 This week’s global IT outage reminds us how much our daily lives depend on technology. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich highlights a town hall discussion in Bethesda where residents learned more about the County’s Drone as First Responder program, and he provides an update on the latest summer heat and drought conditions in the community. He previews the upcoming Farm Tour & Harvest Sale July 27-28. The County Executive emphasizes that any type of political violence is unacceptable. He welcomes newly sworn-in fire chief Corey Smedley and reminds parents to be sure their kids are updated on their school vaccinations.
Stories in this issue include:
Just a few days before the 2024 Olympics kickoff in Paris, France, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Montgomery County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz will celebrate three-time Olympic medalist and Silver Spring native Dominque Dawes with the unveiling of a sculpture at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center at noon on Tuesday, July 23.
Montgomery County’s Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District has announced that Afro-Cuban jazz legend Chucho Valdés will headline the free 20th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7. Mr. Valdés—known as a pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger—has won seven GRAMMY Awards, six Latin GRAMMY Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.
 The sunflower fields in the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area on River Road near Poolesville, which are among Montgomery County’s natural gems, are nearing full bloom and ready for residents who want to wander through a spectacular experience.
 The 2024 Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale on Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28, will have 24 agricultural locations open to visitors. The Farm Tour offers a chance to explore the County’s Agricultural Reserve by shopping for locally grown food, seeing farm animals and learning about farming as a way of life. The Farm Tour will offer a rare chance to visit many farms that are only open to the public during this special weekend event.
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is offering free vaccinations for school-aged children (pre-K through high school) at locations throughout the County until the end of September.
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Child Care Support Services is seeking nominees for the second annual Montgomery County Early Care and Education Excellence Awards. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Self-nominations are encouraged.
 Free outdoor music at Montgomery County’s finest performing arts venue will be available on Wednesday and Thursday nights through August on the grounds of Strathmore in North Bethesda. Wednesday night events are family friendly and Thursday events feature “Cool Concerts for Kids.”
 With scorching summer temperatures, many Montgomery County homeowners may be considering adding solar panels to make the most of the long summer days. The 17th episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) podcast series, which is now available, highlights the department’s new “eSolar” program that will help get solar panels installed faster on residential rooftops by approved installers.
 Concerts in parks, puppets and Foodie Friday are among the program highlights for the Montgomery Parks special events and programs being offered in July.
 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 will feature the acoustic duo of Shelby Blondell on July 26.
 The alternative rock and pop sounds of The Breakaways will highlight the “Thursday Evenings in Olde Towne Gaithersburg” summer concert series at 6:30 p.m. on July 25. The free, family-friendly series will energize the City Hall Concert Pavilion on Thursdays throughout July and into early August.
 The tot rock of Rocknoceros at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, will conclude the free Gaithersburg Children’s Summer Concert Series at the City Hall Concert Pavilion in Gaithersburg.
 The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will launch an updated version of its “ePlans” software on Monday, July 29. The new version of ePlans will make the permitting process easier for customers who submit residential building applications electronically. Customers utilize ePlans to apply for permits and submit construction plans online.
Artists of all abilities from every visual medium are being invited by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. to share their work inspired by the summertime from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22, in the online event “Refresh with Cool Summer Art: A Virtual Community Art Show.”
 Wheaton's newest mural on the side of a building, called "Wheaton Lives," will be dedicated in ceremonies at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11. The mural is on the building that house Elbe's Beer and Wine store.
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