 County Executive Marc Elrich this week talks about how the County will use funds received from the national opioid settlement. In addition, he celebrates an initial victory in Federal court preserving the County's law that regulates possession of firearms in specific public places.
 Residents who are looking for a new furry friend are encouraged to go to the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood. The adoption center is at “critical capacity,” particularly regarding large dogs of more than 40 pounds. It is waiving adoption fees for the next 50 dogs adopted.
 The Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame recently announced six inductees for its 2023 class, who will be honored in ceremonies on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Downtown Silver Spring. The fifth class for the Hall of Fame includes legendary figures in their respective fields in Georgetown Prep football coach Jim Fegan, the late Gaithersburg High School football coach John Harvill, Paint Branch basketball star Tracy Jackson, Springbrook High and U.S. national team soccer player Joanna Lohman, tennis player Harold Solomon and television sportscaster Scott Van Pelt, who attended Sherwood High School.
 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 Aging and Disability Services Division of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services recently began offering free hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers to eligible residents 60-and-over. The distribution of these devices will be conducted by Access HEARS, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect individuals with hearing loss.
 The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection has expanded its electronics recycling program, a key initiative to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. The County is now accepting more electronics and is accepting audio and video tapes for recycling.
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 Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council have announced that $5.75 million in Community Grants funding is available to assist County community nonprofits. The money is to be dispersed to nonprofits with unique and innovative programs focusing on youth, seniors, residents with disabilities and underserved populations to cover special community needs that are not otherwise being addressed by County funding or efforts.
“Montgomery Connects,” Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program, has launched a new program to distribute 34,000 free laptop computers to low-income families. There is a limit of one computer per address. Eligible recipients must be Maryland residents, but do not need to be U.S. citizens.
 “Montgomery Can Code,” a unique and innovative public-private partnership formed by Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in collaboration with Apple, is holding its fifth annual summer camp program. The program offers middle school students in Montgomery County an exciting and educational opportunity to learn computer coding.
“Silver Spring Village Playwrights Present” will offer residents a free series of original one-act plays written by several of the organization’s members, who all members of the organization Silver Spring Village. The event will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Downtown Silver Spring.
 Montgomery Parks is helping celebrate July as Parks and Recreation Month with a wide variety of programs that will include Fire and Ice Cookout, Never Grow Up and Zoo in My Room.
 The nature centers of Montgomery Parks have a calendar loaded with special events of many interests in July. Among the highlights are the programs Kindness Rocks, Full Moon Fridays and Something Awesome.
The Linden Oak Tree in its prime in 2007
The Linden Oak Tree, which at approximately 300 years is estimated to be the oldest white oak tree in Montgomery County, will be removed on Tuesday, July 18, by Montgomery Parks. the historic tree, which is located at the intersection of Beach Drive, Grosvenor Lane and Rockville Pike in Rock Creek Park, is in declining health.
 The “Silver Spring Swings” long-running free summer concert series with groups that inspire the audience to get up and dance will feature the classic hits of The Bottom Dwellers at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring on Thursday, July 20.
 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. Sweet Leda and its rockin’ soul will highlight the series on Friday, July 21.
 Gaithersburg’s popular Summer Outdoor Concert Series has returned to the City Hall Concert Pavilion. Free, family-friendly concerts take place in July and August. The Thursday series will feature the alternative rock and pop covers of The Breakaways at 6:30 p.m. on July 20.
 The Latino Health Initiative (LHI), one of three minority health initiatives that are part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), recently hosted its first-ever community health worker (CHW) certification program graduation. The group of 20 graduates was honored following completion of a rigorous six-month training program that included 100 hours of instruction and a 40-hour practicum.
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.
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