Kentlands Capital Projects Working Group   As we celebrate the first 25 years of the Kentlands, the Kentlands Citizens Assembly (KCA) wants to look forward to the next 25 years.  They have put together a Capital Projects Working Group to look at the infrastructure of the community and identify projects the KCA may want to undertake. Interested in serving to identify important capital projects that will be needed to help move the community forward in the next 25 years? Contact Chris Campbell at 301-385-2888. For out of the area readers, Kentlands is a planned neo-traditional community within the City of Gaithersburg, in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Kentlands is a preferred community for families relocated to the Metro Area of Washington, DC.   Orchids, Lewis Ginter Botanical... 07/31/2014

31st Annual National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime campaign This is an update on the National Night Out Against Crime campaign events in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Kentlands has been added to the list. Kentlands residents should note the time and date for the ice cream social and a learning experience for the entire family. August 5, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Kentlands Clubhouse. "Five neighborhoods in the City of Gaithersburg are joining with more than 16,000 communities across the country to participate in the 31st Annual National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime campaign. On Tuesday, August 5 from 6 to 9 p.m., participating neighborhoods will hold events to increase drug prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, encourage residents to be involved in their comm... 07/31/2014

National Night Out Against Crime in Gaithersburg   You and your family will want to participate in the National Night Out Against Crime campaign in your home neighborhood.  Many of us are fortunate to have police departments with very effective community relations programs. The following notice was circulated by the City of Gaithersburg. I am sure that other communities will be added to the list. "Four Gaithersburg neighborhoods are joining more than 16,000 communities across the country for the 31st Annual National Night Out  Against Crime campaign on August 5. Evening events at Saybrooke, Quince Orchard Park and Brighton Village Apartments will bring together law enforcement officers, local officials and residents to promote community involvement and generate support for anti-crime pr... 07/31/2014

Adding Contributors to Facebook Photo Albums Another way to share MeetUp photos   I hope you are using Facebook for some of your photo albums.  You are able to have hundreds of albums with up to 200 photographs in each album. There is space for a description for each picture and the information may be easily edited if needed. Facebook photo albums may also be shared by using the share feature. Some Facebook users may not know that you can also add contributors to your Facebook albums. When you add contributors, those albums will appear among the Facebook photo albums of the contributors and they will have the ability to add photographs. The contributor option will appear at the upper left when you are editing an album. I have added my wife, Dolores, as a contributor for all of my Facebo... 07/30/2014

SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier Tours in Kentlands   SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier provides a variety of premium chocolates made of cacao beans from the Dominican Republic.  They offer a wide range of  chocolates, truffles and sweets, as well as coffee in the cafe.   SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier offers free factory tours on the weekends from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The story is interesting because they harvest and process their own cacao beans from their farms in the Dominican Republic. Use the following link to make tour reservations. They usually have a maximum of 15 people in each tour group. The tour lasts about 15 minutes. Reserve The Truffle Factory Tour  Location: 360 Main Street, Kentlands, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878 Phone: 240-654-6972     Orchid, 'Charlotte', Laelia anceps, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, R... 07/29/2014

Extending Your Facebook Reach: Planet Orchid   One of the benefits of Facebook is that you make contact with others that share your common interests. When we look at our contacts, we usually think in terms of the number of Facebook friends that we have or the number of ‘Likes’ on our Facebook business pages. It is very easy to extend your Facebook reach by joining Facebook groups that share your personal interests. I will use the Facebook group Planet Orchid as an example. As I write this blog, the group includes close to 14,000 members. “A place for people who grow, collect and appreciate the largest family of plants on earth.” - Planet Orchid I do not grow orchids but like to photograph orchids.  When you belong to a group, you are easily able to share photographs and make comments on... 07/28/2014

Book Recommendation: The Intercept by Dick Wolf   I just finished reading The Intercept (2013) by Dick Wolf. This is the first of his two novels that are an introduction to his Jeremy Fisk novels series. The second suspense novel is The Execution (2014) which I have mentioned in a previous blog. I recommend both of these books for your reading list. When you complete these two books you will be watching for more novels from this excellent author. “Richard Anthony "Dick" Wolf is an American television producer, specializing in crime dramas such as Miami Vice and the Law & Order franchise.Wolf has also authored three books. The first, Law & Order: Crime Scenes is a nonfiction companion to the Law & Order series. The Intercept and The Execution are the first volumes in a new thriller serie... 07/28/2014

Trulia being purchased by Zillow   The two biggest names in online house hunting -- Zillow and Trulia - are joining forces in a stock deal valued at $3.5 billion. – CNNMoney Many of the members of ActiveRain have been watching for this news. We wonder what, if any, impact this acquisition may have on ActiveRain. Trulia shares jumped 12% on the news that it's selling to Zillow. If you had Trulia stock, would you sell or hold on to your investment? Zillow buys Trulia for $3.5 billion     Powder Puff Tree + Imagination IMG 0925A Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 07/28/2014

Exterior Household Projects Need Approval in Kentlands   Summertime is when many home owners in Kenlands are making repairs and improvements. All of us need to remember that it is important to obtain the needed approvals for exterior changes. This is the notice from the Kentlands Citizens Assembly: "Exterior changes, including adding a deck, replacing windows, changing paint colors, or performing any other exterior change, including landscape changes, must receive approval by submitting a Visual Change Application form to the Management office at 485 Tschiffely Square Road. These forms can be found on the Kentlands website (www.kentlandsusa.com) or at the Clubhouse. (Note: repair or replacement that results in changes to the design, material or color for any exterior item would also req... 07/27/2014

Green Park Dog Exercise Area   Let your dog experience the joys of running off leash at the Gaithersburg Dog Exercise Area (DEA) on the grounds of Green Park. There's plenty of room for romping and socialization. The DEA is free to City residents with currently-licensed dogs. The yearly membership fee for nonresidents is $60. You must submit a picture of your dog and a copy of your dog's rabies certificate. Click on the above link for more information and to access an application. Green Park is located at 151 Bickerstaff Way, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878     Dahlias at Brookside Gardens IMG_5826 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 07/27/2014

Hydrangea   Hydrangea, Kentlands Photograpy by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 07/27/2014

Posting a Facebook Timeline Photograph in a Blog Strawflower   This strawflower needs no text to describe the beauty of this gift of nature. So, I will use this space to share a Facebook tip that may be helpful for some bloggers. This photograph was uploaded from my computer to my Facebook timeline. To use a picture from your Facebook timeline in an ActiveRain blog, just copy and paste (Ctrl -V) and this is the result you will get.       Strawflower, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA IMG 0911 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 07/26/2014

Kentlands Concert on the Lawn Tonight, Saturday, July 26th   The next performance of the Kentlands summertime concert series will take place tonight, Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Lawn of the Kentlands Clubhouse. The name of the group is None of Your Business. This is a free event and you are welcome to invite friends. There is plenty of room. You will need to take your chairs or blanket and a cooler for your cold drinks. This is a good way to spend an enjoyable evening with your friends and neighbors. For out of the area readers, the Kentlands community is located within the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Kentlands is a preferred community for families relocating to the Metro Area of Washington, DC.     Lewis Ginter Botanical Ga... 07/26/2014

Book Recommendation:  Suspicion by Joseph Finder   I just finished reading Suspicion (2014), the latest thriller by Joseph Finder. This novel is a New York Times Bestseller. The main character is Danny Goodman, a single father forced to make choices with unspeakable consequences. Click on a link to learn more about this book, the author and his other books. This book will be an excellent selection for your summertime reading list. Read a good novel this week and every week for your personal pleasure.     Butterfly, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_8811 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 07/26/2014

Madagascar Periwinkle   We have a beautiful afternoon in Maryland. Dolores is on the golf course. When we are out and about, it is so easy to look past the simple gifts of nature. The Madagascar Periwinkle is not a fancy flower but it deserves our attention for adding color to summer gardens. You might describe these as Vinca flowers and you would be correct. Enjoy the colors of the season with your camera in hand.      Madagascar Periwinkle, 'Apricot', Catharanthus roseus, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG 0913 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 07/25/2014

Positive Influence, July ActiveRain Challenge   One of the July challenges for ActiveRain bloggers is to write about five people who have provided a positive influence on our lives. So, we are compelled to give some thought to special personal memories. I have been fortunate to have the benefit of advice and encouragement from many people. The first two important people on my list of five are my parents. My father taught me about hard work and caring for family and friends. And, my father had great expectations for me. Even when I was very young, he told people that I would study law and that I would be successful. That did much for my self image. My mother kept a close eye on my studies and my manners. She made sure I was prepared to go on to higher education and behave myself during t... 07/25/2014

Making a difference in the community   One of the July challenges for ActiveRain bloggers is to share a story about something we have done that made a difference in our community, neighborhood or town. During my very long business community, I’ve enjoyed the opportunities to be involved in many community organizations. I have served as president of a local Lions Club and have received community service awards from the Jaycees and chamber of Commerce groups. I served as president of a regional builders association and served on the executive committee of the National Association of Home builders. I served as president of a regional chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management and held leadership roles in the regional alumni group for the university I attended. As a builder and deve... 07/25/2014

Friday Night Wine Tasting at Pinky & Pepe's in Kentlands   Every Friday night is time for wine tasting at Pinky & Pepe's Grape Escape in Kentlands. This is a good place to meet friends and neighbors before going out for dinner. Pinky & Pepe's Grape Escape is located at 223 Kentlands Boulevard near the Giant Food Store. Wine tasting begins at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7 p.m.   07/24/2014

 Will Zillow Buy Trulia?   “Zillow Inc. is seeking to acquire rival Trulia Inc., people with knowledge of the matter said, in a move to combine the two most-visited U.S. real estate websites. Shares of both companies jumped.” – Mortgage Technology If this acquisition is completed, I wonder if it will have a meaningful impact on ActiveRain bloggers. Do you think it will make any difference? Zillow Said to Be Seeking to Buy Rival Property Site Trulia "Zillow shares have quadrupled since the start of last year, while Trulia has more than doubled, as the U.S. housing market recovers from the worst crash since the Great Depression. Home prices have jumped 26% from a March 2012 low, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller index of 20 cities. Existing-home sales climbed in June to an eight-month hig... 07/24/2014

Gaithersburg Oil & Antifreeze Recycling   When performing vehicle maintenance, remember that oil and antifreeze are toxic to humans, plants and animals. One quart of oil can contaminate up to 250,000 gallons of drinking water or create a two-acre oil slick. Dumping used automobile fluids down sinks, storm drains or on the ground is illegal. To help eliminate pollutants entering our water system, the City of Gaithersburg operates an oil and antifreeze recycling facility for residents. Accessible 24 hours a day, it is located on the grounds of the City's Public Works facility on Rabbitt Road.      Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 07/24/2014