Dulles South Roundabout Needed, Supported by Facts - Pleasant Valley & Braddock Road on Fairfax Loudoun Border

A long-needed solution to the ridiculous traffic situation experienced by both Fairfax and Loudoun residents in the Dulles South area is coming to a head, at the intersection of Braddock Road and Pleasant Valley. Opposition has built by the Fairfax residents - though there truly is not much reason at all, in the eyes of VDOT, Loudoun or Fairfax Supervisors, to delay construction of the proposed roundabout.

Here's a reprint (from the Facebook South Riding Community Group) of some of the opposition points, and very reasonable rebuttal facts regarding the very appropriate and needed roundabout approach proposed by VDOT for the Pleasant Valley & Braddock Road intersection - in the Dulles South border area between Loudoun County and Fairfax County. A proposal irrefutably supported by need, common sense and factual traffic engineering data.

1) It will increase traffic on Pleasant Valley through VA Run from people trying to get the Dulles Tech corridor form points south and west who want to avoid 28 and 66. Response: The traffic is already there, and the project will allow it to flow more safely and efficiently.

2) It will result in more people speeding on Pleasant Valley. Response: This has nothing to do with the roundabout.

3) It will be less safe (citing the Gilbert corner circles). Response: Not even close. This FHA report documents that intersections that have been converted to single-lane roundabouts have an average of 51% LESS accidents and 73% fewer injury accidents. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/00068/00068.pdf

4) Neighborhoods in Fairfax County that exit onto Braddock and Pleasant Valley won't be able to turn out of their neighborhoods because of the constant stream of traffic. Response: Traffic modeling shows that traffic density PAST the intersection will be the same after a couple hundred feet REGARDLESS of the type of traffic control put in place at the intersection. The neighborhoods will have no more trouble after than they do now.

5) Traffic along Braddock will "fly" through the intersection. Response: The speed limit approaching and in the roundabout will be 15mph.

6) A traffic circle 'favors' Loudoun county traffic because Pleasant Valley traffic (heading north) with have to yield to Braddock traffic (heading east) and never be able to enter the roundabout. Response: Simple misunderstanding of how traffic circles work. The speed limit in the circle will be 15mph. Natural car separation while driving as well as cars entering from the other directions will open up gaps in the roundabout.

7) It isn't needed. They should wait until the 50 construction is done which will solve all their problems. Response: Ha.

8. It will be a disaster "like the traffic circles in downtown DC". Response: Those are signal controlled traffic circles, not modern roundabouts.

9) Environmental concerns. Response: Roundabout has significantly smaller environmental footprint than a traffic light and I'd argue less emissions and fluid impact than cars standing at idle for 10-15 min.

10) It isn't our [Fairfax County's] problem… Loudoun shouldn't have built so much housing in this part of the county without infrastructure to support it. (Ok, I agree with this one).

If you want more information, the VDOT project page is located here: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/braddock_and_pleasant_valley.asp

Information brochure here (including contact info): http://www.virginiadot.org/VDOT/Projects/Northern_Virginia/asset_upload_file399_64596.pdf

Here is the analysis of alternatives:
http://www.virginiadot.org/VDOT/Projects/Northern_Virginia/asset_upload_file820_64596.pdf

The poster boards that were up are here: http://www.virginiadot.org/VDOT/Projects/Northern_Virginia/asset_upload_file181_64596.pdf

Please, please, please, … provide your comments to feedback regarding this project (They must be RECEIVED by October 23rd).

Send an email to Mr. Bud Siegel at meeting_comments@vdot.virginia.gov and bud.siegel@vdot.virginia.gov (Include "Braddock and Pleasant Valley Roundabout" in the subject line).

You can also snail mail your comments card by printing out the following, stamping and dropping in the mail:

http://www.virginiadot.org/VDOT/Projects/Northern_Virginia/asset_upload_file759_64596.pdf .

Dulles South Youth Sports Community - May 2 Hanson Park Info Session

(Reprinted from DSYS newsletter)

To the Dulles South Youth Sports Community —

An important planning event that impacts DSYS is fast approaching, and DSYS needs a loud voice to ensure appropriate facilities are available for our athletes. DSYS representatives will be there, but the more, the louder, the better. The third and final design workshop for the Hal and Bernie Hanson Regional Park is scheduled for this Wednesday May 2nd from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Briar Woods High School, 22525 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn.

Hanson Park is a multi-use facility planned on a 257-acre parcel on Evergreen Mills Road, at the western-most edges of Brambleton. This park will be THE first-class sports and recreation site for the Dulles South area, on the same order as Claude Moore Park in Sterling and the recently-opened Phillip Bolen Park outside Leesburg. The plans for this park are important for the Dulles South community in general, but of particular importance to the Dulles South Youth Sports families as park planning impacts the sports offerings for our children.

DSYS representation at the May 2 workshop is critical given the shortage of fields, especially given the continued growth of the league. Our growth will continue to outpace new field construction for some time to come, so it is extremely important that our county officials understand the importance decisions made about Hanson Park are to DSYS families.

The workshop will include a presentation of the preferred design concepts based on input from the first two workshops, and will provide an opportunity for additional public input. DSYS urges you to attend this session and voice your support for facilities that benefit DSYS families. Below is a brief explanation of how the design of Hanson Park could benefit DSYS athletes and families.
We look forward to seeing you and hearing you at the workshop this week.

~ The Dulles South Youth Sports Board

Our outdoor sports, such as Football, Cheerleading, Track and Field and Cross Country, can benefit greatly from additional park facilities as follows:

• Rectangular fields / Turf surface: DSYS is taking steps for 2012 to ensure our athletes play and cheer at the high quality turf facility at John Champe HS, but believe the long term solution to address field shortage and field overuse is to leverage additional artificial turf playing surfaces in the Dulles South area. For perspective, turf fields cost Fairfax County on average $600,000 to $800,000. DSYS Football and Cheer would be able to pay for 1/3 – 1/2 of a Turf field in 5 years, at current Loudoun County Public School lease rates. Additional resources, such as might be constructed at Hanson Park, could give DSYS more, and perhaps more affordable, options for playing surfaces.

• Families north of Route 50: DSYS serves the families north of Route 50, as well as south. As this area expands in number of homes, and to serve the continued growth of the Brambleton area, facilities in this part of DSYS will help the league serve our entire area with premier sports facilities. For example, our quickly expanding Track & Field and Cross Country programs are limited by the availability of appropriate courses and tracks for the exploding number of participants from both north and south of Rt 50.

• Collateral facilities that benefit youth sports:
o Permanent and convenient restroom facilities
o Lights to extend and maximize field use
o Bleachers and more space for spectators
o On site equipment storage capabilities
o Concessions capable building near fields (running water and electricity) – concessions are the #1 fundraising income contributor for all athletics, all levels. Income from concessions could defray participant fees.

• Turf surfaces in general: Turf, as opposed to traditional grass, increases safety for athletes:
o 74% Fewer Muscle Tears
o 42% Lower ACL Trauma
o 32% Fewer Ligament Tears
o 22% Fewer Severe Injuries
o 19% Fewer Substantial Injuries
o 12% Fewer Concussions
o 10% Less Injury From Shoe Surface Interaction during Contact
o 8% Less Injury From Shoe Surface Interaction during Non-Contact
o 7% Fewer Total Injuries

Loudoun Dulles Youth Sports Track Season Comes to End

Yesterday was the final internal team meet for the Dulles South Youth Sports Track and Field program, held at South Riding's Freedom High School - a very successful local sports program for grades 3-8, offering instruction, competition and team-building opportunities to future track superstars in sprints (50, 100m), mid-distance (400, 800, 1600m), relays (4x100, 4x400), hurdles, shotput, long jump and high jump. The competitors and families had another fabulous season, with committed, expert assistance by parent, sibling and Freedom High Track Team volunteers. Pics below:

Suburban Wildlife Rescue - What's the 411?

FYI - the Dulles South Public Safety Center phone number is 571-258-3200...Updated below! Interesting Sunday morning wildlife interaction here in South Riding - a very large horned owl was spotted yesterday by our kids fighting with a large golden-flecked hawk, and this morning was laying very alert and still on the ground at the edge of the forest and our street. A veritable crowd of children gathered to watch the owl, who observed us without seeming concern - but didn't move except to rotate its head and hiss once in a while. The hawk and a contingent of mockingbirds and cardinals intent on joining the party (mostly to harrass the hawk) very loudly continued to swoop and harrass the owl - and eventually retreated from the small throng of 3rd-graders and attendant amateur wildlife observers.

What to do? Call the Loudoun Animal Control Office?


Well, we did - and upon understanding that this was wildlife, they redirected me to the Wildlife Rescue League. Their message, if it wasn't about a deer, essentially directed me to collect the animal and deliver to a local wildlife rescue volunteer or facility...which wasn't something I'm actually trained to do right now. So I tried 411 to get the Dulles South Public Safety Center - they were unable to locate that phone number, even after I explained it was a large police and fire station in South Riding. I was eventually transferred to a Virginia-wide directory, who ended up transferring me to the Metropolitan Washington Transit Agency - the Metro folks.

I wasn't aware the Silver Line had reached Loudoun yet - but, luckily, we've posted the Dulles South Public Safety Center phone number on the front page of Dulles South Online - so I called there - only to have the phone ring about 20 times with no answer.

So, the owl sits bemused by the side of the road, the hawk and attendant pawns await further developments, and the children continue to gawk and hopefully don't get too close. This situation will likely resolve itself overnight, with the loss of a really beautiful owl...but that's our Suburban Wildlife Rescue process in action, evidently.

Updated!
Thanks to the great response from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center out of Millwod, VA (540-837-9000) for their help this afternoon in retrieving the Great-Horned Owl for care and rehabilitation...They rescue 1500 native wild birds, mammals and reptiles each year - evidently this was the second owl of the day. Pics below of the rescue...once better, our owl may be released back here in South Riding! (Keep your cats inside).

South Riding Festival and Vintage 51 Ushers in the Northern Virginia Brewfest Season

Celebrate South Riding is here - 15 years of community growth (25,000 residents and counting) celebrated over two days of Summer fun, Friday and Saturday June 4-5th! We've seen this event grow very quickly and professionally, and this year looks to be amazing. It's relocated, however, now to the Dulles Multipurpose Center grounds at 24950 Riding Center Drive. Here you'll find a farm-themed children's area, "Extreme Scene" rides and games for the older kids, four live bands on the main stage, and the very special "15 Year Tribute" Friday night light and laser show - capped off Saturday with the traditional South Riding fireworks finale.

Also new this year is a greatly expanded cafe' area called "Corks, Kegs and Crafters", hosted in cooperation with the Vintage 50 Restaurant Group and Vintage 51 restaurant in South Riding. Enjoy 20 different microbrews from local and regional breweries, and learn some tips from the Vintage 50 Master Chef and Brew Master. Keep the summer fun rolling over at Vintage51 in Market Square this weekend - the pet-friendly outdoor patio's open, free wireless Internet (it's our new favorite business lunch location), plasma TV's and projectors, plus of course over 14 micro/craft brews and LIVE entertainment Fridays and Saturdays (John Kaplan this Friday, 6/4).

This is a great way to kick off the Summer brewfest and craft fair season here in DC's beer country; next stop is the extremely popular Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest series, on Saturday and Sunday June 26-27 - tickets are on sale now, for seven (!) live bands, very local and interesting food options, over 70 microbrewery options to try, and even a lone, local loudoun winery to sample.

Loudoun Dulles District Update from Stevens Miller - Plus Commentary

November 10, 2009 Dulles District Newsletter‏

Proposed Site for HS-7
There is good news for everyone who has been waiting anxiously for information concerning the location of a new high school in Dulles South. On Tuesday, October 27th, the School Board voted to approve the purchase of 101 acres of land for construction of HS-7 and a future elementary school. The land is located on Goshen Road on the western edge of the Stone Ridge community. The School Board has worked closely with the Board of Supervisors these past months to find a site that is located near the population that it will serve. HS-7 is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012.

There will be a community information meeting about HS-7 and a future elementary school on November 18th at 6:30pm in the Mercer Middle School auditorium (42149 Greenstone Drive, Aldie). The design plan for the high school is 1800 students and 875 for the elementary school. The meeting will provide the community with an excellent opportunity to receive more information about the proposed school site and plans. I hope you are able to attend.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Sam Adamo, Director
Department of Planning and Legislative Services
Loudoun County Public Schools
21000 Education Court
Ashburn, VA 20148
Phone: 571-252-1050 Fax: 571-252-1101
Email: lcpsplan@loudoun.k12.va.us

Commentary - this is indeed good news, albeit a year delayed

Letter to Governor Kaine
In 2006, Governor Kaine set a goal to preserve 400,000 acres of land before his administration leaves office in 2010. The benefits of this goal include preserving water quality, providing additional opportunities for recreation and preserving wildlife habitat and historic landscapes. As of September 15, 2009 the state has permanently protected 352,623 acres.

Recently four large, multi-parcel properties located in the Dulles District went into foreclosure. These four properties, Greenfields, Broad Run, Lenah and Arcola, comprise 4,154 acres. Three years ago, a proposal to allow 15,000 homes on these properties was narrowly defeated.

I believe the foreclosure of these four properties in Loudoun presents a unique opportunity to help meet Governor Kaine’s preservation goals as well as the increasing demand for a state park in the Northern Virginia region. At my request, the Board unanimously voted to send a letter to Governor Kaine requesting the Commonwealth purchase one or all of these properties for a state park in Loudoun.

Commentary - we believe this is also a unique opportunity to bring much-needed revenue, community services and opportunity to Loudoun and the Dulles South area, were this land set aside for things like a University Campus, Recreational fields/sports park, Environmental Educaation/Research facilities, an Arts/Entertainment Center, etc...let's be a little more visionary and serious about this?

Budget for FY 2011

As the budget process begins, the Board of Supervisors would like to hear residents’ opinions about budget priorities. There are two public input meetings about the budget scheduled in early December. I am also planning to host a few community meetings in Dulles regarding the budget. More information soon!

Budget Public Input Sessions:
- Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 6:30pm in the County Government Center in Leesburg
- Thursday, Dec. 10 at 6:30pm in the School Administration Building in Ashburn

Residents can begin signing up for either session beginning Tuesday, Dec. 1 by calling 703-777-0200.

Commentary - one area we'd like immediate, serious budget improvement and focus on, is Economic Development and Loudoun County Marketing, to attract and retain businesses, assist small businesses, attract research/educational centers, etc...hand-in-hand with this would be significant improvement in the quality of education, including teacher recruitment and salaries, research programs, advanced and continuing education in science/technology/business, etc.

Gum Spring Regional Library
The long awaited groundbreaking for the Gum Spring Regional Library was held Saturday, November 7th. The ceremony was an exciting beginning to what will be a great asset to the Rt. 50 corridor. The library is scheduled to open in 2011. http://www.leesburgtoday.com/articles/2009/11/09/news/9997library110909.txt

Veterans Day
Please remember that November 11th, is Veterans Day. This day is set aside to honor the brave men and women who have served in the armed services. Many have given a lot to keep us safe and free. Please take a moment to thank a veteran for their service and recognize their honor, bravery and service to our country.

Loudoun Chamber of Commerce meets Dulles South

A small crowd of Leesburg business pioneers headed southeast today to visit us here in Dulles South, at Moore's Cadillac on Rt. 50 (near South Riding). There, the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce adventurers got a good overview of the state of affairs in this bleak corner of the County - through the words and wisdom of Dulles South denizen Bill Dean (CEO of M.C. Dean) and the Dulles District School Board Administrator, Robert Dupree.

Turns out, this part of the County is actually the fastest-growing, is likely to generate the lion's share of retail consumerism for the foreseeable future, is connected and involved with the region's economic engine at Dulles Airport, and is at the forefront of collaboration with Fairfax County to the east regarding transportation improvements (incoming Rail, Rts. 50, 606 and 28).

While the population growth has slowed a bit, the school-age population continues to relentlessly expand - leading to dire overcrowding situations not good for residents or businesses - and compounded recently by failures of the Loudoun BOS to deliver practical solutions. Also relentlessly expanding is the amount of traffic on the roads - which has been over many years addressed by the Dulles South Business Alliance (represented by Bill Dean). It turns out there's very good progress being achieved at least in the planning stages - much contracting, construction and other progress is definitely slowing as the economy continues to degrade. Even the largest retail projects, such as that planned for Dulles Landing (across from South Riding, with a WalMart), are significantly delayed; projections are now to get started building sometime in the Spring with openings a year later.

Overall, the message to investors and business owners we inferred was that while the Dulles South area continues its growth as a regional powerhouse in terms of consumers and employee prospects, the lack of overall services to citizens (including likely loss of the Rt. 50 hospital to the Broadlands), delays in critical infrastructure and new retail projects, and lack of growth-oriented support from the Board of Supervisors will significantly curtail land and business investment values for years to come.

Frank Wolfe and Pierce Homer address Dulles South Business Alliance in Loudoun County

Today's Dulles South Business Alliance meeting in Southern Loudoun County, Rt. 50 corridor, featured guest speakers Congressman Frank Wolf (US House, 10th Virginia District) and Virginia State Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer. Attendance was light, mainly DSBA members (Dulles South business owners and landowners) and directors, at the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church.



Most updates focused on transportation issues, with by far the most spirited comments on Wolf's part regarding the Dulles Greenway rate hikes - deeming them "unfair, based on a flawed law". His comments mostly revolved around the pressures and cost burdens levied upon Moms and Dads, driving to and from work and family/children responsibilities...this was a similar argument he made for supporting the Dulles Rail extension, which would not only give us a "2-seat ride to the Global economy" (as put by Homer), but also was the most important transportation issue in this region - that actually had a fast-closing window of opportunity for actual success and funding, given the rapidly declining picture for transportation infrastructure funding across the State.

On the score of funding for transportation issues, Homer was frankly dire - noting that while the Dulles Rail project had a "very good chance of success", most other local or regional projects are all going to be reconsidered in the next few weeks, and most information to come out of the "reconsiderations" will not be happy news for our area or elsewhere.

Wolf's other major sounding board was his "Cooper-Wolf" bill - a bi-partisan (55/45 republican/democrat) bill to broadly address the "gathering storm, an economic tsunami" of USA debt/spending issues. Additionally, he commented directly on the need for consideration of considerable attention and spending in the area of alternative energy studies (i.e. USA energy independence), along with domestic drilling opportunities. He noted that Cuba's recently granted licenses to China for offshore drilling between Cuba and Florida, where the US is currently restricted by legislation.

Some questions followed, mostly dealing with Rt. 50-specific issues - in all, an honest appraisal of the very difficult transportation infrastructure situation the state faces due to the significantly deteriorating revenue base, significantly increasing building costs, and very significantly increasing gap the US faces in maintaining global competitiveness.

Economic downturn's effect on smaller Northern Virginia, Fairfax and Loudoun Businesses

After speaking recently with a Bank Branch Manager about the effects of the current economy's downturn on her business (she was actually experiencing a sharp uptick in new small, home-based business accounts), we decided to check in with some other Northern Virginia, Loudoun County and Fairfax businesses for their insight - as a bit of a barometer reflecting and perhaps forecasting many of our own family and business financial and spending decisions to come this Spring.

We asked:

1 - Is the economic downturn affecting your Northern Virginia Business?
2 - Do you see differences between Loudoun and Fairfax County, in terms of customer demand for your services?
3 - Do you see any differences in your customer's spending or participation habits, possibly between men and women?

(All quotes are edited for readability)

Khalid Umerani owns the local NOVA Insurance Group in Chantilly, VA, and provides Northern Virginia home insurance, auto insurance, life insurance and business insurance to residents of Chantilly, Ashburn, South Riding, Brambleton, Stone Ridge and other western Fairfax and eastern Loudoun clients. He responds:

"We see many more indicators of family financial stress, including late payments, cancellations, policy reinstatements or re-writes; insurance payments tend to be prioritize lower than critical bills such as mortgage or car payments. The scope of personal insurance coverage is suffering, as well, with some folks reducing or eliminating coverages, or increasing deductibles to lower monthly premiums. This sort of activity tends to increases a family's financial risk profile, and simply adds to the overall negative effects of the economy. On the other hand, life continues, the region is still growing, and the overall demand for flexible, reasonable insurance services in touch with local context is remaining fairly reliable".

Hulya Aksu is owner and publisher of the Modern Loudoun Mom Magazine in Northern Virginia's Loudoun County, Ashburn. Modern Loudoun Mom Magazine is the only "social media magazine" of its kind, offering user-generated website and printed content for modern women and Moms across a variety of topics, including Spa, restaurant and private school reviews, shopping and health information, family events and offline social meetups. She remarks:

"Yes, there has been a slow down in some industries around Northern Virginia. However, advertising is crucial for most businesses and we have remained consistent in our growth. Loudoun in particular is less established, as most businesses are young or new. Having a multi platform media outlet that has a tightly focused target market, such as Modern Mom, is a much needed resource here in Loudoun. Fairfax also lacks in a publications that hyper-locally cater to moms. Fairfax also has a geographical span that cannot be compared to LC. It is an older area with more established social unities. We are approaching both counties differently but are finding many similarities. Moms are moms everywhere. We have both men and women as clients and there are differences. Women tend to also be our readers, believe in a long term commitment and value the savings they receive. Men are more likely to try it once and wait and see. Even if it means they pay more. It is very interesting. Women commit, men try..."

Ingrid Myers, Realtor is one of Northern Virginia's most experienced and long-time Realtors, having offered real estate services in this area for over 20 years. She focuses in Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. She says:

"Obviously it's easy to point to the Real Estate industry's slowdown, and know that many realtors, mortgage bankers and all the other Northern Virginia Real Estate service providers are suffering loss of business and revenue. But, it's part of the natural contraction and expansion that affects the overall economy in regular cycles, albeit this time with higher highs and lower lows. Consistent provision of superior customer services, a long track record with a deep referral and partner base, and leverage of critical tools such as Internet Marketing and Social Media Optimization all will help seasoned professionals in this business."

Steve Baker is the owner of National Security Screens, a local provider of alarm screens, window and door security and other home security system services. He adds:

"Like other "nice-to-haves", new home security technology is one of the first services or purchases to be passed over in favor of core family expenses like gas, food, housing. It's like cable TV - many feel it's helpful and enjoyable, but can be done without. On the other hand, economic anxiety tends also to drive up the awareness of security exposure, especially with children - and we actually see some stabilization in sales after an initial downturn. It's a delicate psychological balance - financial vs. physical security. However, our alarm screens are also a means to achieve both security and environmental cost efficiencies - instead of keeping windows closed all the time with air conditioning turned up, especially overnight (fearing a security breach), windows can be left opened for natural cooling in confidence that an alarm will indicate intruders."

We also spoke with Paulo Trindade, of Grow Landscapes, a leading provider of Northern Virginia landscaping, garden design, patios and fencing services located in Falls Church. His feedback:

"The recent slowdown in the local housing market has affected the types of jobs we are doing. With so many homes on the market it is more important than ever to have great looking curb appeal. We are currently doing more front yard renovations just prior to homes being put on the market. Recently a long time client had us landscape her front yard including a more inviting walkway to the front door and all new perennial garden. Not only was the increase in the home's value estimated at ten percent, but the house sold in less than a week.

The homes in Fairfax tend to be older with more mature plantings already in place. We tend to be pulling out old landscaping or designing around large trees and structures already in place. The challenge in Loudoun tends to be the opposite. So many of the homes in Loudoun are new construction there tends to be very little in the way of existing plantings or structure. Often times in Loudoun the goal is to provide privacy from neighbors and create a more established feeling around the home. Both areas provide great opportunities to be creative and really design something that adds to the homeowner's quality of life and a more enjoyable space around their home.

You might expect women to be more interested in flowers and plants while men focus on things like grills and fire pits but this is not necessarily true. Northern Virginia has such a well educated population that we tend to have clients who are equally interested in all aspects of a project. I am very often impressed by how much thought and research clients have put in to a project before even calling us. It often makes for a very collaborative environment that is a pleasure to work in. Right now the group that really seems to be focusing on customizing their environment to their needs and tastes is the baby boom generation. There really seems to be an emphasis on creating spaces that function both as personal refuge and a place for enjoying family and friends."

Our last conversation was with Kirsten Santucci, representing Ashburn's House Doctors, offering handyman services, home repair, renovation and remodeling, residential additions and commercial maintenance services.

"We're definitely affected by the economic downturn, as the cause of this downturn is being attributed mostly to the burst of the housing bubble and we're in the home repairs and improvements industry. However, in business, it's important to take your cues from the market, and then be flexible and adjust your strategy based on those cues. Anything short of that can mean death to a small business. For example, with the sale of new homes having sharply declined, it makes sense to de-emphasize some of our marketing efforts on new homeowners and focus our strategy on other customer segments. Regarding men and women, I don't think it will come as a big surprise that in our experience, the majority of women are the decision-makers when it comes to home repairs or improvements."

Altogether, while the economy and consumer spending is still on a negative trend, well-positioned businesses with solid credentials, unique core offerings and a mixed portfolio of service offerings seem to be weathering the storm for right now.