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Gaithersburg, MD Real Estate News

Is your family at risk from the space heater?   During the winter months, many families are using space heaters to heat or supplement the heat in their homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters account for one-third of home heating fires and four out of five heating fire deaths. “Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding, was the leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (53%) of home heating fire deaths.” - NFPA Take time to discuss the risks with your family and always have emergency plans in place in case of fire. Even if you do not use space heaters ...
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Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens, ending a snowy day   We’ve had a snowy day in Kentlands. It was no fun to clear the driveway, sidewalks and steps. After the snow, we have freezing rain and I did not go out to take any snow pictures for our first winter storm of the season. Since I have no snow pictures to share, I hope you will be satisfied with a flower picture. This chrysanthemum was photographed at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland, in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Have a great week. Be careful out there if you will be dealing with snow or ice.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_2597 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Autumn colors may turn to white on Sunday in Maryland   The Sunday weather forecast for Montgomery County, Maryland is for snow and ice. Power outages should be expected and those that are planning to attend the Redskins game may face some difficult road conditions. It may be a good day to stay home and enjoy a good book or to watch the games on TV. I prefer autumn colors other than white. When you are out and about, take a closer look at the beauty of nature. These pine cones were photographed on a recent visit to Brookside Gardens in the Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County.   Pine Cones, Brookside Gardens IMG_2610 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Carroll County Farmers Market, Westminster, MD, Sat., December 7   On Saturday, December 7, 2013, the Carroll County Farmers Market will hold its sixth event of the season at the Ag Center, Westminster, Maryland. There is only one date left after this one. So now is the time to order cakes, pies, cookies and one of a kind hand crafted items for your holiday celebrations. The Market will be full with 100 vendors selling home baked goods, gourmet foods, handmade crafts and fine arts, fresh eggs, nuts, honey, jams and jellies, seasonal plants and holiday decorations. Several vendors will have beautiful fresh pine wreaths and arrangements. Hours for the Christmas Market are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission and parking is always free. Breakfast and lunch is served all day. Info: Anita Bullock 410-...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Kentlands Winter Weather Reminder   The Kentlands Citizens Assembly has issued a Winter Weather Reminder.  If snow is in the weather forecast, the best place for your automobiles is in your garage. If you park on public streets, be aware of the Snow Emergency Routes that need to be clear. You will also want to make sure that your automobiles have been properly serviced and are ready for winter conditions. If your snow shovels are not in good condition, now is the time to pick up some new shovels. This is the KCA alert: If you hear about a possible snow forecast, please do not park on streets marked with "Snow Emergency Routes".  If you are parked on a Snow Emergency Route within the community, you are at risk of being towed by the City of Gaithersburg. Parking in the alleys is not permi...
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Kentlands alley lights should be left on at night   The Kentlands Citizens Assembly is reminding Kentlands residents to leave alley lights on at night, from dusk until dawn. Well lighted alleys help prevent trip hazards, discourage crime and promote a safe environment throughout the neighborhood. The management office will be monitoring alley light participation throughout the coming months. If you have any questions or concerns relating to this matter, please contact the Assistant Community Manager Arthur Gailes, at agailes@cmc-mangement.com or 301-948-2071. For out of the area readers, Kentlands is a planned neo-traditional community within the City of Gaithersburg, in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Kentlands is one of the preferred communities for families that are relocat...
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Thanksgiving at Colonial Williamsburg   Dolores and I just returned from a nine day Thanksgiving vacation in Colonial Williamsburg in historic Virginia.  This is a great place to visit during the holiday season. There is much to see and much to learn.   One of the favorite places for Dolores to visit is the kitchen at the Governor’s Palace. If you can, add Colonial Williamsburg to your travel list. Colonial Williamsburg   Governor's Palace Kitchen, Colonial Williamsburg IMG_5617 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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First Baptist Church Holiday Craft Mart, Gaithersburg, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013   The annual Holiday Craft Mart will be held this Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, 200 Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Admission is free and the hours are from 9 p.m. to 3 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to select some special gifts from the juried artisans, crafters and the vendors of farm raised goods. Food will be served and you will enjoy a selection of hot soups and sandwiches.  And, you will have to make some choices at the Holiday Sweet Mart.   Dolores and I enjoyed the event last year and this one will be even better. One of the favorite items that Dolores purchased last year was a Crab Dip Baker.    Photographs by Roy Kelley at the 2012 Holiday Craf...
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Book Recommendation:  Storm Front by John Sanford   I just finished reading Storm Front (2013), the latest novel by New York Times Bestselling Author John Sanford. This is A Virgil Flowers Novel and I recommend it for your holiday reading list. One of my personal goals is to read a least one novel a week, every week of the year. The following list includes the books by John Sanford that I have read. You should be able to find most of them in your local library. Some readers would prefer to read each series by date order. John Sandford Books The Prey Series Shadow Prey (1990) Winter Prey (1993)  Mind Prey (1995) Chosen Prey (2001) Mortal Prey (2002) Naked Prey (2003) Hidden Prey (2004) Broken Prey (2005) Invisible Prey (2007) Phantom Prey (2008) Wicked Prey (2009) Storm Prey (2010) Burie...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Kentlands Holiday Party Reminder The Kentlands Citizens Assembly is reminding residents to plan to attend the annual Holiday Party that will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the Kentlands Clubhouse. The time is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  You will enjoy good food, beverages and entertainment.  Everyone is asked to bring a dessert to share with your neighbors. Please call 301-948-2071 to register for this event. For out of town readers, Kentlands is located in the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Kentlands is a favorite community for families that are relocated to the Metro Area of Washington, DC.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1795 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Colonial Williamsburg Flowers   Colonial Williamsburg is a wonderful place to visit to learn much about American history at the time of the Revolution.  Dolores and I enjoy visiting the area several times each year. We are annual members so we are able to take advantage of all of the benefits. The gardens of Colonial Williamsburg offer special treats for those that enjoy flower photography.  Take time to enjoy the flowers and plants when you visit the area during the primary growing seasons.   Garden, Colonial Williamsburg IMG_0826 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Movie Recommendation:  The Book Thief “THE BOOK THIEF reminded me of how lucky we can be with the right mindset and attitude about the life we are given. It also prompted me to wonder, should secrets be kept secret? For me, it was the PERFECT movie to reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving.”  Patricia Feager Dolores and I took the advice of Patricia Feager and went to see The Book Thief on Sunday.  It is an excellent movie and we also recommend it to you.  ActiveRain may not be best known for movie reviews but this was a great suggestion.   Dahlia, Kentlands IMG_2024 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
The perfect December blog topic Dolores and I have enjoyed a very busy day on this first day of December.  Those activities and photographs will have to be the subjects for future blogs.  When you are sitting at your computer on Sunday evening and are anxious to get back to the good book you are reading, it is a good time to post a photograph of a beautiful flower and wish a happy week for every reader. Enjoy the week and have a most productive December. A dahlia from our Kentlands home garden...   Dahlia, Kentlands IMG_2022 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Kentlands Holiday Tree Lighting   The Kentlands Holiday Tree Lighting is sponsored by the Kentlands Downtown Partnership and will take place on Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Market Square Plaza behind the Diner. The trees are donated by Potomac Garden Center and the lighting is donated by Hallco.   There will be live entertainment, an official tree lighting count down, and a fire truck is expected to transport Santa to the event. There will be refreshments available as well as goody bags stuffed full with items from our local merchants. Some local restaurants will be running specials that evening, so plan to extend your holiday spirit by having dinner out while supporting our local businesses.   Longwood Gardens IMG_2136 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores...
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Post a flower picture to lift spirits   It is Saturday night as I write this blog. Dolores and I have enjoyed a very busy day that included a lot of photowalking. However, that is information for future blogs. For my last post of this week I will share a photograph of a dahlia in our Kentlands home garden. It is difficult to have negative thoughts when photographing beautiful flowers.  If you ever feel a little depressed, photograph a flower and you will gain a fresh perspective. Share your flower picture with a friend to raise his or her spirits. Enjoy the weekend as we continue to celebrate the season of Thanksgiving.   Dahlia, Kentlands IMG_2029 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 
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Kentlands Holiday Party, December 7th   The Kentlands Citizens Assembly will be hosting the annual Holiday Party for Kentlands residents on Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Santa Claus is schedule to attend so you will want to have your camera in hand. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided. Everybody is asked to bring a favorite holiday dessert to share with your neighbors. Please call 301-948-2071 to register for this event by the December 5th deadline. Note that his event is for Kentlands residents only. Single head of households are welcome to bring one adult guest. For out of the area readers, Kentlands is located in the City of Gaithersburg, in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Kentlands is a favorite community for families that are relocated to the ...
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Brookside Gardens Chrysanthemum   Dolores and I had a great day with out of town guests. We are enjoying the holiday weekend and hope you are spending quality time with family and friends. Rather than blogging about real estate, I will simply share a flower photograph with you. A chrysanthemum from Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland is always a good subject for a photograph. Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to have a camera in hand to capture the special moments that you will want to share.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1802 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Kentlands Clubhouse, A Model for Geothermal Installations   During recent months, Kentlands residents observed the deep well drilling that was taking next to the Kentlands Clubhouse.  Two standing column wells are part of the new geothermal system that is now in operation. Last week, the Maryland Energy Administration recognized the Kentlands Clubhouse as a model geothermal installation. A $120,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration made this a financially attractive decision by the Kentlands Citizens Assembly to award the contract with a total cost of about $250,000.  The grant was part of the Game Changer Program, which promotes innovative clean energy projects. Read more at this Gazette link. For out of the area readers, Kentlands is located in the City of Gaithersburg in ...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Maryland Chrysanthemum   Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland attracts visitors from all parts of the world to its location in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.  I enjoy walks through the gardens and Dolores and I try to attend and photograph most of the flower shows and conservatory displays. The annual chrysanthemum show is one of the best in the region and this photograph was taken at that 2013 fall event.  It is easy to set aside the problems of the moment as you focus your attention and your camera on a beautiful flower.     Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1804 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Hollywood Costume, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts   Earlier this week, Dolores and I traveled to Richmond, Virginia to spend the day at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This is one of our favorite day trip travel destinations and we enjoy our annual membership benefits. The current major exhibit is Hollywood Costume.  If you enjoy movies, this is an exhibit that you will not want to miss. The second part of the exhibit is a display of photographs titled Made in Hollywood. “Organized by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Hollywood Costume explores the central role costume design plays in cinematic storytelling. Bringing together the most iconic costumes from a century of cinema, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the clothes worn by unforgettable and beloved characters in fi...
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