March 15, 2024

Message from County Executive Marc Elrich


Dear Friends,

I presented my recommended County Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Operating Budget to the County Council this week. In lieu of my weekly video, I wanted to share with you the video of our press conference from Thursday. I encourage you to watch and please share with your friends and neighbors.

Understanding our budget decisions and choices is important. Every County resident, business and stakeholder is impacted by the County’s budget in some way. That is why your thoughts, ideas and suggestions were so valued during our budget forums last fall, and we encourage your continued participation as the County Council reviews our recommendations.

This recommended $7.1 billion budget invests in our residents and communities, addresses the challenges we face and maintains fiscal discipline in a time of continued economic uncertainty.

The recommended budget is highlighted by record funding for education, affordable housing and economic development. My recommended budget does not propose any tax rate increases and includes a reserve balance of 11.6 percent, $106.1 million above the 10 percent reserve target.

Other highlights of the recommended FY25 Operating Budget include:
  • Funds 98.2 percent of the request of Montgomery County Public Schools at $3.3 billion
  • $132 million above State’s Maintenance of Effort requirements
  • Fully funds Montgomery College’s request
  • Record funding of $365 million for climate change and environmental initiatives
  • Record $169 million in funding for affordable housing, including $65 million in new funds
  • Significant investment of $27 million for economic development, a 17 percent increase
  • Provides 3 percent inflationary adjustments to all County nonprofit partners
A summary of the budget is available here.


Working within our current resources, my plan balances the needs of the community, economic forecasts and the growing cost of doing business. Looking to the future, we will need to have frank conversations about the structural imbalance that exists between the growing demands for County services and the revenue streams we currently have available.

Our County’s current resources, while increasing, cannot fully support the growing needs of the community and demand for services. Consequently, I am not able to recommend funding for all requests for service enhancements I have received from stakeholders, community groups and County departments.

To continue to thrive, we must be able to provide businesses with access to talented employees and good infrastructure; provide residents with access to quality education and employment opportunities, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, and a transportation infrastructure system that works well; ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors remain housed and have access to services so they can live healthy and thriving lives; attract talent to County government to deliver the services residents demand most; and address climate change, which is a threat to our very existence. This budget addresses each of these challenges.

To access the entire recommended FY25 budget, click here. To watch the FY25 recommended budget presentation, click here.


$900,000 in Security Grants Awarded to 136 Nonprofit Organizations


The County Council and I this week announced $900,000 in grants were awarded to 136 nonprofit organizations who are risk of, or who have, experienced hate crimes.

The funding, through our Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, will be used to pay for measures such as security personnel, security planning, training or exercise measures or new security cameras.

This is the second consecutive budget in which we have made security grant funding a priority, with $800,000 awarded in FY23 and a total of $1.2 million in the current fiscal year. In the budget package I introduced for FY25, I am recommending another $1.2 million for security grants.

In January, there were 29 incidents reported including six over the course of two days targeting the Black and Jewish communities. In February, police looked into 42 reported incidents.

We can also tell the need for this kind of help is rising by looking at requests for police support from our faith community. With the onset of the war between Israel and Hamas, concerns over vandalism and potential violence rose considerably both in Montgomery County and across the globe.

We are doing all we can to respond to hateful acts and vandalism We also need to work to make sure that regardless of what happens abroad, we do not let it divide us here at home.We cannot allow hate to poison the diverse home we all share. We all deserve a safe and inclusive community.

The County provides classes, assessments and training specifically designed for nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes. Our Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) regularly offers training for local religious facilities. The next Securing Houses of Worship training will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, in Bethesda. Registration is required and can be completed here. For more information on upcoming Securing Houses of Worship trainings, contact OEMHS via email.

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) also holds trainings for community groups available for “Civilian Response to Active Shooters (CRASE),” as well as assistance with security assessments and plans. For information on CRASE trainings or facility assessment assistance, contact the MCPD Community Engagement Division via email.

Governor Moore/Lt. Governor Miller Administration Visits County


I was proud to welcome Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and their cabinet to Montgomery County last week. They held their Cabinet meeting at our beautiful Strathmore facility. After that, we had four different bus tours for Cabinet members to show them various highlights around our County, discussing public safety, economic development, housing and the environment. Here is a link that will show you photos from that visit.

 

I accompanied the Governor on a tour of the police department’s new “Drone as First Responder” program. The pilot program started in Silver Spring and recently expended in Wheaton. Next, we will be expanding the program to Germantown/Gaithersburg and Bethesda.

 

We also visited with members of Urban Search and Rescue Maryland Task Force 1. This group is a highly specialized team sponsored by the County’s Fire and Rescue Service whose services are often needed across the nation in the most desperate situations. They are one of just 28 Federally-funded Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces in the continental U.S.

Another bus took Lt. Governor Miller and the secretaries of Commerce, Transportation and State to the newly opened University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (IHC) offices in North Bethesda that will help make Montgomery County the “Silicon Valley of health care computing.

The visitors were able to meet with University of Maryland leaders and learned about the IHC and how it will advance computing tools like artificial intelligence, machine learning and network medicine to improve the health and well-being of residents. The IHC has access to clinical trial data and de-identified electronic health records from 2 million patients in the University of Maryland Medical System.

It will be a place where innovation and business come together and will be an important part of our vibrant life sciences industry.

 

The Lt. Governor and cabinet secretaries also got to learn about our future Bus Rapid Transit plans on MD 355. They heard from the presidents of Montgomery College and the Universities of Shady Grove about their workforce development and training programs. They concluded their trip with a visit to GSK—one of the County’s largest life science employers.

This was a great opportunity to highlight to the Lt. Governor and cabinet members how Montgomery County is the epicenter of the third-largest life science cluster in the nation—and the potential for growth that this industry has for the State in terms of good paying jobs and incredible opportunities for business growth.

The environment and housing secretaries visited our innovative Brookville Bus Depot and Microgrid and stopped by the County’s largest affordable housing project under construction at Bushey Drive and Randolph Road. And the aging, juvenile services and social service secretaries visited our Mobile Crisis Team at the County’s Crisis Center with our HHS team.

Unfortunately, we did not have the time nor capacity to show the Governor’s cabinet more of what we are doing here in the County, but we look forward to them returning soon.

Honoring Outstanding Work by a Ride On Bus Operator

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore this week called Ride On bus operator Antonio Lucas to thank him for his heroic actions on March 1 in which he helped someone in need.

Mr. Lucas assisted a woman who had been reported missing. A call for help had been relayed through Montgomery County’s Ride On transit dispatch. From that description, Mr. Lucas identified the missing woman along his route.

The bus operator spotted the missing woman, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, walking into the street and knocking on car doors. Mr. Lucas stopped his bus and helped the woman get onboard. Because it was his lunch break, he took her to a nearby restaurant and contacted authorities.

He purchased a meal for her and waited with her until police arrived. His actions moved the woman out of the cold until she could be reunited with family.

I want to thank Mr. Lucas for the compassion he showed helping one of our neighbors and her family through a trying time. I also appreciate Gov. Moore’s recognition of Mr. Lucas’ actions. I hope this story spreads because good deeds and positive role models deserve this kind of attention.

University Bus Lanes Dedication


Dedicated bus lanes are now open and part of the commute along University Boulevard in Wheaton. The bus lane serves several Ride On and WMATA Metrobus lines. The plan is to monitor the lanes as a pilot program for 12 months while evaluating its effectiveness.

This project should help improve the daily commute for many of our regular bus riders, cutting down travel time significantly. That should help attract new riders to public transportation. 

Dedicated bus lanes are part of a larger MCDOT initiative the Bus Priority Project. This initiative aligns with the County's overall commitment to equitable, safe and eco-friendly transportation. The implementation of dedicated bus lanes is an effective strategy in reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicle trips and increasing public transit use—part of our County’s Climate Action Plan.

Enticing more people to use public transit can make a significant impact in lowering greenhouse gas emissions caused by transportation. The latest available data show that the transportation sector accounts for 42 percent of the County's greenhouse gas emissions.

The red bus lanes cover more than two miles of roadway in each direction, from Amherst Avenue to Dennis Avenue. They will help buses minimize traffic obstructions, providing faster and more reliable bus service along that congested corridor. 

The University bus lane corridor serves three Ride On and two Metrobus lines. The C2 and C4 Metrobus lines carry about 9,300 riders each weekday, the second-highest ridership route in the Washington, D.C., region. 

Apart from buses, these lanes will also allow for bikes and emergency vehicles. Additionally, the bus lanes will provide a buffer from high-speed traffic for people walking along the sidewalk on University Boulevard. Students from Northwood High School will benefit from the safer walking conditions.  

An efficient and reliable public transportation system is key to accommodating a growing population in an environmentally sustainable manner. We are dedicated to making climate conscious choices more attractive and, of course, efficient for our residents. Explore our transit service options here and read the County’s Climate Action Plan here.

If you would like to get a look at how dedicated bus lanes improve the bus ride or watch the full press event, you can find those videos on youtube.com/@MCDOTNow.

Fourth Anniversary Since First Case of COVID-19


This month marks four years since the first cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in Montgomery County—which were the first cases of the virus in Maryland. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Within a few days, schools and workplaces across the nation were closed. Our best defense from the virus at the time was social distancing.

It was the beginning of the worst pandemic in the last 100 years.

Two years later, in 2022, things looked much different. That year, we held a candlelight vigil at Marion Fryer Plaza in Wheaton to honor the nearly 2,000 Montgomery County residents who had been killed by COVID-19 to that point. You can watch that ceremony here. We had endured too much stress, worry and concern. The death of loved ones haunted us. So did the fact that we were not able to say goodbye the way we wanted too.

There had been too much isolation. Too much heartbreak. And yet, still there were reasons to avoid gathering indoors in large groups. Remaining safe, healthy and alive were top priorities.

We also took the opportunity that night to thank the first line of defense in the battle against COVID-19. I want to reiterate my appreciation for the nurses, doctors and medical community that worked countless hours and put their own safety at risk to save as many lives as possible.

We did better than most every other community in the nation. When a vaccine was developed, more than 90 percent of Montgomery County residents got one. And at one point, the death rate from COVID in the County was only one-third the national death rate from this virus.

 

We are in a very different place today. As we mentioned last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has consolidated guidance across COVID-19, flu, and RSV. You can see from the chart above that it has been more than a year since we have gone above 100 cases per 100,000 residents.

Although, we can now say we are clearly out of the woods, that does not mean COVID-19 is gone. We must still encourage vaccinations and boosters.

I have heard the term “vaccination fatigue” as an explanation for lagging vaccination rates. There’s no excuse for not staying up to date on the latest shots. The numbers show they are making an impact.

Since 2021, unvaccinated people account for almost all of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. A study published last year for the National Library of Medicine looked at preventable COVID-19-associated deaths due to non-vaccination in the United States. It estimated at least 232,000 deaths could have been prevented nationwide among unvaccinated adults during the previous 15 months had they received just the initial series of shots.

In Montgomery County, we came together in ways that many other Counties in the nation were not able to do. We listened to the science, and it helped us save lives. The improvements we have seen over the last few years were only made possible by staying vaccinated. I think that is a point that is often overlooked.

Let’s continue to honor the vow to keep people safe. The pandemic highlighted the need for help in our community. While the pandemic Federal assistance is going away, we understand that there is still great need for things like food assistance. The pandemic helped us better identify racial disparities in health care coverage and now we are putting our operating expenses into addressing these problems.

I encourage everyone to stay up to date on their vaccines, stay home when they are sick and remain as vigilant now as we were then. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 moving forward decreases the chances of future variants. That helps protect the most vulnerable people in our community.

Lives are still at stake.

St. Patrick’s Day Enforcement on the Roads


I want to encourage everyone to be safe this St. Patrick’s Day, which is Sunday, March 17.

The Montgomery County Police Department and the County’s Department of Transportation are encouraging those who drink and need transportation to use the SoberRide program to get up to $15 dollars off a Lyft ride home from noon Sunday through midnight Monday. The offer is only good for a ride home and not to be used to go from bar to bar.

There will be increased traffic enforcement over the weekend as well. Many police agencies in the County will participate in the initiative including MCPD, Maryland State Police, police of the Maryland Transportation Authority, the County’s Sheriff’s Department, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission police.

Making our roads safer is daily priority. That means many things from improving road designs, educating people on the dangers of drinking and driving and enforcing traffic laws. Our commitment to Vision Zero includes reducing traffic collisions that lead to serious injuries and deaths to zero by 2030.

Tragedies on our roads are preventable. The likelihood of a life-altering accident increases when someone gets behind the wheel or gets into a car with someone who has been drinking. Please share that message and encourage your audience to plan their weekend to ensure a safe ride home. Here is a link to the Vision Zero webpage detailing how to make it home safely after drinking.

Finally, this is a very important month for Muslims who call Montgomery home and many more all over the world. It is a time for deep reflection and self-sacrifice. I wish all those participating Ramadan Mubarak.

As always, my appreciation for all of you,







Marc Elrich
County Executive

March 13, 2024

rio to Host Its 22nd St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 16



The City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with The Peterson Companies and rio, will host its 22nd St. Patrick's Day Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 16. Dozens of units will march in the parade, including Celtic dancers and bagpipe bands.

The parade will meander down Grand Corner Avenue at rio, located near I-370 and Washingtonian Boulevard. Following the parade, there will be festive live music, specials and family fun throughout the rio lakefront. Free parking is available in three garages along Washingtonian Boulevard.

The parade will include Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, school groups, fire trucks, equestrian units, service organizations and characters of many types. John Bauer, chair of the Gaithersburg Planning Commission, will be this year’s grand marshal.

For more information about the parade, contact the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture at 301-258-6350.

Roads to Have Increased Enforcement to Prevent Problems Caused by Impaired Drivers Around St. Patrick’s Day Weekend March 15-17; Safe Ride Alternatives Available


Montgomery County roads will have increased traffic enforcement in a combined effort of numerous police agencies on Friday-Sunday, March 15-17, to prevent problems caused by impaired drivers around St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. In addition, the County Department of Transportation is recommending ride options for those who will be drinking to help keep the roads safer.

Many police agencies in the County will participate in the initiative including Montgomery County Police, Maryland State Police, police of the Maryland Transportation Authority, the County’s Sheriff’s Department, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission police.

St. Patrick’s Day, which is March 17, and the days leading up to it will see an enforcement program that supports the County’s year-round Vision Zero Initiative to reduce traffic collisions that lead to serious injuries and deaths. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that nearly half of all traffic deaths on St. Patrick’s Day involve drunk drivers.

“Making our roads safer is a priority of our County on a daily basis—whether that means better road designs, educating people on the dangers of drinking and driving or stricter traffic enforcement,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “History shows us that certain times—such as the period around St. Patrick’s Day—lead to more people driving impaired. I am hopeful that this initiative will help keep our roads safer for all drivers.”

The additional officers involved in the enforcement effort are partially funded by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

In addition to the full County Alcohol Initiatives Unit, the special funding will provide overtime that will lead to additional officers working during the extra enforcement period.

“If you plan to drink, do not drive,” said County Police Chief Marcus Jones. “Our officers will be conducting saturation patrols throughout the County and arresting intoxicated drivers. The tragedy that occurs when people get behind the wheel intoxicated is 100 percent preventable.”

During the initiative, officers will be patrolling and enforcing all traffic laws, with a focus on impaired drivers.

“The Vision Zero Initiative works across many departments throughout the year to identify ways we can make Montgomery County roads safer,” said Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland. “We know that more patrolling officers can make a great contribution to that. We appreciate the grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office that is supporting local programs like this one and the work Montgomery County Police do throughout the year to get impaired drivers off the road.”

A good plan for an evening out will help keep roads safer.

“There are ample ride services that will get you home safety,” said County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin. “If you are choosing to celebrate with alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day, plan out your ride home ahead of time to keep our shared roadways safe for everyone.”

Residents are encouraged to use of one the following transportation options:
  • SoberRide: The free ride home program is offered through the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) in partnership with Lyft. Promotional codes for Lyft will be posted online at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 17, on SoberRide.com. The codes are valid for up to $15 off one ride home taken in Lyft’s Washington, D.C., coverage area from noon on Sunday, March 17, until midnight on Monday, March 18. The number of codes is limited, and participants must be 21 or older.
  • Use MCDOT’s Ride On bus: With fare of $1 on all County buses, there are currently 80 routes throughout the County that operate daily. Download the free, regional public transit app, Ride On Trip Planner, to plan your next trip.

Seniors Can Get Answers on Many Topics at Commission on Aging Presentation on Tuesday, March 19, at White Oak Community Center

The Montgomery County Commission on Aging will host a presentation from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, at the White Oak Senior/Community Recreation Center that will have information on many questions important to seniors and to others who are concerned about seniors.

White Oak Senior/Community Recreation Center is located at 1700 April Lane in Silver Spring. Parking will be available. Advance registration is not required to attend.

Commission members will share insights on specific topics and will address concerns of residents. In addition to planned issues for discussion, questions on all types of subjects will be welcomed.

For more information about the event, contact Beverly Rollins via email at GraftonWV@yahoo.com or by calling 301-943-5387.

Murder at the Kentlands Mansion: Eat, Drink and Be Murdered on March 15-16


Only one person knows the secret ingredient to Wild Irish Rose Whiskey: Grandma Rose O'Riley McFadden. Her failing health brings together the two feuding sides of her family, the McFaddens and the O'Rileys, to celebrate her 80th birthday. The rest is for the audience to figure out in “Murder at the Kentlands Mansion,” which will be presented Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16.

The Kentlands Mansion is located at 320 Kent Square Rd. in Gaithersburg. Guests will enjoy an evening with a buffet of sweet treats. A cash bar will be available for those 21 and older. Photo ID will be required for alcohol sales. The show will be presented at 6 p.m. on March 15 and at 2 and 8 p.m. on March 16. Tickets are available at AudienceView Professional (ovationtix.com).

Murder at the Mansion: Eat, Drink and Be Murdered is recommended for ages 15 and up. Online ticket sales end one hour prior to performance. For more information, contact Kentlands Mansion.

In this show, each clan hopes Grandma Rose will pass on the secret to the "proper" branch of the family. The whiskey-rich McFaddens need the secret to keep the family distillery in business, while the dirt poor O'Rileys want it to restore what is rightfully theirs. Of course, if Rose passes over before she passes on the secret, both sides will pass out.

The show is presented in partnership with A Taste for Murder Productions.

Rockville Civic Ballet to Present ‘Giselle’ on Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17

The Rockville Civic Ballet will present three performances of the classic “Giselle,” a romantic tale of betrayal and forgiveness, over Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville.

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre is located at 603 Edmonston Dr. in Rockville. The performances will be at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on March 16 and at 2 p.m. on March 17.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors (60 and older) and children (12 and under). Tickets can be purchased by contacting the theatre box office at boxoffice@rockvillemd.gov or by calling 240-314-8690. Tickets also can be purchased online at https://fscottfitzgerald.showare.com/.

In the ballet’s story, Giselle has fallen in love with Albrecht, Duke of Silesia, who, disguised as a peasant, courts her. Hilarion, a gamekeeper who is in love with Giselle, suspects the true identity of his rival and soon finds out that Albrecht is not the peasant he claims to be.

Giselle reflects thematic concerns of 19th Century Romanticism, specifically the idealization of peasant life and the intersection of reality and the supernatural. The two themes give the ballet shape.

Seventh Annual ‘Women in the Arts Panel: Local Women Explore Creativity, Identity and Resilience’ Will Feature Many Talents on Friday, March 22, in Silver Spring


The Seventh Annual “Women in the Arts Panel: Local Women Explore Creativity, Identity and Resilience” will feature women of many talents during an evening at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The event, which will hosted by author and filmmaker Erica Greenberg, will be from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, March 22, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring, close to the Silver Spring Metro Station. The event will be presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.

This year's panel will feature photographer and paper artist Nathalie Borozny, artist Kara Holman Kozimor, comic and artist, Davine Ker, artist Syahidah Osman, artist and printmaker Debbie Schindler, author Lorna Virgili and chef Beth Yohannes.

The diverse array of women from the creative spectrum represent five countries.

To reserve a spot at the event, contact Lisa Martin at lisa@silverspringtowncenter.com.

The featured women for the evening will include:

  • Artist Kara Kozimor Holman lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and son. Originally from Ohio, Kara studied art studio with a focus on graphic design along with a minor in art history at The University of Akron. She has spent the last several years taking life drawing/painting classes at Glen Echo’s Yellow Barn Studio. Her work has been juried into multiple exhibitions at Girls Who Paint, Windridge Winery, the Hill Center Galleries 2023 and 2024 Regional Juried Exhibition and the 2023 Martha Spak Gallery Art in Bloom Exhibition.

  • Nathalie Borozny grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont where she was allowed to roam freely and amassed an amazing collection of twigs, stones and birch bark. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design and the School of Design Architecture and Art at the University of Cincinnati. A few years ago, she found the paper and handmade books of artist Dandy Bernsteins at the West Tisbury Farmer's Market on Martha's Vineyard and started taking paper-making lessons in her studio every fall. In Philadelphia, she was a student and admirer of Winnie Radalon and continues to learn to make paper at Pyramid Atlantic in Hyattsville. She prints her own photographs on paper she makes.

  • Davine Ker is a trilingual stand-up comedian and multidisciplinary artist. Her art emerges from thought-provoking jokes, left-field concepts and unique storytelling that bridges culture, comedy and music. She headlines throughout the Washington area and also performs as a featured comedian in clubs and festivals nationwide.

  • Syahidah Osman is a self-taught, Southeast Asian artist who uses different mediums to capture the tragically beautiful and profoundly hidden aspects of the human condition. She aims to widen perceptions and embed a sense of wonder through art. She plans to instigate empathy, instill curiosity and use her artworks as a catalyst for community engagement.

  • Deborah Schindler grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA with a major in pictorial art and a minor in Latin American studies, where she was fortunate to work with artist Richard Diebenkorn. In the Washington area, Ms. Schindler quickly integrated into the art scene, joining the Printmakers Group of the Washington Women’s Art Center. That core group later founded the Washington Printmakers Gallery. Ms. Schindler has exhibited in numerous juried exhibitions, locally, nationally and internationally.

  • Lorna Virgilí was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, during the height of the cold war. In 1979, she emigrated to the United States. She attended high school and college in Miami. She began her communications career as a television news reporter and worked for Telemundo and Univision. In 1999, she became a national correspondent reporting from the United States Capitol and the White House. She works in public relations and published her first book, Sinfonía Blanca/White Symphony, in 2021. She is a highly regarded community leader with consistent radio and television appearances in the Washington, D.C. region.

  • Chef Beth Yohannes is an Ethiopian-born chef with a deep-rooted passion for cooking, influenced by her grandmother's culinary skills. Beth's journey took her from Ethiopia to the United Kingdom and eventually to the U.S. She has lived in New York City, Texas and Maryland. She co-owned an Ethiopian restaurant in London, appeared on a TV program and later owned a deli in Texas. In Maryland, Beth runs the Lemon Slice Cafe in Downtown Silver Spring, gaining local acclaim. Committed to her community, she sources locally, supports education through internships, and promotes healthy eating initiatives.

  • Host Erica Ginsberg has drawn on creativity in a variety of different roles: writer, documentary filmmaker, arts administrator and international exchanges program officer. After growing up in Silver Spring, she came back to her hometown to co-found the documentary film organization Docs In Progress and served as its founding executive director until 2019. She co-hosts "The D-Word," a peer-to-peer global community for documentary professionals. In addition to working in the arts, Erica has organized professional development study tours to the United States for mid-career professionals from around the world. She has a BA in international affairs and an MA in film and video.

‘A Woman's War: Ladies' Aid in the Mid-Atlantic Region During the Civil War’ to be Explored by Peerless Rockville on Saturday, March 16

During the Civil War, women were not allowed to enlist in the army or the navy (though some did serve by hiding their identities). Yet millions of women provided various support services to the military in various ways. The story of these women will be explored in a presentation by Peerless Rockville, the City’s historic preservation organization, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Red Brick Courthouse in Rockville.

The Red Brick Courthouse is located in Downtown Rockville at 29 Courthouse Square.

“A Woman's War: Ladies' Aid in the Mid-Atlantic Region During the Civil War” is free, but space is limited. More information is available at Peerless event.

For the event, Peerless Rockville will welcome U. S. Park Ranger Bryan A. Cheeseboro of the National Park Service's Civil War Defenses of Washington, D.C. Ranger Cheeseboro will have an illustrated presentation about several of these women and their stories.

More information about Peerless Rockville is available at https://peerlessrockville.org/.

Spring Break Programming of Montgomery Recreation Will Include Sports, Games, Arts, Magic and Skateboarding

Games, arts and crafts, sports, basketball, skateboarding and performing magic will be among the many programs that Montgomery County Recreation will be offering for spring break during the week of March 25-29. Enjoy a variety of fun activities, sports and games for youth and teens at various recreation centers across the County.

Those interested in the available camps can learn more and sign up here.

“There is a variety of fun spring break programming offered by Montgomery County Recreation that provides a safe, out of school opportunity for our youth,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “I encourage families to sign their children up, and to get a sneak preview of all the great offerings that are coming with camps this summer.”

The spring break programs will include the following:
Montgomery Recreation also will launch its first Goats on Wheels Skateboarding Spring Break Camp. Participants will learn how to push, ride and maneuver for just $25. Montgomery Recreation will provide a limited quantity of equipment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own.

Another option for boys and girls ages 11-18 will be the Spring Break Basketball program at White Oak Community Recreation Center Tuesday, March 26, and Wednesday, March 27. To learn more and register for the free program contact your local community recreation center.

Montgomery County Recreation is accepting applications for Rec Assist, the department’s financial aid program. Rec Assist is available to residents who meet program requirements and can be used to supplement program costs. For 2024, the funding for Rec Assist increased to $400 per eligible applicant.

For more information regarding spring break camps, visit the website or call the customer service team at 240-777-6840.

Spring Break Special Programs March 25-31 Will Include Eye Spy Trains, Eco Board Games, History, Skating and Tennis


Spring break is around the corner, and Montgomery Parks has a variety of activities to keep kids active and learning during the week of spring break March 25-31. The special events will include Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John and Wheaton regional parks, skating, tennis, eco board games (teen edition) and history tours.

The spring break schedule of special programs will include:
  • Spring Eye Spy Train tickets on sale now: Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park will be open daily from March 23–31, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Each rider is given a card with fun seasonal characters and items to look for hidden along the tracks during the ride. $5 per person. Children under 2 years of age ride for free accompanied by a paying adult.
  • Grossology: Nature is Downright Disgusting. March 25–29. 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Educational but very gross camp chock full of experiments and facts to help campers get on nature’s nasty side. Campers will use their hands to explore bird barf, slip through the digestive system and eat bird-poop shaped snacks and much yuckiness more. Disclaimer: Camp not responsible for gross language or facts used at home. Ages 6–10. Registration required. $325 per person.
  • Spring Break Skate and STEAM Day. March 25, 26, 27. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton. The day starts with an off ice warm up, followed by two hours of skating instruction and fun. After lunch, skaters will join the public skating session until 2 p.m. and then end the day with a STEAM learning activity incorporating the ice rink, skating and science. Skaters will be ability grouped for the daily skating lessons. Ages 6-12. Registration required. $65 per person, per day.
  • Eco Board Games Club: Teen Edition. March 26. 9:30 a.m.–noon. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Play popular nature-based board games that have taken the hobby world by storm and are a great way to explore science topics. Practice cooperation, strategy and critical thinking skills and learn about the real-world inspirations for these games. Registration required. Ages 11–16. $20 per person.
  • Spring Break for History. March 27–28. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. The museum will be open special hours for self-guided tours and special hands-on activities available for families. Ages 4 and older. Admission: $5, adults; $4, children and seniors.
  • Spring Break for History. March 28–30. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Woodlawn Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring. Visit Woodlawn Museum and engage with interactive history lessons. Take the Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hike, available March 29–30, 10–11:30 a.m., and discover the techniques used by 19th-century freedom seekers for navigation, escaping detection and finding food and shelter on the dangerous journey. All ages. Advance registration recommended for Underground Railroad Experience Trail, $8 per person. Woodlawn Museum admission: $5, adults; $4, children ages 6-12 and seniors; Ages 5 and under, free.
  • Spring Break Tennis Days. March 25–29. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Wheaton Indoor Tennis, 11715 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton. Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center, 7801 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda. Take time over Spring Break to develop or improve your child’s tennis game. Register for one day or all five days for a memorable and productive week. Children will be grouped by age and experience. Ages 8-15. Registration required. $59 per person per day (Wheaton); $63 per person per day (Addie).
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Spring 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.