Airlie Conference Center’s Pavilion Awarded Prestigious LEED^® Gold Certification

First facility in Fauquier County, Virginia to receive LEED Gold status

 

WARRENTON, Va., Sept. 10, 2012 – Airlie Conference Center, a pioneer among sustainable and green conference centers in the United States, announced today that the organization has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its Pavilion. This significant milestone emphasizes Airlie Center’s 50-plus year commitment to environmental initiatives – a commitment that is central throughout all of Airlie’s operations.

 

LEED certification is an internationally recognized mark of excellence launched by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000. It provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community has been designed and built using strategies in order to achieve high performance in key areas of human and environmental health. Such areas include sustainable site development, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental air quality.

 

The Airlie Pavilion’s extensive renovations in 2011 followed stringent LEED guidelines for green building design. The 2,800 square foot octagonal building features 360-degree views through retractable glass doors, allowing for an open-air feel year round. This versatile structure can be used for meetings and special events, and is the largest of the 17 conference areas on Airlie’s campus.

 

“Airlie Center is honored to accept this prestigious LEED Gold designation,” said Kimberly Head, President of the Board of Directors for the Airlie Foundation. “Environmental stewardship has been at the core of Airlie’s identity for more than fifty years, and, as this award makes clear, remains so today.”

 

Airlie’s leadership position in environmental initiatives is a result of the company’s extensive and comprehensive efforts. In addition to reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste through recycling and composting, and utilizing eco-friendly products in all aspects of its operations, Airlie Center also produces and sources local foods. Additionally, Airlie Center stewards more than 1,200 acres of sensitive wildlife habitat and runs a series of workshops, conferences and programs dedicated to environmental education and policy each year.

 

Airlie Center has received numerous awards and accolades for its sustainable and environmental endeavors throughout the company’s history. Along with the most recent LEED Gold designation, Airlie Center holds environmental certifications from the Department of Environmental Quality Virginia Environmental Excellence Program and Green Seal. Notably, Earth Day traces its roots back to Airlie when Sen. Gaylord Nelson visited the company in 1969, announcing his idea to found a symbolic event that would call attention to environmental issues. Earth Day was born.

 

Many features and practices contributed to the Pavilion’s LEED Gold certification, which include:

 

• Geothermal heating and cooling
• Repurposed existing space: reused walls, floors, roofs and 50% of interior non-structural elements
• Minimization of construction waste through recycling and reuse
• Recycled content and regionally sourced materials
• Low-emission materials for improved indoor environmental air quality, such as adhesives and paints
• Natural lighting and 360 degree views allowing an open-air atmosphere in a fully enclosed setting
• Outdoor lighting angled downward to reduce light pollution
• Water efficient landscaping, low-flow faucets and innovative wastewater technologies employed to maximize water conservation
• Organic landscaping and an integrated pest management plan, protecting natural habitats and preserving biological diversity
• Green housekeeping practices including non-phosphate, non-toxic and bleach-free cleaning solutions
• Environmental education around the Pavilion and its operation for employees as well as guests
• Commitment to local, sustainable agriculture through sourcing and production of local food in a four acre culinary garden
• Six all-electric vehicles and two hybrid utility vehicles to support campus transportation needs

 

###

 

About Airlie

Located one hour from Washington D.C. in Warrenton, Virginia, Airlie Center is a leading conference destination in the United States. Founded as an “Island of Thought” over fifty years ago, Airlie combines experienced leadership in conference/event planning with diversified meeting facilities, a secluded 1,200 acre campus and an ongoing commitment to sustainable and green initiatives. Airlie Center provides transformative meeting experiences for professional groups in the non-profit, private and government sectors. Airlie Center holds Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s E3 (Environmental Excellence) designation and Green Seal ‘Silver’ status. The Center is also an active member of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). For more information visit www.airlie.com.

 

Contact:

Dave Hutcheson

Airlie Center

540-341-3277

dhutcheson@airlie.com

The GWCC is now accepting sponsorship for our Quarterly Luncheon to be held on Oct. 10th from 11:30-1:30 p.m. at Airlie Center. Sponsorships include print and virtual advertising of the event, recognition in the luncheon agenda, as well as printed advertising at each table at the lunch. Sponsorships are $100.00 per business. Please contact the GWCC office, 540-229-8915 or mflores@warrentonchamber.org,  for additional information.

FAUQUIER COMMUNITY THEATRE

P.O. Box 3046, Warrenton, Virginia 20188

www.FCTstage.org

NEWS RELEASE

 

Contact: Christie Clark

DATE:  September 4, 2012                                                    Phone: (540) 349-8760

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Email: christie@FCTstage.org

 

Fauquier Hearing Service brings HEARING ACCESSIBILITY technology to FAUQUIER COMMUNITY THEATER! Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 12^th.

 

Fauquier Hearing Services has donated and installed a Hearing Induction Loop System to the Fauquier Community Theatre.  The plan for the donation began when one of Dr. Markva’s patients decided to stop frequenting the theatre programs due to inability to hear and enjoy the theatrical production.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 12^th in front of the theatre (4225 Aiken Drive, Warrenton, located in Vint Hill) at 1:00 p.m. to celebrate this momentous endeavor to bring a greatly enhanced listening experience to the hearing impaired.

An induction loop system consists of a thin wire that is placed around the listening area.  The wire is connected to a driver, or amplifier, which is in turn connected to the sound system of the theater.

The sound from the microphones over the stage is amplified and circulated through the loop wire. The resulting magnetic energy field is detected and amplified by the “telecoil” or telephone switch circuitry common to many hearing aids and cochlear implants.  The end result is a high quality amplified reproduction of the original signal.

Intelligibility for members of the audience who have compatible hearing aids (approximately 70% of aids are compatible) is greatly increased because distance, reverberation and environmental noise are almost eliminated. It’s like having a direct wireless connection to the sound, amplified to each user’s individual needs.

Dr. Markva expects that installation of the induction loop at the theatre will allow her patients and many more people with hearing loss to enjoy the theatre again, or for the first time.  “It’s critical for people to continue to get out, enjoy activities and share time with others as we age,” says Dr. Markva.  “We expect this to be one of many looping projects in the area.  Offering induction loops is a great way to help hearing impaired persons in our community continue to enjoy their favorite activities, stay active and be engaged”.

Unsure as to whether you have t-coils in your hearing aid(s) or unsure of how to activate them?  We recommend that you contact your audiologist, or the friendly staff at Fauquier Hearing Services will be glad to help you.  Fauquier Hearing Services wants to be sure you can take advantage of the hearing loop at FCT. They are offering a complimentary t-coil check. They can be reached at 540-341-7112 or 877-423-0035.  Headset receivers are also available at the theatre. For a list of the upcoming season of shows, visit www.FCTstage.org or call 540-349-8760.

 

 

 

The ARB will be revisiting the discussion of proposed sign templates for the Historic District during the worksession portion of their regular meeting on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 7:00 PM in Town Council Chambers. Please contact Sarah Sitterle of the Town of Warrenton, 540-347-1101 with any questions.

The Virginia Airborne Search and Rescue Squad is hosting a Charity Helicopter Crab Drop at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant and Crabhouse, 1510 Cherry Hill Road, Dumfries, VA 22026, this Saturday July 28, 2012 at 2PM

Charity Helicopter Crab Drop
$10.00 per ticket/chance
First Prize $500.00 cash
2nd Prize Helicopter Tour for 2 of Shenandoah Valley
3rd prize Apple IPAD
4th Prize Tim’s Rivershore $250.00 Gift Certificate

Call Elaine 540-272-0433 by Saturday at 11:00 to purchase a chance to win!