More News

Thanks to a $750,000 loan provided by OBA Bank, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, was able to finish the last 12 of 24 townhouses in Linganore Woods community in Burtonsville allowing the families to move in by the holidays, according to a news release from the Germantown-based business.

In 2005, Habitat received a donation of land in Burtonsville from The Artery Group. The land was used to develop the community. The homes are 1,377 square feet, three stories, three bedrooms, and two and a half baths; they are situated in two, back-to-back blocks of 12.  Construction began on the first set of 12 townhouses in July 2006. The homes were built almost entirely by volunteers and sold at cost of $140,000 each. Habitat homes are sold to owners at nonprofit and financed with 30 year, zero percent interest mortgages.

Riderwood's gardens

receives five-star rating

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have notified Erickson Retirement Communities – Riderwood's Renaissance Gardens (assisted living and skilled nursing facility) that it has received an overall 5-Star Rating based on CMS' new national nursing home evaluation standards, according to a news release from the Silver Spring-based Riderwood.

In June, CMS announced it would launch a ranking system of America's nursing homes, giving each a "star" rating – one star being much below average to five stars being much above average. Ratings were based on CMS' review in health inspections, quality measures and staffing

Hispanic chamber hosts lunch

The Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will hold a lunch meeting 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. today at Ceviche restaurant, 921-J Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring. Call 240-686-0055.

Commission for women offers job search support group

A Job-search Support Group for Women will meet 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. today at the Montgomery County Commission for Women, Counseling and Career Center, 401 N. Washington St., Suite 100, Rockville. Other dates are Jan. 14, 21 and 28. Call 240-777-8300.

Building association

names vice president

The Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association in Silver Spring named Diane K. Swenson executive vice president, succeeding Susan J. Matlick, who is retiring after 30 years. Previously, Swenson was president of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association and executive vice president and COO of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions, and also worked for the American Tort Reform Association and then-U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.). The association also elected Thomas M. Farasy president. Farasy is president and CEO of MCF Investment Co. of Silver Spring and president of Terra Verde Communities.