 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich attended this week’s graduation ceremonies for the County Police Academy and talks about how the new officers will impact public safety. He also addresses the decision by the Federal government to delay action on the Governor's plans for I-270 and I-495. He is enthusiastic about the County’s participation in the ‘Urban Heat Mapping Initiative.’ He reports cases of COVID-19 remain elevated, but there is good news in that the County now has access to the new Novavax vaccines. The County Executive will be attending the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, which begins Aug. 12 and runs through Aug 20, and he hopes many residents will experience the celebration of Montgomery’s agriculture.
 “Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week” will return from Aug. 14-20—just in time for back-to-school shopping.
 Much goes into a year’s worth of planning to create the annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, which this year will be held Aug. 12-20 at the fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. A lot will become evident when the fair springs to life with rides, attractions, animal displays and the best of garden products and homemade goods. However, what goes on to pull it all together is interesting on its own—and that will be the focus as Marty Svrcek, executive director of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds, is the featured guest on the next edition of the What’s Happening MoCo podcast.
 The electric vehicle market is growing rapidly in Montgomery County. As of June 2022, there were 16,618 plug-in vehicles registered in the County, with 10,939 of those full battery-electric vehicles. Over the past two years, the number of plug-in vehicles on the road has increased by 60 percent.
 The hot weather likely has most people thinking of summer activities, but for Montgomery County Recreation, it is time to start addressing cooler days, pumpkins and fall fun. Registration for County Recreation’s fall programs and activities will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15.
 Montgomery County had an average of about 50 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people at this time last year. For the last several weeks, the County is averaging more than 200 reported cases per 100,000 residents. The County, like the national trend, is seeing reinfections in some residents and health officials say that natural immunity is not as strong as the immunity people get from vaccination and boosters.
 Monkeypox continues to be an infection of growing concern in Montgomery County and around the nation. Montgomery County has a limited supply of monkeypox vaccine and has established a new preregistration survey to identify residents who are interested in receiving a vaccination and are at risk for having been exposed to monkeypox in the previous four to 14 days.
The Capital Area Solar Co-op is currently in its second round of a campaign to get Washington area homeowners to consider powering their homes with the power of the sun. This run of the campaign will go through Aug. 30 and will include a special “Wine and Shine Happy Hour” and information session at Black Ankle Vineyards in Mount Airy.
 Montgomery County continues to provide COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Parents are encouraged to protect their children and get them vaccinated.
 A new $2 million Small Business Rental Assistance grant program for Montgomery County retail service establishments will be open for applications starting Sept. 1. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 30. The program can provide each eligible business with a grant of up to three months of rent based on its current lease or $10,000, whichever is less.
 The free “Right from the Start” health event focused on support for Black children and families, from preconception through early childhood, will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the White Oak Community Recreation Center.
Choreographer Victor Maysonet with All Out Danza will lead an energized session of free salsa dancing from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16, on Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. The performance and lesson is part of the Twilight Tuesdays series presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
‘The Forest F. Crown Family and Dairy Farm History in Montgomery County’ Will Be Presented Online by Montgomery History Starting Monday, Aug. 15
The story of The Forest F. Crown Family and Dairy Farm History in Montgomery County will be featured in an online presentation of Montgomery History from Aug. 15-22. No registration is required to view the presentation.
|
The Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center, part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, has moved to new offices at 8703 Flower Ave. in Silver Spring. TESS has a 50-year history of serving thousands of residents each year in the Long Branch community of the County.
Clue the Musical, based on a book by Peter DiPietro and with music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker and Vinnie Martucci, will be performed on weekends during Aug. 5-21 at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. The presentation is a partnership of The Montgomery Playhouse and the City of Gaithersburg.
 Students in need of school supplies can get free items on Saturday, Aug. 27, at the “Back to School Giveaway” at Fairland Recreational Park in Fairland. The event, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., is open to all.
Montgomery County will host a ceremony of remembrance and candlelight vigil on Thursday, Aug. 25, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to drug overdoses or substance use. The event will commemorate “International Overdose Awareness Day,” a global event aimed at raising awareness of overdoses and reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths.
‘High Road Economic Inclusion Framework for an Equitable Climate-Ready Economy’ Report Addresses Climate Change, Equity, Economic Development
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, in partnership with other County departments, agencies and community business stakeholders, has completed the High Road Economic Inclusion Framework for an Equitable Climate-Ready Economy report that lays out a set of integrated strategies addressing climate change, equity and economic development.
|
|
