volume 32 number 3 a cinnamon oods swim sthemgmtgroup.com/germantownpark/picture/apr07.pdf ·...

April/MAy 2007VoluMe 32 NuMber 3

CinnaMon Woods sWiM season Beginsby Linda Shein, CMCA, AMSS from being available during normal business hours, we

are providing later appointments times. Please call us at 301-972-1850 to be scheduled.

If you become delinquent on your assessment account or have a covenant enforcement infraction, current policy prohibits you from utilizing the swimming pool. The network will not allow your admittance until these matters have been resolved.

We look forward to having a great swim season. If you have any questions, please call the Management Office at (301)972-1850.

Pool ScheduleSunday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Monday through Friday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Saturdays and Holidays 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Pool Opening – May 26, 2007 Pool Closing – September 2, 2007Pool opens: 4:00 pm on public school days

taff members at Cinnamon Woods and Century Pool are making sure that the opening of the swimming

pool on May 26, 2007 will run smoothly. In that light, we wanted to pass on a few reminders to the community members.

Cinnamon Woods implemented a paperless system last year for accessing the swimming pool. There are no forms to fill out and there will not be a physical swimming pool pass issued. You will be asked for your address and the Century Pool Guards will bring up your photographs on the computer screen for admittance. For those of you that have not had your photograph taken, we are available at the Management Office Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to provide this service.

Photographs will be stored from year to year, which means adults do not need to have their photographs retaken and children should have their photos updated every two to three years. If your schedule prohibits you

Cinnamon Woods Homes assoCiation2

Bill Davis, [email protected]

Susan Lerner, Vice [email protected]

Phil Pfaff, [email protected]

Marilynn Richards, [email protected]

Mary Clark, General [email protected]

Jenny Norris, General [email protected]

Ben Nerud, General [email protected]

2007-2008 Board of direCtors

assoCiation staff Community Property Manager

Linda Shein, CMCA, AMS, [email protected]

Administrative AssistantVacant

[email protected]

SuperintendantJohn O’Meara

Maintenance StaffJuan Carlos Martinez

Cinnamon Woods Home Association, Inc18400 Cinnamon Drive

Germantown, MD 20874 (301) 972-1850 Phone

(301) 972-0763 Fax Hours:8:30 - 5:00

www.cinnamonwoods.org

Notary Available at the Management Office

CaMBio en los días para la reColeCCión

de la BasuraA partir del 15 de junio de 2007, Unity estará a cargo de la recolección de la basura en Cinnamon Woods en lugar de Ecology Services. El cambio de empresa es el resultado de una decisión tomada por el Consejo en la asamblea del 12 de abril de 2007.

Unity recolectará la basura los días martes y viernes, comenzando el 15 de junio de 2007. A partir de que Unity se haga cargo de la tarea ya no se recogerá la basura los días lunes y jueves.

Aunque cambian los días de recolección, el lugar para dejar la basura sigue siendo el mismo. Por favor continúe dejando la basura afuera, d i r e c t a m e n t e delante de su cerco.

Unity Disposal & Recycling14862 Old Gunpowder Rd.Laurel, MD 20707(301) 490-8604

Unity will collect trash in Cinnamon Woods instead of Ecology Services. This change of hands is a result of the decision made by the Board at the April 12, 2007 meeting.

Unity will be collecting trash on Tuesdays and Fridays, with their first pick-up being on June 15, 2007. Recycle day remains Tuesday.

Although the days of trash-pick up are changing, the location for your trash is not. Please continue to put your trash out directly in front of your gated area.

trash piCk-up days Change June 15

Please remember to place your lids on your trash can when leaving your trash for pick up. Rodents are attracted to the trash and can rapidly become a problem in the community. Please be courteous and please place your trash outside only on the designated pick up days (not the evening before).

Cinnamon Woods Homes assoCiation 3

the spiCe rap is the offiCial neWsletter of the CinnaMon Woods hoMes assoCiation, and through poliCy enaCted By the Board of direCtors, individuals May suBMit artiCles of general interest to the CinnaMon Woods CoMMunity. the spiCe rap provides a Means By WhiCh the Board of direCtors May CoMMuniCate With the CoMMunity and also provides a foruM By WhiCh the CoMMunity May express ideas and opinions. stateMents, ideas, and opinions expressed are not neCessarily those of the assoCiation or the Board of direCtors nor does the spiCe rap espouse any politiCal Belief or endorse any produCts or serviCes. artiCles suBMitted for puBliCation are suBJeCt to revieW By the Board of direCtors, Must Be signed and May not Be liBelous. By aCCepting artiCles for puBliCation, the Board of direCtors does not take any responsiBility for the aCCuraCy of the Content of suCh artiCles. artiCles May Be puBlished as spaCe perMits and May Be edited for length and Content.

the real estate Corner In the Germantown Park subdivision, Cinnamon Woods, there were 3 homes that went to settlement from March 15, 2007 and April 15, 2007. The following information was obtained from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, INC. (MRIS). This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Address Closed Amount Style Levels Days18723 Curry Powder 4/12/07 $251,100 3 BR 1 ½ BA 2 103

18521 Nutmeg Place 3/30/07 $257,000 3 BR 1 ½ BA 2 39

18530 Bay Leaf Way 3/23/07 $277,500 4 BR 2 ½ BA 2 16

There was one home rented and none have been listed for rental during this period.There are currently 26 homes for sale in Cinnamon Woods. Our community has 684 units and being only 3 homes sold ,out of 26 listings, this is not all the active.

Spring has arrived, the listing inventory and sales should start to pick up. The sooner you list your home, the sooner it may be sold. However, the correct pricing is the key to selling your home. Curb appeal is also very important. Pricing your home to strategically position it in this competitive market is an analytical process. I am always available to explain this process in detail. and also advise on how to make your home more attractive to buyers. See my contact information below.

Active Listings and sales in Montgomery County:

There are currently a total of 5,179 homes listed for sale. During the March 15, 2007 - April 16, 2007 period, there were 794 homes sold in Montgomery County and broken down as follows; 135 sold at $300,000 and below., 473 sold between $300,001 - $600,000, 144 sold between $600,001 - $1,000,000, and 42 homes sold at $1,000,000 plus.

There will be more listings coming on the market as we reach the middle point of the selling season. If your considering selling your home, you may want to list it before the inventory increases..

This information has been provided by the courtesy of:

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage115 Market Street Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Ron Komara, Realtor(301) 921-1040* Please feel free to call for more information or your Real Estate needs.


neW parking perMits to Be issued2. Plan to come in at your earliest convenience and bring vehicle registration by the Cinnamon Woods Office to re-register your vehicle(s).3. Remove the old permit and return it to the office.

4. Place your new permit(s) in the front passenger-side of your window, on the inside in the lower comer.

5. The Management Team will be happy to assist anyone with the correct placement of the permits. The Board has the sole authority to assign parking spaces. The board reserves the right to withdraw the assignment of a reserved parking space from any owner who, through a pattern of violations to this policy, abuse the rights of fellow owners and residents or delinquency in the payment of homeowners

association assessments, demonstrates that the right to a preferential assigned parking space is not justified.

The use of a reserved parking space may be further assigned by the owners of a dwelling unit to a lessee of that dwelling unit. Owners will be notified by letter of their parking space number once the project is completed within the next sixty days.

Enforcement of the permit policy will be consistent with the current guidelines. A vehicle parked without registration tags from Motor Vehicle Administration or parked in the fire lane will be automatically towed. A vehicle parked illegally without a permit will be in violation and subjected to a 48 hour notification for towing, which begins on the due date designated to your court.

Due dates will be included in the letter that you receive from the Management Office. If you have any questions, please call the Management Office at (301) 972-1850.

please plaCe your parking deCal on the loWer left-hand Corner of

the passenger WindoW

After many lengthy discussions, the Board has decided to implement a new parking permit process. Because of the dark color and location on the current permits, it is very difficult for the police, towing company, etc. to be able to easily see the permit in the vehicles.

The current parking policy will not change with the issue of the new, permits. Each household will still be able to register up to three vehicles. Any additional vehicles need to be parked on a county maintained road. One parking space and one visitor pass will remain reserved for each household.

The new permits will be white with black lettering and must be placed directly on the windshield on the passenger side lower comer. (see drawing) The Board of Directors felt that this solution would be the best way to solve the problem and apologizes for any inconvenience that this process may create.

In an attempt to control traffic in the office while issuing the new permits, each court will be assigned designated times to re-register their vehicles. Letters will be sent to inform of these dates.

Homeowners need to bring legal vehicle registration to the Cinnamon Woods Office in order to be issued new parking permits. Failure to re-register your vehicles before your court’s due date will result in your vehicle(s) being tagged with a sticker and towed after 72 hours. Be sure to come by our office at your earliest convenience.

Because of the huge number of permits that need to be issued, please do not put off re-registering your vehicle. Doing so may result in a long wait and we would like to serve you in a timely manner.

What should I do?1. Keep an eye out for our letter, letting you know when you need to have your new permit.


Quarterly reMindersAt MainScapes, Inc. we are always striving to keep our Property Managers and Homeowner’s informed on upcoming services that MainScapes, Inc. will be performing.

• Spring clean-up has currently begun which includes debris removal, edging and mulching.

• Pruning of shrubs shall begin in May. If your questions were not answered please feel free to contact our office by phone, fax or email at:

MainScapes, Inc. P. O. Box 132 Ashton, MD 20861 Phone: 301-260-0190/Fax: 301-260-8373 [email protected]

CoMMunity Center availaBle for rentals

Did you know the Cinnamon Woods Community Center is available for rentals?. Only owners of properties at Cinnamon Woods are issued reservations at our location. If you are leasing a Cinnamon Woods property, please contact your landlord.

Once a check or money order is received with your contract, you may plan your event. Contracts with payment are on a first come first serve basis. Cinnamon Woods is a no-host liquor facility, with no insurance for events of this nature and does not permit alcohol on the premises.

A security guard will be in attendance to assure the rules and regulations are being followed and to ensure the surrounding neighborhood is not disturbed by the event. Feel free to call the Management Office with any questions.

Commerical vehicles may be parked in the courts away from the sidewalk AFTER receiving a parking permit from the management office. You can apply online for a commerical parking permit from the Forms page. Commercial vehicles must maintain the commercial vehicle tag (hanging on the rear view mirror), along with their permit parking sticker. Commericial vehicles MAY NOT park at the curbs. The rules and regulations specifically state that all commercial vehicles need to find parking away from the sidewalks. Safety regulations do not permit the ladders or front ends of the vehicles near the sidewalks.

Effective January 1, 2006 anyone found to be parking at the sidewalk with their commercial vehicle will be towed. Stronghold Towing can be reached at 301-961-0660.

CoMMerCial vehiCles

sCoop pet WasteOwners also are reminded to clean up their pet’s waste. When walking your dog, please take along plastic bags or a pet scoop to pick up pet waste and dispose of it accordingly. Receptacles are located on each court. Failure to dispose of pet waste properly poses a serious health hazard, not to mention a nuisance to people who encounter pet waste.

The above regulation is listed in Section 4-4 of the City Code. Violations of these ordinances could result in a fine of $100 to $250 per incident. So, for the safety of your pet and bank account, please be sure to follow these rules.


Fire officials ask that area residents use caution especially when involved in any open burning, including outdoor barbeques and cook-outs. Smokers are urged to be extra careful disposing and discarding smoking materials. The combination of landscaping mulch and improperly discarded smoking materials has been the cause of several significant fires in Montgomery County so far this year.

In the last month Montgomery County firefighters have responded to several hundred reported fires involving mulch, brush or grass, including over 50 in the last 24 hours alone. In some cases nearby structures have been damaged. Often the cause of the fire was an improperly discarded cigarette in landscaping mulch.

Most recently around on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 24, 2007 a cigarette discarded in some mulch near the KFC restaurant 18108 Town Center Drive, in Olney resulted in a fire that caused over $10,000 in damage and closed the business.

In many areas of the United States the brush fire season has started early this year and could extend well into early summer months. Recent cold spells have often resulted in lower humidity that has been creating an extremely dangerous threat of area brush fires and wildfires not only in areas of the south and southwest, but in Montgomery County and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, as well. This situation is especially more dangerous with the existence of windy conditions.

With the winter season over, spring has arrived and we have been pleasantly surprised by some recent warm weather. With warmer weather comes newly laid landscaping mulch and eventually dry vegetation that can result in brush fires that burn and spread quickly.

Fires involving the combination of landscaping mulch and discarded smoking materials also have been particularly troublesome.

Of course we hope that people don’t smoke in the first place, but if they choose to do so we suggest that they be careful when disposing of cigarette butts and other smoking materials. Use appropriate containers,

ie. ashtrays or other non-combustible receptacles. Designate safe smoking areas and isolate those areas preferably away from buildings and away from anything combustible such as landscaping mulch, wood decks, furniture, etc. If you smell smoke or any other peculiar burning odor – call the fire department immediately by dialing 911. In a few recent cases, residents even smelled

something burning the night before, but did not call the fire department until they saw smoke, often hours later.

It is important to take into consideration some landscaping and home maintenance tips to ensure safe surroundings.

Construction Checklist To create a more fire safe structure, remember that the primary goals are fuel and exposure reduction. All new homes

built in Montgomery County are required to have residential fire sprinkler systems. Use construction materials that are fire-resistant or noncombustible whenever possible.

Use fire resistant materials such as stucco or masonry for exterior walls. These products are much better than vinyl which can soften and melt.

Clear dead wood and dense vegetation within at least 30 feet from your house, and move firewood away from your house or attachments like fences or decks.

Any structure attached to the house, such as decks, porches, fences and sheds should be considered part of the house. These structures can act as fuses or fuel bridges, particularly if constructed from flammable materials. Therefore, consider the following:

If you wish to attach an all-wood fence to your home, use masonry or metal as a protective barrier between the fence and house. Use non-flammable metal when constructing a trellis and cover with high-moisture, fire-resistant vegetation. Prevent combustible materials and debris from accumulating beneath patio deck or elevated porches; screen underneath or box in areas below the deck or porch with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 of an inch.

dangerous fire Conditions very likely

Cinnamon 7

A FIRE SAFE HOME HAS...

Fire-Resistant Exterior Construction Wall materials which resist heat and flames include cement, plaster, stucco and concrete masonry. Although some vinyl will not burn, during some larger fires, firefighters found that some vinyl soffits melted allowing embers into the attic space.

Emergency Access Identify your home and neighborhood with legible and clearly marked street names and numbers so emergency vehicles can rapidly find the location of the emergency.

Mulch Landscaping Although mulch helps retain soil moisture, when dry, it can become flammable. Mulch as well as all landscaping should be kept well watered to prevent them from becoming fire fuel.

Defensible Space Do you have at least 30 ft of space surrounding your home that is Lean, Clean and Green? The objective of Defensible Space is to reduce the wildfire threat to your home by changing the characteristics of the surrounding vegetation. Lean - Prune shrubs and cut back tree branches, especially within 15 feet of your chimney. Clean - Remove all dead plant material from around your home; this includes dead leaves, dry grass and even

stacked firewood Green - Plant fire-resistant vegetation that is healthy and green throughout the year.

Defensible space allows firefighters room to put out or extinguish ’outside’ fires.

Fire-Resistant Attachments Attachments include any structure connected to your home, such as decks, porches or fences. If an attachment to a home is not fire-resistant, then the home as a whole is not as fire safe.

A Disaster Plan The time to plan for a fire emergency is now. Take a few minutes to discuss with your family what actions you will need to take.

Post the emergency telephone number in a visible place. Decide where you will go and how you will get there. Unlike evacuating for a hurricane, with fire you may only have a moments notice. Two escape routes out of your home and out of your neighborhood are preferable.

Have a plan for your pets Practice family fire drills

Smokers should use extra care in discarding smoking materials.


autoMatiC deBit still availaBleby Linda Shein, CMCA, AMS

Cinnamon Woods would like all members to know about a service that’s been arranged for you. If you choose, you can now pay your monthly assessments by automatic debit from your bank account. Using this automatic payment system will eliminate late charges and the need to write and send monthly checks through the mail. What could be easier?

Here’s how it works: OBA Banks pre-authorized assessment-payment service uses the Federal Reserve System’s Automated Clearing House to make electronic transfers from your checking account to pay your monthly assessment. The best part is that funds are automatically transferred on the

1st day of each month, and the debit appears on your account statement-you don’t have to lift a finger.

You don’t even have to do your banking at OBA Bank to take advantage of this new service. And if you try out the service and change your mind, it’s easy to cancel it and

revert to your original method of paying monthly assessments. (Note that if you ever sell your home, you’ll have to notify OBA Bank in writing to prevent future payments.)

If you would like to sign up for this convenient new service –or if you would just like to know more about it-contact us at (301) 972-1850. Automatic Debti Forms are available on the Cinnamon Woods website at www.cinnamonwoods.org

loCk CriMe out of your hoMeLighting is one of the most cost-effective deterrents to burglary. Indoor lighting gives the impression that a home is occupied. If you are going to be away from your home, consider using automatic timers to switch interior lights on and off a preset times.

Outdoor lighting can eliminate hiding places. Install exterior lighting near porches, rear and side doorways, and all other points of entry. Entryways to your home always should be well lighted. Place lights out of reach from the ground so the bulbs can not be removed or broken. Aim some lights away from the house so you can see if anyone is approaching, or install motion-sensing lights, which turn on automatically as someone approaches.

Shrubs and Landscaping are important. Your home’s walkways and landscaping should direct visitors to the main entrance and away from private areas. The landscaping should provide maximum visibility to and from your house. Trim shrubbery that could conceal criminal activity near doors and windows. Provide light on areas of dense shrubs and trees that could serve as hiding places. Cut back tree limbs that could help thieves climb into windows, and keep yard fencing low enough to avoid giving criminals places to hide.

Locks. Strong reliable locks are essential to effective home security. Always keep doors and windows locked- even a five minute trip to the store is long enough for a burglar to enter your home. Use quality keyed knobs as well as deadbolts can withstand the twisting, turning, prying and pounding those regular knobs can’t. When choosing a deadbolt, look for such feathers as a bolt that extends at least one inch when in the locked position, to resist ramming and kicking; hardened steel inserts to prevent the bolt from being sawed off, and a reinforced strike plate with extra long mounting screws to anchor the lock effectively.


froM the arC CoMMitteeJust a reminder to homeowners who still have their holiday lights up. They look great during the season but the ARC would like to remind homeowners that the lights need to be taken down by the end of January each year. Unfortunately we still have several homeowners who have not taken them down. Please remove any lights promptly.

With Spring upon us now, please remember that whenever you are planning to do any modification to your property, any external change at all, you will need to submit an ARC Request prior to starting any work.

An ARC Request can be obtained from the office or you go on line at www.cinnamonwood.org.

The ARC Committee meets the first Monday of the month and will review all requests submitted to the office. If the ARC committee approves the ARC Request it is then past over to Board for final approval. If the request is rejected by the committee for any reason, it will be explained to you and why, and alternate suggestions can be discussed.

The following owners were cited for covenant enforcement infractions:

notiCe of residential violations

Disclaimer: The previous lists are owners who have been cited for violations ONLY. Many owners have made the necessary repairs and replacements to their homes, refrained from illegal dumping, removed unsightly objects, complied with county ordinances, etc. If you believe your address was listed erroneously, please contact the Management Office as soon as possible. Cinnamon Woods can not be held liable for printing errors.

18301 aLLsPiCe dR 18341 aLLsPiCe dR 18343 aLLsPiCe dR 18345 aLLsPiCe dR 18354 aLLsPiCe dR

18362 aLLsPiCe dR 18364 aLLsPiCe dR 18366 aLLsPiCe dR 18406 aLLsPiCe dR 18412 aLLsPiCe dR

18414 aLLsPiCe dR 18421 aLLsPiCe dR 18426 aLLsPiCe dR 18516 BaY LeaF 18532 BaY LeaF

18533 BaY LeaF 18604 BaY LeaF 18605 BaY LeaF 18606 BaY LeaF 18610 BaY LeaF

18612 BaY LeaF 18614 BaY LeaF 18616 BaY LeaF 18617 BaY LeaF 18622 BaY LeaF

18630 BaY LeaF 18634 BaY LeaF 18640 BaY LeaF 18646 BaY LeaF 18731 CURRY PoWdeR

18733 CURRY PoWdeR 18743 CURRY PoWdeR 18749 CURRY PoWdeR 8751 CURRY PoWdeR 18702 GinGeR Ct

18704 GinGeR Ct 18710 GinGeR Ct 18711 GinGeR Ct 18712 GinGeR Ct 18717 GinGeR Ct

18722 GinGeR Ct 18727 GinGeR Ct 18731 GinGeR Ct 18732 GinGeR Ct 18743 GinGeR Ct

18746 GinGeR Ct 18750 GinGeR Ct 18601 mUstaRd seed 18604 mUstaRd seed 18606 mUstaRd seed

18607 mUstaRd seed 18612 mUstaRd seed 18622 mUstaRd seed 18626 mUstaRd seed 18630 mUstaRd seed

18636 mUstaRd seed 18650 mUstaRd seed 18653 mUstaRd seed 18654 mUstaRd seed 18655 mUstaRd seed

18657 mUstaRd seed 18502 nUtmeG PL 18505 nUtmeG PL 18506 nUtmeG PL 18510 nUtmeG PL

18511 nUtmeG PL 18513 nUtmeG PL 18515 nUtmeG PL 18531 nUtmeG PL 18601 nUtmeG PL

18625 nUtmeG PL 18643 nUtmeG PL 18701 PaPRiKa Ct 18704 PaPRiKa Ct 18705 PaPRiKa Ct

18713 PaPRiKa Ct 18714 PaPRiKa Ct 18716 PaPRiKa Ct 18720 PaPRiKa Ct 18722 PaPRiKa Ct

12910 PoPPY seed Ct 12923 PoPPY seed Ct 12927 PoPPY seed Ct 12935 PoPPY seed Ct 18805 PoPPY seed Ln

18815 PoPPY seed Ln 18823 PoPPY seed Ln 18830 PoPPY seed Ln 18832 PoPPY seed Ln 18834 PoPPY seed Ln

18840 PoPPY seed Ln 18842 PoPPY seed Ln 18850 PoPPY seed Ln 18857 PoPPY seed Ln 12824 saGe teR

12830 saGe teR 12832 saGe teR 12842 saGe teR 12854 saGe teR 18604 saGe WaY

18606 saGe WaY 18611 saGe WaY 18612 saGe WaY 18613 saGe WaY 18623 saGe WaY

18625 saGe WaY 18627 saGe WaY 18631 saGe WaY 18641 saGe WaY 13000 tHYme Ct

13002 tHYme Ct 13005 tHYme Ct 13010 tHYme Ct 13012 tHYme Ct 13016 tHYme Ct



13057 tHYme Ct 18601 tURmeRiC Ct 18612 tURmeRiC Ct 18614 tURmeRiC Ct 18623 tURmeRiC Ct

18623 tURmeRiC Ct 18624 tURmeRiC Ct 18625 tURmeRiC Ct 18627 tURmeRiC Ct 18641 tURmeRiC Ct

18643 tURmeRiC Ct 18645 tURmeRiC Ct 18647 tURmeRiC Ct

COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTORY

18400 Cinnamon DriveGermantown, MD 20874

Phone: 301-972-1850Fax: 301-972-0763

www.cinnamonwoods.org

18400 Cinnamon DriveGermantown, MD 20874

Phone: 301-972-1850Fax: 301-972-0763

www.cinnamonwoods.orgCinnamon Woods Home Association, Inc.

Community Property ManagerCell: 240.784.0635

[email protected]

Linda Shein, CMCA, AMS

C W H A 18400 Cinnamon Drive Germantown, MD 20874 (301) 972-1850 Phone(301) 972-0763 Fax www.cinnamonwoods.org

BULK RATEU.S. Postage

PAIDGermantown,

MDPermit No. 17

May 26th - Pool Opens

May 28th - Memorial Day Observance Office Closed

June 4th - ARC Meeting, 7:30pm

June 14th - Board Meeting, 7:30pm

June 17th - Father’s Day

May/June 2007 Calendar of events

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