 The resurgence of COVD-19 and the importance of vaccinations, booster shots, and continued mask wearing is addressed by County Executive Marc Elrich in his message this week. He also expresses his gratitude for the venerable efforts of the County’s MC311 team that serves the County so well, and he is enthused about the County’s progress in creating a quicker, more reliable, and more equitable bus system. County Executive Elrich welcomes two new leaders to the County and discusses his innovative Budget Forums and #KeepingMoneyInMontgomery.
 The Montgomery County Government will observe special schedule changes, with many programs not being held and most facilities, including senior centers, closed for the Christmas holiday weekend on Friday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 25.
Montgomery County, in partnership with Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar and Westfield Wheaton, will be hosting a “Super Saturday Boosterama” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, to provide free COVID-19 booster vaccines for residents. First doses for adults also will be available. There will be no pediatric shots available. No appointment is needed.
Montgomery County will be providing rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits received from the Maryland Department of Health to increase testing access for specific groups in the County. Montgomery health officials will be working with community organizations to distribute the test kits.
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 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Craig Rice and the County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) this week introduced new dedicated bus lanes at the Germantown Transit Center. The lanes, which have been painted red and are located on Crystal Rock Drive, Century Boulevard, and Aircraft Drive, allow buses to easily access the transit center.
 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.
 MC311, Montgomery County’s customer service center for all nonemergency County information and services, has surpassed one million calls since the COVID-19 health crisis began in March 2020. County Executive Marc Elrich noted the milestone was reached just before the two-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case was identified in China in 2019.
In a conversation that includes managing adversity while serving as an elected official, on the newest edition of the “What’s Happening MoCo” podcast, Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro describes details of her political journey from her tenure on the Montgomery County Board of Education through her time serving three terms on the County Council.
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The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District has a season full of holiday events to enjoy this winter. Upcoming events in Silver Spring include activities from the more than 100 arts and humanities organizations, popular arts venues, attractions and entertainment businesses in the Arts and Entertainment District.
Wheaton’s Arts & Entertainment District and its surrounding region has a wide variety of holiday celebrations and events throughout the winter season. There will be activities for the whole family—including the family pets.
New parking rates at Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters will go into effect beginning on Monday, Jan. 3, and will be implemented in stages over the following months. The Montgomery County Council adopted the parking rates as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget process.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA, or Metro) announced this week that it will reopen the Shady Grove and Rockville stations on Jan. 16. The stations have been closed for a four-month period for the Rockville Canopy Replacement Project.
Photos of the holiday-decorated Montgomery County Flash bus that operates in the Columbia Pike (US 29) area could win photographers $25 gift cards or other prizes when the photos are posted on social media. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is looking for photos of the innovative service for its “FlashLIGHTS Photo Contest.”
Montgomery County Public Libraries is offering online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs throughout December. All workshops are free and offered virtually.
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