp it up. But make this your rule: If it includes syrup or added sugar, it ceases to be a smoothie. Jamba Juice makes plenty of real-deal smoothies, but their menu is sullied with more than a few faux-fruit blends. Just make sure you choose the right one.
Survival strategy: For a perfectly guilt-free treat, opt for a Jamba Light or All Fruit Smoothie in a 16-ounce cup. And unless you're looking to put on weight for your new acting career, don't touch the Peanut Butter Moo'd, which has more sugar than an entire bag of chocolate chips!

Au Bon Pain: A-
Sure the menu has its pitfalls, but what menu doesn't? The bottom line is that Au Bon Pain combines an extensive inventory of healthy items with an unrivaled standard of nutritional transparency. Each store has an on-site nutritional kiosk to help customers find a meal to meet their expectations, and the variety of ordering options provides dozens of paths to a sensible meal.
Survival strategy: Most of the café sandwiches are in the 650-calorie range, so make a lean meal instead by combining a hot soup with one of the many low-calorie options on the Portions menu. And if you must indulge, eschew the baked goods in favor of a cup of fruit and yogurt, or serving of chocolate-covered almonds.

Boston Market: B+
With more than a dozen healthy vegetable sides and lean meats like turkey and roast sirloin on the menu, the low-cal, high-nutrient possibilities at Boston Market are endless. But with nearly a dozen calorie-packed sides and fatty meats like dark meat chicken and meat loaf, it's almost as easy to construct a lousy meal.
Survival strategy: There are three simple steps to nutritional salvation: 1) Start with turkey, sirloin, or rotisserie chicken. 2) Add two non-creamy, non-starchy vegetable sides. 3) Ignore all special items, such as pot pie and nearly all of the sandwiches.

Cici's Pizza Buffet: B+
Cici's began in Texas in 1985 and now boasts more than 600 locations, proving definitively that Americans love a good buffet. The good news for our waistlines is that the crust is moderately sized, and the pizza comes in varieties beyond simple sausage and pepperoni. But if you check your willpower at the door, you're probably better off skipping the pizza buffet entirely.
Survival strategy: It takes 20 minutes for your brain to tell your body it's full, so start with a salad and then proceed slowly to the pizza. Limit yourself to the healthier slices like the Zesty Vegetable, Alfredo, and the Olé, which is a Mexican-inspired pie with only 108 calories per slice.

McDonald’s: B+
The world-famous burger baron has come a long way since the days of Fast Food Nation—at least nutritionally speaking. The trans fats are mostly gone, the number of gut-wrecking calorie bombs are now fewer than ever, and the menu holds plenty of healthy options such as salads and yogurt parfaits. Don't cut loose at the counter just yet, though. Too many of the breakfast and lunch sandwiches still top the 500-calorie mark, and the dessert menu is fodder for some major belly-building.
Survival strategy: The Egg McMuffin remains one of the best ways to start your day in the fast-food world. As for the later hours, you can splurge on a Big Mac or a Quarter Pounder, but only if you skip the fries and soda, which add an average of 590 calories onto any meal.

Taco Bell: B+
Taco Bell combines two things with bad nutritional reputations: Mexican food and fast food. The result should be horrendous, yet somehow it works out so that a little prudence at the ordering window can bag you a meal with fewer than 500 calories. The potential for belly-building is still there, but the calorie bombs are generally easy to spot. And to limit the chances of a mistake, Taco Bell reengineered some of its classic items and listed them under the Fresco Menu for a savings of up to 10 grams of fat per item.
Survival strategy: Grilled Stuft Burritos, anything served in a bowl, and anything prepared with multiple "layers" are your worst options. Instead, order any combination of two of the following: crunchy tacos, bean burritos, or anything on the Fresco menu.

Wendy's: B+
Scoring a decent meal at Wendy's is just about as easy as scoring a bad one, and that's a big compliment for a burger joint. Options such as chili and baked potatoes offer the side-order variety that's missing from less-evolved fast-food chains like Dairy Queen and Carl's Jr. Plus they offer a handful of Jr. Burgers that don't stray far over 300 calories. And for our money, the 1/4-pound single is one of the best substantial burgers in the industry. Where they err is in their recently expanded line of desserts and a lackluster selection of beverages. But you're happy just drinking water, right?
Survival strategy: The grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps don't have more than 320 calories, which is less than even a small order of French fries. Choose the chicken or a small burger and pair it with a healthy side, and then hit the door before you receive the 500-calorie penalty for giving in to your Frosty hankering.
You can check out the complete Eat This, Not That! Restaurant Report Card here. Finally, sign up for your FREE Eat This, Not That! weekly newsletter or subscribe to the new Eat This, Not That! premium Web site. You'll get thousands of useful tips, tricks, and secret insights into everything going on in the world of food and nutrition, so you can stay lean for life while still enjoying all of your favorite foods. It's like having a personal nutritionist on call 24 hours a day!

America's Worst Lunches—And What You Should Eat Instead

Hits and misses in the drive-through lane.
By Dave Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, Men's Health

If you're like two-thirds of working Americans, you pick up lunch from a fast-food joint or restaurant at least once a week. Sure, it's not as healthy as packing your own celery sticks, but eating out every once in a while can't hurt, right?
Not so fast: There might be trouble in the drive-through lane.
Not only could the window worker pile an entire day's worth of calories through your car window, but you might also be sapping your energy and productivity: Carb overloads lead to energy spikes and crashes, and studies have shown that the bigger your waistline, the lower your cognitive functioning and the more sick days you take. Kind of ironic, considering "convenience" is the most common reason people give for buying lunch during the workday. In this economy, it's hardly convenient to snore through the 2 o'clock meeting, or miss a few crucial days when the boss is looking for you.
A healthy lunch can help you maximize your afternoon performance, but if you're in a hurry to grab and go, you might not take the time to sort through the menu hits and misses. Let the Eat This, Not That! folks be your efficiency experts: DON'T order the items ew warn you about, below. Opt instead for less outrageous alternatives (also below), and reap the benefits at bonus time.
QUIZNO'S
Large Prime Rib Cheesesteak Sub
• 1,490 calories
• 92 g fat (22.5 g saturated, 2 g trans)
• 2,620 mg sodium
Fat equivalent: Like eating four Dunkin Donuts cheese danishes!
It's hard enough to make the argument for one cheese Danish, but four? And we're just talking fat, here—with more than 800 calories of the stuff in just one sandwich. You're also be filling up with more than a day's worth of sodium and saturated fat. While this is one of the worst items you could choose, the rest of the Quizno's menu has hazards, as well. But if your co-workers insist on eating there, order this instead:
Small Turkey Ranch and Swiss Sub
• 410 calories
• 17 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
• 1,230 mg sodium
CHILI'S
• Crispy Sweet Chile Glazed Chicken Crispers
• 1,930 calories
• 112 g fat (17 g saturated)
• 4,190 mg sodium
Calorie equivalent: Like eating an entire medium Pizza Hut 12" pepperoni pizza!
If you have the time for a sit-down meal, you have the time to think this through. Chicken Crispers are fun, but account for almost a whole day's worth of calories and almost two days' worth of sodium. Your smarter choice is to eat this instead:
Classic Chicken Fajitas
• 370 calories
• 11 g fat (1.5 saturated)
• 2,000 mg sodium
And another hint for a healthy sit-down lunch: forgo the appetizers. Chili's Texas Cheese Fries with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing made the top of our list when we rounded up the worst appetizers money can buy. Check out the other appetizer land-mines here. You'll be shocked.
ARBY'S
Roast Turkey Ranch and Bacon Sandwich
• 817 calories
• 37 g fat (11 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
• 2,146 mg sodium
Calorie equivalent: Like eating 23 Thin Mints (one whole sleeve)!
Just because you could prepare it at home doesn't mean it’s good for you when you order it away from home—the Roast Turkey Ranch and Bacon Sandwich packs nearly half of your daily allowance of calories and almost an entire day’s dose of sodium. Doesn't leave much room for anything else, does it?
Eat this instead:
Sourdough Roast Beef Melt
• 351 calories
• 14 g fat (4 g saturated)
• 1,048 mg of sodium
DAIRY QUEEN
Chicken Strip Basket with Country Gravy (6 piece)
• 1,640 calories
• 74 g fat (12 g saturated, 1 g trans)
• 3,690 mg sodium
Sodium equivalent: Like eating 11 large orders of McDonald's French fries!

Talk about a value meal: One Chicken Strip Basket gives you almost two days' payload of sodium! If thinking about it doesn't elevate your blood pressure, eating it might. Don't become a statistic.
Eat this instead:
Crispy Chicken Sandwich
• 560 calories
• 28 g fat (3.5 g saturated)
• 980 mg sodium
PANERA
• Italian Combo on Ciabatta sandwich
• 1,050 calories
• 47 g fat (18 g saturated, 1 g trans)
• 3,050 mg of sodium
Fat equivalent: Like eating 6 slices of Papa John's cheese pizza!
You were on the right track in choosing Panera, but don't be sidelined by the allure of the Italian Combo. Ciabatta bread may sound sophisticated, but you won't look so refined when you're lugging that spare Pirelli around your midsection.
Eat this instead:
Smoked Turkey Breast on Sourdough sandwich
• 470 calories
• 17 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
• 1,680 mg sodium
CHIPOTLE
• 13” tortilla with steak, black beans, rice, cheese, sour cream and lettuce
• 955 calories
• 38 g fat (18 g saturated)
• 1,600 mg sodium
Calorie equivalent: Like eating 37 Hershey’s Kisses!
The good news about this tortilla is that it contains 56 grams of protein, but that's hardly worth the outrageous calorie and carbohydrate load—with 94 grams of carbs, you've already covered a third of your recommended daily intake, plus you're taking in nearly a day's worth of sodium and saturated fat. Downsize to drop pounds.
Eat this instead:
Three hard tacos with steak, pinto beans, sour cream and lettuce
• 615 calories
• 24 g fat (11 g saturated)
• 710 mg sodium
(Another hint: When it comes to Chipotle chips, just say "no." They add an outrageous 570 calories and 73 extra grams of carbs.)
HARDEE'S
2/3-lb Monster Thickburger
• 1,420 calories
• 108 g fat (43 g saturated)
• 2,770 mg sodium
Saturated fat equivalent: Like eating 43 strips of Oscar Mayer bacon!
It's called Monster for a reason. It's a monster load of saturated fat (more than two days' worth). The good news is that it has a friendlier, healthier cousin in the 1/3-lb Low-Carb Thickburger, with 1,000 fewer calories and a third the amount of fat. Even better, the Low-Carb Thickburger is true to its name—it only has 5 grams of quick-burning carbohydrates, compared to 46 grams in the Monster.
Eat this instead:
1/3-lb Low-Carb Thickburger
• 420 calories
• 32 g fat (12 g saturated)
• 1,010 mg sodium
BURGER KING
Triple Whopper Sandwich with cheese and mayo
• 1,250 calories
• 84 g fat (32 g saturated, 2.5 g trans)
• 1,600 mg sodium
Fat equivalent: Like eating 10 slices of Papa John's cheese pizza!
You should know by now not to order a triple anything. In this case you're getting egregious calorie, fat, and sodium overloads. It's not bad, though, compared to the shockers on our list of the trans-fattiest foods in America. Choose a regular cheeseburger instead and slash 920 calories, 68 g of fat, and save yourself from the judgmental stares of your co-workers, who are three times as likely to be grossed out!
Eat this instead:
Cheeseburger
• 330 calories
• 16 g fat (7 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
• 780 mg sodium


By: Gissel Ansari

The Story Of One Little Boy

(Created: Friday, March 20, 2009 11:08 AM EDT)

A good deal of space is devoted in this week's issue to highlight a fraction of the contributions Frank Raflo made to our community. Most recollections depict the actions of a confident, capable, well-connected and well-liked adult whose long list of accomplishments cement a lasting legacy. However, the commitment to public service is not the only facet of Mr. Raflo's life deserving of emulation.

As he recalled in an April, 12, 2003, column published in these pages, he overcame significant obstacles growing up as a smart, smallish Jewish boy in a 1920s Leesburg community where brawn was championed and Jews were little known. We reprint that column in this space to inspire reflection of the possibilities of all youth.

This is the story of one little boy and how he grew up.

As a baby he was sick a lot. He lived in a small town with parents, who ran a business there. His mother was very busy with the store, so a nanny was hired to look after him.

He spent two years under the attention of the nanny. It wasn't that his mother did not love him. It was just that she was so busy and felt that the lady could look after him better.

He was a frail child and underweight. He never got to play games with the other kids in the neighborhood. He started school when he was only 5 years old and was put in the first grade ahead of schedule.

At school, he found few special activities he could do. He was afraid of the teachers and fearful that he would do something wrong. He studied hard and was at or near the head of his class.

At school they played catch. You would run across the field to the other side. Several of the fellows would be in the middle and try to catch you. If you were caught then you would stay in the middle and try to catch some of the others. Many times he ran across the field, but no one ever tried to catch him. He never knew why. It might have been the way he was dressed. His mother insisted that he wear knickers and an overcoat in the cold weather. Most of the other kids wore jackets. He found that you cannot run very fast wearing an overcoat.

Every day after school, he would come home and stand in front of the store that his parents owned. He rarely went to play with the other kids. He was just not any good at sports and games that involved running. So he went to the playground where the other kids were and just stood there and watched.

He finally found a way to get in the game. If he brought his bat, glove, mitt and two balls, the other kids would use all of this stuff and then let him play. He was always assigned a spot in deep right field where few balls ever landed.

He complained to his mother but she always answered with, "I know, son, but you are so small. You will grow up to be a big man someday. So don't worry about not playing with the other kids now."

When he was in the sixth grade he was run over by a car. He remembers that it was a Model T Ford. The man who hit him took him to the hospital but never came back to see him. As a result of the accident, he was unconscious from Saturday morning until the following Thursday morning. He recovered rapidly and in four weeks was back in school.

He remembers that first day back at school. One of his "buddies" came up behind him and gave him a sharp slap on the back, which knocked him down. When he didn't get up right away all the other fellows just stood there and laughed. Those were the grade school years. The teachers liked him because he did all of his homework and was so attentive in class. They never seemed to notice his not being involved with the other kids on the playground.

When he got to high school things changed somewhat. There were things he could do. Activities that could use his talent and brains, as well as his arms and legs.

He continued to stay at the head of his class. The teachers continued to like him because of his work in the classroom. They asked him, "Are you going to go to college?"

"College?" He had never really thought about college. He knew that college cost a lot of money and he didn't think his mom would put up the money for him to go to college. Despite not knowing where the money would come from he applied to one state college. To his surprise he got a notice back stating that not only did they want him but they offered him a small scholarship.

In many ways college was a repeat of high school. He worked hard at his studies and made excellent grades but his other activities were limited. He never seemed to be able to make it with the girls. Not that he asked for dates and was turned down. He just never seemed to get around to asking. In his own mind, he felt the justification was that he was too busy with his schoolwork.

He graduated cum laude. He had been an English major and he felt that he should teach English. Those were hard times when he got out of college and there were not many teaching jobs.

His dad suggested, "Why don't you get a job working on a newspaper?"

"Working on a newspaper." He had never thought of that. There was a newspaper in his town. He went there and asked about getting a job.

"So you want to work on my paper?" the editor asked. "You have a good school record but do you know much about your own town? Can you meet people and cover the events? You think you can? So I will give you a try. The starting salary is $20 a week and you will have to furnish your own car." He took the job and went to work for the newspaper.

And that is how Frank Raflo became a journalist.


By: Gissel Ansari

County schools to receive nearly $200,000

On Monday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced $4.1 million in refinancing savings would be distributed to 31 Virginia school divisions.

Of this funding, Loudoun County Public Schools would receive $192,307.

The savings result from the issuance by the Virginia Public School Authority of $114.2 million in School Financing Refunding Bonds, Series 2009, which was completed March 12.

Loudoun can expect its funds around mid-July.

"I am delighted that we have been able to provide some additional budget relief for these localities in 2010," Kaine said.

Localities receiving the savings were participants in four earlier VPSA bond issues that were refunded by the 2009 bonds.




By: Gissel Ansari

Officials to Formalize Funding for Dulles Metro Extension

By Amy Gardner
Originally published at 12:00 a.m., March 10, 2009
Updated at 8:19 a.m., March 10, 2009

U.S. transportation officials will seal their commitment to a long-planned extension of Metro to Dulles International Airport at a ceremony today in which Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is to sign a formal agreement to provide $900 million in funding considered crucial to the project's success.

But the real action will start in a matter of days about 15 miles to the west, where demolition of roads and bridges and heavy construction of overhead piers will become an unwelcome fact of life during the next six years for commuters and residents of McLean, Tysons Corner, Vienna and beyond. The result, boosters say, will be worth it: a public transit system serving the region's primary international airport and Virginia's most prosperous jobs corridor.

Today's ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Department of Transportation's headquarters near the Washington Navy Yard, will feature a roster of local, state and federal luminaries seeking to revel in -- and take credit for -- the project's success. Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), are among those expected to attend.

These and other project boosters fought skeptical federal transit regulators for much of the past year after it became clear that the Federal Transit Administration, citing cost and schedule overruns and poor management, was inclined to reject Virginia's application for federal assistance. The $5.2 billion Silver Line, which will extend from northwest Arlington to the airport and into Loudoun County, has doubled in cost in recent years.

But supporters pressed for the project to move forward. They cited the overwhelming need for congestion relief along Northern Virginia's Dulles corridor and the imperative to provide an alternative to highway travel to help reduce regional carbon emissions. A bonus, leaders have said, is the hope that the 23-mile rail line will trigger an urban-style development renaissance, particularly around four planned stations in Tysons Corner.

The Bush administration's transportation team agreed to approve Dulles rail in January, two weeks before leaving office, and President Obama's administration has embraced the project. Today's signing ceremony marks the end of a mandatory 60-day congressional comment period following approval of the project.

The project's first phase, estimated to cost about $2.6 billion and to be finished by 2013, will extend from just past the East Falls Church Metro station on the Orange Line, through Tysons and along the median of the Dulles Access Road to Wiehle Avenue in Reston. The second phase, expected to cost about the same and to be completed by 2015, will extend to the airport and beyond into Loudoun County.

The Silver Line will run along the median of the Dulles Access Road for most of its journey, with an aerial track carrying it through Tysons Corner despite a strong grassroots push to build underground. Regulators and politicians alike said a tunnel would have been prohibitively expensive and would have set the regulatory process back at least a year, imperiling the entire project. The extension will run underground for a short distance in Tysons, at the intersection of Routes 7 and 123.

By: Gissel Ansari

Virginia Is For Lovers

“Virginia Is for Lovers” has become a much-imitated part of the national language, even in other states’ travel promotions. The “I (heart) New York” slogan, for example, appeared later in the mid-’70s.


The Year was 1969

The timing was right in 1969 when the Virginia State Travel Service (now the Virginia Tourism Corporation) adopted what would become its world-renowned “Virginia Is for Lovers” slogan. The Travel Service could not have known that the Yippies would become Yuppies — and later, Boomers — or that the Volkswagen microbus with the peace sign on the dashboard would give way to the station wagon as the official car of a generation, but they knew where the future was in tourism: a new generation of visitors.

A favorite book in 1969 was Erich Segal’s Love Story. Jacqueline Susann’s The Love Machine was a best seller. Henry Mancini scored with Love Theme from “Romeo and Juliet.” The Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969 drew more than 300,000 young people for a weekend of peace, music and mud. Given the tenor of the times, the roll-out of “Virginia Is For Lovers” appealed to younger consumers who were the market of the future.

The Ad Agency

The phrase came from a creative team headed by George Woltz of Martin & Woltz Inc., the Richmond advertising agency that won the Virginia State Travel Service account in 1968. According to Martin, a $100-a-week copywriter named Robin McLaughlin came up with an advertising concept that read, “Virginia is for history lovers.” For a beach-oriented ad, the headline would have read, “Virginia is for beach lovers”; for a mountains ad, “Virginia is for mountain lovers,” and so on. Martin thought the approach might be too limiting. Woltz agreed, and the agency dropped the modifier and made it simply “Virginia Is For Lovers.” The first ad mentioning the new slogan ran in the March 1969 issue of "Modern Bride."

The phrase was considered bold and provocative, but it was also just plain smart from a marketing perspective. It planted a seed — a new image of a more exciting Virginia — with a generation that would become the most sought-after group of spenders ever to wield a credit card.

Virginia is For Lovers of . . .

No one knows exactly why “Virginia Is for Lovers” has been so durable, but part of the mystique of the slogan is that it has meant many things to different people. Today, a new generation is discovering love for Virginia’s mountains, beaches, history, theme parks, vibrant cities, outdoor activities, sports and hospitality.

And the love story continues.

Region: Northern Virginia
Locality: Loudoun County

Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North

224000 Flagstaff Plaza
Ashburn, VA 20148

Located less than five miles from Dulles International Airport, the Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North hotel features 135 guestrooms (including 12 Junior Suites, 4 One-Bedroom Suites and 4 King Whirlpool Rooms).

Our restaurant, Great American Grill®, offers breakfast cooked-to-order from 6am to 10am and a full dinner menu, including room service, from 5pm to 10pm. You can also enjoy a cocktail in the Pavilion Lounge or grab a snack from the 24-hour Pavillion Pantry®, featuring snacks, beverages, and microwaveable items.

It is easy to keep up your workout regime in our complimentary workout facility at the Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North Virginia hotel featuring state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment or check-out a Stay Fit Kit® from the front desk to work out in the comfort of your own guestroom.

Call for current pricing.

Amenities: Refrigerator, Microwave, Exercise Room, Guest Laundry, Jacuzzi, Indoor Pool, Business Center, High Speed Internet

Accessibility:
Children Welcome

Telephone:
Phone: (703) 723-8989

Website:
hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?moreDesc=true&ctyhocn=IADDNGI


By: Gissel Ansari

World's Billionaire List Reduced By 30 Percent

March 12, 2009 10:45 a.m. EST.
AHN Staff

New York, NY (AHN) - The global financial crisis has caused 373 people to be stricken off from the Forbes' Magazine's list of the World's Billionaires. The roster was whittled down by 30 percent from the 1,125 billionaires listed the previous year.
Of the 373 taken off the list, 18 passed away, while 355 became poorer. However, 38 newcomers were added and three returned to the roster.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates, even if he lost $18 billion, got back his title as the world's richest man as he dethroned Warren Buffet, whose wealth dipped by $25 billion following the 50 percent reduction of stock value of Berkshire Hathaway.
Buffet is now on the second spot.
Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim Helu similarly lost $25 billion, which caused him to drop from second to third place.
The remaining 793 billionaires on the list had a collective net worth of $2.4 trillion.

By: Gissel Ansari

Ashburn, Virginia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Ashburn, Virginia is an unincorporated area located in Loudoun County, Virginia, 30 miles (48 km) west of Washington, D.C., and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. The area serves as headquarters for the internet service provider Verizon Business, Old Dominion Brewing Company, and the Janelia Farm Research Campus (HHMI). "Redskins Park", the headquarters for the Washington Redskins football team of the National Football League, is also located in Ashburn.
Ashburn is located between Washington Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, the county seat of Loudoun County. Located within the Dulles Technology Corridor, Ashburn is home to many high-tech businesses. World Trade Center Dulles Airport is currently under construction and will be the second World Trade Center in the state. George Washington University and Strayer University have campuses in Ashburn.
Ashburn is home to four landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places: Belmont Manor House (1799), the Broad Run Bridge and Toll House (1820), the sanctuary of Ashburn Presbyterian Church (1878), and Janelia Farm (1936).[1]

History
Ashburn was originally called Farmwell (variant names include Old Farmwell and Farmwell Station) after a nearby mansion of that name owned by George Lee III. The name Farmwell first appeared in George Lee's October 1802 will and was used to describe the 1,236 acre (5.0 km²) plantation he inherited from his father, Thomas Ludwell Lee II. A section of Farmwell plantation west of Ashburn Road, a 580 acre (2.3 km²) tract, was purchased in 1841 by lawyer and almost vice-president John Janney, a Quaker, as a summer home. John Janney called the property Ashburn Farm (first known written use is 1870 when he sold the property). It is likely he named the farm after family friends named Ashburn.[1]
In 1895, Ashburn Farm was purchased by Senator William Morris Stewart. Local legend has it that the village, known until then as Farmwell or Farmwell Station, got its new name after lightning struck an ash tree on Senator Stewart's farm in 1896. The ash tree is rumored to have burned and smoldered for a week and attracted spectators from miles around. Since the Post Office had been pressing for a new name for the village (to avoid confusion with Farmville in Prince Edward County, Virginia), and the Senator was the area's leading citizen, the villagers renamed the village after the burning ash tree.[1]
Ashburn was also the vacation destination of many Presidents, like Woodrow Wilson, as well as many of Washington's other politicians. They would take the only Washington and Old Dominion Railroad line out to Ashburn, which contained some upscale hotels and restaurants. Most of these hotels and restaurants have long since been destroyed or dismantled, but a few can still be seen along the main street of Ashburn Road.

Demographics
Today, Ashburn's population is slightly over 73,000 as of 2006 and is one of the largest unincorporated areas of Loudoun County. Many of its residents commute into Washington, D.C. and the surrounding suburbs such as Tysons Corner and Reston to their places of employment.
The Ashburn area consists of many major and minor subdivisons; Ashbrook, Ashburn Farm, Ashburn Village, Brambleton, Broadlands, Farmwell, The Courts and Ridges at Ashburn, Belmont Greene, Belmont Country Club and the Village of Waxpool among them. The area is served by Briar Woods High School, Broad Run High School and Stone Bridge High School. It also has 4 middle schools and several elementary schools that serve the fast growing population.
Ashburn's Fire and EMS services are provided by a combination of the volunteers of Ashburn Volunteer Fire-Rescue Department and The Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management. The two fire companies that serve Ashburn are the "Ashburn Fire and Rescue" and the "Moorefield Fire and Rescue". The Ashburn area is served by the "Inova Loudoun Hospital", located less than two miles (3 km) from Ashburn in neighboring Lansdowne, Virginia, and by larger hospitals in the Washington, DC, suburbs and city.

Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North is located right in the middle of Ashburn, VA. Please visit our website to get more information about our brand new hotel: www.dullesnorth.hgi.com.


By: Gissel Ansari

Registration Open For Ashburn Village Race

Registration is underway for the 2009 Ashburn Village 10K, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run April 26 at Ashburn Elementary School.

The Ashburn Village Sports Pavilion and Ashburn Volunteer Fire Department join forces to sponsor the event in hopes of raising money for the AVFD. All collected fees will directly benefit the department.

Those who register before April 10 enjoy reduced rates of $30 per Ashburn Village resident and $35 per non-resident runner for the 10K race; $25 per Ashburn Village resident and $30 per non-resident runner for the 5K race; and $8 per Ashburn Village resident and $12 per non-resident runner for the Fun Run. After April 10, all fees increase to $40 per person for the 10K race; $35 per person for the 5K race; and $15 per person for the Fun Run. Online registration ends April 22.

Races will start and end in front of the school, and participants in the 5K and 10K races will run on newly certified courses looping down Ashburn Village Boulevard and through Ashburn Village. The 10K, 5K and Fun Run Races will begin at 8 a.m., 8:10 a.m. and 8:20 a.m., respectively. Race packet and T-shirt pick up, as well as late registration will take place between 5 and 8 p.m. April 24 and from 2 to 5 p.m. April 25 at AVSP, located at 20585 Ashburn Village Boulevard. Race day registration will take place from 7 to 7:45 a.m., and runners are encouraged to queue up early to avoid a long wait.

Athletes will not only enjoy racing with the knowledge the fruit of their efforts is going to a worthy cause, but also for the glory of awards and bragging rights. The top three male and female finishers, as well as the top male and female finisher in selected age groups will be eligible to receive exciting prizes. Awards will be given to all runners age 12 and younger.

The 2009 race will be timed and scored by Capital Running Company using the ChronoTrack Timing System, which uses a computer "tag" for precise measurements. Overall awards will be based on clock time and age group honors will be awarded based on transponder tag times.

To learn more or to register for the race, visit www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1689246 or www.ashburnsportspavilion.org.


Please remember Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North is located at: 22400 Flagstaff Plaza Ashburn, VA 20148.
If you would like to join the race and coming to Ashburn, VA from out of town we would love to be at your service. You just need to pick up the phone and call: 703-723-8989 and we’ll take care of the rest for you. Thank you!


By: Gissel Ansari

'Rush of the stage' inspires Ashburn teen

By Elizabeth Coe
Source: Loudoun Times-Mirror
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 2009

At Briar Woods High School, senior Laura Manzer is known for her music and singing talent.

Laura, 17, recently released her first CD, "November." Her original, contemporary country songs can be heard on her classmates' iPods all over the Ashburn school.

"People come up to me all the time and tell me they are listening to my music," Laura said. "It's modern country, like a mix of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift."

Laura has been singing for as long as she can remember. As a toddler, she auditioned for an Oscar Mayer hot dog commercial. Although she didn't get the part, that did not discourage her from pursuing her dream.

"Every year at St. Theresa [School in Ashburn] I'd sing in the talent show," she said. "I've always been singing. I memorize lyrics all the time and sing in the car."

Laura's thirst for performing grew stronger two years ago when she auditioned for the U.S.A. World Showcase at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Out of 180,000 who tried out over the phone, only 180 performers were chosen to compete. She was one of them.

There were about 15 people in Laura's teen singing portion of the competition, she said. The show was the first time she sang onstage in front of an audience of thousands.

"I loved the rush of the stage," she said. "It made me realize that singing is what I want to do. It's who I want to be."

Laura didn't win the competition, but she came away with the knowledge that singing would always be an important part of her life.

That fall, Laura and her mom, Donna Manzer, traveled to Charleston, S.C., to audition for the seventh season of “American Idol.”

Laura made it through several rounds of auditions, but was cut just before she got the chance to sing for judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

Last year, Laura again tried out for the show in Louisville, Ky., but was cut in the first round.

Laura and her mom returned to Ashburn, determined to make music. They went to Cue Recording Studios in Falls Church and spent eight months writing and recording the 10 songs that make up "November."

The CD was completed Dec. 5 and is on sale on iTunes and from Laura directly for $10.

Laura plans to attend Northern Virginia Community College next year and will keep singing, playing the piano and guitar, and writing songs.

She hopes to release another CD soon.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/lauramusic08.



By: Gissel Ansari

Visit Loudoun

1. DC's Wine Country
If fine wine is an art, that would make us the gallery.
No visit to Loudoun is complete without a visit to our wine country. Four clusters of boutique wineries are sprinkled throughout our bucolic countryside. Discover perfectly balanced varietals, surprising blends, and dessert wines.
Savor the aroma of years of winemaking expertise, all while admiring the breathtaking backdrop of vineyards set against beautiful rolling hills.
2. Heritage
Our story is America’s story.
Loudoun’s historic attractions are only part of Loudoun’s story. John Mosby, Jackie Kennedy, George C. Marshall, and F. Scott Fitzgerald are just a few who lived and visited our historic place. You’ll discover charming towns centuries old, including the circa 1758 Leesburg, and Middleburg, the capital of horse country. Explore heritage areas and civil war battlefields, luxurious horse farms that bred Derby and Belmont winners, old-fashioned country stores, and the last cable operated ferry on the East Coast. And Loudoun is at the heart of The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, a 175-mile corridor between Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia.
3. Towns and Villages
Loudoun’s towns and villages. Explore authentic American places.
Experience authentic small-town America. Each of Loudoun’s seven towns and numerous villages offers a taste of Americana, a glimpse into days past, and a welcome respite from “Everyplace, USA.” From Leesburg’s charming streetscapes to Middleburg’s horse and hunt tradition, and from Philomont’s quaint country store to Waterford’s renowned fair, Loudoun’s towns and villages each have a unique story to tell.
4. Horse Country
The Old Dominion in riding breeches.
Loudoun County is horse country. In fact, there are more horses here than any other county in Virginia. Olympic riders live and train here. Derby winners were born and groomed here. The Kennedys rode here. And there are plenty of ways to experience our horse country for yourself.
• Experience a thrilling steeplechase race.
• Take a leisurely horseback ride along scenic trails.
• Get an exclusive insider’s look at some of the country’s most elegant and luxurious horse farms.
• Visit a carriage museum showcasing more than 100 historic and antique carriages.
• Attend the oldest horse show in the country.
5. Golf
Challenge yourself.
Loudoun is known for its scenic beauty. And nowhere is Loudoun's picturesque character more manifest than on our golf courses. Discover a links course designed by Gary Player, where pot bunkers with names like "the devil's foxhole" swallows players whole. Make the turn as you explore the layout of Greg Norman, overlooking the nearby Potomac River. Indeed, Loudoun offers courses to challenge any skill level. After all, Ben Hogan shot 59 here, along the banks of the historic Goose Creek.
Please keep Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North in mind when you come to visit Loudoun County. We are located in heart of Ashburn, we are a brand new hotel with 5 different styles of rooms: I king, 2 queens, suite, I bedroom suite, and a Jacuzzi room. Please visit our website to find out more about us: www.dullesnorth.hgi.com or call us at 703-840-1624. We are looking forward to meeting you in our hotel.

By: Gissel Ansari

'Green' Energy Plant Proposed for Loudoun

By Tara Bahrampour



Loudoun County would be powered by electricity generated in its back yard under a proposal to build an $813 million plant using natural gas, steam and solar energy.

Green Energy Partners is proposing to build the facility on 80 acres just east of Leesburg, on property with two existing natural gas lines. To create the steam, the plant would use up to 5 million gallons a day of treated wastewater it would purchase from Leesburg. The treated water is now discharged into the Potomac River.

John Andrews, who co-owns the company with his father, said it plans to sell the energy wholesale to Dominion Virginia Power and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, the two utilities that provide service to Loudoun consumers.

Company officials said that if the project is approved by federal, state and county officials, Loudoun will be consuming electricity that is produced within the county for the first time.

"There is no energy production of any sort in Loudoun County that I'm aware of, except for individuals with solar panels on their homes," said Charlie Jackson, a spokesman for Green Energy Partners. The plant would use no diesel fuel, he said.

Andrews said the hybrid facility would be "the lowest emitting plant in the state of Virginia."

Green Energy Partners applied to the county Friday for permission to build the plant. It is part of a larger project that includes a business park the company hopes to open on adjacent property.

The plant would generate 300 megawatts of energy from natural gas, 300 megawatts from steam and one megawatt from solar energy. Two gas turbines could produce an additional 300 megawatts during peak demand times, company officials said.

Andrews said he expects the plant would produce enough energy to power Loudoun County and possibly enough to sell to neighboring counties.

Judi Birkitt, the senior county planner assigned to review the project, said the review has not begun. But Andrews said the idea, which is similar to models used in some European countries, has drawn positive reactions in informal discussions with county and town officials.

"We need energy, and either you import it or you produce it — and we believe the best way is to produce it," he said, adding that the proposed hybrid system is less polluting than coal and more realistic than other "clean energy" solutions.

"We didn't see Loudoun County agreeing to windmill farms, and the sun doesn't shine enough for us to be able to run our energy on solar, so this is the next best alternative," he said.

Najib Salehi, energy manager for the county, hailed the idea, saying it would probably save money for the county and Leesburg.

"I think it's a very good proposal," he said, adding that the county is constantly looking for ways to cut energy costs, down to the level of turning off computers and vending machines at night.

Leesburg Town Manager John Wells said he had not had a chance to study the proposal. Andrews said that if town officials decide not to sell wastewater for the project, he would look at other options.

If the county approves the project, the company would need to apply for state and federal permits. The approval process is expected to take a year, followed by two to three years for construction of the plant, company officials said.


By: Gissel Ansari

Priceline.com

Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North is offering special rates on Priceline.com. Be sure to check the "name your own price savings page" for the best deals.

What's Happening

Thursday, February 26, 2009; washingtonpost.com
article by: Kathleen Hom

The annual Capital Home & Garden Show starts today and runs through Sunday. More than 750 exhibitors will offer workshops, demonstrations and expert advice. Along with such usual subjects as lawn care and landscaping, the event will cover cost-efficient home improvements, such as when to tackle a DIY project, when to call in an expert and how to shop for energy-efficient appliances.

The show is at the Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. Hours vary. Tickets for adults are $9 online, $12 at the box office. For more information, call 716-631-2266 or visit http://www.capitalhomeshow.com. For hotel accommodations please visit: www.dullesnorth.hgi.com



By: Gissel Ansari

The President's Priorities

Mr. Obama lays out a bold agenda. But the economic crisis has to come first.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009; Page A18

FACING AN economic crisis, a banking crisis, a housing crisis and an auto industry crisis, President Obama used the opportunity of his address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night to load his plate with even more. Mr. Obama said he would press ahead with plans to overhaul the nation's health-care system, bolster education and lead the transition to new forms of energy -- all while curing cancer and getting the deficit under control.

We understand the president's instinct not to let short-term demands obscure the need to meet the country's long-term challenges. His priorities for fundamental reform, the causes that animated his campaign, are admirable ones. Yet we cannot help wondering: Isn't the most critical task to ensure a swift and effective response to the stomach-churning downturn? Does a new, understaffed administration have the capacity to try so much so fast? And does the political system have the bandwidth to accommodate all that Mr. Obama is asking from it?

"The recovery plan and the financial stability plan are the immediate steps we're taking to revive our economy in the short-term," Mr. Obama said. "But the only way to fully restore America's economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world. The only way this century will be another American century is if we confront at last the price of our dependence on oil and the high cost of health care; the schools that aren't preparing our children and the mountain of debt they stand to inherit."

Mr. Obama said the budget he will submit tomorrow will reflect "the stark reality of what we've inherited -- a trillion-dollar deficit, a financial crisis and a costly recession," and that "worthy priorities" will have to be sacrificed. But his message was more about what could be done than what would have to be left out. Mr. Obama said his administration has "already identified two trillion dollars in savings over the next decade," but about half of that involves his long-promised rollback of tax cuts from the previous administration.

In this economic emergency, the most important goal for Mr. Obama is one he laid out near the beginning of his speech: "We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before." As he acknowledged last night, to enable that recovery the administration may well need to go back to Congress to seek more money for ailing banks. Given the public mood and lawmakers who feel burned by the handling of the first $350 billion infusion, that will be a hard enough lift in and of itself. As Mr. Obama also noted, the American public is understandably skeptical about whether the money Washington has already committed to spend will be wasted. Even the political capital of the popular Mr. Obama is not unlimited. We hope he does not spread it so broadly that he is left without the means to extinguish the fires raging now.

By: Gissel Ansari

Operation Homefront

About Operation Homefront

Mission Statement

Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide and has provided critical assistance to more than 45,000 military families in need. Operation Homefront also operates an online magazine for military wives and women in uniform. Through this community, we reach the newest and youngest military families, instantly alerting them about our programs and other information to help them succeed in military life.

How we Help

Operation Homefront provides aid to families struggling not only with emergencies, but also with the problems of everyday life. Existing programs include:
• Emergency Aid — Provides food, baby care items, vehicle donation and repair.
• Computer Program — Allows children and spouses to stay in touch with their loved ones.
• Financial Assistance Program — Addresses crises such as illness, homelessness and death.
• Furniture Program — Donates household and baby furniture; working-order appliances.
• Moving — Provides physical labor for families when a service member is deployed.
• Social Outreach — Offers Adopt-a-family opportunities, Thanksgiving/holiday baskets, back-to-school supplies.
• Community — Rebuilds the challenged social network of the military community by bringing it to our online magazine where it is convenient to everyone, no matter the time or location.
Some of our most outstanding accomplishments are:
• We received the prestigious Charity Navigator’s 4-Star rating for conscientious stewardship.
• We donated more than $5 million to military families in crisis.
• We provided goods and services valued at more than $6.5 million to assist military families.
• We delivered more than 20,000 care packages to soldiers abroad.
• We delivered more than 2,500 packages to military families at home.
• We helped more than 3,000 families receive vehicle donations or repairs.
• We delivered more than 20,000 backpacks to military children headed back to school.
• We operate only on 8 percent overhead; 92 cents of every dollar raised directly supports those in need.


Operation Homefront charity has a chapter in Sterling, Virgina. Please contact Vivian Dietrich if you would like to donate your time or money at 1-800-779-5903.

Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North is proud to be in a partnership with Operation Homefront. Please remember that part of your room rate will be donated to Operation Homefront. The more you stay with us, the more we can donate!

Top 10 Things to Do in the Washington, DC Capital Region

Top 10 Things to Do in the Washington, DC Capital Region
Must Sees of Washington, DC
By Rachel Cooper, About.com
See More About:washington dc attractionsnational malldc entertainmentwashington dc sightseeingdc outdoor recreationThere is so much to see and do in Washington, DC that you can’t see it all in just one visit. A well-rounded trip should include exploring the National Mall and some other activities too! Here are some tips to help you get around the popular attractions and some suggestions of fun and more relaxing things to do in the region.

1. Visit the Smithsonian

InstitutionStart at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Plan to explore those you are most interested in, but don’t try to see everything at once. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum.
More Info
2. Tour the National Monuments and Memorials

Our national monuments are truly spectacular. The best time to see them is at night when they are illuminated, less crowded and parking is easier. During daytime visits, take a tour bus. Listen to informative park ranger talks and you won’t have to negotiate congested city traffic.
More Info
3. Tour the Three Houses of Government

Capitol Building, the White House and the U.S. Supreme Court and you will gain a fuller understanding of the division of power within our democratic government. Plan ahead and note that some tours must be scheduled in advance through your Congressional Representative.
More Info
4. Take a Walk Through Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital’s historic waterfront that today is bustling with activity. The area is a shopper’s paradise and the streets are lined with restaurants of every nationality. Take a tour of historic sites, do some shopping and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.
More Info
5. Ride a Bike Along the C & O Canal

The Washington DC region is lucky to have wonderful bike trails. Jump on a bicycle and you’ll quickly feel a relief from hectic city life. Take the whole family and explore the historic C & O Canal.
More Info
6. See a Show or Concert at the Kennedy Center

PrattLive theatrical productions at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts are entertainment at its finest. Purchase tickets in advance for performances ranging from musicals to concerts by the National Symphony or see a free show at the Millennium Stage.
More Info
7. Attend a Concert at Wolftrap Farm Park

Wolf Trap Farm ParkListen to all types of music at this national park dedicated to the performing arts. Outdoor concerts are featured in the summer and indoor performances are held the rest of the year. The park is located in Vienna, Virginia, just 20 minutes from Washington, DC.
More Info
8. Take a Hike at Great Falls Park

Take a picnic and enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac River at this 800 acre park, located just 14 miles from Washington DC.
More Info
9. Explore Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Ladies AssociationWith the recent addition of the new museum and education center, Mount Vernon is now a full day excursion. Explore the state of the art galleries and theaters, visit the 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family, tour the 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's. Be sure to plan enough time to tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house and stables. The estate is located in Northern Virginia, just minutes from Washington, DC.

10. Take a Walking Tour of Old Town, Alexandria

City of AlexandriaExplore a quaint historic town just over the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Visit colonial houses, churches, and museums and shop for antiques.





More About Washington, DC
Please keep staying at Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North in mind while you are in DC, we are only 6 miles away from IAD Airport and about 40 min away from downtown DC. We would love to see you in our hotel.

The Washington Auto Show (February 4-8, 2009)

The Washington Auto Show (February 4-8, 2009)
Saturday the 7th my fiancé and I went to the convention center in Washington DC to check out the new and exotic cars at the Auto show. The place was packed with new models hot off the production line, environmentally friendly cars, and technologically advanced rides that I didn’t even know existed. This event was very fun and interesting for everyone with 700 new makes and models of cars, trucks, mini-vans and sport utility vehicles from over 42 domestic and import automakers. Also, stars like wrestler John Cena and the Redskin Cheerleaders were at the event signing autographs. I definitely recommend everyone to go and visit the Auto show next year.
Additional Info:
The Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) sponsors the auto show each year to entice, educate and entertain hundreds of thousands of consumers.
Vehicle Manufacturers on Display:
Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fisker, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infinit, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, SAAB, Saturn, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen.
Location:
Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC.
Parking is limited in the area. The best way to get to the Convention Center is by metro. The closest metro station is Mt. Vernon Place/Convention Center.

By Gissel Ansari

Phil Says "6 More Weeks of Winter!"

Phil Says "Six More Weeks of Winter!"
Phil's official forecast as read February 2nd, 2009 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:

Hear Ye Hear Ye
On Gobbler's Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009

Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators

Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper

And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths

After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,

Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time

And a bright sky above me

Showed my shadow beside me.

So 6 more weeks of winter it will be.


Scenes from the morning of February 2nd, 2009:

Today in History

Go to Google NewsToday in History - Feb. 2
By The Associated Press – 16 hours ago

Today is Monday, Feb. 2, the 33rd day of 2009. There are 332 days left in the year. This is Groundhog Day.

Today's Highlight in History:
On Feb. 2, 1943, the remainder of Nazi forces from the Battle of Stalingrad surrendered in a major victory for the Soviets in World War II.

On this date:

In 1536, present-day Buenos Aires, Argentina, was founded by Pedro de Mendoza of Spain.

In 1653, New Amsterdam — now New York City — was incorporated.

In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War, was signed.

In 1870, the "Cardiff Giant," supposedly the petrified remains of a human discovered in Cardiff, N.Y., was revealed to be nothing more than carved gypsum.

In 1876, the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was formed in New York.

In 1897, fire destroyed the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg. (A new statehouse was dedicated on the same site in 1906.)

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman sent a 10-point civil rights program to Congress, where the proposals ran into fierce opposition from southern lawmakers.

In 1959, public schools in Arlington and Norfolk, Va., were racially desegregated without incident.

In 1969, actor Boris Karloff died in Midhurst, England, at age 81.

In 1988, in a speech the broadcast television networks declined to carry live, President Ronald Reagan pressed his case for aid to the Nicaraguan Contras.

Ten years ago: A federal jury in Portland, Ore., ordered abortion foes who had created "wanted" posters and a Web site listing the names and addresses of "baby butchers" to pay $107 million in damages. (Courts later reduced the judgment to more than $16 million; the U.S. Supreme Court has refused three times to hear an appeal by the defendants.)

Five years ago: President George W. Bush unveiled a $2.4 trillion budget featuring a record deficit, as well as big increases for defense and homeland security. Deadly ricin was discovered in offices used by Senate majority leader Bill Frist. Israel killed a leader of Islamic Jihad and three other militants in a Gaza raid. An 11-story apartment building collapsed in Konya, Turkey, killing 92 people.

One year ago: A gunman killed five women at a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, Ill., in an apparent botched robbery attempt. (The case remains unsolved.) French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former supermodel Carla Bruni were married at the presidential Elysee Palace. Former Washington Redskins players Art Monk and Darrell Green were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with New England linebacker Andre Tippett, San Diego/San Francisco defensive end Fred Dean, Minnesota/Denver tackle Gary Zimmerman and senior committee choice, Kansas City cornerback Emmitt Thomas. Former Agriculture Secretary Earl L. Butz died in Washington, D.C., at age 98. Actor Barry Morse died in London at age 89.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Elaine Stritch is 84. Actor Robert Mandan is 77. Comedian Tom Smothers is 72. Rock singer-guitarist Graham Nash is 67. Actor Bo Hopkins is 67. Television executive Barry Diller is 67. Country singer Howard Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers) is 63. Actress Farrah Fawcett is 62. Actor Jack McGee is 60. Actor Brent Spiner is 60. Rock musician Ross Valory (Journey) is 60. Model Christie Brinkley is 55. Actor Michael Talbott is 54. Actress Kim Zimmer is 54. Rock musician Robert DeLeo (Army of Anyone; Stone Temple Pilots) is 43. Actress Jennifer Westfeldt is 39. Rock musician Ben Mize (Counting Crows) is 38. Rapper T-Mo is 37. Actress Marissa Jaret Winokur is 36. Actress Lori Beth Denberg is 33. Singer Shakira is 32. Country singer Blaine Larsen is 23.

Thought for Today: "Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it inflames the great." — Bussy-Rabutin, French soldier and writer (1618-1693).
Hosted by Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Super Bowl Party @ Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North