 On a day that witnessed a terrible tragedy, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich praises the firefighters, other first-responders, and partners working quickly to assist those impacted by the explosion and fire that occurred at the Friendly Garden Apartments on Lyttonsville Road in Silver Spring. While helping our neighbors find their way through this event, we are reminded that we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and getting boosted is still the best protective measure we can take. County Executive Elrich praises our Alcohol Beverage Services for giving us a way to stand in solidarity - as a County - with the people of Ukraine as they try to repel the deadly Russian Invasion of their country. He celebrates the renaming of the Silver Spring Library after Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee; the Women Making "her-story" awards; the opening of Marriott's 8,000th hotel in our County; and the completion of the Phil Alperson MD 355 Crossing project in Bethesda. County Executive Elrich also promotes joining the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Nebel Street Shelter scheduled to open March 5 in Rockville.
 Montgomery County is working quickly to assist those impacted by the explosion and fire that occurred on the morning of Thursday, March 3, at the Friendly Garden Apartments on Lyttonsville Road in Silver Spring. A system has been established to help the victims. Many residents evacuated carrying very little or nothing.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has signed a bill that will enable the County to rename the Silver Spring Library as the “Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library.”
 Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services on Feb. 27 halted sales of Russian-made alcohol products in its 26 retail stores after Russian forces invaded the nation of Ukraine.
 Montgomery County on Feb. 25 dedication the “MD 355 Crossing Project” in Bethesda that will enhance capacity and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety access to the Medical Center Metrorail Station. The new crossing connects the west and east sides of MD 355/Rockville Pike between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC).
Commission for Women Celebrating Women’s History Month with ‘Girl Power Contest’
The Montgomery County Commission for Women is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022. In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, the Commission for Women invites residents to participate in its fifth annual “Girl Power Contest.” County residents, ages 5 and up, are encouraged to submit a short story, poem, drawing, or medium of their choice that addresses two key questions.
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 During the month of March, as Montgomery County is marking two years of fighting the COVID-19 health crisis, the County is highlighting the sacrifices, dedication and efforts of individuals and partners as the community continues to move forward.
 Montgomery Parks will host one more evening of music, beer and food in its series of winter events in local parks that are suitable for all family members (excluding the beer part). There is no charge for admission for the “Acoustics and Ales” happy hour event that will be held on Friday, March 4, at Acorn Urban Park in Silver Spring. There are charges for beer, food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Montgomery County’s first “Go Electric” event, showcasing the future of electric power—from electric vehicles to power equipment and solar power—will be from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at Montgomery College in Rockville.
 The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs is honoring dozens of Montgomery County Vietnam War Era veterans with detailed tributes displayed on a special website created by the commission. The tribute honors the veterans leading up to "National Vietnam War Veterans Day," which is observed every year on March 29.
 Gaithersburg Arts on the Green, in partnership with Kensington Arts Theatre-2nd Stage, will present Frozen Jr., with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, from April 1-10. Tickets are now available.
Early Bird Registration is now open for the ninth annual Montgomery County Energy Summit, which will take place in-person (and virtually) on Tuesday, April 5, at the Silver Spring Civic Building and fully virtual on Wednesday, April 6. The Energy Summit will be hosted by the County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in partnership with the US Green Building Council National Capital Region (USGBC NCR). The event will offer cutting-edge education that focuses on the latest trends in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy and related commercial, multifamily and residential topics in Montgomery County.
 Elizabeth Kolbert, staff writer for The New Yorker and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Sixth Extinction, An Unnatural History, will be the featured speaker for the free “Contemporary Conversations Series” of Montgomery County Public Libraries at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. Ms. Kolbert will participate in a virtual conversation on climate change and how habits and decisions can make an impact.
 Montgomery Parks will be closing a portion of Sligo Creek Parkway to vehicles and the trail to pedestrians and bicyclists from Carroll Avenue to Jackson Avenue beginning on Monday, March 7. Trail construction will address drainage improvements to mitigate flooding on the trail. Construction is anticipated to take approximately one month to complete. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to access Sligo Creek Parkway during the closure.
Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs will be available throughout March. The programs are sponsored by Montgomery County Public Libraries.
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