SALES TAX FREE WEEKEND, Meteors and Pray Sterling Concert

I have a lot to write here as always.

Two Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Motorcycle Units were seriously injured Saturday morning after a vehicle pulled in front of them.

The motor units were traveling south on Harper's Ferry Road (Route 671) south of the West Virginia line when a vehicle made a turn in front of them.

Both deputies were airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital where they remain hospitalized at this time. Please remember them in your prayers.

Deadly Motorbike Accident 9:45 P.M. In Claude Moore Park
17-Year-Old from Sterling Loses Life After Dirt Bike Crash

With regret, allow me to tell you some tragic news of another young death in Sterling.

This is report from the Sheriff's Department:

A 17-year-old from Sterling, Virginia lost his life after a dirt bike crash on Loudoun Park Lane.

Danny S. Somoza was riding a 2006 Baja 4970 Dirtrunner dirt bike with friends around 9:48 p.m. on August 5, 2010 when he struck the gate at the entrance to the ball fields at Claude Moore Park. The gates are located east of Cascades Parkway and were closed across the roadway. Somoza became separated from the dirt bike and sustained life-threatening injuries.

The teenager was taken to the Lansdowne Campus of INOVA Loudoun Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He was not wearing a helmet.

This is the Washington Post account
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/loudoun/teen-killed-in-dirt-bike-crash.html

>>>Park View High School Sports Media Guide Taking Ads

Patty Dalton of Park View High School Fall Sports Media Guide Committee is interested in local companies and businesses placing an ad in the PVHS 2010 Fall Sports Media Guide. Write her for the cost of the ads. Imagine thousands of local Sterling parents and families along with the visiting teams wanting to know about your company. This is a good way to welcome them for their evening here. And remember this is an all season magazine.
Write Patty Dalton at [email protected]

Now: Sales Tax Free Weekend

Through Sunday, many clothing and school supply purchases in the Commonwealth are tax-free as part of the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday!

That five percent sales tax can make a big difference, especially for those on a limited budget, so you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase clothing and school supplies tax-free today through Sunday. The tax holiday applies to clothing and shoe purchases up to $100 per article, and school supplies up to $20 per item, so it's a great time to stock up on notebooks, book bags, calculators, shoes, clothing - whatever your family needs to get ready for a new school year.

Some stores voluntarily pick up the sales tax on otherwise non-exempt items during the Sales Tax Holiday.

>>>> HOW TO SKIP $15 PER CAR PARKING FEE AT AIR AND SPACE

Here's Eugene Delgaudio's approved plan for skipping the $15 fee for parking at the Smithsonian Air And Space Museum.

Park your car at the Dulles Town Center OR WEGMANS daily and take the Virginia Regional Transit Bus round trip.

Here's the schedule for the free bus service paid for by a grant from the Air and Space Museum. Yes, there is a weekday and weekend schedule and the bus is operating daily.

Former Supervisor and chaplain Rev. Charlie Grant is president of the VRT. I served on the VRT board for 8 years.
VRT'S Toll Free phone number is 1-877-777-2708

Correction of link to bus shuttle for VA Transit

Free Bus Shuttle to Air and Space Museum Schedule

http://www.vatransit.org/county_info.cfm?county=Loudoun

>>>>FREE FAMILY RATED MOVIES

The Regal Cinemas Theater at Countryside is offering free family rated movies until August 2010. Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity.

The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer. Visit their website to learn more.
http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

Free Poptarts August 18
Contest for Free Burritos for a Year

On Wednesday, August 18th, California Tortilla (a local DC area firm) is celebrating their 16th annual Pop Tart Day.
They will give away 20,000 Pop Tarts that day. One very lucky customer from each California Tortilla will find a golden ticket in his or her Pop Tart pouch. The golden ticket will entitle the aforementioned lucky customer to a FREE BURRITO EVERY WEEK FOR A YEAR!

New Restaurant-- "Coney Island" Possible Birth of National Chain in Sterling

Sterling has some of the classiest restaurants. I am partial to Joe's Pizza, Santini's and Chick Filet. I host frequent meetings at Santini's and Chic Fila as you know.

(I am also visiting and promoting other restaurants. Did you know that a fabulous fish restaurant is right here in Sterling? Hooked!)

Sterling has many new restaurants. Both in the south end by the Community center and near Safeway and the north end by the Clocktower. The one that may be the beginning of a national chain is "Coney Island Diner". Its got the look and menu from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. of a regular American diner from the 1950s.

This is a smaller version of the large Diner without the large price. "Coney Island Diner" in Sterling is Loudoun owned and operated and is in the old Wendy's Building (completely renovated and "pink") next to Sterling Ford on Leesburg Pike.

They can have a $2.99 breakfast at 7 a.m. or any of a 100 other items.

No Mars As Large As Moon-- No Two Moons

I was told in an email "Two moons on 27th August 2010" and thought it was true. No it is not true.

http://www.snopes.com/science/astronomy/brightmars.asp

This is True: Meteor Showers in Sterling August 12

From NASA "The Perseid meteor shower peaks this year on Aug. 12th and 13th"
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/19jul_perseids/

Other Reports:
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080808-ns-perseid-meteors.html

The next meteor shower is the Perseids on the night of August 12.
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/

22 Photos Posted: Sheriff's Substation Ceremonies in Sterling

http://joineugene.com/photogallery/gallery.php?id=477&page=1

COUNTY BOARD IS CONSIDERING ABOLITION OF CHRISTMAS
Public Input September 7
Legislation To Abolish Christmas September 8

I am writing with a report to you and then a request to pass on to your neighbors regarding a petition and "public input" on September 7.

Thank you very much to those of you who extended understanding and prayers in response to my earlier letter and email to some of you regarding the July battle to abolish Christmas in Loudoun.

My report is as follows:

I am writing by mail and email again with a report on the upcoming September 8 vote on ending religious expression in a public place in Loudoun County. I oppose any move to eliminate religious expression at the Courthouse and anything less than that is a defeat for all who believe in religious freedom.

And as before I am writing to ask for help in getting an online petition more signatures. Thank you.

Today I am still challenged. This fight to preserve Christmas would not be an issue except that Supervisors -- including the leadership -- signaled that they would consider eliminating our liberties. That's why I am writing you.

Unlike my fellow members of the board, I do not agree that it is okay to ever attack religious freedom. They argue that they are "discussing" it. I failed twice in July in simply saying "no" to (again) "considering" eliminating religious freedom.

Why is it so fashionable to kick Christians in particular or to allow the assault on our values?
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors will vote "yes" or "no" on September 8, 2010 on a policy that will eliminate the freedom of religious expression on county grounds. Thank you for your attention.

The board itself voted 9 to 0 to allow freedom of expression when a board appointed citizens committee eliminated religious freedom at the Courthouse six months ago, last December 2009. And the Washington news media reported it in their reports.

At recent summertime meetings, the same board appointed committee is back using a provision to propose the same thing again. Any other committees appointed by the board would accept board direction during a 4 year term.

And lets not forget public reaction expressed by citizens. But we must repeat all this again.

I believe, we-- the citizens of Loudoun --are up against something stronger than public discourse or transparent or open goverment.

The majority are claiming "confusion" over a "tough" issue. I do not want to present their many arguements here to do away with religious freedom.

Why else would this Board-appointed Courts Committee proposes banning religious displays of any kind on county courthouse grounds again, in just six months? No one will take responsibility for declaring war on religious freedom-- yet it is under attack a second time during the summer.

This item was on agenda at the July 20th Board Meeting and was deferred to September 8 so that Judges could consult each other and tell us what they think.

I think we need to hear from more Loudoun citizens who believe in religious liberty. I know from recent weeks and many meetings, through very painful experience, that the majority of supervisors are silent, or against, religious freedom.

They may tilt one way or another and frankly won't reveal anything. On this issue, please don't let the fence-sitters or self-proclaimed "courthouse preservationists" confuse you.

There have been several articles and I recommend a Washington Examiner editoral supporting the right to religious expression at the Courthouse grounds.

Go to this link to see the Examiner Article

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/99260079.html

My request to pass on to your family and neighbors

First, please sign the petition posted at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Keep-Christmas-in-Leesburg/246174956/taf
<<a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Keep-Christmas-in-Leesburg/246174956/taf">http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Keep-Christmas-in-Leesburg/246174956/taf>

This petition has twice more than I wrote about, 550 signatures but needs more support. The petition
gatherers have set a goal of 2500 signers who can be from Loudoun and the region. This petition needs more signers!

Second, email letters are always helpful. To address all 9 supervisors, write [email protected]

Finally, The public input for 7 p.m. Tuesday September 7 is the night to comment on this proposal to eliminate the Nativity or any religious displays. There were 35 speakers and there must be at least that number again on Tuesday September 7. To sign up to speak in the Board room in Leesburg is 703-777-0204. Each speaker will have 2 or 3 minutes.

Thank you again for the work you do for your community, for this county and this country.

I am limited in resources with this due to time constraints. If you could pass this information to interested parties it does make a difference in this effort. I believe it is best that as many people as possible turn out and express themselves on this topic due to the confusing nature of this attack. Thank you.

Hollingsworth Support: Loudoun County celebrates anti-Christmas in July
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/99260079.html#ixzz0vy3kPweP

Pray Sterling and Elijah Gate Ministry Hold Gospel Music Concert
August 14

Sterling's Loudoun Times Mirror Man of the Year Mark Gunderman writes me the following important message for Sterling:

Pray Sterling celebrates its first Family Gospel Music Concert at the Sterling Community Center Pavilion, 120 Enterprise Street (located behind the Sterling Park Fire and Rescue Station).

The concert event is 1-5pm Saturday, August 14. Directions are on the Pray Sterling website www.praysterling.org or you can contact [email protected] or an administrator at 540-907-5115.

You won't want to miss this outdoor Gospel event featuring the Elijah Gate Worship Team, musicians and prayer warriors from Lucketts, Virginia. At 1pm Elijah Gate Ministry will open the ceremonies with the sounding of the Shofar (Rams horn). Psalms 98:6 teaches us to praise Him with a loud noise, -- with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn--shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

"When we perform this act of praise He will then fill the Pavilion with His Glory.
After the sounding of the Shofar, the Elijah Gate Ministry musicians will grace us with their empowering music throughout the event.

The concert will also include special readings from the Bible and hourly prayer opportunities. Open your heart to the words of the songs, lift your hands towards Heaven, dance like King David and seek a closer walk with our Father in Heaven through Jesus Christ and watch Him work miracles in your life. He blessed King David, and He will bless our community. We want Sterling residents to experience the glory of God. Please join us as we pray for the Sterling community and all its residents.

"The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord - then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God" (2 Chronicles 5:13-14).

During the concert we will declare a special blessing on each person, regardless of religious background. God's Word is for all people who are willing to adhere to His Word. A special back-to-school blessing is available to children of all ages. To learn more about how to bless your children, Pray Sterling is offering at no cost a book and teaching on this subject. To receive a book, registration for teaching and attendance at the concert is required. Register in advance via email or during the concert by contacting the administrator.

Come ready to receive a blessing, ready to dance, sing and give praise to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ, just like King David did! (End of important message from Mark Gunderman)

My Year with the Good Shepherd Alliance

By Mandy Girolami (sent by Sterling Man of the Year Mark Gunderman)

This past year I was given the opportunity to be a part of the Good Shepherd Alliance (GSA) and their first ever youth initiative project as a member of their Board of Directors. Before I started working with the GSA, I did not know much about their organization and how much they did for our community. From the first meeting, I could tell I was in for a year full of learning and growth, both as a student and as a person.

Not only was I able to participate on a board of professionals, but I also got great insight into the homelessness in Loudoun County of which I was previously unaware. As a teenager, homelessness is not one of the first things that come to mind when you think of our community. The harsh reality is that this is a growing problem in these economic times. The more the youth are both educated and involved, the more help they can provide.

See Loudoun Times Mirror.

http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/blogs/gunderman

Copy Of The full text of this message online
http://joineugene.com/

Keep Loudoun Free To Worship
http://joineugene.com/news/article.php?article=6026

Merry Christmas in July-Board Determined To Abolish Christmas
http://joineugene.com/news/article.php?article=6016

Permission granted to send this to your Christmas List online now.