The sun is setting on the summer of 2002. It went fast. Hopefully everyone took some time off to relax, visit family, enjoy a vacation, swim in the pool, have a popsicle. Now it’s back to school and schedules, homework and holidays. This newsletter includes several HOA notes, community updates, and news from neighbors.

On a technical note, this newsletter was written using MS Word. The format will make electronic distribution easier and enable access from the community website. So excuse the changes you’ll see in the next few issues while I re-familiarize myself with the labyrinth of Word’s features!

On a personal note, our neighbors the Pizza’s opened a new business. See below for information on their exciting venture and be sure to visit them at their Rockville location to wish them the best of luck.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

HOA meetings are held in the Community Clubhouse. They usually occur the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Everyone in the neighborhood is invited to attend. The following meetings are currently scheduled:

September 12, October 10 and November 14, 2002

HOA Meeting Notes

During the last HOA meetings the following items were discussed. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these issues, please contact Victoria Lopez or Ruchita Patel at The Management Group (TMGA) - (301) 948-6666.

Parking in the Streets

As per Montgomery County code, vehicles must be parked at least 30 feet away from any corners on an intersection. There has been a problem in the community with homeowners parking their vehicles too close to a near-by intersection. This results in blocked visibility and causes a safety hazard. Areas that experience this problem include the intersections at Leedstown Way, Commandery Way, and Dundonnell Way. If you park on the street, please make sure that you park far enough away from an intersection!

Montgomery County Sergeant Scott Brown was at the June HOA meeting to address problems with traffic violators (speeders) in the community. He stated that if homeowners provide him with information regarding traffic violators, his office would write a letter to the owner of the vehicle causing the violation. A complaint must be submitted in writing and must include the date and time of the incident, details of what occurred, and a description of the vehicle with the license plate number. Send these complaints to Sgt. Brown at the Montgomery County Police Department, Wheaton-Glenmont District Station, 2300 Randolph Road, Wheaton, MD 20902.

Other Vehicle Issues

Did you know that go-peds, go-karts, and other unlicensed motorized vehicles are NOT allowed on our streets and sidewalks? Please keep the neighborhood safe (and quiet) by curtailing use of these vehicles.

ACR Form Submission

The Architectural Change Committee noted that homeowners are submitting Architectural Change Request Forms after completing work to their property. Approval for all work must be submitted and approved before work begins. The Board of Directors requested that TMGA complete community wide inspections to determine which property modifications have been completed without proper form submission and approval. Action will be taken on those modifications that do not comply. So please submit those forms before beginning work. Response time from the HOA is about three weeks.

Also noted was the fact that some home owners have relied on contractors to file this paperwork for them without following up to ensure that approval was obtained. This has resulted in un-approved work being completed. Make sure you take care of fulfilling the HOA requirements yourself. This eliminates problems later!

To save copying and postage costs, TMGA will e-mail the newsletter to homeowners with an
e-mail address. There will also be a copy posted on the community homepage. Please submit your current
e-mail address to TMGA so that you’ll receive any correspondence issued.

Barracudas Make a Splash in Division "O"

The Norbeck Grove Barracudas debuted in the Montgomery County Swim League in high style by winning its Division Championship. After losing its first two meets of the inaugural season, the team came back with winning performances at the remaining meets and relay carnival. The Barracudas placed second in the Divisional meet, assuring the team of the championship. The kids and coaches worked incredibly hard to improve their performance while having a great time in and out of the water. Now, we’ll find a place to display that trophy!

Congratulations go to the 84 swimmers and 50 families who contributed time, talent and many hours of volunteer work to the winning season. Also, a big "thank you" to the community for supporting the team by buying donuts, getting a car washed or a family picture taken, eating out at Mama Lucias, purchasing snack items or playing bingo. Hopefully, there was some community spirit raised along with the money.

Believe it or not, we’re looking ahead to the 2003 season and strongly encourage and warmly welcome any families with children who enjoy swimming to join the team. It’s a great way to keep your kids active, meet neighbors and make new friends. See you in the spring!

Swimming Ribbons

If your last name is Baker, Cecil, Eiseman, Mallory, Papuchis, Reilly, Rodas, Strittmatter, Tsao or Yair, you are missing ribbons from the swim season. Carol Drewyer has them for you to collect. Call her at (301) 774-5742 to let her know when you’ll be by to get them.

The Green Green Grass of Home

Last fall several areas near the townhomes were seeded in the hopes that grass would develop. Due to the lack of rain, these seeded areas did not do well. TMGA convinced the landscaping company to reseed this fall at no charge. Norbeck Grove, in return, agreed to keep these areas watered. This reseeding will take place around September 10^th.

Please, if you live near one of these areas, help us get these areas growing. We need a sprinkler set on the new seed three times per week for approximately one hour per day. This will vastly improve the appearance of the common areas.

The HOA does not have the funds to reseed again so take advantage of the free seeding service and help get the following area grass looking better

Gone with Grubs

Submitted by Nailya Owens

Every time I talk to my next-door neighbor about our lawns, he points to his and says ruefully "Grubs ate it all last year." This summer I myself noticed numerous grub-laying moths on my lawn. I bought $60 worth of Grubex and spent 3 hours applying it and watering the lawn. Thirty days later they were back, having migrated from the adjacent lawns. Some of my neighbors also applied treatments to their lawns, though at different times, and now their lawns have grubs again (probably coming from my lawn!)

I suggest that we fight grubs, bugs and other lawn-damaging pests together as a community. I appreciate that a lot of our neighbors are too busy to do it themselves. Some of us already depend on outside contractors to treat their lawns and apply treatments at different times.

If the neighborhood deals with a single contractor to apply treatments once or twice in the summer to all lawns and common areas, and post the warning stickers, we could get a bulk rate. John Hanrahan, my neighbor and a professional landscaper agrees with the idea and estimates the rate to be about $30.00 per house (less for townhouse residents.)

Bunko Players Needed!

Several Bunko players in the neighborhood are retiring their dice-throwing places. If you would like to become part of a Bunko group, please call Janet Mandel at (301) 570-1210. Bunko is a fun game and provides a great way to meet other neighbors.

Feeling Social?

For Sale

Bedroom set including bunk beds, a 5-drawer dresser, desk and chair and bookcase. Great condition. Asking $450.00. Call (301) 570-4288.

Trivia Tidbit

Groundbreaking for the Pentagon occurred

on September 11, 1941.

Congratulations to Dustin and Wendy Pizza for the successful opening of Hitter’s Park, their new hi-tech batting cage complex. If you’ve been listening to SportsTalk 980, you’ve already heard about it. Rich and I visited to see exactly what high technology could bring to batting practice. It was a very cool experience. How cool can batting be? Well, you step into the cage, choose the type of pitch, the angle of the pitch, the speed of the pitch, and the ball is delivered from a "virtual" pitcher (right from the hand of a pitcher projected onto a screen.) It comes over the plate perfectly each time. And if you don’t want to get that specific, just go into the cage to get a feel for what the professionals experience (at your own skill level.) It is addictive, especially after you connect with a 60 mph fastball. Dustin can show you how it is done – he has been active on local teams for years. It is also a perfect place for birthdays and office gatherings. The kids tried it out too. Upon leaving, my son Dylan declared it "the most awesome sports place I’ve ever been to." So drop by to see the Pizza’s and experience batting on the cutting edge.