 As the one-year anniversary approaches of the Oct. 7 attack in Israel that reverberated worldwide, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich addresses how the grant program has been expanded to provide security assistance for nonprofit and faith-based organizations that may be targets of hate crimes. He also talks about the County’s support of Maryland Task Force 1, the rescue team ready to provide help in Southern states that may be severely impacted by oncoming Hurricane Helene. He updates programs that are producing and preserving affordable housing in the County. And he reenforces the County’s commitment to having more people purchase electric vehicles as “National Drive Electric Week” gets underway.
Stories in this issue include:
 The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management (OEMHS) has announced that the County is making a $1.2 million commitment to help protect nonprofit and faith-based organizations that have experienced or are at high risk of experiencing hate crimes. OEMHS will administer the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Nonprofit Security Grant program, which organizations can use to help reduce security expenses.
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. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is scheduled to participate in the festivities.
 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.
 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 regional conversation will be for the UpCounty, from 7:30-9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown.
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.
Acclaimed author, artist and comedic storyteller Robert Farid Karimi will be the featured speaker at Montgomery County Public Libraries’ (MCPL) “Contemporary Conversations” series in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The free event, “Poetry and Play: An Evening with Robert Farid Karimi,” will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Wheaton Library (Social Hall, second floor). The evening also will feature a live performance by the Pepe Gonzalez Afro-Cuban/Latin Jazz Ensemble and County Executive Marc Elrich is scheduled to offer closing remarks.
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.
Mystery thriller “Veronica’s Room” will be presented by the Rockville Little Theatre with performances Friday-Sunday, Sept. 27-29, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville. The play was writer by Ira Levin, who is the author of “Rosemary's Baby,” and explores the thin line between fantasy and reality, madness and murder.
 “MoCoConnect,” the community camera sharing program started by Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) less than two months, already has more than 500 participants and is working to sign up more. MoCoConnect allows residents to register home security cameras, letting the department know they have a camera system and that they are willing to be contacted by police in the event of a nearby crime.
Fall festivals on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Plum Gar and Potomac community recreation centers, floating pumpkin patches and a wild west dance for individuals with disabilities are among the wide variety of special events Montgomery County Recreation will be hosting this fall at locations across the County. Events are scheduled for community recreation centers, senior centers and aquatic facilities.
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.
Weekends in October will get 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.
Unused bicycles can become a valuable transportation resource for Montgomery County residents in need. The County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) annual Bicycle Donation Drive from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, in Rockville will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact.
 Esther Haynes and Keith Grimes will play acoustic tunes from the American songbook to conclude the Kensington Historical Society’s free morning concert series at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Howard Avenue Park in Kensington.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich discusses how artificial intelligence and innovation boot camps are enhancing services for County residents in the latest edition of the What’s Happening MoCo podcast, which was recorded at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference in Ocean City. He also shares how he is personally embracing the County's environmental protection guidance by “living green” in his own life.
 Registration is now open for the 2024 Montgomery County History Conference that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Montgomery College's Rockville campus in the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center. The conference will offer myriad opportunities to engage with local history, including a keynote address, nine breakout sessions and a documentary screening. The keynote session will detail the life of Thomas Smallwood, a local man born into slavery who eventually purchased his own freedom.
The opening day to request use of Montgomery County Public Libraries meeting rooms for dates of use Jan. 1 through June 30 will be Tuesday, Oct. 15. Registration will begin online at 6:30 a.m.
The 30th annual Harvest Festival sponsored by Montgomery Parks will return to the Agricultural History Farm Park from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. The event will feature traditional crafts, games, living history demonstrations, music, food and a chance to participate in farm-type activities. There also will be hayrides around the park.
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