 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week makes a strong case on why the County Council should vote against approval of the proposed “Thrive 2050” plan that would guide land use in the County for the next 30 years. He is enthusiastic about Montgomery College’s new president, Jermaine Williams, who was inaugurated this week. County Executive Elrich also shares an important message about the importance of National School Bus Safety Week.
 Montgomery County health officials continue to urge anyone age 5 and older to get their updated COVID-19 booster. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration approved the new bivalent booster for younger children. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for anyone age 5 and older and the Moderna vaccine is approved for anyone 6 and older.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is teaming up with the Washington Wizards to encourage reading for fun. MCPL will share great reads with children and families by recommending three books that the library and Wizards community can read together.
Many ‘Halloween Happenings’ Will Take Place in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District
The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District will have numerous light-hearted, family friendly ‘Halloween Happenings’ that will be a treat for all ages. Reservations or tickets are required for many of these events.
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Nominations Can Be Submitted for Montgomery Human Rights Hall of Fame Through Thursday, Nov. 10
The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR) is now accepting nominations for its Human Rights Hall of Fame. Nominations must be individuals—living or deceased—whose work, service and contributions have positively impacted human and civil rights in the County. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, Nov. 10.
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 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is connecting people who have a bike to donate with people who need one. MCDOT collected 370 bicycles at its annual bike donation event in Rockville on Oct. 14, exceeding last year’s then-record collection of 297 bicycles.
 Montgomery County Recreation will host family-friendly events for everyone to enjoy during the fall season. From fall festivals to swimming with pumpkins, events will be hosted at community recreation centers, senior centers and aquatic facilities across the County throughout October.
 A full lineup of special events in October from Montgomery Parks will include Halloween train rides and 'Not So Spooky' skates.
 The Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) will host its first “Spooktacular Halloween Boo Bash” from noon-2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, in the parking lot of the RCPD police station. All activities will be free.
 In partnership with Montgomery County’s public safety departments, its Office of Human Resources will hold a two-session Public Safety Career Fair for job seekers 18-and-over on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the County’s Public Safety Training Academy in Gaithersburg. The County is seeking to fill more than 100 positions across the County’s public safety cluster.
 The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has started a project to significantly improve safety for bicyclists and motorists on nearly two miles of MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) in North Bethesda. The improvements on MD 187, between south of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Nicholson Lane, will convert one travel lane in each direction to add buffered bicycle lanes and the installation of flex posts to outline the new bicycle lanes.
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is beginning a $3.7 million safety and resurfacing project on MD 108 from Olney Mill Road to Brooke Road in Olney. Weather permitting, the 3.7-mile project is expected to be complete by late summer 2023.
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Montgomery Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation Will Hold Special Month of Events in November
Montgomery County’s Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation will hold special events and activities throughout the month of November, and encourages other groups to hold its own events, to promote a better understanding of County history—including recognition of three men who were the victims of racial terror lynchings in the late 1800s.
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 Montgomery County Recreation's Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC) is scheduled to open in 2023. Located in the Central Business District of Silver Spring, the project is part of a public-private partnership with the Housing Opportunity Commission and the Lee Development Group. The recreation department is now seeking input on the types of programming residents would like to see in the center.
 A free Community Shredding and Electronics Recycling event will take place at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Nov. 5. The event will be presented by the City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with the Gaithersburg Environmental Affairs Committee, Georgetown Paper and e-End. While the shredding services are free, food donations to support the efforts of the Gaithersburg HELP pantry also will be collected.
Denver Park Rangers Jodie Marozas and Alec Moore will be the featured guests from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, as part of the free virtual Montgomery Parks’ Speaker Series. The series, which is open to the public, will focus this session on “Navigating Social Issues Impacting Parks.”
 Manna Food Center, Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Montgomery County Food Council, in collaboration with the Greater Washington Community Foundation, have awarded $67,465 in capacity-and infrastructure-building Community Food Rescue (CFR) mini-grants to nine community-based nonprofit organizations involved in food recovery and food security efforts. Community Food Rescue is a Manna Food Center program.
 Early voting in Montgomery County for the 2022 General Election will be available at 14 early voting centers 7 a.m.-8 p.m. from Thursday, Oct. 27, through Thursday, Nov. 3, including Saturday and Sunday. Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Ride On bus service has several routes available to transport voters to the early voting centers located throughout the County.
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women this fall will again offer in-person S.A.F.E. (Self-defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange) self-defense courses for women. The introductory seminars, which will be presented at four locations, are two-hour classes for women age 13-and-over.
 The Piney Branch Pool in Takoma Park reopened this week after being closed for 30 months due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
 Residents 18-and-older who are interested in electric scooter lessons will have the opportunity to attend free clinics in October and November sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. Participants will be able to take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws.
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