Northwood News · 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at For-est Knolls Elementary School, not at the North Four Corners Rec Center where we’ve been meeting for de-cades. The school is located at

Oh, Deer! Part 3: Population Control .......................................4Carole Barth describes the methods used for control-ling the deer population.

Don’t Fear the Trees ....................7Carole Barth looks at the risks of falling trees.

NFCCA Provides Testimony on Pepco Reliability .........................8Laura Hussey relates the recommendations made by Bob Loube on our behalf.

Help is Available in MoCo for Resolving Conflicts ...................13The Conflict Resolution Center provides dispute mediation free of charge.

INSIDE

Full Members Meeting on 13th of October The next meeting of the Northwood-Four Corners Civic Association will be held on Wednesday, 13 October 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at For-est Knolls Elementary School, not at the North Four Corners Rec Center where we’ve been meeting for de-cades. The school is located at 10830 Eastwood Avenue, just off Caddington Avenue (there’s no access from other sections of Eastwood). Items on the agenda include election of a new board. All residents of the North-wood-Four Corners-Forest Knolls area are invited to at-tend and express their views. Please note that only paid members of the NFCCA are eligible to vote. (Annual dues are $10 per household—still a bargain!—and may be paid at the meeting.)

Published Bimonthly by the Northwood-Four Corners Civic Association October 2010

NewsNorthwood

October

SMTWTFS

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Montgomery Co. Dept. of Parks Rebrands Park, Rewrites HistoryBy David S. Rotenstein The Montgomery County Planning Board is holding a hearing on 28 October to take testimony on the Parks De-partment’s proposed Master Plan for the Josiah Henson Special Park. For much of the 20th Century, oral tradition in Montgomery County sug-gested that a small log build-ing on the Old Georgetown Road property was used by Josiah Henson (pictured at right), the former slave whose

autobiography inspired Har-riett Beecher Stowe to write Uncle Tom’s Cabin. In 1979, the property was designated a local historic site and, in 2006, the County bought it for $1 million to develop a park. Subsequent specialist studies (e.g., tree ring dating) revealed that the log building was built long after Henson departed the property and the proposed park’s name was changed from “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” to “Josiah Henson Special Park.” Back in 1979, when the property was designated on the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Pres-

(continued on page 3)

Josiah Henson’s narrated autobiography inspired the classic ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’

13

31

2 October2010NorthwoodNews

Northwood News is pub-lished by the Northwood-Four Corners Civic Association. The NFCCA represents the ~1,485 households in the area bounded by Coles ville Rd. (Rte. 29), University Blvd. (Rte. 193), Caddington Ave., and the Northwest Branch. Any resident of this area is eligible to join the NFCCA. Annual dues are $10 per household and may be paid at any Association meeting or mailed to the treasurer. Northwood News is pub-lished five times a year—in October, December, February, April, and June. To place an ad or discuss a story, please contact the editor.

EditorJacquie Bokow10603 Cavalier DriveSilver Spring, MD [email protected]

Visit Our Websitewww.nfcca.org

NorthwoodNews

President’sMessage This will be my last President’s Message. A new Presi-dent will be elected at the 13 October meeting. I’m writing this on the autumnal equinox, when day and night are ap-proximately equal and the sun rises due east and sets due west. This year, it is also the date of the full moon and Jupi-ter is the closest it’s been to Earth in more than a decade. Astronomically, the equinox is a brief moment in time when the center of the sun crosses the celestial equator (an extension of Earth’s equator into space). Culturally, it’s when summer gives way to fall, signaled by the harvest moon. So as I make the transition from President to “Immediate Past President,” it’s an opportunity to reflect on transition, balance, and harvest. Now is the time of letting go; leaves fall, seeds are re-leased, birds leave for warmer climes. All the green and growing work of the hot sun begins to unravel before our eyes. The insect choir gives way to honking geese. The gold-finch casts off his brilliant feathers and dresses in olive drab. We are heading toward the dark, still time of winter. In every letting go, however, there is the promise of new life to come. The fallen leaves make a salamander’s winter home. Eventually the leaves are recycled into good forest soil where a tree seed will sprout. There is balance in giving and receiving. We know autumn is the harvest season. But there is much more than seeds, nuts, and fruits to harvest. Mon-arch butterflies harvest nectar to fuel their 2,500 mile flight to Mexico. They “bulk up,” storing fat to last them through the winter. However, individual butterflies only make the round-trip once. It is their children’s grandchildren that re-turn south the following fall. May we all find a rich harvest this fall, and may we all keep safe until spring comes again.

—Carole A. Barth

Join One or Both Of the NFCCA’s Two List ServesNFCCA General List Serve Subscribe: [email protected] Post a Message (you must subscribe first): [email protected]

Northwood Parents List Serve Subscribe (send an email to): [email protected] Post a Message (you must subscribe first): northwood [email protected]

Board Elected at October Meeting The terms of the NFCCA’s current Board of Directors ends at the 13 October meet-ing. If you’ve ever considered serving your community in this way, now would be an ideal op-portunity because almost all of the current board has agreed to serve again (if elected). Carole Barth will step down as president but remain on

the board as Immediate Past President. Current V.P. Laura Hussey has agreed to run for president, and Linda Perlman and Tiffany Wright are will-ing to stay on in their roles as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. The board meets monthly, except for July and August. Contact any board member (see p. 3) for details.

3NorthwoodNewsOctober2010

The Board of Directors for the Northwood-Four Cor-ners Civic Association meets five times a year, in October, December, February, April, and June. New officers will be elected at the 13 October 2010 Members Meeting (please attend, pay your dues, and vote!). Current officers for 2009-2010 are:

PresidentCarole Barth10602 Lockridge [email protected]

Vice PresidentLaura Hussey10308 Edgewood Avenue301.592.0646laura_hussey@ mindspring.com

TreasurerLinda Perlman1203 Caddington [email protected]

SecretaryTiffany Wright405 Royalton [email protected]

At LargeTed Daniel302 Marvin [email protected]

M.J. Gallagher127 Southwood [email protected]

Brian Morrissey10301 Edgewood [email protected]

NFCCABoard

ervation against its owner’s wishes, the owner’s claims that Henson never set foot in the building fell flat under the weight of local historical ex-perts who claimed otherwise. The County’s chief historian at the time told The Washington Post that that Henson “slept there often.” As a historian, I think it is wonderful that a portion of the Riley farm has survived and that there is tre-mendous opportunity there to use its vernacular architec-ture, landscapes, and archaeo-logical resources as teaching tools. But, as a Montgomery County resident, I have trou-ble with one question: Would the County have paid what is now approaching $2 million dollars to buy the property and develop the museum had it not been so publicly identified as the Uncle Tom’s Cabin? The County wants to spend at least another half a million to a million dollars on development, staffing, etc., on this park while it allows exist-ing park properties to remain

shuttered and neglected. All of this while the County begs for money to keep porta pot-ties in the parks. The hearing may give all County residents an opportunity to give the Planning Board some guid-ance on how we would like to have the County exercise some fiscal responsibility. More about the issue at: http://historian4hire.word-press.com/2010/08/24/cabin/. On 16 September, Parks Department’s staff briefed the Planning Board on the pro-posed Josiah Henson Special Park Master Plan. The staff report, with tables showing how much the County has spent to date on the prop-erty, is available at the Plan-ning Board Website: www.montgomeryplanningboard.org/agenda/2010/docu-ments/20100916_Josiah_Henson_Special_Park_000.pdf. The Josiah Henson Spe-cial Park Website—its HTML code still identifies the prop-erty as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin—is at: www.josiahhensonsite.org.

Henson House Declared Not ToBe Legendary ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’(continued from page 1)

Not the property where Henson worked as a slave after all.


Oh, Deer! Part Three: Population ControlBy Carole A. Barth Every deer population control method has its share of controversy. And yet, with-out population control, the deer and the forest will both continue to suffer. Here is a brief description of the cur-rently available methods of population control, the issues pertaining to each, and their effectiveness. Managed Hunts. Man-aged hunts are not like tra-ditional hunting seasons. To begin with, these hunts are not open to all hunters. Participants must pass a pre-screening questionnaire and a background check. Hunt-ers also have to have a State Shooter Qualification Card demonstrating his/her profi-ciency with the firearm they plan to use for the hunting program. Further, the pro-cess is supervised by wildlife experts and police. Safety buffers are established and the hunting sites are selected so hunters are generally firing down. Some hunts use rifles, others use bows. Bows are generally considered safer, since an arrow will not rico-chet and can not penetrate a house like a bullet can. Issues: These hunts are deplored by those who be-lieve all hunting is inhumane. Others are concerned that volunteer hunters may not be skilled enough to effect a quick, painless kill. Effectiveness: One prob-lem is that most sport hunt-ers still target trophy bucks. However, to effectively man-age the population, does should be targeted.

Sharpshooters. Instead of hunters, these programs use police or other trained marksmen. Bait is used to draw the deer into position, and high-powered scopes al-low for precise shot placement to the head or neck. Death comes within 30 seconds or less. It is more execution than hunt. Specialized ammuni-tion is used to increase safety, and sharpshooter programs are generally considered to be the safer approach for areas near dense human population centers. Meat from deer killed in these programs is donated to area food banks. Issues: These hunts are de-plored by those who believe all hunting is inhu-mane. Effectiveness: This approach is considered the most cost-effective by many localities. Reintroduc-tion of Preda-tors. Predators like wolves did more than simply keep deer num-bers in check. By culling the sick or weak animals, predators keep the herd healthy. Moreover, preda-tor and prey population levels are linked in a feedback loop; keeping numbers balanced with what the habitat will sup-port. Issues: In some states, where wolves have been rein-

troduced or where the suburbs have begun to encroach on mountain lion habitat, con-flicts arise when farmers or residents blame predators for the loss of livestock or pets. Effectiveness: It is dif-ficult to reintroduce large predators, such as the moun-tain lion, into remnant habi-tat fragments. This technique clearly has more potential in wilderness areas than in urban and suburban commu-nities. Wolves, for example, have been successfully re-introduced in a number of

wilderness areas. However, there is data to show that wolves can also adapt to more open, less wild areas. Contraception and Contragestation. A variety



of contraceptives and deliv-ery methods are being tested, some at the National Institute of Standards. Contragestation is the process in which the development of a fetus is pur-posely terminated. This can be done by applying a drug called prostaglandin to bait piles in the winter. Issues: No one knows what the impact would be of the wide-scale release of contraceptive drugs into the environment through wildlife. There is concern that these substances might affect non-target species or end up con-taminating the environment. Contragestation programs may be culturally unacceptable and people may object to finding deer fetuses in urban areas. Effectiveness: Contracep-tion works best on confined populations, where one can be reasonably sure that the deer have been treated con-sistently. (Depending on the drug involved, treatments must be repeated at least ev-ery two years.) Managers also need a way to tell which deer have been treated. Where in-dividuals roam widely, this is very difficult. Population Control in Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Deer Management Workgroup consists of members from the Maryland Department of Nat-ural Resources (Wildlife and Heritage Service), M-NCPPC (Montgomery County Depart-ment of Parks), Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Services, Montgomery County Police Department, U.S. Geo-

logical Survey’s Biological Services Division (Patuxent Wildlife Research Station), U.S. National Park Service, and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. This group developed a deer man-agement plan for the County and implements a countywide deer management program. The group annually reviews deer data and makes recom-mendations to agencies and private landowners. Currently, Montgomery County Parks Departments uses both managed hunts and sharpshooters to control deer. Managed hunts were implemented in the County in the Fall of 1996 and have occurred annually ever since. Currently, managed hunts are being conducted in eight County parks annually: Hoyles Mill Conservation Park, Blockhouse Point Conser-vation Park, Woodstock Equestrian Park, North Germantown Gre-enway, Great Seneca Stream Val-ley Park, Rachel Carson Conserva-tion Park, Buck Lodge Forest Con-servation Park, and Little Bennett Regional Park. Police-based sharpshoot-ing was implemented in the County in the spring of 1999 and has occurred annu-ally ever since. To date, the Department has conducted police-based sharpshooting programs in ten County parks: Agricultural History Farm

Park and attached segments of Rock Creek Stream Valley Park (Derwood), Black Hill Regional Park (Boyds), Layhill Local Park (Whea-ton), North Branch Stream Val-ley Park, Units 2&3 (Norbeck), Nortwest Branch Recre-ation Park (Aspen Hill), Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park, Unit 7 (Ashton), Rock Creek Regional Park (Rockville), Rock Creek Stream Valley Park, Unit 7 (Aspen Hill), Wheaton Regional Park (Wheaton), and Woodlawn Special Park (Sandy Spring). Together these programs cover about 40 percent of the County’s Parks. There are ad-ditional areas where manage-ment has been recommended, but funding is not available for expanding the program. (For more information on deer management in the County, see the following web page: http://preview.tinyurl.com/22wqfvs.) While I was able to find reports on the number of deer harvested each year by these programs, I could not find anything showing the change in deer density over time. Nor could I find anything compar-ing current density figures to the deer density goals. Without this information, it is hard to objectively say what impact the program is having. Similarly, reports mention im-provements in vegetation, such as the return of orchids and lilies to some areas, but I could find no actual data. Without data, there is no way to quan-tify this improvement.

Oh, Deer! Population Control(continued from page 4)


Barbara Ciment Associate Broker, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc

$300 Million & 1,000 Career Sales Top Office Silver Spring Producer Since 1988

(H) 301-622-7002 (O) 301-949-7070

[email protected] www.ciment.com

So far in 2010 #1 from all L&F Silver Spring Offices

& #32 out of over 10,000 agents

in MD, DC, DE and PA.

Call Today for My Free Market Analysis I will help you stage and price your home.

SS/Northwood Specialist I have been serving the Northwood, Forest Knolls and Kinsman Farm area for over 33 years. If you are thinking of selling in this difficult real estate market, then we need to talk soon! My Team provides color photo layouts, brochures, visual tours, featured Internet listings and general advertisements.

Recent Sales in the Northwood Area

4 BR Cape Cod104 Southwood AveSold Price: $496,500

3 BR Colonial307 Marvin Rd

Sold Price: $372,500

4 BR Cape Cod311 Ladson Rd


3 BR Townhouse135 Kinsman View CirSold Price: $350,000

4 BR Split Level1017 Chiswell Ln


5 BR Cape Cod10612 Eastwood AveSold Price: $302,000

4 BR Rambler10612 Ordway Dr


3 BR Townhouse75 Kinsman View CirSold Price: $300,000

4 BR Split Level418 Eisner St


Above is a sample of Comparable Recent Sales from the MRIS as of September 22, 2010

Serving the Forest Knolls and Northwood Areas for 30 Years


Don’t Fear the TreesBy Carole Barth Falling trees have become a major topic in the wake of this summer’s torrential storms (not to mention the record snows of last winter). We have all been frustrated by power outages. Some neigh-bors also suffered serious damage to their homes or cars (see photos on page 10). Pepco continues to blame trees and squirrels for its un-reliable service, rather than facing up to its maintenance backlog and inefficient man-agement. With all of this, it’s not surprising that some resi-dents, feeling “powerless” (in both senses of the word), have suggested removing or radi-cally pruning large trees. Before getting out the chainsaw, however, it makes

sense to take a closer look at the risks (and benefits) of trees. It’s natural to worry most about risks that we cannot control, such as the weather or shark attacks. This leads us to overestimate the magnitude of the risk in-volved. At the same time, we tend to underestimate risks that we feel we can control. For ex-ample, we feel in control when driving, so it’s easy to forget the daily risk we face. While it’s true that careful, defensive driving reduces the risk of an accident, the reality is that the risk is still very high. So how do we objectively understand the risk posed by large trees? Here are some numbers: Every year, about 40,000 people die in car crashes in the U.S. Every year, about 20,000 people in the U.S. die from the flu. Over 13 years (1995-2007), 407 people died from fallen trees or limbs.* Still, many people think having fewer trees lessens the risk. In reality, the isolated tree is more likely to fall, while a heavily wooded area remains unscathed. After all, that’s why people used to plant windbreaks. To actually gauge the risk posed by a specific tree, an arborist will conduct a hazard assessment. This takes into account the health and struc-tural integrity of the tree, its species, soil conditions, and the distance to a “target.” In other words, an un-stable tree in the middle of a

classifieds

J.B.’s CONTRACTING. Remodeling, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Basements. James Bible, 240-603-5300, info @jbiblescontracting.com. Local.

TRANsfeR YOuR OLd PhOTOs to Cd. In Your Neighborhood! Call 301-346-9879 or email me at [email protected].

NeIGhBORhOOd fITNess TRAINeR in your home. Call Linda Calkins, Certified fitness Trainer, 240-643-2663, [email protected].

YOuR Ad heRe. sell an item or a service to your 1,485 neigh-bors. A four-line ‘Northwood News’ classified costs only $12!

forest would be a low hazard, because there’s no target nearby. If the same tree was right next to a house or a playground, it would pose a greater hazard. If you have concerns about a particular tree, it’s best to get a professional assessment. You may be surprised at the result. A leaning tree, for ex-ample, is not necessarily un-safe. In our next issue, we’ll ex-amine tree trimming. Correct-ly done, tree trimming keeps power lines clear and helps trees withstand wind and ice. Improper pruning, however, has the opposite effect. We will also look at what makes a good street tree, and the many benefits they provide. *“Deaths from Wind-Related

Tree Failures,” by Thomas W. Schmidlin, Ph.D.


NFCCA Provides Testimony on Pepco ReliabilityBy Laura Hussey Pepco’s performance fol-lowing several severe weather events this year left many of the utility’s customers de-manding accountability. Out-rage over inability to reach Pepco’s call center to report an outage and inconsistent information from the utility about restoration times was compounded by extreme heat after a late July thunderstorm came and went in about 15 minutes, leaving 200,000 Montgomery County residents in the dark, some (includ-ing some NFCCA residents) for several days. High winds from the freakishly severe storm caused extensive dam-age to trees, blocking roads and downing power lines. After Pepco customers demanded that state and local

officials hold Pepco account-able for improving reliability, Governor O’Malley asked the Maryland Public Service Commission, which regulates Pepco and other utilities in the state, to investigate. At an initial hearing in August, Public Service Commission-ers heard testimony from Pepco officials, who admitted that the utility’s reliability is among the worst in the na-tion. Two additional hear-ings—one in Montgomery County and one in Prince George’s County—gave resi-dents and local officials an opportunity to testify. The 30 August MoCo hearing kicked off with two hours of testimony from elected officials, followed by testimony by local residents. NFCCA resident Bob Loube,

a consultant with almost 25 years experience in utility regulation, gave excellent testimony on behalf of the as-sociation and submitted sub-stantive written testimony for the record. In the testimony, Bob recommended that: Pepco’s rates be struc-tured to provide the utility


This downed tree spanned the width of Dennis Avenue and lay untouched for days. (See additional photos on p. 10.)

Falling tree limbs pulled down power lines, ripping the facia board right off the front of Bob Loube’s house. No warning tape was placed at the scene for days; repairs took almost three days.


Chapter II: Neighborhood Survey Will Provide Additional Data on The Impacts of Power OutagesBy Laura Hussey The Public Service Com-mission investigation will take several months to conclude. Let’s seize this opportunity to collect data that we can use to make the case to our elected officials that now, more than ever before, power outages are not just inconvenient; they cost utility customers in lost income and productivity and create risks for those with medical problems. As of this writing, more than 50 households have responded to the online NFCCA survey and, by the time you read this, it should

be many more. Thanks to all who’ve responded! If you have not yet responded, it’s not too late! Just fill out the short web-based survey (link below). One response per household, please, and you may remain anonymous if you wish, although no individual responses will be shared; the data will only be reported in aggregate. To complete the survey, go to www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22B6SACGSLA. Results will be shared at the NFCCA meeting on 13 October at Forest Knolls El-ementary School (see p. 1).

with a higher return for pro-viding higher reliability, while penalizing the utility for pro-viding average or poor reli-ability. Pepco be prohibited from paying a dividend to its parent company until reliability is improved. Pepco be required to implement infrastructure improvements that have mea-surably improved reliability for a utility in New Jersey that has a similar age system and operates its system in similar conditions to those found in Montgomery County. The complete testimony was sent by Carole Barth to the NFCCA listserv (see page 2 to learn how to subscribe).

Pepco Testimony(continued from page 8)


Photos from the Neighborhood After the Storm

Power lines sag to the ground at the intersection of Belton Road and Ordway Drive. Notice the bent utility pole.

At the top of Cavalier Drive, warning tape went up after drivers kept traveling under the suspended tree limb.

Eisner Drive, a main artery in and out of the neighbor-hood, was completely blocked by a downed tree.

One of the more spectacular scenes occurred on Belton Road. This large tree fell over into the large side yard, completely missing the house and exposing its roots. The power lines were pulled down, breaking the utility pole, the top half of which was held next to the base by the still-attached wires. This pole had not been repaired as of the end of September.

Large limbs filled a driveway on Eastwood Avenue, missing the car parked on the street.

A broken tree on Belton Road was held up by its branches and a neighbor’s fence.

Views (above and below) of the Northwest Branch Trail on either side of the bridge off the Lockridge Road trailhead show massive damage and a path virtually impassable.

[All photos by Jacquie Bokow. Send us your photos of the storm damage and we’ll post them online on the NFCCA website, www.nfcca.org.]


Active & Under Contract Listings in Northwood/Forest Knolls/KinsmanAs of 9/15/2010

Full HalfActiveListings ListPrice style Bedrms Baths Bath1104caddingtonAve $269,000 traditional 5 3 01123caddingtonAve $349,900 splitLevel 3 2 010901cavalierDr $290,000 splitLevel 4 4 01015chiswellLane $319,000 splitLevel 3 2 0507DennisAve $995,000 colonial 5 4 010420edgewoodAve $449,900 capecod 3 2 111108FoxgloveLane $264,950 splitLevel 3 2 0311irwinst $299,949 splitLevel 4 2 1520KerwinRd $299,000 capecod 3 2 149Kinsmanviewcir $310,000 townhouse 3 2 29Kinsmanviewcir $339,900 townhouse 3 2 21000Loxfordter $299,900 splitLevel 4 2 11001Loxfordter $459,000 splitFoyer 4 2 1915PlayfordLn $325,900 Rambler 3 2 0918PlayfordLn $335,000 splitLevel 4 2 1136southwoodAve $469,000 capecod 3 1 1140southwoodAve $350,000 colonial 4 2 1308timberwoodAve $364,900 Rambler 5 2 0407UniversityBlvdW $259,900 Rambler 5 2 0601UniversityBlvdW $320,000 capecod 4 3 0

UnDeRcontRAct1109caddingtonAve $269,999 splitLevel 4 1 110611glenwildRd $439,900 Rambler 4 2 1316irwinst $424,999 RaisedRambler 5 3 01132Loxfordter $269,900 splitLevel 4 2 011109LombardyRd $260,000 RaisedRambler 5 2 0308MarvinRd $485,000 capecod 4 3 0111northwoodAve $479,900 capecod 3 2 0207thistleDr $328,000 splitLevel 4 2 0709UniversityBlvdW $260,000 splitLevel 4 2 1

For All YourReal Estate Needs, Call

Maureen Bovich

Serving Northwood, Forest Knolls &Kinsman Residents For Over 10 Years

Office Direct: 301 388-2625Cell: 301 502-0601Email: [email protected]

** Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed **

12520 Prosperity Drive, Suite 105, Silver Spring, MD 20904 • 301-388-2600


Gary MacdonaldREALTY EXECUTIVES PREMIER

301.476.7700 x213202.369.1659 (cell)

[email protected]“Your Realtor” Since 1998

Real Estate Sold HomesForest Knolls and Northwood

(May 1, 2010 – Sept. 15, 2010)

SHORT SALESThere were no short sales during this time period.

FORECLOSED HOMES (BANK OWNED/REO)Address Type BR Bath Orig. $ Sold $ Seller Subsidy Net Sales $1017 Chiswell SF 4 3 $300,000 $309,000 $9,000 $300,00010612 Eastwood SF 5 2 $263,000 $302,000 $5,000 $297,000418 Eisner SF 4 2.5 $339,000 $290,000 $0 $290,000316 Irwin SF 6 3 $294,000 $270,000 $0 $270,000 907 Loxford SF 3 3.5 $295,000 $318,000 $9,000 $309,00010612 Ordway SF 4 2.5 $290,000 $301,000 $11,000 $290,000415 University SF 3 2 $246,000 $209,000 $0 $209,000

“NORMAL RESALES”Address Type BR Bath Orig. $ Sold $ Seller Subsidy Net Sales $104 Belton SF 3 2 $388,000 $388,000 $0 $388,0001024 Chiswell SF 3 2.5 $325,000 $329,000 $14,000 $315,00010909 Hannes SF 4 2.5 $329,000 $290,000 $3,000 $287,00075 Kinsman View TH 3 2.5 $305,000 $300,000 $8,000 $292,000135 Kinsman View TH 3 3.5 $365,000 $350,000 $9,000 $341,000311 Ladson SF 4 2 $359,000 $359,000 $11,000 $348,00010617 Lockridge SF 4 2 $355,000 $345,000 $0 $345,000202 Marvin SF 3 2.5 $409,000 $417,000 $1,000 $416,000307 Marvin SF 3 2 $390,000 $373,000 $0 $373,0001105 Playford SF 4 2.5 $339,000 $307,000 $0 $307,000104 Southwood SF 4 2.5 $550,000 $497,000 $10,000 $487,000

**All prices were rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Seller subsidy is money the seller paid towards the buyers’ closing costs.

There was a shift in sales for this time period as compared to the first 4+ months of the year. From January 1 thru May 13 of 2010, there were 3 Short Sales sold and no Foreclosure/Bank Owned/REO sales. Overall, prices are becoming more affordable and have fallen quite significantly over the past 4 years, about 30% on average. We are basically back to the last half of 2003 to the first half of 2004 pricing.

RENTING VS. BUYING — With the home prices and rates where they are today, mortgage payments have gotten to be very similar to lease payments and, when you take the tax write-offs into play, it is a “no brainer” — it makes more sense to buy than rent. Even if home prices drop over the next 12 months, the rates today are so LOW, it’s worth the risk. Locking in for 30 years BELOW 4.5% will save you more than paying $20,000 less at $5.5% next year. A $350,000 mortgage at 4.5% is $100 less per month than a $330,000 mortgage at 5.5%. Sometimes the best deal in housing is the rate itself!

Rates are as Low as 4.25% and Price Points are Finally Affordable!!

Call me NOW tofind out why my

listings are sellingso quickly!

Resident—Kerwin Road


for qualified Pepco MD customers

ONLY $100 for qualified Pepco MD customers

ONLY $100 Ask us

how to get

$2,500

improvementsfor efficiency

• Air Leakage Test Using a Blower Door

• Detailed Visual Inspection with Infrared Camera Scan

• Furnace and Water Heater Performance and Safety Tests

• Customized Report with Energy Savings Estimates, Cost Estimates, Photos, and Contractor Referrals

• 30 Minute Report Review with Your Auditor

• FREE Follow-up Safety and Performance Test

The Comprehensive Home Energy Audit includes:

Ask About Our Energy Audits forCommercial and Multi-Family

Buildings

(240) 396-2141 • www.ecobeco.com

Business owned by Northwood ResidentReuven Walder

HOMEPERFORMANCE

WITHENERGYSTARENERGY EFFICIENCY EXPERTS

Help is Available in MoCo for Resolving ConflictsBy Jacquie Bokow The Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery Coun-ty, Inc., is a nonprofit organi-zation which provides dispute resolution. Most services are free of charge to Montgomery County residents; Spanish translation is available. In mediation, two or more participants in a dispute get together with the help of neu-tral mediators who “assist them to develop their own solutions according to their needs and values.” Mediation is voluntary and confidential. Here are the types of problems which conflict reso-lution can help: A noisy neighbor, You’re feeling disrespected by a coworker,

You’re trying to work out a plan to share childcare re-sponsibilities after separating from your spouse, Your landlord isn’t listen-ing when you have a problem, You need to plan for the care of an elderly parent, You owe someone money and want to come up with a payment plan that works for both of you, Your neighborhood meet-ings always end in more bad feelings than solutions, or You’re having problems communicating with your teenager. CRCMC mediates disputes between neighbors, between homeowners and homeowner associations, employers and employees, businesses and

clients, between family mem-bers, landlords and tenants, parents and teens, seniors and their families, and settles small claims, parenting plans, and friendships in trouble. CRCMC also offers edu-cation and skills-building in mediation and facilitation and in improving communication, listening skills, and resolving conflicts. CRCMC is a 501(c)(3) organization located at 2424 Reedie Drive, Suite 301, Wheaton, MD 20902. Media-tions are held seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at locations through-out MoCo. Contact them at 301.942.7700 or via email at [email protected]. Visit their website at www.crcmc.org.


Auto • Home • Business • Life9912 CoLeSvILLe RoADSILveR SPRIng, MD 20901301-681-0200 • Fax [email protected] • www.carlrutaninsurance.com

Carl rutan InsuranCe agenCy, InC.

erieInsurance®

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

9%

10%

11%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Jun-10

Long term p rime lending ra tes prov ided by the Federa l Reserv e Boa rd. The June 2010 ra te is YTD th rough June 30, 2010.

Federal Reserve Rate History 1990 - Present (Conventional 30-Year Interest Rate)

These interest rates are not specific to Prosperity Mortgage. They are average interest rates that have been documented by the Federal Reserve.

Prosperity Mortgage continues to offer quality refinance choices, including options that address many of the unique challenges facing homeowners today. You may be able to:

• Lower your monthly mortgage payme nt • Access funds for large expenses or debt management • Get a shorter te rm to pay off your mortgage faster • Finance your closing costs as part of your new loan

Don’t miss your chance, just a few minutes with a home mortgage consultant will help you understand your options. Learn how fast and simple refinancing can be.

Contact me today!

Act now - Interest rates are still historically low!

Maureen Carrington, Mortgage Consultant, NMLS # 196628 Prosperity Mortgage Office: 703-653-2921 Mobile: 301-651-3257 [email protected] www.therefinancelady.com

All first mortgage products are provided by Prosperity Mortgage Company. Prosperity Mortgage Company is licensed in New Jersey as a Department of Banking Mortgage Banker and in Pennsylvania by the Department of Banking. Prosperity Mortgage Company may not be available in your area. ©2010 Prosperity Mortgage Company. All Rights Reserved. #360579 08/10-11/10


The Count Begins as Households Rejoin NFCCA Okay, the Fiscal Year’s just starting, but some members paid their dues during the summer at National Night Out, so we’ve got a running start. As of 18 September 2010, the following house-holds were members of the NFCCA for FY 2011 (1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011):

Belton Road & Court (0/48, 0%)

Caddington Avenue (2/83, 2.4%): 913, 1203

Cavalier Drive & Court (1/53, 2%): 10612

Chiswell Lane (2/39, 5.1%): 1019, 1118

Colesville Road (0/22, 0%)

Dennis Avenue & Court (0/43, 0%)

Eastwood Avenue (0/53, 0%)

Edgewood Avenue (1/72, 1%): 10209

Eisner Street (1/32, 3%): 404

Foxglove Lane (0/4 = 0%) Glenwild Road & Court

(0/33, 0%) Hannes Street & Court

(3/104, 3%): 202, 320, 403

Irwin Street (0/31, 0%) Kerwin Road & Court

(1/42, 2%): 505 Kinsman View Circle

(0/85, 0%) Ladson Road (0/18, 0%) Lockridge Road (1/31,

3.2%): 10602 Lombardy Road (& Court)

(2/88, 2%): 10900, 10904 Lorain Avenue (0/21, 0%) Loxford Terrace (0/135,

0%) Malta Lane (0/45, 0%) Margate Road (1/50, 2%):

10610 Marvin Road (1/18, 5.6%):

302 Mountain Quail Road

(0/23, 0%) Northwood Avenue (0/13,

0%) Ordway Drive (1/26,

3.8%): 10702 Playford Lane (0/31, 0%) Pinewood Avenue (0/13,

0%) Royalton Road (1/31,

3.2%): 405 Snowy Owl Drive (0/23,

0%) Southwood Avenue (2/21,

9.5%): 111, 127 Sutherland Road (1/31,

3%): 10209

Thistle Drive & Court (0/22, 0%)

Timberwood Avenue (0/25, 0%)

University Boulevard (1/48, 2%): 611

Whittington Terrace (0/15, 0%)

Woodridge Avenue (0/13, 0%)

Total = 22Total households in NFCCA

area = ± 1,485Percentage of member house-

holds (22/1,485) = 1.5%

Comparison With Previous Years FY 2010 = 133 (8.9%) FY 2009 = 140 (9.4%) FY 2008 = 156 (10.5%)

If you’d like to increase the percentage for your own street, fill out the form below and send it with your check (made out to “NFCCA”) to our current treasurer, Linda Perl-man. For your convenience, an envelope addressed to Ms. Perlman should be tucked into the spine of this issue. If it’s missing, send it to her at 1203 Caddington Avenue. Thank you for your support!

Northwood-FourCornersCivicAssociation

#

2010-2011 Membership Application

Name(s) ___________________________________

Street Address _______________________________

Telephone: _________________________________

Dues are $10 per household for FY 2010-2011.

Return your payment (check payable to “NFCCA”) to: Linda Perlman Treasurer, NFCCA 1203 Caddington Avenue


Familiar surroundings and friendly, local

people can turn buying insurance into a comfortable experience.

For 77 years, Coughlan Insurance Agency, Inc. has been bringing local

businesses, families and individuals the very latest insurance products

and technologies. Along with in-person, hands-on-service.

Why work with anonymous voices in fairway places? For good coverage

and a good value, just call or stop by. You know where to find us.

A u t o • H o m e • F l o o d • I d e n t i t y T h e f t P r o t e c t i o n • V a l u a b l e I t e m s

This material is for informational purposes only. All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy. For an actual description of all coverages, terms and conditions, refer to the insurance policy. Coverages are subject to individual insureds meeting our underwriting qualifications and to state availability.©2009 The Travelers Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183

COUGHLAN INSURANCE AGENCY INCSteve and Michelle Coughlan10214 Sutherland RdSilver Spring, Md 20901Phone: 301.592.1818 • 301.592.1806Email: [email protected]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Familiar Face,

Familiar Place.

Documents

Northwood News · 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at For-est Knolls Elementary School, not at the North Four Corners Rec Center where we’ve been meeting for de-cades. The school is located at