This Month in Gaithersburg Homeowner News: August

Wow, summer went fast! It always does, doesn’t it? Gaithersburg kids are going back to school, the weather is getting just a tad cooler, and our NFL team’s season is starting again. Here are the latest events and happenings Gaithersburg homeowners should know about as fall approaches:

Gaithersburg News

Free bus rides

Montgomery County’s new Ride On extRa rush hour bus service will debut Oct. 2 and be free for the entire month of October. The Ride On extRa service is a limited-stop route on State Hwy. 355, which makes just 12 stops (instead of 80) from Lakefront Transit Center in Gaithersburg to Metro Medical Center in Bethesda. The bus will run every 10 minutes during rush hour. “Along Route 355, our busiest commuting route, people will have another option for getting to work and home while using Wi-Fi to stay connected,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett in a press release. “On an introductory basis, this service will be free during October to encourage people to try it out and decide whether it might be preferable to their current commute by transit or car.”

Labor Day Parade changes

Gaithersburg is hosting its 79th annual Labor Day Parade, but due to the construction of Olde Town Park Plaza, the parade route has shifted and is slightly shorter. The parade will start at 1 p.m., Sept. 4, at the intersection of Diamond and Summit avenues and ends at Russell and Odend’hal avenues. Optimal parade viewing will be along Russell Avenue. Road closures begin at 10 a.m. For more information, including the parade map, or to learn more about participating in the parade, visit the City of Gaithersburg’s website.

Homeowner Happenings

Fall lawn tips

Just because summer ends doesn’t mean you can ignore your lawn until spring. In fact, fall is great for preparing grass for next year. Popular Mechanics offers these six lawn tips homeowners can follow in autumn.

Wine and beer! 

There’s nothing like homeowners enjoying a beverage on a fall evening, particularly if you’ve been working on the house all day. Bethesda Magazine recently profiled four Gaithersburg beer and wine stores where you can purchase liquor or stay onsite to enjoy drinks with friends.

Gaithersburg Events

Second Saturdays at the Steeple

Epworth United Methodist Church continues its world music concert series this fall with the James Brazen Project Jazz Quintet, 7:30-9 p.m. on Sept. 9 at 9008 Rosemont Drive in Gaithersburg. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Food trucks will be onsite. Visit the event’s webpage for more information.

Rockabilly concert

The City of Gaithersburg’s free, family-friendly Backyard Concert Series continues Sept. 15 with a performance by rockabilly/roots band Kiti Gardner at Diamond Farms Park, 857 Quince Orchard Blvd. Bring a picnic and a blanket or low lawn chair to enjoy the show, which runs from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information, visit the City of Gaithersburg’s website.

Fall Golf Classic

For the 26th year, the City of Gaithersburg is hosting its Fall Golf Classic on September 22 at Clustered Spires Golf Course in Frederick, 8415 Gas House Pike. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Gaithersburg Youth Coaches Education Program. The tournament cost is $90 per person, which includes greens fees, cart, door prizes, and lunch. The four-player scramble format is limited to 30 foursomes, and the registration deadline is Sept. 15. Visit the event’s webpage for a registration form.

Home Improvement Tip of the Month

August marks the arrival of hurricane season in the Atlantic, and though Maryland has experienced few direct hits over the decades, the outer fringes of tropical storms can still pelt Gaithersburg homes with rain, wind, and hail. Taking steps to protect your home before the storm arrives will help keep your property safe. Be sure to:

• Look at your roof and secure any loose objects, such as antennas
• Close window shutters
• Clear gutters of debris
• Move patio furniture and other outdoor objects that can become airborne inside
• Review your insurance policy, so you know what types of damage will be covered by the storm.

Our recent blog post offers more advice for preparing for a storm as well as steps for afterward. The one thing we want to emphasize is to stay safe during the storm. Parts of your home can be replaced. You can’t be.

Hopefully, Gaithersburg will avoid severe weather this fall. In the meantime, enjoy the cooler weather and all the football!