 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week provides details on a new grant program that will support access to abortions in the County. He offers thoughts on the first week of school and acknowledges work must be done to get students caught up due to the learning loss incurred during the COVID-19 health crisis. He provides updates on the current number of cases, and trends, of COVID-19 and Monkeypox. And as Labor Day Weekend approaches, he talks about this being a good time to salute employees and reflect on the important contributions of labor organizations.
 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.
 The ninth annual Montgomery County “Friendship Picnic” will again bring people of diverse cultures and faiths together to make new friends and discuss ways to build a stronger community. The free picnic will be held from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, at Wheaton Regional Park.
 Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra will headline the free outdoor 17th Silver Spring Jazz Festival, which will take place from 3-10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.10, on Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring.
 There has been a change in Maryland law that could restrict a homeowner’s eligibility for a $692 Montgomery County property tax credit. The new State law requires all residential property owners to also have an approved Homestead Application on file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) to be eligible for the County’s Income Tax Offset Credit (ITOC). This credit appears on annual property tax bills.
 Montgomery County will be offering free webinars on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and on Sunday, Sept. 11, on understanding the process of installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in condominiums, co-ops and townhome communities. The County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Permitting Services (DPS), the Office of Common Ownership Communities and the Montgomery County Green Bank are hosting the webinar series.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will adjust 24 Ride On bus route schedules starting Sunday, Sept. 11, to improve efficiency. Although service levels are staying relatively the same, the changes reflect a shift in resources to allow for more reliable service. The new schedules will be available at rideonbus.com and in print.
 Montgomery County continues to be classified in the “low” community transmission rate for COVID-19. However, the COVID-19 virus remains as a considerable concern as schools are back in session and many fall activities and programs are beginning.
AM Salsa and Dance In Time will lead an evening of free Latin dancing al fresco on Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The two-hour session will begin with group instruction and then shift into a festive dance party accompanied by a mix of Latin dance songs.
 The Montgomery County Community Action Board, which is part of the Community Action Agency, is accepting applications through Friday, Sept. 2, 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.
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Montgomery Parks is hosting its annual fall native plant sales at Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda and Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville. The sales seek to bolster native vegetation for native pollinators. The plants help create habitats that are necessary for pollinators’ survival and support the local ecosystem. The online sale for Locust Grove Nature Center runs through Tuesday, Sept. 6, and an in-person sale is scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 17-18. The native plant sale for Maydale Nature Center is exclusively online and begins Sept. 6.
 Montgomery County has released its first Climate Action Plan Annual Report, a work plan detailing Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) accomplishments and Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) plans to combat climate change. The report highlights 75 accomplishments in the first year since the plan was released in June 2021.
 September is “National Preparedness Month” and Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) are joining with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) in encouraging residents to be prepared for all emergencies.
 Montgomery Parks will have a full lineup of special events in September, including festivals, free salsa lessons, happy hours and yappy hours that will be opportunities to bring along furry friends. There are events for all ages and interests.
 The Montgomery County Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering free tax help through the end of October for current year (2021), prior years (2018-2020) and amended tax returns. Virtual and in-person appointments are available for County residents with household incomes of $58,000 or less.
 The Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA), 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 3,000 at-risk Montgomery County residents pre-registered for a monkeypox vaccination. The County is now following revised Federal and State guidance that is expected to make vaccinations available quicker to those on the pre-registration list than in the past. Vaccinations are currently recommended for those most at-risk of contracting it.
 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.
 A new $2 million Small Business Rental Assistance grant program for Montgomery County retail service establishments is accepting applications 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 is looking for colorful performing units and creative groups to march in the annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, which this year will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Silver Spring. Applications for units to participate are due on Sept. 19. The Montgomery County event is the only Thanksgiving Parade in the Washington metropolitan area.
Montgomery County Schools Coming of Age: Bethesda as the Textbook Example will be a featured online presentation in the Montgomery History series of stories on the County’s past. The presentation will be available anytime online from Sept. 5-11.
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