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Gaithersburg, MD Real Estate News

Be COVID-Prepared for the Holiday Season The third holiday season with COVID-19 is underway, and everyone agrees that COVID fatigue exists. A few simple steps of caution can make being with family and friends enjoyable while reducing the risk of illness from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses such as colds and flu.Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services offers the following things to keep in mind when planning for family gatherings: Make plans with the highest-risk person in the family and friends group in mind. Talk to family members ahead of time to figure out the plan. Encourage everyone to take additional precautions if a high-risk family member is attending. This means being up to date on all vaccinations and could include limiting the number of people inv...
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Free Financial Coaching: Debt ManagementNeed help managing your debt? Do you want help building or restoring your credit? Need a plan to help you save for a house? The Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) can help!The FEC provides free one-on-one financial coaching to help you move toward greater financial stability. A Financial Counselor will work with you to understand your financial situation and develop an action plan to achieve your goals.Get started here.This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announement. Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6921Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Gaithersburg Achieves 100 Score on Municipal Equality Index The City earned a score of 100 points in the 11th annual Municipal Equality Index, an initiative of the Human Rights Campaign that examines the inclusivity of laws, policies and services with respect to the LGBTQ+ community. The City’s score in 2021 was also 100. The Index used 49 different criteria to rate 506 cities across the country. Gaithersburg achieved additional points in 2022 for having all-gender single occupancy facilities and having a youth bullying prevention policy for City services. Read the City’s scorecard here and the full report here. This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemum, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6917Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyR...
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Jingle Jubilee in Gaithersburg, Maryland Celebrate diverse and vibrant holiday traditions at Gaithersburg’s Jingle Jubilee. Enjoy an evening of music, dance, and song on Saturday, December 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion. Meet Santa and other characters, sing along to holiday songs, and enjoy exhibits of diverse decorations and traditions. This year marks the 96th anniversary of the tree lighting ceremony. Admission is free. Read more here. This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemum, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6918Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Book Recommendation: No Plan B  by Lee Child and Andrew ChildBook Recommendation: No Plan B  (2022) by The New York Times Bestselling Authors Lee Child and Andrew Child. Click on the links to learn more about the authors and this novel. This is book number 27 of the series featuring Jack Reacher. Dolores and I have real all of them. In Gerrardsville, Colorado, two witnesses to the same tragedy give two different accounts. One guy sees a woman throw herself in front of a bus in what authorities will call a suicide. The other witness is Jack Reacher. And he sees what actually happened: A man in a gray hoodie and jeans, moving like a shadow, pushed the victim to her death—before swiftly grabbing the dead woman’s purse and strolling away.Reacher follows the killer on foot, not knowing that ...
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Recreation Center Membership Passes Will Be Free in 2023 Montgomery County Recreation Center membership passes will be free for County residents in 2023. Starting Jan. 3, a free pass will provide access to fully equipped fitness rooms, open gym (drop-in) activities and game rooms at any community recreation center during regularly scheduled hours.The free pass does not include access to aquatic centers. For aquatic center pass information and prices, visit Aquatic Passes - Department of Recreation - Montgomery County, Maryland (montgomerycountymd.gov).“We are pleased to be offering this service free to our residents in 2023,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “As we head into the new year and many are renewing their fitness goals, I encourage our County residents to take adv...
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Book Recommendation: Racing the Light by Robert CraisI enjoyed reading Racing the Light (2022) by The New York Times Bestselling American author Robert Crais and recommend it for your reading list. This is a Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novel. Click on the links to learn more about the author and this novel. Private investigator Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner Joe Pike are back on the case in this brilliant new thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais.Adele Schumacher isn't a typical worried mom. When she hires Elvis to find her missing son, a controversial podcaster named Josh Shoe, she brings a bag filled with cash, bizarre tales of government conspiracies, and a squad of professional bodyguards. Finding Josh should be simple, but Elvis quickly learns he isn't a...
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Free Flu Vaccination Clinic for Children Montgomery County will hold a free flu vaccination clinic for children from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, located at 2000 Dennis Ave. in Silver Spring. Children ages six months to 18 are eligible to receive vaccinations at the clinic.Getting an annual flu shot has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.Flu vaccinations are also available through private health providers and at retail locations throughout the community.Although the vaccination clinic is free, appointments are required.The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. In addition, good health habits can often help stop the spread of germs and prevent illnesses like the flu. Good health habits ...
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Montgomery County Executive & Council Inaugural Ceremony  On December 5, 2022 You're cordially invited to the Inaugural Ceremony for the Montgomery County Executive and 20th County Council.   Learn more about the event by visiting the inauguration website: http://ow.ly/qgt450LIJhB This a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Orchids, IMG 1309Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Gaithersburg Stormwater Management Survey The City’s Stormwater Management Program is conducting a survey to learn about community perceptions of stormwater management in Gaithersburg and how best to engage and inform residents about stormwater topics. How would you like stormwater management information shared with you? What do you think of the City’s program? Your input will guide communication and engagement methods on future projects and updates. Learn more about our Stormwater Management Program here. Take the survey in English here and in Spanish hereThis is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6920Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Volunteer Opportunities: Multicultural Affairs CommitteeThe Multicultural Affairs Committee enriches our City through the promotion of understanding, respect, and appreciation of the many cultures of Gaithersburg. Help make a difference in our community by volunteering to serve. Learn more here. This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. The City of Gaithersburg’s Multicultural Affairs Committee was formed in 1989 to keep the Mayor and City Council informed of the needs and concerns of the diverse communities within the City. The Committee’s mission is “to continue to enrich our City through the promotion of understanding, respect, and appreciation of the many cultures of Gaithersburg.” While cultural and ethnic diversity affects people in many aspects of their lives, the Co...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Lakeforest Mall Rezoning Application  Now live - Gaithersburg's project page for the Lakeforest Mall rezoning application and sketch plan, from property owner WRS. Public hearing scheduled for January 17, 2023Go to https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/government/projects-in-the-city/lakeforest-mall-rezoning  jects-in-the-city/lakeforest-mall-rezoningThis is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemum, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6915Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Today is Rosa Parks Day On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks took a seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, and changed the course of American history. TODAY we celebrate equal rights with #RosaParksDayThis is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemum, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6916Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Gaithersburg Winter Recreation Classes REGISTER TODAY! Registration is now open for Winter Recreation Classes! With programs for preschoolers, youth, teens & adults you’ll discover an array of fitness, special interest, dance, arts, and music offerings this winter.Visit https://gburg.md/classes for more info.This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemum, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6914Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Project Montgomery County health officials, in partnership with the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD), recently launched wastewater surveillance to detect COVID-19 circulating in the community. Wastewater surveillance provides an accurate way to detect illness-causing viruses and bacteria, such as SARS-CoV-2.Water samples will be collected bi-weekly at five sites in the County and sent to UMD for analysis. Data and results will be posted on the County’s COVID-19 website and the information will be updated weekly.“Wastewater surveillance will be a game changer for our efforts to better predict outbreaks and prevent them from happening,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The partnership between our Depa...
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Book Recommendation: Death Below Stairs by Jennifer AshleyI enjoyed reading Death Below Stairs (2018) which is part of the series of Below Stairs Mysteries by The New York Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Ashley. This novel features Cook Kat Holloway. Click on the links to learn more about the author and this book. Victorian class lines are crossed when cook Kat Holloway is drawn into a murder that reaches all the way to the throne.Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble finds its way below stairs when her young Irish assistant is murdered.Intent on discovering who killed t...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
An Unexpected Challenge: VertigoOn Monday afternoon, for the first time ever, I experienced a severe case of vertigo. If I tried to sit up straight or stand, I had sudden attacks of vertigo. The room was spinning and I experienced nausea, vomiting and heavy sweating. After a few hours of this condition, Dolores called 911 and the Montgomery County Rescue Service took me to Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. They did extensive testing all night Monday and this morning with an MRI being the final test before they released me to go home. I am still moving slowly and have to be very careful but am very thankful to be home. Chrysanthemums, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6296Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Book Recommendation: The Last to Vanish by Megan MirandaI enjoyed reading The Last to Vanish by The New York Times Bestselling American author and resident of North Carolina Megan Miranda and recommend it for your reading list Click on the links to learn more about the author and this novel. New York Times bestselling author Megan Miranda returns with a gripping and propulsive thriller that opens with the disappearance of a journalist who is investigating a string of vanishings in the resort town of Cutter’s Pass—will its dark secrets finally be revealed?Ten years ago, Abigail Lovett fell into a job she loves, managing The Passage Inn, a cozy, upscale resort nestled in the North Carolina mountain town of Cutter’s Pass. Cutter’s Pass is best known for its outdoor offerings—rafting and hi...
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Book Recommendation: Next in Line by Jeffrey ArcherI enjoyed reading Next in Line (2022) by The New York Times Bestselling British author Jeffrey Archer and recommend it for your reading list. Click on the links to learn more about the author and this novel. London, 1988. Royal fever sweeps the nation as Britain falls in love with the ‘people’s princess’.Which means for Scotland Yard, the focus is on the elite Royalty Protection Command, and its commanding officer. Entrusted with protecting the most famous family on earth, they quite simply have to be the best. A weak link could spell disaster.Detective Chief Inspector William Warwick and his Scotland Yard squad are sent in to investigate the team. Maverick ex-undercover operative Ross Hogan is charged with a very sensitive—and unique—r...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Understanding Elder AbuseActiveRain blogger Brian England posted a blog about Elder Abuse Awareness. It is an important topic for many seniors and their families.According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), about 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 or older have suffered from at least one type of elder abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) breaks elder abuse down into 7 different types. Knowing the types of elder abuse can help you protect older adults — especially those living in nursing homes.When someone with power over an elderly person intentionally harms them or puts them at risk of harm, their actions — or lack of action — are considered elder abuse. Elder abuse isn’t just one action or inaction and it can take many forms.The 7 types of elder abuse are: Neglect Physical ab...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Fire Pit Safety Tips  Cooler weather often spurs cozy gatherings around the fire pit during the fall season.The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) website features safety tips for those who will be using fire pits, fire bowls and chimineas. It is important to utilize the devices in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance, and to make sure at least one adult is supervising.Fire pits and similar devices should be located at least 10 feet away from a home. It is important to keep a clear area of three feet in diameter around the fire pit. Mulch can catch fire quickly, so be sure and keep the fire pit at least three feet away from any nearby mulch.The DPS fire code compliance team recommends that the devices should not be used on balconies or decks. DPS advises to...
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‘Christmas on the Farm’ Will Be Hosted Dec. 3-4  “Christmas on the Farm,” a special way to celebrate the holidays in a country setting, will be at the Montgomery Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 3-4.On each day, the Farm Park, which is located at 18400 Muncaster Rd. in Derwood, will welcome visitors with activities and displays from noon-5 p.m. There is no charge for admission.The celebration will include free cookies and cider, a bake sale of homemade treats, hayrides, a farmhouse tour and an opportunity to see farm animals up close.The event will be hosted by Friends of the Montgomery Agricultural History Farm Park and supported by Montgomery Parks, which is part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.The Agricultural Park looks...
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Spatchcock Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe  Chef Dolores used the My Life in An Apron Spatchcock Oven Roasted Turkey Breast recipe and the turkey was excellent. She suggested sharing this recipe in a blog.  Click on the link to view and print the recipe and notes. Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6898Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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‘Gift Outside the Box’ Campaign Encouraging Greener Gifting  The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched its annual Gift Outside the Box campaign and encouraging people to “gift-greener” this holiday season. Ceremonies in Rockville starting the campaign this week included County Executive Marc Elrich.The annual Gift Outside the Box campaign brings together County agencies and community organizations to promote environmentally friendly gift-giving. The holiday campaign will focus on five areas: Buy Local: Support County and State businesses by purchasing locally made products. Look for the “MoCo Made” label at Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) or other retail stores. Gift Experiences: No need for a box when the gift features event tickets, Montgomery Rec...
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