Facebook

Association News – Friday, November 17, 2023  

published: November 17th, 2023 by in Management

IN THIS EDITION:

  1. Management Office Closures 
  2. Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings
  3. KFCA President Appointment
  4. King Farm First Annual Tree Lighting Celebration 
  5. Register Now for King Farm Holiday Party & Photos with Santa
  6. City of Rockville Elections
  7. King Farm Music Jam Social Club: SEEKING MEMBERS
  8. King Farm Neighbors Village (KFNV) Activities
  9. Exterior Seasonal Holiday Decoration Reminder
  10. Pet Reminders
  11. King Farm Shuttle Bus QR Code 
  12. Rockville City Police Department Crime Report

OCTOBER KING FARM CHRONICLE!

To view past email newsletters and other updates, please visit the King Farm website under ‘Stay Informed‘. 

The King Farm website www.kingfarm.org is your best resource for staying up-to-date with all things King Farm! 


MANAGEMENT OFFICE CLOSED

The Management Office will close at noon (12 pm) on Wednesday, November 22nd, will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 23rd and 24th, and will re-open on Monday, November 27th. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!


UPCOMING BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS

BOT typically meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Next BOT Regular Meeting: January 17, 2023 @ 7:30 pm

Minutes, Agendas, and other info for BOT: https://kingfarm.org/board-of-trustees/.

BOCC typically meets on the 2nd Monday of the month.

Next BOCC Regular Meeting: December 5, 2023 @ 7:00 pm
Minutes, Agendas, and other info for BOCC: https://kingfarm.org/board-of-code-compliance/.

ADT typically meets on the second Wednesday of the month.

Next ADT Regular Meeting: December 6, 2023 @ 4:30 pm (Changed from the 13th)

Turn in Design Review Applications by the 20th of the month before the next meeting

Minutes, Agendas, and other info for ADT: https://kingfarm.org/architectural-design-trust/.

MEETINGS ARE HELD VIA ZOOM AND REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Contact Management if you need assistance.

Meeting changes will be sent via email blast and/or posted on the website.


Paul Scott Appointed as KFCA President

On Wednesday, November 15th, during the Board of Trustees (BOT) Meeting, Barry Jackson resigned as KFCA President to fulfill his duty as a newly elected member of City of Rockville Council.  We would like to thank Mr. Jackson for his service to King Farm Citizens Assembly and congratulate him on his new role as a City of Rockville Councilmember.

During the same BOT meeting, BOT Vice-Chair Paul Scott resigned from the BOT and was appointed by the BOT as the KFCA President. Mr. Scott will finish Mr. Jackson’s term as President which ends at the next KFCA election in April 2024.

Again, we thank Mr. Jackson for his service as the King Farm Citizens Assembly President since April 2021 and wish him well and much success in his new role as a City of Rockville Councilmember.

Congratulations to Mr. Scott as the newly appointed KFCA President!


You’re Invited to King Farm’s First Annual Tree Lighting Celebration

For the first time in King Farm history, we are excited to announce the community’s first-ever tree lighting celebration will soon be here! Mark your calendars and join your neighbors for a night of all things merry and bright as we welcome the holiday season in the Farm on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The evening will include a concert on the lawn, holiday style, with “The Breakaways,” who will be performing a variety of holiday hits and favorites, so be sure to dress warmly because we need you to sing along! At 6:00 p.m. let the countdown begin as we light the new tree just outside the Saddle Ridge Community Center. The evening will also include hot chocolate, while supplies last, and other fun treats!


In the event of rain, the event will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m

We can’t wait to start this new tradition in King Farm and look forward to seeing you all on the lawn ready to help us light up the holiday season!


Register now for Holiday Party & Photos with Santa

The holiday season is upon us, and King Farm is excited to once again host the return of the annual King Farm Family Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive at the Saddle Ridge Community Center.

So, come one, come all and get yourselves in the holiday spirit of giving by joining your friends and neighbors for a fun-filled afternoon of toy collecting on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Saddle Ridge Community Center at 300 Saddle Ridge Circle.

This family friendly party will include the jolly big man himself making his annual appearance to meet with King Farm children and pose for photos. So be sure to have your children bring their holiday wish lists, as Santa can’t wait to check his list to see if you’ve been naughty or nice. A professional photographer will be taking photos and a link will be supplied to those families who choose to download the photos free of charge. We ask all who register to bring a new, unwrapped toy for our toy donation drive.

SPACE IS LIMITED, and YOU MUST pre-register for this event here. This event is open to King Farm residents only, no outside non-resident guests. Your registration will be checked at the door, if you do not have a reservation, you will not be able to participate. Once all spaces have filled, registration will automatically close.

So, let’s get into the ho-ho holiday spirit and break a King Farm record for toy donations and help local children in need have a joyous holiday season with your generous toy donations.


City of Rockville Certified Election Results:

Candidates for Mayor

Rockville voters elected Monique Ashton mayor.


Monique Ashton

7,298
58.96%
Mark Pierzchala
5,028
40.62%
Write-in 51 
0.41%

Candidates for Council

Rockville voters elected Kate Fulton, Adam Van Grack, Izola (Zola) Shaw, incumbent David Myles, Marissa Valeri, and Barry Jackson to the council.

Kate Fulton
8,948
14.46%
Adam Van Grack
8,072

13.04%
Izola (Zola) Shaw
7,612
12.30%
David Myles
6,163
9.96%
Marissa Valeri
5,995
9.69%
Barry Jackson
5,962
9.63%

Paul Scott
5,107
8.25%
Richard Gottfried
4,102
6.63%
Anita Neal Powell
3,829
6.19%
Ricky F. Mui
3,196
5.16%
Danniel Belay
2,001

3.23%
Harold Hodges
641
1.04%
Write-in 270
0.44%

Advisory Referendum Questions

The ballot included four nonbinding advisory referendum questions that allow voters to express a preference without resulting in a change to Rockville law.

Question 1 – Voting Age

Should Rockville allow 16-17-year-olds to vote in city elections?

Yes 3,601
28.77%
No 8,665
69.23%
No Opinion 250
2.00%

Question 2 – Non-Citizen Voting

Should Rockville allow residents who are not U.S. citizens to vote in city elections?

Yes 4,208
33.89%
No 7,926
63.84%
No Opinion 281
2.26%

Question 3 – Term Limits

Should Rockville limit the Mayor and City Council members to 3 consecutive terms?

Yes 9,267
74.09%
No 2,786
22.27%
No Opinion 455
3.64%

Question 4 – Representative Districts

Should some or all of the 6 council members be elected by representative districts?

Yes5,090
40.84
No6,378
51.18
No Opinion995
7.98

An inauguration ceremony for the new Mayor and Council will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive. The inauguration is free and open to the public. The first meeting of the new Mayor and Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave.

Congratulations to all the winners and to King Farm’s own Barry Jackson for his election win.


ARE YOU A MUSICIAN LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AND SOCIALIZE?

KING FARM MUSIC JAM SOCIAL GROUP

SEEKING NEW MEMBERS

KFCA is excited to share this newly established social club!

King Farm Music Jam Social Club is a group of hobby musicians who come together to play music.  This group is sponsored by King Farm Citizens Assembly.  Our club meetings are held on a monthly basis with sessions throughout the year. 

The sessions are held at the King Farm Community Center, 300 Saddle Ridge Circle, Rockville, MD, 20850.   

Guitarists, keyboardists, percussionists, and other musicians of all levels, 18 years and older, are welcome to participate.

Bring your musical instrument.  It is also helpful to bring a music stand and a power strip if power is needed for your equipment.  For those that sing, a microphone would be helpful.

Songs are selected from a jam songbook and generally have common chords.  A phone, tablet, or computer is needed.

Also, feel free to bring song sheets for any songs with common chords you would like to share; 10 to 15 copies should do it.

Email kingfarmmusicclub@gmail.com if you would like to participate.  Detailed dates and times will follow.


    Yesterday, The KFNV Friends met at Farmsook Thai Restaurant for their monthly luncheon. A delicious lunch and lively conversation were had by all. 

            The King Farm Neighbors Village (KFNV) has a full plate of activities for November and December.

  1. The Walking Club continues its jaunts Monday-Thursday at 4 pm, except in the case of inclement weather. The group meets in the park across from The Fontina Grille. Please feel free to join the walks even if you have never joined before.
  2. In keeping with the theme of the fall/winter holidays of light as was highlighted in the October Coffee and Conversation where participants learned about Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:30 am, Coffee and Conversations participants will learn about the meaning of another winter holiday, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Activities will include learning how to play the game of dreidel and enjoying some traditional Hanukkah treats. You are welcome to bring your own Hanukkah menorah and/or dreidel and share your personal Hanukkah stories about them.
  3. On Friday, December 1, 2023, the KFNV will host, “Holly” Day Nights for its members.  The specifics are:

What:              Holiday reception with wine, beer, soft drinks, and appetizers

For whom:      KFNV members, who are at least 21 years old, as alcohol will be offered.

When:              Friday, December 1, 2023

Time:               6:30 -8:30 pm:

Where:             King Farm Community Center

RSVP by:        Tuesday, November 20, 2023

As part of this holiday reception, the KFNV is helping to support the King Farm Assembly as it partners with the City of Rockville Police Department for its annual toy drive.  The toys will be distributed to children in Rockville elementary schools and in Shady Grove Hospital.  As such, you are welcome to bring an unwrapped, new toy for children ages newborn through fifth grade.   (Please no stuffed or plush toys or animals.) 

Please note: a toy donation is not required for admission to this KFNV holiday event. Your presence is all that is required; for this event is a small token of the KFNV’s appreciation for your support of our organization during this past year. The KFNV hopes to see many of our friends at our very own fall/winter holiday of lights — “Holly” Day Lights—to personally thank you for your support.

  1. On Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 pm, the KFNV Movie Club will meet to discuss the 2022 movie, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, a standalone sequel to the 2019 film, Knives Out. As in Knives Out, Daniel Craig plays master detective Benoit Blanc. Mr. Craig’s accompanying cast includes Kate Hudson, Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, and Hugh Grant in a cameo role.
  2. On Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 12:30-2:00 pm, the KFNV Book Club will “chat and chew” over lunch and discuss choices for books to review in 2024.   You are welcome to bring your own lunch. The KFNV will provide a tasty dessert.
  3.  On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, the KFNV will host Games Night from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the King Farm Community Center. The KFNV will provide various board games, but you are welcome to bring your own game(s) as well. In addition, please bring your own snacks and drinks to nibble on and sip as you engage in competitive board game fun with fellow King Farm community residents; for you do not need to be a member of the KFNV to join in the fun.
  4. On Thursday, December 21, 2023, The KFNV Friends will meet for lunch at a yet undetermined location in King Farm.  Please check the King Farm Friday Email Blast nearer to the date for the location.

Please note that the monthly Movie Club, Book Club, Coffee and Conversation gatherings, and many highlight events are held at the King Farm Community Center, 300 Saddle Ridge Circle, Rockville, MD 20850.  In case of inclement weather and if there is time to notify participants, the KFNV may opt for a Zoom presentation for any meeting or event.  Finally, the KFNV offers transportation to many of its monthly events for KFNV members. Please contact the Operations Coordinator at kfnvinfo@gmail.com, or leave a voicemail at (301) 799-8104 to arrange for transportation.

Services

The KFNV continues to support King Farm residents with its community services: transportation to appointments, simple household tasks, friendly phone calls/texts, and friendly visits. Please feel free to avail yourself of all of the community services that the KFNV offers. If you are in doubt about whether a task could be performed by one of the KFNV volunteers, go ahead and fill out the service form on the KFNV website. Our Operations Team will get back to you to determine if the task is under our umbrella of tasks. Also, please note that services are open to KFNV members only; however, membership is free and an easy process. See below on how to contact the KFNV to schedule any of the services or with any questions that you may have about the services as well as how to become a KFNV member.

Volunteers Wanted

            The KFNV is looking for “a few good volunteers” to provide community services to its members. In particular, the KFNV is looking for King Farm residents who would like to share their knowledge, talents, avocations, and vocations with the KFNV community through presentations at KFNV events.   Other volunteer assistance that the KFNV is looking for are volunteers to serve on the various committees as well as to provide transportation to KFNV members. Please feel free to contact the Operations Coordinator for any questions you may have  about becoming a KFNV volunteer  by calling (301) 799-8104,  emailing to kfnvinfo@gmail.com , or viewing  the KFNV website at www.kfnv.org for information as well as an on-line form to fill out to become a KFNV volunteer. The KFNV thanks you for your consideration in becoming a KFNV volunteer.

Contacting the KFNV

For most of the KFNV monthly events as well as the services, membership is required; but membership is as easy as filling out an on-line or mail-in form with residency in the King Farm Community being the only membership requirement. 

Please keep the KFNV in mind as you make your year-end charitable donations Although there is no fee to become a KFNV member, the KFNV does, however, accept and welcome donations; for these donations help defray the cost of KFNV services and events.

For information on how to register for any of the above events, to request a service or a ride, to become a KFNV member or a volunteer, or to make a donation, please contact the Operations Coordinator by calling (301) 799-8104 to  leave a voicemail,  emailing the KFNV at kfnvinfo@gmail.com , or viewing the KFNV website at  www.kfnv.org


Exterior Seasonal Holiday Decorations Reminder

Exterior seasonal holiday decorations (i.e., exterior lights, displays, wreaths, etc.) which are attractive, in good taste, and reasonable in size, number, color, and luminosity are permitted if decorations are not placed upon a Lot/Living Unit 30 days prior to the holiday and must be removed 21 days after the holiday (provided that such decorations do not conflict with any applicable design standard).

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Winter Solstice, and all other winter holiday decorations, must be taken down no later than 21 days after the holiday occurred. Homes/lots with decorations remaining after this time, will be in violation of community guidelines and will receive a violation letter.

Exterior seasonal decorations do not require a design review application/approval as long as the change conforms with the design standards.

Yard Signs:

Temporary Signs: (King Farm Swim Team signs, contractor signs, graduation signs, political signs, and other signs approved by the Assembly) do not generally require a Design Review Application.
Provided, however, that KFST signs are allowed only during the swim season and no more than 30 days prior to the start of the swim season and removed immediately at the end of the swim season.
Contractor signs are allowed for the duration of the work being performed or 30 days (whichever comes first).
Political signs are allowed based on the applicable State of Maryland or City of Rockville requirements (as of 2020 limited to 5 square feet per sign).


PET ETIQUETTE

Pick up after your pet every time

Private Property vs. Common Area

We continue to receive complaints about pets trespassing onto private property and pet waste in the Community. We understand that pets must relieve themselves, but this should not occur on areas other than your own property, curb grass, and common areas. However, dog waste must be collected and disposed of properly.

PLEASE STAY OFF PRIVATE PROPERTY.

USE CURB GRASS AND COMMON AREAS.

Please pay attention when walking your pet. Ensure your pets stay on curb grass (the side closest to the street) and common areas and NOT on private property. Avoid allowing pets to wander onto private property. Even if you clean up behind your pet (which is required), residue from a pet urinating/defecating on private property is left behind. When you see “burned” grass, please try to avoid it because it means the area has been frequently used as a potty area. Give freshly seeded areas or areas with new sod an opportunity to establish itself. Be mindful and courteous.

Dog urine kills grass, flowers, bushes, and other plant materials. Not every homeowner is a pet owner, so please be a responsible pet owner and be respectful of private property. Avoiding private property is the best way to be a courteous neighbor.

Be courteous to plant material (flowers, bushes/shrubs, other plants, etc.). Replacing plant material can be expensive, so allowing pets to urinate on bushes, flowers, and other plants increases individual costs and association costs and looks ugly.

Pick up after your pet(s) and dispose of pet waste properly EVERY TIME. Leaving pet waste where it drops is illegal within the City of Rockville. Violations will be identified and violators may be subject to fines up to $1000 for each offence. Please review the City of Rockville Code, Article III, Sec. 3-22 for more information about pet waste policies.

PET ETIQUETTE:

When not on their owner’s property, pets must be leashed (unless you have a City of Rockville off-leash permit) or carried AND under the control of a responsible person at all times.
Pets are not permitted to wander unattended or to discharge wastes on another owners’ property.

Violators of pet policies, including off-leash violators and pet waste violators, should be reported to the Animal Control.

Rockville Animal Control: 240-314-8937
animalcontrol@rockvillemd.gov
To file a pet violation report, please use this online form: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/FormCenter/Police-Forms-3/Animal-Control-Request-35.

Violators of pet policies, including pet trespassing, should be reported to the RCPD.

RCPD Non-Emergency: 240-314-8900
Online Form: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/FormCenter/Police-3/General-Complaint-Crime-and-Safety-265

KFCA does not keep a record of household pets nor what pet owners are registered with the City’s off-leash permit. Therefore, the Assembly is limited in what it can do to control the behavior of pets and their owners. However, if the pet owner is identified, Management will send a notice.

Additionally, if video footage is captured from home security systems, residents can provide the footage to the RCPD by contacting them directly or signing up for The Rockview program. This program allows RCPD to quickly identify security cameras that may have captured criminal activity when a crime is reported nearby and can help keep you and your community safer. If you have a home video security system (Ring, Nest, etc.), you can register your camera with Rockville City Police. Learn more about the Rockview program and sign-up here.


King Farm Shuttle Bus QR Code  

Attached is an updated version of the QR code that you can scan using your smartphone or tablet. To ensure that you have access to the most up to date information, please save this for future reference. This will instantly direct you to the most current bus schedule, saving you time and allowing you to stay informed about any changes or updates to the bus schedule. The Conservancy will update the QR codes on the signs.

Questions about the shuttle should be sent to the Conservancy at

conservancy @kingfarm.org. Management is happy to assist as well.


Click here

to read the Weekly Crime Report

courtesy of the Rockville City Police Department.

RockView Program

If you have a ring camera (or other front door/doorbell camera), you can register it with the RCPD. The RockView program allows residents and business owners to voluntary register their privately owned video security camera systems with the RCPD. Registration in the RockView program does not enable law enforcement to view camera footage without an owner’s permission. However, the RockView program will allow city police to quickly identify security cameras that may have captured criminal activity when a crime is reported nearby. For more information about the RockView program, click here. 

If you have a crime or concern to report, please contact the Rockville City Police Department at:


Non-Emergency: 240-314-8900
Emergency: 9-1-1
2 W. Montgomery Ave, Rockville, Maryland 20850

Stay connected with breaking news and information from RCPD on:

Facebook – @RockvilleCityPolice

Twitter – @RockvilleCityPD

Instagram – @RockvilleCityPolice 

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!