 Very good economic news about Montgomery County’s unemployment rate at 1.5 percent and continued AAA ratings on County bonds from the major rating agencies are prominent on the mind of County Executive Marc Elrich this week. He also talks about how the County is recognizing African Heritage Month and encourages residents to attend the 18th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Fest on Saturday, Sept. 9, which will bring some of the music industry’s top names to two downtown stages for a day of free entertainment.
Stories in this issue include:
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.
Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will deploy a new point-of-sale system at all its Liquor Wine and Oak Barrel & Vine retail stores over the next several weeks. Each store will be closed for one full day and will reopen at noon the following day to accommodate installation of the new hardware. The first store closure will occur at the Darnestown Liquor Wine location on Sunday, Sept. 10 with the store reopening at noon on Monday, Sept. 11.
The Nighthawks, the legendary blues and roots band now in its fifth decade, will headline the Wheaton TGIF Friday Encore fall concert series on Friday, Sept. 8, at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle and near the Wheaton Metro Station. Prior to the concert, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will join ceremonies honoring Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center, a Wheaton business celebrating its 65th anniversary.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners will host 10 Community Conversations from September through December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. The first conversation will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Mid-County Recreation Center in Layhill.
 The 16th Annual “Bluegrass on the Farm” festival on Saturday, Sept. 9, will feature a hayride full of top entertainers at the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. Top performers scheduled include Big Howdy, the Red Line Ramblers and Karen Collins and the Back Roads Band.
The 77th Damascus Community Fair, which is a present-day reminder of what the northern Montgomery County community was like many years ago, will take place Friday-Sunday, Sept. 8-10, at the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department activity center. The free fair will feature displays of top agricultural crops as the growing season hits its prime, exhibitions of home-made products, live music, exhibitions, kids’ activities and livestock and cake auctions. New this year will be the touch-a truck opportunity to get close to vehicles of many types.
 World-renowned pianist Brian Ganz will highlight the opening of the Gaithersburg Arts Barn’s 2023-24 concert series on Saturday, Sept. 9, in an event that will include an arts fundraiser and reception.
“From Monorails to Montezuma: Journeys of a Roving Scholar—In Conversation with Smithsonian Curator and Folklorist James Deutsch” will be presented live from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Koiner Farm in Silver Spring. In his talk for the SPARKLE series, Mr. Deutsch will share his unique life of adventures around the globe as a folklorist.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is encouraging youth to take advantage of the free Youth Cruiser cards being made available at area schools and libraries. Youth Cruiser cards offer free bus fare for all MCDOT Ride On buses and most Metro buses operating in the County.
 Montgomery Recreation’s out-of-school programs are back this fall, providing a safe environment for a variety of activities including sports, arts and crafts, dance, cooking and STEM.
‘Lilly Stone—A Daring Woman’ Will Be Presentation of Montgomery History on Tuesday, Sept. 12
The life of Lily Stone, a prominent Montgomery County socialite whose remarkable life extended from the Civil War through the Cold War, will be the subject of a free online presentation of Montgomery History at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The presentation will be led by Judith Welles, who wrote the book, “Lily Stone—A Daring Woman.”
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September Nature Center Programs of Montgomery Parks Will Include ‘Hiking with Your Dog’ and ‘Etch and Sip Hard Cider Night’
A variety of hikes including “Hiking with Your Dog,” a native plant sale and “Etch and Sip Hard Cider Night” are among the many special events that will be featured throughout September by Montgomery Parks.
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One of the region’s largest electric vehicle displays, a classic car show, a 5-kilometer charity run and a morning parade will be among the many highlights of the annual Poolessville Day festival on Saturday, Sept. 23. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will be among those joining the celebration.
 The 32nd Annual Burtonsville Day Parade and Festival on Saturday, Sept. 23, will celebrate the theme of “Discovering East County.” The festivities will include three musical performances in association with the Music Center at Strathmore.
 Bicycles that are no longer being used by some can make a big difference for others. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s annual Bicycle Donation Drive will be held on Friday, Oct. 20. The event will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact.
 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.
 Registration for Montgomery County Recreation’s youth basketball programs will open at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 2.
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