The Katz Update: Celebrate Black History Month!!

February 7, 2020

During the month of February, we celebrate many contributions that African Americans have made to our history and identity. African American men and women have persevered to enrich our national life and bend the arc of history towards justice. They have strengthened our County, State and Nation by leading reforms, overcoming obstacles, and breaking down barriers. 

Council News

At the February 4th County Council Session:

• The Council presented a proclamation recognizing Library Lovers Month, an annual month-long celebration which showcases the importance of libraries in Montgomery County. There will be free events throughout the County to celebrate!
• The Council received an overview of the Germantown Sector Plan for the Town Sector Zone. The purpose of the plan is to replace the existing Town Sector zone with current zoning classifications for the Churchill Village community of Germantown.  
• The Council held a second work session on the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan and discussed PHED (Planning, Housing and Economic Development) Committee recommendations including opportunities for open space, affordable housing and transit oriented development.  

Katz in the Community

I had a great time serving as a judge for the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce’s Great Chamber Bake Off contest. Participants brought cans of non-perishable food or made a monetary donation to Manna Food Center. Manna is devoted to eliminating hunger in Montgomery County. Thank you JK Moving Services for hosting a fabulous event!!

It was my pleasure to welcome Richard Montgomery High School student Shairee Arora to the County Council as a guest speaker. She urged the County Council to keep in mind the words of Horace Mann as they conducted their business. "Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.”

I attended the Action Committee for Transit’s Rally for safe streets, honoring Jose Guillen. Mr. Guillen was killed while crossing the street in Aspen Hill. It was an emotional day hearing from his grandchildren sharing what a wonderful grandfather he was. I am dedicated to improving pedestrian safety so other families will not have to experience this type of tragic loss.

I participated in a hard hat tour of Main Street's residential project at 50 Monroe Place. Main Street is an inclusive, community-centered residential development – the first of its kind in the Washington Metropolitan Area – where 25% of the apartments are designed and designated for adults with disabilities. It was a fantastic tour and I'm looking forward to the ribbon cutting!!

DISTRICT 3 - HISTORY NOTE 

Did you know in 1900 there was a streetcar that connected Washington, D.C. to Rockville? The Tennallytown (Tenleytown) & Rockville Electric Railway Company opened a line from Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown just above the C&O Canal to Bethesda Park, an amusement destination in Alta Vista (off Old Georgetown Road, near present-day NIH).

I am honored...

to represent District 3 on the Montgomery County Council. I serve as President of the Council, Chair of the Public Safety Committee and as a member of the Government Operations Committee.

Things To Do and See in District 3

Saturday, February 8^th: Family Day: Black History Month (Woodlawn Manor, 16501 Norwood Road Sandy Spring), 12:00PM – 3:00PM. Hands-on activities for children celebrating African American culture. Held inside Woodlawn Manor. Ages 6 & up. Advance registration recommended. More info - Family Day

Tuesday, February 11^th: Computer and Device Help (Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg), 10:00AM – 12:00PM.  Drop-in at the Gaithersburg Library’s Computer Lab Tuesday to practice and enhance your tech skills. More Info - Computer and Device Help

Thursday, February 13th: Opening Reception: The Future is Us (Beall-Dawson Museum, 103 W. Montgomery Ave, Rockville), 6:00PM – 7:00PM. An exhibition exploring environmental issues that Montgomery County and the world currently face. At the reception, you’ll see creative pieces put together by local students that emphasize the state of today’s environment and the consequences of pollution. More info - The Future is Us

Thursday, February 13th: Lincoln Park: A Celebration of Community (Glenview Mansion, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville), 7:00PM. The Lincoln Park Community Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020. Peerless Speaker Series is sharing the story of the development of the Lincoln Park Community Center and its meaning to the families of the neighborhood. More info - Lincoln Park: A Celebration of Community

Saturday, February 15^th: Black History at the Museum (Gaithersburg Community Museum, 9 South Summit Ave., Gaithersburg), 10:00AM. Stop by the Museum to watch the documentary, “The Quince Orchard Project,” about the historic Quince Orchard community, and stay to make a book about Harriet Tubman. More info - Black History at the Museum

Saturday, February 15^th: 2020 Lantern Festival Celebration (F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville), 11:00AM–2:00PM. The Lantern Festival marks a major celebration on the lunar calendar. The Lantern Festival celebration will feature cultural performances, food, interactive lantern craft activities and cultural displays. More info – Lantern Festival

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT INFO

FUTURE PUBLIC MEETINGS

Tuesday, February 11, 2020: The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will host a moderated discussion on the relationship between economic health and multimodal transportation in Montgomery County. The event will be held at the Montgomery Planning headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring) from 6:00PM to 7:30PM. The session will be available live and on-demand online. RSVPs are encouraged but not required. More info - Montgomery Planning

The entire month of February is dedicated to the people who love our libraries!! Make sure you have your library card. It's National Library Lover's Month!! 

To Subscribe to the Katz Update. Click Here!

Please Share the Katz Update with Your Listserv