First Concert of Wheaton 2025 TGIF Series to Feature The Nighthawks June 13

 

The Wheaton Urban District is thrilled to announce the return of its popular TGIF Summer Concert Series, taking place every 2nd and 4th Friday, June through August, at Marian Fryer Town Plaza (2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD). These family-friendly events are free to the public and will run from 5-8 p.m., rain or shine.

Each evening kicks off with a DJ happy hour set at 5:00 p.m., followed by live music from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., showcasing a dynamic mix of musical genres that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the Wheaton community.

• June 13 – The Nighthawks (Blues)
• June 27 – Sahel (World Music)
• July 11 – David Bach Consort (Jazz/Soul)
• July 25 – Harikaraoke (Live band karaoke, 5–8 p.m.)
• August 8 – Strykers Posse (Reggae)
• August 22 – Hermanos Galvan y Orquesta (Latin)

Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long week, dance with friends or enjoy a fun evening with the family, the TGIF Concert Series offers something for everyone. Bring your lawn chairs, grab food from one of Wheaton’s many local restaurants and enjoy the rhythm of summer in the heart of Montgomery County.

For more details and event updates, visit www.wheatonmd.org.

Wheaton Regional Park Celebrates Opening of New Carousel and Offers Half-Price Tickets Saturday, April 5

Montgomery Parks is offering half-price carousel rides at Wheaton Regional Park on Saturday, April 5 to celebrate the opening of a new carousel. The new carousel features colorful, hand-painted, fiberglass horses and zebras, as well as two bench-like chariots, one of which is ADA-accessible. The new carousel is located near the Shorefield Road entrance to Wheaton Regional Park, next to the miniature train station.

Half-price tickets for the carousel on April 5 are $2 each, while the regular price is $4. Children under two ride free when accompanied by a paying adult. The carousel is open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and is open weekends through October. There are expanded operating hours on holidays and during Montgomery County Public Schools’ spring and summer breaks. Full details on the operating hours are available on the carousel and miniature train webpage. 

The new carousel replaces the Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel which operated at Wheaton Regional Park from 1985 through 2024. After reconditioning, the old carousel will be relocated to Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park in Clarksburg. 

Sixth Annual Respect Fest to Host Activities and Resources to Curb Dating Violence on Sunday, April 6

The Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council will host the sixth annual RespectFest from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 6 at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. The Center is located at 11701 Georgia Ave. in Wheaton. The free festival raises awareness about teen dating violence and is geared toward middle school and high school students, their parents and community members. Students can earn three student service-learning hours by participating in the activities. There will be free yoga, Bollywood Zumba, boxing demos, student performances, games, pizza and Carmen's Ice, raffle prizes and a community resource fair. Visit their website at tinyurl.com/mocorespectfest for more information.

Wheaton Arts Parade and Peijisan Art Seeking Suggestions for Art Project That Will Cover Traffic Signal Boxes

Wheaton Arts Parade and Peijisan Art are collaborating to manage a new public art project that would cover traffic signal boxes in Wheaton with graphic art designed by local artists. They have established an informal survey for County residents to offer suggestions about the kinds of images and art they would like to see represented. Responses to the survey are due by Nov. 29.

Suggestions will be shared with the artists who are selected to create the traffic box designs. Click here to submit your suggestions.

Wheaton Arts Parade will reach out to the community a second time after the designs are finished to find out the public's preferences. This will guide project managers in selecting the winning designs.

The Maryland State Arts Council’s “Public Art Across Maryland” program has fully funded the planning process.

Questions about the arts project can be directed to info@weatonartsparade.org.
Add the subject line “Wheaton Traffic Boxes.”

‘Garden of Lights’ Display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Now Open

 

The annual Montgomery Parks’ “Garden of Lights,” a breathtaking outdoor winter light display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, is now open. This year’s exhibit features more than 1.5 million twinkling LED lights.

Brookside Gardens is located at1800 Glenallan Ave., in Wheaton. The half-mile pathway for the walking tour is transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. Guests can warm up with hot chocolate and grab a snack or a holiday gift at the gift shop.

Tickets are $10 per person (ages 5 and older). Children under 5 are free, but must register. To purchase tickets online, visit Garden of Lights and click on the link for tickets.

The Garden of Lights exhibit features dazzling light displays showcasing flowers, animals and nature-inspired scenes. This year’s exhibit will include a new lighted archway and lighted jumping pads.

The magical experience will run nightly through Jan. 5. It will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. The display is open from 5-9 p.m.

For a sneak peek of the display, check preview video and photo album from last year.

 

Wheaton ‘Streetery’ Will Temporarily Close for Winter

Montgomery County will implement a winter closure of the Wheaton "Streetery," located on a portion of Price Avenue at Elkin Street in Wheaton, beginning Monday, Nov. 25. The Streetery comprises streets closed off to vehicles, enabling restaurants to offer outdoor dining spaces for customers and areas for residents to gather.

During the closure, the roadway will temporarily open to vehicular traffic to allow for winter maintenance, including snow plowing. The Streetery is scheduled to reopen in late March.

The Wheaton Streetery was one of four “streeteries” created in the spring of 2020 by the County as a temporary concept to support businesses struggling from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and allow residents to gather freely on public streets when indoor dining was closed. The spaces were reevaluated in the late summer of 2022, with some closing altogether, some becoming seasonal and others taking on more permanent changes. Two “streeteries” remain—Price Avenue in Wheaton and Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda.

One Montgomery Green, which is leading efforts to plan programming for the Wheaton Streetery’s reopening, works closely with the Wheaton Streetery Steering Committee. The committee includes representatives from local businesses, residents and County government staff.

The winter closure and spring relaunch are supported by and are being developed in collaboration with County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Natalie Fani-González, the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, local businesses and community partner One Montgomery Green.

One Montgomery Green has outlined the following objectives for the Streetery’s relaunch:

• Create a Vibrant Community Space: Develop a welcoming area where residents and businesses can come together, fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
• Promote Sustainability: Include stormwater management features, native plantings and permeable surfaces to make the space environmentally friendly.
• Encourage Learning: Use the Streetery to educate the community about sustainable urban design and environmentally responsible practices.
• Support Local Businesses: Provide a space that encourages outdoor dining and other activities to strengthen the local economy.

For more information, visit the Wheaton Urban District’s website. Details about future plans for the Streetery are available on the Wheaton Streetery Project website.

Public Meeting in Wheaton on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to Provide Updates on Bus-Only Lanes Pilot Project for Georgia Avenue, Veirs Mill Road and Colesville Road

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, in conjunction with partners at the Montgomery County Department of Transportation and Metro, will host a public meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Wheaton to provide updates and gather feedback on the ongoing pilot project utilizing roughly seven miles of bus-only lanes along Georgia Avenue, Veirs Mill Road and Colesville Road.

The meeting will be held at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Wheaton headquarters at 2425 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton.

The bus-only lanes were installed in late spring 2024 during the Metro Red Line closure that temporarily closed several stations along the route while critical maintenance and construction work was performed at the Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma Metro stations. This was done in coordination with the Maryland Transit Administration’s work at the Silver Spring Station to advance connections between the future Purple Line and Metro.

The stations reopened in September. In collaboration with Montgomery County, the State Highway Administration has extended use of the bus-only lanes as a pilot project through December to allow for continued evaluation. The bus-only lanes are in effect 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily and are utilized by Metrobus and Montgomery County Ride On bus routes.

Residents are invited to attend the Nov. 20 meeting to learn more about the pilot project and how the lanes have performed. Representatives from the State Highway Administration, Metro and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation will discuss the project to date, including evaluations of the bus lane performance while the Metro Stations were closed and performance since the stations reopened.

Displays describing the project and findings will be available, and representatives from the partner agencies will be available to field comments and questions. Attendees will be asked to fill out a survey regarding the project.

The survey also is available under the “Community Engagement” section on the Project Portal page created for the pilot study. The survey is open through Dec. 4.

Meeting attendees seeking an interpreter for hearing or speech difficulties or assistance with the English language can send an email in advance of the meeting. Indicate the desired language in the subject line. Maryland Relay Service can assist teletype users at 7-1-1.

Questions about the meeting or general inquiries can be directed via email to Qianyu Hu, State Highway Administration District 3 assistant district engineer or Tiffany Boulware, District 3 community relations manager.

Learning About Birds by Watching Feeders and Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park Are Among Nature Center Special Events in November

Learning about birds by watching feeders at the Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda and a treasure hunt in Wheaton Regional Park are among the variety of special events Montgomery Parks will host in November at Montgomery County nature centers.

The schedule of November nature center special programs will include:

• Project Feederwatch. Thursdays and Fridays in November. 11 a.m.–noon. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Become a citizen scientist and count the different species of birds visiting feeders. All skill levels welcome. Bring your binoculars and your love for nature. Ages 5 and older. Registration required. Free.
• Nature Explorers. Tuesday, Nov. 12. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Little adventurers will dive into the wonders of wildlife. Join us for  “Turkey Talk” on Nov. 12, just in time for Thanksgiving. Registration required. Ages 3–5. $6 per person.
• Black Hill Van Trips: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Thursday, Nov. 14. 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Embark on a journey to Delaware’s Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Center for outstanding views of snow geese, dabbling ducks, and eagles. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $60 per person ($58, Friends of Black Hill).
• Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park. Saturday, Nov. 23. 10 a.m.-noon. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton. Join an exciting geocaching adventure led by a park naturalist seeking hidden caches. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.

Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of nature center programs and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Fall 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide

An Adult Scavenger Hunt, an Afternoon on a Pontoon Boat and Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park Are Among Nature Center Special Events in November

An adult scavenger hunt at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, an afternoon pontoon boat ride at Black Hills Park in Boys and a treasure hunt in Wheaton Regional Park are among the variety of special events Montgomery Parks will host in November at Montgomery County nature centers.

The schedule of November nature center special programs will include:

• Project Feederwatch. Thursdays and Fridays in November. 11 a.m.–noon. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Become a citizen scientist and count the different species of birds visiting feeders. All skill levels welcome. Bring your binoculars and your love for nature. Ages 5 and older. Registration required. Free.
• Ready, Set, Go! Friday, Nov. 1. 7-9 p.m. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton. Adults-only scavenger hunt is back with all new missions. Grab friends for a nature-themed adventure using the GooseChase app and unleash your inner explorer. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $15 per person.
• Maydale Community Celebration. Saturday, Nov. 2. 1-4 p.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Join an afternoon of fun and festivities that will include live music, cozy campfires with s’mores, hands-on apple cider making and crafts for all ages. There may be a special visit from Smokey Bear. All ages. Free.
• Afternoon on the Pontoon. Saturday, Nov. 2. 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. Black Hill Boats, 20920 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. A leisurely cruise on a pontoon boat along Little Seneca Lake. Keep an eye out for local wildlife. Ages 6 and older. Registration required. $7 per person ($6, Friends of Black Hill).
• Teen High Adventure Excursions: Hiking at Great Falls. Monday, Nov. 4. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. School is out on Nov. 4. Join a hike along the cliffs of Great Falls along Section A of the Billy Goat Trail and take in exquisite views of the Potomac River and local flora and fauna. Registration required. Ages 12–15. $50 per person.
• Nature Explorers. Thursday, Nov. 7, and Tuesday, Nov. 12. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Little adventurers will dive into the wonders of wildlife. Join us for fun activities exploring “Super Seeds” on Nov. 7, and “Turkey Talk” on Nov. 12, just in time for Thanksgiving. Registration required. Ages 3–5. $6 per person.
• Black Hill Van Trips: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Thursday, Nov. 14. 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Embark on a journey to Delaware’s Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Center for outstanding views of snow geese, dabbling ducks, and eagles. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $60 per person ($58, Friends of Black Hill).
• Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park. Saturday, Nov. 23. 10 a.m.-noon. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton. Join an exciting geocaching adventure led by a park naturalist seeking hidden caches. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.

Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of nature center programs and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Fall 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide

Annual ‘Garden of Lights’ Display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Advance Tickets Now on Sale

Advance tickets are now on sale for the annual Montgomery Parks’ “Garden of Lights,” a breathtaking outdoor winter light display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. This year’s exhibit will feature more than 1.5 million twinkling LED lights.

The exhibit will open on Friday, Nov. 22. Brookside Gardens is located at 1800 Glenallan Ave. in Wheaton. The half-mile pathway for the walking tour is transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. Guests can warm up with hot chocolate and grab a snack or a holiday gift at the gift shop.

Tickets are $10 per person (ages 5 and older). Children under 5 are free, but must register. To purchase tickets online, visit Garden of Lights and click on the link for tickets.

The Garden of Lights exhibit features dazzling light displays showcasing flowers, animals and nature-inspired scenes. This year’s exhibit will include a new lighted archway that is choreographed to music and lighted jumping pads.

The magical experience runs nightly through Jan. 5. It will be closed Nov. 25-28, Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. The display is open from 5-9 p.m.

For a sneak peek of the display, check preview video and photo album from last year.

Wheaton to Celebrate Halloween with the Second Annual ‘HalloWheaton’ Bar Hop for Adults on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Free Family-Oriented Events on Sunday, Oct. 27

Montgomery County’s Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District will host two days of Halloween-themed events for all ages on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27. The annual “HalloWheaton” celebration will kick off with a bar hop for adults (ages 21 and older) from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday followed by a free, family-friendly Halloween festival from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. All events will begin at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, adjacent to 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.

“Wheaton’s ‘HalloWheaton’ celebration has something for everyone, from families enjoying a fun-filled afternoon to adults exploring our vibrant local bars and restaurants,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It is a great way to bring the community together and showcase the energy and diversity that make Wheaton special. Whether you are carving pumpkins with your kids or participating in the bar hop, I encourage everyone to come out, have a great time and celebrate the Halloween spirit with us.”

• “HalloWheaton” Bar Hop (21 and older). Saturday, Oct. 26. 2-5 p.m. Free. The bar hop invites adults to explore Wheaton’s diverse bars and restaurants. Participants must pre-register and can pick up a free “HalloWheaton” goodie bag— including a mug, shot glass and coaster—at Marian Fryer Town Plaza. From there, attendees can visit participating Wheaton bars to enjoy special food and drink deals throughout the day. (Food and drink costs are the responsibility of patrons.) Click here for information about the venues and to view a self-guided map.

• “HalloWheaton” Family Festival. Sunday, Oct. 27. Noon-4 p.m. Free. The fourth annual family festival will include a variety of fun activities for all ages. Families can enjoy a zombie escape room, autumn and Halloween craft-making, face-painting, pumpkin painting, s'mores roasting, hot cider and hot chocolate. The event also will feature a children’s costume contest at 2 p.m. Adults can enjoy a beer garden, DJ, fire pits and yard games. All activities are free and will take place at Marian Fryer Town Plaza. Visit WheatonMD.org for more information.

Additional Halloween activities in Wheaton:

• “Monsters, Inc.” Movie screening. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Free.
• BOOtanica. 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. $15 per person. Registration required.
• Eye Spy Train. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27. Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Rd., Wheaton. Purchase tickets online in advance to guarantee your preferred date and time.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Will Continue with ‘Hispanic Heritage Festival and Health Fair’ on Sunday, Oct. 6, in Wheaton

Join the County’s first Hispanic Heritage Festival and Health Fair from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Marian Fryer Plaza in Wheaton. The free festival will celebrate Montgomery County’s growing diversity, honor Hispanic heritage and promote a greater understanding of diverse traditions.

Marian Fryer Plaza is located at 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.

The festival will have live musical performances from Luis Garay, Ocho de Bastos and Pepe Gonzales, the Albert Einstein High School Salseros and special Hora Loca finale.

A health fair will run throughout the festival. Participants can receive free health screenings, visit resource tables, pick up resources and enjoy family-friendly activities. Food will be available for purchase throughout the event, and Hispanic food vendors will be on site.

Street parking is available around the venue and a free shuttle service will be available from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• Germantown Transit Center. 19843 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown.
• Long Branch Community Recreation Center. 8700 Pinery Branch Road, Silver Spring.
• Wheaton High School. 12401 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring.
• Paint Branch High School. 141211 Old Columba Pike, Burtonsville.
• Richard Montgomery High School. 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville.

"Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich contributions and vibrant cultures that have helped shape Montgomery County into the diverse and inclusive community we are today,” said County Executive Elrich. “This festival is an opportunity to honor those traditions while also offering important health services to our residents. I’m excited to see our community come together for a day of celebration, learning and support. I hope everyone takes advantage of the chance to connect with local resources and each other. I encourage all residents to attend.”

For a detailed schedule of events at the festival, visit the Latino Health Initiative website.

Kid activities at the festival will include Barrios Mágicos de Montgomery County (Magical Neighborhoods of Montgomery County). The theme is “Encanto” (“enchanted”). While supplies last, children will have the opportunity to make piñatas and guitars from recycled cardboard and participate in a game of environmental Loteria (lottery). Attendees can also get their faces painted or take a photo in the photo booth.

The festival was organized as a joint effort by the Wheaton Urban District, the Mid-County Regional Service Center, the County’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Latino Health Initiative, the Department of Recreation, the Department of Transportation, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Police Department, Alcohol and Beverage Services, the Community Engagement Cluster, the Office of Public Information, the Department of Environmental Protection, County Public Libraries, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Office of Community Partnerships and the Department of General Services.

Montgomery County is encouraging participants to share their experience at the festival on social media via Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter) and Instagram using the hashtag #AmaTuVida24.

Afrofunk Big Band ‘Chopteeth’ Will Headline Final Wheaton TGIF Summer Concert on Friday, Aug. 30

The Afrofunk big band Chopteeth will highlight the music in the season’s final Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District’s TGIF Summer Friday Concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, at Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Downtown Wheaton.

The series this summer has again teamed up with the iconic Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center. The weekly series will continue through Aug. 30. Marian Fryer Town Plaza is adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle. Chuck Levin’s has carefully curated a mix of artists for the summer series.

Chopteeth is a 11-piece Afrofunk orchestra exploring the common groove between the funkiest, most hip-shakin’ West African and American popular music on the planet.

The core of the Chopteeth sound is Afrobeat: a big-band funk invented by Fela Kuti in 1970’s Nigeria. Afrobeat is a spicy stew of modern jazz, Yoruba tribal music and burning, James Brown-inspired rhythms.

Chopteeth’s sets feature original compositions along with updates of African dance classics, all while remaining true to the spirit of the music and its message. Band members step to the mic to serve up lyrics in a total of seven different languages.

The members of the Washington Area Music Association have selected Chopteeth for a total of 14 Wammie Awards, including artist of the year, debut CD of the year, world music CD (twice) and world music group (for nine years in a row).

The TGIF party begins on the plaza at 6 p.m. with a happy hour DJ set followed by a live concert at 7 p.m. Beverages will be available for purchase from Twin Valley Distillers. The weekly after-party will rotate to nearby local bars from 8-9 p.m. Parking is available in the building at 2425 Reedie Dr.

The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District has collaborated with Chuck Levin since the district’s inception in 2016. The district has become known for its cultural diversity, including people and music, traditional art forms and culinary experiences.

Chuck Levin’s is an iconic Downtown Wheaton business that has been a staple in the DMV and the music industry. Opened in 1958 in Washington, D.C., and relocated to Wheaton in 1968, Chuck Levin’s has become a cultural landmark where musicians of all levels congregate to buy, browse and rent equipment.

The story of Chuck Levin’s includes some of the biggest names in music. It supplied D.C.’s Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, with his first Gibson guitar. Stevie Wonder has been a regular visitor. Guitar manufacturing legend Paul Reed Smith honed his skills in its repair shop. Drummer Chris Culos of the rock band O.A.R. got his start at Chuck’s after his father worked in Pro Audio for more than 30 years.

In its seventh decade, the store remains focused on the everyday player. Customers still include elementary school students picking up their first instrument, bedroom hobbyists and professional musicians.

For updated information on the concert series, click here.

Wheaton’s Newest Building Mural ‘Wheaton Lives’ Will Be Formally Dedicated on Sunday, Aug. 11

Elbe’s Beer and Wine is located at 2522 University Blvd. West in Wheaton.

Wheaton's newest mural on the side of a building, called "Wheaton Lives," will be dedicated in ceremonies at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11. The mural is on the building that houses Elbe's Beer and Wine store.

Elbe’s Beer and Wine is located at 2522 University Blvd. West in Wheaton. The store will close at 4 p.m. on Aug. 11 for the celebration that will be held in the parking lot. There will be a tented area for shade and refreshments will be served.

A plaque will be unveiled and there will remarks from Bridget Cimino, the project’s artist, the property owners and representatives of the Wheaton Arts Parade. Elected officials and sponsors are also expected to attend. The Maryland State Arts Council, the Wheaton Arts Walls Foundation and members of the community whose contributions made this project possible also will be represented.

Elbe's Beer and Wine has been family owned since 1951 when it was started as a neighborhood market by William and Miriam Bobrow. William Bobrow served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was stationed near the Elbe River, hence the store’s name. The store is now run by their sons, Andy and Jeff.

The mural is another addition to Wheaton's Arts and Entertainment District.

The mural can be viewed at https://www.wheatonartsparade.org/elbesmural.

Ms. Cimino is a mural artist from Baltimore. Her design moves through time from the past to the future, from right to left. On the right side of the mural, above the customer entrance, is an image of a Native American village as it might have looked hundreds of years ago, with children at play. Below this scene, is an image of the same terrain being farmed by a European settler in the 18th Century. The next images are of local commerce in the mid-20th Century, the distinctive Wheaton Plaza sign and the founders of Elbe’s when it was the neighborhood grocery store. Moving further toward the present day is a woman cooking pupusas. She represents the current diverse population in Wheaton, who have brought aspects of their culture to further enrich Wheaton. The youth at play create a 21st Century bookend to the Native American children at play 400 years ago.

Work on the mural started on May 9 and was finished on June 12.

The project's major sources of funding were planning and project grants from the Maryland State Arts Council's Public Art Across Marland program and from Leonard Greenberg's Wheaton Arts Walls Foundation. 

The project was managed pro bono by the Wheaton Arts Parade.

Wheaton Urban District’s Second Community Conversation Will Focus on ‘Supporting Youth in Crisis’ on Tuesday, June 18

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will join the Wheaton Urban District at its second community conversation on the progress of new initiatives regarding addiction, violence and mental health affecting adolescents and young adults. The event will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center.

The Wheaton Community Recreation Center is located at 11701 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Registration is recommended. Register here.

The “Supporting Youth in Crisis” town hall will bring together community members, experts and local leaders to discuss critical issues affecting our youth and explore effective strategies and resources for support and recovery. County Executive Elrich will speak about current progress and next steps as County leaders address the effect of substance use on youth.

Among the speakers expected are:

• Kisha Davis, County health officer
• Steve Neff, director, Montgomery County Public Schools pupil personnel and attendance services
• Nora Morales, program director, Identity, Inc.

"Addressing youth violence, substance use and mental health is a top priority for me and for all of County Government,” said County Executive Elrich. “I understand the desperation families feel when their children are in need, and we recognize there is much more work to be done. This effort needs a united effort from businesses, community organizations, schools, families and government. Through community conversations like this we can work together to protect our loved ones and build a safer, healthier Montgomery County."

Attendees will hear from mental health professionals and community leaders who will provide valuable insights and strategies. There will be an opportunity to engage in open dialogue during the question-and-answer session, where community members can receive updates from Montgomery County and local partners on the latest initiatives and progress in addressing youth crises.

Highlights will include an update from Identity, a local community organization working with the County to pilot an innovative initiative combining direct street outreach with holistic family services to guide youth suffering from substance use disorder into treatment.

The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee (WUDAC) is sponsoring the town hall. WUDAC is comprised of 11 members appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council to provide advice on all matters affecting the Wheaton Urban District (downtown) area. Members represent businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, residents and the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board.

More information about the meeting, in English and Spanish, is available HERE.

Participants will have the opportunity to connect with local organizations and service providers offering support and assistance. The event will feature tables with information on mental health services, youth services, family outreach services and harm reduction and prevention.

Dinner and child care will be provided. The event will be in Spanish and English with additional interpretation available upon request. Interpretation requests must be made at least three business days prior to the event. For interpretation requests, email Luisa Cardona at luisa.cardona@montgmerycountymd.gov.

For more information call 240-412-8721.