The county will hold its second annual housing fair on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The fair will be held at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, Summit Hall Farm in Gaithersburg. Local housing providers, businesses, government agencies and community organizations will be available to help county citizens with housing programs and services. Workshops will be conducted in English and Spanish. Food, entertainment and raffles will also be included. Call 240-777-3627.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded at $295,450 grant to Strathmore Hall Foundation. The federal Economic Development Initiative grant will be used for the construction of a concert hall and youth music center in North Bethesda.
The Montgomery County Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is offering a free seminar series, “Winterize Your Home, Inside and Out.” “Winterizing Your Home on the Inside” will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. “Winterizing Your Home on the Outside” will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the same location, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
The seminar is designed to provide the average homeowner with information about home improvements, home maintenance and selecting a home improvement contractor. The “Inside” seminar will include such topics as heating and air conditioning systems, windows, insulation, fireplace cleaning, caulking and water heaters. Topics for the “Outside” seminar will include gutters, roofs, de-icing, decks, lawn care and pest control. Speakers include experts from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and The Maryland Cooperative Extension Service.
The class, limited to Montgomery County residents, is free of charge, but pre-registration is required. To register, call 240-777-3764.
Weichert, Realtors has announced the achievements of its top sales associates for August.
In the Potomac Village office, Betty Kingsley was honored for generating the most resale revenue units. She was also honored for generating the most listings and the most listings sold. Michael Matese was recognized for producing the highest dollar volume and the most sales.
In the Potomac Office, Helen King was honored as the top producer with the most resale revenue units and the highest dollar volume. She was also recognized as the top sales associate. Eriifili Kotsatos was honored for generating the most listings and Mahin Ghadiri was honored for generating the most listings sold.
In the Bethesda office, Meg Finn was honored for generating the most resale revenue units. She was also honored for generating the most listings and the most listings sold. Gordon King was recognized for producing the highest resale dollar volume and Elizabeth Thring was recognized for producing the most sales.
The county has unveiled a 3,500 gallon elliptical water tanker for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, which will be assigned to the Rockville-Darnestown Station 31 in North Potomac.
The $250,000 tanker was acquired within a few months — compared to a year or more for most large vehicle purchases — in partnership with the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department which contributed $50,000 and through county efforts to streamline and fast-track the tanker purchase. Fiscal year 2002 end-of-year Fire/Rescue funding was reallocated to the tanker purchase, with the county executive’s support.
One of the benefits of acquiring the large capacity water tanker will be improved fire protection for homes and businesses in areas where the water supply is limited. This responds to community concerns about areas without fire hydrants. These areas comprise 55-60 percent of the county.
A recent comprehensive water supply study called for the placement of tankers in several non-hydrant areas, including Cabin John Park. Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $198,900 federal grant to purchase a water tanker, which will put it years ahead of the recommended schedule of mid-2007.
Residents, business owners, property managers and others interested in what happens to trash and recyclables are invited to attend a free six-week course offered by the county’s Division of Solid Waste Services, beginning Oct. 9. “Behind the Scenes” will cover topics such as “Trucks 101,” recycling dos and don’ts, and composting.
Call for more information and to register at 240-777-6400, or visit www.mc recycles.org/bts.
A free workshop sponsored by the nonprofit Nehemiah Gift Program will be held at Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10. Learn how to achieve homeownership with free gift money. A canned food donation to help the needy will accepted. Seating is limited. Call for reservations at 800-362-3878, code 4164.
Applicants are being sought by the county for the Commission on Common Ownership Communities in the following categories: two vacancies are for resident representatives, two vacancies are for professional repre- sentatives (attorneys, property managers, investment owners), and two vacancies are for a real estate sales or developer representative.
Voting members serve three-year terms without compensation. Meetings are held the first Wednesday evening of the month. Write by Oct. 18 to county executive Douglas M. Duncan, Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., Rockville, MD 20850.