WorkSource Montgomery, the County’s New, Non-profit Workforce Development Agency, Releases Draft of Local Area Workforce Plan

WorkSource Montgomery, Inc., the workforce development resource for Montgomery County businesses and job seekers, recently released its draft Local Area Workforce Plan, which is available online for public review and comment now through September 15.

The plan is to be finalized for final submission to the Maryland Department of Labor and Licensing Regulation by September 30, in accordance with the federal Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

To review the draft Local Area Workforce Plan or for more information about WorkSource Montgomery and its services, visit www.worksourcemontgomery.com.

Beginning October 1 Montgomery County’s public, education and government TV channels are going High Definition.

Montgomery County’s community cable PEG (Public/Education/Government) television stations will be sharpening up their operations on October. 1 when they begin to air their broadcasts in high definition (HD) to subscribers of Comcast and RCN services. Subscribers to Comcast or RCN, will be able to watch new HD services featuring hyperlocal news, education and entertainment programming from their local Montgomery County channels.

More information on these improvements are available at website.

September is National Preparedness Month; Preparedness Classes Offered to Public

The month of September is designated by presidential proclamation as National Preparedness Month. In Montgomery County, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) takes a leading role in County government preparedness and preparedness education for our residents. A wide variety of emergencies can and do happen; sometimes with little or no warning.

During September, everyone is asked to set aside some time to make plans and prepare for emergencies. Learn more about emergency preparedness planning from press release. And, if you aren’t already signed up to receive Alert Montgomery emergency warnings. Sign up online at alert.montgomerycountymd.gov.

In recognition of the importance of advance planning for emergencies, OEMHS, the Montgomery County Police Department and the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service have collaborated to offer a series of free Community Emergency Preparedness classes on

• September 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
• September 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown. 
• September 24 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Public Safety Headquarters in Gaithersburg.  

Community Emergency Preparedness Classes by Public Information Office on Scribd

For further information and required pre-registration see: https://www.scribd.com/document/322743453/Community-Emergency-Preparedness-Classes.

Office of Consumer Protection Recognized as National Experts on Consumer Fraud and Scams

Every day it seems we hear about a new or different scheme from crooks who try to cheat us. Today’s swindlers are getting more sophisticated and often target people when they are the most vulnerable.

Many of us have been the target of the Internal Revenue Service-impersonation scams and received threatening telephone calls. A recent Washington Post article reiterates that the con is growing and restates the fact that the IRS will never call and threaten jail.

The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is an excellent resource for residents looking to stay informed about ways to protect you and your family. Recently, OCP Director Eric Friedman was a featured expert for a U.S. News and Report Article on how consumers can protect themselves from scammers.

Popular Pool Pooch Party Returns to Montgomery County Recreation

It is that time of the year, when Montgomery County Recreation goes to the dogs and becomes “Mutt-gomery” County Recreation. The Pool Pooch Party is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual event takes place at the Wheaton-Glenmont Pool located at 12621 Dalewood Drive.  

The pool will be closed to humans and open to canines with current proof of rabies vaccinations. Dogs will be allowed to swim, romp and frolic at the pool before it is closed and cleaned for the winter. Each dog must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Registration is available from website.

Early Returns Signal Initial Success for County’s “Rock Spring Activation” Project

Rock Spring Business Park

Montgomery County has started an innovative pilot program designed to transform the Rock Spring office park by augmenting transit options. The office park is home to some of the largest employers in the County.

County Executive Ike Leggett initiated a dedicated express bus service (phase one), the Rock Spring Express on Monday, July 25, from the Grosvenor Metro station to the Rock Spring office park, and the initial returns are promising. The free service runs at 10-minute intervals from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. with no stops between the two locations. The new express option supplements already existing regular Ride On bus service. Read more from press release.

Summer of Safety Update

For many families the start of school signals the end of summer. But on the calendar, summer doesn’t officially end until September 21. You can count on receiving Summer of Safety tips right through then.

Back-to-school tips take prominence and we hope you make time to read them at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/summersafety/A-to-F.html. You can also find great tips from Montgomery County Public Schools at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/saferoutes.

With September as national Preparedness Month there will be lots of #MoCoSafety tweets about emergency planning.

As these final weeks of summer come to an end, make sure you do your best to enjoy them safely!

Final Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic of 2016

Mark your calendar. Sunday, September 18 from 8 to 10:30 a.m., is the final free rabies vaccination clinic of the year. These clinics are a public service by the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center. The vaccinations are free with the purchase of a Montgomery County Pet License. These are the two most important things a pet dog or cat owner can do to keep their pets safe…and it is the law. Share this information with your pet-owning friends and family.

For more information, visit County's animal services website.

A Tour and History of Col. John Mosby’s Operations in Loudoun County is the topic for the Montgomery County Civil War Roundtable

Don Hakenson and Charles Mauro will speak at the Montgomery County Civil War Roundtable on: A Tour and History of Col. John Mosby’s Operations in Loudoun County on Thursday, September 8 at 8 p.m.

Hakenson and Mauro are noted local historians who have written numerous books and are actively involved in numerous historical associations. The presentation will be held at the Gaithersburg Hilton, 620 Perry Parkway.

North Bethesda Market Hosts Montgomery County’s First Tomato Festival September 10

Maryland’s tomatoes are in season, and it is the perfect time to enjoy all things tomato - from zesty sauce and heirloom varieties to inspired chef creations. To celebrate this flavorful fruit, North Bethesda Market will host its first Tomato Festival Saturday, September 10. 

The Tomato Festival at North Bethesda Market, the first festival of its kind in Montgomery County, takes place outdoors, at 20 Paseo Drive, North Bethesda. The Festival is scheduled for 12 noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The event is free and open to the public.  

For more information on the event go to www.nobetomatofestival.com.