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.