 As the celebration of Thanksgiving approaches for many, County Executive Marc Elrich asks that everyone keep in their thoughts some of those who will have a much more difficult time. This includes the families who lost their homes after the fire and building collapse last week in Gaithersburg. He addresses the final report of an independent audit of the County Police Department that will lead to better training and improved situational awareness in certain situations for officers. The County Executive also salutes six remarkable people who earlier this week were inducted into the County Human Rights Hall of Fame.
 The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 24.
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection has launched its annual Gift Outside the Box campaign and encouraging people to “gift-greener” this holiday season. Ceremonies in Rockville starting the campaign this week included County Executive Marc Elrich.
The “Garden of Lights” display, which annually transforms Brookside Gardens in Wheaton into a magical winter wonderland, is now open for the 2022 winter season. The exhibit will be open from 5:30-9:30 p.m. every night through Jan. 1, except Nov. 23-24 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, emphasizing priorities of the senior community, will be conducted from 2-3:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, at Leisure World in Silver Spring.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich last week was joined by Montgomery County Police Department Chief Marcus Jones and Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Co-Chair Bernice Mireku-North for a presentation of the final recommendations by Effective Law Enforcement for All (ELEFA) that offer improvements for Montgomery County Police in officer education, supervision, practices, accountability and public transparency.
 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.
 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.
 Montgomery County Recreation is hosting holiday-themed, family-friendly events for everyone to enjoy this winter. From cocoa and crafts to photos with Santa, December events will be hosted at community recreation centers, senior centers and aquatic facilities across the County.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Montevideo Bridge Rehabilitation Project in Poolesville was selected as the winner of the recently announced 2021 “Michael F. Dwyer Excellence in Preservation Award” by Montgomery Preservation, Inc.
 “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.
 Montgomery County will commemorate World AIDS Day on Thursday, Dec. 1, with the second annual World AIDS Day Solidarity for Health Equity Breakfast. The free event, which will honor “Unsung Heroes” of Health Equity in the County, is co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Downtown Silver Spring.
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