January 2014

JANUARY 2014 n www.KentlandsUSA.com
Come Swim with the Kingfish this Summer!
Join the fun of being part of the
Kentlands Kingfish, your neighborhood
swim team, this summer! Participate
in daily practices, weekly neighborhood meets, and/or qualify for competitive meets. There is nothing more fun
than cheering on your friends and
neighbors.
The Kingfish swim team was indeed a great way for my kids to bond with their
new friends during the summer and for me to meet my neighbors. Five years later,
I am one of the Volunteer Coordinators for the team! My husband and I enjoy
volunteering for the meets, my son enjoys being part of the team, and my daughter, Hannah, loves swimming so much that she has pursued swimming as a year
round sport!
So in the spirit of passing it forward… really—come swim with us! I want you to have
the same experience we‘ve had. If you have any questions please feel free to contact
any of us on the parent volunteer board at our e-mail: [email protected].
Each of us has kids in different age groups and different levels of swimming, so we can
address any questions or concerns you may have.
Registration will be May 3rd. Kids will have to be able to swim the length of the pool
to participate. If your child needs help achieving this threshold or you just want to get
an early start there are many winter and spring swim programs starting now at local
pools to get your kid ready for the swim season. Please check the Kingfish website for
a list of winter/spring swim programs.
Summer will be here before you know it… Hope to see you all on the pool deck!!
Continued on page 11...
K25 Officially Launches Next Month
Permit #5139
Gaithersburg
MD
PRSRT-STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Before you know it summer will be
here and we will be holding our swimmer registration. As a new Kentlands
resident five years ago, joining the
Kingfish was the best thing we ever
did. We moved into the neighborhood
December 31st and literally the first
person I met at Rachel Carson was
Diane Canova, a neighbor and veteran
Kingfish member. She immediately asked me, “Do your kids swim? I said: “Yes, but
not seriously.” She encouraged me to join the team and told me it would be a great
experience for my family at any swim level. I am forever grateful we had that
conversation!
By Valerie Harnois
The celebration of Kentlands
25th anniversary officially gets
underway next month. With 25
events of varying type, scale and
purpose planned for the next 25 months, there will truly be a way for every member
of the community to participate. The first three events offer engaging opportunities to
learn about the how Kentlands was designed and to highlight the unique and distinct
features of our community.
Kentlands Clubhouse
485 Tschiffely Square Rd.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
The celebration kicks off with “Kentlands: Birth of a Community” on the evening of
February 16 at the newly opened Largent’s restaurant. This event will be a fascinating
look-back at the original Kentlands charrette led by Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz
and original Kentlands Town Architect Michael Watkins. Video clips from the charrette
will be shown in the upstairs room of the restaurant, with commentary from Katz and
Watkins, and light refreshments served (a RSVP will be required).
The next event is the Box City build, which is a fun two-part workshop held on March
29 and April 5. Participants (individuals or family/friend groups who register in advance) will learn about principals of new urbanism and town planning, and have the
opportunity to construct their own building. During the second session, all the buildings are then laid out in the Box City. After the entire “town” has been constructed, it
will be unveiled at a cocktail reception at the Kentlands Clubhouse open to all.
Continued on page 8...
Inside...
Stores During 2013
Holiday Shopping Season. ........................ 3
Resident Helps Those Stuck in Style Rut....... 3
Kentlands Events........................................ 4
City News. ................................................. 5
Kentlands Activities. ................................... 5
CCT Notice................................................ 5
From The President. .................................... 6
Manager’s Corner...................................... 6
BOCC Monthly Focus. .............................. 6
From The Treasurer..................................... 7
From The Chairman..................................... 7
Foundation Update..................................... 8
Kentlands Travel Tales.............................. 10
My Favorite Albums of 2013..................... 11
Ton of Fun Weight Loss Event.................. 13
Kentlands Historical Trust........................ 14
School Scoop. ......................................... 16
Window Designs with Drama & Pizzazz!.... 16
Kentlands Real Estate Listings.................... 16
Kentlands Classifieds. ............................... 16
Date Set for Next Progressive Dinner. ....... 16
At Your Service. ....................................... 17
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com 2
Kentlands Town Crier
Some Stores Shine, Others
Struggle During 2013
Holiday Shopping Season
By Kate Myers
The 2013 holiday shopping season was a
mixed bag for Kentlands retailers. Some,
like high-end chocolatier SPAGnVOLA reported disappointing sales, while others,
such as women’s clothing boutique
Clover enjoyed a brisk business despite
a shorter-than-normal shopping period
between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Perhaps one of the most closely watched
merchants was newcomer Tipo’s Toy Box,
which opened in late fall 2013 at 720
Center Point Way. Owners Lew and Sandi Tipograph learned that selling toys in
the suburbs is quite different than selling
them in Dupont Circle, where the shop
was previously located. “We cater to a
much older age group here, whereas in
Dupont Circle we did a big baby business,” said Lew Tipograph. “In the city,
people tend to buy smaller items that
they can carry back to their office. In the
Kentlands, customers can park right out
front of the store, so they don’t hesitate to
purchase bulkier items. Also, Black Friday
is a much bigger deal here.”
Magna-Tiles® was one of the store’s hottest
toys for the holiday season, with the
100-piece set selling particularly well.
“It was a surprise hit,” said Tipograph.
“I didn’t think people would pay $120 for
the top-of-the-line set, but they did.”
shop’s special holiday treats, such as
eggnog bonbons and autumn spice truffles, remained popular. “This year was
definitely not as good as last year, and it
Kentlands Resident Helps
Those Stuck in Style Rut
Tipograph remains unfazed by competition from Target and online toy retailers like Amazon. “People seem happy
not to have to go to big-box stores,” he
said. They appreciate the service and
higher-quality products, plus the extra
touches like free gift wrapping.”
Tipograph said holiday sales were close
to projections and that the store is
currently running a clearance sale to
make room for new merchandise.
By Kate Myers
Sarah Ancalmo’s very first client was herself. Living in New York City and working
for boutique design group, Ancalmo often
felt self-conscious and awkward presenting to clients, despite her credentials and
talent. “I was this baby-faced twenty-something pitching to VOGUE or for Madonna.
I’d walk into the room and I knew what
the client was thinking: ‘You’re a kid and
you’re in charge of MY job?’ I had to work
twice as hard to prove myself,” she says.
Nearby Clover got a boost from an
unusually early Hanukkah and two rare
flash Facebook sales. “We only have
sales twice a year so people were really
excited about the extra holiday deals,”
said co-owner Jenn O’Brien. Sweaters and scarves were top sellers again
this year, along with gift cards. “Overall
we were pretty happy with the holiday
season,” said O’Brien. “It was definitely better than a few years ago, during
the recession.”
So Ancalmo got to work restyling and
rebranding herself. “I took a good hard
look at myself and asked, ‘OK, what do
you want to be?’ I essentially approached
it like any design project,” she says.
Ancalmo updated her look and launched
a “Thirty Day Challenge” on her personal
blog where she shopped her own closet
to come up with a month’s worth of different outfits. The challenge garnered media attention from Current TV, Who What
Wear, Nylon Magazine, The Fashion Spot
and Refinery 29. Her design clients responded too. “The change in perception
was immediate,” she says. “Clients treated me differently. Since I had more confidence, they had more confidence in me.”
When it came to chocolate, apparently
shoppers were watching their waistlines—and their wallets. SPAGnVOLA
co-owner Eric Reid lamented a significant
drop in corporate orders, though he said
walk-in traffic remained steady and the
Friends, colleagues and acquaintances
began asking Ancalmo to style them, and
she started taking business courses online. Soon her company—Public Persona
(www.public-persona.com)—was born.
“I didn’t set out to start a business
necessarily… it just sort of happened,”
she says. In 2011, she moved to the
Kentlands, though she still travels to New
York City frequently.
Through Public Persona, Ancalmo helps
women (and men!) put forth a polished
image that captures their personality,
brand and style. She works with about 15
clients at any given time, either in person
or via Skype. Ancalmo helped one woman who travels constantly for work select
a suitcase-friendly wardrobe with pieces
suitable for any climate or country, from
Vietnam to Poland. She helped another
client update her look without setting
foot in a mall. “We used clothes from her
own closet… we just put them together in
different ways,” Ancalmo explains.
Ancalmo says her approach differs from
the typical stylist. “Lots of stylists just look
Kentlands Town Crier seemed like everyone was waiting until
the very last minute to buy,” said Reid.
“We’ll have to sit down and really think
about possible changes for next year.” n
3
at a client and say, ‘Oh you should wear
this color and this skirt.’ For me it’s very
psychological,” she says. “I take a lot of
time to research and understand who my
client is.” She starts by having some deep
conversations with her clients, often asking them to complete a style questionnaire she’s developed or create a Pinterest board filled with things that capture
their eye. “Clients will tell me they know
nothing about style so I’ll say, ‘Ok well
show me some home interiors that you
like, or cars… anything at all!’” she says.
Ancalmo typically takes local clients
shopping at Montgomery Mall, Tyson’s
Corner or Georgetown. For international
clients, she orders clothes and accessories online and asks clients to try them on
for her over Skype. She also helps with
makeup application and shows clients
potential hairstyles via Photoshop.
“I work with a lot of people who are in
a total style rut… they’re basically hiding
behind their clothes,” she says. “Style is
a silent language. It tells people who are
you and what you do. For people who
are the face of their business, you have
six seconds to make an impression. That’s
it.” For those who need help starting or
updating their online image—primarily
business owners, entrepreneurs and authors—Ancalmo handles public branding
as well, from designing custom logos and
business cards to writing taglines and bios
to building a solid social media presence.
Relative to New York, Ancalmo enjoys
the peace and quiet of the Kentlands
and says it’s more conducive to the creative process. “People are generally more
preppy and conservative here, whereas in
New York they’re more loud and in your
face. I love the Kentlands community,
especially its walkability, plus everyone
is so friendly.” n
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
K E N T TownCrier
LANDS
Kentlands Events January–February 2014
Volume 38 n Issue 1
Editor and Advertising Manager
Sam White
301.948.2071
[email protected]
All meetings will take place in the Clubhouse unless otherwise noted.
KCA Committee Meetings
Important Dates
Kentlands Citizens Assembly
January 27 Turf Management Workgroup, 7–9pm
February 8
Movie Night at the Clubhouse, 7–9pm
President
January 29
KCA Board and Condominium
Associations Board Meeting, 7–9pm
February 12
Town Architect Open Hours, 5–6pm,
by appointment only
February 5
Kentlands Historical Trust Meeting,
6:30–8:30pm
February 17 Presidents Day, Clubhouse open 9am–
9:30pm
Chair
Neil Harris
February 11
Environmental Management Committee
Meeting, 4–5:30pm
Condo Meetings
Vice Chair
Jarrod Borkat
February 13
Board of Code Compliance Meeting,
6:30–9pm
January 30
Kentlands Condo Meeting, 7–9pm
February 4 Secretary
Judy Gross
February 18
Kentlands Ridge Condo Meeting, Carriage
House, 7–9pm
Treasurer
Robert Randolph
February 11
February 26
Copperfield Crossing Condo Meeting,
7–9pm at the Carriage House
February 18 Copperfield Crossing ll Condo Meeting,
7:30–9pm at the Carriage House
February 19 View Condo Meeting, 7–9pm
Tim Clarke
[email protected]
Board of Trustees
[email protected]
Trustee
Chris Campbell
Staff Writers
Kate Myers
Amy Pfeiffer Wales
Carrie Dietz
Staff Photographers
Sam White
EDITORIAL POLICY:
The Kentlands Town Crier is the primary regularlypublished means of communicating information
of interest to Kentlands citizens. It is published
by the Board of Trustees, which is responsible for
the form, content, and policies of the newspaper.
The newspaper addresses items of legitimate
interest to the Kentlands Citizens Assembly.
It does not espouse any political belief
or endorse any product or service.
Articles submitted for publication must be signed
and may not be libelous. Letters may be published
as space permits. Articles and letters may be
edited for length and content. The deadline for
submitting articles will be the last day of the
month. Articles may be either dropped at the
Clubhouse, faxed to 301.948.9730, or mailed to:
Budget and Finance Advisory Committee
Meeting, 7:30–9pm
Board of Trustees Meeting, 7–10pm
Social Groups
January 26 Girl Scouts 5908. 2:30–4:30pm at the
Carriage House
January 27 Community Chorus, 4:30–9pm
January 28 Acoustic Jam, 6–9pm
January 29 Bridge Club, 1–4pm at the Carriage House
January 31 Needle Arts, 9am–12N
Girl Scouts 3051, 3:30–5pm at the
Carriage House
Party Planning Expo, 12N–4pm at
the Mansion
January 31
Comedy & Magic Society,
8pm at the Arts Barn
February 6,20
Preschool Songs and Stories,
11am at the Arts Barn
February 8,14,
15,20,21
A Little Night Music,
8pm at the Arts Barn
A Little Night Music,
2pm at the Arts Barn
Community Chorus, 4:30–9pm
February 4 Acoustic Jam, 6–9pm
February 5 Bridge Club, 1–4pm at the Carriage House
February 9,16,
22,23
February 7
Needle Arts, 9am–12N
February 11
Multi Media Arts Reception,
7–8:30pm at the Kentlands Mansion
February 22 Singer Songwriter Concert Series—
Slaid Cleaves 3pm at the Kentlands
Mansion, and 7:30pm at the Arts Barn
February 28 Comedy and Magic Society,
8pm at the Arts Barn
February 9 Girl Scouts 5908, 2:30–4:30pm at the
Carriage House
Community Chorus, 4:30–9:00pm
Kentlands Town Crier
c/o The Kentlands Clubhouse
485 Tschiffely Square Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
February 12 Bridge Club, 1–4pm at the Carriage House
February 14 Needle Arts, 9am–12N
February 15 Newcomers Coffee, 9:30–10:30am
REGARDING ADVERTISEMENTS
IN THE NEWSPAPER:
February 17 Community Chorus, 4:30–9pm
February 19 Bridge Club, 1–4pm at the Carriage House
February 21 Needle Arts, 9am–12N
TGIF Happy Hour, 5:30–7:30pm
The Kentlands Town Crier reserves the right
to edit, reject, or cancel any advertisement
at any time. The Kentlands Classifieds will not
post any professional or commercial advertising.
January 26
February 3 February 10 The Kentlands Board of Trustees of the
Kentlands Citizens Assembly does not endorse
the products or services advertised herein,
ensure the correctness of advertisements
contained herein, nor is it responsible for
any claims made by the advertisers herein.
City Events
February 23 Girl Scouts 5908, 2:30–4:30pm at the
Carriage House
New to the area? Then come and let
us welcome you to the neighborhood
at the ‘Newcomers Coffee’ on
February 15th, 9:30–10:30am
February 24 Community Chorus, 4:30–9pm
Then, whether you’re new or are
February 25 Acoustic Jam, 6–9pm
a ‘long-timer’, join us for our,
Design and layout
February 26 Bridge Club, 1–4pm at the Carriage House
Anne-Marie Thomas
AnyArt Studios LLC • AnyArtStudios.com
February 28 Needle Arts, 9am–12N
© Copyright 2014, Kentlands Citizens Assembly.
All Rights Reserved.
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com ‘TGIF Happy Hour’ on
February 21st, 5:30–7:30pm
Girl Scouts 3051, 3:30–5pm at the
Carriage House
4
Kentlands Town Crier
City to Conduct Community Meeting for Reforestation Project
Activities Update
The City of Gaithersburg will conduct a community meeting to present and receive
comment on a proposed reforestation project on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at
7pm. The meeting will be held in the cafeteria at Rachel Carson Elementary School,
100 Tschiffely Square Road.
The Activities Committee had our first meeting of 2014 on Tuesday, February 14. We
spent some time discussing the events of the past year, and what we could do in the
future to improve upon them. We discussed the Holiday Party at length and were
brainstorming ways to make it appeal to adults and children alike. We continued
on to look at the current calendar of events for 2014, and what we could add to our
existing schedule. We have decided to begin holding Movie Nights, the first of which
will be on Saturday, February 8 from 7–9pm. We will be showing Teen Beach Movie,
and providing popcorn and beverages for the kids. Feel free to come on down and
join us! We will hold these movie nights in the Clubhouse until the weather warms
up, where we will move them out to the lawn for some outdoor fun. We are looking
forward to an event filled year, so keep a lookout for some exciting new activities in
the coming months! If you would like to attend a meeting or offer your thoughts on
some things you would like to see in the community, please contact Sam White at
[email protected] or call the Clubhouse at 301.948.2071.
In effort to manage stormwater runoff into the Muddy Branch, community tree plantings are planned for various locations within the watershed in Quince Orchard Park at
Lake Varuna and Green Park. Tree plantings will also take place in Blohm Park. New
trees will help reduce the amount of pollutants that enter the stream and will help
provide additional filtration for runoff.
This project is part of an initiative funded by a $72,000 grant from the Governor’s
Stream Restoration Challenge awarded to the City and the Audubon Naturalist Society.
The funds are being used to plant five acres of trees along Muddy Branch to improve
water quality. The project also serves as a teaching tool to engage students as they
participate in the community tree plantings.
CCT Notice
If Montgomery County Schools are closed on January 23, the meeting will be rescheduled for the following Thursday, January 30. For more information please contact the
Department of Public Works at 301.258.6370.
From Tim Clarke, President
The State of Maryland and Montgomery County are in the planning stage for the
Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) with current plans to run dedicated, high-speed
buses along Great Seneca Highway. Since this will be alongside of Kentlands,
we all may be interested in knowing what is being planned.
Singer Songwriter Slaid Cleaves Featured in Concert, Workshop
A meeting has been set up for Wednesday January 29, 2014 at 7:30pm at the
Lakelands Clubhouse to meet with the project manager and the outreach person for
the project to provide an update on the status of the CCT. Anyone interested in this
project is welcome to attend.
The City of Gaithersburg invites you to experience the melodic, deep-felt tunes of
Slaid Cleaves on Saturday, February 22, 2014, as part of the Singer Songwriter Concert
Series presented by O’Hair Salon + Spa. In
addition to the concert experience, patrons
can participate in a special workshop with
the artist for a unique insight into the world
of the singer songwriter. The concert will be
held at 7:30pm at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent
Square Road. The workshop takes place at
3pm at the adjacent Kentlands Mansion,
320 Kent Square Road. This is the last
performance of the series for this season.
I want to extend our thanks to Linda Wiesman, the President of the Lakelands Board
for setting up this meeting and coordinating with us in Kentlands. n
Slaid Cleaves spins stories with a novelist’s
eye and a poet’s heart. Twenty years into
his career, the celebrated songwriter’s Still
Fighting the War spotlights an artist in peak
form. Cleaves’ seamless new collection delivers vivid snapshots as wildly cinematic
as they are carefully chiseled. Dress William Faulkner with faded jeans and a worn
six-string for a good idea. “Slaid’s a craftsman,” says Terri Hendrix, who sings harmony
on “Texas Love Song.” “He goes about his songs like a woodworker.”
Cleaves delivers equal measures of hope and resignation throughout this 2013 release
as life lessons slide subtly through side doors. “Normally when I start writing a new
batch, a theme starts to emerge after three or four songs,” says Cleaves, who built an
unlikely success story from scratch after moving to Austin, Texas, from Maine two
decades ago. “This time around I thought, I’m just gonna write where the muse takes
me and each song will be its own thing. So I ended up with a CD that has a bit more
variety on it compared to my previous releases. Half the songs are about struggle and
perseverance and half are all over the place, some tongue-in-cheek stuff, a gospel
song, a Texas pride song.”
Admission for the concert only is $30/$28 for City of Gaithersburg residents. Admission
for the concert and workshop combined is $50/$48 for City of Gaithersburg residents.
Attendees are invited to come early and enjoy the Arts Barn Patrons Lounge. Open
one hour before each concert, the lounge offers bistro seating, music and refreshments, including beer and wine. For tickets and information call 301.258.6394 or visit
www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn. n
Kentlands Town Crier 5
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
Corner...
Clubhouse
Who Do I Call?
A new television has been installed in the Greatroom, along with a new Blueray
disc player and a new RCN cable box. This will be available for community use. The
Foundation Film Society may use the TV for previewing the films for the next season.
The Board and Committees can use it for meetings so that pictures and computer
generated materials can be displayed. Arrangements are underway as this is written
to give away the previous cabinet and electronic equipment which has seen better
days.
Sometimes it is confusing as to whom
you should call for different services or
issues that need addressing, so we will
try to clarify some of these questions:
Parking Issues—Anytime you see a car
that is illegally parked or may appear to
be abandoned on a city street, you will
need to contact the City of Gaithersburg
by calling the police non-emergency
number at 301.258.6400. They will put
a notice on the car, and it will be subject
to towing after 48 hours. Since the alleys
are KCA property, you should call the office at 301.948.2071 if you see a car illegally parked in an alley. We will make
an attempt to contact the owner and put
a “Subject to Towing” notice on the car.
The vehicle can be towed after 48 hours.
Carriage House
The needed repairs to fix water damage and aging issues have been completed
along with new carpet installed. This building gets a great deal of use by a number
of groups and is a valuable addition to the community.
Opportunities
The community provides numerous opportunities to volunteer and I urge you to
participate. There are committees who need members, and ideas. The meetings are
open, so a good way to become more informed and involved is to go to a meeting
and see what is being considered.
Also, the social schedule starts filling, with a Happy Hour and a Newcomers Coffee,
as well as other events. Plan to attend.
Trash and Recycling—As you know your
trash is picked up by a KCA contractor
twice a week, but recycling is a City of
Gaithersburg service which is paid for
by your tax dollars. Recycling is picked
up the each Thursday, and bulk pick
up is the first Thursday of each month.
Please remember the trash contractor is not allowed to pick up recycle
materials. A list of those materials can be
found on the City of Gaithersburg website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov. Go to
Departments and select Public Works
which will direct you to Recycling and
Bulk Pickup.
Check the Treasurer’s Report for our current financial situation. We are well invested
with over $2 Million in the bank. Our list of certificates of deposit is extensive with
amounts due at various times over the years so that we are able to have funds available if needed and so that we can invest at appropriate rates. If money is your issue,
look into this investment plan and give us your input.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Tim Clarke
[email protected] • 240.912.9217
BOCC Monthly Focus: Roofing and Trim Boards
The Kentlands Exterior Maintenance and
Appearance Standards Resolution states:
Roofs: Must not have loose or missing
shingles. Steel roofs must be painted to
retard rust, and the painted surface must
not exhibit peeling, cracking or flaking
paint. Copper roofs must be allowed
to oxidize and do not require painting.
Other conditions reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance must be
corrected.
While you are outside removing your
holiday decorations or performing other
outside activities, January is a good time
to seriously consider the condition of
your roofing and trim boards. Search for
loose or missing shingles, or other indications that the roof may need closer
inspection and servicing. Use binoc–
ulars if necessary to look at the trim
boards and rake boards that run along
the roof edge. Also inspect the gable
vents for possible squirrel damage,
as this is one of the areas where they may
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com Neighbor to Neighbor Issues—Unfortunately, there are times when disputes will
occur between neighbors over a variety
of issues. Unless there is a violation of
KCA rules, it will become an issue that
may need the assistance of the City of
Gaithersburg’s Neighborhood Services
whose responsibility includes administering and enforcing a wide variety
of City Codes. This may include property maintenance and public nuisances
gain access to a comfy attic during the
winter months.
Roof repair or roofing replacement is one
of the few maintenance items that can
be done after the outside painting season
comes to a close, as some roofers work
throughout the winter months, weather
permitting. If the trim boards also need
attention and the work needs to be deferred to warmer weather, this may be a
good time to work with your contractor to
schedule the work for spring or summer
when paint can be applied.
replacement task. When considering
repair or replacement, trim boards, if
approved, can be replaced with composite boards if they are painted and are
proportional to what is being replaced.
Composite boards are far more weather
resistant and require less maintenance
than traditional wood trim boards.
Whenever roof repair or replacement
work is being done, it’s the best time to
have the contractor scrape loose paint or
replace a rotted trim board. If possible,
even if the boards are in good condition,
make sure a fresh coat of paint is applied.
This is especially important if you own
a townhouse, as the rake board may be
very difficult to reach, and it will require
the painter to walk on the roof, or your
neighbor’s roof to perform the repair or
Also, if your gutters are unsightly or not
fully functional due to storm damage such
as falling tree limbs, consider repairing or
replacing them when you have your roof
replaced or trim painted.
6
which are the most common concerns.
You can reach them at 301.258.6340.
Suspicious Activity—Anytime you see
or hear suspicious activity in the neighborhood, please call 911. Understandably, residents sometimes don’t want to
get involved, or it seems to be a trivial
matter, but there are times when the activity is related to a more serious issue.
Let me give you a couple of examples
that occurred here in Kentlands. Several
months ago, a resident was woken in
the early morning hours hearing a noise
outside their home, and they hollered at
the folks who ran off into the darkness.
They woke the next morning to find their
copper down spouts had been stolen.
Recently, there were individuals acting
suspiciously in the neighborhood, and
shortly thereafter, packages were stolen
in the same area from front porches. Better to be safe than sorry.
Trees—Trees located in the medians or
curb strips are City trees and are maintained by the City of Gaithersburg.
Broken limbs, overhanging branches,
etc. can be directly reported to Public
Works by calling 301.258.6370. All other trees such as those in tree save areas or
in the alleys are maintained by the KCA
and you can call the office for assistance.
Street Lights—Street lights are maintained by the City Department of Public
Works, and again you can reach them at
301.258.6370. Each light pole will have a
number on the pole which you will need
when reporting the problem. Any lights
in alleys or other common areas are the
responsibility of the KCA.
As always, the staff will be more than
happy to assist you with concerns with
any of these issues. Please call us at
301.948.2071.
Happy New Year to everyone!
As a general reminder, review the Visual
Change Application guidelines to determine if approval is required before making exterior changes to material, design
or color of your property. If you are not
sure whether a Visual Change Application (VCA) is required, or if you have any
questions about the VCA process, please
contact Arthur Gailes, Assistant Manager,
at [email protected] or
301.948.2071. Visual Change Applications are available at the Clubhouse and
at KentlandsUSA.com. n
Kentlands Town Crier
As we begin a new year, the Board of the KCA is organizing a list of projects and we
are going to need your help. In this issue I will give you the basic outline of what we
want to accomplish, and by next issue we should have more details for you. If you
see a project that looks interesting and would like to help, we are going to need volunteers. Each project will be of limited duration (probably no more than six month,
usually less), with occasional meetings and discussions by email and telephone. Aside
from helping to accomplish something, this is a great way to get to know more of your
neighbors here in the Kentlands. For any of these projects, or if you need to get in
touch any time, please email [email protected] and let us know.
First of all, happy new year!
As KCA launches into fiscal year 2014, it would be good to know where we stood at
the end of FY 2013. We won’t have the final year-end figures for another month yet,
and audited figures not until about April, but our most recent monthly financial statements should give a good general sense of things.
Current Financial Highlights
Good news! As of November 30, KCA’s Net Income for the year to date was $182,212,
compared with a net loss of $3,445 anticipated at this time of year in the 2013 budget.
Projected full-year net income is $189,171, compared with the $3,514 budgeted.
Furnishing the Great Room
YTD Net Income reflects Total Income running $77,026 (4%) above budget and Total
Expenses $108,631 (6%) under budget.
The main room in our Clubhouse has furniture that is aging and mismatched, and
is often not appropriate for the types of events we hold. Judy Gross is heading up a
small team to research alternatives. This group is already being formed, so if you are
interested in helping to decorate and furnish our Clubhouse, please get in touch ASAP.
Specific items with notable variances from budget (greater than $10,000) YTD include:
Audio Video Improvements
Income:
Miscellaneous Income
Social/Recreation/Activity Fees I have been looking into ways to improve our A/V systems in the Clubhouse. We need
microphones so people can be heard during meetings, we need to support multiple
video sources for TV events and for presentations, and we need to update our internet
access. With your help we can wrap this up in several months and be able to use the
new systems right away.
$108,088 (4,324%) over budget
$31,904 (81%) under budget
Expenses:
Site Management Staff Payroll
Social/Recreation Programs
General Repairs & Maintenance
Rec Center Contract Services
Clubhouse Furniture
Rec Center Supplies/Repair & Maint.
Clubhouse Staff
Grounds & Landscaping—Contract
Community Center Utilities
$57,058 (16%) under budget
$36,767 (51%) under
$22,534 (41%) under
$17,854 (11%) under
$15,000 (100%) under
$10,289 (13%) under
$11,173 (44%) over budget
$14,377 (8%) over
$14,512 (23%) over
Communications
We are interested in putting together a Communications Task Force, to be led by Jarrod
Borkat, to look at our publications and online communications. The KCA publishes
this monthly newspaper and the weekly online Express, plus our kentlandsusa.com
website and a new page on Facebook. We’d like to revisit all of these and see how
to improve communications among our residents and with our KCA board and staff.
Capital Improvements
At the end of November, the Assembly had cash and investments in the amount of
$2,550,996, compared with $2,640,797 at the start of the year (a 3% decrease).
We are looking at whether we need to invest in new capital projects for the pool, the
tot lots, or other parts of our shared infrastructure. This is going to be a longer term set
of projects because we’ll need to save up to fund these, but we should start doing the
research this year into what we need and how much to budget going forward. Our
newest Board member, Chris Campbell, will be heading up this project.
Our reserves, currently invested entirely in FDIC-insured bank CDs, were earning
2.37% on average, compared with 2.38% in January. This slight decrease was occasioned by changes in our portfolio—one $50,000 CD yielding 4.55% matured in June
and three others totaling $98,000, with lower yields, were sold in September to cover
cash needs related to the Clubhouse geothermal HVAC system.
Activities
Of our invested reserve funds, $720,708 was allocated to the General Reserves, down
5% for the year to date because of net outflows to pay for scheduled repair and replacement projects (especially asphalt work) but up 3% during November thanks to
net inflows that began replenishing the reserves as anticipated. The Recreation Facilities Reserves totaled $717,331, down 23% since the start of the year (the geothermal
HVAC) but up 0.49% for the month. The current balance in the Titleholder Contribution fund was $488,655, up 1% for both the year and the past month. Unappropriated
Owners’ Equity was $335,507, up 10% since January 1. This figure was 18% of budgeted assessment income, well within the 10-20% range recommended by our auditors. The Capital Reserves stood at $39,573, unchanged over the past month and year.
Last year we formed an Activities committee to work on social events to better serve
the needs of our various groups, focusing especially on underserved groups. Our
monthly Happy Hours are growing into wonderful events and so are our bimonthly
welcome breakfasts for new residents. We plan to expand our summer Concerts on the
Lawn and have movie nights. If you have ideas or want to help, let us know. This group
is moving forward and new input and insight is always welcome.
Budget and Finance
Our Budget & Finance committee has not been as active as we like, and we are still
looking for people to round out the membership. This would be a good time of year
to join, because there will be a few months before the July-September budgeting season begins. This provides enough time to build an understanding of how the KCA
spends your money and builds our annual budgets. We could really use people with
experience at annual budgets, accounting, or project management. n
Sources of Information, and How to Get More
All data presented here are derived from CMC’s monthly Financial Reports and
Morgan Stanley investment reports.
As always, further details are available in the source documents, which interested
Titleholders are welcome to review by dropping in at the KCA offices. n
Kentlands Town Crier 7
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
2014 Young Artist
Award Competition
Kentlands/Lakelands 5K
Named Best in Mid-Atlantic
Each year Competitor Magazine, a leading national publication for endurance
athletes, asks their online readers and
social media followers from around the
country to nominate their favorite races,
shops, clubs, and more. When the Best
of 2013 was recently published the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K was selected as the
best 5K/10K in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Foundation is obviously thrilled that
the event has been recognized as a Best
of Competitor and would like to take this
opportunity to thank all of our sponsors
and participants for making this possible.
For 20 years, the Kentlands Community
Foundation has hosted the Kentlands/
Lakelands 5K Run, Walk and Kids Fun
Runs, an event that is now the largest 5K
event in Montgomery County and a Labor
Day Weekend community tradition. The
event has grown each year with the support of the City of Gaithersburg, local
merchants and hundreds of volunteers.
Last year, the Race brought over 1,850
registered runners and over 3,500 participants, friends, and family members to the
Kentlands Market Square Plaza area. What
really makes the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K
unique, and one of the reasons it was
selected as the Best of 2013, is the community spirit and involvement that bring
together resident volunteers and local
businesses to make the race a success.
Support the arts as a sponsor of this year’s
YAA! More than 90 teens from around the
DC area will compete Saturday, February
1 in Kentlands and the 12 winners will
perform a concert in March. For more
information on how you can encourage young musical artists please contact
Carrie Dietz at [email protected].
Kids’ Chorus, grades K-5, 5–6pm
Teen Glee Chorus, grades 6 and up,
6:15–7:15pm Adult Chorus, age 18 and
up, 7:30–8:45pm
*No class on Jan. 20, register in advance
at www.kentlands.org
Kentlands Acoustic Jam
Kidserve Calendar
of Events for 2014
Do you Do Music? The Foundation is
jazzed to introduce a new, on-going
Sun., Jan. 19: Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Continued from cover…
Fri., Jan. 24:
Fundraiser at the Clubhouse, details to follow
Sun., Feb 23:
That same Saturday, the 25 clues for the
K25 Photography Scavenger Hunt will be
released. Each clue identifies a feature
of Kentlands which then must be documented with a photograph. The clues will
take hunters through the entire community, highlighting design principles and
one-of-a-kind aspects of Kentlands. Entries must be submitted within 25 days, by
April 30. Prizes will be given for the first
Making pillowcase dresses for “littledressesfor
africa” at the Kentlands
Clubhouse 2-3:30pm
Sun., Mar. 16:Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Sun., Mar. 23:Visiting the elderly at
a local nursing home,
time tbd
Sun., Apr. 20: Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Sun., May 18: Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Want to be a part of the 2014 Kentlands/
Lakelands Dog Show? A committee is
now being formed for the spring event
so join the fun! Contact Carrie Dietz:
[email protected]. n
K25 Website Reboot
Information for the events described
here and so much more can be found on
www.kentlands25.org. The website has
been redesigned to be the information
hub for all things related to the K25
celebration. Please visit the site soon to
register for events, sign up to volunteer
and view our community timeline. n
Calendar of Events
K25 Event
Date
City approvals and
Kentlands: Birth of a Community
2/14
creation of KCA
Informal Launch Event Box City
3/14
Sun., Jun. 15: Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Photography Scavenger hunt
4/14
First Kentlands Festival
25th Anniversary Kentlands Day
5/14
Sun., July 20: Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
of the Arts
Kentlands 25—A Celebration of Planning
6/14
25th Anniversary July 4th parade with
Kingfish as parade marshals
7/14
Main Street Music Festival Season Finale
8/14
Kentlands/Lakelands 5k
8/14
Sun., Aug. 17:Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Formal Kentlands
Groundbreaking
Walking tour/Halloween
decoration Contest
10/14
Sat., Sep., 6 or Food drive, location and
Sun., Sep. 14: time tbd
Project Harvest
11/14
25th Anniversary KCA Holiday Party
12/14
Sun., Sep. 21: Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Joint activity with LPMS and QOHS
1/15
25th Anniversary Young Artist Award
Winners Concert
2/15
Oversized Timeline
3/15
First Fruits farm with
Manna Food in Freeland,
MD, date and time tbd
25th Anniversary Go Green Clean Up Day
4/15
First Kentlands Model
Home Opens
25th Anniversary Kentlands Day
House Tour
5/15
Community Dinner
6/15
Movie Screening
7/15
Join the fun on Mondays through May!
And the chorus welcomes Kentlands
resident Valerie Dugan as the new chorus
teacher for the Kids’ Chorus, Kindergarten
–5th grade.
Special project with
K25: homeless transition
house warming baskets
Sun., Nov. 16:Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Sun., Dec. 21:Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
Photo Contest
8/15
25th Anniversary RCES
RCES Back to School Picnic
9/15
25th Anniversary Oktoberfest
10/15
Photo Exhibit
11/15
25th Anniversary KCF Winter Program
12/15
Classes meet at the clubhouse on
Monday and enrollment costs remain the
same. Here are the class times:
*Please note that dates and times
are subject to change; email us at
[email protected] with questions.*
Load a Time Capsule
1/16
First Residents Move In
Gala
2/16
Also, as a non-profit and philanthropic
organization, the Kentlands Community
Foundation hosts the Race to not only
raise funds to sustain its programming,
but to share a substantial amount of the
proceeds with other local charities, making a big impact on the lives of area families in need.
Thanks for your support in making
the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run, Walk
and Kids Fun Runs a success. We look
forward to seeing you again in 2014!
Kentlands Chorus Spring
Semester Begins—Join the Fun!
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com 25 Years Ago
Calling all Dog Lovers!
participant to successfully complete the
Scavenger Hunt and for the best photograph for each clue. The winners will be announced on Kentlands Day, May 3, 2014.
K25 Officially
Launches Next Month
Sun., Feb 16: Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
program: Acoustic Jam Sessions. Held
the first and fourth Thursdays of each
month, the sessions are open to all
regardless of where you live or what
your skill level is, so please join the
fun! For more information or get in on
the set list ahead of time please contact:
[email protected].
Sun., Jun. 8: Cornhole fundraiser on
the Kentlands Clubhouse
lawn, time tbd
July:
Wider Circle with Lakelands Lionfish swimteam,
time and date tbd
Sun., Oct. 19: Packing boxes at Germantown HELP 1–2pm
October:
Sun., Nov. 9:
8
Kentlands Town Crier
Kentlands Town Crier 9
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
KENTLANDS TRAVEL TALES
By Denise Burcksen • [email protected]
River cruising has been the fastest-growing segment of the cruise industry for the last
5 years, and river cruise companies are actually having difficulty keeping pace with
demand. They literally cannot build the ships fast enough! So what makes river cruising
so attractive?
My colleagues Donna & Patty set out on a
Viking river cruise in the first week of
December 2013, visiting Europe’s Christmas
Markets, to see for themselves what our own
clients have been raving about. Western
Europe river cruises are by far the most popular
itineraries, but river cruises have also spread to
Russia, China, Southeast Asia and even Africa.
Your
River cruise ships are smaller than oceangoing ships so they can navigate narrow waterways. They are small enough to dock in the heart of a city, bringing you right to the sidewalks of Europe’s famous cities. Anyone who has endured a 2 hour transfer in a “comfortable” motor coach from an ocean port to a major city (Florence or Rome or Berlin, etc.) to
then commence an all-day sightseeing tour can appreciate the convenience and ease of
just walking right off the ship and into town. The average number of passengers on a cruise
ship is around 2,300 but on a river cruise ship, it’s about 200.
Ocean cruise ships and river cruise ships offer distinctly different experiences. River
cruises focus more on the ports of call and less on onboard entertainment. You will not
find Broadway shows, casinos, large spas, 14 different restaurants, discos, kids clubs,
rock-climbing walls or a promenade of shops like on many mega ships (RCI Oasis of the
Seas, NCL Breakaway); on those type cruise ships, the ship IS the destination. On a river
cruise, a destination IS the destination. River cruises tend to be more inclusive as well,
including beer and wine with lunch and dinner, as well as soda and specialty coffees, and
also excursions in every port of call.
Donna and Patty embarked in Budapest on the Viking Magni, one of Viking’s brand new
longships. The Christmas Market itinerary followed the Danube from Budapest to Passau
in Germany, stopping along the way in Bratislava, Vienna, Melk and Linz. They also took
an optional full-day excursion to Salzburg.
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The longships have a revolutionary design so that all staterooms are outside with river
views. Many have French balconies (doors open but no sitting area) or a regular balcony.
All rooms have 40-inch flat screen TV, a wall of storage with a built-in desk, and bathrooms
are outfitted with L’Occitane toiletries and heated floors, a very nice touch. Then there’s
the Aquavit Terrace, an indoor/outdoor seating area at the bow of the ship with floor to
ceiling windows, a nice place to meet for a drink or read a book and enjoy the views and
fresh air—even in chilly December.
Only breakfast is a buffet (you can also order a la carte), lunch and dinner are seated
and served a la carte, incorporating many local specialties such as goulash, bratwurst,
spaetzle, schnitzel, trout and of course apple strudel with sahne. Lamb chops, beef tenderloin, salmon, steak and chicken were also on the menu, which changed every day for
both lunch and dinner. Several times, Donna & Patty saw fresh produce delivered to the
ship while in port. The pour wines tend to be local as well, so you may discover some new
favorites. Self-serve cappuccino, espresso, coffee and tea are available onboard 24 hours.
Every day there was usually a half day city walking tour, which included a major sight (Melk Abbey,
St. Stephens Cathedral) and then the afternoon was free
to explore the local Christmas market. Donna and Patty
brought back unique handmade crafts, as well as the
usual gingerbread, lebkuchen, chocolates, ornaments,
candles and a lot of fresh Hungarian paprika!
What they liked best about the markets, though, was the festive
atmosphere filled with locals; schoolchildren stopping for afterschool snacks and families picking up “dinner” at different wooden
kiosks while doing their Christmas shopping. Sounds like they also
enjoyed their fair share of “gluhwein”, the hot mulled red wine
which is ubiquitous to any Christmas market in Europe. As they
returned to the ship each day, the crew handed everyone a hot
towel and a steaming mug of gluhwein to welcome them back aboard. Now that’s traveling
in comfort and style! I can certainly understand the lure of river cruising, can you? n
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com 10
Kentlands Town Crier
My Favorite Albums of 2013
Continued from cover…
Come Swim with the Kingfish this Summer!
By Neil Harris
I used to buy a ton of records, back in the days before the record industry got
bushwhacked by MP3s and the Internet, when bands could make good money making
good records. In the 70s and 80s you could count on finding good new music in a record store (remember record stores?) any week. Now, not so much. I miss record stores,
where good people like my friend Saul Snitkin used to be found behind the counter,
always happy to recommend something new and yet undiscovered. The Internet has
been hard on recorded music, but at least I’m back in touch with Saul on Facebook…
That said, there were some keepers this year, from veterans to newcomers, in rock,
EDM, funk, and more. Here are my favorites, in no special order:
David Bowie, The Next Day. Surprise! David is alive and well.
This album contains all the elements of Bowie over the years—
high drama, regret for the end of the world, rock, ballads, orchestras, and more. This is not just a sentimental pick, but the best
music he’s put out in a long, long time. It’s not Ziggy Stardust or
Aladdin Sane, but a strong, interesting, listenable album that’s
getting plenty of play in my house.
Congratulations
Kingfish 2013 Award Winners
8 & Under Age Group
15–18 Age Group
1st Place High Point
Philip Williams & Jamie Anderson
1st Place High Point
John Freeman & Julia Lane
2nd Place High Point
Jack Cressy & Caitlin Hofmann
2nd Place High Point
Andrew Mann & Alexandra Cantrell
3rd Place High Point
Graham Nash & Alexandra Mason
3rd Place High Point
Rio Hodges & Megan Dougherty
9–10 Age Group
Team High Point
1st Place High Point
Scott Schwendinger & Kasey Anderson
Girls: Olivia French
Most Improved
3rd Place High Point
Pierre Zeineddin & Clare Lilyestrom
8 & Under: Luke Spurgeon & Kaitlyn
Soltis
1st Place High Point
Kyle Mohler & Emily Mann
2nd Place High Point
Ethan Rambo & Hannah Harnois
3rd Place High Point
Bryan Gurcan & Samantha Fogle
13–14 Age Group
1st Place High Point
Christopher Fogle & Olivia French
2nd Place High Point
Jason McFadden & Sophie Lane
3rd Place High Point
Griffin Mann & Sydney Ingrassia
Queens of the Stone Age, …Like Clockwork. I can’t play this when
my wife is around, she likes her music more sedate and she thinks
this sounds like someone throwing up into an amp, but when I’m
alone it is definitely one where I enjoy cranking up the volume.
Josh Homme has enlisted his usual buddies (like Dave Grohl on
drums again!) and more, including Trent Reznor, a match made in
heaven. This is definitely the hard rocker of the year for me.
Boys: Scott Schwendinger
2nd Place High Point
Calvin Courbois & Madeline Soltis
11–12 Age Group
Elvis Costello and The Roots, Wise Up Ghost. This one had to be
interesting, when you combine Costello’s vocal stylings and lyrical
sensibilities with the funk/hip-hop and sterling musicianship of the
Roots. And it lives up to expectations. I consistently find The Roots
to be one of the few hip-hop bands that I enjoy (yes, I am pure
white boy) and, if you watch them perform on Fallon’s show, you
know that they can play anything. Elvis Costello blew away the rock world with his
first three albums, all classics. The combination of talents is a must-listen.
Janelle Monáe, The Electric Lady. I am a newcomer to the Janelle
fan club, but after hearing her latest single I’ve gone back and gotten all three albums. She is the real deal, a true talent with a sensational voice, strong songwriting, and apparently a large fan club of
great musicians who are collaborating with her. Prince is one of the
ones who appear, very appropriately since she clearly has him on
her list of influences. Lyrically the three albums tie together with an ongoing storyline
about an android coming to life, but even if you’re not as much of a science fiction
freak as I am, you’ll appreciate the music.
9–10: Calvin Courbois & Ella Roth
11–12: Justin Hinckley & Lindsey
Thoms
Kingfish Award
Christopher Fogle
Sophie Lane
Arcade Fire, Reflektor. I thought Arcade Fire was a bit pretentious
and noodled around too much, but I am a huge fan of LCD Soundsystem and its prime mover, James Murphy, and when I heard that
Murphy was producing Arcade Fire I had to check it out. This is a
great, great record, maybe my favorite of the year (or at least the title song is my favorite single). Saul Snitkin puts this album in company with Talking Heads’ Remain in Light, which is high praise indeed, and there are
definitely sounds in common—I was lucky enough to see Talking Heads live in their
heyday—3 times!—and the audience did not sit down the whole time, you just had to
dance to the music, and with this Arcade Fire album I can’t imagine sitting still either.
Spirit Award
Anthony Spano
Maya Jacobson
Coaches Award
Annarose Kennedy
Kingfish Coach Applications
Are you interested in applying to be a Kingfish coach or coach in training this season?
Application forms are posted on the Kingfish website, see other documents. Please
submit the application and signed coaching criteria forms by Sunday, February 14th at
5pm to Tara Hofmann at 604 Kent Oaks Way.
Candidates will be interviewed on Sunday, February 23. We look forward to seeing
you on the pool deck this summer!
—The Kingfish Board n
Kentlands Town Crier Beady Eye, BE. Basically, this band is Oasis minus the obnoxious
brother. It’s a shame they can’t all get along, but until they do Beady
Eye makes a pretty good substitute. The vocals aren’t quite as good
as Oasis but they will do, and the band sounds great. I liked the
first Beady Eye album and I like this one maybe a bit more.
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories. This is a great disco album
from the kings of EDM. You couldn’t avoid the big single, Get Lucky,
and the rest of the album is more of the same. This album does not
sound like typical Daft Punk—it’s pure 70’s disco with some updates for modern times. Fun, and a good listen, but I also hope they
got this out of their system and go back to EDM for the next album.
Continued on page 12…
11
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
Continued from page 11…
My Favorite Albums of 2013
Paul McCartney, New. Who expected a great record from Paul this
year? Although I am, of course, a huge Beatles fan (their Mono albums remastered in a CD box set is one of my best buys ever!), but I
was not a big fan of Paul’s solo work. This is an album of rare energy
and, of course, songwriting skill. Some people forget how much the
Beatles could rock, and Paul still can. May you live forever, Sir Paul!
Sleigh Bells, Bitter Rivals. This album falls into a genre they are calling “noise pop.” I am not sure such a thing exists, but if it does, this
is it. Another crank-it-up album that I can’t play around the wife,
but quite melodic and lyrical along with the noise, it’s one of the
more interesting albums I’ve come across this year from a band I
didn’t really have on my radar despite my daughter Jessica’s best
efforts.
Cage the Elephant, Melophobia. Speaking of daughters, my other
daughter, Liz, is a Cage the Elephant fan, and this is my favorite
album of theirs. I had to get past the first song, which is a bit on the
overly-noisy side, but then the album opens up into a more lyrical
sound that I really like.
Steve Hunter, The Manhattan Blues Project. One of the less remembered guitar heroes of the 70’s is back with a Kickstarter-funded
project of cool blues rock featuring some of the best rock musicians
on the planet. If you don’t know Steve Hunter, go back and listen
to Lou Reed’s classic live albums, or Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel
(reprised on this album), or the Alice Cooper albums, or the guitar solos in Aerosmith’s
Train Kept A’Rollin (no, that’s not actually Joe Perry), or many more 70’s. This album is
more lyrical and very enjoyable, and it’s great to hear The Deacon back in action.
Honorable Mentions from 2013 that are also worth checking out:
Savages, Silence Yourself • Superchunk, I Hate Music • Arctic Monkeys, AM • The
National, Trouble Will Find Me • Gov’t Mule, Shout! • My Bloody Valentine, MBV •
Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City • The 1975, The 1975 • Eric Burdon,
‘Til Your River Runs Dry • Jake Bugg, Jake Bugg. n
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com 12
Kentlands Town Crier
Ton of Fun Weight Loss Event
The Ton of Fun weight loss event was kicked off by Fleet Feet Sports in Kentlands
on Saturday, January 4. The event is city wide, and encourages all participants
to collectively lose a ton, yes that’s right, 2000 pounds of unwanted weight
Kentlands Town Crier over the next few months. Gaithersburg Mayor Sydney Katz was there to cut
the ceremonial measuring tape and was joined by other members of city
council who are also taking part in the initiative. Program participants arrived
at the store for their initial confidential weigh-ins, where they could speak with
Fleet Feet personnel and with co-sponsor Foundry Fitness to get more information
and guidance. We wish all 150+ participants the best of luck in their weight
loss journey! n
13
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
Kentlands Historical Trust
Committee Members Present:
John McCutcheon, Chair, KHT
Hamid Nazari, KHT
Susan Darcy, KHT
Management/Residents/
Owners/Guests Present:
Arthur Gailes, CMC
Andrew Moneyheffer, DPZ
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm
on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at the
Kentlands Clubhouse.
Fred & Rita Borcherding, #13-886
Block RR • Lot 37 • 235 Chestertown St.
Windows: approved to replace eight existing
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com By Arthur Gailes
windows with Pella Architect Series. Windows
must have muntins.
Karl Zeswitz, #13-887
Block EYE • Lot 7 • 208 Massbury St.
Gutters: deferred to replace existing gutters
with copper-aluminum gutters.
Reason: copper-anodized aluminum is prohibited in the Kentlands Design Standards. If
this gutter is made with a different process,
the Kentlands Historical Trust will re-evaluate
it based on architectural merit.
Gutters: approved to replace existing gutters
with copper K-style gutters.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm. n
14
Kentlands Town Crier
Kentlands Town Crier 15
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
Kentlands Real Estate Listings
Note: MCPS are closed Mon.,
February 17 for Presidents’ Day.
Rachel Carson
Elementary School News
Science and Invention Night
Wednesday, January 29 • 7–8:30pm
During the last week of February,
Rachel Carson will host Jump Rope for
Heart (grades K through 5) and Hoops
for Heart (grades 3 through 5) during
physical education classes to support the
American Heart Association. Jump Rope
for Heart and Hoops for Heart are nationwide initiatives that help students learn
about the benefits of regular physical
activity and heart health. The school will
qualify for gift certificates for PE equipment based on the amount raised (last
year Rachel Carson raised over $10,000).
See students’ creativity and scientific
ingenuity come to life. Projects on display
consist of experiments and inventions
that follow the scientific method.
Kindergarten Open House
Friday, January 24 • 9:15–10:15am
For parents who are sending (or
considering sending) their children to
Rachel Carson for the 2014-2015 school
year (children must turn five years
old by September 1, 2013). Principal
Lawrence Chep will meet with prospective kindergarten parents to discuss
programs and answer questions, and
parents will have an opportunity to visit
kindergarten classes. The Open House is
for parents only.
FOR SALE
Address
Housing Type
List Price
Days on
Market
172 Kendrick Pl. #14 ............... Condo...............................$289,000 .................... 180
124 Kendrick Pl. #14................ Condo...............................$295,000....................... 10
214 Ridgepoint Pl. #12............. Condo...............................$300,000....................... 39
592 Chestertown St................... Townhome.........................$529,990..................... 129
138 Lake St............................... Cottage..............................$649,900..................... 205
160 Kent Oaks Way.................. Single Family.....................$959,900......................... 6
107 Lake St............................... Single Family.....................$1,050,000...................... 1
612 Firehouse Ln...................... Single Family.....................$1,375,000.................... 47
Lakelands Park
Middle School Update
UNDER CONTRACT
Address
Housing Type
List Price
Days on
Market
182 Kendrick Pl. #24................ Condo...............................$298,500....................... 24
415 Ridgepoint Pl. #24............. Condo...............................$299,900....................... 28
152 Kendrick Pl. #24................ Condo...............................$303,000....................... 24
112 Clagett Crossing Pl............. Single Family.....................$749,900......................... 4
115 Chestertown....................... Single Family.....................$1,050,000.................... 38
Incoming Sixth Grade Parent Meeting
Tuesday, January 28 • 7–8:30pm
PTSA Meeting
Tuesday, February 11 • 7–8:30pm
Valentine’s Dance
Thursday, February 13 • 2:45–4:45pm
SOLD (12/1–present)
Address
Housing Type
Orig/List Price Sold Price Days on
Market
410 Ridgepoint Pl. #32.........Condo........................... $319,000.......... $315,000..... 219
119 Bucksfield Rd.................Condo........................... $450,000.......... $450,000......... 6
572 Chestertown St...............Townhome.................... $574,900.......... $555,000....... 52
109 Midtown Rd...................Single Family ................ $925,000.......... $900,000......... 0
Quince Orchard
High School Report
Psych Fair
Tuesday, January 28 • 6–7pm
Puttin’ On The Hits (POTH) Show
Thursday, January 30 • 7pm
Auditorium
FOR RENT
Address
Housing Type
List Price
Days on
Market
341 Alfandre St......................... Garage Apt........................$1,350........................... 49
114 Kendrick Pl. #36................ Condo...............................$1,900........................... 60
206 Ridgepoint Pl..................... Condo...............................$2,500........................... 28
592 Chestertown St................... Townhome.........................$2,650........................... 62
Annual student talent show and lipsyncing competition.
Booster Club Meeting
Wednesday, February 12 • 7–8pm n
The information above was obtained from MRIS. Information is believed to be accurate, but should
not be relied upon without verification. Information was retrieved on 12/13/2013 by Valerie Harnois,
REALTOR- REMAX Metropolitan Realty 301.980.4883.
Window Designs with
Drama & Pizzazz!
By Michelle Belsito, Certified Interior Decorator
Nothing gives a room more drama and pizzazz than beautifully designed window
treatments.
Consider your living room. Often times these rooms boast of some sort of
outstanding architectural feature… perhaps a fireplace, soaring ceiling, tall
windows. Whatever architectural feature your living room possesses, a beautiful
window treatment is a must. The more elaborate the treatment, the more it will add
to the overall beauty of your room. And if budget is a consideration, it’s always better to drape a window generously with a lesser priced fabric, then to skimp with a
costly one.
Obx Waterfront Weekly Vacation Rental
Enjoy awesome, panoramic waterfront vistas in this 5BR, 4 1/2 bath, fully equipped
weekly vacation home in the Outer Banks, NC. Three master suites with en-suite bath
and gorgeous unobstructed water views. Oversized
hot tub on deck with direct water views. Luxurious
ocean front private pool club and golf amenities included. Go to www.19thholeobx.com for comprehensive photos, reservations and additional information.
Book your 2014 reservation by January 4, 2014 and
receive an early bird 5% discount off regular rate.
Date Set for Next Progressive Dinner
If a bold decorative statement is called for, perhaps a luxuriously designed swag and
jabot treatment designed in a soft flowing silk fabric, or dramatic taffeta would be
to your liking.
The next Progressive Dinner is set for Saturday, February 22, 2014. The last dinner
on November 16 was a huge success with 30 participants. The idea of the dinners
is to meet old and new neighbors at the clubhouse for appetizers, then disperse to
homes, where six to eight people will wine, dine, and enjoy each other’s company.
After dinner all participants will go to the home of Lisa and Mike Pickett, who
have once again opened their home for desserts. The cost is $10 to participate.
For more information and to volunteer to host or participate go to our website:
kentlandsprogressivedinners.com.
If you’d like to subtly frame your windows, then lush side panels mounted on a
unique decorative rod would give your windows a very subtle, yet dramatic impact.
Not only do custom window treatments add beauty, design and uniqueness to your
decorating plan, they are truly crafted for you and your windows alone. No two
designs are completely alike because they will project your personality & style and
no one else’s!
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com By Chris Joehl
16
Kentlands Town Crier
Kentlands
Movie Night
Graduate of the Eastman School of Music
Make Music Learning a Positive Experience
[email protected] or (240) 899-8892
Call for trial sessions
In the Lakelands
Have a special talent or profession? Get the word out in the Kentlands Town Crier!
Contact Sam White at 301.948.2071 or [email protected].
“Experience counts to handle your insurance.”
Specializing in business/commercial lines coverage.
109 Massbury Street
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878
Phone: 301-721-0373
Cell: 240-381-7855
Email: [email protected]
Dear Kentlands residents,
Come join us at the Clubhouse
for our first ever Movie Night on
Saturday, February 8 at 7pm! What
better way to test out or new TV than
with a sing-a-long showing of Teen
Beach Movie. Popcorn and soda will
be provided, but feel free to bring
your own refreshments. This will be
the first in a series of planned movie
nights, and when the weather gets
warmer we will move them out to the
lawn on a 25 foot inflatable screen! So
grab a blanket and come on down to
the Clubhouse, the movie will begin
at 7pm. Please call the Clubhouse at
301.948.2071 with any questions.
Providing quality construction since 1963
We understand roofing is not just about the protection of your home,
it’s also about the aesthetic appearance and beauty of the neighborhood.
We provide solutions to your existing roofing needs in the form of
30 and 50 year warranted CCA approved shakes.
Call us to schedule an appointment for a free no obligation estimate.
We look forward to meeting you!
Robert Politz, Owner
Why choose PE Roofing?
4 Over 40 years in business
4 BBB A+ rating
4 Approved installer by the Cedar
Shake and Shingle Bureau
4 Numerous references available
A+ Rating
www.PolitzEnterprises.com • 301.620.2023 • 888.506.4088
People’s Choice for any and all of your roofing needs!
National approved member of RoofingPeople.com
Kentlands Town Crier Exceptional Military Discounts
Financing Now Available
17
MHIC #101148
VA LIC #2705071209A
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com 18
Kentlands Town Crier
Kentlands Town Crier 19
www.kentlandsusa.com n JANUARY 2014
JANUARY 2014 n www.kentlandsusa.com 20
Kentlands Town Crier