 The Montgomery County Council this week approved a compromise rent stabilization bill that County Executive Marc Elrich thinks will be a great step toward preserving affordable housing in the County. The County Executive also talks about a grant program that will assist small, emerging and volunteer-led nonprofits in delivering services. He provides details on a computer giveaway program that will significantly help low-income residents and encourages people to join the July 22-23 Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale. County Executive Elrich additionally offers his thoughts on Marc Hansen, who passed away this week after 37 years of working in the County Attorney’s Office, including 12 as the lead County attorney.
 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 Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood remains at “critical capacity,” particularly regarding large dogs of more than 40 pounds. Over the past week, a campaign to have 50 dogs adopted with fees waived resulted in 26 large dogs (and some small dogs) being adopted, but the center is hoping more residents will take advantage of the opportunity to adopt a new family member and have adoption fees waived.
 “RainScapes” projects are landscape or design techniques that help reduce stormwater runoff from individual properties. At times, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection offers rebates for projects to help defray their costs. The portal to apply for the RainScapes Rebate Program will reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
 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.
A series of Summer Shady Hikes organized by Montgomery Parks will help people stay active in August, despite the heat. The hikes will be especially geared to help beginning hikers. The three hikes in August, designed for ages 8-and-older, wlll take place from 6-7 p.m.
 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 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.
 The Bethesda Historical Society’s Hank Levine, who last year led a Montgomery History presentation on the development of Bethesda from 1750-1920, will advance the story of one of the County’s most prominent communities in The Roots of Modern Bethesda—Part II. The online presentation will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 27.
 Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. will be taking viewers skyward with two online presentations on Monday, July 24. “Out of This World” will look at creative works that explore the cosmos from 5-7 p.m. “Exploring Spacescapes: In the Studio with Artist Linda Daniels Cermak” will follow from 8-9 p.m.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council have announced that $5.75 million in community grants 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 Parks is helping celebrate July as Parks and Recreation Month with a wide variety of programs that will include Zoo in My Room Zoo in My Room and Foodie Fridays: The Bees’ Knees.
 The “Silver Spring Swings” long-running free summer concert series with groups that inspire the audience to get up and dance will feature the Revelator Hill Blues Band led by master guitarist and founder Bobby Thompson on Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring on Thursday, July 27.
 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 legendary Nighthawks, led by Mark Wenner on harmonica and vocals, will highlight the series on Friday, July 28.
 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 blues and soul of Sol Roots at 6:30 p.m. on July 27.
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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