 Montgomery County’s unemployment rate hit a 33-year low when it was reported to be 1.5 percent in June. County Executive Marc Elrich this week explains the economic advances that have led to that. He also encourages Black future mothers or those who recently gave birth to attend the “Right from the Start” program at the White Oak Recreation Center on Sunday, Aug. 13. After the recent disasters around the nation due to weather conditions, County Executive provides an update on the County’s innovative flood sensor program.
 The 74th Annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, which calls itself “the nine best days of summer,” returns to the Montgomery County Agricultural Center in Gaithersburg with a full schedule of daily activities from Aug. 11-19. Among the special events are the Chesapeake DockDogs canine aquatics competition on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11 and 12, and truck drag racing on Monday, Aug. 14.
 Registration for Montgomery County Recreation’s fall programs and activities will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14. for County residents. Registration for Bone Builders, Day Trippers and Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) will begin at 9 a.m.
 Montgomery County’s Community Action Board is now accepting applications to participate in its free, eight-month Community Advocacy Institute training program that teaches participants how to effectively advocate for policy change. Applications are due Friday, Aug. 18.
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), in partnership with Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. (FOLMC), Mid-Atlantic Scratch League (MASL), Levine Music and Classroom 2 Community (C2C) will have a full day of free events on Saturday, Aug. 12, to celebrate music on vinyl records and the DJ culture. Just for the Record—A Vinyl Day, geared toward all ages, will take place from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library in Silver Spring.
Montgomery County will be offering funding support for independently owned and operated businesses with 20 or fewer employees impacted by the Purple Line construction through Phase III of its Purple Line Light rail grants program. Eligible businesses can start submitting applications on Aug. 15.
 August starts giving hints that the end of summer could be in sight, so the nature centers of Montgomery Parks are offering many ways to make the most of the month. The schedule includes Lake Tours by Kayak and Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park.
The Wheaton Arts Parade organization, which is constantly expanding its range of activities, will sponsor two upcoming events including a guided tour of its artists “pyramids” that are placed around Brookside Gardens in Wheaton on Saturday, Aug. 12, and a “Yarn Bomb” at the Wheaton Library on Sunday, Aug. 13, that will lead to decorating the Wheaton area in creations of knitted and crocheted works.
Three-time Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater will headline the 18th annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. The free festival will take place from 3-10 p.m. Bridgewater will take the mainstage at 8:30 p.m.
Children’s Business Fair Returns to Downtown Rockville on Saturday, Aug. 19
The Third Annual Montgomery County Children’s Business Fair will return to Rockville Town Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, to display the works and ideas of more than 55 young entrepreneurs. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
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A new school year is about to start, and for some low-income residents without computers or the ability to pay for home or mobile internet, Montgomery County is trying to provide help through its continued program of giving away free computers and subsidized internet service.
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 A free online home buying seminar sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17. The seminar will be led by Bill Rozek from Embrace Home Loans
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), in collaboration with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), is offering adult bike classes in September, October and November. The classes include both Learn to Ride and Basic Skills classes. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up scooter classes following select bike classes.
 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 Latin sounds of Sol Y Rumba will highlight the series on Friday, Aug. 18.
 Artist Deirdre Saunder will join Peerless Rockville on-site at one of her art installations at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17, to discuss her public art pieces located throughout and near the City of Rockville. The free talk in front of the historic Red Brick Courthouse in Rockville will provide an opportunity to hear about the development of public art from one of the area’s best-known artists.
 The rockin’ music of The Soul Crackers will be featured at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17, in Gaithersburg’s free popular Summer Outdoor Concert Series at the Gaithersburg City Hall Concert Pavilion.
 The legendary blues band The Nighthawks will headline the final week of free summer events sponsored by Montgomery Parks. Its Parks Playhouse series will conclude with The Nighthawks playing from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, at Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda.
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