 As Veterans Day approaches on Saturday, Nov. 11, County Executive Marc Elrich explains the County’s participation in the national “Operation Green Light” program that honors veterans. He also provides details on the many ways Montgomery County supports veterans and their families as part of the County’s thanks for their contributions to the nation’s freedom. This weekend, there will be ceremonies around various parts of the County that will honor veterans. County Executive Elrich encourages residents to attend one of those ceremonies so they can thank veterans in person.
Stories in this issue include:
The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for Veterans Day Weekend, Friday-Saturday, Nov. 10-11. Veterans Day ceremonies throughout the County will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11. However, the County Government will observe the holiday on Friday, Nov. 10.
 As Veterans Day approaches on Saturday, Nov. 11, Montgomery County has joined the national “Operation Green Light” salute to veterans from Nov. 6-12. The County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs is seeking additions to its virtual tribute to County veterans. And for those who want to attend ceremonies on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, several events will be held around the County.
 Registration for Montgomery County Recreation’s winter classes and programs will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 13, for County residents. Registration for Bone Builders programs will open at 9 a.m.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners, is hosting a series of 10 “Community Conversations” to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. The next conversation, from 7:30-9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 13, at the Silver Spring Civic Building will focus on Silver Spring-related issues.
 The annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, which is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, returns at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, in Downtown Silver Spring. The parade will again feature a diverse range of participants—and the event organizers are seeking volunteers to assist in the widely attended gathering.
 The ninth episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast series, “Accessory Dwelling Units,” features important information for homeowners who are considering converting a space on their property into a secondary residence.
 The Montgomery Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood always is a fascinating place that can quickly take visitors back to a time when agriculture dominated the County’s economy and lifestyle. There will now be an opportunity to learn about those times via candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18, and Friday-Saturday, Dec. 15-16.
 Montgomery County’s Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation will hold a marker dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Rockville, to honor the memories of two of the three men who are known to be victims of racial terror lynchings in the County between 1880 and 1896. These markers will serve as a testament to acknowledging the past and building a more just future.
Montgomery Parks November Nature Center Programs Will Include Project FeederWatch and Full Moon Friday
Montgomery Parks is offering a full slate of fun and educational programs in November. The special events will include Project FeederWatch on Thursday and Friday nights at the Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda and Full Moon Friday on Nov. 24 at Locust Grove.
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The Montgomery County Office of Procurement’s annual “Procurement Fair” will provide details on upcoming business opportunities with County Government. The fair, which will be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the East County Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring.
 Montgomery County has been continually expanding its recycling efforts to reach its “Aim for Zero Waste” goal. On Wednesday, Nov. 15, the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will join in the national celebration of “America Recycles Day.”
Fall is settling in and winter is around the corner, but Montgomery Parks has events and activities for all seasons. The Garden of Lights opens at Brookside Gardens on Nov. 17 and there will be a “Holiday BARKet”for dog lovers on Sunday, Nov. 18, at Cabin John Regional Park.
 A community meeting and walking tour hosted by Montgomery Parks from 2-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, will be an opportunity to learn more about a proposed sensory trail at the Fairview Road Urban Park in Silver Spring. The project would be a first for Montgomery Parks and will help to make County parks more inclusive and welcoming to all visitors.
 For 25 years, Montgomery County’s Rustic Roads Program has protected the historic and scenic roadways that reflect the County’s agricultural character and rural origins. An update to the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan is currently in progress. In an online presentation of Montgomery History that will be available for free for one week starting Monday, Nov. 13, the progress of the program will be reviewed by host Kacy Rohn.
 Edith Purdie, an information technology consultant and 40-year Silver Spring resident who spent much of her summer on a tenting trip exploring the Western United states, will share her experiences and philosophies in an online presentation from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16. “Travelogues: Mosquitos in the Tent and Other Adventures with Edith Purdie” will be presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women and the nonpartisan organization Montgomery Women, which works to ensure that women are fully represented in leadership positions, will host a free virtual career guidance session for middle and high school female students from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16. “A Virtual Career Exploration for Her” will be hosted via Zoom.
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women will be presenting three classes on “Introduction to Self-Defense: The S.A.F.E. (Self-defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange) Seminar.” Each class is a single two-hour sampler seminar for women of all ages and abilities taught by Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)-certified instructors. Classes are available on Thursday, Nov. 16, Tuesday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 3.
 The feeling of celebrating a holiday on a farm will be the theme on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 2-3, at the annual “Christmas on the Farm” event at the Montgomery Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. Among the highlights will be the opportunity to see farm animals up close, to visit the park’s tool museum and to enjoy free cookies and cider.
 The Montgomery County Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is recruiting volunteers to become IRS-certified VITA tax preparers, schedulers, greeters, quality reviewers and site coordinators during the upcoming tax season (January–mid-April). VITA provides free tax help to Montgomery County residents, including ITIN taxpayers, with household incomes of $64,000 or less.
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