Gaithersburg soup kitchen has served over 383,000 meals   Each afternoon, except Sunday, a group of volunteers from one of many faith groups will meet to prepare and serve the 3:30 p.m. meal to grateful diners at the Lord's Table Soup Kitchen at the St. Martin Church in Gaithersburg. Since the beginning of this tradition in October, 1984, over 383,000 meals have been served. Every day someone is present to offer referral services, directing those who come to different groups and organizations within Montgomery County based on their personal needs. The volunteer will tell them where to find shelter, food, health care, clothing and financial assistance. You do not have to be homeless to enjoy these afternoon meals. There are many who need to stretch their food budget. Thanks to the volunt... 11/05/2014

Kentlands Newcomer's Coffee   There will be a Kentlands Newcomer's Coffee on Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Kentlands Clubhouse. This is a special event for all of the new residents and is sponsored by the Kentlands Citizens Assembly. Kentlands clubs and groups are invited to attend to meet new residents. This will be a great opportunity to find out how to get involved or meet neighbors with similar interests. For out of town readers, Kentlands is a planned neo-traditional community located in the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. The location is in the northwestern suburbs of Washington, DC. Kentlands is a favorite community for families being relocated to the Metro Area of the District of Columbia.   Niijima Floats, Chihu... 11/05/2014

City of Gaithersburg Fall Loose Leaf Collection     The fall loose leaf collection is now underway in the City of Gaithersburg. The service is available to single family and townhouse owners who place leaves at the street curb by 7 a.m. on their regular recycling day.     The weekly collection continues through the end of December, weather permitting. Note that leaves placed in alleys or mews will not be collected. After the collection period ends, you can bag your leaves in biodegradable brown bags and leave them curbside with your other recyclables.   Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Phtographs 11/05/2014

Video cameras in local police cars    The use of video cameras by police departments has been a news item during recent months. In Gaithersburg and Rockville, all of the police cars now have video cameras. The Montgomery County, Maryland police department has video cameras in 450 of its 913 marked patrol vehicles and cameras are being added to newly acquired vehicles. The cameras in patrol cars are always recording but the footage is not permanently saved until officers turn on the cameras or turn on their flashing lights. The individual officers do not have the ability to erase any of the footage. The next step for area police departments is the consideration of having individual camera for the police officers. The small video cameras may be mounted on glasses or clipped to clothing.  ... 11/04/2014

Kentlands Thanksgiving Happy Hour   The Kentlands Thanksgiving Happy Hour has been scheduled by the Kentlands Citizens Assembly for Friday, November 14, 2014 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Kentlands Clubhouse. The address is 485 Tschiffely Square Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland. If you are a Kentlands resident, including the Colonnades Condominiums, you should have received an email notice for this event. Please make sure that the Kentlands Citizens Assembly has your current email address. Call Diana Macena, 301-948-2071 if you have questions. Volunteers are being asked to bring favorite dishes for this event. Wine, beer and soft drinks will be provided by KCA. Please keep in mind that this is an adults only event and attendees must be 21or older since alcohol will be served. Single he... 11/04/2014

Open House for Gaithersburg Mayor Katz   The entire community is invited to an open house to thank Mayor Sidney Katz for 38 years of public service in Gaithersburg. There will be no formal program, just an opportunity to express thanks and well wishes. The event will be held on Monday, November 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park.     Mayor Katz is running unopposed for the District 3 seat on the Montgomery County Council. He served on the Gaithersburg Planning Commission from 1976 to 1978, the City Council from 1978 to 1998, and as Mayor since 1998. RSVPs are requested to rsvp@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301-258-6313 x7787.   Dahlia, Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/04/2014

Kentlands KidServe Hope for the Homeless Benefit   Kentlands KidServe and the K25 committee will be hosting an event on Sunday, November 9, 2014 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Kentlands Clubhouse to benefit the homeless in Gaithersburg and local families who need assistance during the holiday season.  How can you help? Donate clothing items and toiletries for distribution to the homeless and to residents of the Wells/Robertson House in Gaithersburg, which provides transitional housing for homeless men and women who are in recovery from alcohol or drug use. You can drop items off in advance on the porch of 111 Thaxton Street, or bring items on November 9th to the clubhouse.  new/gently used winter coats (all sizes)        warm gloves (all sizes) hats (all sizes)            scarves (all ... 11/03/2014

Don't be blue with the early darkness   It is Monday afternoon and I am still adjusting to the change of the clocks at the end of Daylight Savings Time. We have a chilly afternoon and it is easy to be a bit blue with the early darkness. I need to turn to more positive thoughts and that is easy to do because Chef Dolores is preparing dinner and it is time for happy hour.   Zinnia + Imagination IMG 7586A Color edited with iPiccy.com. Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/03/2014

Chardonnay for your budget (cheap)   An Oregon blogger who lives in a beautiful community called Fishhawk Lake has encouraged me to blog about wine that we enjoy in Maryland. We do have a lot of good wineries in Maryland and Virginia but when we are looking for a budget (cheap) Chardonnay, we frequently turn to one of the fine award winning wines from California. Chef Dolores and I just finished a bottle of Charles Shaw 2012 California Chardonnay. It is bottled by the Charles Shaw Winery in Napa and Sonoma, California. If you would like to read the glowing reviews and recommendations for this wine, just Google the name and you will have plenty of reading. If you do not want your guests to know that you are serving a budget (cheap) Chardonnay, you may wish to pour it into a decanter befo... 11/03/2014

Kentlands Town Hall Meeting: Turf Management   The Kentlands Citizens Assembly is hosting a Town Hall Meeting on the topic of Turf Management in Kentlands. Kentlands residents are encouraged to attend this event which will take place at the Kentlands Clubhouse on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Paul Tukey will present a "state of the turf" report. Some residents have been concerned with the use of chemicals as part of the turf management process. This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about turf management in the Kentlands community and to obtain answers for questions.  For out of the area readers, Kentlands is a planned neo-traditional community located in the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. The location is in the northwest su... 11/02/2014

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Cloudy Day Coneflower + Imagination   We have a cloudy afternoon and I thought a little color in a blog would be helpful for the attitude. Coneflowers are common in our community and they are fun to photograph. The unusual color is added by editing this photograph for our Imagination series, just for fun.    Coneflower + Imagination IMG 8741A Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/01/2014

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Gaithersburg Parking Ordinance Public Hearing     A joint public hearing of the Mayor and City Council and Planning Commission will be held on November 3 for draft text amendments CTAM-6190-2014 and CTAM-6191-2014. These amendments are the culmination of a year-long effort to review and revise the City's off-street parking and loading requirements and the approval processes for both.     The City's parking ordinance has not been comprehensively revised since 1993. Comments can be made at the hearing or may be submitted in writing. Learn more here.      Dahlia from our Kentlands home garden Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 10/31/2014

Octopus Recipes   This blog was inspired by San Diego real estate professional and blogger William Johnson. In his blog Friday Foto - Color Me Red, William told us about Oscar the octopus in the Hall of Fishes at the Scripp's Aquarium. His blog also provides some interesting octopus facts. William Johnson My thoughts turned to seafood and I decided to create a Pinterest board titled Octopus Recipes. Please visit this board for the recipes that I discovered. Please to not tell Oscar the octopus that we may be consuming some of his relatives.    10/31/2014

Halloween at Pinky & Pepe's Grape Escape   Kentlands residents enjoy Friday night wine tasting at Pinky & Pepe's Grape Escape. This is a good place to see friends and neighbors and to make new friends while discovering new favorites among the wine and beer selections. To celebrate Halloween there will be a costume contest tonight to add to the fun of the occasion. Wine tasting begins at 6 p.m. and the live music begins at 7 p.m.   10/31/2014

Jazz at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn in Kentlands   The highly acclaimed Perry Conticchio Quartet brings jazz to the Arts Barn on November 1, 2014 at 8 p.m. as part of the Arts on the Green Music Series.     A crowd favorite at local and regional festivals, saxophonist and composer Perry Conticchio has built a 35-year career on fresh interpretations of such jazz masters as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, as well as original high-energy and musically tight compositions. Click here for tickets and information.     Kentlands Dahlia Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 10/30/2014

Mothers Fighting for Others Gaithersburg Fundraiser   RE/MAX real estate professional Audrey June-Forshey and a team of very talented RE/MAX women have announced the Mothers Fighting for Others 6th Annual Gift of Education Fundraiser that will be held in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Saturday, November 15, 2014.  Please send an email to Audrey at Audreyforshey@gmail.com if you need tickets or would like to offer your support for this fundraiser. Dolores and I have attended many of these events and they are always outstanding.   Mothers Fighting for Others 6th Annual Gift of Education Fundraiser Hosted by Mothers Fighting for Others Gift of Education Committee -  Audrey Forshey Saturday, November 15 - 7PMThe Gaithersburg Hilton  Admission: $35/Person Includes Food, Drinks, Beer, Wine and a $... 10/30/2014

Make Halloween a Safe Night   With Halloween quickly approaching, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service offers some important tips for a safe Halloween.  “Recent research shows that children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year, said Fire Chief Steve Lohr.  “It’s a dangerous night because so many kids are on the streets, many without their parents or an adult, and in their excitement often forget important pedestrian safety rules.” Plan a safe route. 1. Accompany children and remind them to stop at all street corners, cross only at intersections and crosswalks. Teach them to look left, right and left before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross. If you’re a motorist, please slow down and be prep... 10/30/2014

Carroll County Farmers Market, Saturday, November 1st   On Saturday, November 1, 2014, the Carroll County Farmers Market will be celebrating its 43rd Opening Day of the Christmas Market. This week’s special event is Author's Day. The market will showcase the talents of twenty four local authors who will be available to sell, sign and talk about their books. The types of books include children’s books, fantasy, inspirational, romantic, mystery, and historic. A complete list of authors and their books can be found on the Local Author page of the website: www.carrollcountyfarmersmarket.com. The market will have 60 of its regular vendors selling fall produce, honey, farm fresh eggs, pasture raised beef, lamb, pork, emu, nuts, pickles, popcorn, coffee, and gourmet dips. There will be homemad... 10/30/2014