April 25, 2013

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

Housing Help, Education, Family Fun at Annual Housing Fair

The annual Montgomery County Housing Fair will be held on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bohrer Park Activity Center, Summit Hall Farm (next to Gaithersburg High School), 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.

The fair features more than 75 housing-related exhibits, including information about first-time homebuyer programs, closing cost assistance, information from mortgage companies, banks and others in the housing field. There will be eight drawings to award $500 to any fairgoer to use to pay toward their mortgage, rent or utility bills.

Activities for children include a Home Depot table where kids can build their own bird house. Clowns, cartoon characters and face painters are scheduled throughout the day.

For more information, contact Myriam Torrico at 240-777-3627, or email Myriam.torrico@montgomerycountymd.gov.


Get in the Swing -- Family Golf Fair

In partnership with Montgomery County Golf, PGA Tour Charities and the Washington Hebrew Congregation, The First Tee is hosting a Family Golf Fair on Sunday, April 28, at the Needwood Golf Course, 6724 Needwood Rd. in Derwood.

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the first program at 12:30 p.m., a gold clinic provided by the Dennis Walters Golf Show. Lunch will be served from 11:30 to 12:30, with a moonbounce, games and face painting at 1 p.m.

To register, email Molson@thefirstteemcmd.org.


Montgomery Serves Award Recipients Announced

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has announced the recipients of the 2013 Montgomery Serves awards, the Neal Potter Path of Achievement awards and the Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership awards.

Odessa Shannon, Carol Trawick and Teresa Rios Wright are recipients of the Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership Award. The award honors an individual or individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the quality of our community.

The Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award honors seniors age 60 and older who have given a lifetime of volunteer community service. Representatives from the Commission on Aging chose Marcine D. Goodloe and Joyce B. Siegel as recipients.

The 2013 Montgomery Serves Awards recognize special volunteer accomplishments during the 2012 calendar year in four categories: Alfredo Colina Iturralde was selected in the youth category; MedImmune in the business service category; Robert Zagorski for community service by an individual; and the Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for community service by a group.

The awards will be presented at the Second Annual Montgomery Serves Awards event on Monday, April 29 at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Get more information on the free event. Or, call 240-777-2600.

Higher Fire Service Public Protection Classification Could Benefit Residents, Businesses

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Fire Chief Richard Bowers recently announced that enhancements in the County’s fire service have raised its Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating by the Insurance Services Office, Inc., following a comprehensive audit and evaluation.

The overall PPC rating reflects the total capability of the department to respond to and meet the fire protection demands of the community. The new rating, which took effect on April 1, could mean savings on fire insurance premiums for residents and businesses.

The higher rating is also a result of other improvements including increased staffing and equipment, and faster response times, funded by the Emergency Medical Services Transport Reimbursement Program, which provides $14 to $18 million annually to meet critical Fire & Rescue Service needs, at no added cost to County residents.

Business and property owners should contact their insurance agents to determine whether they qualify for any change in insurance rates.

Read more.