The Middleburg Business and Professional Association welcomed a packed house at its monthly Biz Buzz on March 10, crowding the Middleburg Arts Project, which co-sponsored the event along with SonaBank and Popcorn Monkey.

MBPA Treasurer Mimi Dale Stein reported that the association currently has 96 members on its rolls—up from 76 last month—and more businesses continue to join. Those interested in becoming a member can find out more about membership privileges here.

The meeting also highlighted the charitable aspects of the business association, with Middleburg Police Chief A.J. Panebianco presenting MBPA with a plaque commemorating MBPA's role in raising money for his wife Amy, who died last year of breast cancer. Panebianco announced that any remaining funds had been used to fund a scholarship at Unionville Elementary School in Orange, Va., where Amy worked as a nurse. Those interested in making a donation to the scholarship fund should contact Unionville Elementary at 540-661-4540.

Cindy Pearson, Economic Development Coordinator for the Town of Middleburg, also announced that another Middleburg community member is in need of funds to offset medical costs. Middleburg native and former Council Member David Stewart needs a heart transplant, but he can't even get on the transplant list until he can prove he has secondary insurance to cover the costs not covered by traditional insurance. Those interested in making a donation can do so here or at Middleburg Bank.

Christina Naramore, who serves as MBPA's secretary, also noted that the Middleburg Young Professionals Association held its first Pre-Buzz event at Julien's before the Biz Buzz. The event is expected to be held monthly starting at 4:30 p.m. as a way for young professionals to connect in advance of the Biz Buzz meeting.

Also of note: chain store J. McLaughlin has signed a lease for a store in Middleburg. While MBPA President Punkin Lee noted that the business organization has not officially taken a position on the store's opening, MBPA Board Member Phil Miller encouraged interested members to attend the next Town Council meeting at 6 p.m. on March 12, when the council will be accepting public comments on the issue of chain stores in Middleburg.

The meeting also highlighted several important upcoming community events including:

Middleburg Concert Series (March 22): The inaugural performance of the Middleburg Concert Series will be held at 4 p.m. at Middleburg United Methodist Church. The spring concert will be a journey through chamber music featuring internationally recognized artists including the Vitali String Quartet, organists Larry Correll and Karen Chase, and pianist Anna Nizhegorodtseva. Additional concerts are planned for the summer, fall and winter. For more information, contact Alan Saucedo at alansa99@yahoo.com or call 540.303.7127.

Shakespeare in the 'Burg (March 27-29): The annual festival features performances by the American Shakespeare Center actors, as well as stagecraft and acting workshops and a One Act Playwriting Competition. Other features include special menus at local restaurants, wine tastings, a movie night with hors d'oeuvres, and more! Visit shakespeareintheburg.com for more details about the event.

Jump Into Spring: MBPA's annual cleanup event encourages businesses to spruce up the town for Spring. With winter weather (hopefully) behind us, it's time to sweep away the signs of winter, plant flowers and spruce up your windows to make the town even more inviting for our spring visitors and shoppers. The cleanup effort will include MBPA's annual window competition, with the winners announced at the May Biz Buzz.

Spring Cleanup (April 11): Keep Loudoun Beautiful and the Middleburg Go Green Committee is hosting a spring cleanup effort on April 11 from 8 a.m.-noon and encouraging those interested in participating to pick up trash and recycling bags at the Middleburg Community Center.

The Prayer of Heart and Body (April 18): Father Tom Ryan, a contemplative author and Director of the Office of Interfaith & Ecumenical Relations at the North American Paulist Center in Washington, D.C., will lead an experiential workshop including meditation, prayer, yoga and reflection. Lunch is included in the $50 per person cost. Contact the parish office at 540.687.6297 to register.

Open Late (Fourth Fridays in April-September): The Open Late series will take place on the fourth Friday of the months of April-September at the National Sporting Library and Museum, which will keep its galleries open until 8 p.m. and host an open-air concert on its lawn. NSLM is seeking to partner with local businesses for the event. Those interested in learning more or getting involved should contact Alex McKay at amckay@nsl.org. The series will kick off on April 24, with an event hosted by South Street Brewery, Three Fox Vineyards and Middleburg Hunt on the NSLM lawn featuring the Difficult Run Jazz Band.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day (April 25): Middleburg Go Green and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office will be holding a prescription drug take back event on April 25 at the Middleburg Community Center. Prescriptions for animals, including horses and cattle, will also be accepted at the event.

Middleburg Hunt's Point-to-Point (April 28): The steeplechase race at Glenwood Park includes racing over the timber course, the hurdle course and on the flat. Businesses interested in advertising in the Point-to-Point program should contact Cathy Spicer at 703.728.0545 (cell), 703.327.3935 (home) or cspicer@trisept.com.

Visit Loudoun's 19th Annual Meeting & Tourism Awards Luncheon (May 4): Visit Loudoun will hold its annual meeting honoring Loudoun's Tourism Industry at Salamander Resort from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Nominees for the awards are due March 12.