 County Executive Marc Elrich provides updates on the Nov. 16 explosion and fire at the Potomac Oaks Condominium complex in Gaithersburg, telling how to help the victims while fire investigators search for the cause. He has strong feelings about antisemitic graffiti that has been found in various locations in the Bethesda area. He looks forward to working with Dr. Kisha Davis, a Quince Orchard High School alumnus, who he nominated, and this week was confirmed by the County Council, as the new County health officer. In addition, he is enthusiastic that a leading international company in the biotech industry announced it would be expanding its Rockville operations and eventually adding 500 employees in Montgomery County.
 The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 24.
The annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, which traditionally is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year will return in grand fashion—including new special guests— starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Downtown Silver Spring.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich today applauded the selection six individuals—each with different backgrounds, but all of whom have made significant contributions to the County’s legacy—who will become the newest members of the County’s Human Rights Hall of Fame at induction ceremonies on Sunday, Nov. 20, in Germantown. The12th biennial event will see the inductions of Daryl Davis, Rev. Dr. Philip W. Davis Sr. (posthumously), Dr. Jeremiah Floyd, Janice Freeman, Willie Pearl Mackey King and Charles L. (Chuck) Short.
The “Garden of Lights” display, which annually transforms Brookside Gardens in Wheaton into a magical winter wonderland, will open for the 2022 winter season on Friday, Nov. 18. The exhibit will be open from 5:30-9:30 p.m. every night through Jan. 1, except Nov. 21-24 and Dec. 24-25.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the County’s regional services offices and community partners are hosting hybrid forums in November and December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget. The next forum will be conducted from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, at the Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring. Residents can attend the forums in person or view them via the internet.
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Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined last week by U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP); the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to establish the “University of Maryland 3—Institute for Health Computing (UM-3-IHC).” The Institute will include research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR).
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Be COVID-Prepared for the Upcoming Holiday Season
The third holiday season with COVID-19 is approaching, and everyone agrees that COVID fatigue exists. A few simple steps of caution can make being with family and friends enjoyable while reducing the risk of illness from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses such as colds and flu.
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MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany, announced this week that it will grow its presence in Montgomery County with a $286 million investment to expand its biosafety testing capacity. This is the largest investment in contract testing in the history of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The expansion will add 500 jobs over the next four years to the company’s Montgomery operations, while retaining the more than 600 fulltime employees it already has in the County.
 Thanksgiving is mostly thought of as a day of celebration—and eating—with family members and friends. However, the holiday also brings some potential danger that comes with dividing attention between cooking and being social. Cooking-related fires happen more often on Thanksgiving Day in Montgomery County than on any other day of the year, according the County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS).
 The extended Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most heavily traveled times of the year. Additionally, the evening before Thanksgiving has historically been one of the busiest nights for bars and restaurants, with high drinking rates. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) are reminding residents that high-risk activities, combined with the sheer number of drivers on the road, make it an especially dangerous time for alcohol-related collisions.
 Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) is partnering with local businesses to curb alcohol-impaired driving during the holiday season. ABS is distributing beverage coasters that feature a QR code directing patrons to an online list of alternative rides to get home safely when drinking.
 Seven featured films will be screened on Saturday, Nov. 19, as the Gaithersburg Arts Barn hosts its Independent Film Night. The screenings will begin at 7:30 p.m., with a question and answer session with the films’ creators following each.
 The historic African American community of Gibson Grove no longer exists in Montgomery County, but its spirit lives on. The Montgomery History free online presentation, “Gibson Grove: Gone But Not Forgotten” will tell the story of the community and its people. The presentation will be available starting Monday, Nov. 21, and can be accessed for one week.
 “Christmas on the Farm,” a special way to celebrate the holidays in a country setting, will be at the Montgomery Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 3-4.
 Michael W. Twitty, an award-winning culinary historian, food writer, teacher and author, will join the free, online “Contemporary Conversations” series of Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Mr. Twitty will be discussing the connection between the foods and traditions of the African Atlantic and the global Jewish diaspora.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is seeking up to 45 Montgomery County 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. Applications are now being accepting. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Nov. 30.
 The Arts and Social Justice Fellowship, presented by Strathmore with Core Partner Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, is looking toward its second year of identifying a next generation of artists with activism. Applications for the 2023 program are now being accepted, with a deadline of Sunday, Nov. 20.
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