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Storm Update – 1/24/16 – 4:30 PM

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Montgomery County Winter Storm 2016
Update: 4:30 PM, Sunday, January 24. A Message

A Message from Montgomery County Public Information Office

  • Montgomery County government & facilities will be closed on Monday, January 25.
  • No trash & recycling pickup on Monday. Residents should NOT take their items to the curb.
  • Montgomery County Public Schools will not be in session Monday, January 25 and Tuesday, January 26.
  • Ride On bus service will not be operating on Monday, January 25.
  • Free parking in County garages and parking lots is extended until Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 9 a.m.
  • All County liquor stores will be closed on Monday, January 25.
  • Historic snowfall of nearly 3 feet means that clearance of roads includes not only plowing but also hauling away record amounts of snow.
  • Challenges: in many places snow cannot just be pushed to the side, but must be hauled out. Below freezing temperatures mean even cleared roads ice overnight.
  • County crews continue to work 24/7.
  • Priority: first clear 1000 lane miles of emergency and primary roads. Only after that is finished are plows and trucks into the neighborhoods.
  • Next: clear 4000 lane miles of neighborhood roads. Initial object: to make them passable, not bare pavement. Then come follow-up runs to complete the work.
  • The County urges Montgomery County residents to clear snow from sidewalks in front of their homes as is possible. Any enforcement for now of sidewalk snow removal will be reasonable and follow common sense.
  • For public safety, clear snow in a three-foot radiance from fire hydrants.
  • Parking lot managers for commercial and residential parking lots are urged not to block disability parking spaces during their snow removal efforts.
  • Bottom line: be assured we continue to work as hard as possible but recovery will be a MULTI day event.
  • Continue to stay at home. Stay off the roads so we can get the job done and public safety and emergency personnel can reach those in critical need.
  • The County’s 311 Call Center is open 24/7 for the storm. Call 311 or 240-777-0311.
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Snow Shovelers List

Dear Kemp Millers:

Now that students have gone back to school, here is an updated list of snow removers in which I’ve tried to separate professionals and crews from students, as well as add some new names, to make your searching more time-efficient:

  1. http://snowcrew.org: Website for those who need shoveling, or want to help others with shoveling.
  2. dnatreeservice.com (professional crew), David D. Kull, 301-482-2626,  d.kull@comcast.net
  3. Thomas, Fam-Tech Construction (professional crew): 240-408-0747.
  4. Jon (professional crew): 301-775-0570
  5. Julio: 301-252-5808
  6. Junior Lainez: 240-645-9784
  7. McDonnell Landscape (Kemp Mill Shopping Center’s 2 snowplow trucks, can contract with others): 301-924-2600
  8. John Slaughter, 240-997-5823, bousa.rocka@gmail.com
  9. Howard Wasserman: tallwonder60@live.com.  A friend of his with a large snow-plower, reasonably priced.
  10. Lloyd Williams (professional crew):  O: 301-431-7027; C:  410-493-8169
  11. Willie: 240-447-3373

 

STUDENTS

  1. Jonah Albert: 301-593-9791, yoniealbert@gmail.com
  2. Ezra Beletskiy and Benjy Zukerman: 240-604-5258, door2doorshoveling@gmail.com
  3. Yoni Benamou : (301) 946-6966, yonibenamou.mitzvahworld@gmail.com
  4. Coby Cohen: 240-566-2976, jacobcohen2011@gmail.com
  5. Yosef Kugler, yosefkugler00@gmail.com. $50 to dig out car.
  6. Hillel  Merkin: 240-339-4090
  7. Ari Schreiber: (202) 247-7806, arischreiber31794@gmail.com>
  8. Avi Shulman, 3017750570, Asym71@gmail.com
  9. Steve Tanenbaum:  301-437-9251, <stevetanen@yahoo.com>
  10. Meshulam Ungar: cell: 202-258-8664; home: 301-649-6517.
  11. Craig Wasserman:  301-938-7893, craigwaz8@gmail.com
  12. 23. Evan Wood: 301-325-2235

—

Ira Ungar

President, Kemp Mill Civic Association

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Meeting Minutes – December 1, 2015 membership meeting

December 1, 2015

Meeting of the Kemp Mill Civic Association

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm, at Young Israel Shomrai Emunah, at 1132 Arcola Ave.

 ELECTION:

Ariel Winter (Nominating Committee Chair) presented the slate of officers and board members. The slate was voted on and approved by the membership.

  • President – Ira Ungar
  • Vice President – Caroline Friedman
  • Secretary – Paul Bardack
  • Treasurer – Marci Lavine Bloch
  • Board Members – Julie Caron, Chris Farrell, Alan Felsen, Pete Lublin
  • Gil Chlewicki is an interim Board Member, elected by the Board, until the next Civic Association meeting, where an election will take place.

 

Updates

Kemp Mill Urban Park renovation report: park renovation has been delayed again. The major renovation is now scheduled to begin in Spring, 2016, when the park will be closed for 13 months; it will include new landscaping to discourage the flocks of geese, and will have over 180 places to sit versus only about 30 now.

 

Deer management: bow hunters can hunt deer on private property

 

Thank you to Pete Lublin and Julie Caron for coordinating the new welcome sign and the new landscaping

 

Landscaping report: Pete is continuing to work with the County on new landscaping for the median strip of Lamberton near Arcola; at Pete’s request, the County removed the unsightly stumps and agreed to plant 5 Red Bud Trees in spring 2016 at no charge to the community; Pete planted daffodil bulbs.

 

Police Report

Lt. Onderko from Montgomery County Police Department, 4th precinct:

  • Police responded to a call from a resident’s relative who checked on the resident and saw him lying on the floor in his home on Winona Ct.; the resident (homeowner) was deceased.
    • When police followed procedure to check/clear the house, they found an indoor marijuana growing operation and chemicals that are commonly used to make methamphetamines
    • Fire & rescue and narcotics section personnel checked the house to make sure everything was safe
    • There was no danger to the neighborhood from the chemicals
    • Autopsy report is not yet available
    • The case is being investigated by the homicide division (as are ALL unattended deaths)
  • Since January 1, 2015, there have been 3 identified cases of meth ingredients/labs in the county
  • Kemp Mill crime numbers are down from last year, knows of no major worrisome activity
    • Overall, local crime is down – part 1 crimes up by 1, part 2 crimes way down
  • Two drug violations in the area this year, down from 5 last year
  • Theft from cars is the most common crime in Kemp Mill
    • Don’t leave valuables visible in the car
    • Lock the car
  • Turn in program for expired medication twice a year on Saturdays – next one is in March
    • A member commented that Holy Cross Hospital pharmacy will accept/dispose of expired medication
  • Crime prevention tips:
    • Track any packages you’re expecting, have a neighbor watch/bring them in
    • Don’t leave purse in your grocery cart
    • Lock your car
  • Marijuana decriminalization. In response to a question from a member, MD Sen Roger Manno explained that medicinal marijuana is legal; recreational marijuana use is still illegal in Maryland, though penalties for possession of small amounts have been reduced (civil, not criminal now).

 

Deer report:

  • Ira reported that the “right” number of deer for our area is 20-30; we have >115
  • The deer are damaging wildlife habitats, spreading deer ticks, causing accidents, eating residents’ gardens
  • There are three effective ways now in use to reduce population
    • Sharpshooters (county program) – Kemp Mill is not on the county list
      • Done only in parts of the county
    • Archers (county pilot program) – Kemp Mill is not on the list
      • Done only in park land
    • Bow hunters
      • Done on private property
      • Need permission from all homeowners within 100 yds of hunter’s designated hunting spot

 

Alan moved that KMCA (through Ira) contact County Council and Parks Department to request deer management

Bruce Schulman spoke in favor of deer control

Alan’s motion carried

Several members expressed concerns about sharpshooters near their homes

Ira and Alan will try to get people involved with county sharpshooter program to present at the next KMCA meeting.

Motion for 5 minutes of discussion on involvement with bowhunting carried

Discussion included the following viewpoints:

  • KMCA should not be involved in that effort
  • Leadership could offer to help make connections between homeowners and bowhunters
  • Getting permission slips to homeowners would help
  • Bowhunters came to the last KMCA meeting, and their information has already been posted on the listserve

 

Motion that KMCA should support hunters and facilitate communication between bowhunters and homeowners

  • No discussion
  • Motion carried

 

Villages and Volunteer Ride program for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Presentation from Pazit Aviv (Montgomery County’s Aging & Disabilities Services) and Shawn Brennan (Montgomery County Mobility Management Administrator) on programs to help residents age in place

  • “Villages” have been a grassroots movement around the country, where residents and local non-profits to help neighbors stay connected, especially to seniors. Villages count on local residents doing the work, and are not dependent on specific government programs.
  • The County and the Jewish Council on Aging have pioneered a volunteer ride program to support villages in the area, and the Senior Connection. Kemp Mill could create a volunteer ride program or a village or both.  Villages often begin by helping with transportation.
  • The Volunteer Ride Program gives free rides to those who need them by volunteer drivers. Its recipients are seniors and people with disabilities.  Unlike other programs, there are no complicated eligibility requirements, e.g., income, age, disability, type of ride.
  • The County’s assistance and features of a village or volunteer ride program include:
    • Marketing assistance
    • Driving and criminal background check on volunteer drivers
    • Secondary auto insurance for the volunteers giving rides
    • Training in how to help people walk and get into the car, when necessary
    • Access and training for highly functional website that helps volunteers quickly see who needs a ride, where it is, how long it will take, and a profile of the rider’s special conditions
    • Volunteers can put in as many hours as they like
    • Recipients/riders can donate as much as they want
    • Recipients/riders generally do not have internet access, so they would call in the ride they need. Data would then be input into the website for volunteer drivers to see.
  • Montgomery County has 16 active Villages, more in development
  • Local “Bikur Cholim” is a volunteer organization that assists with rides to medical appointments
    • Can refer to other local organizations, including JSSA, MetroAccess, Senior Connection
    • Transportation is the biggest need
  • Takes time to develop and implement
  • We’ll discuss more at a future meeting. Pazit and Shawn offered to return.

 

New business/member requests

  • The new “no right turn on red” signs at the intersection of Lamberton and Arcola may not be working properly; the signs aren’t always lighting up when resident believes they should. Ira will investigate. Update: They are now working.
  • A resident would like a longer left turn arrow from the neighborhood side of Lamberton turning onto Arcola. Ira will address this with the county.
  • A member asked how to get the county to clear dead trees and brush from county property near homes. Another member suggested calling the Parks Dept or 311. KMCA is following up on this.
  • Ira reported that residents have requested 4-way stop sign at the intersection of Hillsboro and S. Belgrade, and a stop sign at Monticello and S. Belgrade. He will raise this issue with the county.
  • A member requested assistance getting the county to trim trees hanging over sidewalks. Of particular concern is a low-hanging dead tree at Lamberton and Rockbridge.
  • A resident requested more streetlights on N. Belgrade between Lamberton and Kersey. Ira will pass request on to the county.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Refreshments were served by Shalom Market.  YISE provided coffee and tea.

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Gnats, Fruit Flies, and Humpback Flies Fact Sheet

The below information was provided by Brody Pest Control

 

Gnats

Fungus gnats are small, dark flies most often found collecting around windows during fall and winter. Fungus gnats can be found indoors infesting potting mixes used for houseplants or hopping across the soil surface. High organic matter plant mixtures and organic fertilizers, such as fish emulsion, encourage fungus gnat development.

Overwatering, a common problem during fall and winter, increases fungi and fungus gnat development. Fungus gnats can reproduce on indoor plants and cause little if any damage. They also occur outdoors where they breed in mushrooms and other decaying plant materials.

Pomace or Fruit Fly

Pomace or fruit flies are among the smallest flies found in homes. They usually are light brown and may be marked with bright red eyes. These small “fruit flies” most often are found hovering around overly ripe fruit. Fermenting materials, such as leftover beer or soft drinks, also are a favorite food. Populations tend to be greatest in late summer and early fall as they infest fruits during the harvest season.

Drain Fly

Drain flies, also known as moth flies, are occasional problems in homes. These small, moth-like flies sometimes emerge from drains of sinks, particularly in spring. Drain fly maggots develop by feeding on bacteria and organic materials that can colonize the linings of drains. Large numbers of the flies can be produced where there is a problem with broken or leaking drain pipes.

Tips to Control Flies in Home
  • Clean areas where food residues may accumulate. Key locations include around kitchen equipment and fixtures and countertops that have a gap in between them. A steam cleaner may facilitate the cleaning process.
  • Repair plumbing leaks promptly to prevent water accumulation.
  • Clean up food and drink spills immediately.
  • Rinse all beverage containers prior to placement in lined recycle bins. Do not store recycled containers for more than seven days.
  • Inspect incoming fruit and vegetables for the presence of fruit flies. Over-ripe produce is most suspect and may be harboring eggs and larvae even if adults are not evident.
  • Store fruit and vegetables in plastic bins in a cool storage room.
  • Use trash bags for waste containers; empty and clean these bins weekly.
  • Clean drains/traps and strainers at least twice per week to eliminate residues that encourage fly development.
  • Place exterior trash cans, recycle bins and dumpsters away from building entrances.
  • Use non-toxic fruit fly traps to capture adult fruit flies.
  • Avoid overwatering potted plants; allow soil to dry between watering to prevent fungus gnat breeding.
  • Use yellow sticky traps placed on a stake in plant pots to capture adult fungus gnats.
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Wheaton Library & Recreation Center Project Update Monday, April 13th at 7pm

Wheaton Library & Recreation Center Project Update
Monday, April 13th at 7pm
Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad Ball Room
2400 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902

Come out this upcoming Monday to hear from the Montgomery County Department of General Services (DGS) regarding the Wheaton Library & Recreation Center project. As a follow up to previous discussions, DGS will be presenting the results of their design analysis for the Wheaton Library & Recreation Center. DGS staff will be there to discuss findings as well as updated renderings. For more information about the meeting, please contact Ana L. van Balen.

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Deer Hunting Information

At the March KMCA membership meeting there was a presentation by bowhunters who hunt in suburban areas to help reduce deer overpopulation.

The below information is related to that presentation.  You can download this as Word document at this link:  A Citizens Guide to Safe Bow & Arrow Hunting in Suburban Neighborhoodsdraft flyer for bowhunting in residential neighborhoods

 

A Citizens Guide to Safe Bow and Arrow Hunting for Suburban Neighborhoods in Montgomery County, Maryland

As deer populations have increased, suburban and urban areas face too many deer. In some suburbs, the deer population exceeds 400 animals per square mile, while the carrying capacity of the land is about 40 animals per square mile. Although pleasing to watch, large numbers of free roaming deer increase the risk of human injury from deer-vehicle collisions.  They spread debilitating and costly diseases such as Lyme, Babesiosis, and Ehrlichia Chaffensis.  Deer cause great damage each year to landscaping in our yards. Worse, deer have destroyed the understory of many of our regional, community and stream valley parks, denuding hillsides of native plants, destroying habitat for other species, accelerating soil erosion and promoting thebtakeover of invasive species. Some naturalists now consider overabundant deer as significant a threat to the bird population as climate change. And too many young deer make your neighborhood very attractive for predators such as coyotes to move in – a situation we are beginning to experience in Montgomery County.

YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THIS FOR THE BETTER.

Other options for deer management such as feeding, exclusionary fencing and chemical “birth control” are impractical and prohibitively expensive. Regulated hunting, specifically bowhunting, is a safe, ethical, humane and efficient method for decreasing the number of deer in our residential neighborhoods. It provides deer population control at the least cost because bow hunters do the “work” of removing deer as a public service.

THE BOWHUNTING OPTION

Bowhunting has been shown to be a safe, effective way to decrease the size of suburban deer herds. Hundreds of metro areas including Fairfax County, Virginia, Columbus, Ohio, the Pittsburgh suburbs, and many cities in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and Canada allow bowhunting. Few problems and no accidents have been reported. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources supports the use of bowhunting to curb deer populations.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• National surveys show that most deer harvested with a bow are shot at distances of 20 yards or less, which makes it ideal for hunting in and around urban/suburban areas.

• Bowhunters typically hunt from elevated positions or tree stands which means an arrow is shot downward into the target or into the ground.

• A hunting arrow, under most conditions, cannot travel any appreciable distance once it hits even a twig or small limb.

• Archery is one of the safest sports in the United States. Most accidents involve the bowhunter falling out of a tree stand. In Maryland and Virginia there have been no recorded incidents involving injury to persons, pets or property caused by a bowhunter.

• Deer taken by reputable hunters are never “wasted.” All the meat (venison) is used, either by hunter or by donation to local food banks, soup kitchens and shelters through an organization called Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH.ORG).

• Property owners who wish to obtain venison may do so through arrangement with their Many individuals know little about hunting and, most particularly, bowhunting. Bowhunting in residential neighborhoods should never be undertaken by amateurs, but left to well-trained, skilled sportsmen

HOW TO FIND A RELIABLE BOWHUNTER

In Montgomery County, several groups can link you to a bowhunter. The Animal Connection Deer Management Team – ACDMT – is an organization of seasoned, veteran bowhunters with strict rules and enforcement to ensure the safety of hunters and the public. Most members of ACDMT are members of the Maryland Bowhunters Society, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting safe and responsible bowhunting; educating the non-hunting public about the role of the bowhunter in wildlife management and conservation; and educating bowhunters in safety, shooting skills, hunting techniques and landowner relations. Both groups strongly advocate ethical bowhunting within the laws of the jurisdiction hunted. Learn more about the ACDMT from their website at www.acdmt.org and contact them via email at deer.help@acdmt.org. A third group, the Bow Hunting Fire Fighters of Maryland, can be contacted through the website www.BHFFMD.com

MEET WITH A BOWHUNTER

Not every suburban yard is appropriate for bowhunting. The bowhunter will first tell you if your property has a suitable location for hunting. If it does, the bowhunter should provide you with copies of his/her hunting license, safety certificate, a signed release of  liability form, a copy of the permission form for you to sign; and copies of the permission form for your neighbors to sign, if needed. Your contract or agreement with the bowhunter may stipulate what days and times hunting may take place; how you will know the hunter is at work; where the hunter will be shooting from; where bait will be located; whether the hunter may field dress the animal and leave remains on your property or not; and whether you wish to be gifted with a deer for your own consumption.

GET YOUR NEIGHBORS TO SUPPORT YOUR OBJECTIVE

Under Montgomery County law, all owners of inhabited property within 100 yards of the hunting location must give signed permission before hunting takes place. If your neighbors have questions or express reluctance, it will help if you hold a meeting with your neighbors and the bowhunter. The bowhunter can then explain how, where and when the hunting will take place. It  is crucial that your neighbors understand that this form of hunting is safe, humane, and presents no risk to people, pets or property. They must provide you and the hunter with their signed permission forms agreeing to the hunting that will take place on your property. It is also wise to have their agreement that, in the rare event a deer is wounded and moves onto their property, the hunter may enter their property to euthanize and remove the deer.

Animal Connection Deer Management Team www.acdmt.org

Bow Hunting Fire Fighters of Maryland www.BHFFMD.com

Maryland Bowhunters Society ww.marylandbowhunterssociety.org

 

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Councilmember Navarro’s Presentation at the KMCA Meeting

Councilmember Nancy Navarro spoke at the KMCA meeting on March 25th, 2015.   The following is from her web site:  http://www.councilmembernavarro.com/2015/03/26/kemp-mill-civic-association/

 

Kemp Mill Civic Association

by on March 26, 2015 in Uncategorized

Last night, I had the pleasure of speaking with residents at the monthly meeting of the Kemp Mill Civic Association. WeSpeaking at Kemp Mill  had a great conversation about some of my top priorities for the area, including: the Wheaton Library and Recreation Center, Wheaton Redevelopment, and the renovation of Kemp Mill Urban Park. We also discussed a number of other important issues, including deer management, resurfacing of roads, and WSSC billing issues.

Download my complete presentation to the Kemp Mill Civic Association: