The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation on Saturday, May 14, will present a virtual symposium in remembrance of the three lynchings found in Montgomery County in the 19th Century. “Preserving Legacies: Resources for Reconciliation” seeks to contribute toward reconciliation for African American communities for the deaths of George W. Peck and John Diggs-Dorsey in 1880 and Sidney Randolph in 1896.
The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. - 1p.m. Registration is required to participate and can be done at https://tinyurl.com/3c2z7xv2. Participants should register early to review online resources and prepare questions in advance for panelists.
The program will reveal resources and tools for communities to advocate for themselves and preserve African American historical and cultural legacies.
The event will include three panels. Their themes will be Organizational Strategies and Leadership: Cemeteries and Burial Grounds—Discovery and Documentation; and Preservation—Funding the Legacy.
For additional information on the program, contact Jeanne M. Toungara. a commissioner on the Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation, at jtoungara@gmail.com.
“Magic and Fantasy” will be celebrated as part of a special weekend of events hosted by Gaithersburg’s Arts on the Green May 13-15 at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. A magician will challenge perceptions of reality, attendees can join the quest for the One Ring and should beware of Fluffy guarding the Philosopher’s Stone. The event will feature magician Adam Stone, kid-friendly music by Milkshake and showings of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Harry Potter and the Sorcerers’ Stone with costume and trivia contests.
The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Rd. in Gaithersburg. There are charges for the events that are part of the Magic and Fantasy weekend.
The schedule of events for the weekend:
Adam Stone, Magician. Friday, May 13, 8 p.m. Comedy, magic and mentalism collide to create a tour de force of elegant deceptions and spell-binding entertainment. Recommended for ages 15 and up. Tickets $22, $20 for students (ages 15-21). Purchase tickets here.
Milkshake. Saturday, May 14, 1 p.m. Milkshake has been making original kid-friendly music since 2002. It has released five award-winning CDs, a DVD, a comic book featuring the band as cartoon characters and music videos for PBS Kids, Nick Jr. and the ToddWorld cartoon. Its Great Day release received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Recording for Children. Join Lisa Mathews and Mikel Gehl as they get everyone caught up in the magic of music and fun. Suitable for ages 3-7. Tickets $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Purchase tickets here.
Film Exhibition: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. PG-13 – Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Saturday, May 14, 7 p.m. A costume contest (dress as your favorite wizard, hobbit, orc or elf) and a trivia contest (who were Lúthien and Beren?) will be held prior to the film screening. Winners will receive small prizes and have a chance to show off their costuming skills and knowledge of Middle Earth. The Noble Blades will hold a weapons "Show and Tell" in the lobby and a stage combat demonstration. Recommended for ages 15-and-over. Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at door. Purchase tickets here.
Defense of the Dark Arts Workshop (Full). Sunday, May 15, 1 p.m. Potions, and wands and magic. Children and their families will tap into their creativity as they design and paint potion bottles and wands. Materials provided. Tickets $5 per child (adult/guardian enters free). Register here.
Film Exhibition: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers’ Stone. PG – Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. Join the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original phenomenon. Trivia and costume contest will be held at 1:30 p.m. Anyone in costume receives a raffle ticket for one of three prizes. Sunday, May 15. Trivia and Costume Contest at 1:30 p.m. Film Screening at 2 p.m. Tickets: $5 in advance, $8 at door. Purchase tickets here.
Arts on the Green programming is funded in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). To discover more about MSAC grants and how they impact Maryland's arts sector, visit www.msac.org.
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is offering online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs throughout May. All workshops are free and offered virtually.
An internet connection and a device (such as a smartphone, tablet or computer) are required for participation.
The schedule of workshops:
Throughout May – Every Monday: 9:30-11:30 a.m. H.I.R.E. (Helping Individuals Reach Employment) Sessions. Sign up to meet virtually/confidentially one-on-one with a career counselor for advice and assistance with your job search. Register:
Tuesday, May 17: 10-11:30 a.m. Introduction to Entrepreneurship. Workshop will cover the fundamentals of building a business and help determine if you are ready to become a small business owner. Presented in partnership with the Maryland Women’s Business Center. Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/6540240.
Tuesday/Thursday, May 17 and 19: 5:30-8 p.m. LinkedIn Boot Camp for 45-and-over Job Seekers (Sessions I and II). Two-session/two-day workshop focuses on both the mechanics and strategy of using LinkedIn as a tool to conduct a successful job search. Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/5959831.
Wednesday, May 18: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. How to Apply for Jobs with Montgomery County Government. Find out you need to know about applying for jobs with Montgomery County Government. Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/5822120.
Purple Line Spotlight on Library Resources Series. In collaboration with the Prince George’s Memorial Library System and the Purple Line Corridor Coalition, MCPL is launching a new digital skills series, “The Purple Line Corridor to Success!” It will feature four sessions in May focused on Adult Education and Career Exploration:
Tuesday, May 17: 6-7:15 p.m. The Purple Line Corridor to Success: LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn Learning provides thousands of certification courses in technology and business. After completion, a certificate can be uploaded to your LinkedIn profile. Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/6340838.
Tuesday, May 24: 6-7:15 p.m. The Purple Line Corridor to Success: Brainfuse JobNow. Job Now provides live career coaching, award-winning resume creation tools and helpful tips and tricks for landing the perfect career. Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/6341053.
Last week, NASA Astronaut and Montgomery County native, Dr. Jessica Watkins, made history becoming the first Black woman aboard the International Space Station. Dr. Watkins cited her early educational experience at Sally Ride Elementary School in Gaithersburg as where she was initially inspired toward her historic journey to space. Dr. Watkins success is a testament to the power and influence of our schools, and especially our teachers.
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. I want to thank, and salute, the 13,000 MCPS teachers as well as all our private school teachers who work so hard to teach our young people. As we look back over the last few years and the unprecedented challenges our teachers faced, none of us could have imagined the adversities that our teachers had to overcome. They adapted to the changes in instruction and the flexibility needed to deal with virtual learning, staffing shortages, and protecting themselves and their students from COVID.
This week, and every week, I encourage everyone to thank our teachers – and all our school staff - and show them the appreciation and respect they deserve. Teacher Appreciation Week isn’t just for students or parents. I am pretty sure we all have been inspired or changed for the better by a teacher at some time in our lives.
It has been a long time since I was student in MCPS, and yet I can still remember the names, faces, and lessons of the teachers that made a difference in my life. As a former elementary school teacher, the most appreciated I felt was when I would run into students years later - or even when they were adults themselves - and they would say thanks for something that I taught them.
Our teachers and all our school staff are expected to do so much well beyond the curriculum in the classroom - their work seldom ends when the school day is over. They are always thinking about their students and finding new and innovative ways to engage them. They inspire our children and help nurture the future leaders of our communities.
COVID Cases continue to rise, new Omicron variant on the horizon:
This week our COVID case rates continue to climb but our positivity rates have plateaued over the past several weeks. This is a good sign that we should see this current surge of cases begin to recede soon. It is important to note that our, hospitalization rates remain low, and thankfully we are avoiding severe cases and deaths. Currently we are hovering between CDC Community level LOW and MEDIUM but are hoping with our rates expected to decline that we will remain in the LOW community level.
97% of cases in our region are now the BA.2 strain and we are monitoring the new BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that have been identified in South Africa. These two new strains of COVID are more transmissible than the current BA.2 strain and could evade antibodies from vaccinations and prior infections.
As we prepare for this new variant, we must continue to focus on our vaccination and boosting efforts as well as on those most vulnerable to COVID – our older residents, those who are immune compromised, as well as children under 5 – who are not eligible to be vaccinated yet. We continue to monitor cases in congregate settings and are working with nursing homes and assisted living facilities to best protect their vulnerable residents. And as we wait for FDA approval of pediatric vaccines, we are preparing and collaborating with County pediatricians as well as planning outreach and clinics in communities that have lower vaccination rates.
An attack on women’s rights, freedoms, and health:
On another health-related issue in the news this week, I am shocked and outraged about the draft opinion that was leaked from the Supreme Court. If this opinion stands when the Court makes their ruling in June, this will be a travesty. This is a complete regression and attack on women’s rights, freedoms, and their health.
This potential court decision is also the beginning of a slippery slope that will impact federal funding and protections toward women and maternal health. I want to thank Montgomery County Delegate Ariana Kelly and our entire State Senate and House Delegation for the work they accomplished in Annapolis to protect the rights of women in Maryland and expand access to abortion. Fortunately, we live in a state where a women’s right to choose still matters and is not under attack. Additionally, in my FY23 recommended budget, we have proposed over $34 million dollars in minority and community health services – which includes women’s health services, maternity services, and our Montgomery Cares program for uninsured adults.
FY23 Budget Update: County Council approves labor agreements, affordable housing fund needed:
I want to thank the County Council for their unanimous approval last week of the labor agreements which lay out enhancements in compensation and benefits for County employees. The Council’s action gives us the tools we need to recruit and retain workers needed to continue to provide the services that County residents expect.
However, I am concerned about the Council’s staff recommendations to cut the $40 million dollars we allocated toward to the Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Fund, or NOAH. Montgomery County lost 20,000 affordable units between 2000 and 2017, and we are projected to lose up to 11,000 more by 2030. The funds that I put in my recommended budget would allow us to help our affordable housing partners act quickly in areas that are rapidly becoming more expensive, like along the Purple Line corridor.
The dedication of County resources in the NOAH fund will support a focused effort to preserve these at-risk properties and will provide much needed additional capital to preserve and create affordable housing units. I hope the County Council will support our recommended allocation for this fund so we can start tackling this affordable housing shortage with greater urgency.
May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month:
I want to acknowledge that this week is also the beginning of our Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Accounting for nearly 16% of the County population, our Asian American and Pacific Islander population is made up of over 20 different ethnic subgroups. Over 40% of the State of Maryland’s Asian American and Pacific Islander population lives in Montgomery County.
I am looking forward to attending various events around the county throughout this month. For many of our communities and organizations, this will be their first AAPI events in person in three years. I encourage all Montgomery County residents to recognize and learn about all our AAPI cultures that help make the diversity of this County so vibrant and enriching.
Saluting our Officers and Employees in Correctional and Rehabilitation Department:
This week is also National Correctional Officers Week and I want to thank all the Montgomery County Correctional and Rehabilitation Department employees for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serve and protect our Correctional and Rehabilitation inmates as well as our efforts toward improving their lives and reducing recidivism.
These employees have very difficult jobs to begin with and working under pandemic conditions over the last two years has made their daily challenges even more difficult. But they have adapted and adjusted to keep themselves and those who they protect as safe as possible. I thank and appreciate them for their noble service.
Honoring those who made ultimate sacrifice:
This week, I joined the Montgomery County Police Department at their annual Fallen Heroes Memorial Service. This year we mark MCPD’s 100th Anniversary. Since the founding of MCP in 1922, 19 officers were killed in the line of duty. They confronted the unexpected and paid the ultimate price.
Our police officers are expected to perform their duties fairly and with impartiality. They are expected to respect the rights of others while ensuring their own safety. This is a difficult process and sadly it has led to disaster and tragedy. And danger presents itself in many forms. Some of our officers killed in the line of duty were in automobile collisions or were hit by cars, such as the December 2015 incident when MCPD officer Noah A. Leotta was struck and killed by a drunk driver while performing a traffic stop on Rockville Pike.
Ceremonies such as this one, not only honor our fallen heroes, but also their families and friends. I was honored to attend and give remarks. Montgomery County will not forget these 19 officers, their families, and their sworn brothers and sisters who risk their lives for our safety every day.
Appreciating Moms:
Finally, I want to wish all the mothers, aunts, guardians, and grandmothers in Montgomery County a wonderful Mother’s Day this upcoming weekend. Please remember to not only show appreciation to your mother, but to all those who are mother figures in your life.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week signed the “Building Energy Performance Standards” (BEPS) legislation (Bill 16-21) into law. The bill, which was passed unanimously by the County Council on April 19, will expand the County’s benchmarking requirements by setting minimum energy performance standards for existing buildings. This will be one of the most effective ways to reduce energy demand and carbon pollution from the built environment as the County tackles its ambitious climate change goals.
The new law expands the number of buildings covered by the County’s existing Benchmarking Law to include additional County-owned, commercial and multifamily buildings and establish long-term standards for those buildings and require the use of less energy.
At the bill signing, County Executive Elrich stressed the importance of the legislation in realizing the County’s Climate Action Plan goals of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. A video of the bill signing ceremony can be viewed at https://youtu.be/eQE5Uezy7MQ.
County Executive Elrich was joined at the ceremonies by County Councilmember Tom Hucker, chair of the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee; Tom Deyo, chief executive officer of the Montgomery County Green Bank; Julie Wolfington, energy and sustainability lead at BOLAND; Adam Roberts of Bethesda Green; and representatives from the climate advocacy community.
“This new law will lead to energy improvements for multifamily residential and commercial buildings that will save money and create new local jobs,” said County Executive Elrich. “My administration is proud to have collaborated with the commercial and multifamily building sector in developing this legislation. Climate change is something we must address with a sense of urgency, and with this new law, our County is taking a big, bold step forward.”
Energy use in the building sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Montgomery County, representing almost 50 percent of total community-wide emissions. BEPS is a powerful policy tool that helps to drive energy improvements and emission reductions in existing buildings.
Montgomery County is among the first local jurisdictions in this nation to embark on this type of ambitious, game-changing legislation and has gained the attention of President Biden’s Council on Environmental Quality and environmental activists across the country. Other jurisdictions, like Denver, Colorado, specifically credited this proposal as their model.
In 2014, Montgomery established the first County-level benchmarking law for County-owned and commercial buildings that were 50,000 square feet and above to annually track and report building and energy performance to the County’s Department of Environmental Protection.
This new BEPS law will expand the number of buildings covered to include commercial and multifamily buildings that are 25,000 gross square feet and greater. Montgomery County currently has more than 5,000 commercial and multifamily properties that cover more than 288 million square feet of rentable building area. The County’s commercial building stock is primarily made up of office, multifamily and retail buildings. Commercial buildings account for 26 percent of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions in the County.
County Executive Elrich unveiled his Climate Action Plan in June of 2021. The plan guides the County toward its goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and by 100 percent by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. The Montgomery climate plan, which will increase resilience in the face of climate hazards, is one of the most ambitious climate plans in the nation for a local government. The details of the plan can be found at www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/climate.
Christina Moore and Sibyl Brown from Shepherd's Table will be discussing their organization's meal service program in a special virtual forum from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, May 9. Shepherd’s Table recently accomplished the huge milestone of serving 2 million meals since its founding in 1983. They will also be discussing hunger in the community and how Shepherd's Table worked to grow and adapt during the COVID-19 Health Crisis.
The forum is being presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. To view the forum, go to Meeting Registration - Zoom.
The mission of Shepherd’s Table's is to improve quality of life, create a pathway toward self-sufficiency and inspire hope for the most vulnerable experiencing food insecurity, homelessness and poverty. It provides meals and access to social services, provided with compassion and respect.
At the core of these basic services is its meal service program, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week, and brunch and dinner on the weekends. The enormous feat is accomplished through the generosity of its volunteers, its financial and in-kind donors and the staff of Shepherd's Table. It also has a resource center that is open daily, a weekly “Clothes Closet Program” and Montgomery County's only free eye clinic.
The hosts of the upcoming forum are experienced in helping others.
Sibyl Brown joined Shepherd’s Table in February 2020 as the development associate and transitioned to advocacy and community engagement manager in early 2022. She grew up in Silver Spring and moved back to the area after spending six years working in South Florida. She has worked in development and community engagement at several nonprofits focused on fighting food insecurity and is passionate about effecting change for our neighbors who are suffering.
Christina Moore joined the Army Reserves at 17, spending more than nine years as a Human Resources specialist, including a one-year tour in Baghdad, Iraq. From there, she enrolled in culinary school, graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in New England in the advanced honors program and earning an AA in Culinary Arts, as well as a Diplome de Art Culinaire, the French equivalent of a culinary certificate. A series of unfortunate circumstances led to a fall into, and subsequent climb out of, a period of homelessness. After overcoming this difficult time, she became the sous chef of a restaurant in Virginia. She came to Shepherd’s Table out of a deep yearning to do something more important. She was recently promoted to director of meal services.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will increase Ride On bus service starting Sunday, May 8. The new schedule will increase bus service to 90 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels.
All routes, except Route 301, will undergo schedule changes. The new schedules will be available at rideonbus.com and also will be available in print.
The increased service starting May 8 will include extending Route 4 from Kensington to Wheaton. The revised routing will provide a direct connection from the Kensington MARC Station to the Wheaton Metro Station. The route previously went as far as Connecticut and Howard Avenue in the Kensington area. It will now continue down University Boulevard and onto Veirs Mill Road to the Wheaton Metro Station. Route 4 will continue to operate on weekdays, with no additional changes.
“We know that many residents depend upon the Ride On bus system for daily trips throughout the County such as work, daycare, health services and other essential trips,” said MCDOT Director, Chris Conklin. “These service improvements are a step in the right direction. They provide access and opportunity to residents who need it.”
Passengers using Montgomery County’s Ride On buses are encouraged to wear a mask, but are no longer required to wear them. The change to the County’s mask policy comes after the announcement on April 18 that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) decided to suspend enforcement of its mask mandate on all modes of public transportation. TSA’s decision came after a Federal judge’s ruling that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mask mandate was unconstitutional.
“Ride On is committed to safety and we will continue to provide masks for our riders,” said MCDOT Division Chief of Transit Services Dan Hibbert. “Use of masks is still highly encouraged as COVID-19 remains a threat to our vulnerable.”
Bus interiors will continue to be cleaned by the County’s Department of General Services with hospital-grade disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems are also treated with a disinfectant.
Ride On bus service remains free for all riders until at least July 2. Riders can plan trips online with Ride On Real Time.
Residents 18-and-older who are interested in electric scooter lessons will have the opportunity to attend free clinics in May and June sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Participants can take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws.
Participants must have a valid driver’s license. No registration is required to attend a clinic and walk ups are welcome. The clinics generally will last about two hours and e-scooters will be available at each site.
Those interested in e-scooters can stop in at any time during the two-hour clinics. The schedule of clinics:
Saturday, June 12. Noon-2 p.m. Montgomery College. 850 Hungerford Dr., Rockville. (Parking Lot 13).
Electric scooters can help bridge the "first-mile/last-mile" gap of public transportation to provide the flexibility to easily get to and from a user’s ultimate destination. Currently, Bird, Lime and Spin participate in the County’s Dockless Vehicle Pilot Program.
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC), which is operated by the Montgomery County Office of Animal Services, will waive adoption fees for all animals as National Pet Week continues through Saturday, May 7. The event is sponsored in part by Montgomery County Partners for Animal Wellbeing (MCPAW).
The adoption center is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Rd. in Derwood.
Anyone who submits an adoption questionnaire by May 7 will receive a voucher valid through May 21 for a fee-waived adoption.
Standard adoption procedures are still in place. Interested adopters should visit the website to view available pets. An appointment can be made by filling out the application online, calling the shelter at 240-773-5900 during business hours or by walking in. Patrons with scheduled appointments will have priority over walk-ins. Submitting a questionnaire does not reserve an animal for adoption, which are first-come, first-served by appointment.
The County Animal Services and Adoption Center provides high-standard sheltering and care to homeless, abused and neglected animals and ensures the safety and welfare of the County’s residents. We are the County’s only open-admission, municipal shelter. Through adoptions, education, outreach, and more, MCASAC serves as a critical community resource to promote and advocate for responsible pet care. Animal Services Officers are on-call seven days a week to investigate citizen complaints and respond to animal emergencies 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices.
At its height, the African American town of Sugarland in the northwest corner of Montgomery County was home to a church, a school, a store, a post office and a practice hall for the town band. ‘I Have Started for Canaan: Telling the Sugarland Story,” a Montgomery History presentation that will be available starting Monday, May 9, will provide an opportunity for the team behind a new book that traces the history of the town to discuss its 150 years of history.
The presentation focuses on a history conference panel discussion featuring Gwendora Hebron Reese, Suzanne Johnson and Jeff Sypeck. They talk about the Sugarland community they came to know through documents, photos, artifacts and interviews. Those combine to provide a candid and enlightening look at rural African American life.
‘I Have Started for Canaan: Telling the Sugarland Story” will be available for viewing through May 16. No registration is required.
The panel also will describe ongoing preservation efforts and speculate about some of the intriguing historical questions that remain to be explored about Sugarland.
