ATTENTION:  LANSDOWNE ON THE POTOMAC RESIDENTS Lansdowne Update Volume 1, Issue 14 For the Week of July 26, 2010 A service of the Lansdowne on the Potomac HOA Communications Committee Dave Nemetz, Chair Board of Directors Meeting: The Lansdowne BOD will be meeting on Wednesday, August 4, with the Homeowner Forum beginning at 7:00 PM and the meeting will follow at approximately 7:30 PM. Resident Golf Tournament: Lansdowne Resort ~ Norman Course Four-person Scramble, Friday, August 6, 2010 ~ 8:00 AM Shotgun Start Lansdowne on the Potomac Residents and their guests...Come join us for a round of golf and a day in the sun. We have limited spots available, so please sign up TODAY.  You may register as a two-person team and be paired with other two-person teams or register as a four-person team. Cost is $100.00 per person which includes breakfast, golf, drinks on the course, lunch, dessert and awards reception. Sign up today by clicking here as only 120 slots are available.  Please register online no later than Wednesday, August 4th. We look forward to seeing you on the course. Lansdowne Summer Concert Series: The next event in the 2010 Lansdowne Summer Concert Series takes place on Saturday, July 31st at 7 PM with a performance by Oz Revue, a band that performs classic soul, as well as a little blues with a dash of roots rock - all with a funky groove that gets people dancing and stays true to what made the material classic. Concerts are free, and are held at the Amphitheatre adjacent to the Potomac Club.  As per ABC regulations, proof of ID is required for all adult residents consuming alcoholic beverages on the premises. Election Committee: It's time again for the annual Board of Directors (BOD) Election.  This year, there are two available board seats. The HOA Elections Committee is seeking volunteers to help administer and oversee the process which is chaired by current Board Secretary, Hani Elnaggar. Duties and responsibilities of the committee will include: -  Establishing and providing oversight to the election process -  Qualifying/Verifying/Validating votes -  Tabulating votes Also, a sub-committee will be formed to manage the set-up (including format) and management of the "Meet the Candidates" night. The next Election Committee meeting will be on July 27, 2010 at 6:00 PM. Residents interested in participating on the Elections Committee should contact Hani Elnaggar at Hani.Elnaggar@gmail.com. Movies Under the Stars: Who doesn't love movies and the outdoors?  The Activities Committee has combined the two!  Bring dinner or a snack and your favorite beverages (NO ALCOHOL PLEASE) to the Potomac Club Amphitheater. Popcorn will be available.   August 7th @ 8:00 PM Monsters, Inc. (rated G) CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MONSTERS, INC. Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Lansdowne: Eat out to help your local Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department! Dates: August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Location: Not Your Average Joe's - 19307 Promenade Drive, Lansdowne Coupon Required! Coupon is available on our website at: http://ashburnfirerescue.org/forms/nyac2010.pdf Not Your Average Joe's in Lansdowne has selected Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department as the August recipient for its Not Your Average Cause fundraising. Every Tuesday in August, AVFRD receives 15% of all lunch and dinner purchases made by our supporters.   Identify yourself as an AVFRD supporter by presenting the coupon to your server. If you forget the coupon, ask for a duplicate at the door.  AVFRD will not get credit if you don't have a coupon. Call 571-333-5637 to reserve your table.  Reservations are recommended. Lansdowne Town Center Concerts: The Lansdowne Town Center and Lansdowne Village Green Homeowner's Association (HOA) are once again sponsoring live outdoor music performances throughout the summer, through September 1st. All concerts will be held weekly on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM on the Village Green. See the concert flyer for more details. Weathering Market Volatility Seminar: You and your spouse or guest are cordially invited to attend a free educational seminar on Weathering Market Volatility: Investment Strategies for Building & Protecting Your Retirement Assets ·  Are you concerned about market volatility and its affect on your investments? ·  Are you concerned about reaching your retirement goals?    ·  Are you currently retired and struggling to meet your expenses? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may benefit from this educational seminar.  Join us for an informative and interactive discussion on strategies that can help you build and protect your financial future.     Hosted By (Lansdowne Residents): Lawrence A. Schiro, Vice President / Investments Susan E. Schiro, Associate Vice President / Investments Wells Fargo Advisors LLC The Potomac Club Conference Room Wednesday, July 28, 2010 7:00 - 8:30 PM Admission to this event is by invitation only.  Light refreshments will be served. Seats are limited so you must call or e-mail to confirm your attendance.  Please call Susan Schiro at 703-761-4746 or send an e-mail to susan.schiro@wfadvisors.com.  Crime Report(July 12 - July 25, 2010): 2 thefts from vehicles were reported: one in the 44100 block of Riverpoint Drive on July 18; one in the 19100 block of Chartier Drive on July 20. No other crimes were reported in Lansdowne for this period. If you have concerns regarding crime in Lansdowne, contact Deputy James Spurlock by calling (703) 771-5749, or e-mailing him, at james.spurlock@loudoun.gov. Upcoming Committee Meetings: July 26, Facilities & Grounds; July 27, Finance and Elections; August 2, Activities; August 9, Safety & Security; August 10, Communications.  All meetings are held in the Potomac Club conference room (right off the lobby) or in the upstairs ballroom, and start at either 6:30 or 7 PM. Residents are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you have any tips or events you'd like included in the next issue, send an e-mail to update@smartneighborhood.net, and we'll get you included. No business solicitations, please!! DISCLAIMER:  SENT ON BEHALF OF THE LANSDOWNE HOA

Dear Residents,
 
The following is a further update on the issue of our relationship with OpenBand.
 
The Board continues to work on this issue, and we have begun communicating with the Southern Walk HOA in Broadlands on a Board-to-Board level.  I met with the President of the Southern Walk HOA and had a very productive discussion about how the two HOA's can share information and work together on this issue.  We will also be meeting with OpenBand in the near future based on a letter I sent to them inviting them to meet with us.
 
Also, shortly after my letter to the community regarding OpenBand was sent out on May 28, I heard from a Cable & OVS Commissioner who objected to the statement released by the Public Information Office and attributed to the Commission. Since then we have attempted to obtain a statement from the Cable & OVS Commission and to confirm what our attorney was told last week. The Board has received e-mails with opinions from one of the Commissioners and the Commission Chair, but no formal statement has been issued by the Commission regarding OpenBand's franchise agreement.
 
In the meantime, I spoke with Lorie Flading in the County Office of Public Information to inquire about the Commissioner's concerns and asked her to confirm her statement.  Ms. Flading is the individual from the Office of Public Information with whom our attorney spoke last week.  Ms. Flading indicated on behalf of the County that the County is agreeable to having OpenBand continue providing video services to its customers because it has acted in "good faith" in its efforts to renew its franchise. Ms. Flading also confirmed that the Commission has asked the County attorney to investigate if OpenBand's franchise lapse violates any ordinances. She promised to forward a copy of the legal opinion to the HOA as soon as it is available. 
 
Additionally, the HOA asked the Board of Supervisors about the OVS franchise renewal process and received the following statement from Supervisor Waters' office: After confirming with the staff of the OVS commission, it is [our] understanding that the commission is waiting to conduct a technical audit of Open Band before voting on a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.  After that recommendation, the Board [of Supervisors] will conduct a public hearing and then vote on the franchise agreement. 
 
I am sharing this information with you as there continue to be several email chains in the community that make various assertions and promises. I endeavor to provide only information that I can confirm from a reputable source. At this point in time, nothing has changed concerning our or the County's relationship with OpenBand.
 
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the residents for their patience at the pools this past holiday weekend as we introduced a new check-in policy and set records for opening weekend attendance. In addition, there wasn't a patch of empty grass at the amphitheatre during the Sunday night concert. I hope residents continue to enjoy all that Lansdowne has to offer this summer.

John Whitbeck
President, Lansdowne on the Potomac Homeowners Association