Holiday Schedule for Veterans Day Observed on November 10

Montgomery County government will observe the following holiday schedule for Veterans Day, Friday, November 10.

• County Offices – closed.
• Libraries – closed.
• County Liquor stores – all County liquor stores will be open normal hours.
• Recreation – aquatic and community centers open as scheduled except for Germantown Indoor Swim Center, which is closing at 2 p.m. on November 10 and closed all day on November 11 for a swim meet. Other classes and programs will meet as scheduled; all senior programs canceled, and administrative offices and senior centers closed.
• Montgomery Parks - For operating schedule, visit the website.
• Ride On – will operate on a special modified schedule holiday.
• Metrorail – Information available at www.wmata.com.
• Metrobus – Information available at www.wmata.com.
• TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center - open 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store – not operating.
• Refuse/recycling pickup – Regular schedule.
• The Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station – Regular schedule.
• Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free.
• State offices and courts – closed.

Tips to Keep You and Your Family Safe on Halloween

Halloween can be a spirited day of tricks and treats but it is important to keep safety in mind. Montgomery County public safety personnel offer the following tips to keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible when you head out on Halloween. Read more at Montgomery County Public Safety Agencies Provide Halloween Safety Tips

Neighborhood Leaf Collection Begins November 6

The Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Services is conducting its annual vacuum collection of leaves in the southern part of the County now through mid-December.

Residents should look for posted signs along the streets for information about pick-up dates. For more information visit montgomerycountymd.gov/leafing.

County Businesses in the Power 100

What do Discovery Communications, MedImmune and Marriott International have in common? Besides being in Montgomery County, these businesses and their influential leaders made the Washington Business Journal’s 2017 Power 100 List. Check out the entire Power 100 list, which includes even more familiar Montgomery County business leaders.

Read the article.

Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and Public Schools Team Up to Protect the Environment

Fifth-grade students from Strathmore Elementary School teamed up with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection to complete four Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) rain gardens. 

The four projects are a cost-effective, environmentally-efficient way to capture the muck that comes from storm and pollutant runoff. Prior to the implementation of these projects, stormwater runoff from the impervious surfaces (parking lots, rooftops, etc.) on these school properties ran directly into the streams. These projects now redirect the runoff into the rain gardens where it filters through plants and soil before replenishing the groundwater.

County Executive Isiah Leggett, MCPS Superintendent Dr. Jack R. Smith, DEP Director Lisa Feldt, Strathmore Elementary School Principal Tivinia G. Nelson and Principal Intern Carrie Zimmerman joined the students for the event, which took place at Strathmore Elementary School located at 3200 Beaverwood Lane in Silver Spring. The other three schools which got the projects included: Argyle, Newport and Sligo Middle Schools.

For more information go to the press release.

Cornerstone Montgomery Celebrates Ike Leggett

Cornerstone Montgomery held its inaugural “Celebrating a Legacy” event on October 17. The gala honored County Executive Ike Leggett for his support of individuals living with mental health disorders.

Cornerstone Montgomery is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization which provides comprehensive, community-based mental health services.

More information is available at https://youtu.be/vr0AWgLDlcQ.

Are You Paying Too Much for Prescription Drugs?

Do you feel you are paying a lot more for your generic or off-brand prescriptions? Then the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative Education Fund (MCHI) want to hear from you. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh may be able to take legal action to help you if your situation falls into the criteria of Maryland's new prescription drug price gouging law. For more information, go to www.healthcareforall.com/hearmystory.

MCHI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization created in 1999 with a mission to educate Marylanders about sound ways to achieve quality, affordable health care for all.

Public Meeting on the Wall Local Park Interim Plan

Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks is having a Public Meeting to discuss the interim plan to improve Wall Local Park in North Bethesda. The meeting will be held at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Swim Center located at 5900 Executive Boulevard in North Bethesda on Monday, November 13 at 7 p.m.

Under the guidance of the current White Flint Sector Plan, staff will present the interim plan to improve the park area as well as review future park plans. It will feature the realignment of Executive Boulevard and Market Street to allow a new parking garage to be built.

For additional information visit the Wall Local Park Project page at MontgomeryParks.org.

Wall Postcard Outlined by Public Information Office on Scribd

Author Eugene D. Schmiel Will Speak on the Life and Times of Union General Jacob D. Cox

Author Eugene D. Schmiel will speak on the life and times of Union General Jacob D. Cox of Ohio at the November meeting of the Montgomery County Civil War Roundtable on Thursday, November 9 at 8 p.m. The event will be held at the Gaithersburg Hilton located at 620 Perry Parkway. A $5 donation is requested. For more information, call 301-253-3485.

Leggett Conducts National Anthem at the Opening of National Philharmonic

County Executive Ike Leggett conducted the National Philharmonic at Strathmore in the playing of our country’s National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” to open National Philharmonic's 2017-2018 season held at The Music Center at Strathmore. Video and Photo by Jay Mallin.

Community Service Week Spotlights Montgomery County’s Volunteer Spirit

County residents are invited to give a few hours of their time to join Montgomery County’s annual celebration of community service by volunteering for one or more of the many projects planned for the 31st annual Community Service Week, which begins Sunday, October 22, and runs through the following Sunday, October 29.

Community Service Week is organized by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. And, features all kinds of service projects sponsored by a wide range of non-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies. This year’s activities include opportunities to clean up streams and parks, collect canned goods for needy families and prepare meals for a homeless shelter. There are also opportunities to serve as event staff at fundraisers, assist nonprofits with outreach efforts, and visit with nursing home residents.

Visit the Volunteer Center website to see the complete list of service projects available and to sign up to help. Check back frequently as projects are added daily.

For more information, call 240-777-2600 or email servicedays@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Art and Humanities Award Winners to be Honored at the Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts & Humanities Ceremony

County Executive Ike Leggett and Mrs. Leggett will honor eight community leaders for their contributions to the County’s art and cultural community at the Annual County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities ceremony. The event will be held Monday, November 6 from 7– 9 p.m. at Round House Theater in Bethesda located at 4545 East-West Highway. This free event requires tickets, which can be obtained at Executive's Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities.

The awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made a difference in Montgomery County through the arts and humanities. More information on the event is available at www.creativemoco.com.

Free Employment Fair Offered by East County Regional Services Center on November 2

The East County Regional Services Center will host a free employment fair on Thursday, November 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. The community event will be held at the East County Community Recreation Center located at 3310 Manor Way in Silver Spring.

The event is an opportunity for job seekers to connect with employers. Applicants are asked to bring their resume and dress in business attire to meet with recruiters from public and private employers.

The event will include three employment workshops:

• Resume Review and Interviewing Skills (2 to 3 p.m.)
• Uncovering the Secrets of Finding & Applying for Jobs in the Federal Government (4 to 5 p.m.) 
• Starting Your Own Business Time (5 to 6 p.m.) 

Participant registration is available by email at susan.ucanay@montgomerycountymd.edu or by calling 240-777-8411. Pre-registration is encouraged for the job fair; however on-site registration is available. For more information about the job fair call 240-777-8411.

Employers who are interested in participating in the job fair can register online. For questions about employer registration email cmckenzie@worksourcemontgomery.com.

Montgomery County to Participate in Drug Enforcement Administration’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 28

Please save the date: Saturday, October 28 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the 14th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. This is a good opportunity to safely dispose of expired or unused prescription drugs that have accumulated in your medicine cabinet. The biannual event is organized by the Washington Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and is coordinated in our County by the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) and the County’s Department of Health and Human Services.

MCPD and its allied County law enforcement agencies will provide anonymous drop off sites throughout the County. According to the DEA, unused and/or expired medicines that are stored in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, abuse...and accidental poisonings and overdoes. A list of all the take-back location sites will be available on both the Montgomery County and MCPD websites later this month.

See the press release for more information.

County Executive Ike Leggett Gives Thumbs Up to Mobike, a new Dockless Bike Share – While Celebrating the New Protected Bike Lanes in Silver Spring

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett cut the ribbon for a new protected bike lane and announced a County agreement for the new bike share program, to become available in Silver Spring later this month. He was joined by Casey Anderson, chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, County Council Vice President Hans Riemer, Peter Gray, board member of Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Al Roshdieh, director of MCDOT, and Jillian Irvin, head of U.S. Government Affairs for Mobike

Montgomery County has a new protected bike lane and an agreement for a new bike share program, to become available in Silver Spring starting in the next few weeks.

The agreement with Mobike is a pilot project to test the concept of dockless bikes in Silver Spring. To use Mobike, individuals will download the Mobike app to register and locate a nearby bike, then unlock it by scanning the QR code, after arriving at the desired destination, the bicyclist can park the bike in an approved area and lock it, making it available for the next user. These bikes are powered by unique high-tech features including smart-lock technology, non-puncture airless tires, bike status sensors and built-in GPS locators.

More information is available at the Press release.

County Council Committee Supports Leggett’s Changes to Minimum Wage Hike Proposal

The County Council Health and Human Services Committee last week approved amendments to the minimum wage hike proposal, now before the Council, that reflects changes requested by County Executive Ike Leggett. In a September 13 memo to the Council, Leggett listed the changes necessary to win his approval. Leggett vetoed legislation in January that narrowly passed the Council.

The Committee voted 2 -1 to lengthen the timeline to provide large and small businesses an additional two years for implementation. The amendment would also redefine a "small business" from 25 employees to 50 employees or less.

The proposal is tentatively scheduled to go to full Council for action on November 7.

• The Committee Analyst Packet.

A recent Washington Post editorial expressed concern about the proposed increase in the minimum-wage hike. Read the full article.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and County Executive Ike Leggett and County Councilmember Sidney Katz announced a Countywide campaign to raise public awareness. Domestic violence includes physical, emotional and financial abuse and affects people of all age, gender, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The outreach campaign will include advertisements on Ride On buses and bus shelters, social media, and other communications throughout the month of October.

Individuals encountering domestic violence are encouraged to call the Family Justice Center (FJC) at 240-773-0444 to access multiple services in one location, or to call the Abused Persons Program (APP) at 240-777-4673 for counseling and services to help end the cycle of violence. The FJC and APP coordinate support services, so individuals can dial either one to get needed help. However, in case of emergency, people should never hesitate to dial 9-1-1.

More information is available from the press release.

Montgomery County Public Libraries to Host World War I Programs

Montgomery County Public Libraries will commemorate World War I (WWI) with two free special programs held at the Olney Library during October. The library is located at 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road.

A WWI traveling exhibit is on display during scheduled library branch hours through October 31. The display, provided by the Maryland Library Association, includes five paintings by Bob Horvath of WWI airplanes. The paintings are on loan from the U.S. Air Force Museum in Washington D.C.

A special presentation called “The Grit and Gusto: Farmerettes and Suffragettes on the Homefront in WWI” will be held on Sunday, October 29 from 3 to 4:45 p.m. Judith Welles, author of the book, “Cabin John: Legends and Life of an Uncommon Place,” will present the special program.

More information is available from the press release.

County Executive Ike Leggett Joins Walk to School Day

Walk to School Day promotes pedestrian safety, physical activities, and environmental preservation. County Executive Ike Leggett and Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith joined in the event held at Ronald McNair Elementary School in Germantown. Hundreds of MCPS students, staff and community members on October 4.

Upcoming Public Meeting on the Oaks Landfill Solar Photovoltaic Project

Community members are invited to participate in a discussion on the development of a Photovoltaic solar system, at the former Oaks Landfill. The public meeting will take place on October 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Laytonsville Elementary School located at 21401 Laytonsville Road in Gaithersburg.

Photovoltaic pulls energy from the sun and converts it to electricity. Solar is already an important part of the County’s strategy for renewable energy. Use of solar and other advanced energy technologies in County facilities not only improves energy independence, it is cleaner energy that saves money.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2018. This is a joint project with the County’s Departments of Environmental Protection and General Services.

More information about the project, visit County's website.

Register Now for Youth Winter Basketball Leagues

Are you ready for some hoops?
Registration is now underway for Montgomery County Recreation’s Youth Winter Basketball Leagues program.

The season runs for eight weeks beginning in January of 2018, and the program is geared for boys and girls in grades K – 12.  Register online by November 3 from ActiveMontgomery.org. 

For more information, call 240.777.6870.

WorkSource Montgomery Announces New Partnership to Address Need for Nurses

WorkSource Montgomery has announced a new partnership with the Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF) and the University of Maryland School of Nursing at Universities at Shady Grove (USG) to expand career opportunities for nurses in Montgomery County. The new collaboration provides a way to increase career opportunities for residents and address the critical nursing shortage in the County.

Along with providing scholarships, WSM and the HIF will work with the health industry, education and community partners to leverage current resources and realign existing programs to expand clinical rotation opportunities.

For more information, check the website.

MCDOT’s Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations Recognized for Implementation of Cost-Saving Idea

Pictured (from left to right) are MCDOT Deputy Director Emil Wolanin, Team Member (TM) Rudy Ramirez, Team Leader Vincent Subramaniam, MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh, County Executive Ike Leggett, Office of Human Resources Director Shawn Stokes, TM Dewa Salihi and TM Kamal Hamud. Other team members not pictured are Aweis Hassan, Lee Kennedy, Gary Morningstar, Eileen Normand, Pramod Patel, Joe St. Laurent, Greg Whitener and Steve Young.

A team from MCDOT’s Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations (DTEO) was recognized by County Executive Ike Leggett for participation in the Rewarding Excellence Bonus Incentive Award Program designed to encourage and promote new, innovative ideas, concepts, and strategies for the cost-effective delivery of County services and products. Front-line employees find cost savings and half of the first year’s savings are distributed to them. 

DTEO found a way to recover costs incurred in replacing traffic signal equipment damaged by traffic crashes, contractors, utilities, construction projects or in other ways by billing the responsible parties. It is estimated that about $9,400 a year in County costs will be recouped through the new DTEO process. 

See press release for more information.

Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District Announces Songwriter Contest

The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District has announced the annual Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards. The competition is seeking the best local songwriters and will award one talented songwriter a Grand Prize of $10,000 and 25 hours of recording studio time with Innovation Station Music.

The competition also includes a young songwriter category for aspiring songwriters, who are 18 years old or younger, to win $2,500.

Entries must be received by Monday, November 6. For more information on guidelines and information on the competition go to www.bethesda.org.

Nonprofit Montgomery's Eighth Annual Dialogue Between Non-profit Leaders and Montgomery County Government Department Directors

Local non-profit leaders are invited to participate in Nonprofit Montgomery’s Eighth Annual Directors Dialogue. The event will be held on Monday, October 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington located at 6125 Montrose Road in Rockville.

This is a community conversation between executives in the non-profit community and the Directors of Montgomery County's Departments of Health and Human Services, Recreation, Economic Development and Housing and Community Affairs.

This annual meeting provides an opportunity for the County Department Directors to share budget and policy priorities and see where their departments are heading in the next year. This also provides non-profit leaders a chance to share what they are seeing and experiencing in the community. Register online.