Walk-In Movies In Rockville!

Thanks to Rockville Central reader Mark D. Parker for this charming story:



Growing up in Bowie, I remember my parents and all six kids piling into the station wagon and heading to the drive-in movie theatre in Palmer Park several times each summer. My siblings and I anticipated those outings, and we always had a great time. With the passing of the drive-in movie era, I never thought I’d get to relive those days. But thanks to our neighbor, Jonathan Ege, I was able to not only relive them; I was also able to share the experience with my wife and kids.

Jonathan, a talented local artist, decided to recreate the drive-in movie experience this summer by showing movies in his back yard. He purchased a DVD/projector from eBay, and his wife, Crissy, made the 10 foot screen with material purchased from Michael's. The premiere was planned during the week of the 30th year anniversary of Star Wars. So, naturally, he opted to screen Star Wars at his new outdoor theatre. The whole neighborhood was invited, and about 20 neighbors brought chairs, blankets, munchies and drinks to the 8:30 viewing. The weather was perfect -- too cool for the bugs, but warm enough for short sleeves. As darkness fell on the Ege backyard, we were treated to an old Mickey Mouse cartoon, which the kids loved. With the aroma of Jonathan's popcorn wafting in the air, the feature began around 9:15, and for the next 2 hours, we watched one of the best flicks of all time, surrounded by good friends and neighbors. Needless to say, it was a smash hit!!

The Ege Walk-In Movie House subsequently screened four more films during the summer. Each time, I fondly recalled the drive-in movie experience of my youth. And as I would walk back home with kids in tow, I was so thankful to live in such a wonderful neighborhood. Thanks so much Jon and Crissy!!

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Homeowner Tax Credit Program Deadline Extended

Good news for procrastinators: According to the city...the homeowner's tax credit program deadline has been extended. It was September 1. The new deadline is Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

According to the city:

Many households with annual gross incomes of up to $70,000 may qualify for this credit on their FY08 real property tax bills. For very low household incomes, the credit eliminates the City tax due on the first $300,000 of assessed value. The amount of credit decreases as gross household income rises until reaching zero at $70,000.

To be eligible for the tax credit, a detailed application must be submitted to the State of Maryland’s Department of Assessments and Taxation prior to October 31, 2007 . An application is routinely sent to all homeowners who were recipients of the State tax credit in the previous year, and applicants must reapply for the credit each year.

Call the City of Rockville’s Department of Finance at 240-314-8400 for more information, or visit the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation’s site at http://www.dat.state.md.us/.

UPDATE: Rockville Central reader Rich Gottfried writes in with some further information that may be useful:

• $70,000 income limit is for the city of rockville residents only
• $60,000 income limit is the state of maryland
• $64,000 income limit is montgomery county

One additional limitation is your net worth is limited to $200,000 (excluding your IRA's, qualified retirement savings plans, the value of your property).

There is also a renters tax credit. The basic requirements are:

• if age 60 or over or 100% disabled the income limitation is $30,000
• if under age 60 years or age the income limitation is $40,288
• credit is up to $750
• to qualify you need to fill out Form RTC-60

There is also a seniors property tax credit. The credit is based on 25% of the combined state and county homeowners tax credits. The credit is available to residential property owners, when one of the property owners is at least 70 years of age. No need to apply for this credit. the SDAT has your information to determine eligibility.

(Photo from 3ThingsToday.)

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POTD: I'm Just Waiting On A Friend

(Apologies to the Rolling Stones.) This pile of dirt has been waiting at Chestnut Lodge for so long, it's grown its own grass!

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Weekend to Weekend 9/6/07

Events in Rockville

Saturday, September 8

Growers Only Farmers Market, Rockville Town Center, Monroe Street & Rt. 28, 9 AM -1 PM. Local farmers come together to sell fruit, bread, flowers and more.

City Election Related Event: Voter Registration, 10 AM - 2 PM. The Human Rights Commission of the City of Rockville is holding a Voter Registration day. Bring a driver's license, a Motor Vehicle Administration identification card, or your Social Security card.
Two locations:
Twinbrook Safeway, 1902 Veirs Mill Road
King Farm Safeway, 403 Redland Boulevard

Discussion with Professor Paul D. McDermott on landscape lithographs and watercolors, Rockville Library, Meeting Room #1, 10 AM - 12 PM. Paul D. McDermott is professor emeritus at Montgomery College.

Doggie Dip Day, Rockville Swim Center, 12 PM – 4 PM. Fee $5 per dog. Current rabies vaccinations required. Humans are not allowed in the outdoor pool, but there will be dog-related vendors to visit. Proceeds benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society.

Sunday, September 9

Happy Birthday Montgomery County!, Beall-Dawson Historical Park, 2 PM – 5 PM. Scheduled events throughout the day. Birthday cake with Ike Leggett at 4 PM. Displays, reenactors, crafts, digs, costumes, and genealogy. Great activities for kids. Find out about all the local historical preservation groups.

The U.S. Navy Band – Chamber Ensemble, Glenview Mansion, 2 PM. This performance is part of the Sunday Afternoon Concert Series.

City Election Related Event: ARNA Discussion, Glenview Mansion Cottage, 2PM to 4PM. Discussion of the upcoming City election, its importance to homeowner associations and the residents they represent. Issues will be both local to neighborhoods and "global" to Rockville. The Alliance of Rockville Neighborhood Associations is soliciting questions you think need to be asked of the Mayoral and Council candidates. There will not be any debate on the merits of various candidates, lobbing or electioneering. This meeting is open to all association and HOA officers, and any interested residents.

Wednesday, September 12

Eric Scott, Out to Lunch Wednesdays, City of Rockville, Food & Farmer’s Market, E. Montgomery Ave, 12 PM - 1:30 PM.Soul/Pop.

Thursday, September 13

The Rockville Singers, Concerts in the Square, City of Rockville, Rockville Town Center Plaza, 6 PM - 8 PM. Chorus.

Friday, September 14

“Desiree” by the Victorian Lyric Opera Company, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. Music by John Philip Sousa. $20/adult, $15 student/senior.

Saturday, September 15

Used Book Sale Begins, Montgomery County Historical Society, Mid-Pike Shopping Center, 11818 Rockville Pike. 9/15-9/23. M-Sat: 10AM–9PM, Sun: 11AM-6PM. Great deals on books help raise funds.

Family Storytime, Twinbrook Library, 11 AM Special storytime tailored for families with young children. All ages welcome!

Sunday, September 16

“Desiree” by the Victorian Lyric Opera Company, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 2 PM. Music by John Philip Sousa. $20/adult, $15 student/senior.

Weekend to Weekend will publish event listings occurring in & around our coverage area (map) on Thursdays. If you know of a fun, educational, or community event, please email cindycgblog@gmail.com. The inclusion of events is at our discretion.

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New Candidate For City Council Steps Forward

Friday at the end of the day is the deadline for candidates to submit the paperwork necessary to be on the ballot for the city's November 6 election for Mayor and City Council.

According to the Gazette, We can add a new name to the list: Eric Kuohwa Wang, a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. According to the Gazette, he "ran unsuccessfully for a council seat in 1999. He serves on the city’s Human Services Advisory Commission."

If others jump in between now and the end of the week, we will let you know.

Rest assured, I will be contacting Eric and trying to set up an interview as soon as possible.

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POTD: Pop!

This is one vibrant flower.

(Photo by Jenny Ramarui.)

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POTD: Cock O' The Walk

I found this little guy hiding in the front yard of a fairly new home.

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Adventist Rehabilitation of Maryland Under State Microscope

Over the weekend it came to light that a hospital in Rockville Central's coverage area, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, is in danger of losing its Medicare funding.

[NOTE AND UPDATE: A previous edition of this story listed the hosital in question as Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. That is a different hospital, though both are a part of Adventist Health.]

From the AP piece, via WJZ/Baltimore:

State investigations of Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland this year found some patients were not receiving diets ordered by their doctors, lapses that could have exacerbated their health problems.

The state investigation was triggered by the death of a man, Julian Frazier, 29, last December due to malnourishment: "[S]tate investigators concluded his severe malnutrition went largely undocumented and untreated until it was too late, placing additional pressure on his already precarious health."

Aisha Bivens (the hospital's quality-management director) is said in the AP piece to characterize "Frazier's death as an isolated case, and [to say that] the facility is working to improve problems identified by state investigators. . . . 'We do realize we could have coordinated our care better. We didn't meet the high standards that we expect of ourselves,' Bivens said."

Yes, such a death probably counts as "not meeting high standards."

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POTD: Up A Tree

Wow, this tree seems so imposing from this perspective!

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POTD: A Bucket Of Holiday

It's a gorgeous, sunny holiday day outside, so it's time for some flowers and flags!

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