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Last week I posted about 6-year old Luke Spring’s tap dancing performance at the D.C. Tap Festival.
The Washington Post has followed-up with this fantastic tap video and story!
“That little boy is amazing,” said professional dancer Maud Arnold, recalling her first meeting with the boy through one of his tap instructors. “We have to have Luke” as part of the festival, she said.
Luke wasn’t originally on the program, and some of the other performers didn’t know he would be dancing. Two days before last Friday’s event, he was invited to dance. Arnold said they just wanted him there as an “awesome surprise.” She says the audience gave him a five-minute standing ovation.
Are there other local performers that you would like to see? Share your favorite people, events and shows!
Spring Break: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
This daffodil is always our first sign of spring in the side garden.
I don’t know why, but I’m always surprised at the number of people who go away for spring break. Not college spring break, of course, because that is a ritual like none other.
But for this week leading up to the Easter Holiday, there is a definite “get out of Dodge” buzz. One friend just decided a day ago to fly to Florida, while others have had plans lined up for months!
Me? Well, I’m still getting used to daylight savings time and didn’t see the need for a major plan. Plus, we’ve decided to be D.C. tourists this year and show the kids and some friends the beauty of the Nation’s Capital and tap into a few creative outlets. It also goes along with my goal this year to eat local, buy local more often — edging up our local economy with every penny I can.
So, after being cooped up in our snow-covered, rain-drenched suburb for the last couple of months, what are your big plans for spring break?
The Teacher’s Apple on Ashburn Road is closing at the end of this month and to help clear out the store, all items are 70% off, including Webkinz and accessories, books, posters, and educational resource materials. We’re going to miss the friendly service and this beautiful mural.
Owner Debbie Bozik said today that they are taking the business to online-only status for a while. She already spends much of her day on the phone and email talking with customers about what they need and want, then delivering or shipping orders, so it won’t be a huge change for day-to-day operations.
I remember when they opened a few years ago and one of the employees dressed up as a giant pencil to walk around soccer games at a nearby field. The kids were excited to get bookmarks and parents learned a lot about the business that provides materials that help parents, children and teachers get the most out of school.
To get more information, visit www.teachersapple.net or email Ms. Bozik at teachers.apple@verizon.net. And if you’re interested in the sale, hurry over! The word is getting out to savvy shoppers.
College bound students are all over the map in deciding where to go and what to do about their continuing education goals. But one thing that needs to be done soon is to finalize applications for college scholarships. Many are due within the next two weeks!
Locally we have a few, including the following:
Student Volunteer Scholarship
The application deadline for the 2010 Volunteer Loudoun Student Volunteer Scholarship awards has been extended to Friday, April 9, 2010.
The program provides scholarships of at least $500 to graduating seniors in each Loudoun County public high school and the C.S. Monroe Technology Center, as well as seniors in private schools and home-schooled seniors. The award recipients are selected based on their volunteer service to the Loudoun community.
More information about the program, including a scholarship application form, is online at www.loudoun.gov/studentvolunteers
Cedar Lane Elementary Alumni Scholarship
The Cedar Lane Elementary School PTA in Ashburn is offering two $500 scholarships to the class of 2010 graduating high school seniors who attended Cedar Lane Elementary School for at least two full years and are pursuing an undergraduate degree at a 4 year college or university. Applicants must have attended Cedar Lane Elementary School.
Applications are available from the Broad Run and Stone Bridge High School guidance offices. The applications must be completed in full including a copy of the high school transcript and responses to essay questions. Applications must be postmarked by April 9, 2010 and should be sent to the Cedar Lane Elementary School PTA at the school’s address.
Please contact scholarship(at)stevenshome(dot)us with any questions.
Dulles Greenway Citizen Award
In 2000, TRIP II established the annual Dulles Greenway Citizenship Award, a scholarship to assist graduating seniors from Loudoun County public high schools. The Dulles Greenway Citizenship Award was designed to commend & reward those students who consistently reflect excellence in character, and who have demonstrated their leadership skills by making a positive contribution to the community.
10 scholarships of $1,500 each to Loudoun County public school students. Details on the Greenway web page, deadline April 6.
There is also a great college resource guide and blog at WiseChoice.com, specifically their post on where to find and apply for scholarships.
If you know of other local or national scholarships of interest, feel free to add them in comments. The more the merrier!
Ashburn 1st Grader Taps on TV
Cedar Lane Elementary School first grader Luke Spring made TV news this morning with Fox 5′s Holly Morris showcasing his stellar tap dancing skills!
There are two videos, he is in the second one (under the main video player on the page) where Ms. Morris gets a tap lesson. Those who saw the appearance live said he did much more than this video shows and they were blown away by his talent!
The DC Tap Festival 2010 will bring together tap dancers of all ages and skill levels.
FOX 5’s Holly Morris met some of the talent at the Duke Ellington School Of The Arts and has a preview of the festivities.
The DC Tap Festival begins Friday and all are encouraged to come out to take lessons, try a few steps, see performances, and have fun.
Discounts for Virginia Wine Week
Oenophiles have come out in full force with some tasty deals during this statewide campaign to try Virginia wines.
I’ll list them as they’re sent to us or posted publicly:
Dear Friends of Leesburg Vintner,
Its very simple this week. It’s Virginia wine week in Virginia and we are putting all of our Virginia wines on sale from March 23-28. All bottles are 10% off and all cases are 15% off mix and match. We have one of the best selections of Virginia wine in the world. Take advantage of this great deal.
Sincerely,
Mike, Peter and Dawn
The Wine Kitchen (Leesburg)
What we’re offering this week is our local VA wine flight (which is usually 10.00) to try 3 different glasses of VA wine for 7.00. The wines this week are Tarara’s Longbomb, Kluge’s New ‘World Red and Michael Shaps’ Chardonnay.
Survey Says… Zig-Zags on Belmont Ridge
Do you drive Belmont Ridge Road between Rt. 7 and Hay Road in Ashburn? If you do, you’ve likely noticed the zig-zag markings on the pavement leading up to the crossing at the W&OD trail.
Photo courtesy of VDOT.
Well, one year after installing the markings to help alert traffic to the pedestrian and bicycle traffic, VDOT has posted a survey about the zig-zag patterns on Belmont Ridge Road.
A note went out from Broad Run Supervisor Lori Waters today that explains the premise:
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would like your opinion on the pavement markings that were installed in April 2009 on Belmont Ridge Road leading up to the W & OD Trail crossing. These pavement markings are commonly referred to as “zig-zag” markings. VDOT is seeking your input to help determine the effectiveness of the markings and to help decision makers assess prospects of installing future zig-zag markings.
From my experiences, they do seem to be an improvement in alerting drivers that there is more to that stretch of road than wide open space to accelerate, but many drivers still don’t know what to do when they approach it.
What do you think are some of the best traffic calming methods in our area?
Official Wimpy Kid movie site has AIM icons, Twitter backgrounds and more.
Jeff Kinney, author of the best-selling “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” was apparently in Ashburn over the weekend screening his new film for family and friends.
From The Baltimore Sun, “The Wimpy Kid does Hollywood“:
Disarming is the word for Kinney, 39, who was born and bred in Maryland. “I’m good to go, as long as you don’t mind the sound of me noshing on a Klondike bar,” he starts off a phone interview, fresh from a screening for family and friends in Ashburn, Va. And disarming is the word for Kinney’s work, too. His “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” became a publishing phenomenon and a continuing series because of its direct access to the middle-school mind.
Details on the movie, where to see it, cast and characters, and trailers are available on the official Wimpy Kid Movie site.
My oldest child is a huge fan of these books and can’t wait to see the movies. Something to add to our ever growing list of things to do on spring break!
What are your family movie favorites?
Big Apple’s Bello Takes Scouts on Tour
Story by Mark Riddell, photos by Denise Rotell
Perhaps you’ve seen the massive, blue and white Circus tent parked along Rt. 7 in front of Dulles Town Center Mall? The Big Apple Circus is back in town through March 27 and it’s well worth the price of admission for quality, family entertainment.
This year’s show was directed by Circus-veteran and former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College Director, Steve Smith who has staged a well-paced and colorful show. The enthusiastic Friday night crowd clearly loved every minute of it.
Ashburn’s Brownie Troop 4860 got a special backstage tour of The Big Apple Circus, Friday, March 19, 2010.
As advertised, no seat within the comfortable Big Top tent is more than 50-feet from the ring and with the possible exception of two or three areas behind the rigging that supports the massive tent, there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Ticket prices range from $15 to $52 and significant discounts can be arranged for groups of 15 or more. Our troop also took advantage of special “Scout” meals that included a hot dog, popcorn, juice box and Scout patch for an additional $7.50. The large Big Apple Circus staff is helpful, courteous and attentive. Even seating and attending to the needs of our large, 40 person group seemed effortless for the professional staff.
This year’s production features the comedy acrobatics of Bello Nock who is a 7th generation Circus performer. Bello’s comedic, solo vignettes and collaborations with Big Apple Circus icon “Grandma” (the clown) and ringmaster Kevin Venardos are spaced throughout the show.
Time Magazine called Bello “America’s Best Clown” – and while you’ll certainly laugh at his frantic comedy, you’ll also be amazed at his incredible athleticism and acrobatic expertise. Both Bello and Grandma provide some wonderful audience-participation and can be found meandering through the crowd and greeting fans just prior to the show.
The acts include trampoline acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, equestrian artists, performing dogs, hand balancers, daredevils and tumblers. And what Circus would be complete with a flying trapeze?
One of standout acts was a pair of Chinese identical twins – The Long Twins – who present an impressive, if not unbelievable contortion act in which Long Jun and Long Bing squeeze themselves though a metal cylinder and metal hoops that are no larger than a basketball in diameter. Parents in the audience groaned at the very thought of even attempting the feats.
Another impressive performance is turned in by juggling sensation Picaso, Jr who juggled up to five ping pong balls – using only his mouth!
The horse-enthusiast set in western Loudoun will appreciate the beautifully choreographed equestrian artistry of Christine Zerbini who performs an impressive “liberty” act in which her charges perform untethered. The intimate performance area offers audiences a rare opportunity to appreciate the beauty and precision of her well-groomed equine co-stars.
Audiences are guided through the performance by charismatic ringmaster Kevin Venardos who is making his Big Apple Circus debut after nine years of performing with Ringling Bros. His extensive theater background is evident as is his love for Circus performing.
The music in the show is impressive and upbeat and complements each performance perfectly. All the music is performed live by The Big Apple Circus Band under the direction of Maestro Michael Valenti who adds his soaring trumpet to many of the numbers in the show.
All in all, The Big Apple Circus is a great value, a marvelous show and a great family experience. Don’t miss it!
Former Ringling PR man and writer Mark Riddell was tapped to portray his clown alter-ego long ago and enjoys sharing his love of fun, adventure and mirth with all who will listen….
