March King Farm Chronicle

Click here to read the March 2021 King Farm Chronicle.

For more information about the Chronicle, please visit the Chronicle page on our website: https://kingfarm.org/chronicle/

Food Truck Friday Night

It’s Food Truck Friday! The Big Greek on Wheels truck returns to King Farm tonight, parked outside the Saddle Ridge Community Center (300 Saddle Ridge Circle) from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. As always, be sure to wear your mask and socially distance while waiting for your orders.

See the list below for the upcoming schedule of when your favorite food trucks will be back!

Food Truck Friday Schedule:

• Friday, March 12 – Big Greek on Wheels
• Friday, March 19 –Corned Beef King
• Friday, March 26 – Money Muscle BBQ

March Board of Trustees Meeting

Upcoming Meetings:

King Farm Board of Trustees (BOT): Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 @ 7:30 PM
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZGK0PIuiT42SWlzZR5mLuw

Please use this link to view the Resident Board Book and Draft Agenda for the March BOT Meeting:

https://kingfarm.frontsteps.com/folders/hCyfmLAZWKEsRsun6KNuZBAnt4S8DiQuYwrr

Zoom registration links to all the upcoming King Farm Board of Trustees Meetings and Committee meetings online can be found online: https://kingfarm.org/zoom-meeting-links/. 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.  As part of the registration process, registrants must submit their contact information (name, street address, email, and phone number) and select yes or no if they would like to speak during open forum.  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, please contact Management by phone (301) 987-0122 or by email at [email protected].

Meetings are for King Farm Titleholders and Citizens only. Registrants will be verified to ensure participants are titleholders/citizens.

King Farm Virtual Town Hall Meeting

There will be a virtual Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, March 31st from 7:30 – 9:00 pm via Zoom Meeting. The Town Hall is an opportunity for King Farm community members to ask questions and provide feedback or opinions in an informal setting. This is not a Board of Trustees meeting, but rather an interactive discussion with Board members, KFCA President, and KFCA Management. Please be respectful and remember that all commentary should be civil.

During the meeting, there will be a presentation from the Community Architect on the history of the development of King Farm and the development of the design standards for the community. Please see the agenda below for details.

In order to attend the Town Hall residents are required to register in advance via Zoom. Please use this link to register for the Town Hall meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYod-yqpjIjGt0VFkx_trqYt3LR4i3vWAOX. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with a unique link to join the Zoom meeting.

TOWN HALL AGENDA:

I.  WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER (7:30 pm)

II. OPEN FORUM (7:30 pm – 8:00 pm)

a.    This is a casual format where there can be more interactive conversation with Board members, KFCA President, and Management. Residents may ask questions and provide comments and suggestions. Commentary should be civil.

III.  TOPIC SUMMARY/ KING FARM PLAN (8:00 pm – 8:45 pm)

a.     Developer Plan and History

b.    King Farm Architectural Design Guidelines

c.     Clarifications and Updates

d.    Role of Community Architect and ADT

e.     Design Review Applications

IV.  Q & A / ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION (8:45 pm – 9:00 pm)

V.  ADJOURN (9:00 PM)

King Farm Spring Fling Returns

It won’t be the same as usual, but King Farm is moving forward with our 10th Annual Spring Fling event!  This year will not feature the annual egg hunt on the lawn; however, we will “Hop into Spring” on Saturday, March 27, 2021, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Hoppers the Bunny will return for photos with all just outside the Saddle Ridge Community Center (300 Saddle Ridge Circle) and registered children will receive a goodie bag, and other fun treats!  Due to space limitations, this event is open to King Farm residents only, sorry no non-resident outside guests, friends, or relatives permitted.

Due to current COVID-19 gathering restrictions, this event will be held outside (rain or shine, but the Bunny will be undercover!) and residents must pre-register for a time slot for this event.  Neighbors will be asked to socially distance themselves while standing in line and all must wear a mask.

To register, please e-mail [email protected] and include the following information:

– Name
– Address
– How many children will be attending
– Pick a time slot: 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.

Register Now for Spring Outdoor Fitness Classes

The King Farm Citizens Assembly is excited to partner with Complete Physique for a well-rounded fitness class outdoors on the Saddle Ridge lawn at 300 Saddle Ridge Circle. All fitness levels will benefit from this class as individuals can set their own pace. Get in shape with a program that focuses on strength, functional and aerobic exercises. Some of the programs introduced will be High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), circuit training, cardiovascular station exercises, and some boxing/kickboxing. The class will involve a variety of exercise options – a real mix bag of offerings! So, come join the fun and work outside socially distanced from others. This six-week class will be held Tuesday evenings from 5:45 pm to 6:30 pm starting April 13th, 2021.

• Cost is $90.00 for a total of (6) six sessions
• There must be a minimum of 6 people to host the class and a maximum of 12 people.
• Classes will meet on April 13th, April 20th, April 27th, May 4th, May 11th, and May 18th
• Required equipment: workout mat, light hand weights, water bottle, mask, and hand sanitizer

The deadline to register is Friday, April 2nd,2021. Please email [email protected] to register.

Volunteers Wanted For The External Affairs Committee

If you are interested in joining the King Farm External Affairs Committee, please fill out this online form https://kingfarm.org/committee-volunteer/.  All committee volunteers are required to be appointed by the KFCA President.

After we receive your submission, Management will contact you to let you know the next steps. To learn more about the External Affairs committee, visit our website: https://kingfarm.org/external-affairs-committee/.

King Farm Spring Leaf Collection Pick-Ups Scheduled for Week of April 9    

Each year, City crews vacuum leaves from neighborhood curbs during the fall and spring. Fall leaf collection will begin the week of April 9 through April 12 for residents in King Farm

Leaf Collection Tips
Residents should rake leaves into the gutter or immediately adjacent to the pavement if no curb or gutter exists. Leaves can be raked anytime immediately before or during collection week. This avoids the accumulation of leaves near and on the streets, which can lead to fire hazards or grass being damaged if left too long. Limbs, rocks and other heavy objects must be removed, and leaves should not be placed in plastic bags. Residents who prefer to bag their leaves may place the leaves in biodegradable kraft paper bags and place them at the curb for collection on their regular weekly yard waste collection day. If City Leaf Collection Crews are unable to complete an area during their collection week, crews will continue working on the unfinished portion on the following Saturday.

• DO: Place leaves at the curb by 6 a.m. on the collection dates. Sticks and all other objects must be removed from the leaf piles.
• DO NOT: Use any plastic bags. Biodegradable paper lawn bags are acceptable.
• DO NOT: Dump leaves, grass clippings or other yard waste into storm drains, along stream banks or directly into streams. Although yard waste is biodegradable and may seem harmless, excess quantities can clog storm drains or cause blockages that contribute to localized flooding. Decomposing leaves can also release nutrients, stimulating algae blooms that lead to fish kills.
• DO: Use alternatives methods for disposing of leaves such as mulching or composting. This saves collection and disposal costs and helps the environment. Some alternatives are to mulch your leaves or compost them. Free compost bins are available to Montgomery County residents and businesses.

Trash Reminders

It has been brought to Management’s attention that residents are placing their home trash bags in the common area trash cans. If trash pickups are missed, please retain the trash for the next scheduled collection or take the trash to the Shady Grove Transfer Station. For where to drop off trash and recycling and hours of operation, visit their website https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws/dropoff/.

Management continues to receive complaints that residents are leaving their trash containers in the alley after collection day. Trash containers “…must be stored inside a garage, approved shed, or Living Unit on non-collection days.” Besides being unsightly, containers left out can impede traffic if they roll into the drive lane

Please be aware that trash cans must be removed from the curb or alleyway and stored inside the garage, shed, or Living Unit within 24 hours after collection.

Below is an overview of the City of Rockville Recycling and Refuse Program:

• Recycling, refuse and yard waste are collected once per week on the assigned collection day. Recyclable materials should not be put in the refuse cart. Bulk refuse, metal, household, hazardous waste and electronics are collected by appointment by calling 240-314-8568.
• Place brown recycling and gray refuse carts at the curb or alleyway (depending on your collection location) the night before collection, but not later than 6 am. on collection day.
• Place yard waste at the curb in paper lawn bags or 32-gallon trash cans the night before or by 6 am. on collection day. Alleyway homes must place yard waste at the curb, not in the alleyway. Branches should be placed in a pile on the ground. Large piles of branches and trees will be collected by the end of the week as this requires special equipment.
• Place carts with wheels to the curb and the lid opening to the street.
• After collection, carts must be removed from the curb or alleyway and store inside the garage within 24 hours.
• Do not overflow refuse carts. If you have more recycling or refuse that your carts can hold, call 240-314-8568 to request a second cart.

King Farm Management Office – Temporarily Closed For Walk-Ins

To protect the health and safety of the office staff and residents, The Management Office (Saddle Ridge Community Center) remains closed for walk-ins and unscheduled visits. For in person meetings, residents are seen by appointment only. Please call or email to schedule an appointment and wear a mask upon arrival to your appointment.

Contact Info: 301-987-0122 or [email protected]

Appointment Hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (Monday – Thursday) & 8:30 am to 2:00 pm (Friday)

King Farm Neighbors Village News

The end of March has King Farm Neighbors Village (KFNV) hosting via Zoom two events:

Coffee and Conversation on March 17th from 10:00 -11:30 am, where KFNV’s own Teresa Anderson and Susan Fullenbaum will lead a discussion on genealogy. Come find out who you REALLY are and where you come from with an informative and engaging discussion; and

The March highlight event-the EFT Tapping Workshop on Thursday, March 25th from 4:00 pm-5:15 pm.- led by Bev Nerenberg. Tapping is an energy healing technique that incorporates tapping on energy meridian points while mentally focusing on a topic.  Tapping can be used to relieve such issues as low back pain or relationship problems. As Ms. Nerenberg states, “(Tapping) allows us to go from being STRESSED to RELAXED quickly, effectively, and efficiently.”  Please note that the KFNV welcomes all members of the King Farm community to what is sure to be an interesting and helpful workshop event.

New Information for Vaccination Appointments

Montgomery County has announced important information for those residents who   are 75+ and have pre-registered with the County for a Covid vaccination, but have not specifically heard from the County about scheduling an appointment. The County is requesting that you contact them by either calling 240-777-2982 or emailing them at: [email protected].

Game Give Away

The KFNV has the noncompetitive board game “Making Memories Together” for free distribution.  This game was designed for the purpose of honoring and communicating with an older family member, and it includes the exercise of surveying favorite family photos.  It is especially appropriate for those encountering the challenges of cognitive changes, and the game has earned first place in a competition focused on the use of art in health care.

How to Contact KFNV:

For most of our monthly events, membership is required, but membership is free and as easy as filling out an on-line or mail-in form.  We do, however, accept and welcome donations; for these donations help defray the cost of KFNV services and events. For information on how to register for the above March event, to become a KFNV member, to make a donation, or to request a “Making Memories Together” board game or an Elder Safe Community Resource Guide, please contact the Member Coordinators at [email protected], leave a voicemail at (301) 799-8104, or view the KFNV website at www.kfnv.org.

Website: https://www.kfnv.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kingfarmneighborsvillage

Email: [email protected]

Voicemail: (301) 799-8104 

City, County, and State Updates:

Governor Hogan Announces Lifting of Capacity Limits, Masking and Distancing Protocols Maintained:

March 9, 2021 – “With the pace of vaccinations rapidly rising and our health metrics steadily improving, the lifting of these restrictions is a prudent, positive step in the right direction and an important part of our economic recovery,” said Governor Hogan. “These steps are made possible because of Marylanders wearing masks, washing their hands, keeping their distance, and following the public health advice, and because our businesses have carefully followed safe reopening practices and public health guidelines in order to help keep their employees and customers safe.” – Governor Hogan.

Read the entire executive order here. 

EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 12 AT 5 PM:

CAPACITY LIMITS LIFTED, MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS MAINTAINED. Capacity limits will be lifted on outdoor and indoor dining at restaurants and bars, retail businesses, religious facilities, fitness centers, casinos, personal services, and indoor recreational establishments. Bars and restaurants will be open for seated and distanced service only—patrons may not stand at a crowded bar. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place. Read the order.

LARGE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR VENUES MAY OPERATE AT 50% CAPACITY. Large outdoor and indoor venues may begin operating at 50% capacity. This includes theaters; concert, convention, and wedding venues; racing facilities, and outdoor entertainment and sporting venues. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place.

MEDICAL ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS TO REOPEN. Medical adult day care centers may reopen, with facilities able to set appropriate restrictions and safety measures. Read the order.

QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS LIFTED; TRAVEL ADVISORY REMAINS IN PLACE. Quarantine requirements and other restrictions on out-of-state travel will be lifted. A Maryland Department of Health (MDH) travel advisory will remain in place, and Marylanders continue to be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 upon their return from out-of-state travel.

ADDITIONAL ORDERS AND GUIDANCE:

STATEWIDE MASKING ORDER REMAINS IN EFFECT. Maryland’s statewide masking order remains in full force and effect. This requires the wearing of masks or face coverings at any public indoor facility, including retail establishments, fitness centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, personal service establishments, in the public spaces of all public and private businesses across the state, and when using public transportation. Masks are still required in all outdoor public areas whenever it is not possible to maintain physical distancing.

TELEWORK. With contact tracing continuing to show some transmission among individuals who are working outside the home, particularly in office settings, the state continues to encourage employers to support telework whenever possible.

LICENSING AND PERMITTING. The governor’s order authorizing the suspension of license and permitting expirations will sunset on June 30, 2021. Timeframe suspensions made before this order will remain in effect until June 30, though agencies may terminate them earlier. Agencies are explicitly authorized to conduct virtual hearings and meetings. Read the order.

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATES:

WESTERN MARYLAND MASS VACCINATION SITE. The governor announced that the Western Maryland mass vaccination site in Hagerstown will open one week early on Thursday, March 25. This will give the state at least one mass vaccination site in each region. The state is in active discussions with jurisdictions that have expressed an interest in hosting a mass vaccination site.

Montgomery County COVID-19 Restrictions & Updates:

Montgomery County reopened indoor dining at County restaurants on February 14, 2021 with a cap of 25% capacity.

The following restrictions are still in effect in Montgomery County: 

• Indoor gatherings can no longer exceed 10 people.

• Outdoor gatherings can no longer exceed 25 people.

• Face masks must be worn at all times when outdoors (and social distance can’t be achieved);

• and at all times inside public facilities.

Additional links and information about COVID-19 can be found below. 

Montgomery County Covid-19 Testing Sites

Montgomery County Data Dashboard of COVID-19 Cases

Food Resources 

RCPD News Report: March 1, 2021 – March 7, 2021

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!