The Sharon Fine Gallery will hold a solar open home from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, but the artwork exhibited in the home-based gallery won't be the only thing on display.
The open house will focus on the energy-efficient improvements Fine and her husband, Michael Katz, have made to their Cornish Road residence and gallery and also offer tours, demonstrations and tips on going solar.
When it came time to replace their home's cedar shake roof, Katz and Fine decided to install a photovoltaic solar system on their south-facing roof line. They also took the opportunity to implement other energy-saving enhancements, such as replacing halogen lights in the art gallery with LED lights.
The new pitched roof is covered with traditional asphalt shingles, but the new flat roof is a highly reflective bright white material called TPO, and the new skylights are Energy Star rated and vent to allow summer heat to escape.
The DSire web site (http://www.dsireusa.org) tracks tax credits, rebates, and other incentives for renewable energy around the country.
"Once I started digging into the various Maryland and Montgomery County incentives, the economic payback started looking better and better, Katz said in a written statement. "I later discovered that Maryland is leading the country in grants and credits, so the payback may come much sooner than originally expected, perhaps in fewer than ten years." Katz expects to produce about $800 worth of electricity per year with the 2.8-kilowatt solar system, but this amount will rise proportionally as Pepco's electric rates increase over time.
The solar open house is sponsored by Beth El Green Tikkun and hosted by the Katz/Fine family. Attendees can learn if going solar is the right choice for them.
See http://www.sharonfinegallery.com/events.htm for details and directions. The daily electrical production of the Sharon Fine Gallery solar installation can be monitored online from http://www.sharonfinegallery.com. Pictures of the entire roofing and efficiency project can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=93172&id=551982126&l=e0975e1260.
Foreign flicks
at Kensington Park
For a quick jaunt abroad, check out the Foreign Film Fest happening at Kensington Park Library all summer long. Films based on books will screen for free at 6:30 p.m. on select Wednesday nights. The next screening is June 24 and will show "Cry the Beloved Country," a South African film about a black minister and a white land owner united by tragedy. "Babette's Feast" from Denmark screens July 8, the Czech movie "Closely Watched Trains" on July 22, "The Painted Veil," an American movie set in China on Aug. 12 and "Bride and Prejudice," a Bollywood adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, closes out the series on Aug. 19.
Van Hollen meets with Uniformed Service Academies appointees and graduates
U. S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (D-Dist. 8) of Kensington recently met with Uniformed Service Academies appointees and graduates from the eighth district and their families to congratulate them on their achievements and thank them for their service to our country. This year, the eighth district had 12 academy graduates and 12 appointees.
"I am proud to have a role in the nomination process for the Uniformed Service Academies, and to be able to consistently nominate such fine people to serve our country. It's my honor to congratulate this year's appointees and graduates as they begin their careers," Van Hollen said in a written statement. "We are privileged to have these men and women representing our country."
The 2009 appointees from the downcounty are: Peter Asmuth of Chevy Chase who will attend the U.S. Military Academy, Benjamin Morris of Kensington who will attend the U.S. Naval Academy, Michael Tuttle of Chevy Chase who will attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Jacob Boross and Benjamin Pyle both of Bethesda who will both attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
The 2009 graduates from the downcounty are Second Lt. Kerry Hannon and Ensign Ryan Wielgus both of Bethesda.
New sports fishing chapter
to open in Bethesda
The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association (MSSA) is starting a new chapter in Bethesda.
The association works to educate and encourage younger generations to recognize the importance of sport fishing in the state and around the country. It has 13 other chapters in Maryland.
"We are growing and with the numbers we have, we find it necessary to open a new chapter to let our friends and members in the DC area have a chance to participate more directly with the MSSA without having to drive two or three hours", said Dave Smith, Associate Director.
Jeremy Bendler of Silver Spring was integral in laying the groundwork for the new group and has been named president of the chapter. Bendler is a CPA and partner at Klausner Bendler and Associates, PC in Bethesda.
Bendler will host the first chapter meeting at 7:30 p.m., July 1, at the Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. Each meeting will be held on the first Wednesday of each month and will start at 7:30 p.m. Meetings will feature speakers including professional captains, Maryland fisheries management staff and other friends of Maryland's anglers.
This year MSSA chapters will host over a dozen children's and family events throughout the year as well as the four major tournaments which make up their "Tournament Series."
For more information about the MSSA and the new chapter please call the main office at 410-255-5535 or online at www.mssa.net.
Give Old Yeller a good shot
A free rabies vaccination clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Sunday at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, 14645 Rothgeb Drive in Rockville. The shots are free for the pets of county residents. Call 240-773-5929 for more information.
Cherry pick acoustic music
This Saturday ellen cherry will perform at the Howard Avenue Park across from the Kensington Farmer's Market, bringing acoustic self-styled "spunky downer pop" as part of the Kensington Historical Society Summer Concert Series. The music starts at 10 a.m.
This column is for you. Share your good news! Feel free to send press releases and news tips. For Bethesda and Chevy Chase items, contact Stephanie Siegel via e-mail at ssiegel@gazette.net or phone at 301-280-3006. For Kensington and Garrett Park items, contact Jen Beasley via e-mail at jbeasley@gazette.net or phone at 301-280-3005. You can also send information by fax at 301-670-7183, or snail mail at 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.
