4th of July Weekend 2010 in Silver Spring and Takoma Park, Maryland
July 2nd, 2010 Categories: Silver Spring Neighborhoods, Takoma Park Real Estate, silver spring real estate
Friday
Kick off the weekend tonight by attending a good “old fashioned” amateur wooden-bat summer baseball game. It’s a home game for the T-Bolts ( Silver Spring – Takoma Thunderbolts) vs the Southern Maryland Nationals.
Tonight is Hawaiian Shirt Night.
Gates and Concession open at 6:00 pm. The game starts at 7 pm at the Montgomery Blair Baseball Stadium, Silver Spring, MD. The Stadium is located at Montgomery Blair High School, 51 East University Blvd., in the Four Corners area.
Admission is only $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for kids under 18.
Youth baseball and softball players in uniform and children under 5 get in FREE
Saturday
On Saturday don’t miss the now very popular Fenton Street Market as the place to be on Saturdays. From 9am to 3 pm on Saturdays a vacant parking lot at the corner of Fenton Street and Silver Spring Avenue at the edge of Downtown Silver Spring transforms into a small business festival. Local artists, craftspeople, entrepreneurs and collectors exhibit their wares. There are different special events and a scavenger hunt every weekend, each weekend gets more interesting than the last at the Fenton Street Market.
Sunday July 4th
On Sunday enjoy what people living in Silver Spring and Takoma Park have have been enjoying for the past 120 years, the 121st annual Takoma Park 4th of July Celebration.
Parade
The parade starts at 10:00 am at Carroll & Ethan Allen Avenues, follows Carroll Avenue towards DC, crosses over to Maple Avenue along Carroll Street, then returns along Maple Avenue.
Evening Program and Fireworks
Takoma Park Middle School – 7611 Piney Branch Road, Takoma Park, Md 20912
Starts at 7:00pm
Concerts with Rizzy “King of Harmony”, Acro-Airs and Takoma Park Community Bands
Announement of Parade Winners
Patriotic Songs and the National Anthem
Drawing for Raffle Prizes
Fireworks at 9:30 pm by Bay fireworks!
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Kids Cranky? You Frazzled? Join a Silver Spring Neighborhood Swim Club
June 15th, 2010 Categories: Silver Spring Neighborhoods, silver spring real estate
With school out and the mercury rising, a neighborhood swimming pool is the perfect place to while away the hot, humid summer days in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Community spirit, the roar of the crowd and the excitement of youthful competition all combine at a neighborhood swim meet. What better way to spend a summer evening than gathering around your local pool in a group effort to be part of an event that promotes fellowship and fun. Swim Teams in Community Pools of Silver Spring , compete as division members of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL). 
Being a member of a swim team in Silver Spring is a great way for kids to make friends at the pool, share a teambuilding experience, and compete in a healthy, active sport over the summer. Some of the pools also have Dive Teams that compete in the Montgomery County Diving League.
Most of the Pools in Silver Spring offer great Family Oriented Social Events such as Pool Camp Out night, Ice cream socials, pizza night, teen night, family movie night, float night, talent shows and more.
Check out this list of links to some of the best Silver Spring Neighborhood Pools and Swim Clubs:
Northwest Branch Pool – Home of the Northwest Branch Dolphins Swim Team
Glenwood Recreation Club – Home of the Glenwood Tigers Swim Team and Dive
Team
Calverton Swim Club – Home of the Calverton Chargers – Also has a Dive Team,
Volleyball League, Horseshoes and Basketball Court
Forest Knolls Pool – Home of the Seahawks Swim Team
Daleview Pool – Home of the Daleview Swim Team
Franklin Knolls Pool – Home of the Gators Swim Team
Hillandale Swim and Tennis Association – Home of the Hillandale Hellcats Swim Team - Also offers 2 Lighted Tennis Courts, a practice wall and Tennis Camp
Oakview Pool - Home of the Oakview Octopi Swim Team – The Oakview Pool was the
first community pool in Montgomery County and celebrated its 50th year in 2007
West Hillandale Swim Club – Home of the Dolphins Swim Team
Twin Farms Swim & Tennis Club – Home of the Twin Farms Tigers Swim Team,
Dive Team, Tennis Team and Tennis Camp
Robin Hood Swim Club - Home of the Robin Hood Swim Team – Also has a Dive
Team and Tennis Team
Kemp Mill Swim Club – Home of the Kemp Mill Kangaroos
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2009-2010 Tax Tips for your Silver Spring Real Estate
February 17th, 2010 Categories: silver spring real estate
Energy Efficient Tax Credits – 2009
The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act expands your tax deductible opportunites to make energy efficient home improvements in 2009 and 2010. If you make any of the following improvements, you can possibly recover up to 30% of the costs:
- Exterior Windows and Doors – Storm Windows and Doors – Skylights
- Roofs (metal or asphalt) – Insulation and Sealing – Central Air Conditioning
- Air Source Heat Pumps – Furnace (Natural Gas, Propane or Oil)
- Hot Water Boiler (Gas, Propane or Oil) – Advanced Main Circulating Fan
- Water Heater (Gas, Oil, Propane or Electric Heat Pump) – Biomass Stove
Here are some of the stipulations:
- The maximum credit allowed is $1,500
- This credit doesn’t apply to new construction
- Not all products and materials qualify so you must question your vendor or re-modeler
- The equipment or products must last for a minimum of 5 years
- The equipment must be placed in service on or after February 17, 2009
- Improvements made before February 17, 2009 have different qualifications Improvements made in 2009 may be claimed on your 2009 tax return filed by April 15, 2010. Those made in 2010 will be claimed with your filing in 2011.
2 Real Estate related Benefits you might overlook:
1.) Mortgage Refinancing Points – If you refinance your house or buy a second residence, any “points” you pay for the loan can be deducted proportionately each year over the life of the loan. If you sell your home or refinance before you have deducted the full cost of your “points” you can than deduct the remaining amount in the year of the refinancing or sale.
Caution: The lender in the subsequent refinancing must be different to deduct points this way
2.) Moving Expenses - While job related moving expenses are a well known deduction, many people don’t realize that moving expenses for a first job may also be deducted if the job passes a 50 mile distance test from the place the newly employed person has been living.
* This tax update comes from my own CPA James Cantwell. If you have any questions about the above tax tips or need a good Accountant/CPA/ Tax Advisor, I highly recommend this Silver Spring located professional. www.mdtaxcoach.com
Tax Savers - 1751 Elton Road – Silver Spring, Md 20903 – (301) 408-4104
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DC Candy Icon Sets Up Shop in Downtown Silver Spring!
January 13th, 2010 Categories: Silver Spring Neighborhoods, silver spring real estate
The 2010 Resolution Breaking, Ultimate Sugar High (Coma Inducing) Candy Store has opened in the Old Building that I last remember as being an Army Recruiting Station:
8408 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Downtown 20910
The smell inside the shop is intoxicating. They make the candy in the building, fresh, no preservatives. You can watch it being made. If you are old enough to remember the candy sold exclusively at Woodward and Lothrup “Woodies” stores in Wheaton Plaza, Montgomery Mall, Chevy Chase and the original Downtown Woodies you are probably going to be in nostalgia heaven when you taste it. The caramels are out of this world, even if you are not a “candy person”. Velatis has a history of candy making that goes back over 150 years starting in Richmond, Va during the civil war and in Washington, DC from a shop opened in 1866. Their history is so interesting it is worth the read, as are the testimonials from people all over the DC area. They plan to add ice cream to the menu at the shop and are having a Grand Opening in March. Stop by and buy some caramels, you will not be disappointed! Happy Sugar High!
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McMansion Watch in East Silver Spring – From Condemned to Almost Done?
December 14th, 2009 Categories: silver spring real estate
Most of East Silver Spring still has “normal sized” older houses. The few McMansions or new infill construction that we do have REALLY stand out.
One example on Easley street is the “McMansion with no windows” It started out as a small bungalow home built in 1928 between 2 other similar houses. The home had a larger and deeper than average lot size of 12,180 sq ft.
It was torn down sometime ago and remained a big watery mud hole with trash and debris in it for a few 
years. I once walked by the lot and noticed they were still getting junk and other mail delivered to 701 Easley, it was strewn all over the front of the mud hole. While it was still just a hole, it caused a lot of concern and complaints from the adjoining neighbors and the neighborhood in general.
I though they’d never build anything there. Then all of a sudden a huge foundation went up in 2006. The picture does not do it justice – it is ENORMOUS. I couldn’t wait to see what it would look like when it was finished. I thought it would certainly stand out amongst the smaller old bungalows on the 
street.
Fast Forward 2+ years from this original post and photo about the house and this house still looked the same – except for the CONDEMNDED notice on the front door from Montgomery County. The notice was posted in June or July of this year (2009), most likely because of the many complaints from the neighbors.
Photos of the condemned house with the sign in
August 2009
WOW – The house looks a lot better this week - but the same condemned sign is still on the front door from this past summer.
Finally after almost 5 years that original sink hole it is starting to look like a decent house!
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Homebuyers Tax Credit Extended and Expanded!
November 19th, 2009 Categories: Home Sellers, Homebuyer, silver spring real estate
The U.S. government recently extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit. The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit that was scheduled to expire December 1, 2009, will continue in effect until April 30, 2010.
In addition, beginning December 1, 2009, many current homeowners will qualify for a $6,500 tax credit if they’ve lived in their current home for a least 5 years and are seeking to relocate. Plus, the income limits for single buyers and married couples were also raised.
There has never been a better time for you or someone you know to take advantage of this tax credit because hundreds of homes are now priced below market value. Also, because this program is a tax credit – it does not have to be repaid.
For a detailed comparison of the 2009 tax credit versus the extension, click here.
For FAQ on the tax credit changes, click here.
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Can’t wait for the Silver Spring parade? A preview and Fall Fest Event at Northwood HS this weekend
November 12th, 2009 Categories: Silver Spring Neighborhoods, silver spring real estate
If you love the drums and a marching band, (like this man) come see a local competition of high school drum lines! Held at the football stadium at Northwood High School - 919 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20902 (near the intersection with Arcola Ave.) this Saturday, November 14th, 2009
The 3rd Annual Drumline Competition with 9 Competing Drumlines including drumlines from Kennedy HS, Wooton, Springbrook, Whitman, Annapolis Area Christian and Northwood High School
Also 2 featured performances by The Washington Redskins Marching Band and Montgomery County Firefighters Bugle and Drum Corps
The Competition begins at 4:30 pm!
BBQ, Hot Dogs, Pizza, and Popcorn will be sold.
Cost of Admittance: $10 for Adults, $6 for Students, Kids 5 and under are admitted FREE.
IF IT RAINS the event MOVES INSIDE the Northwood High School AUDITORIUM.
At 6:30 pm you can move freely back and forth from the competition to the Silent Auction to support After Prom and indulge in a plateful of Italian cuisine provided by the original “Mama” Lucia!
Last and most fun for students is Game Night featuring card games aimed at high school students to benefit the Class of 2010. Come to the Cafeteria at 6 to enjoy the whole scene and one or all of these happenings. It’s a great community event, especially fun for parents of middle-schoolers who are curious about what Northwood has to offer.
Northwood is one of the 5 High Schools serving the Silver Spring area through the Downcounty consortium giving students a choice regarding their academic area of study.
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Goodbye Halloween – Time to Think About Turkey
November 11th, 2009 Categories: silver spring real estate
Somewhere in Silver Spring . . . . the skeleton house was my pick for the best Halloween Display I saw this year.
My photos do not do it justice because they are taken in the daytime. There are skulls mounted on the gutters with fire spewing out of them (at night) like funeral pyres. Still can’t figure out how they did that?
At night this yard really looks
like a graveyard with skeletons
hanging in trees, coffins, sitting in chairs, hanging from the highest window, sprawled on the ground in pieces. Someone is very talented and would be super at settting scenes.
Now that we are into November that means the annual Montgomery County Thanksgving Parade is around the corner. The Parade takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving, Saturday November 21st this year. Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Save the Date for the event that heralds the beginning of the Holiday Season!
Downtown Silver Spring on Georgia Avenue from Sligo to Silver Plaza on Ellsworth Drive to Fenton Street.
There will be Marching Bands, including the Redskins Marching Band and many High Schools from around the county, Macy’s Parade type Balloons, floats, vintage cars, dogs, horses, ethnic dancing groups, police groups and fire trucks with Isiah Leggett as the 
grand marshall this year.
The Silver Spring Regional Center is looking for volunteer help with the Parade:
Volunteers needed for the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade to act as balloon handlers- leading the giant Macy-like Thanksgiving balloons and dressing up in costumes to be on the floats. Also, we need assistance with set-up and break-down.
This opportunity is great for Groups!
Small Grp: 3-10: YES
Medium Grp: 10-25: YES
Large Grp: 25-50: YES
X-Large Grp: 50+: YES
The hours are from 7:30am to 1:30pm (you need to be present the whole time) on Saturday, November 21. Dress warmly, as you will be outside. You should try and wear black as your outside layer color. Once you arrive, you will be assigned a position and given directions about your volunteer job. Volunteers meet at the new fire station at 8110 Georgia Avenue. If you or your group is up for this Contact:
Elizabeth Gallauresi 301-793-2928 egallauresi@themodernmuse.com
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The Silver Spring Real Estate Market’s Crystal Ball
June 17th, 2009 Categories: Home Sellers, Homebuyer, Silver Spring Neighborhoods, Takoma Park Real Estate, silver spring real estate
The Real Estate Market in Silver Spring and Takoma Park continues to pick up momentum. The question is, have we hit bottom and are we heading out of this or is this just a short upswing before the bottom really falls out?
I wish I had a Crystal Ball but . . . . . “Those that live by the Crystal Ball eat glass”!
My suggestion right now would be that if you are wanting to buy, jump in now. You can’t go wrong. If you are selling or need to sell, sell now and price your home to move fast. If this is a short upswing then you don’t want to miss your chance to sell now during an upswing. How long of a window might we have? This is another question that is begging for a Crystal Ball. I would guess that we might see a better market for at least the next 60 days. The problem longer term could be interest rate increases or the increase in inventory of foreclosed homes. Either of these could have a negative impact. My suggestion is NOT to watch national trends, but focus mostly on what you see taking place in our community. This will certainly give you the best perspective on our market.
To get your own “Real Time” Market Trend Statistics for any zip code or property type in Silver Spring and or Takoma Park Check out: www.SilverSpringStats.com
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10 Mistakes to Avoid and 25 Easy Fix-ups when Selling your Silver Spring Home
June 9th, 2009 Categories: Home Sellers, silver spring real estate
Also Check Out these 25 Fast and Easy Fixups when selling your Silver Spring Home
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