 The County Executive talks about honoring County native Katie Ledecky, the most decorated female U.S. Olympian. He then explains how Smart Growth principles are ignored in the Attainable Housing Initiative. He also highlights preparations for Election Day and early voting, which starts next week. He also discusses efforts to enforce tougher penalties for reckless driving, one year after Sgt. Pat Kepp’s injury while stopping a dangerous driver. Lastly, the County Executive provides information on the next community conversation about the FY26 operating budget.
Stories in this issue include:
The annual Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show will be held from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, on the grounds of Glenview Mansion in Rockville Civic Center Park. The event, which each year is one of the largest classic car shows in the Mid-Atlantic Region, is free to attend.
The Montgomery County Police Department’s Fifth District Germantown station and the County Fire and Rescue Service’s adjacent Germantown station will team up for a family-friendly free open house from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. Police and fire vehicles will be on display, there will be public safety demonstrations and the event will have music and activities for all ages.
 In-person early voting for the 2024 Presidential general election will occur from Thursday, Oct. 24, through Thursday, Oct. 31, including Saturday and Sunday. There will be 14 early voting centers open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. each day.
 Fall is the season of harvest and Visit Montgomery is advocating a celebration via a road trip throughout the County to uncover the gems of its vibrant cider scene. A self-guided journey will be filled with the sweet aromas of ripe apples and the crisp taste of freshly pressed cider.
 The Beacon newspaper will host its 25th Annual free in-person “50+ Expo” from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The event will offer a wide range of valuable resources, informative speakers, health screenings, volunteer opportunities and entertaining activities.
 Registration is 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.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is joining County health officials in urging all residents to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated against the flu. The County will offer free flu vaccination clinics for adults and children in October and November.
Marylanders can now order another round of free COVID-19 nasal swab tests that will be delivered directly to their homes. Each household can get four tests through COVIDtests.gov.
 The Montgomery County Planning Department will host the “Damascus Placemaking Festival” on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 19-20, which will address the UpCounty community’s future. It will be a free, two-day event that will take place along one block of Main Street in Damascus.
The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery County Public Libraries are presenting a series of free financial seminars in October and November on the ins and outs of "all things money." The seminars, which are open to all, will be led by financial and investment advisors Jamie Lapin and Thiago Glieger. The seminars will take place via Zoom from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a series of in-person meetings to present the findings of six school “walkability studies” to address study findings and discuss the sidewalk and safety needs of students walking and biking to the studied schools. The studies involve Kensington Parkwood Elementary (Kensington); Martin Luther King Jr. Middle, Lake Seneca Elementary and Waters Landing Elementary (Germantown); and Rosemary Hills Elementary and Rock Creek Forest Elementary (Silver Spring).
A great pumpkin carving event, a haunted house in Long Branch and a “Candy and Costumes Skate” in White Oak 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.
 Foodie Friday, a “Not-So-Spooky Skate” and a Glory of Fall garden tour are among the Montgomery Parks special events that will be held in October.
The Rockville Science Center will be presenting a workshop to teach attendees how soap is made through the process of “saponification.” The workshop, for ages 13-adults, will be at the Rockville Science Center storefront in Downtown Rockville from 5:30-7:30 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 25.
 The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has released the latest episode of its "Consumer Connection" podcast, titled "Home Sweet Home." The episode provides valuable advice on the often-confusing process of hiring home builders and home improvement contractors and can help residents make informed decisions when buying or renovating a home.
 Artists of all abilities from every visual medium are invited to share their work inspired by the vibrant colors of autumn at the virtual “De Colores: A Virtual Community Art Show” from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The free show is presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. and will be hosted by artist Marcie Wolf-Hubbard.
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.
Advance tickets are now on sale for the annual Montgomery Parks’ “Garden of Lights,” a breathtaking outdoor winter light display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. This year’s exhibit will feature more than 1.5 million twinkling LED lights.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is seeking the opinions of users on what they like and do not like about the County’s bus service. The 2024 Rider Survey is now available.
The Pike District Partnership will host its third annual “Barks, Brews and BBQ Beer Garden” free, dog-friendly event from noon-4 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Pike District Pop-up Park in North Bethesda.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will offer adult bike classes in 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 will also offer two free, walk-up e-scooter classes.
Reservations to use school and recreation athletic fields from Dec. 1 through March 14 will open on Friday, Nov. 1. That also will be the first day to reserve use of other outdoor school facilities for that period.
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