Facebook Friending and LCPS

An interesting conundrum, to be sure, has surfaced between the Loudoun Times-Mirror and certain Loudoun Public School personnel, brought on by the specter of nasty, bullying statements surfacing in public on a popular website. In this case it appeared to be differences in opinion regarding athletic talent. On the one hand, it’s refreshing to see the journalists push back in the name of 1st Amendment principles and acknowledgement of the new realities of the 21st Century Internet – on the other hand, it is certainly laudable to see our Educators sticking up for the students. Too bad this support for online reputation and child safety monitoring doesn’t seem to be enforced and appropriately extended across all online media channels.

What we’ve seen with too frequent occurrence lately, are LCPS teachers and administrative staff actually “friending” students, past and present, on Facebook (and other channels, but this appears the most widespread and problematic). Maybe it’s a helpful channel for extracurricular guidance counseling; maybe it’s a desperate attempt to monitor the out-of-control behavior of unruly kids; or maybe perhaps it’s simply a lame attempt to be considered among the “in” crowd…who knows.

We’ve seen this at BOTH Public and Private schools in the area, and while most of the chatter and re-friending that results appears harmless, it all seems to truly cross the line with respect to several things. One of these is respect for parent and family privacy – why are teachers friending, and accepting friend requests, with my kids? (Of course, we might ask ourselves why our kids are spending so much time friending their teachers). Another is simple loss of authority and respect – are my kids to believe now they can treat their teachers like their friends, complete with utter ignorance of traditional social boundaries and grammar? There are probably many other lines being crossed from bullying and stupidity, to real creepiness and actual laws or policies being broken – but there seems to be no routinely monitored and enforced actions with respect to LCPS teacher interaction with students via public social media.

What should LCPS do? We’ve got lots of ideas – but it would be great to hear from teachers and administration themselves. It would also be great if this practice simply stopped.

NOVA Brewfest Fall 2010 - Bull Run Park, World Beer Experience - Oct 23-24!

It's here! The 4th Annual NOVA Fall Brewfest, - the last great regional brewfest of the season, in Northern Virginia's Bull Run Regional Park (Centreville, VA).



This World Beer Experience features more than 40 of the world's best breweries, delicious food to complement the great brews and more than 30 crafters, vendors and exhibitors marketing and selling their products and services.

Saturday & Sunday, October 23 & 24, 2010, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily
at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Virginia. Beer sampling stops one hour before closing each day (6:00 PM).

Buy Tickets In Advance & Save!

Adults (21+) - $25 at the event
- $20 in advance

Designated Driver - $20 at the event
- $15 in advance

Click here to purchase tickets online

Tickets are also available in advance at the following locations. Click on the name for their website and directions.

Norm's Beer & Wine in Vienna
Rick's Wine & Gourmet in Alexandria
Westover Market in Arlington
Vintage 50 Restaurant & Brew Lounge in Leesburg
Vintage 51 Restaurant & Brew Lounge in South Riding

LIVE Band Entertainment

Saturday, October 23, 2010

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM: Chris Collat
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM: Shag
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM & 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM: Fools & Horses

Sunday, October 25, 2009

12:30 PM - 1:45 PM: Rew Smith
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM: Starryville
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM & 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: American Giant

FREE Shuttles!

Saturday, October 23, 2010 ONLY - Departs from Vintage 50 Restaurant in Leesburg, 50 Catoctin Circle NE, at 11AM, 1PM, 3PM; Departs from Bull Run Park at 2PM, 4PM and 6:15PM.

Working List of Beers (subject to some change)

• Baltimore-Washington Beer Works – The Raven Special Lager (plus a firkin)
• Bitburger – Pils (German)
  
• Bell’s Brewery – Best Brown Ale, Hell Hath No Fury, Oarsman & Pale Ale
  
• Capital City Brewing - Oktoberfest Lager & Pale Rider Ale
  
• Carlow Brewing – O’Hara’s Red, O’Hara’s Porter (Ireland)
  
• Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery – Milk Stoudt, Amber Ale, Brown Ale & Wee
  Heavy Ale
  
• Einbecker Brauhaus – Mai Ur-Bock (German)
  
• Ettaler Monastery Beers – Kloster Dunkel (German)
  
• Flying Dog Brewery – Raging Bitch Belgian Style Pale Ale & Dogtoberfest Marzen
  
• Harpoon Brewery – IPA & Ofest
  
• Harviestoun Brewery – Bitter & Twisted (UK)
  
• Heavy Seas Brewing – Loose Cannon, Marzen (plus a cask of something)
  
• Hook & Ladder Brewing – Golden Ale & Backdraft Brown Ale
  
• Kostritzer
  
• Legend Brewing – Brown Ale, Golden IPA & Lager
  
• Porterhouse Brewing Company – Oyster Stout, Wrasslers (Ireland)
  
• Reisdorf
  
• Schienkeria Rauchbier – Marzen (German)
  
• Starr Hill Brewery – Festie, Northern Lights, The Love, Double IPA
  
• Thornbridge – Jaipur IPA (UK)
  
• Woodchuck Cider – Amber Cider & 802 Cider
  

To Volunteer

Volunteer positions for 2nd Shift on Sunday (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM) are still available. Volunteer positions include pouring beer and checking ID and tickets at the gate.

Volunteer Application - se the online application to sign up .

For more information email us at volunteer@novabrewfest.com or visit the Northern Virginia BrewFest website.

NOVA BrewFest is for Beer Lovers!

Loudoun Business Marketplace Underway - Now, Mon Oct 4 11-5PM, Dulles Holiday Inn

The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Business Marketplace is underway right now, Monday, Oct. 4, at the Dulles Holiday Inn in Sterling (off Rt. 28) - great businesses, door prizes, entertainment and more! Stop by as soon as you can...


Scott York, Loudoun Board of Supervisors Chairman, opens the event!

Dulles South Youth Cross Country Under Way

The second season of Dulles South's Cross Country league is now well underway, affording kids from 3rd to 8th grade the opportunity to learn cross country tactics and running strategies from local experts, plus getting some great outdoors exercise, experience and fun with other South Riding/Dulles South area families.



The Fall portion of the Dulles South Youth Sports Track and Cross Country program is different than the Spring, which focuses on teaching competition at track and field events, including sprints, hurdles, relays and more. It's a very unique and well-supported event in the community, with great support from the local high schools and many parent cross country/track alumni. The events include varying distance runs for the 3rd-4th, 5th-6th and 7th-8th graders - with plenty of on-field coaching, encouragement and support for the runners.

Loudoun Business Marketplace - Chamber Event Mon Oct 4 10-5PM Dulles Holiday Inn

Make plans today to attend Monday's Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Business Marketplace, Northern Virginia's premier marketing showcase for businesses of every size, industry and customer type - at the Holiday Inn Dulles, Monday, Oct. 4 10AM - 5PM.. This includes Northern Virginia Businesses from the entire Metro Washington DC Region, with particular focus on the Dulles Corridor, Fairfax and Loudoun counties.

With tons of fun activities - The Taste of Loudoun, the Technology Gadget Center, an Oktoberfest-themed networking reception, hourly door prizes and more - the MARKETPLACE will offer the start to finish excitement for business owners, business investors, local consumers and organizations seeking new products, services, networking opportunities, vendor and partner relationships and more.

Door Prize schedule:

• Noon An Amazon Kindle, courtesy of GWU Virginia Science & Technology Campus
  
• 12:30 p.m. Two tickets to attend a Washington Wizards game, courtesy of PNC Bank
  
• 1:30 p.m. $1000 Gift Basket, includes a private wine tasting for 10, courtesy of Talk Loudoun
  
• 2:30 p.m. A 24-piece Fortissimo glassware set, valued at $450, courtesy of Fortessa
  
• 3:30 p.m. A $100 travel package, courtesy of AAA Mid-Atlantic, Inc.
  
• 4:30 p.m. Deluxe Overnight Stay, Dinner for (2), Breakfast for (2) a $355 value, courtesy of Holiday Inn Dulles
  

Platinum Sponsors: Fortessa, Inc. | Loudoun Times-Mirror (ask about their new online advertising specials!)
Host Sponsor: Holiday Inn Dulles
Gold Sponsors: George Mason University | George Washington University | PNC Bank | The Business Bank | Virginians for Reliable Energy
Badge Sponsor: Inova Loudoun Hospital
Floral Sponsor: Country Way
Media Sponsors: KME Internet Marketing and Talk Loudoun


Event Location:
Holiday Inn Washington Dulles
45425 Holiday Drive
Dulles, VA 20166

Phone:
703-471-7411