 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich opens this week’s newsletter honoring Hispanic Heritage and African Heritage. He then talks about the efforts to support the environment and drive down COVID-19 cases in schools. The County Executive also addresses the importance of supporting our small businesses and the benefits of participating in and donating for the healthy (and environmentally friendly) fun of cycling. County Executive Elrich also encourages residents to attend some of the many hybrid (virtual and in-person) Operating Budget presentation events scheduled to happen all around the County in the coming weeks.
Montgomery County health officials are urging residents to get a flu vaccination and will hold clinics for adults and children in October and November. While getting a flu vaccination does not protect against COVID-19, flu shots have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. Getting a flu vaccination also can save health care resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County’s regional services centers will host five hybrid forums in October to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budget. The first forum will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center in Bethesda. Residents can attend the forums in person or view them via the internet.
Montgomery County Ride On bus fares will remain free through Jan. 1 following a recommendation by County Executive Marc Elrich that was approved this week by the County Council. County Executive Elrich has supported using the period to look at the “Fare Equity Study” conducted by the County Department of Transportation (MCDOT).
 Taxicab companies operating in Montgomery County (Action, Anytime and Regency/Barwood) can provide roundtrip transportation to residents 65-and-over and residents with disabilities to COVID-19 vaccination and testing locations at no cost to the rider. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will reimburse the taxi companies for the trips.
 Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The statistics are updated to reflect the most recent reports from the State of Maryland during the health crisis. Among the information available is how many positive cases have been reported in each zip code in the County.
Fall will be filled with special events from Montgomery Parks. The wide range of events will include festive fare at Pumpkins & Pours, riding on the Halloween Eye Spy Trains and experiencing Fall on the Farm. As Halloween nears, costumes can be displayed at spooktacular activities at the Halloween 5K Haunted Hustle or Nightmare on Elm Street.
 The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and Montgomery County Public Libraries will join together to celebrate October as Energy Action Month by offering the opportunity to exchange inefficient light bulbs for energy efficient ones. Bulb exchange events are scheduled at 19 County libraries.
Montgomery Parks will host the fourth annual “Go, Grow, Get Active” senior wellness event at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton on Wednesday, Oct. 6. The latest episode of the “What’s Happening MoCo” podcast features MaryBeth Dugan, program access coordinator for Montgomery Parks, who talks about that special day of instructor-led activity geared toward County residents 50-and-older.
Montgomery County Recreation will offer out-of-school programming for elementary school students on Friday, Oct. 8, which is an early release day for Montgomery County Public Schools. Kids Day Out is an afternoon of fun, supervised activities that are planned with an emphasis on kid-friendly, healthy recreation.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is partnering with State and local governments across Maryland to celebrate the Seventh Annual “Walktober” program, a month-long series of activities in October promoting the State’s official exercise: walking. Maryland named walking as the official State exercise in October 2008.
 A bicycle donation event sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation on Friday, Oct. 8, will provide bicycles for kids and adults in need. Bikes will be collected from 7 a.m.-2 p.m., outside of the Council Office Building parking garage at the corner of East Jefferson Street and Monroe Street in Rockville.
 The Frieda Fromm-Reichmann Cottage, which was originally part of the Chestnut Lodge Sanitarium grounds in Rockville, will be celebrated by the Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation organization as the city’s first national historic landmark in an event on Friday. Oct. 1.
 “Economic Recovery and Workforce Solutions” will be the theme from noon-1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, when Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Economic Revitalization and Recovery program continues its series of virtual town hall meetings to keep businesses informed on strategies for doing business as the health crisis continues.
 The Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council is hosting several events in October to bring attention to Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women will offer five free career seminars this fall to help individuals strengthen their personal brand and place them on the path to finding more than just a job, but a career. The sessions are geared to assist women with their career paths, but are open to everyone.
Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs will be available throughout October through a program offered by Montgomery County Public Libraries. All workshops will be offered virtually.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) on Monday, Oct. 4, will transition to Aspen Discovery, a library catalog providing customers with a new suite of features and a better online experience. In the days leading up to the transition, some library services will be limited or disrupted.
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