Before it was a Montgomery County park and wedding destination, Rockwood Manor Special Park in Potomac was a national Girl Scout camp. Its long and involved history is the subject of a Montgomery History virtual presentation, which will be available for viewing for a one-week period starting Monday, Aug. 19.
When Girl Scouts USA sold the camp, which is located at 11001 Macarthur Blvd, in Potomac, to residential developers, neighbors and individual Girl Scouts fought to stop the sale.
In “Remembering Rockwood,” author Ann Robertson, shares why Rockwood was so important to save, and how the Girl Scouts fought back. She told the story in her book “Rescue Rockwood: How a Group of Determined Girl Scouts Rallied to Save a Beloved National Camp.”
Located along the Potomac River and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, Rockwood was the country home of Washington real estate developer Carolyn Gangwer Caughey. She purchased the land for its rolling hills, the lush cedar, tulip poplar, oak trees and the many birds and wildflowers. She chose the name Rockwood due to the sparkling gold-flecked rocks dotting the edges of a small, clear brook.
Mrs. Caughey (pronounced “Coy”) bequeathed her sizable estate, including Rockwood, to the national Girl Scouts organization upon her death in 1936. Once the property was converted from mansion to camp, Rockwood became a national hub of Girl Scouting. Between 1938 and 1978, more than half a million girls spent at least one night at Rockwood. The camp hosted adult training workshops, campers of all skill levels, sightseeing troops, special programs drawing girls from across the country, school groups, church groups, and international visitors.
It is County Fair Week in Montgomery County. The 75th Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is underway in Gaithersburg and will run until August 17.
For generations of County residents, the Fair has been the place to gather, learn and have fun in the late summer year after year. During this diamond jubilee year, I encourage everyone who has not been to the Fair before or if it's been a while to attend.
I also appreciate all the volunteers, County employees, and, of course, the farmers and vendors who have maintained this tradition for County families year after year. I wish everyone a fun and safe time at the County Fair.
County Under Drought Watch
Unfortunately, as we honor and celebrate our ag community at the County Fair, we are also concerned about increasing drought conditions that impact their land and livelihoods. Last week, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments placed Montgomery County under a drought watch.
The latest information from the National Drought Mitigation Center shows that more than 96 percent of Montgomery County is under severe drought conditions. Last summer, we peaked at 89 percent of the County in extreme drought conditions before things improved. The last time we saw things this dry was nearly 20 years ago.
We ask all residents and businesses in Montgomery County to take voluntary measures to conserve water in order to reduce demand on the region's water supply. Drought conditions endanger crops and pastureland and could prompt water shortages or restrictions. Please follow suggestions from WSSC to use water wisely and hold off on activities like washing our cars. Here are some tips for wise water use.
Our lack of sustained rain poses another danger: flash flooding. Because the ground is parched, much of the rain we get can have a hard time absorbing into the dry and hardened soils. That can lead to lots of rainwater with nowhere to go.
When it rains, stormwater flows—and sometimes overflows. Most properties are privately owned, and we need more people to manage their yards in a way that will reduce runoff. Here are some ways you can help:
Change your driveway to a permeable material.
Install a rain barrel.
Plant canopy trees.
Design a stormwater garden, which can include adding a rain garden.
Conservation landscaping can help protect air and water, manage stormwater, conserve energy and provide a more beautiful environment. By using native plants and low-input designs, you will reduce water, pesticide and fertilizer use and save time compared to maintaining a lawn.
Installing a rain garden allows about 30 percent more water to soak into the ground than a conventional lawn. Both conservation landscapes and rain gardens reduce stream pollution from fertilizers, pet waste, pesticides and other pollutants.
Native plants are vital elements of landscapes. They have adapted to the local climate and are typically more drought-tolerant and pest-resistant than non-native plants. They are also important food and shelter sources for birds and beneficial insects, including butterflies, bees and ladybugs.
Rain barrels are often the starter project for those interested in reducing stormwater pollution and protecting our streams.
You can learn more about these projects by visiting rainscapes.org and visit treemontgomery.org to learn how to get a canopy tree.
We have engaged a company to analyze all the County watersheds to determine areas of vulnerability within our storm sewer system and then help us prioritize solutions.
We want to do what we need to protect communities and businesses at risk of flooding, but solutions will take time and likely be quite expensive.
The remnants of Debby threatened our area with strong winds and flooding. We have proactively responded to this potential danger by adding flood sensors to help alert us to elevated water levels in problem areas. We also increased our social media messaging encouraging people to be prepared for emergencies. Signing up for Alert Montgomery is an excellent way to receive information about potential dangers directly to your phone and other electronics.
New MCPS Superintendent Dr. Taylor Begins First School Year
This year, we embark on a new chapter for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), with new superintendent, Dr. Thomas Taylor, at the helm. I am glad he could join me for my weekly media briefing this week to discuss his vision for MCPS. You can watch that here.
Dr. Taylor’s focus on quality education, academic rigor, school safety and a commitment to inclusion is clear and inspiring. I am enjoying getting to know him – it may be a first that both the County Executive and the Superintendent of MCPS graduated from MCPS schools. I look forward to working with him, his leadership team, the Board of Education, the unions representing the principals, teachers and other school staff as well as the parent community this school year.
We are home to the largest school district in Maryland, one of the largest in the nation. More than 160,000 students were enrolled in MCPS schools last year, and MCPS employs close to 25,000 people.
Our schools are one of the most important community assets, and their continued success is the responsibility of not just the students and employees but all of us. Our support and involvement are crucial to the success of our economic development efforts and the quality of life in Montgomery County. People choose to live here, and businesses are attracted here because of our schools.
As we face the system's current challenges, strong leadership is crucial to keeping us among the country's most highly regarded school districts. Our high schools consistently rank among the top in the state when evaluated by U.S. News and World Report, but we are constantly striving to improve. Whether the challenges involve budgets, policies, staffing or programming, the focus remains on creating an environment where students can thrive, and teachers can teach.
In preparing for the upcoming school year, parents must ensure that their kids' vaccinations are up to date. In addition to going to private health care providers, the County also provides free back-to-school vaccinations at four locations in the County: the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring, the Germantown Health Center, the Silver Spring Health Center, and the School Health Services Immunization Center in Rockville. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are available. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/immunizations for details on vaccination clinics.
The annual MCPS back-to-school fair will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Westfield Wheaton Mall. All MCPS families are encouraged to attend and enjoy activities, learn about services and programs tied to our schools, and take advantage of free health screenings.
Tax-Free Shopping Week Returns
Beginning Sunday, Aug. 11, families and teachers can take advantage of Tax-Free Week across Maryland to prepare for the school year. Many back-to-school essentials qualify for a tax break, including most clothing priced under $100 —jeans, shoes, and underwear, for example. The first $40 of a backpack purchase is also tax-exempt.
The Maryland Comptroller’s Office has a FAQ page to help answer your questions about Tax-Free Week.
National Night Out: A Testament to Community Engagement
On Tuesday night, Montgomery County hosted more than a dozen National Night Out gatherings supporting safe neighborhoods and law enforcement. I tried to attend as many celebrations as possible, including gatherings in Olney, East County, Aspen Hill and Rockville. We shared pictures from various locations, which you can see on the County’s Flickr page.
This was a great opportunity for our new Police Chief Marc Yamada and Fire Chief Corey Smedley to visit several communities throughout the evening.
After participating in many of these events over the years, I know that the relationships that are often forged during these activities build knowledge and confidence that go a long way toward improving our County. Your active participation in these events as families, law enforcement and other public safety personnel and County partners is a testament to the power of community involvement.
I encourage everyone to stay engaged with their neighbors and our public safety and health communities throughout the year by engaging, volunteering or assisting your local community groups, nonprofits or regional service centers. If you do not know how your skills could be best applied, visit the Montgomery County Volunteer Center to look around at the groups in need of help.
Downtown Silver Spring Safety Checks
This past weekend, in Downtown Silver Spring, the County spearheaded the latest business monitoring and enforcement walk. These efforts have been held on an ongoing basis over the last several years in response to complaints about businesses not complying with laws in place to protect public safety.
The group found multiple problems, including illegal hookah operations, businesses improperly setting cover charges and violations for improper alcohol and food sales. Fire and safety violations were also discovered.
These illegal practices are disturbing because they compromise public safety. We are committed to ensuring people can visit businesses and have fun in Montgomery County in a safe environment.
Owners of these businesses need to know that we will enforce and shut down businesses that continue to violate laws. Our commitment to enforcing these laws is unwavering, and we will continue to protect our community.
We will expand these efforts to address public concerns. I encourage anyone who knows of an issue that needs to be addressed to contact the police on our non-emergency number, 301-279-8000, or the appropriate County department.
MCFRS Respond to Hurricane Debby
Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida as a category 1 storm. In anticipation of flooding in areas like South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency deployed approximately 45 personnel from the Maryland Task Force 1. The Task Force is headquartered in Montgomery County, though first responders from Howard, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Frederick Counties and the District of Columbia are also on the team.
Maryland and Virginia preemptively declared states of emergency based on the expected rain. Places along the storm’s path, like Charleston, South Carolina, have seen dozens of roads closed due to rain and storm surges. Areas that do not usually see flooding, like central North Carolina, also dealt with heavy rain and power outages.
Maryland Task Force 1 trains, prepares and is certified for this lifesaving job. They make Montgomery County proud when they selflessly risk their lives to help strangers escape danger.
Please be prepared for things like power outages or flooded streets near you. It may not happen, but having a plan puts you and your family in a better position than being caught unaware. Here is a link to help you plan for emergencies.
Business Center Launching Business Accelerator Aimed at Spanish Speakers
The Montgomery County Business Center has partnered with M&T Bank to recruit about 30 businesses into a new Multicultural Business Accelerator for Spanish speakers.
A launch event for the program will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14 in Rockville.
To participate, businesses must be located in Montgomery County and relatively new (five years or less). The business must also be in good standing with the State of Maryland. Fluency in Spanish is required for this class.
I am proud of the direct assistance provided by the County’s Business Center to businesses of all sizes. All too often, businesses are shuttled from one department or organization to another to resolve an issue. With the Montgomery County Business Center, businesses receive a dedicated County staff member who works with them through the different State and local agencies, departments and organizations as the problem or concern is resolved.
Accelerators are a way to help small business leaders looking to learn our local economy, grow their operations or partner with other small businesses to find efficiencies. Catering to specific groups like Spanish speakers helps us ensure that everyone can make inroads and find success in Montgomery County.
We ran a similar business assistance program last year to great success. The program will last seven weeks. If you want to RSVP for next week's event, click here. You can also contact Naddia Clute (202-934-1288) or Julio Roque (240-481-3047) with any questions.
‘Right From the Start’ Addresses Maternal Health
I want to encourage all expectant mothers to attend a free event on Saturday, Aug. 10. The “Right from the Start” maternal health resource fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring.
There is a direct correlation between prenatal care and a healthy pregnancy. Without proper prenatal care, infants are three times more likely to be born with low birth weight and five times more likely to die in their first year.
In recent years, Montgomery County has seen Black women experience 35 percent of all infant deaths and fetal losses while only making up 21 percent of all births in the County. Montgomery County is making headway in reducing health disparities faced by Black mothers, but maternal health remains a concern. I hope this event and other year-round efforts help raise awareness and advocacy within our communities so that we can address these life-threatening challenges.
Though the event is free, online registration is required. If you have questions about the topic, you can also email BBH@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-3118.
Our Department of Health and Human Services’ Babies Born Healthy program organized the event. It also gives mothers a chance to become familiar with the County’s Early Childhood-Child Care Support Services, which works to support and build a successful childcare delivery system through coaching, consultation, professional development and one-on-one support.
“Just for the Record - A Vinyl Day’’ this Saturday in Silver Spring
As our Montgomery County Public Libraries begins the final stretch of its Summer Reading Challenge, we have come to another 'A Vinyl Day' celebration.
The Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library in Silver Spring will host the free celebration of record and DJ culture on Saturday, Aug. 10, starting at 10 a.m. The family-friendly event includes turntable sets, lessons on audio, DJ lessons for all ages, art projects and songwriting workshops.
I encourage anyone with a budding musician in the family to visit the library in Downtown Silver Spring and participate in the event.
Finally, I also want to remind you that COVID-19 continues to get people sick in Montgomery County. COVID transmissions continued to rise during this year’s summer wave, and we are now seeing significant increases in more serious illnesses resulting in hospitalizations. Seniors and those with underlying health conditions continue to be the most vulnerable populations.
I continue to encourage you to stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with people, especially those who are vulnerable to becoming very ill, like older adults and those who are already suffering from health conditions.
Groups interested in reserving indoor spaces at Montgomery County Public Schools' facilities during the 2024-25 school year can begin making reservations online at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. Reservations for the use of school facilities are regulated by the Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF).
Indoor school reservations include classrooms, gymnasiums, auditoriums, cafeterias and other indoor facilities. For more information, go to General Public Use.
Reservation can be made online at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org. After signing in, select the "Facilities Reservations" thumbnail. On the next page, select the thumbnail that corresponds to the indoor facility that will be requested. Upon selection of your preferred thumbnail, the user will gain access to additional information that will help them complete an online reservation form that will be reviewed by CUPF staff.
To ensure a smooth experience in making reservations:
Ensure that your account for the NEW ActiveMONTGOMERY.org software is active with a current login and password. Read more...
Organizations should ensure that the account login and password is available to whomever in the organization has been given the authority to reserve public facilities on their behalf.
Only a single member of each organization can be logged into the organizational account at one time to reserve facilities.
For more information about the reservation system, contact CUPF at 240-777-2725 or by email at cupf@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Montgomery County will hold an open house for County Government job seekers from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14, in the County Executive Office Building’s lobby-level auditorium in Rockville. Attendees must be 18 or over.
The Executive Office Building is located at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville. The building is a two-block walk from the Rockville Metro Station on the Red Line. Public parking is available nearby.
County staff will be available throughout the day to discuss job opportunities, career paths, how to apply for current positions and benefits available to County employees.
The County has career path opportunities in many areas including:
Health and social services
Management/administrative
Transportation/bus driver/truck driver
Information technology
Public safety
Pre-registration is not required to attend the career fair. Bilingual Spanish-speaking recruiters will be available.
Wheaton's newest mural, 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. Mr. 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.
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.
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.
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will host its annual “Just for the Record–A Vinyl Day,” a celebration of music on vinyl records featuring popular DJs from around the country, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10. The free festival will take place at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library at 900 Wayne Ave. in Silver Spring.
Attendees can participate in workshops on music production, songwriting and album cover painting. They can also purchase vinyl records at a sale organized by the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC). Registration is not required. Workshops and activities are first-come, first-served.
The festival’s keynote event will be a discussion at 2 p.m. with DJ Johnny Juice Rosado. His diverse skills as a composer, producer, turntablist, engineer, musician, B-boy, graffiti writer, educator, lecturer and mentor have left an indelible mark on the culture, earning him an Emmy and NAACP Image Award nomination.
“Just for the Record–A Vinyl Day” is conducted in collaboration with FOLMC, Classroom 2 Community, Levine Music, Mid-Atlantic Scratch League (MASL) and Urban One Radio.
The activities scheduled for “Just for the Record - A Vinyl Day” include:
The “Right from the Start” event is free, but online registration is required. Holy Cross Hospital is located at 1500 Forest Glen Rd.
The fair focuses on supporting Black children and families from preconception through early childhood. It is organized by DHHS's Babies Born Healthy program, the African American Health Program (AAHP), Early Childhood Services and the Improved Pregnancy Outcomes program,
Coinciding with National Breastfeeding Month, the event will cover topics such as breastfeeding, preconception, prenatal health, community support for families, doula support, developmental milestones and mental health.
In 2022, Black/African American births accounted for 35 percent of fetal and infant losses despite representing only 21 percent of all births in the County.
Nina Ashford, DHHS chief of public health services, will deliver the opening welcome. Other speakers will include:
Kisha Davis, Montgomery County health officer
Barbara Harrison, Howard University College of Medicine
Tiffaney Mills, Milestones
Whitney Dula, Babies Born Healthy program, DHHS
Crystal Trent Paultre, Babies Born Healthy program, DHHS
Jennifer Whitehead Smith, Kennedy Krieger Institute
Event highlights include activities for kids, prizes and giveaways and complimentary refreshments.
The Babies Born Healthy program works to decrease disparities and reduce infant mortality among babies born to Black/African American women by providing care coordination services to help at-risk pregnant women connect with resources and to help them stay healthy through their pregnancies. For more information, visit the DHHS website.
The AAHP is one of DHHS’ three minority health programs. It works to eliminate health disparities and improve the number and quality of years of life for Black/African Americans and people of African descent. For more information, visit the AAHP website.
Early Childhood-Child Care Support Services connects comprehensive services that support and build a successful child care delivery system through coaching, consultation, professional development and individualized support. For more information, visit their website here.
The Improved Pregnancy Outcomes program works to increase healthy pregnancy outcomes and address related racial disparities by improving healthcare systems and community resources.
The grand finale of the Washington Region’s largest annual ukulele festival will highlight the free Wednesday night outdoor music series at Strathmore, Montgomery County’s finest performing arts venue, on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda. Although the concerts are free, attendees are asked to RSVP in advance at Summer at Strathmore. By sending in an RSVP, audiences will be able to receive weather or performance updates.
The Live from the Lawn concerts will continue through Aug. 21.
Strathmore will celebrate its 16th Annual UkeFest, culminating with an all-star concert finale. The festivities begin with a strum-along for the audience and UkeFest participants, leading into an evening showcasing the ukulele's diversity with performances by world-renowned virtuosos.
The finale will include local folk legends Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, blues strummer Robert Jones of Detroit, Brazilian musician VinÃcius Vivas, Strathmore Artist in Residence Zoë Jorgenson and Maui’s The Hula Honeys.
Attendees can bring low-rise chairs or blankets for their lawn experiences. The use of higher chairs is discouraged, but concert goers with those types of chairs are asked to sit toward the back of the lawn. The Strathmore team will ask those in higher chairs to move back if seated in a location that will block others’ view of the stage. Pets and comfort/emotional support animals are not permitted at Live from the Lawn events. Trained service animals are permitted.
Strathmore Culinary Arts will be serving a variety of barbeque-style food and drinks for purchase on site. View the menu here. Ben & Jerry’s will have ice cream options available for purchase. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Outside alcohol is not permitted on property.
Parking suggestions:
Parking is in the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro garage off Tuckerman Lane and is payable by SmarTrip or credit card.
Members at the Two Star level and above can park in the Mansion lot when attending Live from the Lawn events. Upon entry, display your VIP Parking Pass on your dashboard and follow the instructions from security personnel. View more detailed information here.
Dueling Pianos featuring Jimmy “Ross” Morouse, an all-star comedy show at Cabin John Regional Park and “tasting the land” at a Food Friday event are among the special events and programs that will be sponsored by Montgomery Parks in August.
The August schedule of Montgomery Parks events will include:
Parks Summer Concert Series. Thursday, Aug. 15. 6–8 p.m. The Thursday summer evening series of free musical performances by local acts at different parks around the County concludes with Dueling Pianos featuring Jimmy “Ross” Morouse (eclectic). This show will be at Cabin John Regional Park at 7400 Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda. Bring friends and family, chairs, blankets and picnics. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. All ages. Free. Parks Playhouse Junior. Saturday, Aug. 10. 10–11 a.m. Arora Hills Local Park, 23244 Arora Hills Drive, Clarksburg. Live performance for the kid set, ages 2-12. Free. Puppet Company performs Hansel and Gretel.
Yoga at Brookside Gardens. Saturdays, Aug. 10, and 17. 9:30–10:30 a.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Enjoy yoga held in a peaceful setting in the Japanese Tea House. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $14 per person.
Summer Family Day at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Saturday, Aug. 10. 11 a.m. –3 p.m. Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring. Hands-on activities about life in the 1800s. Play 19th Century games. Also, get free admission to the Woodlawn Museum. All ages. Free.
All-Star Comedy at Cabin John Regional Park. Friday, Aug. 16. 6–8:30 p.m. Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. Start the weekend with the hilarious comedians from Improbable Comedy. Food and beverages available for purchase from Two Smooth Dudes, SnoBlast DMV and Saints Row Brewing. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for viewing. Mature audiences: viewer discretion advised. Ages 17 and older. Free.
Foodie Fridays: Taste the Land. Friday, Aug. 23.6:30 –8:30 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Learn about foraging, forest agriculture and food forests and more with Bodhi Vasilopoulos, founder of Nature’s Love and Wisdom. The registration fee includes light refreshments, one alcoholic beverage (21 and older) and a ticket to Josiah Henson Museum ($5 value, redeemable during regular museum hours). Ages 18 and older. Purchase tickets. $15 per person.
I was pleased to have Rep. Jamie Raskin join me for my weekly media briefing this week. We addressed the current state of political rhetoric during this Presidential election cycle as well as gun violence—a discussion that has intensified following the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Rep. Raskin and I shared our concerns about the pervasive impact of gun violence on our communities and the urgent need for comprehensive legislative action. Rep. Raskin emphasized the importance of common-sense gun laws to enhance public safety, while I reiterated Montgomery County's commitment to implementing effective measures at the local level. Our conversation underscored the necessity for collaborative efforts between Federal and local governments to tackle this pressing issue.
We both agreed that protecting our residents and ensuring their safety is paramount. We must continue to advocate for policies that prevent such acts of violence and promote a safer environment for all.
Additionally, we discussed the need for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to support our local economy and ease the financial burden on our residents. Lower interest rates can help stimulate economic growth and provide much-needed relief for working families in Montgomery County.
I am grateful to Rep. Raskin for joining me during this briefing to share his thoughts and perspectives. Rep. Raskin's support and efforts for Montgomery County residents and his steadfast dedication to standing up for democracy as a leader in the United States House of Representatives make a significant difference in our community and beyond.
To watch our discussion as well as our questions and answers from and to the media, please click here.
A Milestone Moment for a New North Bethesda
This week, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA or Metro) to partner on the development of a nearly 14-acre piece of land next to the North Bethesda Metro Station. You can read more about what the agreement means from WMATA’s perspective here. This partnership is exciting, and it is significant because the goal is to build a development that will attract new life science and biotech companies.
The project will be anchored by the recently launched Institute for Health Computing (IHC), which we first announced was under development in 2022. The signing of the MOU represents an important moment for Montgomery County, our life science industry and the University of Maryland’s Institute for Health Computing.
Why is it important? Because Montgomery County is the center of the third-largest life science hub in the U.S. Only San Francisco and Boston are ahead of us. With assets already based in Montgomery County like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, our proximity to the nation’s capital and a highly educated and diverse workforce, our County is very attractive to life science and biotech companies.
These and other assets have enabled us to build a vibrant life science industry. The announcement we made to develop near the North Bethesda Metro Station is so important because it could be the spark that pushes us from No. 3 to No. 1.
For more than five years, I have been focused on developing this area to capitalize on our life science strengths and provide a collision and collaboration space of learning and innovation. Before I was elected, the County bid on the Amazon 2 headquarters, and while we did not win that bid, it made me realize the enormous potential of the North Bethesda area. This land is on the Metro Red Line (just two stops from NIH), along a planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route and has a huge amount of re-developable space, potentially—15 million square feet in and around the Metro station.
So, to realize this opportunity, we initiated an approach with a dual focus at this location. We worked with the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing, which as its dean of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Science, Amitabh Varshney, explained, will bring together the computation and AI power of College Park joined to the University of Maryland Medical system with 2 million unique patients across the state. They will use these incredible resources to be a force for health care innovation. At the same time, I began working with WMATA on a joint development agreement to focus development on their property at the North Bethesda Metrorail Station.
The MOU we signed on Monday with WMATA begins the process of soliciting developers for this project. A timeline for that process can be found here.
This is a big win for the County. We now have the Institute for Health Computing, which will serve as an attraction for new development and provide support for AI research for the life science companies that are already here. And the partnership with WMATA will enable us to build an urban center for life sciences, embedded in a place with Metrorail access, housing and great amenities (dining, retail, entertainment, a major hotel and conference center).
Now is the time to capitalize on this area’s potential to be the most valuable open development site in the entire state. We have already received support from our State and Federal partners.
At the signing ceremony, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen presented a $5 million check that will help pay for planning and preliminary engineering for a new north entrance to the North Bethesda Metro Station. Congressman Raskin helped secure $3 million in Federal funding for the Institute, which was a big help.
It is hard to believe that it has been just 20 months since we announced the establishment of the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing. In that short amount of time, we have received significant support at the State and Federal levels to help fund what we know will become an exciting new future for our life sciences industry and the economic viability of Montgomery County.
I want to thank our Congressional delegation and our delegation to the Maryland General Assembly for securing more than $36 million to help bring this next step in the evolution of the IHC. They have also helped secure an additional $6 million in annual support for the research facility. This commitment by our partners, which now includes WMATA, demonstrates the importance of this project to Montgomery County and the region.
We are on our way to making North Bethesda the heart of the Washington region’s life sciences industry, and this puts us on the path to making Montgomery County the nation’s No. 1 place for innovation.
I will be updating you on this exciting initiative to support and expand our life science industry that will bring new jobs and opportunity to our County. This is going to be a game changer.
As the president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System has said, the Institute for Health Computing could make Montgomery County the Silicon Valley for Health Computing. That is the potential and impact this effort can have on our County, the State, the nation and the world.
'Travel and Leisure' and 'Niche' Rank North Bethesda Among Nation’s Best Suburbs
There is more good news about North Bethesda. Travel and Leisure selected North Bethesda as the fourth-best suburb to live in the country, and Niche.com selected North Bethesda as the No. 1 suburb in which to live in Maryland.
With all of the great communities in Montgomery County and in the region, this recognition of North Bethesda is a tremendous honor. Within North Bethesda there are charming neighborhoods and a community is stacked with restaurants, farmers markets, great schools and cultural institutions like Strathmore and local landmarks such as Hank Dietles. All of these amenities add to the quality of life for the nearly 50,000 residents.
Realtors told Travel and Leisure that homes in North Bethesda are among the most sought in the metro area. The median sale price of a home sold in May was $570,000. North Bethesda benefits from strong public and private schools and it also earns “A+” grades for family life, health and fitness and an ‘A’ in the outdoor, nightlife and diversity categories.
Congratulations to the residents, businesses, and neighborhoods of North Bethesda for achieving these national rankings and recognition of being an exemplary community interest.
The spotlight was on North Bethesda this week, but we all benefit from the effort put into this County to make our home a better place for everyone.
‘Summer Rise’ Program
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has a great summer internship program for rising juniors and seniors called “Summer RISE.” Summer RISE is an initiative led by the MCPS’ Department of Partnerships in collaboration with local businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations. The program is designed to expose students to careers and industries they may want to consider. Through the program, students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning related to their field of interest.
For the past few summers, there have been RISE students working in my office. They get a chance to learn about issues, attend meetings, press conferences and work on projects.
As a former MCPS teacher, I always enjoy talking with students. We want young people to consider working in local government and tHis program is a great way to get students interested in government.
For the last few years, some of the students working in my office ended the program by interviewing me. This year, we put a little different spin on it and we had a conversation with them. I hope you will take the time to watch our conversation. The students share some interesting thoughts about education and their futures.
I want to thank Ansuya Bisbey from Richard Montgomery High School and Sara Zemikiel from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School for having this conversation with me and for their assistance in the County Executive’s office this summer. Their perspectives and insights were refreshing to hear.
I also appreciate all the County government departments who hosted RISE participants, County employees who served as mentors this summer, and the MCPS RISE staff and volunteers. We look forward to participating again with them next summer.
‘National Night Out’ on Tuesday, Aug. 6
One way everyone can work together to make our communities better is by participating in “National Night Out” on Tuesday, Aug. 6. National Night Out is an annual national campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and encourage neighbors to get to know each other better.
There are many events planned countywide that will give neighbors a chance to meet local law enforcement and first responders. Some of the communities planning events include Bethesda, Germantown, Kensington, Olney and Silver Spring. There will be fun activities for kids and families, food and refreshments, live entertainment and music, raffles and giveaways.
I will be out that night moving around to numerous celebrations to meet and greet people. I hope to see you in one of the locations enjoying the evening, your community and having fun.
Free Hyundai Anti-Theft Upgrade Event on Aug. 2-4,
The Montgomery County Police Department will once again team up this weekend with Hyundai to host a free anti-theft software upgrade. The three-day event began Friday, Aug. 2, in Burtonsville and will continue through Sunday, Aug. 4.
This is our second event to help Hyundai owners prevent auto-theft. More than a thousand cars were reported stolen in the County in the first six months of this year, and nearly half of them were Hyundais. Hyundai thefts nationwide began to jump in the last two years after a video on social media exposed a manufacturing weakness that made cars with a mechanical “turn-to-start” key ignitions easier to steal.
We recognize this is a continuing concern, so we are offering drivers a chance to get a free software upgrade to help prevent their cars from being stolen. They also can get a free steering wheel lock. The event is open to 2011-2021 Hyundai vehicle owners and lessees.
You do not have to make an appointment and no ID will be required. You can bring your Hyundai to Paint Branch High School, which is located at 14121 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. The event is scheduled for 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday.
County Agriculture Fair Runs From Aug. 9-17
Beginning in one week there is a great opportunity to see and experience the work done by our agricultural community.
This year is the 75th Jubilee Celebration of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. This year’s theme is “honoring yesterday, today and tomorrow on the farm.” The fair begins Friday, Aug. 9, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 17, with different types of special events each day.
I encourage you to visit mcagfair.com to purchase tickets and plan your visit. Some of the entertainment options include a rodeo, monster truck show on multiple nights and demolition derbies.
You can also see animals on display each day and there is free entertainment, a kid zone with activities for children and a large carnival to enjoy.
One change from previous years is that there will no longer be public entry or parking at the Chestnut Street entrance. You can either pay to park at the fairgrounds by entering on Perry Parkway or take a free shuttle from either the former Lakeforest Mall parking lot or the Montgomery College campus in Rockville. The County Department of Transportation also is making its Ride Share service an option for fairgoers. All your transportation options can be found here. Mark the dates on your calendar!
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