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Gaithersburg, MD Real Estate News

Gaithersburg Book Festival Volunteers Needed VOLUNTEER Sign up for a day full of books, authors, and fun! Saturday, May 18, 2024! The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an enormous undertaking that would not be possible without the generous assistance of numerous volunteers. We have many volunteer opportunities associated with putting on this world-class event. Please see the job descriptions below, and if you are interested is helping, fill out the Volunteer Sign-up Form by clicking the link below. SSL and PAU hours are available. Please note the following two requirements for volunteering at GBF: You must be age 16 or older  You must attend a volunteer training in early May (multiple session options will be offered) If you have questions about volunteering, please email Kathleen Benson at ...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Driveway-Paving Scams Warning As the warm weather approaches, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning homeowners about driveway-paving scammers who typically look to exploit them in spring. These scammers are a common problem not only in Montgomery County, but also across Maryland. Homeowners should be aware and take appropriate measures to avoid falling victim to it.In the last year, OCP has been taking measures against individuals who performed unlicensed home improvement work, particularly those who conducted driveway paving. As a result, civil and criminal charges have been issued against them, and several have been issued arrest warrants. OCP also has managed to suspend all websites associated with these criminals, either permanently or temporarily, thr...
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Gaithersburg Arts Barn Call to Artists The Arts Barn is seeking artwork for the Fiscal Year 2025 season brochure and related marketing materials. Artwork should prominently feature the diverse arts that are shared and celebrated at the Arts Barn. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 3.Learn more and apply here.This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Orchids, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 4341Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Going Solar in Montgomery County Montgomery County is going solar! We're converting facilities to clean energy thanks to a $790K state grant. Imagine reducing emissions equivalent to taking 968 cars off the road for a year! We're shining a light on sustainability this Earth Month! https://ow.ly/64AJ50RfQGkThis is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.  African Daisy, Arctotis, 'Kleat12610', Opera Rose, Longwood Gardens,Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 6856Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Winter weather parking and snow removal alert for Kentlands Residents   There is a 100% chance of snow on Tuesday and accumulations could exceed five inches.  Some new Kentlands residents may not be familiar with the parking and snow removal regulations for the City of Gaithersburg and for the Kentlands Citizens Assembly. When there is snow on the ground, the City of Gaithersburg provides show plowing services for the public streets. Private contractors remove the snow in the Kentlands alleys. Individual occupants are responsible for clearing the areas between the alley and the garage entrance. If your neighbors are elderly or are sick with a cold or flu, please give them a hand by clearing their steps and walks. This is a good week to pay it forward. The expected weather will be very d...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Be prepared for severe weather   We have a beautiful sunny day in Montgomery County, Maryland. The winter weather is predicted to change tonight and there is a winter storm warning for tomorrow. Area residents expect to see several inches of snow at will experience arctic cold temperatures. Be prepared and make sure your family is safe. It is a good time for a family meeting to review emergency plans.   Montgomery County, Maryland issued the following bulletin:   County Emergency Services: Anyone in Montgomery County who is in an emergency situation and needs assistance to stay warm, can call the County’s Crisis Center Hotline at 240-777-4000 or visit the center at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville. The hotline and Crisis Center are staffed 24/7. Hypothemia: Extreme cold is a dangerous si...
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How to prevent wintertime water line breaks   We have a winter storm warning in Maryland and area residents expect arctic cold and snow conditions on Tuesday. Every family needs to be well prepared for severe weather conditions. This is the week for blogging about snow and cold in Maryland. Weather Alert: Snow, Arctic Blast Head for Maryland   The following announcement was distributed the the Kentlands Citizens Assembly: Pipe/Sprinkler Break Prevention Management has been notified by some of our neighbors that they have endured burst pipes recently due to the frigid temperatures. The following tips can help you safeguard your home before, during and after a pipe freeze.  Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like those in unheated interior areas l...
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Matisse’s Marguerite:  Model Daughter, Baltimore Museum of Art   Dolores and I took advantage of a beautiful day in Maryland and visited the Baltimore Museum of Art to see Matisse’s Marguerite:  Model Daughter. It is about a one hour drive to the museum from our home in the Kentlands community in Montgomery County, Maryland. This special exhibit featured portraits of his daughter by Henri Matisse. When you are in the area, plan to visit the Baltimore Museum of Art. It is an outstanding travel destination.  We enjoyed a nice lunch at Gertrude’s Restaurant that is located at the museum.  We spent some time in the Sculpture Gardens after lunch. The next major exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art will be German Expressionism:  A Revolutionary Sprit from January 29 through September 14, 20...
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Matisse Exhibit, Final Weekend, The Baltimore Museum of Art   This is the final weekend for art lovers to enjoy the current Matisse exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The weather will be cold and it is a good time to visit this outstanding museum. The Baltimore Museum of Art is one of our favorite day trip destinations. Admission is free. This information is from the museum website: Matisse's Marguerite: Model Daughter September 18, 2013 – January 19, 2014 Free exhibition More than 50 prints, drawings, sculptures, and paintings of Matisse's daughter Marguerite offer a rare look at the artist's personal life and work. Born in 1894 when the artist was struggling to achieve recognition for his art, Marguerite was a frequent model for her father, as well as a dedicated assistant and ar...
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Book Recommendation:  The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny   I just finished reading The Beautiful Mystery (2012), A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny. The setting for this murder mystery is the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entreles-Loups in the wilderness of Quebec. This is a must read for music lovers and those that have an interest in Gregorian chants. One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each week for pleasure. Add this book and the other novels by Louise Penny to your reading list for this year.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1876 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Forever Stamps, A Good Investment   Now is the time to purchase Forever Stamps!  The cost of first class postage will increase by 3 cents on January 26, 2014, to 49 cents.  The Forever Stamps that you purchase now may be one of your best investments of the year. “Beginning Jan. 26 it will cost three pennies more to mail letters to any location in the United States. However, customers can continue to mail letters at today’s prices by purchasing their Forever stamps before Jan. 26. Forever stamps are always good for mailing a 1-ounce letter anytime in the future regardless of price changes. “That’s why Forever stamps were created, to help consumers ease the transition during price changes,” said David City Postmaster Sherri Helman. Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail prici...
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By Dave Bender, Germantown & Rockville Area Home Sales
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Interested in buying a home in today’s market? Wondering what the housing market predictions are for 2014? Ready to buy a home but not sure where to begin? To Learn Everything you need to know to Purchase a Home in Today's Market, Please join us for:   “Get the Facts Home Buyer Seminar”February 12th, 2014 at 6:30pm WHEN & WHERE?Wednesday, February 12th, 2014 • 6:30pm - 8:15pmVillage Settlements, Inc.177 Kentlands Blvd., 2nd Floor • Gaithersburg, MD 20878 PLEASE CALL, 240-731-5970 OR CLICK TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!   What you will learn...• Learn the Facts about Local Housing Market Trends.• What are the Predictions for the Housing Market in 2014.• What is the State of the Distressed Property Market; Foreclosures and Short Sales.• How much cash do you need for a deposit and how much are clos...
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Brookside Gardens Conservatory Spring Display   Brookside Gardens, in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, is one of our favorite local travel destinations.  The Brookside Gardens Conservatory Spring Display opens this weekend and you will want to plan your visit. Pick a nice day and allow time for a walk through the gardens. If you are planning your spring garden, you may also wish to attend the Annual Seed Exchange at Brookside Gardens on Saturday, January 25, 2014. Conservatory Spring Display Saturday, January 18-Sunday, April 13, 2014 10:00am–5:00pm daily; FREE; Brookside Gardens Conservatory 7th Annual Seed Exchange Sponsored by Washington Gardener Magazine Saturday, January 25, 2014 Details: 301-588-6894   Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902  General Informa...
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Thinking of flowers on a rainy day in Maryland   We’ve had a rainy day in Maryland.  The positive thought is that it is not snowing.  I’ve edited some flowers photographs to post in some Facebook groups. It is interesting to receive immediate responses from around the world. This photograph was taken at the Chrysanthemum Show at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland. Enjoy the week with your camera in hand. You will want to capture the special moments to share in your blogs.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1885 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Book Recommendation:  Hazardous Duty by W.E.B. Griffin   I just finished reading Hazardous Duty (2013) by W.E.B Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV. This novel is part of their Presidential Novel series. The authors say that this novel was written “as sort of a M*A*S*H Goes to the White house and Langley.” I suggest that you read the Afterword before reading the novel.  Enjoy this book and you will want to read others by these authors. One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each week for personal enjoyment.  Include reading in your 2014 goals.      Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1886 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Had a hard day?  A flower for you!   We’ve enjoyed a beautiful day in Maryland but I had two medical appointments that were informative but not my favorite activities. Dolores had lunch with a special friend but they were not happy with the dishes they selected. The highlight of the day was that a national magazine purchased one of my photographs for publication. The fees for photographs are not too exciting so photography will remain a hobby. We’ll have a very nice dinner at home and will plan a better tomorrow. This photograph is from the Chrysanthemum Show at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland. Have an outstanding week. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moments you will want to share.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1893 Photograph by Roy...
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Most expensive homes sold during 2013 in the DC area   When families are relocated to the Metro Area of Washington, DC, one of the common comments is that the home prices are higher than they expected.  Many seek suburban locations for more affordable housing selections. This week, The Washington Post published an article on the most expensive homes that were sold in the area during 2013. The highest price in the District was $8.6 million, the highest price in northern Virginia was $12 million and the highest price in Maryland $5.9 million. These prices are a bit above the price ranges for most of us but it is fun to see the pictures. Most expensive homes sold in the Washington D.C. region in 2013 – The Washington Post   What was the highest home price in your community during 2013?    ...
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Montgomery County, MD Housing Report, December Summary   Today, there are 1,706 active listings of homes for sale in Montgomery County, Maryland. 114 (6.7%) of the available properties are lender owned foreclosures (REO).  181 (10.63%) of the active listings are short sale pre-foreclosures. Short sale transactions require the approval of the secured mortgage lender since the anticipated proceeds from a sale will not fully satisfy the outstanding mortgage obligations. During the month of December, 2013, the total sold dollar volume of residential properties in Montgomery County, MD was $418,404,055, up 14.51% from the same month in the previous year. There were 832 closed sales, up 10.49%, with a median sold price of$386,000, up 7.22%. The average sold price was $502,889, up 3.63%, with ...
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Chagall mosaic moved to the National Gallery of Art   If I mentioned that a 1971 mosaic was located in the private garden of a Georgetown home, you might not immediately think of Marc Chagall as the artist. And, if you tried to imagine the size of a mosaic in a home garden, you might night guess the size of this work that was given to the National Gallery of Art. Click on the link to read this article and to see photographs of this monumental work. Chagall mosaic moves from private garden to National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden – The Washington Post   “John Nef, an economic historian and art lover, had known Chagall before the Nefs married in 1964. When the artist first proposed a mosaic for their Georgetown garden, Evelyn “Evvie” Nef imagined a small plaque for the garden wall. T...
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Stolen Renoir to return to the Baltimore Museum of Art   A small Renoir painting that was stolen in Baltimore in 1951 will be returned to the Baltimore Museum of Art. The locally known “Renoir Girl” had claimed that she purchased the painting for $7 at a flea market. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema awarded the painting to the Baltimore Museum of Art and the museum plans to exhibit the painting in March. ‘Flea market’ Renoir ordered back to Baltimore Museum of Art by federal judge – The Washington Post This is an interesting story since the museum initially claimed that it had no record of the painting. A reporter for The Washington Post discovered the record of the theft in the museum’s own records.  Dolores and I always enjoy our visits to the Baltimore Museum of Art and will be ha...
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 Book Recommendation:  The Death Trade by Jack Higgins   We have freezing rain in Maryland this morning and it is a good time to do some reading. I just finished reading The Death Trade (2014) by Jack Higgins. This is volume number 20 of his very popular Sean Dillon Series. Jack Higgins is the principal pseudonym of UK novelist Harry Patterson. Patterson is the author of more than 60 novels.  I recommend this book and you should enjoy all of the 20 books in this series. One of my personal goals is to read a least one novel each week for personal pleasure.   Recent Blogs Book Recommendation:  The Death Trade by Jack Higgins Home buyers being photographed while viewing houses for sale 1/14 “Like” your own Facebook posts Roy Kelley in Russia Book Suggestion:  Islands of Silence by Martin B...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
“Like” your own Facebook posts   Vanity may not be the own reason to “like” your own Facebook posts. A Rick’s Daily Tips blog suggests that we should always “like” our own Facebook posts since that action will more likely make Facebook friends aware that you posted something. Why you should always ‘Like’ your own Facebook posts “So the next time you see one of your friends “Like” their own post, they probably aren’t giving themselves a pat on the back. Instead, they’re giving you an opportunity to check out a post that might never make it into your news feed. I recommend that you “Like” your own posts as well!” – Rick’s Daily Tips   Recent Blogs Book Recommendation:  The Death Trade by Jack Higgins Home buyers being photographed while viewing houses for sale 1/14 “Like” your own Faceboo...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Roy Kelley in Russia   This is an old photograph that Dolores found in our files. The date was March, 1987.  The buildings in the background are the Zagorask Monastery and the Cathedral of the Assumption, founded in 1345. This Russian city is now called Sergiyev Posad.   This was a different era in Russia. I thought it would be fun to share this old picture.   Roy Kelley, Zagorask, Russia Photograph by Dolores Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 
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Book Suggestion:  Islands of Silence by Martin Booth   During our very cold days in Maryland, I have been reading more books than usual. Currently, I am reading Islands of Silence (2003) by Martin Booth. By the way, I found this like new book in a thrift shop on sale for a dollar. One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each week and I usually exceed that minimum. What are you reading for pleasure?   Information on Martin Booth, deceased, and his books   Persian Ceiling, VMFA, Chihuly Exhibit IMG_7738 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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