County’s Holiday Schedule for Labor Day

Montgomery County government will observe the following holiday schedule for Labor Day on Monday, September 2:

• County Offices – closed
• Libraries – closed
• County liquor stores – all retail stores open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Recreation – outdoor aquatic facilities will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Olney Indoor Swim Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Indoor Swim Center will be open normal hours, all other indoor aquatic facilities will be closed. Administrative offices, senior centers and community centers are closed.
• Montgomery Parks – for holiday operating schedule on Parks’ facilities, including Brookside Gardens, ice rinks, tennis centers, trains and carousels, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.
• Ride On – Sunday schedule
• Metrobus – Sunday schedule
• Metrorail – Sunday schedule
• TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) – closed
• Refuse/recycling pickup – no collection*
• Transfer Station – closed
• Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free
• MCPS Administrative Offices – closed
• State offices & courts – closed

*Collection provided one day later for remainder of week (last collection day is Saturday).

Refunds Obtained for Consumers Due to Improper Towing

Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has advised approximately 60 individuals that they are eligible to receive refunds of more than $150 each as a result of their vehicles being improperly towed from a shopping center in downtown Silver Spring.

OCP conducted an investigation into the impound towing of vehicles parked in a shopping center located at the intersection of Georgia Ave. and Colesville Rd. after receiving information from a local TV news station. OCP determined that from October 1, 2012 until March 15, 2013 the parking restriction signs posted at the shopping center were not in full compliance with both the County and State trespass towing laws.

OCP entered into a settlement agreement with the owners of the shopping center in which the owner agreed to correct all the deficiencies with the County and State trespass towing laws and has made arrangements to provide full refunds to consumers

For comprehensive information about the County’s trespass towing law and the trespass towing law that was newly enacted by the State of Maryland visit OCP’s webpage, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer and go to the A-Z Consumer Advice link.

Read more.

Silver Spring Elementary School Teacher Receives First “Most Hopeful Teacher in America” Award

For just over two decades, Mary Hawkins-Jones has dedicated herself to encouraging young students, infusing them with hope and encouraging them to set goals for themselves. That devotion has paid off for the fifth-grade teacher at Westover Elementary School in Silver Spring with her selection as the first “Most Hopeful Teacher in America.”

The award, presented by Gallup, Inc. and Atria Books, was created to honor a full-time, effective classroom teacher who was best at creating a contagion of hope in his/her school. Gallup and Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., contacted principals at each of the 172 Gallup High-Hope Schools and asked them to submit a nomination.

In a prepared statement, County Executive Ike Leggett congratulated Mrs. Hawkins-Jones, saying, “This outstanding honor reflects her vision and ability to instill in her students the importance of setting life-long goals…Her remarkable achievements give us all hope for a better and brighter future.”

Read more about the award and Mary Hawkins-Jones and the selection process.

Watch the video of her award-winning career.

Hear Cool Jazz by Hot Stars

Grammy Award® -winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis will headline the 10th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday September 7. Other noted performers appearing are: hometown star Marcus Johnson, the Noah Haidu Quintet and the National Philharmonic’s jazz quartet, Songbook.

The free festival will be held from 4:30 to 10 p.m., at Veterans Plaza in front of the Silver Spring Civic Building on the corner of Ellsworth Dr. and Fenton St.

Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation – the Silver Spring Metro (Red Line) is two blocks away – and to bring folding chairs. Limited parking is available in the Wayne Avenue garage, the Town Square garage and the garages on Bonifant Street, Cameron at Ramsey Avenue and Cameron at Fenton Street.

See more on the performers.

Upcoming Trainings for Pedestrian Safety Volunteers

Building on a successful pedestrian safety volunteer program in Wheaton, the Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Pedestrian Safety Initiative is expanding the outreach effort to its next two target areas -- Silver Spring and Bethesda. Once trained, volunteers in these areas will work with the County to spread the pedestrian safety message.

Learn more about the County’s pedestrian safety program at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/walk.

To help recruit volunteers in the two communities, the Pedestrian Safety Initiative will host a training session in each area to explain the program and the core messages to be communicated to the public.

The sessions will be held according to the following schedule:

• Silver Spring Pedestrian Safety Volunteer Training Session --Tuesday, September 3, 6 – 8 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place (corner of Ellsworth Dr. and Fenton St.).
• Bethesda Pedestrian Safety Volunteer Training Session -- Wednesday, September 18, 6 – 8 p.m. at the Bethesda Urban Partnership Offices, 7700 Old Georgetown Rd.

The new volunteers will begin their outreach events at the Silver Spring Jazz Festival on September 7 and Taste of Bethesda on October 5.

For questions about the training sessions and/or volunteering, email MCDOT’s Joana Conklin at joana.conklin@montgomerycountymd.gov  or call 240-777-7195.

September is Library Card Sign Up Month

There’s one card you should have in your wallet, purse, tote bag, or backpack or on your keychain that will never go out of style or expire.…and, it’s free. That’s a library card.

During September, which is Library Card Sign Up Month, all Montgomery County Public Libraries will be reminding the public of the value of a library card and encouraging residents of all ages who don’t have a card to come in and sign up.

Anyone signing up for a new card in September will receive a special “thank you.”

Read more about the benefits of a library card and some events where you can sign up.

See how to sign up in person or online.

Back-to-School Safety Tips from Fire and Rescue Service

With schools back in session, Fire Chief Steve Lohr is asking all drivers to exercise extra caution and be alert. “Safety is our top priority. Drivers should allow extra time and be on the look-out for children at intersections and in neighborhoods,” he said.

“Additionally, as a matter of safety and compliance with laws, drivers are reminded to put their cell phones down and refrain from talking or texting while behind the wheel.”

Read and heed tips for drivers, parents and children, and more.

Support a New Start for Victims of Domestic Violence: Save the Date

The 4th Annual Benefit for the Montgomery County Family Justice Center (MCFJC) will be held on Sunday, October 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.

ABC7/WJLA-TV’s award-winning reporter and anchor, Greta Kreuz, will be Mistress of Ceremonies at the event that will benefit the work of the MCFJC, the County facility that assists domestic violence victims from “court to care.” The event will feature a silent auction, live auction and presentation of awards to individuals and organizations that are making a difference in the lives of victims and their families.

Proceeds will benefit the life-changing services of the MCFJC that have helped nearly 5,000 families from more than 100 countries since the center opened in 2009.

Tickets are $125 per person and online registration is available at www.mcfjcfoundation.org. RSVP deadline is September 30.

More information is available by emailing mcfjcfoundation.org@gmail.com.

Rte. 355 Safety and Resurfacing Project Begins in Bethesda

Continuing its commitment to improving road conditions in Montgomery County, the State Highway Administration (SHA) is starting a new $2.6 million safety and resurfacing project on MD 355 (Wisconsin Avenue) between MD 191 (Bradley Blvd.) and Montgomery Ave. in Bethesda. Weather permitting, work should be completed next fall.

The improvements will link to current projects underway on MD 355 from the DC line (Western Ave.) to Bradley Blvd. and from Montgomery Ave. to Jones Bridge Rd.

Get more information.

Medical Alert Phone Scam Active in County

The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) warns County residents, especially elderly consumers, about a medical alert scam underway across the country, including Montgomery County.

Residents have reported receiving calls from what appears to be a local number. The scammer states that they are calling to schedule a delivery of a life alert system. When the victim tells the caller that they have not ordered the equipment, the scammer tells them that someone purchased it for them.

"When you are not sure of who is calling, the best thing is to just say 'no,'" said OCP Director Eric Friedman. "You should never give out your personal information unless you know the company and have initiated the call."

OCP offers the following advice to consumers of all ages:

• Do not "press one" on your phone to talk to a live operator.
• Limit the amount of time you spend on the phone. The longer you speak with the scammers, the more likely they are to get you to reveal personal information.
• Do not rely on caller ID. Thieves know how to "spoof" telephone numbers making the call appear to be local.
• If you are unsure, contact OCP at 240-777-3636 or email ConsumerProtection@montgomerycountymd.gov.