 This 4th of July holiday week is a wonderful time to honor some of the finest Americans and Montgomery County residents who give tirelessly to our community. The County Executive presents the Montgomery Serves Awards and discusses how those honored have helped Montgomery County. He also looks critically at some recent Supreme Court decisions and how they could impact our lives moving forward. The County Executive also discusses some important summer programs and deadlines that are fast approaching. He ends with some advice on how to keep yourself safe on what can be a dangerous holiday.
Stories in this issue include:
Free fireworks shows in Germantown on Thursday, July 4, and Kensington on Saturday, July 6, will lead the celebration of Independence Day in Montgomery County. Each fireworks display will be preceded by events that include music and activities.
 The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have holiday schedule and program changes for the observance of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4.
 Starting Monday, July 1, Metro has adjusted its shuttle bus service to improve travel times and reduce bus congestion at the Silver Spring Transit Center (SSTC). Due to Purple Line construction, work continues at the SSTC through Saturday, Aug. 31. Metro Red Line stations at Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring are closed during the construction.
 Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, concerts in parks, puppets and West Africa Food Crops in the garden are among the program highlights for the Montgomery Parks special events and programs being offered in July.
 Montgomery Parks this week began Phase One expansion of the 80-acre active recreation portion of Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park in Clarksburg. Construction is expected to take 18 months and will lead to the closing of some of the park’s features during this period.
 Renowned anti-racism educator Tim Wise will be the featured speaker at the next event in the Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) “Contemporary Conversations” series. “On Race, Class and Privilege: An Evening with Tim Wise” will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, at the Rockville Memorial Library.
 The Montgomery County minimum wage rate increased on July 1 to keep pace with local inflation as required by County law. Starting July 1, the minimum wage rate for large employers (with 51 or more employees) increased to $17.15 per hour, while the minimum wage rate for mid-sized employers (with 11-50 employees) increased to $15.50 per hour. Due to a change in State law, the rate for small employers (10 or fewer employees) was increased to $15 per hour on Jan.1, 2024. This $15 wage rate for small businesses will remain in effect for the next twelve months.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold an in-person public meeting to discuss the Shady Grove Road Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Improvement Feasibility Study from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, at the Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center Social Hall.
The first step of a new law phasing out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums in Montgomery County went into effect on Monday, July 1. The sale of gas-powered backpack, handheld and walk-behind leaf blowers are now prohibited. Bill 18-22 was approved by the County Council in September 2023 and signed into law by County Executive Marc Elrich.
 Free summer concerts will be happening in Rockville Town Square from 6-9 p.m. most Friday nights through Sept. 20. The series will feature a variety of performers. The next performance, featuring the pop rock of Liquid A, will take place on July 12.
 The Irish Latin Fusion sound of La Unica will highlight the “Thursday Evenings in Olde Towne Gaithersburg” summer concert series at 6:30 p.m. on July 11. The free, family-friendly series will energize the City Hall Concert Pavilion on Thursdays throughout July and into early August.
 The acoustic music of The Bubbas will be featured at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, as part of the free Gaithersburg Children’s Summer Concert Series at the City Hall Concert Pavilion in Gaithersburg. All concerts will be on Wednesdays, a new day for the annual series.
Montgomery County residents with combined household incomes of $64,000 or less can now schedule free virtual and in-person tax appointments with the Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for prior years, amended and current year (2023) returns. VITA services are available by appointment through Thursday, Oct. 24.
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