February 21, 2013

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

From Ho Hum to Hip: Montgomery Seeks to Change for “Generation Y” Population

Officials don’t dispute that Montgomery County is not exactly the most “happenin’” place for the younger “Generation Y” set.  That’s why plans are in the works to do something about the County’s less-than-hip image.  See what’s in the works.

Read Post article on Montgomery getting hip.

All Council Meetings Available for Viewing on County Cable Montgomery

As part of the County’s Open Government Initiative to make more aspects of government operations accessible to the public, all committee meetings of the County Council are now being either broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM) or recorded for later broadcast on the County’s cable station. 
CCM is Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN and Channel 30 on Verizon.

When two committees are meeting simultaneously, viewers have the option of seeing one meeting live on television and the other on the Internet via streaming. All meetings are presented with the closed captioning option.

Meetings -- whether broadcast live or recorded -- are available On Demand within 24 hours of the conclusion of the meeting. Broadcast times of meetings that are recorded (because they were held simultaneously with a meeting that was broadcast live) are on the schedule listed on the CCM web site at http://montgomerycountymd.gov/ccm/

See all meetings, whether live or recorded for viewing On Demand.

Recreation Department Hosts Public Meeting on Improving Programs for Older Adults

To help Montgomery County Recreation develop a three-year plan to enhance and improve recreational programs for older adults that promote their overall health and wellness, the public is invited to attend a community meeting on Wednesday, March 6, to share their suggestions, thoughts and ideas about the types of recreational and wellness programs they would like to see offered.

The meeting will be held at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center, 5900 Executive Blvd., North Bethesda, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, call 240-777-6870 or TTY 240-777-6974 or email a request to rec.mainstream@montgomerycountymd.gov.

For more information call 240-777-6875.

Ripley Street Portion of Metropolitan Branch Trail Opened in Silver Spring

The extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail at the Silver Spring Metro Station to Ripley Street is now open.  Last month, a portion of the trail opened to enhance accessibility around the Transit Center.

The trail now extends from Ripley Street to the south end of the MARC train platform.

Senior Leadership Montgomery Project Produces Videos to Assist Residents Pulling Themselves Up from Hard Times

A recent project by the Senior Leadership Montgomery Class of 2012 has produced two videos of interest to residents who are trying to get back on their feet and create meaningful lives for themselves and their families.

“A Working Wardrobe” offers tips on how persons interviewing for jobs and/or starting new jobs can build a functional wardrobe on a budget. The three-minute presentation shows how to put together a working wardrobe from a thrift shop that will “last a lifetime.”

 “Financial Makeover – From Shelter to Home” offers financial tips about moving forward toward a more independent future.

The videos were produced with the support of Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Pepco and Gail Crowder of Gail Crowder, Inc.

Organizations interested in acquiring copies of the videos should contact the County’s Public Information Office 240-777-6507; email publicinformation@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Senior Leadership Montgomery (SLM) brings together adult residents of the County, 55 or over, from diverse backgrounds and with varied leadership experience from businesses and the nonprofit or government sectors to learn about the workings of Montgomery County.

Participants learn through opportunities such as observing operations at the County’s Emergency Communications Center; learning about our community’s changing demographics and the cultural richness that our diversity brings; meeting County Council members; and experiencing, first-hand, the training police and firefighters undergo at the Public Safety Training Academy.