Kentlands Winter Weather Reminders    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 permitted.In order to keep access to snow plows unhindered, any cars parked in the alleys will be towed. City law requires that you shovel the sidewalks abutting your property within 12 hours of the last snowfall.   In the event of inclement weather and the Clubhouse is closed during business hours, please call 301-948-2071, ext. 106. Messages will be monitored. This message was provided by Kentlands Citizens Assembly and is posted on ActiveRain as a community service.  Character counts... 12/28/2012

Changing One's Domicile -- More Complicated Than You Think You might think that changing one's domicile would be a simple thing to do. However, if you think you are going to fool the IRS with living half the time in one state and half the time in another state, think again. The IRS has had plenty of experience with people who try to mix the advantages of living in two different states. So what must be done to change one's domicile? It can vary from state to state, so it probably would be helpful to start with a definition of domicile. Black's Law Dictionary defines domicile as: "The place at which a person has been physically present and that the person regards as home; a person's true, fixed, principal, and permanent home, to which that person intends to return and remain even though c... 12/26/2012

Gaithersburg and Audubon Receive Award for Stream Restoration   The State of Maryland recently announced that the City of Gaithersburg and the Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) have been awarded a $71,628 grant from the Governor’s Stream Restoration Challenge.  The funds will be used to plant five acres of trees along Muddy Branch to improve water quality on this important stream, which flows through Gaithersburg into the Potomac River.  The City of Gaithersburg will provide the technical expertise and guide the planning, planting, monitoring, and maintenance of the trees, the in-kind value of which is estimated at $39,000.  ANS will use the project as a teaching tool to engage Gaithersburg High School students, including members of the school’s ESOL Environmental Service Club.  The Mud... 12/26/2012

Happy Holidays! - The Lawn at The University of Virginia    This image, which was provided by the Alumni Association at the University of Virginia,  brings back fond memories of my days as a student at The University.  I was there for six years for undergraduate and law school.  The scene is the Lawn, facing the Rotunda.  All of this was conceived and designed by Thomas Jefferson. One of my experiences as a student was a chance to live on the Lawn, at 21 West Lawn which is located on the left side of this photograph.  When you are in Virginia, include a tour of The University in your plans.  You will also want to visit Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello. By the way, there are several excellent wineries in the area to add some moments of extra pleasure to your visit. Enjoy the holiday... 12/24/2012

Charlton's Coffee House, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia   Charlton's Coffee House was constructed as a store and residence in 1750.  The building was converted to a coffee house and operated by Richard Charlton in the mid 1760's.  In October, 1765, the coffee house was the scene of resistance to the British Parliament's Stamp Act. Reconstruction of the coffee house took place in 2008 and 2009 with the financial support of Forrest and Deborah Mars. Charlton's Coffee House is always fun to visit and Dolores and I have been there several times.  We like their hot chocolate. Enjoy the holidays.  It is a wonderful time to visit Colonial Williamsburg. Charlton's Coffee House, Colonial Williamsburg IMG_1746 Holiday Decorations, Colonial Williamsburg IMG_1747   Chartlton's Coffee House, Coloni... 12/24/2012

Holiday Recycling in Gaithersburg   When the holidays are over, the City of Gaithersburg encourages curbside residential recyclers to get a green start on the New Year by recycling as much as possible.  Wrapping paper and all those extra glass and plastic containers are recyclable, and don’t even need to be separated – they can all go in bins or carts thanks to the City’s single stream recycling program.  Disposable batteries are no longer considered hazardous and may be placed in regular household trash.  Rechargeable batteries, computers and other electronic devices and equipment should be taken to the Solid Waste Transfer Station’s recycling drop-off area in Derwood.  Mobile phones are equipped with a special chip that allows calls to 911 or #77 (on state highways), allowing phones t... 12/24/2012

Gaithersburg TV Receives Award   The City of Gaithersburg received a Government Programming Award for its production of “Building on Our Success” from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA).  The piece received an Honorable Mention in the category of Community Awareness.  NATOA awards recognize excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies.  This year the association received more than 650 entries submitted by local governments across the country and Canada.  Entries were judged in 66 different categories.  Making its debut at the annual State of the City dinner in April, 2011, Building on Our Success focused on economic development, highlighting the many housing and commercial projects c... 12/23/2012

Cultural Arts For Children At The Gaithersburg Arts Barn in Kentlands   The Arts Barn will once again host an exciting and enriching cultural arts program for children.  Preschool Songs and Stories gives three to five year olds and their parents or guardians the opportunity to explore the arts through singing, dancing and active listening to story books.  Preschool Songs and Stories will take place the first and third Thursday of each month from 11 to 11:45 a.m. through June 6, 2013.  Admission is just $3 per child per session.  There is no fee for adults.  Payment may be made at the door.  The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg’s premiere cultural arts facility, is located at 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg.  For more information call 301-258-6394 or visit online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/arts... 12/23/2012

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival   Create sparkling holiday memories and take a break from holiday shopping by spending quality time with your family when you visit the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival.  This holiday must-do makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for family, friends or even for yourself.  Gift certificates are just $12, a $3 savings if you plan on visiting on the weekend.  The wondrous display of lights at Seneca Creek State Park is open nightly through December 31, Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.  The festival will be closed on December 25.  The 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted setting of Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 360 illuminated vignettes and 65 animated displays that light up the nig... 12/23/2012

City of Gaithersburg Holiday Schedule The following City Facilities will be operating on modified hours December 24, 2012: Activity Center at Bohrer Park will be open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Casey Community Center will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Administrative Office of the Gaithersburg Police Department is closed December 25, 2012 and January 1, 2013. Police patrol will not be affected during this time. Gaithersburg Youth Center in Olde Towne and Robertson Park Youth Center is closed December 24, 2012 through January 1, 2013. Winter Lights Festival is closed December 25, 2012. The following City Facilities will be operating on modified hours December 31, 2012: Activity Center at Bohrer Park will be open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Casey Community Center will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.   This notice was ... 12/23/2012

Gaithersburg Holiday Break Basketball Clinics   The City of Gaithersburg will be hosting Holiday Break Basketball Clinics on December 26, 27 and 28, 2012 at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park.  Conducted by Ty Sanders Basketball, a local youth oriented basketball organization, these instructional clinics are a great opportunity to develop skills and confidence before the start of the winter sports season in January.  Open to boys and girls in grades K through 5, the clinics will feature instruction in ball handling, shooting, passing, and defense.  Each three-day clinic consists of a one hour session divided into the following grade groups: Grade K and 1: 9 - 9:50 a.m. Grade 2: 10 - 10:50 a.m. Grade 3: 11 - 11:50 a.m. Grade 4 and 5: 12 - 12:50 p.m. Registration fee for each clinic is $2... 12/19/2012

Montgomery County, Maryland Police Headquarters Relocation   As of December 20, 2012 at 4:00 p.m., the Montgomery County Police Headquarters located at 2350 Research Boulevard in Rockville will close permanently.  All units formerly housed in the Headquarters building have moved or will be moving to the new Public Safety Headquarters located at 100 Edison Park Drive in Gaithersburg. Beginning on December 21, all residents needing to visit the Headquarters should report to the new location.  Please be advised that you will need photo identification to be admitted into the building. Also, please note that the MCP Records Division will be re-locating before  December 20.  Due to the move and the down time of equipment associated with the move, records requests may be delayed.  Please allow... 12/18/2012

Orchids for Henry Kelley, Longwood Gardens This is a sad time for the Kelley family.  Henry Kelley, the four year old son of my nephew Ian Kelley and his wife Jessica passed away Sunday night, December 16, 2012.  Henry was home in hospice care after an unsuccessful operation to remove a massive brain tumor.  Life is precious.  Take advantage of every moment with those that you love. Recently, Dolores and I visited Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania for their annual exhibit, A Longwood Christmas.  Longwood Gardens is a very special travel destination and is one of our favorite places to visit.  The orchid exhibit in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory is the place to see beautiful orchids.  I am posting a few photographs for you to enjoy. Please tell me if you have a favorit... 12/18/2012

Same-Sex Marriage Licenses, Montgomery County, MD  The Montgomery County, Maryland Marriage License Office is now accepting applications for same-sex marriage.   Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a proclamation enabling Maryland courthouses to issue the licenses so that same-sex couples could be legally wed as of Jan. 1, 2013, when the law recognizing same-sex marriage takes effect. Those planning to be married at the courthouse must make an appointment. Maryland's attorney general issued a statement last month that courts could begin issuing licenses as soon as the governor signed same-sex marriage into law, reported The Washington Post, though the licenses won't take effect until Jan. 1, 2013.  For marriage license information, contact the Montgomery County Circuit Court,  50 Maryland Ave.... 12/16/2012

Gaithersburg Residents Urged to Prepare For Winter Season As Gaithersburg Public Works and Parks Maintenance  crews get ready for the winter season, the City wants to ensure that residents are informed and prepared in the event of a winter storm. To provide the most efficient services and to reduce potential safety hazards, residents are urged to adhere to the City's snow removal policies and guidelines, to make necessary preparations and to follow safety precautions. Gaithersburg communicates facility and program status and closing information on its website, www.gaithersburgmd.gov, and Cable TV channel, Comcast Channel 13, RCN Channel 13 and Verizon FiOS Channel 25. Emergency information is also communicated via the City's alert messaging system, Alert Gaithersburg. The Public Works D... 12/15/2012

Dolores Kelley shares a spot and stain removal secret PICRIN This morning, Dolores asked if I would take a short trip with her to an industrial park in Silver Spring, Maryland.  It is a bit unusual us us to go shopping in in industrial park but it was an interesting adventure. For many years, my wife, Dolores Kelley, has been using a product that has saved many trips to the dry cleaners and has made white upholstery more practical to use. You may not be familiar with this product since is is manufactured for professional use by dry cleaners.  Clothing stores use this product to remove lipstick stains and other spots. The product is PICRIN and can be purchased from distributors that sell to dry cleaners. PICRIN requires very careful use but it is a dream product that will remove spots an... 12/13/2012

Holiday Message From Santa Claus    I was very fortunate to have a personal meeting with Santa Claus after his recent response to an ActiveRain blog that I had written.  Santa had noticed that we had an ActiveRain MeetUp in Gaithersburg and asked me to convey a special message to all of the members of ActiveRain and their employees, friends and families.  I did not realize that Santa followed my blogs.  He said he especially enjoys my flower photographs. Don't worry, Santa knows that you have been good this year and still his your name on his list.  The special message that Santa asked me to convey is that an unusually large number of families have great needs this year.  Many have been facing financial and personal distress for some time and do not have positive prospects at this time ... 12/12/2012

Montgomery County Real Estate / Image Credit: Joe Sohm / getty images According to CNNMoney's Best Places to Live 2012, Gaithersburg offers some of the most desirable homes in the United States, ranking this Montgomery County city 23 on the coveted list of 100.  Some of the reasons the publication gives for ranking Gaithersburg real estate so well are: "The National institute of Standards and Technology, IBM, and Medimmune are just some of the many employers in this quaint city near both Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, whose unemployment rate was just 4.9% as of May. Still, many residents choose to forge their own career paths -- Gaithersburg is widely considered one of the best places to start a business. Other perks include terrific schools and a diverse population." Location is prob... 12/12/2012

Holiday Decorations, Colonial Williamsburg   Dolores and I spent a week in Colonial Williamsburg for Thanksgiving.  It is one of our favorite places to visit during the holiday season.  The decorations are all made of natural materials and are fun to photograph.  Colonial Williamsburg publishes "This Week", a reference map a guide for the exhibits, tours and entertainment available for the week.  The information is also available on their website.  It is best to park at the Visitor Center, where tickets are available, and take a shuttle bus to the desired location. Enjoy the holidays and I hope you will include a visit to Colonial Williamsburg.  The following photographs were taken by my wife, Dolores, during our Thanksgiving trip. Capitol, Colonial Williamsburg IMG_5605   Roy Kelley, C... 12/12/2012

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips From the Maryland State Police   Tell someone your destination. Leave information about your departure and return times. Whenever possible, travel with members of your family or friends. Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there’s enough gas to get where you’re going and back. Don’t wear shoes or clothing which restrict your movements.  Wherever you are–on the street, in an office building or shopping mall, driving, waiting for a bus or subway–stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings. Know where you are. Don’t forget where you parked your car. Park in well lighted areas. Be especially alert in lots and underground parking garages. Make a note of which store or entrance is located closest to your car. Ask a security guard or police officer ... 12/11/2012