Gaithersburg 4th Graders Encouraged to Enter Junior Mayor Essay Contest  

“Year of the Tiger” Celebrated with Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibit at Kentlands Mansion Gallery  

To commemorate the 2010 Lunar New Year on February 14, the City of Gaithersburg is featuring an exhibit of Chinese Contemporary Art by Master Mu Jiashan and his students at the Kentlands Mansion Gallery.  The works will be on display from January 15 through March 14, 2010.  Viewing is by appointment only.  An artists’ reception will be held on Tuesday, February 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.  The Mansion is located at 320 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg. 

Artworks by Master Mu and his students, who range in age from teens to seniors, are painted with Chinese ink on rice paper and depict beautiful scenes of nature.  At the February 9 reception Master Mu, an accomplished an internationally recognized artist who bridges the Eastern and Western art traditions, will demonstrate his brush painting style and introduce visitors to this ancient art form.  The works on display in the exhibit at the Kentlands Mansion are also available for purchase.

Master Mu is president of the Asian Pacific Art Institute of America, which seeks to educate the public about Asian art and inspire young people to pursue this rich tradition.  He has taught around the world, and currently numbers his students at more than 500.  He has lectured and demonstrated his art style at more than 80 academic and art institutions, with paintings that have been exhibited at more than 100 group and solo shows.  In 2008 the World Bank sponsored a world tour of 54 of Master Mu’s paintings, marking the 40^th year of his artistic career.  The exhibit visited Washington, DC, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tokyo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the United Nations building in New York City.

“Just 4” Multi Media Exhibit Features Sculpture, Lithography, Paintings at Gaithersburg Arts Barn  

The Arts Barn Gallery presents “Just 4,” a multi media exhibit featuring the works of Sean Keelan, Leyla Rzayeva, Izya Shlosberg and Sergey Zhilevich, on display from January 8 through March 7, 2010.  An artist’s reception will be held on Tuesday, February 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.  The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg.

Within the exhibition, the transition between the past and present visual language is described by a sustained interest in the lasting elements of visual creativity. The artists do not attempt erase the traditional methods but reform them, taking the next step into the future.

Sean Keelan is a classically trained landscape painter and Community Artist.  Keelan believes the skills and abilities necessary to compose a painting are directly applicable to the healthy development of our communities.  Working from observation requires careful analysis, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate complex ideas.  Similarly, strengthening our community begins with careful observation, analysis, and critical thinking regarding the issues which require our immediate attention.  Keelan’s recent travels to the Southwest challenged his aesthetics and provided an opportunity to sharpen his techniques. 

At this exhibition Leyla Rzayeva presents for review her graphic work completed using the printmaking methods of monoprinting and lithography. The prints created are original, signed and numbered by the artist, and marked with a printing workshop chop of the University of New Mexico in the lower right corner. The printmaking process of monoprinting is familiar to a painter’s aesthetic. As the name implies, monoprints are unique and no additional impressions can be achieved.

Izya Shlosberg was born in Pinsk, Belarus in 1950, graduating from the Institute of Technology in Minsk and the Moscow University of Art.  In his work he presents his innovative and unique concept of the physical and spiritual views of humankind and the world.  His original creations use not only traditional elements such as color and form but also different materials to add depth and texture to conventional two-dimensional oil paintings.  Just as most people see the world in terms of philosophy, physics and math, Shlosberg uses intuition, reflection and the subconscious. The human and global complexity presented in his work defies formulaic understanding. Every painting is a breakthrough emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. His techniques create an expression of profound depth and spirit in each painting.

Sergey Zhilevich was born in 1959 and also grew up in Pinsk, Belarus.  From his first public exhibition at the age of 17 to international exhibitions around the world 33 years later, Zhilevich continued to act as a teacher and show the world in a different way.  He is a graduate of the Vitebsk College of Fine Arts, a university established by Mark Chagall, and has participated in many exhibits in Belarus, Russia, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, and the US. Today his works are featured in the best museums of Belarus as well as many galleries and private collections. One of the most popular artists in Belarus, Zhilevich is very active in the community and is a member of the Belorussian Artist Guild.

Gaithersburg Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 8^th Consecutive Year  

The City of Gaithersburg has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This award is the highest from of recognition in governmental budgeting. This is the eighth year that Gaithersburg has received the award.

The City had to satisfy nationally-recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well a municipality’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

Gaithersburg Releases Results of 2009 Citizen Survey   

In a recent random survey of its citizens, 84% of the respondents rated Gaithersburg as an excellent or good place to live, while City employees received a 77% or greater excellent/good response with regards to their knowledge, responsiveness, courteousness and overall impression.

“This survey is an important tool, especially in the current economic climate as the City Council and I grapple with difficult choices for the allocation of resources,” said Mayor Sidney Katz.  “While the survey validates many of our strengths, it also identifies areas of improvement that we will be considering as we address our strategic directions in the coming weeks.”

The survey was conducted by the National Research Center, Inc. (NRC).  In the fall of 2009, 1,200 randomly selected households in key zip codes were asked to participate.  The survey was also available in Spanish.  Twenty one percent of the surveys were returned, which, while low, is within the NRC normal range.  The City conducted a similar survey in 2007 with a similar response rate, and comparisons to that survey were provided.  Gaithersburg was also compared to nearly 500 jurisdictions across the country, and ratings for each question were noted as “above,” “similar” or “below” the national benchmark.

The complete survey is available on the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov. 

The survey was divided into nine broad categories, including overall community quality, community design, economic sustainability, public safety, recreation and wellness, community inclusiveness, civic engagement, and public trust.  Four specific policy questions, unique to the Gaithersburg community, were also asked.

Ratings listed below reflect the percent responding “excellent” or “good” unless otherwise noted.  Highlights within each category include:

Overall Community Quality

¸      84% rated “Gaithersburg as a place to live” as excellent/good, up from 82% in 2007. 

¸      “Quality of life” and “your neighborhood as a place to live” received excellent/good responses of 73%, similar to 2007 and similar to the benchmark.

Community Design

Transportation

¸      Those rating the ease of car travel as excellent/good increased from 2007, making Gaithersburg similar to the benchmark, while ease of bus travel in Gaithersburg is above the benchmark.  Ease of bicycle travel below the benchmark.

¸      In almost all of the transportation service categories -  street repair and maintenance, street cleaning, snow removal and sidewalk maintenance – Gaithersburg was above the benchmark, with excellent/good ratings exceeding 60% (75% in the case of street cleaning and 73% for snow removal).

Housing

¸      Similar to the benchmark, only 33% of residents reported the availability of affordable quality housing in Gaithersburg as excellent/good.

¸      The survey used a comparison of household income and mortgage data to determine “housing stress.”  43% of Gaithersburg residents responded spending 30% or more of their monthly household income on housing, which is more than the benchmark.

Land Use and Zoning

¸      There was a 71% or higher rating as excellent/good with regards to the City’s built environment, including the quality of new development and the City’s overall appearance. 

¸      Nuisance problems (weeds, run down vehicles, junk vehicles) were only a major concern for 5% of respondents, less than the benchmark.

¸      All categories of planning and community code enforcement services, including land use, planning and zoning, code enforcement and animal control, were above the benchmarks.

Economic Sustainability

¸      Employment opportunities, shopping opportunities and Gaithersburg as a place to work were rated above the benchmark.  Only employment opportunities received a lower than 70% excellent/good score.

¸      Job growth was seen as too slow by 68% of respondents, much higher than the 47% recorded in the 2007 survey, although similar to the benchmark.

¸      Only 16% of the respondents felt that the economy would have a very/somewhat positive impact on their family income in the next six months, down from 23% in 2007.

Public Safety

¸      In six out of seven categories, very/somewhat safe perceptions increased from 2007 to 2009.  93% responded feeling very/somewhat safe in their neighborhoods during the day, while the number who reported feeling very/somewhat safe in Gaithersburg’s downtown area after dark increased from 27% in 2007 to 36% in 2009. 

¸      However, with the exception of neighborhood safety during the day and safety from environmental hazards, all of the public safety ratings were below the benchmark.

¸      Police services in general received an 81% excellent/good response, similar to the benchmark.

Environmental Sustainability

¸      94% of respondents reported recycling at least once in the past 12 months, up from 91% in 2007.  This puts Gaithersburg above the benchmark.

¸      Consistently high marks were given for storm drainage, yard waste pick-up and recycling, all exceeding 75% excellent/good ratings and all above the benchmark.  Recycling services came in at 89%.

Recreation and Wellness

Parks and Recreation

¸      Although 10% fewer respondents rated recreational opportunities as excellent/good, 83% reported using a neighborhood park or City park, up from 2007.  Both of these are similar to the benchmark. Participation in recreation programs decreased 7% from 2007, below the benchmark.

¸      City parks, recreation classes and recreation centers received high marks, with all three categories above the benchmark, and all having excellent/good ratings at 77% or higher.

Cultural Arts and Education

¸      Opportunities to attend cultural activities were rated above the benchmark, with 64% of respondents rating them as excellent/good.

¸      Educational opportunities were rated at 67%, higher than in 2007 and similar to the benchmark.

Community Inclusiveness

¸      Openness and acceptance in the community towards people of diverse backgrounds received the highest rating of all community inclusiveness categories at 74%, above the benchmark.

¸      Services to seniors, youth and low income people received excellent/good ratings of 69% or higher, all above the benchmark.

Civic Engagement

Civic Activity

¸      37% or less of the respondents reported participating in a public meeting, watching a meeting on cable TV or volunteering with a group or activity in the community in the past 12 months, all below the benchmark.

¸      Voter registration at 76% and voter participation in the last election, also at 76%, were below the benchmark.

Information and Awareness

¸      The percentage of respondents who read the City’s newsletter (67%) is down from 2007 and is below the benchmark.  However, 64% of respondents visited the City’s website at least once in the last 12 months, more than the benchmark.  This question was not asked in 2007.

¸      Excellent/good ratings for cable television and public information services were above the benchmark and both increased over 2007 figures.

Public Trust

¸      In 3 of 5 categories, Gaithersburg ranked above the benchmark in the public trust category, including value of services for taxes paid (55%), the job Gaithersburg government does at welcoming citizen involvement (65%) and the job Gaithersburg does at listening to its citizens (47%). 

Local, State and Federal Government

¸      Responses put Gaithersburg above the benchmark in all four categories related to the provision of government services, garnering an excellent/good rating of between 53% (Federal) and 78% (City).

City Employees

¸      While only 41% of respondents reported having contact with a City employee within the past 12 months, they rated City employees at 77% or greater with regards to knowledge, responsiveness, courteousness and overall impression.  Both overall impression and responsiveness are above the benchmark, while the others are similar.

Four policy questions were asked in the survey, allowing City officials to query residents about issues specific to Gaithersburg.  When asked whether the City of Gaithersburg should partner with Montgomery County for the construction of a new aquatic/recreation center, 29% of respondents strongly supported a partnership while 13% strongly opposed it.  38% somewhat supported, while 20% somewhat opposed.

Residents were also asked whether or not they supported the City of Gaithersburg borrowing money to fund large capital projects in the future.  18% of respondents strongly supported and 48% somewhat supported this concept, while 23% somewhat opposed and 11% strongly opposed.

Given the current economic climate, residents were asked whether they would support a property tax increase to maintain existing City services.  6% strongly supported and 26% somewhat supported the concept.  37% somewhat opposed the measure, while 31% strongly opposed it.

  
Second “Princess Tea” Added to Spring Schedule at Kentlands Mansion  

With its February Princess Tea selling out quickly, the City of Gaithersburg has added a second tea to the Mansion’s spring schedule.  Dress up in your favorite party dress, wear plenty of costume jewelry and gloves, and bring your mom, dad, grandma or whoever you’d like to Gaithersburg’s elegant and historic Kentlands Mansion for this unforgettable event.  The second Princess Tea will be held on Sunday, March 7 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  An assortment of tea sandwiches, fruit, cookies and teas will be served.

During make-up time, which begins at 1 p.m., little princesses will get a dusting of powder, blush and lipstick compliments of our special make-up artist.  Then it’s off to have your picture taken, which will be e-mailed to you after the event.  For those who like to color, we invite you to spend some time enhancing a special coloring page from “Alice in Wonderland – the Tea Party,” a Disney production.

Cost for the tea is $20 per person for adults and $15 for children aged 12 and under. Reservations are required, and may be made with cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover Card.  Family seatings of four, six or eight people can be accommodated.  Individuals or parties of two will be seated with other guests. 

   
Gaithersburg to Host Region-Wide Book Festival
Presenter, Vendor, Sponsor Applications Now Available   

Mark your calendars for the first annual Gaithersburg Book Festival, being held May 15, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A large-scale celebration of all things literary, this brand new festival is set to take place outdoors on the grounds of City Hall in historic Olde Towne Gaithersburg. The festival is modeled after the National Book Festival, and is designed to become the region’s premier literary event.

Visitors to the Gaithersburg Book Festival will find authors of both national and local acclaim taking one of several stages to address and interact with readers, as well as several writing workshops, exhibitors, book sales, book signings, children’s entertainment and activities, food vendors, and a Coffee House featuring poetry readings and musical entertainment throughout the day. Organized into three primary areas, the festival will consist of Fiction, Non-fiction, and Children’s “Villages,” each featuring a plethora of presentations, authors and exhibitors of the genre.

Applications are now available for authors interested in presenting, exhibitors and vendors with literary-related products or themes, food vendors, and sponsors.  The deadline for application is March 12, 2010.  Forms are available online.

Admission to the event is free.  Limited free parking within walking distance is available, and a free handicapped accessible shuttle will run from outlying parking areas. 

Coordinated by an all-volunteer committee led by Gaithersburg City Council Member Jud Ashman, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is an initiative of the City’s Cultural Arts Division and will be funded primarily by sponsors.  For applications and information please call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/book.

Gaithersburg Again Named Best Place in Maryland to Raise Your Kids   

 For the second year in a row, BusinessWeek magazine has named Gaithersburg as Maryland’s “Best Place to Raise Your Kids.”  To be in the running, towns in each state had to have at least 45,000 residents and a median family income between $40,000 and $125,000.  Rankings considered such elements as school performance, affordability and safety.  Weight was also given to cost of living, air quality, job growth, racial diversity, and access to local parks, ball fields, zoos, recreation centers, museums, and theaters.

In the write up on the BusinessWeek website, Gaithersburg was described as “… a former farming town at the terminus of the D.C. Metro's Red Line … a diverse, affordable place with a shopping district called ‘Old Towne’ that dates back to the 19th century.”  The City has a population listed at just over 60,000 and a median household income of $88,603.  Runners up in Maryland were Frederick and Ellicott City.  The city ranked number one in the nation was Tinley Park, IL.

“It’s nice to receive national recognition, validating the efforts we put forth to make this a very livable community,” said Mayor Sidney Katz.  “Our emphasis on youth programs, environmental stewardship, open space, and cultural enrichment certainly helps make this a desirable place to raise a family.”