Holiday Schedule for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29

Montgomery County government will observe the following holiday schedule for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.

• County Offices – closed 
• Libraries - closed
• County Liquor stores – all stores will be open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Recreation –all indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities will close at 6 p.m.; administrative offices, senior centers and community recreation centers will be closed
• Montgomery Parks - Information available at website.
• Ride On – will operate on a Sunday schedule. Check ride on holiday schedule.
• Metrorail & Metrobus.
• TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) – closed
• Refuse/recycling pickup – no collection, collections scheduled on or after the holiday will be made one day later in the week
• The Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station - closed Memorial Day; will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30. The Public Unloading Facility at the Route 355 (Frederick Road) entrance will operate with normal hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free
• MCPS and Administrative Offices – closed
• State offices and courts – closed

Check montgomerycountymd.gov/holidays for upcoming holidays.

Montgomery County Council Reaches Unanimous Agreement on Fiscal Year 2018 Operating Budget

The Montgomery County Council reached unanimous preliminary agreement on a $5.4 billion County operating budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) on May 18. The budget included a 2.7 percent increase over on the approved budget for FY 2017. The budget strongly supported Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, the County’s public safety programs and the safety net services provided by the County and non-profit organizations.

The County Council is scheduled to formally adopt the FY18 operating budget on Thursday, May 25. The budget will go into effect on July 1. Updated information about the budget is available at http://tinyurl.com/mp2o2gj.

County Executive Ike Leggett on County Council Announcement of Operating Budget for FY18

County Executive Ike Leggett released this statement following the announcement of  tentative  County Council agreement on the Fiscal Year 2018 Operating Budget. The Council finally approves the budget on May 25.

Leggett stated, "I want to congratulate Council President Roger Berliner, the entire County Council, and Council staff on their constructive work on the County's Operating Budget for the fiscal year that begins this July 1.”

"This approved budget reflects our common priorities and values for the County for the upcoming years. It is prudent and provides a blueprint that should help us to weather some of the potential challenges posed by possible federal budget cutbacks as well as by slower revenue growth and needed ongoing expenditures. Together, we have balanced our County’s needs and top priorities with the resources available."

County Executive Ike Leggett Celebrates the Completion of Another Smart Growth Initiative Project

County Executive Ike Leggett celebrated the ribbon cutting for another of his Smart Growth Initiative projects, the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Central Maintenance Depot and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Green Farm Maintenance Facility.

On May 17 County Executive Ike Leggett celebrated the completion of another of his Smart Growth Initiative projects, the Montgomery County Public Schools Central Maintenance Depot and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Green Farm Maintenance Facility. This new campus of buildings will serve 204 schools and the vast Montgomery Parks system of parkland and facilities. More information is available from press release.

The Smart Growth Initiative is an award-winning comprehensive program initiated by Leggett to provide substantial economic opportunities for future growth in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County’s Department of General Services Continues to Build a Greener Montgomery County

As part of Montgomery County's commitment to achieving energy efficiency, the County purchased 16 new Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles (EV) that will be used by the Montgomery County Department of General Services and other agencies for miscellaneous purposes.

The Chevrolet Bolt is a 100%, electric-powered vehicle that utilizes energy stored in a lithium-ion battery pack produced by LG Chem. These 16 new Bolts are replacing 15 Chevrolet Cavaliers and Cobalts, and a Toyota Prius that will retire from service to the County.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy EVs, which run on electricity only, have several advantages over conventional vehicles. EVs convert 59 to 62 percent of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. Conventional gasoline vehicles only convert 17 to 21 percent of the energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels. They are more environmentally friendly than fossil-fuel vehicles as they emit no tailpipe pollutants; and EVs provide quiet, smooth operation and stronger acceleration and require less maintenance than internal combustion engines.

Registration for Department of Recreation Summer Classes and Programs is Open

Registration for the Department of Recreation summer classes and programs is now open.
Among the many offerings are aquatics, art classes, sports, therapeutic recreation services, active adult senior programming and much more.

To view the guide and register online, go to ActiveMONTGOMERY.org. Print copies are available at community recreation centers, park facilities, aquatic centers, senior centers and public libraries.

County Executive Ike Leggett Announces New Homeownership Program

County Executive Ike Leggett announced a new program to help qualified applicants purchase a home with the support of the Montgomery Homeownership Program. The down payment assistance program is available for buyers with qualified incomes to purchase a Montgomery County home as their primary residence, up to a $429,000 sale price (up to $525,000, in certain neighborhoods.)

Applicants who qualify and are approved may access Down Payment Assistance loans in amounts up to $40,000 – or up to 40 percent of the household income of the prospective homeowner – whichever is less. Approved buyers also will receive a below-market rate Maryland Mortgage Program Loan.

Montgomery County has committed $1 million to this program; applications will be accepted while funds remain available.

For more information to apply, visit Montgomery Homeownership Program or press release.

Water Safety Day Offers Tips to Keep You Safe During the Summer Swim Season

The Montgomery County Department of Recreation and the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville will host a free Water Safety Day event on Friday, June 2 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Water Park at Bohrer Park located at 512 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.

The event will include information booths, lifeguard demonstrations, the proper use of personal flotation devices, how to safely assist someone struggling in the water, the importance of sunscreen to prevent skin damage and free swim lesson screenings.

Anyone attending Water Safety Day who visits the various information booths can stay for a free swim. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

City of Rockville Presents Hometown Holidays Over the Memorial Day Weekend

The City of Rockville will host the Hometown Holidays Music Festival, Taste of Rockville and the annual Memorial Day parade over the Memorial Day weekend. The Hometown Holidays activities will include live entertainment on the Town Square Stage, the “the beach”, children’s activities include inflatables and amusements (for a fee). The event also features community groups located along East Montgomery Avenue. Learn more about all festival Happenings here.

County Cable Montgomery’s Bottom Line features story on Sean Pang, The Washington Post’s Montgomery Teacher of the Year

Sean Pang came to the United States from Hong Kong at age 6, knowing little English. While a student in Montgomery County Public Schools he learned English and went on to earn a teaching degree at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

Recently, his enthusiasm for teaching at Rockville High School earned him the distinction of being named the Montgomery County Teacher of the Year by The Washington Post. His remarkable story is one of three featured segments on the current edition of Bottom Line on County Cable Montgomery (CCM).

Bottom Line is viewable on Cable Channels 996 (high definition) and 6 (standard definition) on Comcast; Channels 1056 (HD) and 6 (SD) on RCN; and Channel 30 on Verizon. Bottom Line airs on Wednesdays on CCM on Monday at 12 noon, on Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. and on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Susan Kenedy hosted and produced Bottom Line and Mike Springirth served as chief videographer and editor.

The 15-minute show is available on demand: https://youtu.be/O_rG3RJwfsM .The segment on Sean Pang can viewed at http://tinyurl.com/kv5n754 .

The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs Expands Tenant Rights Tools

The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) continues to expand its information and outreach by making new tenant rights tools available in six languages. The languages are English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean and Vietnamese.

DHCA translated the Landlord Tenant Handbook, Code Enforcement Handbook, Standard Multifamily Lease, and Lease Summary and will work to translate the Summary Code Enforcement and Landlord Tenant pamphlets.

To access these resources, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/tenantrights

Montgomery County Delegation Announces 2017 Session Accomplishments for the County

The 32-member Montgomery County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly has announced its 2017 legislative accomplishments for the County. Read more.

GlaxoSmithKline Announces $139 Million Expansion for Rockville Site

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) a science-led global healthcare company, will invest $139 million to expand its Rockville manufacturing site. This expansion will provide extra capacity to meet the anticipated demand for a lupus drug GlaxoSmithKline is working on.

According to a Washington Business Journal article the manufacturing site has more than 400 employees. A GSK spokeswoman said the company doesn't anticipate making any new full-time hires but may award contracts to local construction companies. GSK's investment will go toward retrofitting an existing facility at the Rockville manufacturing site. It will also cover demolition of existing suites, engineering, installation and validation of equipment.

Read more at Washington Business Journal article.

Montgomery County Government Toastmaster Club Helps You Develop Confidence When Speaking in Front of an Audience

Pictured (center right) Montgomery County Government Toastmaster Dana Burke instructs a class of eager children from the Kids Public Speaking Workshop. The class’s participants were made up of students from Wheaton Woods Elementary School and hosted at the Rock Creek Terrace Community Center on Veirs Mill Rd. Burke developed the curriculum and served as the primary instructor.

The idea of public speaking causes agony for many of us. While a little nervousness may be okay, if the thought of speaking publicly brings on paralyzing terror, you may want to look for support. Montgomery County Government Toastmasters Club 1510, a branch of Toastmasters International, provides a supportive safe environment to help polish skills, develop confidence and learn techniques to manage anxiety when speaking in public. The club is filled with warm, caring professionals who work to better themselves and assist other members.

The meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month from 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. in Room 225 of the Council Office Building located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. The meetings are open to the public. To learn more go to mcgtoastmasters.com.

The Taste of Wheaton is set for June 4

The Taste of Wheaton is the area's signature event highlighting some of Wheaton's most popular and award-winning restaurants. In addition to food offerings, the free festival features cooking demonstrations, beer and wine garden, live music and kids' rides & activities. The event will take place on June 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Wheaton Triangle at the corner of Grandview Avenue and Reedie Drive in downtown Wheaton (one block from the Wheaton Metro Station.)

Gaithersburg Book Festival Returns on Saturday May 20

The annual Gaithersburg Book Festival is scheduled for May 20 at the City of Gaithersburg City Hall located at 21 S. Summit Avenue. The festival will include more than 100 featured best-selling and award-winning authors—including Laura Lippman, David Swinson, J. Courtney Sullivan, Jami Attenberg, Dominic Smith, Sidney Blumenthal, Kay Redfield Jamison, Doreen Cronin, Tom Lichtenheld, Dave Roman, Sheila Turnage, Meg Medina, Michelle Knudsen, Carol Weston

Other activities will include free, interactive writing workshops for all ages, a Children’s Village, literary exhibitors, food and drink, the Brew and Vine Cafe featuring live entertainment, and on-site book sales by Politics & Prose. Admission, parking and accessible shuttle buses from Shady Grove Metro and Lakeforest Mall are FREE. For information, visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org.

Montgomery Parks Announces Public Hearing for the 2017 Park Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan

The public is invited to testify on the 2017 Park Recreation Open Space draft plan. Testimony will be heard on Thursday, May 25 scheduled for the 1 p.m. session. The hearing will be held at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Regional Office located at 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.

Montgomery Parks staff will attend to listen and answer questions about the draft plan. Copies of the draft document, additional information about the project, schedule and public input is available online. An Executive Summary of the plan will be available on May 19. *Please visit the Montgomery Planning Board Agenda web page closer to the meeting as dates and times are subject to change.

The 2017 PROS Plan is prepared by Montgomery Parks, in coordination with the Montgomery County Department of Recreation. The PROS Plan will substitute for the state-mandated Land, Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan which is required every five to six years to maintain Program Open Space grant funding eligibility.

For more information or to sign up, visit website.

Taste the World in Fenton Village Scheduled for May 21

Whether you are a food enthusiast or someone looking for an enjoyable afternoon, the Taste the World in Fenton Village is the place for you. Located throughout Fenton Village, the Taste the World will showcase the diversity of restaurants just south of downtown Silver Spring and the hard-working entrepreneurs who operate these small businesses. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. 

More information is available at tastetheworld.fentonvillage.org.

Capital Improvements Program Public Forum

Montgomery Parks will hold the bi-annual Capital Improvements Program (CIP) public forum on Thursday, May 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Regional Office located at 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.

The forum will provide an opportunity for the public to share their ideas and suggestions on how to improve parks. For more information or to sign up to speak at the forum, call (301) 495-2534 or email Katelyn.Bentley@MontgomeryParks.org.

Additional information about the program, schedules and how to contribute is available at MontgomeryParks.org.

$100 Million in I-270 Congestion Relief Announced

Commuters will soon see a break in the I 270 congestion. County Executive Ike Leggett joined Governor Larry Hogan, State Highway Administrator Gregory Slater, and representatives from the winning firms to announce the advancement of the state’s $100 million I-270 Innovative Congestion Management Project. This program is expected to save drivers up to 30 minutes on their morning commute southbound from Frederick to I-495.

The plan will use innovative traffic management solutions to allow vehicles to move more efficiently along I-270 between I-70 and I-495. Final design is underway this spring with construction to begin this fall. The entire project will be completed in 2019.

Read more from press release.

Montgomery County Recreation Department Extend Summer Programs Due to Later Start Date of the School Year

The Montgomery County Recreation Department has extended summer programs to help families who may not have the option to take off additional weeks from work to care for their children. This follows the executive order that Gov. Larry Hogan signed last fall, which required Maryland’s public schools to start classes after Labor Day, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. Montgomery County Public Schools traditionally started the school year on the first Monday of the last full week in August.

County Executive Ike Leggett announced that the Recreation Department’s summer camp programs will be extended this summer at a press event on April 6. Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith, Board of Education Vice President Dr. Judith Docca and Department of Recreation Director Gabe Albornoz joined Leggett for the announcement.

Montgomery County Recreation added more than 40 additional full or half-day programs. This included six Summer Fun Centers (SFC), which are the Department of Recreation’s most affordable summer day programs. These SFC were positioned to serve communities with the greatest number of families eligible for the RecAssist, which is the Department of Recreation’s financial assistance program. Find information about summer programs.

Author Charles Lane Speaks on Civil War Reconstruction in Louisiana at Libraries Conversation Hosted by County Executive Ike Leggett this Sunday Evening

County Executive Ike Leggett will host the third Contemporary Conversations which will feature author Charles Lane who will discuss his book The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of Reconstruction. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 7 at 6 p.m. at the Silver Spring Library located at 900 Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring.

The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of Reconstruction tells story of the Post-Civil War event in Colfax, Louisiana, where African Americans and whites mingled uneasily. On April 13, 1873, a small army of white ex–Confederate soldiers, enraged after attempts by freedmen to assert their new rights, killed more than sixty African Americans who had occupied a courthouse.

Registration is required for this free event. Visit website to sign up.

This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Silver Spring Chapter. This Contemporary Conversations is hosted by the County Executive Ike Leggett.

Montgomery County Participates in Regional “Be Street Smart” Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Education and Enforcement Campaign

Pictured L to R: MDOT Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Erich Kolig, Director DMV's VA Highway Safety Office John Saunders, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker, Leggett, MDOT Chief MD Highway Safety Office Tom Gianni, Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski, friend of D.C. pedestrian crash victim David Narvaez, DDOT Deputy Director Jeff Marootian and Advocate and friend of Narvaez, Michelle Adams.

County Executive Ike Leggett joined other regional leaders and members of law enforcement to kick off the Council of Government's regional “Be Street Smart” pedestrian and bicyclist safety education and enforcement campaign. Due to strong Montgomery County commitment to improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety, fatalities and serious collisions have dropped significantly in the County over the past several years.

This campaign will target areas with high crash rates to focus the attention of travelers in especially dangerous locations. In addition, police departments throughout the region will support the campaign with increased enforcement of traffic safety laws in these “pedestrian alert zones.”

For more information go to Press Release.

Montgomery County Public Safety Heroes Honored at 43rd Annual Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards

County Executive Ike Leggett joined County Fire & Rescue at the annual County Public Safety Awards. Joining Leggett were (left to right) FF/R Enrique Escolero, FF/R David Braun, Fire Captain/Paramedic William Cooke, FF/R David Wakeley, and County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein.

Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) recognized local public safety personnel for acts of bravery and heroism at their 43rd Annual Public Safety Awards luncheon held on March 31. The awards honored members of the Montgomery County Department of Police, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, The Sheriff’s Office, Maryland National Capital Park Police-Montgomery County Division and the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.

In total, there were 21 Valor Award Recipients for eight incidents, three Unit Citations and one MCCC Public Safety Community Service Award.

Two of the incidents for which first responders received awards included the shootings at the Westfield Montgomery Mall and Aspen Hill shopping centers that occurred in May, 2016 and the Flower Branch Apartments explosion/fire that occurred in August, 2016 of last year in Silver Spring.

Body camera video of the police response to the explosion/fire was released for the first time at the event.

A five-minute version is available for viewing at: Emergency Response to 2016 Silver Spring Explosion/Fire Including Body-Camera Footage (Edited):

and a full 18-minute video is available at: Emergency Response to 2016 Silver Spring Explosion/Fire Including Body-Camera Footage (Full Version):



See the 43rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Awards program for more detailed information regarding the awards and award recipients.

Montgomery County’s GreenFest Returns on May 6

The third annual Montgomery County GreenFest will occur Saturday, May 6 at Bohrer Park located at 506 South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. This festival has activities for the whole family with activities ranging from environmental films to workshops on composting, building a community green team and bike repair. While GreenFest has a diverse array of activities for adults, this year’s event has a special focus on making sure kids have fun while learning about the role they play in protecting our environment.

Activities for kids will be concentrated around the Park Pavilion at the center of Bohrer Park. This Pavilion has six stations of water themed activities, including a 3-D watershed model, an introduction to stream critters and the “Water Use Around the World” activity. Adjacent to the Kids Pavilion will be the Stream Maze, where kids can pretend to be a fish making their way upstream to find a suitable habitat. The children complete tasks and games to learn about the types of struggles faced by wildlife in urban streams.

Families can visit one of the two outdoor informational booths or the Park Pavilion to pick up a Scavenger Hunt game card. Kids that complete the scavenger hunt will be rewarded with a prize courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg mini-golf course. More than 80 exhibitors and vendors will have booths to explore while completing the scavenger hunt, including the electric vehicle and hybrid car show and local artist displays.

For more information on the schedule of events, directions, public transit, free shuttle buses from the Lake Forest Transit Center and the Shady Grove Metro, and food trucks that will be on site, visit montgomerycountygreenfest.org.

Office of the County Executive Releases First Quarter 2017 Economic Development Highlights

The beginning of 2017 brought new businesses, jobs and development for Montgomery County. The County Executive’s MOVE program has led to 45 new office tenants in several submarkets in Montgomery County and hundreds of new jobs since its inception three years ago. A new integrated business portal is shaping up to make it easier to start and grow a business here. The White Oak development is moving forward after much anticipation and promises to be a catalyst for revitalizing the East County. A second fiber connection was made with Ashburn, VA through private partnership and the future county-wide bus rapid transit system has a new name: Flash.

Following a robust 2016, which saw the expansion of several global companies and major employers including Marriott International, GlaxoSmithKline, and Wedding Wire, and the relocation of Donohoe Development from Washington, DC, Montgomery County is actively advancing Business Vitality, Talent, Creative Economies and Placemaking—the key strategic areas outlined in the Comprehensive Economic Strategy, to ensure our position as a global magnet for talent, entrepreneurship, and businesses.

The full report can be accessed here. For more information please contact Lily Qi, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for Economic and Workforce Development, 240-777-2524, lily.qi@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/ep for more information on Montgomery County’s economic priorities.

Wheaton Glenmont Outdoor Pool Renamed to Honor Fallen Police Officer Sergeant Hector I. Ayala; New Department of Recreation Pool Safety Initiative to Begin in 2018

On April 4, the seventh anniversary of the line-of-duty death of Montgomery County Police Sergeant Hector I. Ayala, the County renamed the Wheaton Glenmont Outdoor Pool in his honor.

The Department of Recreation also announced a Safe Summer Initiative to honor Sergeant Ayala, that will begin in 2018. It will be offered on a yearly basis at the pool and provide a half-day session of water safety, mini swim lessons, swim stroke instruction and important parent/guardian safety tips for keeping children safe while at the pool.

Sergeant Ayala served many families in the Wheaton Glenmont communities during his seven-year police career working out of the 4th Police District.

Learn more about Sergeant Ayala’s career and the ceremony from press release.

Montgomery County FY16 Annual Sustainable Government Operations Report

The Montgomery County FY16 Sustainable Government Operations Report (pdf) is now available online. This Report documents the County’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of County Government Operations.

This report highlights the exceptional work of Montgomery County government in its continuing role as a leader in environmental stewardship. The report notes the collective work of the Departments of Corrections, Environmental Protection, General Services, Health and Human Services, Finance, Liquor Control, Permitting Services, Police, Public Libraries, Recreation, Technology Services, Transportation, Human Resources; and the Offices of Human Resources and Procurement.

West Germantown and Water Quality Protection Receive Triple “AAA” Rating

Montgomery County’s Water Quality Protection Charge revenue bond series and West Germantown special obligation bond received the AAA bond rating, the highest possible rating from Fitch Ratings based on the County’s strength and credit quality.

Fitch, Ratings is one of the three nationally recognized rating organizations designated by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.

The AAA rating means the bond is the safest for the investor. The County strives to maintain the County's AAA General Obligation Bond debt rating and to actively invest the County's working capital to minimize risk while generating maximum investment income. These highest-level ratings reflect the County's growing and diverse economy, its substantial tax base, strong financial position, and strong financial management.

White Oak Science Gateway Newsletter; Edition #4 Is Now Available

The White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan seeks to leverage the many assets located in the White Oak area and establish the foundation upon which the area may evolve into a community that offers more opportunities to learn, live, work and play. The Plan also envisions that the commercial centers evolving from from conventional, auto-dependent suburban shopping retail centers, business parks and light industrial areas into vibrant, mixed-use, transit-served nodes.

The White Oak Science Gateway Newsletter; Edition #4 is now available.

White Oak Science Gateway Newsletter by Public Information Office on Scribd

Montgomery County Proclaims May as Building Safety Month

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Montgomery County Council today proclaimed May as Building Safety Month.

Building Safety Month celebrates the 2017 theme “Code Officials – Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth.” An avoidable tragedy occurred in Oakland, California last December when the Ghost Ship warehouse caught fire and 36 people died. Noted architect and writer Roger Lewis wrote that “the 36 deaths in the Dec. 2 (2016) Ghost Ship warehouse fire ..., are a grim reminder of why cities need not only effective building codes but also diligent building-codes enforcement.”

Building Safety Month is a reminder of the importance of ensuring that commercial facilities and homes are constructed with high quality code enforcement to keep everyone safe. County code enforcement officials in the Departments of Permitting Services, Community and Housing Affairs, Fire and Rescue Services and others play a critical role every day to ensure our buildings are built to ensure a safe working or living environment.

The Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is offering Free Home Deck Inspections throughout May. Call 311 or 240-777-0311 to schedule an inspection. DPS invites everyone to the Design for Life Showcase on May 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building to meet building professionals who are building and designing homes accessible for all ages and stages of life. Bring your family and discover home accessible to all! DPS has a major role increasing the stock of existing and new residences usable by people of diverse abilities.

For more information, see press release.

Move More Montgomery Celebrates Health Living

Montgomery County Recreation (MCR) will host the second annual Move More Montgomery Festival on Saturday, May 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center located at 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville. The event is free and open to the public and dogs.

The Move More Montgomery Festival, a field-day type festival, will feature a community walk, sport and fitness demonstrations, active performances and mini-classes, interactive wellness booths and the Fido Fitness Arena. The event will be held rain or shine.

The Move More Montgomery Festival is also the culminating event for the Move More Montgomery 100 Mile Challenge. Residents who completed the challenge by walking or running 100 miles in 100 days will be recognized at the event.

For more information regarding the Move More Montgomery Festival visit website or call 240-777-6946.

“Green” Ribbon-Cutting for First Completed Commercial Clean Energy Project in Maryland

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner celebrated the completion of the first Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing project in Maryland with a “green” ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 20.

In March 2015, Montgomery County established the C-PACE program to provide innovative financing to qualified commercial property owners interested in achieving energy savings. This inaugural C-PACE project at the Shady Grove Professional Building and the adjacent Comfort Inn Shady Grove in Gaithersburg was completed in early March 2017. The project was first announced in October 2016. The project includes energy-efficient HVAC upgrades, boiler replacements, LED light installations and building envelope improvements that are expected to save more than 1,600 million Btu of energy annually—enough energy to power 35 homes for a year.

Other participants include Lisa Feldt, director of the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Bob Eisinger, principal and managing member, ProMark Real Estate LLC, the building owner and Keith Derrington, chief operating officer, Recurrent, LLC, the energy contractor on the project.

C-PACE financing can cover up to 100 percent of project costs and is repaid as a long-term surcharge on the property tax bill. This type of financing allows Montgomery County building owners to make clean energy upgrades and improve property value without upfront capital costs.

The County’s C-PACE program is jointly managed by the Departments of Finance and Environmental Protection. To learn more about the County’s C-PACE program, visit www.MC-PACE.com.

Now that Spring is Here the Montgomery County Animal Services Adoption Center is Offering Free Monthly Rabies Clinics with the Purchase of a Pet License.

With the warmer weather, pet owners and their four-legged, furry friends will likely spend more time outside. To best protect your dog or cat, it is important that your pet have a current rabies vaccination and a valid Montgomery County Pet License. It is County law that all pet dogs and cats four months of age or older must have both a valid rabies vaccination and a Montgomery County Pet License. That law applies to every cat or dog who lives in Montgomery County.

Through September with the purchase of a pet license, the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption will offer free rabies clinics. The clinics are held the third Sunday of each month starting on April 16, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood.

Find out all the details at website. Pet licenses may be purchased at the clinics.

If your pet’s rabies vaccination is current, you can obtain a Pet License online.

Montgomery County Celebrates Planting More Than 1,800 Shade Trees

Montgomery County celebrated the second anniversary of the Tree Montgomery program with a special tree-planting ceremony in Bethesda. More than 1,800 trees have been planted by the development community and the County’s Department of Environmental Protection since the Tree Canopy Law was passed in 2014 with a recent tree-planting celebration.

County Executive Ike Leggett was joined by Montgomery County Council Vice President Hans Riemer, the County’s Department of Environmental Protection Director Lisa Feldt, and Sonoma Citizens Association President Greg Files for the event. Maureen Thomas from the Sonoma neighborhood in Bethesda hosted the event.

Planting trees helps offset the negative impacts of development on the natural environment. Properly cared for, trees can be a property asset with high returns on investment.

Tree Montgomery continues to look for single-family, multi-family, condominium, homeowner associations and commercial properties to participate in the program. Property owners who sign up now for Tree Montgomery will have their new tree planted within the next year. To learn more or sign up, visit treemontgomery.org

Author Chris Mackowski to Speak on “Grant’s Last Campaign: Finishing His Memoirs”

Author Chris Mackowski will speak on “Grant’s Last Campaign: Finishing His Memoirs” on Thursday, May 11 at 8 p.m. at the Montgomery County Civil War Roundtable.

The presentation will be at the Gaithersburg Hilton, 620 Perry Parkway in Gaithersburg. A $5 donation is requested.

Montgomery County Circuit Court Law Library Event

Peerless Rockville, Montgomery County Circuit Court (MCCC) Law Library and Montgomery County Bar Association will host a free event presented by Honorable Lynne A. Battaglia, editor of Finding Justice. Battaglia will be joined by Judge Anne Albright, Attorney Jo Fogel, and Attorney Rebecca Strandberg to tell the story of how women overcame historical obstacles—legal, social, and economic—to enter the legal profession and how their pioneering work has influenced the practice of law and society at large.

The presentation will be held on May 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the MCCC Law Library located at 50 Maryland Ave (N-3420) in Rockville. The public is invited to the event. A suggested donation for the event is $5. For more information or to RSVP for the event, click here.