 The 2024 Maryland General Assembly session opened this week in Annapolis and County Executive Marc Elrich is optimistic that the legislators can work with Governor Wes Moore to achieve major accomplishments. He also addresses the County’s increased efforts to recruit officers for the County Police Department. With Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday celebration approaching on Monday, Jan. 15, County Executive Elrich encourages residents to pay tribute to the great leader by participating in a Day of Service and attending one of the many events honoring Dr. King.
Stories in this issue include:
 Montgomery County will host a full day of activities on Monday, Jan. 15, to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day will kick off with in-person service projects designed to benefit the community and will conclude with a free gathering at 4 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda that will celebrate Dr. King’s birthday through expressions in word, music and song.
 The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have holiday schedule and program changes for the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Monday, Jan. 15.
 Montgomery County Recreation’s RecFit passes will be free for Montgomery County residents again in 2024. The free RecFit pass provides access to fully equipped fitness rooms, open gym (drop-in) activities and game rooms at community recreation centers during regularly scheduled hours.
 Montgomery County Recreation this summer will host safe, fun and exciting camps that promote children's active and healthy lifestyles. Camp registration begins at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, for County residents. Non-County residents will be able to register beginning Thursday, Jan. 18.
 Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood will be open for adoptions seven days a week beginning Sunday, Jan 14.
 Montgomery County Public Schools rising juniors and seniors will have an opportunity to gain career-based learning experiences this summer through the “Summer Rise” program. The school system is hoping to have more than 1,000 students in this year’s program that will have hosts in all career fields. A seminar for potential host employers will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
 The 11th episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast series, “A Look Ahead at 2024,” features a 15-minute discussion with DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan and Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas about some of the department’s new initiatives, programs and services, including the DPS Customer Bill of Rights.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries will host its eighth annual free comic convention, MoComCon, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Germantown Library and at the BlackRock Center for the Arts. It is one of the largest free comic conventions in the Mid-Atlantic area.
 As part of Metro’s ongoing commitment to expand access and affordability to public transit, the Senior SmarTrip program will join all other Metro reduced fare programs in offering SmarTrip cards at no additional cost. Metro will begin to offer Senior SmarTrip cards at no cost to customers aged 65 and older on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
 Montgomery County’s Commission on Aging (COA) recently honored Stuart Rosenthal, Mary Jo Deering and The Oasis Lifelong Learning Program as recipients of its “Community for a Lifetime” awards, recognizing individuals or organizations whose exceptional contributions align with the mission of enabling older adults to live quality lives and make the County their community for a lifetime.
 The Josiah Henson Museum and Park in Bethesda will be open on Jan. 15 as part of the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and a winter tour of Brookside Gardens in Wheaton on Sunday, Jan. 26, are among the special events that will be sponsored by Montgomery Parks in January.
 The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs will honor Black County veterans with detailed virtual tributes displayed on the County’s website as it recognizes February as Black History Month. The tributes to County veterans will feature photos, background information and details of accomplishments during their military careers and afterward.
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women will host its 44th annual Women’s Legislative Briefing (WLB) at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28, at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville. The theme will be “From Proposal to Passage: Collaborating for Justice and Equality.”
The Fourth Annual ‘Tiny House Building Workshop’ with Artist Marcie Wolf-Hubbard to Have Three Online Sessions Starting Thursday, Jan. 25
The Fourth Annual “Build a Tiny House: Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop” led by artist Marcie Wolf-Hubbard will have three free online sessions on Thursdays, Jan. 25, Feb. 1 and Feb. 8. Each session will be from 6:30-8 p.m.
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 In celebration of its 15th year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival will host former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins for a special free event from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, at the Asbury Methodist Village Rosborough Cultural Arts Center in Gaithersburg. Mr. Collins will share his new book, “Musical Tables,” followed by a book signing and reception.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will adjust 25 Ride On bus route schedules starting Sunday, Jan. 14, to improve efficiency and on-time performance. Although service levels are staying relatively the same, the changes reflect a shift of resources to allow for more reliable service where there is higher demand.
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