Irene came through Loudoun, and now we’re looking at relatively clear skies in Leesburg. While the storm was potent enough in parts of Virginia for the governor to   declare a state of emergency, and at least four deaths in the state have been attributed to the hurricane, we seem to have been spared. Also, according to Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd, local authorities have the right to impose curfews throughout the state to keep residents from harm. Gov. Robert McDonnell noted in a post-hurricane assessment that 50 percent of deaths in previous hurricanes in the state came in their aftermath. …

Every day, the national media is full of stories about how American families, businesses, and neighbors are adjusting to these trying times. There are so many changes happening so fast that it's dizzying: national debates about unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we see ourselves and our communities. At Patch, we want to explore that conversation on a daily basis so we can better understand how our neighbors are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us. We don't think there's one American …

As most of us know by now, Borders is closing down. For those of us who consider ourselves bibliophiles (this means “lovers of books,” not anything gross) this is a giant disappointment. Having spent many long hours at the Borders in Sterling, both as a consumer and working for Patch every once in a while, I was shocked and saddened to learn about the company’s ill fortune in this online article from the Wall Street Journal last week. Far be it for me as an editor for a paperless publication to decry consumers turning away from buying physical copies of authors’ work, but… shame on us. I was …

About 45 percent of the reason I moved to Leesburg was because of the incredibly charming Tally Ho Theater. It is a beautiful old movie house, which lured me in with showings of classic horror movies in October 2009. And it will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first place I saw “Jaws,” a film I put off seeing for 26 years, and I fear this fact means I should surrender my self-imposed status as a movie buff. But while the Tally Ho remains my favorite spot in town to watch films like Quentin Tarantino’s absurd Inglorious Basterds, I was still excited to attend a …

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree.  Each week, Leesburg Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual  kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to christian.brown@patch.com.  Be sure to include all of the following information   ●      Nominator's Name ●      …

The world is changing. This is no different from any point in history, so maybe I should be clearer. The world of my profession is changing. When I began my career as a print journalist more than four years ago, web updates were something of a rarity, reserved for breaking news like police shootouts and other violent, shocking crime. Now, updating a website is all I do. I visited the Newseum in Washington, D.C., yesterday, and it was something of a pilgrimage for me. I had never been, even though I visit the National Gallery of Art right across the street two or three times a year. A few …

You may be asking yourself, "What's a widget?" Or, "Why would I want a widget?" Here are some answers to your questions!1. What's a widget? A widget is a self-contained piece of HTML code that you can embed into your site to add a cool new feature. All you have to do is paste the code into your website. Patch's first widget offering is a News feed, but there are all sorts of widgets out there, including clock widgets, countdown widgets, and lots of other fun features. 2. Why would I want to use a widget? Depending on what it does, a widget can add awesome functionality or content to your site…

Like many a proverbial foundling struggling to survive, Leesburg Patch needs a mother. Well, several, in fact. Leesburg Patch is seeking local moms to serve on a “Moms Council,” which will help identify family-friendly stories and content to be posted every day on the site. This will come in especially handy on “Momsday” —every Wednesday, Leesburg Patch will feature parent-themed content. The qualifications necessary for this job are as follows: Be a resident of Leesburg, with a sense of what’s going on in town Have a strong desire to debate issues that affect local families and provide …