No stranger to leading the way in governing the County, County Executive Ike Leggett recently led a group of youngsters and seniors in the Harlem Shake at the intergenerational Seniors Prom held at the Jewish Council for the Aging’s (JCA) Misler Adult Day Center in Rockville. The prom featured volunteers and dancers from the JCA, BBYO (Jewish Teens) and Charles E. Smith Life Communities.
Free Income Tax Assistance for Eligible Residents
Montgomery County taxpayers with incomes under $51,000 per year may be eligible for free income tax preparation assistance through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, sponsored by the County’s Community Action Agency, part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Free tax services are also available through the RSVP/AARP Tax Aide Program, Community Tax Aid, and at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
To learn more about the County’s free tax services, and where to apply, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 301-251-4850 / MD Relay- 711) or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/freetaxhelp.
Recreation to Host Japan Fair at Bauer Drive Community Center
Montgomery County Recreation and Sakura Educational Exchange USA will co-host a student-presented “Japan Fair” on Saturday, March 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Bauer Drive Community Center, 14625 Bauer Dr., Rockville.
The free annual event is presented by students from Yokohama Hayato High School in Yokohama, Japan who will demonstrate and teach various Japanese arts, games and customs.
Adults and children will observe an informal Japanese Tea Ceremony and listen to Japanese songs. There will be a martial arts demonstration, dancing and a performance of a Japanese play. Visitors will also learn how to create origami and calligraphy, play Japanese games and see Anime/Manga (Japanese cartoons).
For more information, call Alex Taylor at 240-777-6922.
Nominations Sought for Awards to Those who Advocate on Behalf of Low-Income Residents
The County’s Community Action Board is seeking nominations for several awards which recognize individuals and organizations that have made a difference in reducing poverty, or for advocating on behalf of Montgomery County’s low-income residents.
Nominations must be received by Friday, March 22.
Awards will be presented at the Board’s annual Community Action Month Celebration and Volunteer Event on Tuesday, May 28.
See more information.
See The Unseen Montgomery On County Cable – Another Side of Life in the County
A new “special” that focuses on the pockets of poverty found in upscale Montgomery County can now be seen on County Cable Montgomery (CCM -- Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN and Channel 30 on Verizon).
Entitled The Unseen Montgomery, the half-hour show looks at families of working poor and people whose circumstances have taken dramatic turns for the worse due to the economic conditions of the past few years. Among those interviewed was a mother of three who said she works fulltime, but her net income is only $32,000 -- leaving not enough to fully pay her bills.
The show will be rebroadcast at various future times that have yet to be determined. It can be viewed online on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xsFpQSPOg
The show, produced and hosted by CCM’s Susan Kenedy, is a special edition of the The Bottom Line that airs on the local channel.
Program on Nursing Home Medicaid Coming to Public Libraries in March, April
Information on Nursing Home Medicaid will be presented in programs to be held in March and April at several branches of Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL).
Conducted by staff from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the programs are the result of a partnership between HHS and MCPL.
Information presented will feature an overview of what Nursing Home Medicaid is, how it differs from Medicare, general asset and income regulations, and what to expect during the application process. A question and answer session will follow the program.
Check out the schedule and get more information for the programs that will be held during afternoon hours at various branches, beginning March 14.
Council Approves Bill Impacting Inclusion of Child Care Facilities in New County Projects
The County Council has unanimously approved a bill that could lead to the inclusion of child care facilities in new County projects. Bill 38-12 requires the County’s Office of Management and Budget to submit child care facilities impact statements with certain capital projects in the Capital Improvements Program.
The demand for good child care facilities exceeds supply in the County. The purpose of the bill is to assure that the County takes advantage of all opportunities to include child care facilities in County capital projects.
The bill will require County departments and agencies to supplement impact statements on future construction projects that would analyze the feasibility of including a child care facility as part of the project.
Read more.
Food Inspection Data Added to New dataMontgomery Website
Residents can now check inspection results for their favorite restaurant, carry-out, market or other kind of food service establishment on Montgomery County's new dataMontgomery website -- https://data.montgomerycountymd.gov.
The inspection data can be sorted in various ways -- by name of the establishment, location, and whether the business is in compliance with food safety requirements, nutritional labeling, the trans fat ban, and the posting of non-smoking signs. Violations are included, along with corrections.
The data include the results of inspections conducted by the County's Licensure & Regulatory Services Program, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, which inspects all licensed retail food establishments in Montgomery County for a variety of reasons (e.g. obtaining an operating license, regular check-ups or in response to complaints).
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Fire Rescue Significant Incident Map Enhanced with Photo Icon
Residents can locate Fire Rescue calls within the County online via the Significant Incident Map and receive basic details about the incident.
Now, MCFRS has added a new feature that will either show you a photo or a photo and a link to more pictures of the incident. Just look for the camera icon next to some of the incidents.
Those who view the map are reminded that only incidents of some significance are shown. The map will not include, for instance, response to false or well intentioned fire alarms. Likewise, not every medical call is shown.
MCFRS welcomes feedback. Just send an email.
Free Water Summit to Offer Lessons for All Ages
Residents can learn about how their actions affect local streams and rivers and how they can get involved in protecting drinking water at a free H2O Summit on Saturday, March 16. The event will be held at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg.
The early session, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is for adults who will learn how they can help protect and improve water quality. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can test a water tank, create a masterpiece with recycled material, play stream games, etc.
The summit is sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Helping to plan the summit are the City of Gaithersburg, City of Rockville, Montgomery County Parks and the University of Maryland Extension.
To register, visit http://www.h2osummit.eventbrite.com.
For more information, contact Ryan Zerbe at Ryan.Zerbe@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-7744.
Guinea Pig Adoption Month at the Humane Society
In recognition of Guinea Pig Adoption Month, here are some interesting facts about guinea pigs (or cavvies) from our friends at the Montgomery County Humane Society:
- Guinea pigs have an average life span of 5 to 8 years. An adult male normally weighs about 2 to 3.5 lbs.; an adult female weighs a bit less, on average.
- They are sociable creatures, usually happiest in pairs or where they can see and talk to other pigs, but they can also live happily by themselves if you show them lots of affection. While intact males should not be housed together, (they may fight), they certainly can enjoy supervised play dates
Nominations Invited for Outstanding Service to Youth Awards
The County Commission on Children and Youth is seeking nominations for the 27th Annual Nancy Dworkin Awards for Outstanding Service to Youth.
Awards will be presented in early May to individuals in the following categories who perform or provide services for youth:
- Youth -- a child or young person, up to 21 years old;
- Service Provider – an individual (e.g. teacher, counselor, police officer, fire fighter);
- Volunteer – an individual who provides volunteer services;
- Organization – an organization that is in the business of serving children and youth; and
- Business – a for- profit business in the County that provides an outstanding volunteer service for children and youth.
The Montgomery County Commission on Children and Youth advises the County Executive, County Council, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Board of Education on the develodevance.walker@montgomerycountymd.govpment of coordinated community and government policies, programs and services that support children, youth and families.
The award is named in memory of Nancy Dworkin, past chairperson of the Commission.
For details on how to submit a nomination, contact: Mary Gies at 240-777-4659 or email Mary.Gies@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Mentors Sought for New Local Small Businesses
As part of the Montgomery County Business Mentorship Program, the Department of Economic Development (DED) is looking for business owners and leaders to counsel new local small businesses.
DED has approximately 20 businesses that can use expert advice on best practices to grow their businesses. Mentoring companies are asked to commit to working with new businesses through December 31, 2013 at their convenience.
To learn more about how you can become a business mentor, contact Dr. DeVance Walker, Jr. via email or call 240-777-2032.
