REGENCY RECORD - Regency Estates Citizens Association

REGENCY RECORD
NEWSLETTER OF THE
REGENCY ESTATES CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
2015 #1 – MARCH
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President:
Vice President:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Members:
Andrew Kavounis
David Freeman
Jerry Garson
Steve Chojna
Al Belsky
Marjorie Bender
Helene Dolan
David King
Jan Peterson
Stuart Simon
Bill Wydro
Database Manager:
Webmaster:
Advertising:
David Levin
David Freeman
David Freeman
301-299-6667
[email protected]
Editor & Compositor: David Freeman
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mail:
Regency Estates Citizens Association
P.O. Box 34744
Bethesda, MD 20827-0744
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.regencyestates.org
Social:
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As you no doubt were (painfully) aware, you received
your triennial property tax assessment in early January.
The average assessment increased by 15%. While the
good news is that property prices in the neighborhood have been buoyant
and there was considerable turnover in 2014, the bad news is that the
general rise in property values was reflected in your assessment. As
RECA does each time new assessments are issued, we held a
community meeting in mid-January at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Schoo. At
this meeting we outlined the appeals process and provided RECA
residents with the information necessary to decide if they want to appeal
and if so, on what grounds. The deadline for submitting an appeal of your
property tax assessment was February 9th. However in an article in this
issue, Board Member Bill Wydro discusses another line item that appears
on your annual property tax bill and that you can appeal - the Water
Quality Protection Charge.
If you weren’t aware of the community meeting, then we don’t have your
current email address.
RECA sends emails to you concerning
information, events and timely alerts that affect the neighborhood.
Information on providing your email address to RECA is provided below.
I hope you have a great (and warmer) Spring!
Andy Kavounis
DO WE HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President’s Message .................................. 1
Index To Advertisers .................................. 3
Around the Neighborhood .......................... 4
Around the County and State ................... 16
Are You A Good Neighbor? ...................... 22
RECA periodically sends out news and information via Newsbriefs
and Alerts to all members for whom we have email addresses.
Alerts contain timely information and advice about emergencies or
other time sensitive information. Past Alerts have covered such
matters as weather and utility events, burglaries and even lost pets.
Neighborhood Notes ................................ 23
Classified Advertising ............................... 23
Neighbor Services.................................... 23
If you have not provided your email address to us or change email
addresses, please send us your name, physical address and email
address at http://www.regencyestates.org/contact-us.html
We keep your email address on a secured system and only use
your email address for communications related to RECA. We never
give out your email address to anyone, period.
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INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
Christ Episcopal School .............................................. 10
Jacques Bankier, Re/Max ........................................... 24
Christy Taylor, Re/Max .................................................. 7
Lee Burstyn, Weichert Realtors ................................... 13
Eleanor Schmetterling, Long & Foster ......................... 17
Lorraine Gottlieb, Re/Max ........................................... 14
Eli’s Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc .............................. 5
May Hair Salon ............................................................. 6
Faith United Methodist Preschool ................................ 12
Montgomery Child Care Association.............................. 8
Fifa Northrop, Weichert Realtors ................................. 16
Regency Estates Swim Club ......................................... 3
Fireison Law Group, P.A. ............................................ 21
St. James’ Episcopal Church......................................... 3
Geneva Day School .................................................... 13
TrainWithJane.com ..................................................... 10
J.P. Zetts Home Improvements ................................... 20
Wanda Zelaya, Keller Williams ...................................... 9
Support our advertisers - Let them know you’ve seen their ad in the Regency Record!
This issue contains lots of useful links to web sites – if you want to simply click on links instead of typing them, please see the
online version of this Regency Record at www.regencystates.org.
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
These vehicles are outfitted with tractor treads instead of
wheels to further avoid damaging the ground and to minimize
pressure on the soil. The tractor treads are able to reduce
pressure on the ground to as little as 3.75 pounds per square
inch, considerably less than standard truck tires.
Work Progresses on Snakeden Creek
Renovation
By RECA Board Members Al Belsky & Marjorie Bender
By now, you will have most certainly seen the construction
activity on Gainsborough Road by the Regency Estates
Swim Club. Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
(WSSC) was required to restore waterways in Montgomery
and Prince George’s Counties that included the most
environmentally sensitive areas of Snakeden Creek, which is
a tributary of Cabin John Creek and mostly runs underground
through Regency Estates.
Over the years, the above ground banks of this water way
have suffered considerable erosion, exposing sewer pipes
and undermining the roots of large trees along its banks that
can tumble into the stream.
Lots of cooks in the kitchen
The improvements have been designed by Black and
Veatch, Civil Engineers.
Pleasants Construction of
Clarksburg, MD has been contracted to rehabilitate the
sewers and A.B. Construction of Waldorf, MD, a subcontractor to Pleasants Construction, is in charge of the
Creek Renovation. The National Park Service, Montgomery
County Parks and the M-NCPPC are all part of this rather
complicated, extraordinary project. The National Park
Service conducted many studies on the wildlife, water
properties and geological formations before work could
begin. Employees of A.B. Construction are continuing to work
along the above-ground section of Snakeden Creek that
emerges off of Gainsborough Road between the Regency
Estates Swim Club and Ivy Mount School properties.
Vehicle outfitted with tractor treads that minimize pressure on the soil
adjacent to Snakeden Creek during the restoration project.
Lots of rocks
Along the eroding banks of the creek a six foot wall of
imbricated rip-rap (stones stacked together forming a wall or
slope) is being installed. This is typically used in areas where
erosion is severe or near private property. These stones are
as hard as granite but have a longer life. The rocks are
blasted into sizes which will not change the PH factor of the
stream water.
Preparing the site
A pathway of crushed stone, about 25 yards long, has been
laid out from Gainsborough Road to the beginning of the
creek’s banks to accommodate trucks that deliver materials
to the site.
Technicians have built a long, temporary road near the banks
of the creek, which has been fenced off for the duration of the
project and will be removed after the work is completed. This
access road has been built with wood mulch overlaid with
large wooden pallets to preserve the integrity of the
underlying soil as heavy vehicles move down the length of
the tributary’s banks.
A view of a portion of Snakeden Creek that has been lined with large stones.
Sewer work
The sewer rehabilitation portion of the project involves the
relining of sewers with material designed to significantly
extend their useful life. A long, temporary by-pass sewer line
has been constructed and is in operation in the meantime.
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are undermined along the embankment. The rule of thumb
is: the larger the tree and the older the tree the more we’re
going to try to save it.”
In the last ten years, Keith Galt added, great improvements
have been made in protecting wildlife and the areas that are
sensitive to the impacts of the new construction. For
example, all work on the creek will stop between March and
June 2015 during the time native fish spawn.
By later summer 2015 all parties hope the project will be
completed.
This is a portion of the temporary sewer by-pass line that has been installed
to handle waste water during the rehabilitation project.
View of the Snakeden Creek Restoration Project from the Regency Estates
Swim Club drive way.
Keith Galt, Site Manager for A.B. Construction explained that
the old sewer lines are being restored, but not replaced. New
technologies, mainly from Europe, save labor and thus
dollars on this work. For example, a camera is installed in
the pipe to determine where the sewers are clogged and a
machine, not unlike a Roto-Rooter, removes the clogging
materials. Keeping silt out of the sensitive stream areas is
Keith Galt’s greatest concern.
Where new tributaries of Snakeden Creek have formed,
cross veins have been laid on the creek bottom. As the creek
shifts position over time, the effectiveness of the sewer lines
change. Cross veins slow down creek movement. They
work as well as look like speed bumps on a road.
Conservation in mind
The whole project has a great emphasis on conservation,
both of vegetation and wildlife. Initially, the A.B. Construction
workers cleared underbrush away from the creek’s banks to
fix their grading. New plantings will be made after the work
is done.
A WSSC arborist oversees the clearing of trees along the
banks. “We tried to save as many of the old trees as
possible,” said Greg Staley of A.B. Construction, “but many
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The Perry Is Coming This Summer
combination of amenities and access to both retail and
freeways not found elsewhere in the area,” concludes
Foulger.
By Bill Wydro, RECA Board Member
Park Potomac Apartments, named the Perry, is a 297-unit
luxury apartment complex. Pre-sales will begin in March.
Foulger-Pratt Companies first broke ground on the site in
October of 2013. The $111 million “mid-rise” community
complex will include two five-story buildings and 9,224
square feet of retail space on the ground floor. The actual
opening – of the North building only – will be in mid-June.
The South building will open in September. The Perry will
offer one, two, and three bedroom apartments.
The units will range from 769 to 1,603 square feet, larger than
typical apartments. Units in the five-story apartment
buildings, to be connected by a common courtyard, will rent
for between $2,000 and $4,000 a month. Foulger-Pratt will
also include another 30 moderately priced units ranging from
$1,175 to $1,410, and at its groundbreaking agreed to
contribute $2.6 million to Montgomery County's Housing
Initiative Fund.
The Perry’s apartments are designed specifically with the
needs and wants of working professionals, more mature
singles and couples, and empty nesters in mind. The entire
complex is non-smoking. The square footage of the
apartments is more than is typical in the area. Among the
services and amenities will be a front door concierge, private
interior courtyards with lavish parks and a zen garden, a fullsized swimming pool, a dog park, a dog washing station,
game room, two fitness centers, a yoga studio, and a secure
underground parking garage, as well as bike stations. There
will also be a club room, business room, and conference
center.
The Perry will process applications for those 30 moderately
priced dwelling units. They will follow the county’s MPDU
income standards regarding who qualifies for them.
Foulger-Pratt developed the first phase of Park Potomac,
which includes a 174,000-square-foot office building, 153
condo units and 150 townhomes, in 2009. That phase also
featured the Harris Teeter and popular retailers like Wine
Harvest and Emily Grace Clothiers.
The Perry will also feature amenities found in high-end
homes and condominiums. The main entrance, apartment
entrance doors, and tenant only spaces will be accessed with
an electronic key. There are designer furnishings such as
Kohler and Moen fixtures. All apartments will have NEST
thermostats (self-programming, motion sensitive, and
controllable with smart phones). The 5th floor apartments
have 10½ foot ceilings.
“Park Potomac Apartments will offer future residents a
premium living experience comparable to or exceeding all
other properties available in the market,” says Bryant
Foulger, Managing Principal of Foulger-Pratt. “It also
represents an important addition to the Park Potomac
community, which eventually will include an additional
400,000 square feet of Class A office space, a 150-room
luxury hotel, and 70,000 square feet of additional retail.” That
project is underway and is expected to be completed in
December of 2015. Foulger notes that through a combination
of exceptional design, planning, and location, the initial phase
of Park Potomac has demonstrated great success in the
marketplace, establishing 100% occupancy for both its retail
and office spaces. In addition, all luxury condominiums and
townhomes have been sold.
“Park Potomac Apartments will
fill a key void in the multifamily market, offering an ideal
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A web sites for The Perry is under development. In the
meantime the following sites offer previews of the
apartments. http://www.theperryapts.com
address and see how many square feet of impervious
surface your property is being assessed for (Hint: change
the tax year to 2014 or earlier. The default for some reason
is 2015 and it returns no results.) You will also see there an
aerial view (GIS) (geographic information systems – aerial
photos from satellites) of your property with the impervious
areas shaded. (You can also start at the county’s home
page and enter “WQPC” in the search box.)
http://www.hartmandesigngroup.com/models/PARK-POTOMAC-2BDRM/
http://www.hartmandesigngroup.com/models/Park-PotomacPenthouse/
Before calculating how much each property owner was
charged, the County first determined how much impervious
surface is on a typical property in Montgomery County. This
number is called the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU).
Property owners are charged based on how much more or
less impervious space they have compared to the ERU.
Currently one ERU = 2,406 square feet = $88.40
If you feel your impervious surfaces were calculated
incorrectly, you may petition the Director of the Department
of Environmental Protection for an adjustment by submitting
a written request, using the appeal form found on the county
site. Appeals must be submitted by September 30th, the year
the charge is due. The property owner must provide: A
detailed statement of the basis for the petition, and
documents supporting the assertion that the property should
be assigned a different classification; or that the impervious
area measurements used to calculate the equivalent
residential units for the property are incorrect; or that the
property is not subject the WQPC under the applicable law.
There is also a hardship appeal form for those with a low
income.
The Water Quality Protection Charge on your
Property Tax Bill: You can appeal it, apply for
credit to reduce it, and in some cases receive
subsidies.
By Bill Wydro, RECA Board Member
The Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) raises funds
to support the County's clean water initiatives to improve
stream and water quality and prevent storm water pollution.
It is listed as a line item on your property tax bill. For most of
us that charge is $88.40. You may apply for a credit to
reduce this charge up to 80% if you participate in approved
storm water management practices. (See a separate article
on Rainscapes and related programs.)
The county may not be aware of something about your
property that changes that calculation, or earns you credit.
For example, if you have “pavers” for a driveway instead of
cement or asphalt; if you have a dry well, or if you have
plantings that slow the flow of rainwater. Call 311 and ask to
consult with a Rainscape person about these potential
reductions to your WQPC.
Montgomery County first approved the WQPC in 2001 for
single-family homes, condos and multi-family properties. The
charge has appeared on residential property tax bills since
2002. The charge increased dramatically beginning in 2010.
A state law passed in 2012 now requires all large counties in
Maryland to have such a charge, and to apply the charge to
all property owners, including nonresidential properties.
For those of you who have read this far and would like even
more details:
The WQPC is calculated based on the potential for a property
to contribute to storm water pollution. It is determined by how
much surface areas your property has that does not absorb
water (impervious surfaces). The bigger, more developed a
property, the higher the WQPC.
The county uses GIS to determine your impervious surfaces.
They used images taken in 2012. The impervious surface
area for your property is the total of: building area (your
house footprint), patio area, attached or detached garage
building area, walkways, driveways, basketball/tennis courts
surface area, private parking lots, other paved areas with
concrete or asphalt.
You may visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/water/wqpc.html
and choose “View Your WQPC Charge Bill” and enter your
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Not included as impervious surfaces: Pools (though patios
and paved areas around the pool are included), wooden
decks, front porches, public sidewalks.
At my house on Charen Lane my impervious surfaces have
not changed between 2002 and 2012. In 2012 the county
determined that I have 2439.59 sq.ft. of impervious surface almost exactly the average for Montgomery County. In 2013
I put on an addition, but my calculation has not been updated,
yet. Here is what I have been charged:
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
$12.75
$12.75
$12.75
$19.35
$25.23
$25.23
2008 $35.50
2009 $45.50
2010 $49.00
2011 $70.50
2012 $92.60
2013 $88.40
2014 $88.40
Another detail is that the total impervious area was
determined in 2012, but the charge is being phased in. In my
case the total impervious surface is 2,439.59, but in 2012 I
was charged for 2,406 sq ft, in 2013 for 2,417.20 sq ft., and
in 2014 for 2,428.39 sq ft. I cannot explain the high charge
on my bill in 2012, and the change in square feet had no
impact on which “tier” my property was in.
Tiers (Square Feet of Impervious Surface)
2014 Charge
Tier 1 (<=1,000)
Tier 2 (>1,000 and <=1,410)
Tier 3 (>1,410 and <=3,412)
Tier 4 (>3,412 and <=3,810)
Tier 5 (>3,810 and <=5,815)
Tier 6 (>5,815 and <=6,215)
Tier 7 (>6,215)
$29.17
$44.20
$88.40
$132.60
$176.80
$221.00
$265.20
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STEM, STEAM or the Three R’s? What is the
best education for my child today?
Certainly, exposing young children to these areas of content
in meaningful and engaging ways is important. Often, it is
through the study of these subject areas that a teacher can
find content that is especially engaging for children, and
therefore inspires a child’s desire to learn more. Increasing
a child’s reading, writing and mathematics skills as they plant
seeds in a garden, build bridges with blocks, watch a video
about orca whales, count their Halloween candy, create a
piece of artwork or perform in a play is what makes going to
school fun and engages the imagination. It brings context
and meaning to the academic skills.
By Dr. Caroline Chapin, Head of Christ Episcopal School
The honest answer is that you do not have to feel forced to
make a choice. It is, indeed, possible to have it all, especially
during the early childhood and elementary school years. The
fact is that any good educational institution, serving the
needs of preschool through elementary school children, is
going to have well-established, rigorous and engaging
reading, writing and mathematics curricula (the Three R’s).
These three subjects should serve as the strong foundation
of the entire academic program. However, along with these
critical academic components, focusing on nurturing close,
personal relationships; providing for the healthy growth and
development of a child’s self-confidence; and training these
young children in the ways of living full, productive lives in
their communities are also critically important skills.
The core of a STEM or STEAM curriculum, however, is more
than these discrete content areas. A true STEM/STEAM
program provides students with opportunities to work in
teams to solve unique problems. The problem is that many
schools are adding amazing academic content in the STEM
areas without teaching children how to work on a team.
Students are put in teams without possessing the skills
necessary for doing successful team work: work in which
every member of the team has a voice and is able to make a
meaningful contribution. The extroverts take over the work,
and the introverts sit quietly and watch. That is not team
Is having a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics) or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Arts, Mathematics) program also important for young children
in order to be ready for their adult lives? Yes and no!
-9-
work. That is group work done with one powerful leader.
What are the skills that support effective team work and can
also be taught? Well, think about successful athletic teams.
On these teams, each individual is recognized for the
gift/talent he/she has to offer. The gift or talent is then offered
for the benefit of the whole. If a soccer team loses, the goalie
is not held solely responsible for having allowed too many
scores from the other team. The team recognizes that it is
also because the defenders did not do their job of keeping
the ball away from the goal and the forwards did not keep the
ball on their scoring end of the field. The team loses out on
success, not the individual. Schools can do a better job of
teaching children that their own success can also be their
team’s or class’s or school’s success. Everyone is more
successful when the whole is successful.
At a very young age, we can teach children how to be good
listeners, recognize and honor the gifts of others, receive the
gifts of others, offer their own gifts for the betterment of the
whole, appreciate cultural differences and provide support to
others so that all can achieve the task at hand. STEM or
STEAM? Awesome. The Three R’s and a heart for others?
Non-negotiable.
Christ Episcopal School (CES) offers a program called
Learning Integration for Tomorrow:
A Values-Centric
Education on the Digital Frontier (LIFT) that addresses these
important components of a 21st century education in
preschool 2’s through 8th grade classes. As the preschool
2’s work together to clean up their room, they are taught, “We
sink or sail together.” CES elementary and middle school
students? They are coached to listen actively to understand,
be positive and respectful, appreciate differences, offer help
willingly and contribute to the community.
CES is a
beautifully diverse community, where immersed in quality
curricula, students are being trained to think and work as
teams of scientists, technology experts, engineers and
mathematicians work every day. You are invited to visit on
any Friday morning at 9:00am for a tour. Come on by!
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There are currently more than 7,000 storm water
management practices that have been implemented in the
County. Types of practices eligible for a credit include:
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE OR
HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE REGENCY
RECORD?
Regency Record, published three - four times a year,
reaches over 1,000 homes in the community.
Rain gardens, permeable pavement, green
conservation landscaping, and stormwater ponds.
Paid advertisements can be placed for full page, half
page, quarter page and business card sizes. Discounts
are available for placing an advertisement in four
consecutive issues. Classified Advertisements for
residents are free!
roofs,
Call 311 and ask to talk to someone in the Rainscapes
program about these strategies. See a separate article on
how you receive subsidies for these projects. Some sample
projects follow:
We also appreciate articles that would be of interest
from both advertisers and residents. There is no charge
for publication of such articles.
Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a functional landscaping technique that can
beautify your property as well as help filter and slow the flow
of storm water. They are saucer shaped gardens that
rainwater flows into that are planted with grasses, flowers,
shrubs, and sometimes small trees. They soak up water
while providing wildlife habitat. The soils and basin fills with
water for a short amount of time before soaking back into the
surrounding soil. Plants used in these gardens are adapted
to survive in short periods of flooding as well as dry soils in
between storms. Rain gardens often collect water from roof
gutters, driveways, and sidewalks.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEND
AN EMAIL TO DAVID FREEMAN AT
[email protected]
County Storm Water Mitigation Programs Can
Lower Your Property Tax Bill: Rainscapes,
Rain Barrels, and other Storm Water
mitigation programs
By Bill Wydro, RECA Board Member
You are paying a Water Quality Protection Charge through
your property tax bill. We all are. But you can reduce that
charge, and in many cases enhance your property at the
same time. The money from that line item on your tax bill is
applied to county programs to reduce storm water run-off and
other water quality related projects. Rainscapes is the
“umbrella” term for these projects. Montgomery County
offers technical and financial assistance (in the form of
rebates) to encourage property owners to implement eligible
RainScapes techniques on their property.
Permeable Pavement
These storm water management practices are designed to
capture and treat rainwater so that the water does not flow
directly into storm drains or streams. They remove pollutants,
protect public health and prevent flooding, stream damage
and erosion.
WQPC credit – up to 80% of your charge - is provided to
property owners who own and maintain onsite storm water
management practices, and is based on the volume of water
captured. The goal of the credit program is to provide
incentives to property owners for helping to treat and control
storm water runoff.
Permeable pavement is built with materials that let water
pass through. Replacement of traditional concrete or asphalt
driveways with permeable pavement allows rainwater to
naturally filter through the ground and reduces storm water
runoff. Permeable pavement provides a strong, solid surface
that can be installed on driveways, walkways, and patios and
can also serve as attractive landscaping features, raising
property values.
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There are three main forms of permeable pavement. In
addition to these forms, listed below, there are grass
pavement systems and gravel-based pavement systems.
Others could be submitted for consideration on a case-bycase basis.

Institutes a management plan for the removal of existing
invasive plants and prevention of future nonnative plant
invasions

Provides habitat for wildlife

Promotes healthy air quality and minimizes air pollution

Permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP)

Conserves and cleans water

Pervious concrete (PC)

Promotes healthy soils

Porous asphalt

Is managed to conserve energy, reduce waste, and
eliminate or minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
Why Install Permeable Pavement?
Patios, sidewalks, and driveways are hard surfaces that
prevent water from soaking into the ground. Various
changes, or retrofits, can be applied to these hard surfaces
to help prevent storm water runoff and pollutants from
entering our streams. An effective retrofit to reduce runoff
from residential properties is the installation of permeable
interlocking pavers.
Why Install Conservation Landscaping?
Conservation landscaping is able to reduce the negative
impacts on the environment associated with conventional
lawn management. Many native plant species are deeply
rooted, more resistant to insects, plant disease, and drought.
By replacing traditional grass lawns with native plants, you
can reduce the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and water.
Permeable pavements:

increase on-site infiltration and reduce runoff

are easy to install

can be an effective alternative to traditional walkways
and driveways
Conservation landscaping saves you time and money when
compared to many other forms of landscaping. There is less
area to mow, so environmentally damaging emissions and
time spent mowing are reduced. Native plant landscapes
that are well-designed are easy to maintain, visually pleasing,
and environmentally friendly. Conservation landscaping
benefits wildlife, the environment, neighborhoods, and
homeowners. The aesthetics of conservation landscaping
can vary from naturalistic to more formal, traditional
landscapes.
Permeable pavements address important environmental
issues and support sustainable living. They not only have a
positive environmental impact, but can also be economical
and function well with little maintenance.
Conservation Landscaping
Conservation landscaping benefits the environment by
improving water quality, preserving native species and
providing wildlife habitat. Conservation landscaping replaces
some of the turf grass of a traditional lawn with native plants
that have adapted to Montgomery County’s local rainfall and
soil conditions and require less water and maintenance than
the lawn grasses.
Conservation landscapes can be designed to receive runoff
water from roofs, patios and driveways, allowing water to
soak into the ground and reducing storm water runoff. It is a
great way to help the environment and protect your local
streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
Faith United Methodist Preschool
Ages 2-4
The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council defines
conservation landscaping through “Eight Essential
Elements.” A conservation landscape:

Is designed to benefit the environment and function
efficiently and aesthetically for human use and well-being

Helps control erosion and other runoff problems.

Uses locally native plants that are appropriate for site
conditions
Small Class
Size
Individual
hands-on
learning
Nurturing, degreed teachers.
MD State licensed.
Call to schedule a tour.
301-881-1416
or email Rosemarie Lapham, Director at
[email protected]
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Private and
affordable
RAINSCAPES WORKSHOPS
Three upcoming Montgomery County DEP RainScapes
Workshops:
Lee Burstyn
Rain Garden Workshop
Learn to build your own rain garden! We’ll learn about siting,
choosing appropriate native plants and determining soil
suitability. Your rain garden will improve our watershed’s
water quality and add beauty to your home.
Selling MD & DC Over 25 Years!
I’m Never Too Busy For Your Referrals
7200 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
301 580-2262 C
301 656-2500 O
[email protected]
Thursday, March 26th, 4:00-7:00 pm OR
Friday, May 27, 10:00 - 1:00 pm
Brookside Gardens
Conservation Landscaping Techniques
Learn how conservation-based landscaping techniques can
beautify your yard and neighborhood, restore native habitats,
help improve the environment, and save you time and
money.
Make & Take Rain Barrels
Gather and store water from your rooftop and to help control
the storm water impact to your yard. Rain barrel with fittings
and easy instructions provided. Remember you need a
vehicle large enough to carry a 55-gallon barrel home!
Thursday, May 14, 4:00-7:00 pm OR
Friday May 15, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Fee: $15 FOBG: $13; registration required;
Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Adult Classroom
Register for workshops in February at
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/xperience.shtm
(FOBG – Friends of Brookside Gardens)
Friday, April 17, 10:00 - 1:00 pm OR
Saturday, April 18, 10:00 - 1:00 pm
Fee: $15 FOBG: $13; registration required
Germantown Campus of Montgomery County College;
directions sent upon registration
- 13 -
Improving Your Home for Eventual Resale!
There is free shredding available at Free Secure Shredding
at 7650 Airpark Road in Gaithersburg.
Always call
301.948.6301 before making the drive.
If you need
recommendations regarding people who assist with
organizing, call me.
Lorraine Gottlieb (RE/MAX)
I often receive phone calls from homeowners in the
surrounding
area
regarding
what
types
of
repairs/updates/improvements they should be making to
prepare for a home sale down the road. They are not selling
in the immediate future and just want to make certain they
are being smart about their efforts and their financial
investments in their home. So here are a few of the topics
frequently addressed:
Determine if it is time to replace a roof, furnace and/or airconditioner. (Real estate transactions have fallen apart
because these systems were in poor condition.) It’s true that
these are big ticket items but if they have lots of life remaining
when you place your home on the market, it’s one less item
to concern a nervous buyer. If these items are just barely
hanging on and you pray about them regularly, get them
replaced now so that you can actually enjoy them. Your
heating and cooling bills might even decrease!
Get a handle on your possessions which you have
accumulated over the years. If left to the last minute, this can
be an absolutely overwhelming task. Items no longer needed
should be donated, sold, recycled or thrown out. Don’t hold
onto old things that you really don’t need any more and be
realistic with yourself about this. If you need help with the
sorting and organizing, there is assistance out there.
Personal papers should be carefully reviewed. Do keep any
papers related to improvements to the property; mortgage
documents (even old ones); refinance documents and any
trust documents. Shred personal papers you no longer need.
Start to transition your home décor into neutral colors. If
you’re updating a bathroom or kitchen because you would
like that done, make certain it appeals to the largest number
of people as possible. Nothing too personalized! Get help
from a decorator if necessary. If you happen to have lots of
old wallpaper throughout your house, have it removed.
- 14 -
Rightsizing
Wallpaper scares buyers as they think it will cost far more
money to remove and repaint than it does. You may find
yourself actually enjoying the new look!
This article from the Seniors Real Estate Specialist Newsletter has some
good tips for downsizing the right way: “Rightsizing.” This article appears
courtesy of Fifa Northrop, Realtor, Weichert Realtors
Start with the easy stuff. Eliminate anything that's broken,
damaged, or no longer wanted. Then, go to the out-of-theway spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and garages. Making
progress in "easier" areas will build momentum to go
through the harder-to-decide areas.
If you’re contemplating removing/replacing old worn out
carpeting I suggest that you consider not replacing carpeting,
provided there are hardwood floors beneath the current
carpeting. Instead you might want to consider refinishing the
floors.
young buyers of today LOVE hardwood floors.
Beautiful floors do help to sell a home. I do caution
homeowners to hire a professional to refinish floors and not
just a handyman who says he’s qualified. I have seen wood
floors ruined by someone who was not an expert at this
specialty. When it comes time to select the finish for
hardwood floors, select satin finish. High gloss tends to
enhance the flaws in the floors so stay away from that!
Ask yourself, "If this disappeared tomorrow, would I run
out and replace it?" If you wouldn't miss it or need to
replace it, it's probably not worth keeping.
Don't be a storage unit for others. If friends or relatives
have left things for you to store, it's time to ask them to
pick them up - or arrange to have them shipped. You may
need to be tough and set a firm deadline, after which you
will donate the items.
Should you have specific questions about what should be
done in your home to prepare for sale, do speak with a realtor
who knows the preferences of the buying public for your area.
Don’t rely on recommendations you might see on HGTV.
Ask for help. Although you can do much of this work on
your own, a family member, a good friend, or even a
professional organizer can help make the job more
manageable.
Lorraine Gottlieb is a real estate professional with RE/MAX
Realty Services in Bethesda and a Potomac resident. She
has been selling homes for 25+ years. She is always
available for questions. You can send an
email to: [email protected] or call 240.731.7885.
Decide what's really important. Pretend you are moving
overseas, and the number of items you can take will be
severely limited and it will cost a small fortune to ship
things. What items belong on your list? These are the
things that matter most to you!
Is this something from a lifestyle I no longer have or want?
For example, if you have three cabinets full of plastic
containers, but only cook for one or two people, you
probably can lose a few plastic sets - and dishes, pots and
pans, etc.
Regency Estates Citizen
Association
Needs You!
Schedule a regular time each week - or several days per
week - to work on rightsizing. Realize that rightsizing is a
life-changing marathon, not a sprint.
You didn't
accumulate everything overnight, and you won't sort it all
out overnight either.
Value what you keep. The fewer things you keep, the more
you will treasure and enjoy what you have, instead of
tucking them away in a closet or stacked among dozens of
other things. These are the few, meaningful items worth
having in your personal space.
We are in need of volunteers who can plan,
organize and help with existing activities and help
make new ones a reality.
If you have some time to help, and would be willing
to volunteer, please contact:
Prevent new collections from forming. Instead of material
gifts, ask people to spoil you by sharing time, enjoying new
experiences, and indulging in luxuries--spa certificates,
imported chocolate, a musical or other theatre production,
gift certificates for dinner out, etc.) - the things you love
and want, but don't always buy for yourself.
Steve Chojna
[email protected]
- 15 -
Use age to your advantage. Now is a great time to "gift"
items you "eventually" want family members to have.
Take a photo (preferably a digital one) of them holding the
special item and create a digital scrapbook of "next
generation" memories...making your special people happy
and freeing yourself of extra "stuff" that you have been
charged with keeping for posterity.
Fifa Northrop
REALTOR®
The Montgomery County GreenFest was developed and
planned by a coalition of partners, including the Montgomery
County Department of Environmental Protection, WSSC,
Montgomery Parks, Montgomery College, University of
Maryland, Montgomery County Public Schools, the cities of
Gaithersburg, Rockville and Takoma Park, and the four local
community
green
groups
—
Bethesda
Green,
GreenWheaton, Poolesville Green and Silver Spring Green.
The GreenFest was formed by merging the successful Silver
Spring GreenFest and the H2O Summit into a one-day
celebration of everything “green” in the County.
Free market analysis
SRES, ICREA
Office 301-468-1600
Cell 301 787 9447
[email protected]
Licensed in MD & VA
The GreenFest will be held on the west side of Montgomery
College Takoma Park/Silver Spring at 7995 Georgia Ave.,
Silver Spring and in Jesup Blair Local Park. Parking will be
available at the college’s West Garage at Georgia Ave. and
Jesup Blair Dr. The City of Takoma Park is sponsoring a
shuttle from the Takoma Metro that will take attendees
directly to the event. The GreenFest also encourages taking
the bus, biking or walking to the event.
Around the County and State
First Annual Montgomery County GreenFest
Set for March 28 in Silver Spring/Takoma Park
The inaugural Montgomery County GreenFest will be held at
Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring and Jesup
Blair Local Park on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or
shine. The free educational event will focus on how
Montgomery County residents can enhance the environment
and their local community.
For more information, visit www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org.
Share the hashtag #MCGreenFest on social media.
NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
GreenFest will include educational, entertaining activities for
people of all ages, including workshops and demonstrations
on conserving energy, improving local waterways and
reducing waste. Attendees can hear from national and local
environmental experts, participate in informational panels
and how-to sessions, and enjoy music and outdoor
entertainment.
Have you recently (since last Fall) moved into the
Families can also view a collection of electric vehicles in
Jesup Blair Local Park and tour an energy - efficient Ride-on
bus and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
(WSSC) BioBus. Thanks to a special partnership with the
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, free
documentaries will be shown at the Montgomery College
Cultural Arts Center for both adults and children.
Regency Estates neighborhood and not yet received a
visit (and a little welcome gift) from RECA? If not,
please contact Helene Dolan, whose email address is
[email protected].
Helene will be pleased to drop by, welcome you to our
neighborhood and collect your information so that we
Visitors also will be able to explore more than 80 tables and
exhibits featuring environmental nonprofit and for-profit
organizations. Businesses and nonprofits interested in being
a Montgomery County GreenFest exhibitor can visit
www.mygreenmontgomery.org/montgomery-countygreenfest-exhibitors for more information.
can keep you informed about local news, events and
emergency situations.
- 16 -
Montgomery County Offers Cold Weather
Safety Reminders for People and Animals;
Community Members Strongly Advised to
Heed Precautions for Extreme Cold
contact MC311 by calling 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 between 7
a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays, or through the www.MC311.com
website address available 24/7.
Although the severe cold should be behind us by now, this useful information
from the County will serve as a useful reference for next winter.
Alert Montgomery:
For timely severe weather and emergency notifications, go to
https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov and sign up for Alert
Montgomery. Warnings and emergency updates will be sent
directly to your cell phone (text), land-line phone, computer
(Twitter & Facebook) and/or email address. The service is
free, but text charges may apply, so check with your cell
phone carrier before selecting text alerts.
There is always particular concern for the safety of children,
senior citizens, and homeless individuals during periods of
extreme cold. Children engaged in outside activities should
be carefully monitored by a responsible adult. Neighbors,
friends or family members should check on senior citizens
who live alone. Montgomery County provides a variety of
sheltering locations for the homeless.
Hypothermia:
Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can bring on
health emergencies in susceptible people, such as the very
young, seniors, those without shelter or who are stranded, or
who live in a home that is poorly insulated and/or without
heat. Hypothermia can result from prolonged exposure to the
cold. When exposed to cold temperatures, the body begins
to lose heat faster than it can be produced. When the body’s
store of energy is used up, the result is hypothermia.
Because hypothermia can affect the brain, a person may not
All Montgomery County facilities, such as libraries, recreation
centers and senior centers are open during their regular
hours for use by anyone needing an escape from the cold.
Public shopping centers are also available as warm locations
during their hours of operation. Outreach program providers
have attempted to encourage individuals who are homeless
to seek shelter. All emergency and transitional shelters will
allow homeless individuals to stay inside until temperatures
increase, and/or return to a shelter early from daytime activity
programs. For additional information on County services
- 17 -
Outdoor Safety:
Try to stay indoors, and make trips outside as brief as
possible. Limit outdoor recreational activity. Outdoor cold
weather exertion puts extra strain on the heart.
be aware that it is happening, and not take appropriate steps
to prevent damage.
Warning Signs:

Shivering, exhaustion

Confusion, fumbling hands

Memory loss, slurred speech

Drowsiness

For infants – bright red, cold skin, very low energy
What to do:

If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s
temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, the situation is an
emergency – get medical attention immediately.

If the person is unconscious and does not seem to have
a pulse or to be breathing, call 9-1-1.
Get victim into a warm room or shelter.

Remove any wet clothing.

Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head,
and groin – using electric blanket if available, or use skinto-skin- contact under loose, dry layers of blankets,
clothing, towels, or sheets.

Warm, non-alcoholic, beverages can help increase body
temperatures if the victim is conscious.
Frostbite:
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing.
Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas,
typically the nose, ears, cheeks, chink fingers, or toes. Signs
of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area, a white
or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or
waxy and numbness.
Get into a warm area as soon as possible.

Immerse the affected area in warm, but not hot, water.

Warm the affected area using body heat.

Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a
stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming.

Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes if at all possible.

Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow of massage it
in any fashion.

Sleeves should be snug at the wrist.

Mittens are warmer than gloves.

Several layers of loose-fitting clothing should be worn
under a heavy coat.

Never go out on frozen ponds, lakes or creeks. It is
impossible to judge the thickness and strength of ice by
its appearance. Children cannot be reminded enough
not to go out on a frozen surface.

Only use combustion heaters if they are properly vented
to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air
space.

Do not place a space heater within three feet of anything
that may catch fire, such as drapes, furniture or bedding.

Do not use ovens or stoves to heat a home.
Vehicle Safety:
During cold winter weather, keep the gas tank near full to
help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Make sure there is
adequate antifreeze. Never leave a person of any age alone
in a vehicle. Have extra blankets and supplies in case of a
breakdown. Do not start your car (even if it is parked in your
driveway) to warm it up and then leave it unattended.
Vehicles left unattended and running with keys in the ignition
are frequent targets for car thieves.
What to do:

Wear hat, scarf, or mask to cover face and mouth.
Indoor Safety:
If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace or space heater, be
extremely careful. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves,
or similar devices indoors, inside a garage, or near the air
intake of your house because of the risk of carbon monoxide
poisoning.
Prior to medical care:


Animal Care:
Due to the extremely cold temperatures and strong winds,
the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division is
enforcing Executive Regulation 10-10AM, Anti-Cruelty
Conditions for Dogs. A portion of the regulation states: “a
person must not tether a dog under circumstances that
endanger its health, safety, or well-being including:
unattended tethering of the dog during a weather
emergency.”
- 18 -
The regulation is enforced during periods of high heat and
humidity, and during conditions of extreme cold, wind, and
heavy snow which can all be damaging to dogs and other
animals. Dogs spending a period of time outdoors must have
access to shelter to properly protect them from the elements.
The penalty for this violation is a $500 fine.
Montgomery County Police Animal Services officers want to
remind citizens to be particularly careful with all pets during
this time period of record cold. The best advice during
periods of extreme weather conditions is to bring your pets
indoors. Even animals that are accustomed to living
outdoors can be susceptible to the dangers of cold weather.
Livestock animals should have a place to get out of the wind;
dry bedding should be provided to protect them from
frostbite.
Former RECA President David Levin models the RECA Tote Bag How can you resist!
DON’T FORGET YOUR RECA BAG!
Don’t miss out on getting one of the delightful RECA bags
to display how proud you are to live in Regency Estates!
We still have plenty available for RECA residents. With
the County 5c bag tax not going away any time soon, the
RECA bag is a great way to keep organized and saving
money.
ASD Officers will be on-call, patrolling neighborhoods and
responding to any animal-related emergencies. If you see an
animal left outside that appears to be in danger, please call
the Animal Services Division immediately at 301-279-8000.
The RECA reusable “Grand Tote” bag (pictured above) is
blue with white straps and has the RECA logo, name and
web site on one side. While these bags are provided free
of charge to new residents, we continue to make these
bags available to all residents as a fund raiser for RECA.
For any donations made to RECA of $5 or more, you will
receive one of the bags pictured above.
Tips from veterinarians for cold weather care of a dog
include:

Provide a heated bed and shelter for dogs which cannot
come indoors.

Avoid letting your dog eat snow – keep fresh room
temperature water available at all times.

Keep food and water in a place where it will not freeze –
preferably inside.

A dog’s ears and tail are susceptible to frostbite; check
them after a dog has been outside for a long period of
time.

Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and
cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your
vehicle, and consider using products that contain
propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

A dog licking the salt off the bottom of his paws can make
him sick, so wipe his paws after he walks through a
salted area.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold
weather because a car can act as a refrigerator in the
winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to
freeze to death.
Please send your donation to Regency Estates Citizens
Association Inc, PO Box 34744, Bethesda, MD 208270744. Please make checks payable to ‘RECA’ and be
sure to include your name and address with your
donation. Thank you!
Sidewalk snow clearance under PEPCO right
of ways
One of the perennial issues with snow clearance in the
neighborhood has been getting the sidewalks under the
PEPCO right of ways on both Gainsborough Road and
Postoak Road cleared on a timely basis. The sidewalks are
used by students walking to Churchill and Beverly Farms
respectively.
It is PEPCO’s responsibility for clearing these sidewalks and
RECA has been in communication with PEPCO to ensure
these sidewalks are cleared promptly. Hopefully this issue
will be resolve shortly.
- 19 -
**J.P. Zetts Home Improvements**
MHIC # 39810
Serving Montgomery County since 1988
Business 301-948-2211
email [email protected]
Specializing in Bathroom Remodeling , Kitchens & Basements
We are masters at bathroom and kitchen expansions and reconfigurations.
On the State of Maryland's Rehabilitation (DORS) list of remodelers.
Experts in Handicap access and all phases in remodeling!!!
Painting
Ceramic Tile
Siding
Porch Extensions
Decks
Please feel free to email or call me for any questions you might have about your
home improvement needs, no matter how small or large of job you might have!
Now is the best time to get that project done. Don't wait until the remodeling
business starts booming again!
Please ask about our Senior and “Regency Estates” discounts.
Handyman services available!!
Licensed and Insured!
Excellent references upon request!
JP Zetts, A GREEN Company, we recycle everything that can be recycled from your job!
- 20 -
- 21 -
Trash & Recycling Collection – find out about
holidays & delays the easy way!
Civic Loop Recycling Newsletter from the Montgomery
County Division of Solid Waste Services - Waste Reduction
and Recycling Section
Trash and recycling pickups holidays don’t always follow the
same schedule as Federal holidays. Furthermore in late
February, snowfalls and Presidents Day combined to make
trash and recycling pickup unpredictable for a couple of
weeks – except that is for those in the know. If you want to
know for certain about the impact of weather and Federal
holidays on trash and holiday pickups, please get the
definitive answers by going to the link below, and signing up
for updates and alerts.
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws/Resources/Files/civicloop/civic-loop-1409.pdf
The Record – Events, Activities and News from Montgomery
County Recreation www.mocorec.com/
New Maryland Traffic Safety Laws Reminder
A reminder about two new traffic safety laws that went into
effect on in Maryland on October 1, 2014.
https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/depcollectionday/d
efault.aspx?utm_source=dswsheader&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=get-reminders
Children under the age of eight must be in a safety seat,
regardless of weight, unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or
taller.
County Online Publications
The County provides a number of useful online publications.
A few of recent issues are available as follows:
The law regarding who has the right-of-way when a traffic
signal is not working has been clarified. All drivers should
stop at the light and then yield to other vehicles or
pedestrians already in the intersection. Failure to obey the
law can result in a $90 fine and two points. If a driver breaks
the law and contributes to a crash, it will cost the driver $130
and three points.
More information about new driver safety laws in Maryland is
available on the Maryland Motor Vehicles Administration
website, http://www.mva.maryland.gov/
You can wait to wash your car!
Recent reports that some communities add magnesium
chloride to their salt brine solutions to melt snow on roads
has caused concern about this corrosive agent’s effect on
vehicles.
But, if you live or drive in Montgomery County, there is no
need for worry. The Division of Highway Services uses only
regular salt, made of sodium chloride, diluted with water for
its salt brine solution and adds nothing else to it.
The Montgomery County Guide, issued by the MarylandNactional Capital Park and Planning Commission is a great
place to find out about outdoor activities in the County this
Spring. You can access the online version of the Guide, and
similar publications by following this link:
ARE YOU A GOOD NEIGHBOR?
The following are some ideas to maintain
Regency Estates as an attractive place to live,
help to retain the value of our homes and our
community in general, and just to be a GOOD
NEIGHBOR. Feel free to contact RECA with
additional suggestions.
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/activities/program_guides.
shtm
- 22 -
Services (including snow removal – Your
Neighbor Needs You!!
Neighbor Services
Anyone wishing to add his or her name to this list should
contact Steve Chojna at 301-983-3786 or by email at
[email protected]. Alternatively you can
complete the form on the RECA web site, which is located at
http://www.regencyestates.org/permission_form.html.
We continue to receive requests for local
services – pet sitters, baby sitters, yard work
etc. In particular during this winter we have
received a number of inquiries from residents
in need of help for snow removal.
Unfortunately, because we haven’t had much snow in recent
winters, the number of individuals that have provided us with
their information is lower than demand dictates.
Baby Sitting
REMOVED FOR WEB VERSION
If you would like to offer your services in any of these
categories, please submit your information here:
http://www.regencyestates.org/contact-us.html.
Your
contact information will be included in the Neighbor Services
section of Regency Record. If you’re 16 or under and would
like to off your services, please provide your information and
obtain your parents’ permission here.
http://www.regencyestates.org/permission_form.html
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES
Other Services
Classified Advertising
We encourage RECA members to use this
FREE space to sell or obtain items, rent or
sell properties, and offer or seek services. Email
your
item
to:
[email protected].
REMOVED FOR WEB VERSION
REMOVED FOR WEB VERSION
- 23 -
ADVERTISEMENT
- 24 -