 Announcements that the State may have to reduce transportation funding for the next fiscal year and that Metro is facing a significant budget deficit have Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week emphasizing the need to address these situations. He also talks about the County’s Department of Permitting, noting ways the department has made improvements to help speed up residential and commercial building projects. As winter approaches, County Executive Elrich offers ways to keep residences warmer and save money for homeowners.
Stories in this issue include:
 The Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) lottery that will allow winning County residents opportunities to purchase limited availability whiskeys attracted 7,813 registered entrants during the one-week period registration was open earlier this month. ABS will have 555 special bottles available for purchase starting Jan. 8. The winning numbers in the lottery will be posted on the ABS website at noon on Dec. 19.
 The holiday season is the perfect time to “gift outside the box” and give family, friends and that special someone an experience to remember that is also an “environmentally friendly” way to celebrate the holidays. And those experiences can be found close to home in Montgomery County. Visit Montgomery has gathered some great ways to give gifts that are part of the County’s best attractions—the type people who live elsewhere come a long way to enjoy.
 The 10th episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) podcast features information and tips about the department’s “Residential Fast Track” program. The new program can help speed up the process to get permits for many residential projects. In some cases, where all information is correctly assembled before submitting an application for a permit, the program can lead to approval in days instead of weeks.
 Registration for ice time and reservations for tennis courts will soon open. Registration for Montgomery Parks’ Winter Term I ice and tennis court availability will open at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
The Maryland State Colonization Society was a former auxiliary of the American Colonization Society (ACS) that recruited free and manumitted Black Marylanders to settle in Liberia. From 1832 to 1861, the Maryland State Colonization Society was largely supported by appropriations from the Maryland General Assembly. At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, “Legacy of Slavery Project at the Maryland State Archives” will be the focus of a free online presentation of Montgomery History.
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Since ancient times, the Winter Solstice has been revered by numerous cultures around the globe. At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. will assemble artists from many visual mediums to share their work in a free online presentation inspired by the stark and stunning imagery of winter in a gathering on the darkest day of the year.
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 The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood is waiving adoption fees for all animals until further notice. The shelter is full and adopters are urgently needed. All types of animals are available for adoption including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and reptiles.
The “Garden Railway Exhibit” at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, winter shows at the Cabin John and Wheaton ice rinks and the Garden of Lights at Brookside are among the highlights of the special programs and events being offered by Montgomery Parks in December.
 The Montgomery County Office of Grants Management is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2024 Emerging Business Districts Grants Program. This program is designed to support the creation of either Business Improvement Districts (BID) or Urban District Corporations (UDC). A total of $450,000 will be made available to fund awards between $100,000 and $300,000 for up to 12 months.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) recently completed its fall series of adult bike and e-scooter safety training classes. More than 250 residents learned basic skills to safely ride a bicycle or an electric scooter in the fall classes, bringing the total to more than 500 adults who learned riding skills in MCDOT clinics in 2023.
Metro will begin a two-week construction project on the Red Line, starting Monday, Dec. 18, to perform critical safety repairs to the tunnel and track infrastructure, upgrade signal and communications systems, and install new platform edge lights. Four stations will be closed to Red Line service during the construction period.
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 Holiday markets, performances by the Maryland Youth Ballet, holiday concerts, jewelry-making and Santa will be among the highlights in December on the event-packed calendar events in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District.
The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District and surrounding areas will have a full schedule of winter events and holiday celebrations for all ages. The events will include the Wheaton Holiday Market on Saturdays, Dec. 16 and 23, at Marian Fryer Town Plaza.
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has started a project to maintain pavement and improve ride quality on I-495 (the Capital Beltway) that will impact Montgomery County drivers through the end of the year. The work will be done five nights a week between MD 191 (Bradley Boulevard) and east of Linden Lane and between east of Northwest Branch Anacostia River and US 29 (Colesville Road).
 Montgomery County Recreation is hosting two free summer camp fairs in January to help families plan for their children’s summer activities.
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