An artists’ opening reception is scheduled for Jan. 24 from 7 – 8:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

The gallery is located at 311 Kent Square Road in Kentlands. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Emily McFadden introduces her baby brother Bear to his first snow day in Kentlands.

Until today, the mild winter has been something to talk about in the Gaithersburg area. Although flakes rained down on Jan. 3 and Jan. 9 there was no accumulation and the white specks quickly disappeared as temperatures stayed over the freezing mark. There were no school delays or closures before today either.

On the morning of Jan. 21, Montgomery County Public Schools officials announced closures at its facilities for Saturday School and interscholastic sports. The facilities remain open for other community activities. Quince Orchard Swim and Tennis canceled swim lessons at its indoor facility too. There were no closures or delays at city of Gaithersburg facilities.

Another bright note: Gaithersburg’s Public Works crews worked through the night to ensure the streets were clear of snow and ice Saturday morning too.

“It’s our signature service,” said James Arnoult, Gaithersburg’s public works director, before the snow arrived.

Gaithersburg Arts Barn Manager Andi Rosati reads a storybook to area preschoolers.

For three years, the city has hosted a Preschool Songs and Stories cultural arts program at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn in Kentlands for children aged 3 to 5 years old.

A former preschool teacher, Gaithersburg Arts Barn Manager Andi Rosati runs the popular program.

“It’s a golden opportunity to teach the children about colors and numbers through songs and stories,” said Rosati.

On Jan. 5, a college student home on break (who happens to be an opera singer) joined Rosati on stage. After telling the kids to warm up their hands by rubbing them together on the cold winter day, Rosati and her assistant led the children and their parents through 45-minutes of songs beginning with the tune: “If you are happy and you know it clap your hands.”

The children enthusiastically clapped, they stomped, they spun around, they wiggled their bodies, and they shouted in unison: “Hooray!”

Dancing is another popular part of the city's preschool program in Kentlands.

Rosati told the kids to sit down and relax for story time.

“You need to stay nice and quiet,” she said as she instructed them to take their magic button out of their pockets and put it on their lips.

“I like to teach the kids about respect,” Rosati said, after the program ended. She said she has had as many as 60 participants, and the children are always well behaved.

After the story there were more songs and then another book. The program culminated with choreographed dancing and singing on the stage. As the kids held hands in a circle and sang and danced the “Hokey Pokey,” the room was full of smiles and laughter.

The class covers a wide variety of material including vocabulary, letters, numbers, colors and even manners.

Her mother, Valerie, said they learned of the program through a local newspaper, and she said they would be back because her daughter had so much fun. The Dettmers live in Germantown.

Lakelands resident Rosallah Karim said she was impressed with the program especially the “interactive parts.” She brought her two children, Zaria (3) and Omar (1).

Lilith Kia may be young, not quite 2 years old, but she actively took part in the morning program. Kia lives in Montgomery Village, and her parents said they found out about the city of Gaithersburg’s preschool program from some friends.

Kentlands mom Stephanie Diiorio is a fan. She’s been twice before with her 3-year-old daughter Gabriella. Diiorio said her daughter enjoys the program, and as a mom she likes “the incorporation of the songs, stories and active movement.”

The preschool program takes place the first and third Thursday of each month from 11 – 11:45 a.m. through June. The cost is $3 per child. There is no fee for adults or baby siblings. Payment is at the door.

Rosati said the city just started charging for the class last fall, and she said there have been no complaints about the new fee. She also noted that the program is constantly changing and that sometimes she brings out props such as musical instruments to mix it up. She gets her books for story time from the library and said she often takes some time to tell the kids about the importance of the library, too. She said the class is a great opportunity for the kids to socialize with other children their age.

Throughout the entire 45-minute class, Rosati’s love of theater and teaching prowess were on display without a miscue. Her Gaithersburg audience may be little, but they are having fun and learning some big lessons they will carry through life. Bravo!

For more information about the Preschool Songs and Stories program, call the Arts Barn at 301.258.6394.

Debbie Hartten

“I’ve pretty much always had dogs,” Hartten said. “I have also always been community-oriented and got more personal satisfaction when giving back to society.”

As a realtor, Hartten is accustomed to helping other achieve their dreams. So, it was only fitting that through real estate she began branching out to try and improve the lives of rescue dogs as well.

“I started by donating a portion of each sales transaction to a rescue group,” she said.

An offshoot of that effort, Warm Hearts, Happy Paws, was founded three years ago and benefits a variety of Rescue Groups in the area. Warm Hearts Happy Paws is a donation initiative with drop boxes located in local businesses. People can give new or gently used items to be distributed among the rescues.

“Through this program I got to know the different rescues and saw how stretched they were for resources,” said Hartten. “Many of the workers were sacrificing huge amounts of time — their lives really — for the desire to help rescues. And I thought ‘What can I do?’”

What Hartten has done is a testament to her passion for the cause. Her plan of action included an online store, Adore That Dog, which was created as a revenue source for her other efforts.

Those efforts include Read for Rescues, a kit aimed at elementary school children to educate them about the mission of Rescue Groups. The kit teaches kids ways to help and encourages them to get pledges for reading books related to rescue and other subjects.

“This is a way of educating the next generation about the issues surrounding animal rescue in a kid-friendly way and [teaching] them the importance of giving back as well,” Hartten said.

The giving back comes in two forms. In addition to the $1 automatic donation that comes off the top of each kit purchased, s savings box is included that lets children donate a portion of their pledges back to rescues. Hartten’s goal is to have MOM’s groups get on board with this initiatve and grow it from there.

She also created Rally for Pet Rescue, a one-stop clearinghouse for all things rescue-related.

Working with local merchants like Bark! and Fleet Feet puts the ideology of rescue into the mainstream. “I am working with Fleet Feet, Gaithersburg to host an event showcasing high energy rescue dogs that make good running companions,” she said. “We also work closely with Bark! and will engage with them in efforts throughout the year. They are great supporters of the rescues.”

Hartten practices what she preaches with a rescue dog at home now and a long line of rescue predecessors. Although she does admit that her now 23-year-old daughter did purchase the family’s “first ever purebred,” whom they adore, seven years ago.

“There is so much I want to do,” Hartten says. “I liken it to waves in the ocean. As many dogs as we rescue and place in homes, more roll in right behind them.”

With ideas and commitment as vast as the sea, Hartten is living one of her company mottos and truly “Paw-ing it Forward.”

Readers can access all sister sites through the store www.adorethatdog.com

Qdoba co-owner Anthony Hakan and General Manager Letizia Orellana are standing outside their restaurant’s new Kentlands location. Leitizia formerly managed Qdoba’s restaurant in Rockville.

The Kentlands opening marks the 12th location for this group of owners who have Qdobas throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Partner Scott Bocek said: “We have finished hiring and are really excited to be here.”

The restaurant “is a fast, casual, fresh Mexican grill that provides catering as well,” explains Bocek.

The chain is ensuring that they are family friendly with promotions geared toward students. In addition to a free soda with each entree purchased daily, Qdoba also features Student Nights offering a 50 percent discount on Wednesday evenings and school fundraisers.

Lakelands resident Paula Ross has stepped down from the KDP's executive board.

Previously, Ross served as president of the board and most recently she ran, unsuccessfully, for a seat on the Gaithersburg City Council.

“Paula has been with the KDP since before it was the KDP. We will miss her drive, skill and passion for the Kentlands businesses as well as the greater Kentlands/Lakelands residential community on behalf of the KDP,” said KDP President Joe Pritchard.

A Lakelands resident, Ross said her family business (Andy’s Parties/Great Kids Events) will continue to be a member of the KDP.

“I’m proud of KDP’s accomplishments and proud of how far we’ve come in just a few years to raise awareness and branding of Kentlands Downtown and to advocate on behalf of our small business community,” she said. “I’m confident that the current board will continue to move the organization forward.”

Current board members include: President Joe Pritchard of Pritchard Music Academy, Secretary Ann Derryberry of Chyten Premier Tutoring & Test Preparation, Treasurer Will Corbin of Corbin Creative Databases and Joe Allen, member at large. The board is now looking to fill the opening on the executive board following Ross’ departure.

The KDP meets next on Jan. 25 at Pinky and Pepe’s Grape Escape. The 7:30 p.m. meeting/event will include a free wine tasting and a short presentation of interest to Kentlands businesses, according to Pritchard.

For more information about getting involved with the KDP, visit www.kentlandsdowntown.com.

Officer Edward Paden Jr. holds his award while standing alongside local and federal leaders.

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen helped present the award.

The award was created by Congress in 2008 to honor local, state and federal law enforcement officers who have distinguished themselves for exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty.

Also at today’s ceremony: Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and County Council member Phil Andrews.

Leggett is encouraging residents to attend the forums to provide input in light of budget shortfalls predicted in the coming fiscal year.

“These public forums give our residents an opportunity to tell me what’s important to them as I prepare next year’s operating budget for submission to the County Council on March 15,” said Leggett. “In light of the shortfalls that we are facing, input from residents for the FY 13 budget is crucial in helping us determine priorities.”

All of the forums are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., on the following dates:

• Jan. 9, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda.
• Jan. 12, Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring
• January 17, Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Road, Silver Spring
• Jan. 23, Upcounty at BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown
• Jan. 31, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring

Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, please call 240.777.6507, TTY 240.777.6505 or email a request to karen.falcon@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Leggett is scheduled to announce his recommended fiscal year 2013 Operating Budget on March 15. The Montgomery County Council approves the operating budget at the end of May.

Whole Foods Market shoppers received free reusable bags on Jan. 1 and 2 in Kentlands.

Although the tax was voted on and passed 8-1 by the Montgomery County Council last May, the idea is still new for many consumers.

“I know of the bag tax because I’ve seen the signs, but I don’t know where the money is going from the tax or any of the details,” said Lakelands resident Chris Neal.

County leaders approved the legislation with the intent of reducing the pollution and environmental issues the plastic bags can create. However, the projected revenue is hard to ignore with estimates as high as $1.5 million a year. All monies will be used to bolster the county’s Water Quality Protection Fund that pays for such things as litter cleanup and storm water management. Annually, the county spends approximately $3 million annually for litter prevention and cleanup programs.

Plastic bags are consistently one of the top items found in county streams and storm water controls, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

Chris Toffolo, a senior buyer with a local company that supplies plastic bags to big box retailers, sums up the proliferation of these bags.

“We supply the big box stores in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., area with plastic ‘t-sacks,’ and one chain can go through as many as 96,000 bags a month. And that is just one size. They offer other sizes as well. Now multiply that on a national level, and you get an idea of how many plastic bags are out there.”

A similar program has been in effect in Washington, D.C., for the past 18 months and has already reduced plastic bag litter in river and streams by an estimated 65 percent.

Retailers receive a nominal rebate, which will cover the administrative costs of reporting tax revenue each month to the county’s Finance Department. Consumers are left to purchase recyclable bags in order to avoid the tax.

Toffolo said, “The bags are a problem. Our customers know it. Industry knows it all too well. Everyone wants change, but no one wants to pay for it.”

Neal supports the new law.

“I always carry in my own bags, but anything that helps people clean up the environment is a good idea,” Neal said.

Before the fee went into effect on Jan. 1, Quince Orchard Park resident Suzanne Scharf said she was already a convert and was carrying her own “stylish” reusable bags.

Kristin Gross of Whole Foods Market said her company was not reporting any issues with the law.

“We have promoted the bag fee in stores and online for the last several weeks so I think our shoppers were mostly in the know and not unaware,” Gross said. “Since we stopped using plastic bags in 2008, usage of reusable bags has increased so our shoppers are quite used to bringing bags in. In addition, we offer a 5-cent bag refund for bringing your own bags in which you can accept as a refund or donate to a select organization chosen by the store.”

In order to help residents who were not as prepared for the new law, Whole Foods Market stores handed out out free reusable bags on Jan. 1 and 2 to customers before they ran out around 2 p.m. on Jan. 2 at the Kentlands store.

“We are well stocked on reusable bags for those that opt to buy at time of checkout if they want,” said Gross.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett handed out hundreds of reusable bags in Silver Spring on Jan. 3, and other giveaways were held at various other locations throughout the county.

A number of businesses, including Safeway, Shoppers Food Warehouse, Whole Foods, Roots, Giant, Walmart and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission have donated reusable bags for free distribution by the county.

For more information about the bag law, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/BAG.

Sonya Burke contributed to this report.

These Kentlands residents pioneered the nine garden plots and harvested two successful growing seasons.

Only Kentlands residents are eligible to compete for the community garden spots.

In March 2010, the Kentlands Citzens Assembly approved a three-year pilot program for a community garden. The garden is located behind the Gaithersburg Arts Barn and adjacent to the Kentlands Mansion.

Organizers said the first two growing seasons harvested a bounty for local growers and the Kentlands garden has also expanded. The community garden now boasts benches and rain barrels. A compost system was implemented as well.

For more information about getting your name into the upcoming lottery, contact the KCF at 301.926.6636 or visit www.kentlands.org.