 County Executive Marc Elrich was a former long-time elementary school teacher. In his message this week, he talks about the excitement and optimism that comes with the start of each new school year. He offers encouraging news on the status of COVID-19 in the County—but the news is not so good about Monkeypox. He expresses concern that the nation again is facing threats from the polio virus and talks about a new monitoring system the County will soon have to help detect those type of viruses. He also provides an update on “Streeteries” that have been operating in four areas of the County.
 Montgomery County Public Schools students and their families are invited to kick off the new school year at the annual “Back-to-School Fair” from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Westfield Wheaton. The event provides an opportunity to learn about the school system and County programs and services, while enjoying family-friendly activities, entertainment, a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic and more.
 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.
 Four “Streeteries” were created in early 2020 by Montgomery County as a temporary concept to support businesses struggling from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and allow residents to gather freely on public streets closed to cars. They are now being reevaluated for fall as the pandemic continues to ease. The County’s Streeteries include Newell Street in Silver Spring, Price Avenue in Wheaton and Norfolk and Woodmont avenues in Bethesda.
 The Rockville City Police Department, in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorneys Office and Montgomery County Public Schools, will host a gun buyback event on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, in the parking lot of Rockville Police Headquarters. All firearms will be accepted with no identification needed and a no-questions-asked policy by law enforcement.
 The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will observe schedule and program changes for the observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 5.
 A supply of the protein-based Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is now available to Montgomery County residents. The technology has been used for decades to combat diseases such as hepatitis B and influenza. Clinical trials have shown the two-dose vaccine to have similar effectiveness as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines at preventing and reducing illness from COVID-19.
The achievements of the Webb Telescope will be celebrated with a weekend of events promoted by the Gaithersburg Community Museum on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26 and 27, with events including an indoor movie screening and an outdoor Skywatching event and discussion.
 The Montgomery County Community Action Board, which is part of the Community Action Agency, is accepting applications for its Community Advocacy Institute (CAI). The CAI is a free eight-month advocacy training program for Montgomery County residents with combined household incomes of $60,000 or less. Conducted in English, with simultaneous Spanish interpretations, workshops will focus on a variety of topics including how to work with elected officials, storytelling, research, letter-writing, developing testimony and key advocacy issues.
The annual fall native plant sale held by Montgomery Parks and the Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda is now underway. The sale seeks to bolster native vegetation for native pollinators. The plants help create habitats that are necessary for pollinators’ survival and support the local ecosystem. There is an online sale that will run through Tuesday, Sept. 6, and an in-person sale scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 17-18.
 The Washington Area Bicycle Association, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, this fall will continue its series of classes to teach adults how to ride bicycles—and how to do it safely. Classes will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Upper County Community Recreation Center in Gaithersburg; on Sunday, Oct. 16, at Westfall Montgomery Mall in Bethesda; and on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Wheaton Ice Rink in Wheaton Regional Park.
 There are currently more than 2,800 at-risk Montgomery County residents pre-registered for a monkeypox vaccination, but the total vaccine supply delivered to the County’s public health team remains less than 1,000 doses. Vaccinations are currently recommended for those most at-risk of contracting it. Anyone can get monkeypox. However, the majority of cases have occurred within the LGBTQ+ community.
 “Art of Trash Grabbing” free community workshops will be open to residents from throughout the County from 10 a.m.-noon at three City of Gaithersburg parks on Saturday, Aug. 27. At the workshops, artists will teach participants how to decorate metal trash grabbers using watershed themes, stormwater slogans and other environmental messages.
 Montgomery County officials have announced that community organizations involved in food recovery and food security may apply for mini-grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to improve capacity and infrastructure of the local food recovery system. The grants also will be available for innovative and collaborative approaches to reducing food insecurity.
 DJ Rick will provide the music from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, on Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring for a Hand-Dancing Extravaganza as part of the free Twilight Tuesdays entertainment series. The music will include favorites Motown and Old School R&B.
 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.
Montgomery County's ceremony of remembrance and candlelight vigil has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to overdose 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. The event will be held at 7:15 p.m. at Memorial Plaza, which is located at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville (the terrace between the Montgomery County Executive Office Building and the County Circuit Court).
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