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Gaithersburg, MD Real Estate News

By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Molly the Lifesaver Meet Molly, the 8-year-old Labrador who saved her family from a fire in their Montgomery County home! Alerting them to call the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Squad just in time, Molly proved that sometimes heroes have four legs and a tail. She's not just a pet; she's a lifesaver. https://ow.ly/XlEN50RiXZ0This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Orchid, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 4342Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Prescription Drug Take Back Day, April 27The Gaithersburg Police Department is gearing up for Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27! Safely dispose of old or unused prescription medications by dropping by our police station at 14 Fulks Corner Avenue between 10am and 2pm.Info: https://gburg.md/takebackdayThis is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Kentlands Photowalk + Imagination, Color Edited for our Imagination Series, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA 2930 ACanon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Calling All Artists: PRIDE T-shirt Design ContestCalling all artists in Montgomery County! Design the official t-shirt for Pride in the Plaza and you could win a $1,000 VISA gift card! Submissions due by May 15. Let your creativity shine and help us celebrate diversity! Details at https://ow.ly/LQa850Rn1TF This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.    Orchids, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 2494Canon PowerShot G11 Camera, f/4.5, 1/160 sec., ISO-100, 30 mm., No flashPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Vendor Connection Summit, Thursday, April 25The Montgomery County Office of Procurement will host a “Vendor Connection Summit” from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 25, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Any company or business that is interested in doing business with County Government is encouraged to attend—and they do not have to be companies located in the County. There is no fee to attend.The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Pl. in Downtown Silver Spring, near the Silver Spring Metrorail Red Line station.More than 50 prime contractors, government agencies and local resources are expected to be represented at the expo-style event. Attendees can meet with prime contractors that currently have a contract with Montgomery County and discuss potential subcontract...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Too tired to write a blog?   Sometimes, you are just too tired to write another blog. Don’t worry. I have a solution for you. Just post a picture and hope that someone will make a comment. Or, even better, say something about your personal life that others may not know. St. Patrick’s Day was the 49th anniversary of our engagement. That made it a very special day. I am fortunate to have the best wife in the world. Our 49th wedding anniversary will be in June. In just a few words, you have a blog to post. Have a great week!      Kentlands, Spring Flowers, Imagination IMG_9194 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Things to know about getting a VA mortgage loan   Active members of the military services and veterans frequently want to learn about VA mortgage financing. They want to know about the eligibility requirements, the advantages of VA mortgage financing, the fees, the underwriting requirements and what happens if a borrower defaults. This article provides the basic answers that you may wish to share. 5 Things to Know about Getting a VA Mortgage Most members of the military, veterans, reservists and National Guard members are eligible to apply for a VA loan. Spouses of military members who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability may also apply. The VA loan remains one of the few mortgage options for borrowers who don’t have down payments. Available to more...
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Book Recommendation:  The River of Doubt by Candice Millard   I just finished reading The River of Doubt (2005) by Candice Millard. Dolores suggested this true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth. This book reads like a novel and I think you will enjoy this adventure in the Amazon. One of my personal goals is to read at least one book a week for personal pleasure. This true story was a break from my usual novels. Read a good book this week!      Columbine, Kentlands, Flowers, Imagination IMG_9243 B Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Can you explain the new 3.8% Medicare tax?   The new 3.8% Medicare tax went into effect at the beginning of 2013 but many real estate professionals are still unable to explain the impact to their clients. The purpose of the tax is to create revenue for the Medicare Trust Fund. Compare your explanation with the information provided in this link: What Does the 3.8% Mean for REALTORS®? The reality of the situation is that it is difficult to explain this tax even after reading the guidelines. The best advice is to refer clients to their tax advisor. The 3.8% tax ONLY applies to the “unearned” income portion for filers with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of more than $200,000 ($250,000 joint return). “Unearned” means the income an individual derives from investing capital (including capital gai...
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Kentlands Adults Basketball Tipping Off April 2nd   We have about eight inches or so of snow in the ground as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Kentlands. It is hard to realize that spring begins this Thursday and it is time to shape up for Kentlands Adult Basketball. Beginning Wednesday, April 2nd and running every Wednesday through the month of September 2014, the Kentlands basketball court will be reserved from 6:30 pm to sunset for age 35+ adults basketball.  For more information, contact Dean Roy at daroy12@hotmail.com For out of the area readers, Kentlands is located in the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Kentlands is one of the favorite communities for families that are relocated to the Washington, DC Metro Area.      Azalea, Kentlands, Spring Fl...
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Windows XP users need to upgrade their computers   Microsoft has announced that they are going to stop providing updates and support for Windows XP after April 8, 2014. This means that technical assistance , automatic upgrades and security updates will no longer be available for Windows XP users. We upgraded our computers to Windows 8.1 and recommend that you do the same. Your computer will be faster and you will have fewer problems when you are using the most up-to-date version of Windows. Many of us need to have assistance with upgrades. If you have the technical ability to do the upgrade yourself, this is a link for a tutorial on how to upgrade from XP to Windows 8.1.    Clover, Kentlands, Imagination IMG_9240 A Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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White is the color for St. Patrick’s Day in Maryland   Gaithersburg residents face another morning of digging out of the snow as a result of the winter storm that hit the area overnight.  Be careful if you must be out and about. The following notice was posted by the City of Gaithersburg. This morning is a good time to pay it forward with your neighbors. Give the seniors a hand with snow removal. They will appreciate help in clearing the steps and walks. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!     City of Gaithersburg Government Delayed Opening on March 17, 2014 Due to weather conditions, the City of Gaithersburg will open for business at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 17, 2014. Liberal leave is in effect for non-essential employees. City of Gaithersburg snow removal crews have been on the roads since 2 a.m...
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Prêt-À-Papier, Paper Fashion Exhibit at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens   Prêt-À-Papier, a Paper Fashion Exhibit, by Belgian artist Isabelle De Borchgrave, was a delightful display of artistic talent at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, DC.  Ordinary paper becomes haute couture. The works in this collection are of mixed media, primarily acrylic paint, ink, metallic powder, and adhesive on paper mounted on wire armatures or mannequins.  Hillwood is the home of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. She planned for the mansion to become a museum after her death. Mrs. Post purchased this estate in 1955. The mansion was built in the 1920’s and overlooks Rock Creek Park. The Hillwood collection includes decorative and fine arts from eighteenth-century France and imperial Russia...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
St. Patrick’s Day Recipes   A blogger commented that she did not understand why we have a national celebration for St. Patrick’s Day. How would you explain the reasons? While we ponder the reasons for the celebrations, let’s assume that everybody is Irish this month and turn our attention to the food we will enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day. My favorite source for recipes is Pinterest.  A few days ago, I created an Irish Recipes board on Pinterest to collect a few recipes. Currently, there are a little over 100 recipes on this board and I will add others. You will find thousands of recipes on Pinterest as you search for your favorites. Wear your green and have a wonderful weekend.      Passion Flower, Brookside Gardens, Imagination IMG_7146 A Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Ph...
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Orchid Show and Sale this weekend in Beltsville, MD   The Orchid Show and Sale sponsored by the Friends of Brookside Gardens is scheduled for this weekend, Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, 2014. The hours are from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Orchid lovers will not want to miss this show. It is good time to ask questions about growing orchids and you will want to purchase some orchids for your home. By the way, orchids are very nice gifts for family and friends. Location: The Behnke Nurseries Co. 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705 Tel: 301-937-1100      Orchids, Brookside Gardens IMG_2645 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Book Recommendation:  Talking To The Dead by Harry Bingham   I just finished reading Talking To The Dead (2012) by Harry Bingham. This murder mystery is the first of three books featuring the character Fiona Griffiths. You will probably want to read this series in order. Fiona Griffiths is a Detective Constable in the South Wales Police and the mystery is much about her as the murders that she works to solve. Click on the links to learn more about this book, the author and Fiona. Fiona Griffiths is the youngest, most junior detective on the South Wales Major Crimes unit. And when a young mother and her six-year-old daughter are found dead in a squalid Cardiff squat, Fiona is given a minor-seeming task to perform. She performs that task - sometimes following the rules, sometimes not so m...
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Gaithersburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 15th   Everybody is Irish this month. Dress up in your best green outfit and plan to attend the 14th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Rio Washingtonian Center (I-370 and Washingtonian Boulevard).  This annual event is hosted by the City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with the Harp and Shamrock Society of Gaithersburg, the Peterson Companies, Rio Washingtonian Center, and 94.7 Fresh FM.  Dozens of units will march in the parade, including Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, clowns, fire trucks, and more. When the parade is over there will be live entertainment on the Lakefront Plaza until 1 p.m. For more information contact the City of Gaithersburg at 301-258-6350 or email dwinder@ga...
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Kentlands Community Happy Hour, Friday, March 14th   The Kentlands Citizens Assembly will be hosting the Kentlands Community Happy Hour on Friday, March 14, 2014 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at the Kentlands Clubhouse. This adults only event is open for all of the residents of Kentlands. Wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks will be served at this free event. This is a good time to catch up on community news, to see neighborhood friends and to greet new residents. Special note:  Facilities passes will be updated at this event. Take your 2013 passes to be updated for 2014. Please call the Kentlands Clubhouse at 301-948-2071 to let them know that you will be attending the Happy Hour.    Kentlands, Spring Flowers, Imagination IMG_9136 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Orchid Month at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens   If you follow my blogs, you already know that Dolores and I always enjoy our visits to Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, DC.  Hillwood was the home of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. When we visit Hillwood, we always like to take a look at the Greenhouse to see what is blooming. This month is Orchid Month and we enjoy photographing the orchids. Click on the links for more information. Marjorie Merriweather Post had the Greenhouse constructed to house her extensive collection of exotic orchids, as well as cut flowers grown for floral arrangements throughout the mansion. Jason Gedeik, Head of Greenhouse Design and Operations, leads a short tour of the working greenhouse, highlighting its history, Mrs. Post’s infatuatio...
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A modern kitchen in the 50’s at Hillwood   If you follow my blogs, you know that Dolores and I like to visit Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington, DC. This is the home of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. We are annual members and enjoy the mansion tours and the gardens. We were there on Saturday and had a very nice lunch at the Hillwood Café. I thought I would share a few photographs of the Hillwood kitchen that dates from the 50’s. Many of our photographs may be seen on Flickr, Facebook and Pinterest. Be sure to include a visit to Hillwood on your next trip to Washington, DC. Plan to spend several hours since there is much to see.   Kitchen, Hillwood Mansion IMG_0344  Kitchen, Hillwood Mansion IMG_0345 Kitchen, Hillwood Mansion IMG_0346 Kitchen, Hillwood Mansion IMG_034...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Imperial Russian Art in DC:  Hillwood   Dolores and I always enjoy our visits to Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens. Hillwood was the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post and is now a wonderful travel destination for art lovers. Saturday was a beautiful day and we drove into Washington, DC to tour Hillwood and to see the current special exhibit Passion of the Empress featuring Catherine the Great’s art patronage. This exhibit, in the Dacha, will be available through June 8, 2014. Visit Washington, DC this spring for the Cherry Blossom Festival and plan to spend a day at Hillwood. Make sure you have extra batteries for your camera! Please see my Pinterest board on Hillwood for more photographs.      Imperial Russian Collection, Hillwood Estate, Museum IMG_0283 Imperial Russian Collection,...
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Book Recommendation:  A Certain Justice by P. D. James   Phyllis Dorothy James, age 93, Baroness James of Holland Park, OBE, FRSA, FRSL, commonly known as P. D. James, is an English crime writer and a life peer in the House of Lords. Dolores has read all of her many books and suggested them for me. I just finished reading A Certain Justice (1997) by P. D. James and recommend this author for your reading list. This book involves the murder of a distinguished criminal lawyer, Venetia Aldridge, after her successful defense of Garry Ashe for the murder of his aunt. Books by P. D. James One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each week. Read a good book and make reading a habit.    Flowers, Brookside Gardens, Imagination IMG_5242 A Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kell...
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Gaithersburg Recreational Activities Guide   Now is the time to register all of your family members for recreational activities for this spring and summer in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Don’t forget the spring break activities that will be available for the kids. Leisure Times, a publication of the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture will provide all of the information you need. You may be surprised to see the broad range of activities for all age groups. If you are an out of the area reader of this blog, you should click on the link and compare Gaithersburg’s Leisure Times activities with those that are available in your home community. The quality of life in Gaithersburg is one of the elements that attracts many relocation families to the area. Gaithersburg is...
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Gaithersburg Neighborhood Watch Program   The Gaithersburg Police Department encourages every neighborhood to organize a Neighborhood Watch Program. Those of us that live in the Kentlands community fully understand the benefits of an active Neighborhood Watch Program. We see reports of everything that happens in the community. If your neighborhood does not have a Neighborhood Watch Program, these guidelines that were posted by the Gaithersburg Police Department will be very helpful. For out of the area readers: Contact your local police department and get them involved with the concerned citizens in your home neighborhood. Get involved for a safer community for your family and yourself. Gaithersburg Police Department Neighborhood Watch Program The threat, fear and intimidation caused by...
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Book Recommendation:  Bleachers by John Grisham   If you are a fan of high school football, you should enjoy reading Bleachers (2003) by John Grisham. This story is about all-American quarterback Neely Crenshaw as he returns to the town of Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake. By the way, as the story goes, Coach Rake was from Gaithersburg, Maryland.  This is a short book and an easy read. One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each week for personal pleasure. Make reading one of your good habits. Dolores and I recommend all of the Books by John Grisham.      Dahlia, Brookside Gardens, Imagination IMG_7199 A Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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