 This week the County Executive celebrates an important milestone with the opening of the Catherine and Isiah Leggett Math and Science Building on the Montgomery College campus in Takoma Park. He also talks about the importance of earning AAA bond ratings from the three credit rating agencies and this week's interest rate reduction by the Federal Reserve. The County Executive also celebrates the County and the Department of Permitting Services, for being one of 19 jurisdictions in the country selected to negotiate a grant that will advance our efforts to reduce carbon emissions. He also shares with residents several ways to prepare for Election Day.
Stories in this issue include:
Montgomery County has extended its streak of earning the highest possible bond ratings from all three major Wall Street bond rating agencies. By maintaining its “Triple-A (AAA or Aaa)” bond ratings for 2024, the County remains a top-rated issuer of municipal securities, holding the highest credit ratings achievable by a local government.
 The free 11th Annual “Harvest Moon Festival” will fill Downtown Silver Spring with arts, entertainment and exhibitors from 1-7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22. The music on the Veterans Plaza stage will range from Irish dance to New Orleans brass.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners, is hosting 11 "Community Conversations" throughout September and October to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Operating Budget. Five of the 11 forums will be dedicated to addressing the needs of each region of the County. The next conversation will be for the African-Caribbean Diaspora community, from 7:30-9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, at the White Oak Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will join in several special events as the County celebrates “National Hispanic Heritage Month” from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The events will recognize Latinos and Hispanic immigrants making important contributions to their communities.
 The County's 2024 online resident survey is now accessible on the County’s website. It aims to gather feedback on local government services and the perception of overall quality of life in the County. The survey will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30.
Montgomery County is seeking colorful performing units and creative groups to march in the annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Silver Spring. This event is the only Thanksgiving parade in the Washington metropolitan area.
 Montgomery County will join in the celebration of “Active Aging Week” (AAW) from Monday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 6, as part of an international effort to highlight the benefits of maintaining healthy, active lifestyles—physically, mentally and socially—for older adults. During the week, various free programs, events and activities for residents 50 and over will take place throughout the County.
The State’s Attorney’s Office’s Second “Speak Up, Save a Life” Student Video PSA Contest is now open and accepting entries. The short videos must focus on the dangers of using drugs, opioids and fentanyl. The top prize in the contest will be $1,000.
 Registration for Montgomery County Recreation’s youth basketball programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 30. The program fosters the development of basketball fundamentals while also advancing skills in discipline, friendship, sportsmanship and teamwork.
 Reed Brothers Dodge was one of the longest running automobile dealerships in Montgomery County history, operating from two locations in Rockville for more than 97 years. A free virtual presentation at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from Montgomery History will look at how the former company overcame inevitable changes and challenges throughout almost a century of being in business.
The end of summer is often the time homeowners do major cleanups of garages and basements. Often, they find bicycles that need a new home. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is asking for residents to donate bikes to make a difference in their local community.
 The easy-going style of The Porch Delights will headline the Kensington Historical Society’s free morning concert series at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, in Howard Avenue Park in Kensington.
The County’s Latino Health Initiative and its impact on residents is the featured topic on the latest episode of the County Cable Montgomery (CCM) broadcast “50+ in Montgomery County.”
Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. will present its annual free Culinary Traditions of the African Diaspora virtual event hosted by husband and wife dynamic duo Chana Brissett Shinegba and Saviour Shinegba at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24. They will be joined by a panel of community members representing the diverse African diaspora in Montgomery County.
 A free procurement fair from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, at the East County Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring will provide information for businesses that are seeking contracts with the Montgomery County Government and other local agencies. The event will include a panel discussion with representatives of several government entities on how to become certified in the County’s Local Small Business Program and its Minority, Females and Disabled-Owned (MFD) program.
The Eighth Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival, a showcase of creative marching art preceding a day of food, fun and entertainment, will return to Downtown Wheaton on Sunday, Sept. 29. The parade annually features art that can be pushed, pulled, carried, worn or performed—but none that is driven by motor vehicles.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will offer adult bike classes in September, October and November at various sites around the County. The classes are taught by experienced Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) instructors and include Learn to Ride and Basic Skills classes. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up e-scooter classes following select bike classes.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a hybrid (in-person and online) public information meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, to discuss the proposed shared-use path on Norwood Road from Olney-Sandy Spring Road/MD 108 to Ashton Forest Way in Sandy Spring. Residents will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions.
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 The Montgomery County Planning Department has released design concepts for the “Damascus Placemaking Festival,” a free, two-day community event that will be held on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 19-20. The festival will take place along one block of Main Street in Damascus.
The City of Rockville's Rocktobierfest will celebrate German culture with bands, beer and bratwurst from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Rockville Town Center. The free festival will have two stages of live music, food vendors, beer sales by local breweries, an artisan shopping area and activities for kids.
Weekends in October just got spookier at Montgomery Parks with the return of Halloween Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Parks. Tickets for the eerie annual event are on sale now. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase onsite, but ride times will not be guaranteed.
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