Holiday Schedule for Independence Day, Monday, July 4

Montgomery County government will observe the following holiday schedule for Independence Day, Monday, July 4:

• County Offices – closed 
• Libraries – closed 
• County Liquor stores – all Country liquor stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Deliveries will be made as normal; but there will be no pickups
• Recreation – the Germantown Indoor Swim Center will close at 3 p.m., all other aquatic facilities will close at 6 p.m.; swim lessons will meet as scheduled; administrative offices, senior centers and community recreation centers will be closed
• Montgomery Parks - For holiday schedule, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org
• Ride On – Will operate on a Saturday schedule
• Metrorail –Information available at www.wmata.com
• Metrobus – Information available at www.wmata.com
• TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) - closed
• Refuse/recycling pickup – no July 4 collection. Collection will slide by one day. For information on slide schedule go to https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws/holidays/
• The Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station - closed 
• Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free
• MCPS Schools and Administrative Offices – closed 
• State offices and courts – closed

County Celebrates Independence Day with Two Firework Displays

Again this year, Montgomery County will host two Independence Day fireworks displays on July 4 — Germantown Glory at the Maryland SoccerPlex in the South Germantown Recreational Park, 18041 Central Park Circle, Germantown (Boyds) and Mid-County Sparkles at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport 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 Quiet Fire, a soul, R&B and rock band that covers hits from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Mid-County Sparkles begins at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by Gringo Jingo performing the best of Santana.

For more information, go to montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.

Local July 4 Celebrations

Rockville Independence Day Celebration

Rockville's Independence Day Celebration is celebrating its second year at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park, 1800 Piccard Dr., in King Farm. The location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and parking. This event is hosted by the Mayor and Council of Rockville.

City of Gaithersburg Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks

Gaithersburg's 4th of July celebration has a new home. An entire day’s worth of activities – all leading up to a spectacular fireworks display – will take place at historic Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. More information at http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/independence-day

Town of Poolesville

The Commissioners of Poolesville and the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department will present the 2016 Traditional Fourth of July Fireworks event on July 4. The event will be held at the soccer fields at the corner of Hughes Road and Sugarland Road in Poolesville. The gate opens at 5 p.m.

County Launches Second Phase of Reusable Bag Campaign

County Executive Ike Leggett joined by County Councilmember Craig Rice, Environmental Protection Director Lisa Feldt, Executive Director Trash Free Maryland Julie Lawson and dozens of volunteers launched the second phase of the "Bring Your Bag" campaign on June 18. The event included a stream clean-up and free bag giveaway at three grocery stores.

The outreach campaign will focus on increased awareness and education on the impacts of disposable bags on the environment, supporting retailers and the distribution of free bags to residents throughout the County.

Free reusable bags will be available to all residents at all Montgomery County Public Libraries. In addition, free bags are available to families who use the Manna Food Bank.

See more photos from Flickr.

“Summer of Safety” Public Safety Awareness Campaign Returns; County’s 2016 Edition Provides Expanded Online Tips and Resources

Montgomery County has launched the 2016 Summer of Safety public awareness campaign. This innovative outreach effort will provide essential safety information to the public throughout the summer months. The years' campaign, called Summer of Safety A to Z (SoS AtoZ), will be offered via social media channels and a County webpage.  

Safety message tweets with #MoCoSafety will be sent from the Montgomery County and other County departments’ tweeter feeds to alert followers to critical safety information available on the SoS AtoZ website or other trusted sources. All the information is arranged in alphabetical order--from the Alert Montgomery emergency warning system to updated Zika virus information. SoS AtoZ specialized safety Information will also appear in summer issues of the Paperless Airplane.

County to Receive Seven U.S Department of Housing and Urban Develop (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers

Montgomery County will be awarded seven U.S Department of Housing and Urban Develop (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers in 2017. The HUD-VASH voucher program combines Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers and community-based outreach clinics.

The Commission joined by the offices of Congressman Van Hollen and Senator Ben Cardin began working on receiving HUD-VASH vouchers in 2009. Montgomery County has been awarded a total of 93 HUD-VASH vouchers since 2010. The County’s Housing Opportunities Commission plays an important role in supporting Veterans in need of HUD-VASH vouchers.

More information about the HUD-VASH program.

County Works to Ease Impact of SafeTrack

SafeTrack is Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) year-long effort to improve the safety and reliability of the Metrorail system. Three planned line segment repairs and around-the-clock single tracking projects, referred to as “Safety Surges,” will affect WMATA’s Red Line service in Montgomery County.

WMATA’s first Surge (Surge 6), in the County, begins August 1. WMATA has committed 40 buses to enhance service in surge areas. Responding to a request from the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT), MARC will add cars to existing trains during peak periods. Capital Bikeshare will offer a $2 one-time use option. MCDOT is coordinating with WMATA, MTA, MDOT and Capital Bikeshare to assist travelers as they continue to work on their service plans for later Surges.

By keeping up to 17 recently replaced buses in service, MCDOT will both provide additional Ride On service on certain bus routes and free bus shuttles between affected Metrorail stations. Ride On will provide on-street ambassadors at affected Metrorail stations to help direct travelers to transit options.

For more information about impact, please refer to the SafeTrack plan or check brochure in Spanish and other languages (pdf). Read more about MCDOT's plans here.

Statement by Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett on the Orlando Mass Shooting

“Our hearts go out to the friends and families of the victims of Sunday’s tragic shooting in Orlando. The tragic interplay of intolerance and too-easy access to automatic weapons once more has caused occasion for national mourning. There can be no justification, whether religious or political, for the taking of innocent life. And there is nothing more un-American than targeting individuals based on their faith, where they come from, what color their skin might be or whom they choose to love.”

Novavax to Expand Operations in Montgomery County, Plans to Add 850 New Jobs

Novavax, a clinical-stage vaccine company that works to deliver novel products to prevent a broad range of infectious diseases, announced plans to expand in Montgomery County. The expansion of Novavax will add another highly important stable and growing bio health asset to a hub of regional and national firms in Montgomery County.

The company, headquartered in Gaithersburg, is planning to build upon its research, development and clinical trial support operations. As part of the expansion, Novavax plans to retain its current full-time employees and bring hundreds of new jobs to the County. In addition to the Gaithersburg headquarters, Novavax has facilities in Rockville and Sweden.

For more information, go to press release.

Montgomery County’s Faith Communities Connect with New Neighbors Guide

Our world is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with millions of refugees and immigrants fleeing persecution and violence. In response, the County Executive’s Faith Community Advisory Council has prepared a do-it-yourself guide to assist the County’s faith communities in welcoming our new neighbors.

The guide describes ways people may connect with the heart of their faith, learn about the needs of their neighbors, and work with nonprofits and government agencies to make Montgomery County the most welcoming community in America.

The New Neighbors Guide is available at https://www.scribd.com/doc/313811103/Faith-Community-Welcome-New-Neighbors-Guide

Faith Community Welcome New Neighbors Guide by Public Information Office

Summit on Aging Report is Now Available Online

The County Executive’s Summit on Aging report is now available online. The Senior Summit convened to celebrate accomplishments and listen to the community. The event provided a day of sharing and consideration in an effort to build further improvements in programs and services that can help make Montgomery County a “Community For a Life-time”. The report includes summaries of presentations, work group suggestions and links to a wealth of resources.

To read the report go to Senior Summit Report