 The smokey skies that have overcome parts of the U.S., including Montgomery County, as the result of Canadian forest fires should be a reminder of why we must continue to work toward climate action goals, said County Executive Marc Elrich. This week he also discusses the Healthy Babies Initiative, which became law this week. And he salutes several Montgomery County police officers for their heroic actions in trying to save a woman’s life.
 The Maryland General Assembly, during its 2023 session, approved legalization of recreational use of cannabis for adults 21-and-over. The law went into effect on July 1, but many residents still have questions about details in the law. Among the most common questions refer to being able to use cannabis in public areas and how its use can lead to impaired driving.
 Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring will begin charging for Saturday parking beginning on Saturday, July 8. The Saturday hours and rates will be the same as the existing weekday schedules. Sundays will remain free. Drivers will be able to purchase monthly parking passes valid for mornings, evenings and weekends.
 The 2023 Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale on Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23, will be a unique opportunity for residents to explore 21 select farms in the County’s Agricultural Reserve, shop local, enjoy fresh food, see farm animals and learn about farming as a way of life. The Farm Tour will offer a chance to visit select farms, some of which are only open to the public during this special weekend event.
 The United States Department of Transportation has awarded The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission an $18.5 million RAISE grant to fund the rehabilitation of multi-use paths to fill gaps in the Capital Trails Network. The Capital Trails Network is a plan developed by local jurisdictions, the National Park Service and trail advocacy organizations, to connect 990 miles of trail between Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has launched a new Ride On Trip Planner app that will make using Ride On bus service easier and more convenient. The app was created in partnership with Moovit, a mobility and journey provider app. Riders can download the app from the Google Play or the Apple app store.
Montgomery County officials will host a project update on the proposed Diversion Center in Rockville at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, in the auditorium of the Executive Office Building, located at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville. The meeting also will be accessible virtually via Microsoft TEAMS.
 Montgomery County Ride On bus riders and Metrobus riders on most Montgomery County routes can now request to be dropped off between stops when traveling late at night. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Ride On buses and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrobuses began offering the “Courtesy Stop” program to allow bus riders more options to get to their destination safely and easily when traveling after dark.
 Montgomery Parks will help celebrate July as Park and Recreation Month with a wide variety of programs that will include Foodie Friday, Never Grow Up and Shakespeare.
 The nature centers of Montgomery Parks have a calendar loaded with special events of many interests in July. Among the highlights are "Park in the Dark," “Full Moon Fridays” and “Something Awesome.”
 The “Silver Spring Swings” long-running free summer concert series with groups that inspire the audience to get up and dance will feature The Jarreau Williams Experience at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. The group’s leader is sometimes called the “man with the golden pipes.”
 The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District has teamed up with the iconic Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center for this year’s TGIF Summer Concert Series, offering after-work celebrations on Friday evenings. The Ricky Wise Trio and its wide song book will highlight the series on Friday, July 14.
 The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has launched a “Peer Review Program” those who want to retain the services of a DPS-certified peer reviewer for sediment control, stormwater management and right-of-way projects that require permits from the DPS land development division. DPS is now accepting applications from those who request to be certified as peer reviewers.
 The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee (WUDAC) will hold a meeting in Wheaton from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, on "Supporting Youth in Crisis.” The meeting will provide an opportunity for the community and businesses to share with local officials and professionals what they are seeing in their community as it relates to mental health, substance abuse and violence among youth.
 Fela Kuti was the biggest Afro Beat star out of Africa. Olney Theatre currently has a production about his life. From 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, there will be a free special event primarily featuring the music and dance of Fela Kuti. The event, at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, will have the additional components of yoga, arts and crafts, a fashion show and even Nollywood stars--all from the Nigerian community.
Gaithersburg’s popular Summer Outdoor Concert Series has returned to the City Hall Concert Pavilion. Free, family-friendly concerts take place in June, July and August. The Thursday series will feature the pop covers and original songs of Karousel at 6:30 p.m. on July 13.
 The “La Abuelina” communications campaign Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar (For Our Health and Wellbeing) produced by Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has received a local Emmy Award from the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) for the third consecutive year.
|
