Association News – Friday, March 24, 2023

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!

March 2023 Edition of the King Farm Chronicle

The March edition of the King Farm Chronicle is here. Please visit our website under Stay Informed / King Farm Chronicle to read past editions (https://kingfarm.org/king-farm-chronicle/).

March 2023 Edition

Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings

Board of Code Compliance (BOCC) Monday 03/27/2023 – 7:00 PM (hearing meeting) Architectural Design Trust (ADT):Wednesday 04/12/2023 – 4:30 PM Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) Town Hall Meeting (More information to follow)Tuesday April 18th- 7:00 PM Annual Meeting and Election Wednesday 04/26/2023 – 7:00 PM  Board of Code Compliance (BOCC) Monday 04/17/2023 – 7:00 PM (regular meeting)  External Affairs (EA) Thursday 4/6/23- 7:30 PM  King Farm meetings are held virtually. Residents can find the Zoom registration links for all upcoming King Farm Board of Trustees and Committee meetings online by visiting King Farm website on the “Zoom Meeting Links” page.  To attend the Zoom meetings, you must register in advance.  Each meeting will have an open forum for residents to ask questions or make comments (limited to 3 minutes speaking time per resident). If you would like to speak during open forum, please provide the topic you will be speaking about.   **If you need assistance registering for a virtual meeting and for all other questions, please contact Management by phone (301) 987-0122 or by email at management@kingfarm.org.

King Farm’s Annual Egg Hunt on the Lawn Returns

King Farm will “Hop into Spring” on Saturday, April 1, 2023 with the community’s annual egg hunt on the lawn, weather permitting. The lawn will be sectioned off in locations by age. Be sure to bring a basket or bag to collect those treat-filled eggs. Only children will be permitted on the lawn during the hunt! The Hunt will take place promptly at 10:15 a.m. so if you plan to partake in the egg hunt only, please be there no later than 10:00  a.m. so you don’t miss it. Hoppers the Bunny will be available for photos inside the Community Center after the egg hunt. You do not need to register for this event. King Farm resident children of all ages are welcome to attend the hunt. Due to space limitations, this event is open to King Farm residents and their children only, sorry no non-resident outside guests, friends or relatives permitted.

Volunteer to Help Clean Up Our Stream

Come on out! The Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup is taking place on Saturday, April 15, 2023. A group of volunteers working with the City of Rockville will be removing litter along the King Farm Stream Valley Park, known as Watts Branch I.  WHEN:  Saturday, April 15, 9 AM to 12 PM WHERE: Meet at the Gazebo on Watkins Overlook at the bottom of Crooked Creek Drive (marked on map below) This activity is approved for MCPS Student Service Learning Hours. There will be forms at the check-in desk when you arrive.

2023 Annual Meeting and Election

2023 King Farm Annual Meeting & Election will take place at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 26th via Zoom meeting. For more information about the meeting and to register for the zoom , please visit the Farm website: https://kingfarm.org/annual-meeting-election/.   Candidate Information: There are four (4) open seats for the Board of Trustees (BOT). Three (3) seats are two-year terms and one (1) seat is for a one-year term. Three (3) King Farm residents will be running unopposed: Sue Beckerman, Ric Ricciardi and Matt Roh. The vacant seat on the Board of Trustees will be filled by the Board of Trustees by appointment after the election.If you would like to read each candidate’s Statement of Purpose, please click here or visit the FrontSteps portal under “Annual Meeting & Election 2023” / “2023 KFCA BOT Candidates”. Voting in the Election:Even though the election is uncontested, registered King Farm voters are still encouraged to vote.E-voting (electronic voting) is the preferred voting method in Assembly elections. Electronic voting has been used since 2020, and King Farm will continue to utilize online voting for the foreseeable future. VoteHOANow is the selected 3rd party vendor for online voting.  VoteHOANow recommends that you add votehoanow.com as an approved domain so emails are not sent to the spam folder.Citizen Titleholders with their names listed in the Assembly records will automatically receive a unique registration code via email and/or on a postcard via USPS mail to vote electronically. All Citizen Titleholders of houses, townhouse & condominium units, as shown on the Assembly’s records, are automatically registered to vote. Registration codes will be generated for Citizens who register by Monday, March 27th, 2023.It is the responsibility of each Titleholders and Citizens to ensure that the Assembly has your correct information on file. If you haven’t already, please make sure to provide your contact information to the King Farm Management Office at management@kingfarm.org as soon as possible so it can be added to the community database. For more information about voting, please visit the website: https://kingfarm.org/registering-to-vote/.  Registering to Vote:As a reminder, All Citizen [resident] Titleholders of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominium units, as shown on the Assembly’s records, are automatically registered to vote. More information about registering to vote can be found on the website: https://kingfarm.org/registering-to-vote/. UPDATE: Please note that non-resident Titleholders are NOT eligible to vote in the election per the governing documents. Non-titleholder Citizens must register ANNUALLY! All other persons who wish to vote, including tenants and other occupants of a King Farm residence who are not the record owners of the residence, are required to complete a Citizen Registration Form in order to register as Citizens with the Assembly and to vote in elections (registration forms can be found on the website). Citizen Registration Forms must be submitted by 12:00 pm, Monday, March 27th, 2023.  You can submit your form to the Management Office via email at management@kingfarm.org or by placing it in the drop box to the right of the front office door (300 Saddle Ridge Circle). All forms will be verified (signed lease, state issued driver’s license, and/or owner verification).   Please note: To vote, you must live in King Farm (Citizen), be 18 years or over, current within 30 days of any financial obligation due to the Assembly, andregistered with the Assembly. If you meet these specifications, you are a Qualified Voter and may vote in this election. If you are NOT a Citizen Titleholder and have not registered by the deadline you are not permitted to vote in the election.

City & County Updates:

Town Center Master Plan  The City of Rockville will host four interactive listening sessions to kickoff outreach and engagement for the Town Center Master Plan update, which will help guide the area’s success in coming decades. Join the discussion and sign up to receive updates about the project at engagerockville.com/towncenter.  7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 13, Rockville Memorial Library, second-floor meeting room. 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, Rockville Memorial Library, first-floor meeting room. 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 22. WebEx virtual meeting. 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. WebEx virtual meeting.    Centenarians Will Be Honored at Special Montgomery Recreation Celebration in May County residents who are ages 100 and older or will turn 100 in 2023 will be honored in May at a special celebration. Montgomery County Recreation is now seeking to identify those residents so they can be invited to the event. Read more here. ROCKVILLE’S FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Protect your home from flooding! The City of Rockville offers financial assistance to residents and property owners who have installed approved flood mitigation practices.  Approved practices include: floodproofing windows, flood gates or panels, basement drain tiles, battery powered sump pumps, elevating utilities, French drains, surface grading, flood alert systems, and flood resistant building materials. Find more examples and learn how to apply at www.rockvillemd.gov/floodassistance.

King Farm Neighbors Village News (KFNV)

KFNV Events:  KING FARM NEIGHBORS VILLAGE  The King Farm Neighbors Village (KFNV) is ending its busy March with three events and will continue marching into spring with several events planned for April.   Events March Events On March 23, 2023 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm, the KFNV hosted its highlight event: “Off the Beaten Path in Montgomery County,” a slide show /lecture by Mr.  Ralph Buglass, a speaker from the Montgomery County Historical Society and Peerless Rockville, Rockville’s historical society.  This was Mr. Buglass’ third presentation for the KFNV, and as in the past Mr. Buglass offered the KFNV audience an engaging lecture and slide show of the “Top 10” lesser-known spots in Montgomery County with historical importance.  The KFNV would like to thank Mr. Buglass for another informative lecture about our area accompanied by beautiful photographs showing the area’s beauty. Calling all college basketball fans!  The new KFNV Friends group will meet for NCAA Watch Parties at Fontina Grille, 801 Pleasant Drive, on Saturday and Sunday, March 25th and March 26th for the following three games: 1.     Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11:30 am, the Maryland Lady Terps vs. the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women;2.      Saturday, March 25 at 6 pm, teams to be determined; and3.      Sunday, March 26 at 2 pm, teams to be determined.  Please note that because of space limitations, these Watch Parties are open only to KFNV members, volunteers, or subscribers to our Email list. Please see below on how to easily become a KFNV member.  April Events The KFNV is holding its annual Board meeting in April along with its monthly get-togethers. Specifically, April starts out with two events:  1.      On April 13, 2023 from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, the KFNV Book Club will meet to discuss the novel, Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, who won the Nobel Price in Literature in 2017. Klara and the Sun is a dystopian science fiction novel told from the point of view of Klara, a solar-powered AF (Artificial Friend), who is chosen by Josie, a sickly child, to be her companion.  An apt novel to read, especially now, as Artificial Intelligence programs become more prevalent; and 2.      On April 19, 2023 from 10:00 to 11:30 pm, Coffee and Conversation participants will meet to discuss: What is your idea of a perfect spring day?  The topic is anticipated to bring out a discussion of participants “favorite spring things” in line with the magical and transformational  season of spring. Then, April continues with three more events: 1.      On April 20, 2023, the KFNV will host two events: a)      From 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, The KFNV Friends will host its monthly luncheon at Farmsook Thai Kitchen, 800 King Farm Boulevard.   Although The KFNV Friends is organizing the luncheon, participants are responsible for the costs of their own lunches. In addition, this event is open to KFNV members only. Please see below on how to easily become a member of the KFNV; and b)      From 2:30-4:00 pm, the KFNV Movie Club will meet to review The Father, a 2020 psychological drama about a father refusing assistance as he ages. The Father, directed by Florian Zeller in his directorial debut stars Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman.2.      Finally, on April 27, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, in the King Farm Community Center, 300 Saddle Ridge Circle, the KFNV will host its annual meeting, The KFNV: A Year of Rebounding and Reconnecting, where the KFNV Board of Directors (Board) will give an overview of its activities this past year and discuss plans for the next year. The Board invites all members of the King Farm Community to this meeting to not only learn about the KFNV, but more importantly to provide valuable ideas and input. The KFNV Board hopes to see many King Farmers at the annual meeting.  Please note that the KFNV has changed its monthly Movie Club, Book Club, Coffee and Conversation gatherings, and highlight events to in-person meetings and has reserved the King Farm Community Center, 300 Saddle Ridge Circle, Rockville, MD 20850 for these events.  In accordance with the policy adopted by the KFNV Board of Directors, people attending KFNV sponsored, in-person events must be vaccinated per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID recommendations. Wearing a mask is optional. 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.  Therefore, the KFNV will not be offering a hybrid option for any future events.  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 community services are in full-swing with KFNV services such as transportation to appointments and simple household chores being the most popular services. In particular, February and March have been banner months for transportation services as KFNV volunteers continue to give a record number of rides.Please feel free to avail yourself of all of the community services offered by KFNV: 1.      Simple household tasks;2.      Friendly phone calls,3.      Transportation to appointments, and4.      Friendly visits.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 volunteers to provide our community services. The volunteer work is very rewarding and volunteers receive as much if not more from their service as the recipient.  As one volunteer who has been providing friendly texts to a member stated: “I have been texting with H. for over 3 years now. I started our check-in phone visits in March of 2020. We exchange texts once a week. What an interesting life H. has had. It truly has been a pleasure getting to know her.” S. (KFNV Volunteer)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 considering to become 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.  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

RCPD News Report: March 14 to March 21, 2023

King Farm Community Alert   The Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) would like to make the King Farm community aware of two recent incidents of concern that we would like to bring attention to the community for your safety and awareness.   On March 15, 2023 around 4:30 p.m. RCPD responded to the area of Redland Boulevard and Piccard Drive for the report of an assault. A female advised that an unknown man grabbed her buttocks and fled towards a nearby parking garage. The suspect in this incident was described as a black male, 5’10” 190lbs., with short black hair, wearing a dark colored sweatshirt and sweatpants.    On March 21, 2023 around 11:45 a.m. RCPD responded to the area of Redland Boulevard and Gaither Road for a report of an assault. A female advised that an unknown man grabbed her buttocks and fled the area. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 30 years old, 5’9” – 5’10” in height, 200lbs., with short black hair, wearing black pants, black tennis shoes, and a hooded black puff coat.   Both incidents were unprovoked as the two victims were walking on the sidewalk. Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact RCPD’s Criminal Investigations Unit at 240-314-8938.   We would like to remind you of a few safety tips to consider while walking alone in the community:   Plan your route and be sure someone else knows you plan. When you are walking alone make sure you are not looking down at your phone, texting or scrolling through social media. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Avoid wearing ear buds/headphones or talking on your phone as you walk as you may not hear someone coming from behind you. If you think someone might be following you, walk to the other side of the road; if they follow call 911 for help. If it is safe to do so, make eye contact with the person that you feel is suspicious. Take mental notes about identifying features of a person.  Immediately report suspicious activity or an incident, do not wait!   Click here to read the Weekly Crime Report courtesy of the Rockville City Police Department.  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   IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!