Rachel Carson Elementary School (RCES) Principal Larry Chep congratulates students and staff on earning the school’s Blue Ribbon award at the start of a day of celebration May 1. Among the many guests attending the assembly were, from left: Director of Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools Program Darla Strouse; Maryland State Department of Education Interim Superintendent Bernard Sadusky; Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) Superintendent Joshua Starr (seen here sending Twitter updates and photos from RCES!); MCPS Board of Education Vice President Christopher Barclay; Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz; and Gaithersburg City Council member Cathy Drzyzgula.

Students, faculty and state and local officials participated in the Rachel Carson Blue Ribbon Day Celebration on May 1, beginning with a red carpet welcome for all students as they arrived and continuing with activities throughout the day.

The award honored RCES for its outstanding academic performance, as well as its leadership, professional development and instructional programs.

“The achievement RCES has had over the last few years … is not just because you’re focused on tests,” said Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joshua Starr, speaking at a school-wide assembly. “It’s because you’re focused on all the things we know are the right things for kids. … RCES is a beacon for the rest of Montgomery County Public Schools by showing how we can do things right.”

Dr. Bernard Sadusky, the Maryland State Department of Education interim supervisor, presented Chep with a Blue Ribbon medallion and shared with everyone what a great honor the recognition is for the school.

“There are 1,700 schools in the state of Maryland,” said Sadusky. “Only six of them are [2012] Blue Ribbon schools. … You are the best of the best.”

RCES was the only school from Montgomery County to receive the Blue Ribbon award this year.

“There is great excitement among the students and staff [over receiving this recognition,]” said Chep. “Ever since being named, there is great pride that permeates through the building. … For staff, it validates what we do on a daily basis. This is the highest compliment a school can receive.”

Also attending the event were Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett; Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz; Gaithersburg City Council members Cathy Drzyzgula, Ryan Spiegel and Henry Marraffa Jr.; and numerous other state and local representatives.

Decked out in school colors of blue and yellow, students sang to attendees, belting out a new school song written by music teacher Yevgeniya Oleshkevich and, in keeping with the theme of the day, “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang, with words customized by RCES teachers Christine Troilo and Alisha King.

Then the fun began in earnest. Classes enjoyed picnicking outside under sunny skies, jumping on inflatables, and throwing balls to try to dunk Chep and Assistant Principal Cathy Shinn in water. A DJ played music, and there were cotton candy and sno cone treats for all.

Chep said the goal of the celebration was twofold. “First it’s for the state Department of Education to officially recognize our students, staff and parent community for the outstanding work we do to ensure students are successful,” he said. “It’s a time to be reflective and celebrate our achievements. Finally, it’s a time to show our students that hard work pays off.”

As a state winner, RCES now goes on to compete in the National Blue Ribbon Awards program. Winners will be announced in September by the U.S. Department of Education.

“I hope the impact [of this recognition] fuels students, staff and parents to work as hard or harder to improve on what we are providing and accomplishing now,” said Chep. “Hopefully it’s a motivator to strive for even better results.

“I also hope everyone feels the pride in earning this award, so that when students, staff and parents speak of RCES, they do so with enthusiasm, excitement and with great memories when they move on.”

Home sale signs are popping up throughout Lakelands this spring.

There are a variety of reasons for the recent uptick. “The low interest rates, along with the early spring weather, have inspired both buyers and sellers to think about making a move sooner than they would otherwise,” said Katy Thoms of Llewellyn, Realtors.

“We’re seeing that homes are selling at a faster pace this year. Fifty-two homes sold in Lakelands in 2011. We are just out of the first quarter of 2012, and 23 homes have already sold,” said Maria Harakidas of Mike Aubrey & Associates.

In Montgomery County as a whole, home sales endured a steady decline from May to December 2011. With the start of 2012, however, sales began to climb. According to the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, 600 sales contracts were ratified in the county during the month of January 2012, and the contract ratification numbers continued to rise to nearly 1,000 in March 2012. This figure represents the highest rate of sales since May 2011.

“The reasons to buy: marriages, family expansion, moves to the area continue. Combine that with low prices and historically low interest rates, and the demand for homes is strong. Low supply plus reasonable demand equals a much improved market,” said Lynda Bloom of Weichert, Realtors.

Positive trends in both length of time on the market and sales price have been observed in the Kentlands and Lakelands communities during the first quarter of 2012. According to Katy Thoms, between Feb. 1 and April 10, 2012, all types of homes that went under contract or sold in Kentlands — detached, townhome or condo — did so in an average of 87 days. The average sales price was $521,290, and the average list to sale price percentage was 96 percent. In comparison with the same time period in 2011, all types of homes sold in an average of 116 days. The average sales price was $468,006, and the list-to-sale price percentage was 98 percent.

“In all price ranges, the homes that are priced right and in good condition with desirable upgrades are selling the most quickly,” said Thoms. “Because of the low inventory and excellent interest rates, we are seeing multiple competing offers as well as escalation clauses again. Most buyers are seeking homes that are move-in ready so they don’t have to hassle with renovations.”

There are positive trends in financing a new home as well. “Buying in the neighborhood is now more affordable than ever,” said Patrick McCalley, senior residential loan officer with EagleBank. “Monthly payments for current purchasers are about 35 percent lower than for those who bought at the height of the market.”

Many homeowners continue to refinance their homes, in part due to the low interest rates currently available. “If your current interest rate is above 4.50 percent, it is likely that you can save money by refinancing,” McCalley said. “New enhancements to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) are allowing homeowners who have lost equity to refinance.”

Following a dedication ceremony, visitors lay flowers atop names of fallen officers at the new Montgomery County Public Safety Memorial.

The memorial was designed by nationally recognized artist Ted Clausen from Cambridge, Mass. “I designed this work to be a journey, leaving the public bustle of our everyday lives and moving toward the peace and introspection of the memorial space,” Clausen said.

The circular memorial site is defined by five granite memorial stones, each representing one of the five public safety agencies and arranged in a star-like pattern. One side of the stones features engraved comments from officers about the work they do and their interdependence on the other public safety organizations. On the opposite face of the stones, quotes from community members expressing their appreciation for the work of the agencies are engraved.

The names of the fallen officers are engraved on the top polished surface of the stones. The top surface of each stone is mirror-polished, allowing visitors to see their own reflection as they read the names engraved there.

An engraved pathway surrounds the site, and on the left side, the American, Maryland, Montgomery County and five public safety organization flags are raised in honor of those lost in the line of duty.

The memorial currently recognizes 30 public safety officers who have lost their lives, including 16 county police officers, 12 firefighters, one deputy sheriff and one park police officer.

The Montgomery County Combined Public Safety Honor Guard began the dedication ceremony with the presentation of colors. Accompanied by the Montgomery County Firefighters Pipes and Drums and the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Pipes and Drums playing “Marine’s Hymn,” the color guard presented the American, Maryland and Montgomery County flags, and the flags of the five public safety organizations represented in the memorial.

The Montgomery County Law Enforcement Gospel Choir sang the National Anthem, followed by an invocation by Pastor Dale O’Shields, senior pastor of the Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg. “We pray that this place will be a hallowed ground,” said O’Shields. “Inspire our hearts through those we came to honor.”

“We pay tribute to all of our public safety personnel, who by taking an oath of public service, vow to defend the safety and rights of all, even if that means making the ultimate sacrifice,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, one of the many dignitaries in attendance at the dedication.

Leggett recognized the perseverance of the Public Safety Memorial Steering Committee led by Steven Robins. “The steering committee never let me forget that we needed to build a site worthy of the sacrifices made by the fallen officers,” Leggett said.

“Service before self. Those three words say it all,” said U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to open his remarks. “Today, we honor the brave men and women who have gone before us and those who continue their work. They are the first to respond in any emergency and put their lives at risk every day.”

Other speakers at the dedication included Chief Richard Bowers of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service; Chief J. Thomas Ranger of the Montgomery County Department of Police; County Council President Roger Berliner; and Steven Robins of the Public Safety Memorial Steering Committee.

“We hope educators and parents will bring their children here for frequent visits,” said Catherine Matthews, director of the Upcounty Regional Services Center, representing the Montgomery County community. Matthews recognized the volunteer work public safety officers perform for the community beyond their many job responsibilities.

Fran Daly, widow of slain police Captain James E. Daly Jr., provided some of the most poignant moments of the ceremony. “Captain Jim Daly would be happy to know that the Canadian geese have made their home here because he loved them,” Daly said. “We were blessed to have these special people in our lives. Please remember those of us who were left to carry on.”

Daly spoke on behalf of family members and friends of the fallen heroes.

The Roll Call of Fallen Heroes followed the remarks by dignitaries. Each of the 30 names engraved in the memorial was read aloud and was followed by the ringing of a bell. After all 30 names were read, a six-gun salute took place from across the lake in front of the memorial, followed by the playing of taps and a flyover by a park police helicopter.

Flags representing the five public service agencies were then raised on permanent flagpoles while the bagpipers played “Amazing Grace.”

Planning for the memorial began in 1995 through the Public Safety Memorial Steering Committee and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery Memorial Fund. The memorial was funded through a public/private partnership, but more donations will be needed to maintain the space. To learn more about the memorial, visit www.creativemoco.com/public-art/public-safety-memorial.

Quince Orchard High School Coach Seann Pelkey, shown with the captains of his fall cross country team, recently received word that the school's worn track will be resurfaced this summer.

The school’s track and field programs have been hampered by poor track conditions at the school for quite some time despite intermittent efforts to patch and repair the surface.

“[The track] has been worn for years,” said Pelkey. “Our track is heavily used by the community as well as almost all of the Quince Orchard sports teams for conditioning. That is what it is there for, but it really took a beating.”

Athletes took a beating as well as coaches noticed an increase in the number of over-use injuries such as shin splints, the result of a lack of shock absorption remaining in the decaying track.

“We had to adjust our practice methods to accommodate the state of the track,” said Pelkey. “Our sprinters in particular had to stop wearing spiked shoes to train because it was too hard on their bodies without any cushion in the track.”

Montgomery County Public Schools is responsible for maintaining the tracks and tennis courts at the county level, while the fields are the responsibility of the middle and high schools themselves.

“The county used to have a scheduled maintenance and upkeep schedule that rotated throughout the schools. Whether they needed it or not, facilities were being tended to,” said Pelkey. “I think the budget got tighter and they were forced to switch to a need basis. Unfortunately for us, I think the county got hit with a lot of need cases at the same time.”

QOHS patiently watched other schools with more pressing needs get the nod for repairs year after year. This spring, the school was forced to relocate Cougar Relays — a huge annual fundraising effort for the QOHS Booster Club — to Northwest High School due to the condition of the home track. While the Cougars still benefited from the entrance fees, all of the concession profits this year went to Northwest instead of QOHS.

The school’s patience paid off recently when Pelkey received word that the track is being resurfaced this summer.

“After the track was inspected by representatives from the county, the wheels were put in motion to approve the budget for replacement. They were appalled at the state of the track,” he said.

“I think that everyone involved had a common goal — to resurface the Quince Orchard track. The issue was funding,” said Dr. William (Duke) Beattie, director of systemwide athletics for MCPS. “I especially appreciate the efforts of MCPS athletics specialist Ms. Gabrielle von Nordheim in keeping the project alive, and the Department of Facilities Management for their cooperation and support, in particular MCPS director of facilities Mr. James Song in his efforts to determine a way to fund the project.”

With nearly 40 middle schools and over 25 high schools under the jurisdiction of the county, it is no small task to prioritize the repairs within the constraints of the annual budget.

“They have the safety of the students, athletes and community as a priority,” Pelkey said. “We never had to mobilize any big effort with the parents, or an email campaign. We stated our case and the county listened.”

The mayor’s remarks followed a reception, words from members of the City Council, and a video presentation based on a citizen survey.

There were plenty of VIPS on-hand, including Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio, County Council members Hans Riemer and Phil Andrews, and several state legislators including Senator Jenny Forehand and Delegate Luiz Simmons.

In his remarks, the mayor welcomed the coming “connections” of future residents of new developments, including those at Seam Eig Highway, in Olde Towne and at the new I-270- Watkins Mill Road interchange , and said the city’s planning and code and engineering staffs are moving to assure that new development is balanced with adequate roads and schools.

He welcomed new business “neighbors” including Adventist Health Care, whose new Gaithersburg headquarters will add 300 workers to the city.

Katz credited “the ongoing efforts of our police force coupled with the cooperation of informed, involved citizens” with a decrease in “overall crime,” and noted a new arrangement with Montgomery County, which makes Gaithersburg beat police, and not Montgomery County police, the first responders through the county’s dispatch system.

On public safety, Katz said, “For the second year in a row, the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick corridor was listed among the top 10 most secure places to live in all of America by Farmers Insurance Group.”

Katz called connecting residents with affordable housing a primary concern and said a new ad hoc advisory committee “is laying the groundwork for programs to assure the availability of affordable housing.”

He noted the city’s work with nonprofits and other government agencies “to connect residents with emergency services, foreclosure prevention assistance and financial education and resources through ‘Bank On Gaithersburg,’ which provides a path to mainstream banking for every resident.”

The mayor touched on the environment, cultural events, recreation, facility maintenance, technology — including an upcoming redesign of the city’s website — and streamlined financial practices.

Katz said, “Preserving and enhancing our neighborhoods is a never ending effort” and noted that with this year’s budget “allowing us to breathe a bit easier, emphasis is being placed on restoring services to levels that we enjoyed prior to the recession.

“We’re not fully back yet, but we’re getting there, and this budget allows for increased staffing and resources to meet future demands.”

Finally, Katz urged all citizens to be connected — to contact the city, to attend meetings, to respond to surveys and send opinions — to build connections that go both ways between city and people.

The mayor’s entire address is available on the city’s website: www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Author Valerie Tripp was a popular presenter at a past Gaithersburg Book Festival.

One would be wrong.

Yes, preparations are going well, but Jud Ashman is not calm. In fact, he exudes increasing enthusiasm as he discusses the upcoming literary festival. He seems just as excited today — if not more so — than in days leading up to the two previous years of the festival.

For one thing, he seems to know the list of 108 authors who will be in Gaithersburg May 19 by heart and begins to rattle them off quickly, early in this interview with The Town Courier:

“Sportswriter John Feinstein, who wrote ‘A Season on the Brink,’ chronicle of the Indiana Hoosiers’ 1985-1986 basketball season and their coach Bob Knight, published in November 2011.

“Jim Lehrer, best known as news anchor for the ‘PBS Newshour With Jim Lehrer’ and recent author of ‘Tension City: Inside the Presidential Debates, From Kennedy Nixon to Obama-McCain,’ published last fall.

“Michael Buckley, best known for ‘The Sisters Grimm’ children’s series.”

And so on.

The Gaithersburg Book Festival just cannot be described in one long run-on sentence — but Ashman doesn’t want to leave anything out. It’s all too good.

You interrupt to mention that this year there are more authors than ever — 108, up from 87 in 2011. Ashman agrees but adds, “This year is not just about the numbers; it’s also about the quality of the program.”

Then he’s back at it: “Andrew Clements, legendary children’s author (bestselling author of ‘Frindle,’ in addition to dozens of other novels and picture books, and winner of two Christopher Awards and an Edgar Award); Buzz Bissinger, best known for, ‘Friday Night Lights,’ and author of just-published, ‘Father’s Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son’; author Jane Green, best-selling women’s fiction (12 best-selling novels); Jen Lancaster, humorist, best known for ‘Bitter is the New Black’ (full title: ‘Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office.’)”

Here Ashman pauses. “Last year, we had an emphasis on literary fiction. This year, we are strong on humor.”

He starts listing again; this time it’s the writers, like Lancaster, who are coming to the Book Festival with a sense of humor: “Henry Alford, journalist and author of the etiquette book, ‘Would it Kill You to Stop Doing That?’; Baratunde Thurston, writer for ‘The Onion’ and author of the book, ‘How to Be Black’; Larry Doyle, former writer on ‘The Simpsons,’ author of the comic high school novel, ‘I Love You Beth Cooper,’ and most recently, ‘Deliriously Happy,’ a collection of his humor pieces published in The New Yorker and elsewhere.

Ashman went on listing authors throughout the interview, but he had other things to say as well.

“To me working on this project is the most stimulating thing in the world. I love it — it doesn’t feel like work. It’s my favorite thing to do outside family.”

Despite three years of talking to and working with writers from unknowns to the famous and from local to far-flung, Ashman has a great deal of humility about his role. “You learn about the creative process,” he says with a bit of reverence. “They’re telling us about their spark. They’re sharing with us on the great issues of the day.”

Ashman shakes his head, overwhelmed by the wonder of it, and you cannot help but share his awe.

“If you’ve ever been to the National Book Festival on the Mall,” he says, “you may notice some similarity. Our book festival is similar, but much more intimate. … It’s really an opportunity to meet authors.”

In addition to being a great and unique experience to all who attend, Ashman says, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is a big plus for the city, from several perspectives. “We are building the city as a cultural destination,” he said. “It benefits the city in ways we cannot measure.”

One business benefit is the support of the development community, he says. “Developers in the area believe the Gaithersburg Book Festival makes the city a more attractive place.”

He adds that employers and others in business, and people moving into the area take the same view. Having people associate the city with a cultural event is invaluable,” he says.

Inevitably, Ashman returns to the Book Festival experience. “You can explore any topic, whether you like to read or not,” he says. “Do you like sports? Come hear John Feinstein share inside stuff on your sports heroes. … Listen to former Secret Service agent Clint Hill on the service and his new book ‘Mrs. Kennedy and Me.’ Very timely.”

Ashman has one message in the end: “Come to the book festival.”

He makes an excellent case for doing just that.

For the entire listing of authors and many other activities, visit the Gaithersburg Book Festival website: gaithersburgbookfestival.org.

While all jurisdictions will feel the crunch, the city of Gaithersburg will receive an estimated $316,000, plus $377,000 in police aid should the state budget be approved as is. Bond money for the Senior Center was also reapproved.

On April 16, District 17 Maryland legislators presented a broad view of the pre-special session 2012 Maryland legislative session to the Gaithersburg Mayor and Council.

Delegate and Maryland House Majority Leader Kumar Barve said that, although the 2012 was a rough session, the budget did get balanced and the state maintained its Triple-A bond rating. “This is a difficult budget year,” he noted, adding that budget cuts were made and “large segments won’t be happy.”

Del. Jim Gilchrist, member of the environmental matters committee, said legislation is pending to reduce pollution going into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay restoration fee will double to $60 and that money will be used to improve 67 sewage plants across the state, which will ultimately reduce pollution. There is a storm water fee in place in major counties in the state, and the committee continues to look into septic systems and storm water run-off. “This puts Maryland in good shape to reduce pollution going into the Bay,” he said, noting that the wind power bill passed the House but not the Senate.

Schools, K-12, and police aid will feel the effects of budget cutting if pension sharing costs and the tax bill is not approved.

Del. Luiz Simmons, an opponent of gambling casinos and slots in Maryland, said that a state subsidy of up to $100,000 that goes to Maryland horseracing — what he referred to as a “moribund industry” — should be redirected to fund schools.

As schools across the state prepare to take cuts, Senator Jennie Forehand noted that Maryland, for the fourth year in a row, is still number one in public education. She also called the “Doomsday” budget “really terrible” and suggested it was to entice legislators to vote for a 1 percent sales tax increase.

Forehand expressed pride in the Inter-Counter Connector and is working to have the speed limited raised to at least 60 mph. She encouraged folks to use the ICC MD 200 bus fleet running from Shady Grove to BWI Airport for a fee of $5 per person and $3.20 for those 65 and older.

She also informed the Mayor and Council members that the child safety seat bill passed and, going forward, safety seats will be based on age and height as opposed to weight. Looking ahead, child safety continues to be in the spotlight: Legislation to make smoking illegal in a car with children 8 years and younger will come back next year. This year it passed the Senate but not the House and remains a priority.

Additionally, the legislators said an interim study is underway on speed camera operation for Gaithersburg, Rockville and Laurel. The cameras will function in much the same way as red light cameras; they will allow for a trained technician to operate the cameras and manage the program as opposed to a sworn-in, active police officer.

The Fourth Annual Kentlands Day Festival will take place in Kentlands Downtown on May 5, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The festival will feature a parade, a “Taste of Kentlands” food expo, a children’s carnival, performance stages, classic car show, business fair, silent auction, and much more. Parade grand marshals will include Kentlands-area military who served for our country.

In addition to providing activities for families, Kentlands Day will support two local nonprofit organizations. A portion of the event’s sponsorship proceeds will benefit the Kentlands Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization that has served the Greater Gaithersburg area for the last 17 years through its cultural arts, educational and outreach programs. Funds raised at a silent auction at the children’s carnival will benefit Lakelands Park Middle School.

An estimated 20,000 people attended last year’s Kentlands Day Festival, and approximately 150 community businesses participated, led by the Kentlands Market Square Merchants.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.kentlandsday.com.

Farmers’ Market Opens

The Main Street Farmers’ Market will open for the season on May 5 and will operate on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Nov. 17 featuring locally grown produce throughout the growing season.

The variety of fruits and vegetables changes weekly as different crops reach maturity. In addition to produce, the market will feature a variety of meats, honey, jams and jellies, fresh herbs, potted plants, cut flowers and more.

The Farmers’ Market is located at the Main Street Pavilion at 301 Main Street, one block off of Kentlands Boulevard in Kentlands. Local artists and craftspeople with unique handcrafted items will join the farmers at this location each Saturday, and baked goods including bread, pastries, and cookies will also be available.

This is one of two farmers’ markets offered by the city of Gaithersburg. The second, the Fulks Corner Farmers’ Market, will open Thursdays, June 7 through Oct. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Route 355 and Fulks Corner Avenue in Olde Towne. Specialty items at this market include cider, fruit butters, applesauce and reusable bags. Crafters will not be present for this market.

Both locations accept FVC and FMNP (WIC and Senior) checks.

For more information please visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/events, or contact Kristen Hux at 301.258.6350 or by e-mail at khux@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Annual Active Aging Expo

The city of Gaithersburg will hold its Fourth Annual Active Aging Expo on May 7 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, next to Gaithersburg High School.

This will be a day filled with energy, educational talks, interactive demonstrations, facials, massages and preventive screenings. This year’s theme is “Aging Smart, Aging Strong.” Learn how to keep your brain active and healthy, reduce stress, care for your skin to look your best, exercise to improve your balance, and tips for leading a healthier, safer life.

“Aging Smart, Aging Strong” features a variety of speakers including New York Times bestselling author Sophy Burnham, who wrote “The Art of Intuition: Cultivating Your Inner Wisdom,” and Dr. Revathi Vikram, who will present “The Human Genome Project and Your Family Tree.” Topics such as “Ask the Suburban Hospital Pharmacist,” “Hoarding 101,” and “Practicing Safe Stress” will also be featured.

This free expo is hosted in partnership with the Montgomery Village Foundation, Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission, Montgomery County Recreation Department, JCA Connect-A-Ride, and Asbury Methodist Village. Not-for-profit organizations with information on health and wellness as well as businesses that specialize in serving older adults will also be on hand. Please note that the Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center will be closed on May 7 as all staff will be involved in this event.

For information visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/activeaging or call 301.258.6380.

Gaithersburg Book Festival

The third annual Gaithersburg Book Festival will be held May 19 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on the grounds of City Hall at 31 South Summit Avenue. See and meet best-selling and up-and-coming authors, attend workshops, enjoy activities in the Children’s Village and more. Planned programs include something for every age group.

Admission and parking are free, and shuttle service will be provided from Lakeforest Shopping Center.

See page 3 for an overview of events scheduled for the Book Festival, or visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org for more information and a complete listing of authors and activities.

Gaithersburg Mini-Golf Opens May 5

The Gaithersburg miniature golf course, located at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm, will be open weekends May 5 through June 15, daily June 16 through August 24, and weekends only again August 25 through October 7.

The park opens at 11 a.m., and closing hours vary from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. depending on the day of the week and the season. Please note that the park will close at 7 p.m. on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Play must start one hour prior to posted closing time.

Rates per game are just $5 for residents and $6 for nonresidents. Unlimited play is $2 more. Discounts apply for Senior Citizens.

On Mother’s Day, May 13, treat your mom to a fun round of golf to celebrate her special day. Moms play free with a paid customer. Other promotions will be offered during the season, and birthday packages are also available.

For hours, group rates, reservations and additional information please visit
www.gaithersburgmd.gov/minigolf or call 301.258.6350 x133.

Kentlands/Lakelands Dog Show

The Kentlands Community Foundation and Lakelands Social Committee are teaming up on May 12, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. to present the Kentlands/Lakelands Dog Show on the Kentlands Green.

With show categories such as “Best Costume” and “Looks Most Like Owner” it’s definitely more fun than serious and a big draw for dog lovers everywhere. But the day will also be filled with plenty of extras, including CGC testing and the sponsor expo.

Funds raised will benefit the Kentlands Community Foundation and two charities that help our furry friends in need: Critters for the Cure and Mutts Matter Rescue.

‘Citizen Canine’ Photo Contest

The city of Gaithersburg is holding its first “Citizen Canine” Photo Contest. Gaithersburg is home to more than 500 acres of parkland. To promote visits to city parks and to celebrate the wonderful world of dogs, residents are encouraged to take photos of their leashed and licensed pooches in parks around the city, then enter them for a chance to be declared “Citizen Canine of the Year.”

Qualified photo entries will be posted on the city Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gaithersburgmd.gov, where voting will take place. The photo with the most number of “Likes” will be named Gaithersburg’s Citizen Canine of the Year and will receive a $75 PetSmart gift card, with second and third place winners receiving $50 and $25 PetSmart gift cards.

Submission deadline is May 14. Photos will be available for “Liking” from May 18 – June 4. For complete contest rules and an entry form visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/animal or call 301.258.6310 x2324. For a list of city of Gaithersburg parks visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/parks. To obtain a pet license, fill out an application form at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/petlicense.

Camp Caring for Kids

Camp Caring is a three-day, carefully supervised, warm and friendly environment, where Montgomery County children ages 8 – 12, in second through fifth grade, feel safe about sharing their thoughts and feelings about the loss of their loved on. It is held at a camp one hour from Gaithersburg from Friday mid-afternoon until Sunday early afternoon, June 1 – 3. Specially designed, creative activities are held to help the children explore and share their feelings with peers and trained facilitators.

For additional information, contact Penny at 301.990.8904, or pennyg@hospicecaring.org. Camp Caring is provided wtihout cost to the participants through Hospice Caring, Inc. Visit www.hospicecaring.org for more information.

Gaithersburg’s third annual Book Festival promises to deliver superlatives in every imaginable category for the more than 10,000 area residents and 108 authors expected to attend.

Imagine hearing an author share about where his ideas come from. Just imagine it.

Imagine talking to an author about how and why she writes. Imagine a children’s author reading their book aloud to your children.

Reading any kind of book opens doors to rooms in the mind. Take it from one who has experienced the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Hearing and meeting authors of books — read and unread — blows the wind of creativity into the rooms behind those doors in a wonderful way.

Dozens of authors of recent books of every kind, including award-winners and best-sellers, will be talking to audiences about their work in nine tent-pavilions, beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing non-stop into the evening. Writers will also be available to chat with people during unstructured time and, of course, they will sign their books.

Want to be a writer? Sign up for one of eight workshops designed to help aspiring writers.

Got kids? Head for the Children’s Village for authors, readers and activities.

Time to people watch or rest a bit? Settle in the shade at the Ogden Nash Coffee House and immerse yourself in musical and poetic entertainment.

Browse at the Politics & Prose bookstore and purchase works by featured authors. Peruse the best used book sale in town, sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

It is a choice literary event. That’s settled.

However, understand this: “Literary” puts too narrow a name to it. With plenty of food vendors and free parking with regular shuttles to and from Lakeforest Mall, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is a not-to be-missed family day.

But “literary family day” also puts too narrow a name on it. The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a celebration of community. Neighbors meet neighbors there. People make friends there — what’s more fun to talk about with an acquaintance, new or old, than a book?

The only challenge of the day (in addition to filling your mind with new ideas) is choosing whom to listen to since the nine open-air pavilions will be operating simultaneously, each with an author or panel presentation all day long.

The Gaithersburg Book Festival people, the dozens and dozens of dedicated volunteers who have painstakingly — and creatively — put this stellar event together, have come up with a fun way to plan your day in advance should you choose to do so. Authors, book titles, times, locations and much more information are on their excellent web site: gaithersburgbookfestival.org.

See you there — although “see” puts too narrow a verb on it.

Join me at a global creative nexus on May 19 on the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall.

karen@towncourier.com

The National Arbor Day Foundation has named Gaithersburg a Tree City USA for the 23rd consecutive year. Sponsored by the Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the Tree City Award recognizes Gaithersburg’s commitment to the environment and its aggressive approach to preserving and enhancing its urban forest.

The city met four national standards to qualify: having a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, maintaining a comprehensive community forestry program with annual expenditures of at least $2 per capita, and celebrating Arbor Day with an observance.

For more information on this and other environmental programs in Gaithersburg, please visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/environment.

Winans Named Senior Recreation Program Supervisor

Mark Winans, a longtime veteran of the Montgomery County Recreation Department, joined the Gaithersburg Recreation and Culture Department’s Arts & Events Division. Winans, who previously served as a city part-time recreation program coordinator, has been named senior recreation program supervisor. He will be responsible for planning, developing, coordinating and implementing a variety of special events including the upcoming Kentlands Day.

Mandley Continues in Capital Projects and Facilities Role

Vince E. “Ed” Mandley was awarded an extended contract of $37,500 to extend his services for up to five months as the city continues its search for a full-time capital projects and facilities director. An initial round of interviews has been conducted, but the position is not expected to be filled for several months. Mandley will also assist during the transition once the new hire is on board.

City Streets Get Makeovers

At the April 16 meeting, the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council approved funding to improve city streets. Approved projects include the resurfacing of a number of city streets, as well as reconstruction of sections of Firstfield Road and Quince Orchard Boulevard including patching base failures, replacing concrete curbs and sidewalks to facilitate a two to four inch overlay.

Bids were received from six contractors and both the resurfacing and reconstruction jobs awarded to Olney Masonry Corporation.