 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich praises the County's Fire and Rescue Services for their swift response to the tragedy at Friendly Gardens apartment complex. He also offers his appreciation for the way the community (County Departments, individuals, the Red Cross, and other partners) stepped up in a big way to help out also donating more than half a million dollars. He takes time to honor our health care workers who are helping us through COVID-19, and he reminds us that though our rates are dropping, and masks are now optional in MCPS, we must still remain vigilant, and bullying on either side of the mask debate will not be tolerated. As the conflict overseas continues to negatively impact our gas prices, County Executive Elrich notes that this is an excellent opportunity for anyone in the market for new vehicle to go "electric." This week is also National Consumer Protection Week. Our Office of Consumer Protection offers some great tips. There are also great things to celebrate now, including the 31 women being honored in the County for the 31 days of Women's History Month, and the upcoming minimum wage increase - every little bit helps. Speaking of money, County Executive Elrich will be presenting his FY23 Recommended Operating Budget next week on March 15. This weekend, remember to set your clocks ahead one hour and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery Women have announced that 31 people will be recognized with the 2022 Women Making History Award. The award is given to outstanding women of the County making significant contributions in their vocation and in the community.
 Montgomery County Recreation will host a free summer camp fair to help families plan for their children’s summer activities from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, at the White Oak Community Recreation Center located at 1700 April Lane in Silver Spring.
 Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection is alerting consumers about potentially deceptive and misleading information in the receipts that some Jiffy Lube® locations provide for purchasing oil changes or auto repair services.
 Montgomery County has dedicated its new Nebel Street men’s emergency shelter in Rockville with 200 beds that will be available year-round for those in need. The County’s previous policy offered limited access to shelter from April to October. During hypothermia season, shelter bed capacity expanded, but without support services or day-time operations.
 Ride On bus service will be increased by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation beginning Sunday, March 13, with the new schedule returning service to 86 percent of pre-COVID levels.
 Adults who want to learn more about riding bicycles will have the opportunity to take reduced-price classes this spring sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. “Adult Learn to Ride” and “Basic Skills” classes will be offered for $10 for County residents and free for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and Capital Bikeshare For All members.
The Wheaton Arts Parade Gallery at Westfield Wheaton will celebrate the opening of its new exhibit, “Emerge,” with a reception from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. The opening will include live jazz music by the Steve Ragsdale Trio.
 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.
 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.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is seeking 30 high school students to serve as ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors.’ The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community.
 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.
The sixth annual Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival is six months away, but planning is in motion for the event that grows in stature each year. Entries are now being accepted for the poster design contest that will add to the enthusiasm for this year’s event. The contest’s entry deadline has been extended, and in addition to high school and college students, the contest has been opened to artists and designers who live or work in Montgomery County.
 Montgomery County Recreation is working to ensure that the dream of attending prom can come true for high school juniors and seniors. For “Project Prom Dress,” the Recreation Department is collecting gently used and new dresses that will be distributed on Saturday, April 16, at the Marilyn Praisner Community Recreation Center in Burtonsville. Prior to that date, dresses can be donated at five community recreation centers.
Montgomery History’s presentation of ‘I Commence My Journal . . .: What Carrie Miller Farquhar Told her Diary . . . and What She Left Out’ will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 14. Ms. Farquhar (1842-1904) kept a diary for much of her life that offers details on her young adulthood in Alexandria and Sandy Spring and her married life on a farm in Norbeck.
 WSSC Water has reopened it Customer Service One-Stop Shop in Laurel for in-person services. Residents can now meet with customer service advisors regarding billing-related questions and financially struggling customers can learn about establishing payment plans and affordability programs. The One-Stop Shop is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
 The Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking registered voters to serve as election workers at polling places for the Gubernatorial Primary Election to be held on June 28.
 Gaithersburg’s Arts on the Green will present an Evening of Jazz featuring TrioVera with special guest Irene Jalenti at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn.
 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.
|
