It’s Tee Time for the AT&T

The 2013 AT&T National Tournament is being held at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda through June 30. Many County departments and agencies have been working on arrangements and logistics with representatives from the PGA TOUR and Tiger Woods Foundation. Their goal is to help spectators get to and from the event as efficiently as possible so they can enjoy the overall experience.

Public Parking and Shuttle Bus Options

County and tour officials remind anyone planning to attend that, if driving, they must use one of the official tournament parking and shuttle lots. There is no general admission parking available in the immediate vicinity of the golf course.

See more details about where to park.

Public Transportation

No public walk-ins are allowed through the main entrance of Congressional Country Club on River Rd. Public transit options are:

• T2 bus from Friendship Heights and Rockville (operated by Metro on weekdays and by Ride On on weekends). On Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 – as a convenience for spectators leaving the tournament and using public transit -- T2 Ride On buses will operate every 15 minutes from 4 to 8 p.m. between the Friendship Heights and Rockville Metro Stations. Until that time, the service operates every 30 minutes, beginning at 7 a.m.
• Ride On bus 36 from Bethesda (no Saturday or Sunday service). Use the stops at the end of the route on Bradley Blvd. at the Connelly School.

After departing the bus, walk south on Bradley Blvd. and follow signs and directions to the shuttle that will drop off passengers at the tournament’s main entrance. Attendees who prefer to walk should go south on Bradley, then left on Persimmon Tree Rd. and proceed to Persimmon Tree La. and the tournament’s main walk-in entrance.

Public Safety Reminders for Pedestrians

Pedestrians walking along Bradley Blvd. are reminded that they must cross only at marked crosswalks and stay alert for oncoming traffic. Spectators should also be aware that the only authorized exit from the country club grounds is the tournament Main Entrance on Persimmon Tree La.

Taxi/Limo/Private Vehicle Drop-Off & Pickup

Tournament and County public safety and transportation officials remind spectators that no public drop-offs or pickups are allowed in or around the main entrance of Congressional Country Club on River Rd. Spectators who wish to be dropped off at Congressional must use the designated taxi, limousine or private vehicle drop-off, located near the tournament Main Entrance on Persimmon Tree La. No parking or standing is allowed, so spectators are asked to coordinate their pickup times accordingly.

Bike racks

Spectators who want to bike to the tournament are reminded that bike racks are available at the tournament’s Main Entrance on Persimmon Tree La.

Do’s, Don’ts, Etc.

More information and details about the tournament are available at www.attnational.org (Spectator Information).

Economic Impact

The AT&T National not only provides a first-rate golf experience for area fans, it benefits local charities and has a positive impact on the local economy. For example, the economic impact from the 2012 tournament was more than $10.9 million, with total attendance of more than 136,000 for five out of six days of the tournament (no spectators were allowed on the course on Saturday due to the aftermath of the derecho that hit the area).

Heritage Days: When the Past Comes to the Present

The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices will be among the musical entertainers performing during
“The Civil War Comes to Rockville” event.

 Each year, on the last weekend of June, Heritage Montgomery hosts its signature event – the annual Heritage Days Celebration. The 16th annual countywide celebration on June 29 and 30 will offer visitors an opportunity to sample numerous sites representing the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County. See a short video of what the weekend has to offer.

This year, Heritage Days will include an added special event on June 29, “The Civil War Comes to Rockville,” a commemoration marking the 150th anniversary of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuarts’s ride into town. The event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at sites throughout the downtown area, will offer reenactments, music, crafts, dancing and lectures.

Meanwhile, many other locations around the County will be hosting activities for all ages and interests. This is a fun way to learn a lot about local history.

For the most up-to-date information and rundown of all that’s happening at the free event, visit the Heritage Days website.

County Residents 80 and Older Sought to Participate in Healthy Aging Study

County residents 80 years of age and older who are in excellent physical and mental health are invited to participate in The National Institute on Aging’s IDEAL Study to learn more about healthy aging. This research will help scientists observe the aging process and identify the secrets of aging well.

Learn more about IDEAL, its parent study the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and how to participate by visiting www.blsa.nih.gov.

Office of Consumer Protection Advises Homeowners about Post-Storm Home Repairs

The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) warns County residents to be cautious when hiring contractors to repair damage caused by the recent severe storm that tore through the area. Do your homework before signing a contract for any home repair, improvement or tree service work.

OCP Director Eric Friedman said, “While we understand the urgency to have repairs done as quickly as possible, homeowners need to proceed with caution before signing any contracts by verifying that the contractor is properly licensed and experienced.”

Read the advice to homeowners that is good information to keep in mind anytime.

OCP investigates thousands of complaints each year involving automotive sales and repairs, new home purchases, home improvements, credit issues, retail sales, internet services and most other consumer transactions. The office provides pre-purchase information to consumers, as well as speakers to the community on consumer issues.

For more information, call 240-777-3636 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer.

Find Local Farmers Markets with New Online, Interactive Map

View Montgomery County 2013 Farmers Markets in a larger map

From annuals to zucchini, chances are a local farmers market has it. And, now, it’s even easier to find locally grown products thanks to the new interactive map of all 22 farmers markets found on the Department of Economic Development’s website. Or, download a brochure of all County farmers markets pdf.

For more information about local farmers markets, call 301-590-2823.

Farmers interested in participating in one or more of the markets can get more information by calling 301-590-2810.

County to Host Two July Fourth Celebrations

Montgomery County will again host two Independence Day fireworks displays on July 4 -- Germantown Glory at the SoccerPlex in the South Germantown Recreational Park, 18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds and Mid-County Sparkles at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road, Kensington. Both fireworks displays will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Germantown Glory will kick off at 7 p.m. with a concert by Bobby and the Believers, while Mid-County Sparkles activities begin at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by Quiet Fire Soul.

Get more information about parking, etc.

Changes Coming in July for Reporting Animal Emergencies and Complaints

Residents are advised that beginning at 6 a.m., Monday, July 1, calls  reporting animal emergencies and complaints in Montgomery County will be answered by the County Police Emergency Communications Center or MC311 call takers.

Animal-related emergencies in progress should be reported to 9-1-1. Some examples are:

• Animal attacks in progress
• An animal locked in a hot car (particularly important this time of year)
• Animal cruelty in progress
• An animal creating a traffic hazard

Calls to report animal-related complaints should go to the police non-emergency number 301-279-8000. Use that number to report:

• A sick or injured animal or one that appears abandoned
• An animal neglect situation
• An animal in a trap issued by Montgomery County
• An animal in distress due to severe weather conditions (Animals without shelter or water)
• An animal threatening the well-being of a community member (Not in-progress)
• An animal bite/attack (Not in-progress)
• An animal nuisance such as an animal at large, a barking dog or not cleaning up after a pet

If you spot a dead deer along the roadway, you can report the location through the County’s MC311 Customer Service Center:

• Call 311 or 240-777-0311 (from a cell phone), Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., or
• To report a dead deer on a 24/7 basis, go to www.MC311.com

To reach the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, continue to call 240-773-5960 to inquire about:

• pet adoptions
• the low-cost spay neuter program,
• pet licensing,
• reporting a lost pet or
• other animal shelter matters.

To reach the Police Animal Services Division, continue to call 240-773-5925 :

• To speak with an Animal Services Officer
• Follow up on a previously reported complaint,
• Inquire about the Animal Matters Hearing Board or
• Inquire about rabies vaccination clinics.

Coming July 1: New Parking Rates for Bethesda, Montgomery Hills

The new public parking rate pricing structure in Bethesda will charge more for the spaces in highest demand and will eliminate differences between long- and short- term parking.

Effective July 1, charges will be based on the type of parking used. The new rates will be: $2 per hour for on-street parking meters; $1.25 per hour for surface parking lots; and $.80 per hour for garage parking. Current rates in Bethesda are $1.25 per hour for short-term parking (four hours or less) and $.80 per hour for long-term parking (greater than four hours). Time restrictions still apply, and parking spaces may be restricted to short- or long-term parking.

In Montgomery Hills, the new rates will be $.50 per hour for both short- and long-term parking.

For additional information on parking rates and options in Bethesda, Montgomery Hills and the other County parking lot districts, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website, call 240-777-8740 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or email the Parking Division at parking@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Silver Spring Summer Concert Series Kicks Off July 11

The long-running free Silver Spring Summer Concert Series, presented by Discovery Communications, will be held on Thursday evenings, July 11 to August 1, from 7 to 9 p.m., on Veterans Plaza at the Silver Spring Civic Building, Ellsworth Dr. and Fenton St. Performances are canceled due to weather only if it is raining at 7 p.m.

Following is the 2013 schedule:

1. July 11 – Bruce Ewan, The Red Harmonica King (Blues)
2. July 18 – David Bach (World Jazz)
3. July 25 – Elliott Levine (R&B, Funk)
4. August 1 – Second Wind (Rock & Roll)

Concerts include a raffle with prizes for children and adults. Attendees can bring a picnic or enjoy food from one of the many nearby restaurants.

For more information, call Montgomery Recreation at 240-777-6821.

New Public Service Announcement Offers Details about 311 Call Center in Spanish

A new public service announcement (PSA) in Spanish about the services of the County’s 311 call center has been added to the 311 website.